(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 435

Chapter 435: It’s the best we can do for now

Sakura thought that Rhys was crazy. She had said as much when he’d called, but then turned around and found a quote for him about how much that would cost. She was also crazy, so she didn’t bat an eye.

With one thing out of the way, Kellen felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. The feeling wasn’t gone, nor was it really lessened, but he felt better that he’d at least attempted something. Sakura told Rhys that they would be done by the time that they were leaving for the front lines because Carlos was working on getting the best ones out for his team who were on the front lines next to the gate as well.

Kellen was grateful for that, and grateful for the fact that Rhys didn’t make him feel crazy. He just helped him. It was something that Kellen was pretty sure he wasn’t going to forget. Rhys didn’t even tease him, asking for something in return.

He just held Kellen closer, tighter, not even complaining that they weren’t doing anything more than cuddling. He didn’t push him to give him more, and Kellen felt his affection for him grow.

He didn’t expect that kind of bad behaviour from Rhys, never had, but it just made everything better for Kellen. He liked that they were able to just go to bed that night wrapped around each other without having to take it to the next step.

Kellen was grateful that his partner was so great.

~

Kellen did his best to go out of his way to spend more time with Gwen and his Guides. Even if it felt like his guts were churning, he wanted to make sure he put in the work.

Gwen was hesitant at first to be around him, but she didn’t really make a fuss of it. It helped that Kellen also reached out to his parents and made this a family thing. Trying to get Gwen hyped for her first visit to a danger zone. They even included some of Gwen’s friends in their visits.

Kellen was able to ease some of his concerns, while also getting to check up on his family, his parents particularly, while also catching up with the people he felt like he had been neglecting in the face of his new job.

Kellen knew his parents weren’t upset with him about it, not after the conversation he had with his parents, but there was just this...Kellen was sure this was just anxiety. He was just anxious. It just felt like there was a giant beast looming over his shoulder at all times as the days counted down.

Brent had cornered him about it eventually, forcing Kellen to spill the beans about the fact that he was panicking about a feeling he was having. Brent had also listened to him, then asked if it was about Gwen.

Kellen had flinched at the way he had said it, as if he had known that it was about her. It wasn’t like Kellen was hiding the fact that he was hanging out with his sister a secret, but it was the way that Brent had been looking at him.

Like Brent was able to guess what was going to happen without being told.

Brent didn’t tell him he was being foolish or stupid. Well, he did call Kellen stupid for keeping it to himself especially since Brent was going to the front lines, but Kellen argued that he didn’t want to burden him with anything when he wasn’t sure.

Brent had given him a look that had Kellen pausing.

"Kellen. How many times have you saved my life?" Kellen had opened his mouth to answer, but Brent had waved a hand, brushing him off. "Shut up. I wasn’t actually asking you that. What I was getting at is if you’re having a feeling, I’m listening. I don’t really care if you’re a new hybrid of Guide. Never really cared either. I care about the fact that the years that I worked with you that I knew better than to doubt your feelings. I’ll look out for your sister. I’ll try to keep her safe, alright?" It was a promise.

A serious promise, and Kellen felt his chest tighten.

"Brent, you don’t-"

"Look, Kellen." Brent started, running his hand through his hair. He’d left his prosthetic off again today. They were still acting up. "You’re basically the brother I never had. Granted, I do have siblings, they’re all just..." Brent trailed off, scoffing. "They don’t matter. Your family has treated me more like family than pretty much everyone but my grandfather did. I don’t mind. It’s not out of duty or feeling like I owe you or anything that I’m doing this. I want to do this." Brent told him and Kellen was at a loss. Brent reached over, pushing at his shoulder. "So stop being a dipshit and keeping all of your worries to yourself. You’re going to ruin that pretty face of yours, and then all you’ll have left is your rocking body and tits." Laughter bubbled out of Kellen and Brent’s serious expression brightened. "There we go. Enough with this mopey face. The kids can feel it, and while they aren’t being obvious, they’re asking me about it." Brent warned.

That was enough to shake him up.