(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Hard but Soothing

Kellen, still worried about the other Esper, finished his last plate quickly. All conversation had stopped after Gunther’s outburst, so Kellen found it easy to get up and follow her. The Captain gave Kellen’s ass a pat as he passed, but he brushed it off. He was more worried about Hill, enough to not be concerned about his own side effects.

Hill was chatting with another Esper who had overheard Gunther’s words. Hell, Kellen was pretty sure the whole cafeteria, including civilians, heard him quite well. Gunther, whether he had known it or not, had used his instructor voice. It had boomed over the large space, filling it. It was no wonder that the Esper before Hill was in a panic trying to soothe her.

"Karen, don’t listen to him. He’s just jealous. You know Lieutenant Gunther doesn’t get guiding in the Guild. He’s jealous because you can." They insisted, their large, brown eyes begging Hill to listen. Kellen would be the first to admit that this Esper probably fell into Hill’s type, given the books she’d given him to read. Soft, delicate, with a soft, open expression, this Esper did invoke the impression they needed protection. Even if Kellen knew that they were a powerful, B Class Esper with a habit of destroying the areas they were sworn to protect. They’d been a disaster on the front lines when Kellen had worked with them a few years ago. Kellen could remember the expression they’d had too. One of pure glee.

"Thanks Carlie. I appreciate the kind words, but he’s kind of right. I am a serial...." She trailed off, and Kellen felt his heart jerk. When he made fun of her, it was to make fun. It wasn’t to actually hurt her. If he knew that his words were like barbs to her, he never would have said them. Maybe Hill was like him? Always wanted a pair, but wasn’t able to? Fuck you Gunther, for hurting her.

"Karen, you aren’t like him. You know that, right? And you aren’t like your parents either. Lieutenant Gunther doesn’t know, that’s why he sa-" Hill cut off the other Esper, a soft, but insincere smile on her face.

"Carlie, I’m fine. I don’t know why you brought up my parents either. This and that are not related." Carlie, for her part, didn’t look like she believed Hill. Kellen wasn’t so sure either. He hadn’t spoken to Hill about her childhood, but given her response, and how concerned others were about her, he felt that he needed to remedy that. And soon. Carlie grabbed onto Hill’s shoulder, tightening her grip for a second before relaxing. _{ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com}

"Karen, I mean it. You aren’t like them, and fuck what he said. You are a strong, desirable, considerate woman. Anyone would be lucky to pair with you." She added, and Hill didn’t look at Carlie. Kellen felt his chest tighten. He’d had no idea that Hill had this complexity to her, and now he felt like a jerk. Knowing that Hill was going to say something about herself, he finally made his presence known. He rather loudly put down his tray, and the Espers jumped. That only proved to Kellen how focused they had been on their conversation.

"I agree with Esper Carlie. You are all of those things, and more, Hill. I don’t know what bee got into his bonnet, but he’s being a complete jerk. Anytime I’ve ever interacted with you, Hill, you’ve been focused, kind, and dedicated to your job. So what if you’re a little extra sometimes, or that you like being on the front lines? Lots of Espers and Guides are like that. Plus, you’re still young. You have plenty of time to find someone to settle down with." Hill and Carlie stared at the Guide, both seemed to be surprised that Kellen had spoken up. Kellen continued. "And so what if you’ve slept around? Who actually gives a fuck about that? I agree with Esper Carlie. He has to be jealous because he can’t get what he wants, therefore he is putting down someone who can." Hill’s eyes widened as Kellen cleaned up his tray. Carlie covered her mouth, hiding her wide grin.

"Uh, Kellen, what on earth are you on about?" Hill asked, furrowing her brows. Kellen felt himself fill with shock. How had Hill, of all people, not noticed the interaction between Casper and Gunther? He opened his mouth, about to reveal it out of spite, but stopped himself. Out of respect for Casper, he thought better of it. Right now, Gunther could go shove it, but Casper hadn’t done anything wrong. So, Kellen shrugged, stacking his tray to be cleaned.

"Well, if you didn’t notice it, I don’t want to reveal it. Unlike someone, I’m not a complete asshole who likes to embarrass others publicly without any good reason." Hill’s lips quirked slightly, before she furrowed her brows again.

"Wait, you know something, don’t you? What did you notice?" She asked Kellen, and Kellen only shrugged again.

"Again, not my place. That being said, I don’t think Esper Carlie is that far off when she suggested that Gunther had a reason for not getting guiding done from the Guide’s in the Guild. I also know from a good resource that he rotates between all of the centers." Hill, who Kellen knew was observant of others, but in an Esper way, seemed very interested in Kellen’s information.

"Wait wait wait, are you telling me that Gunther has someone who he likes that works in the Guild? And that’s why he doesn’t get guiding here?" Kellen raised an eyebrow at her. Hill’s jaw dropped, before she stepped closer to the Guide. "You mean that the man who swore of dating or pairs or anything back in the D.E.C. has someone he has feelings for at the Guild? And you noticed?" Kellen was slightly hurt by her tone. Kellen was actually quite observant. He was able to notice a lot of things, and was known for his observation skills on the front lines. What Kellen wasn’t aware of was how others viewed him, especially when it came to romantic attention directed towards him. When it came to others? Completely different story.

"I am a little bit offended by your tone, Hill. Listen, I have great observation skills, alright? You guys didn’t hire me constantly for my pretty looks and kind words." Hill snorted, remembering what Kellen had been like on the front lines. Gruff, hard, non-negotiable. He was nothing like the image he presented now. Hill also knew he had put a lot of work into himself to get to where he was now. Not that she hadn’t liked who he had been before, but she did miss his hard edges. The Kellen she had grown to know over 6 years of working with him had been hard enough to juice lemons with, but this Kellen was one who would bake a lemon meringue pie with the lemon juice. She didn’t hate it, but it took some adjusting to.