(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54: A vow, Once Made

As someone who liked to keep a firm image of himself, even at Guiding Center B, Kellen hated the fact that it felt like he had to rush towards the Captain. He knew any behaviour that could be perceived as enthusiasm on Kellen’s part towards the Captain could get him in trouble. As much as the Captain was sane, Kellen did not forget about the fact that the Captain had locked him into a contract where he had to live next to him, and had also verbally locked him into a visibly romantic relationship. One where Kellen was constantly uncomfortable with his open displays of affection.

Keeping all of these things in mind, Kellen worked very hard to keep his movements smooth, and not jerky as he made his way back to the table alone. He noticed that another had joined the table, taking up the spot Hill had previously occupied. Pamela had joined them, and she had her hair in two braids once more. Her eyes were glowing pink still, but seemed to be dimmer. She looked exhausted, and Kellen felt that it had to be related to the terrorism fiasco of the previous day. All of the Guilds must be dealing with harsh criticism, and here Kellen was, worried about how others perceived him and his own side effects. Guilt filled him, and he couldn’t find it in himself to sit back down at the table. Instead, he placed his hand on the Captain’s shoulder, keeping contact with him but allowing himself to stand. Pamela gave a soft smile towards the Guide.

"Ah, Guide Woods. I trust you’re feeling better this afternoon?" She asked and Kellen nodded. What else could he do in the face of obvious overworking?

"How are you doing Pamela? Are you doing okay?" He asked and she chuckled.

"Well, I knew what I was getting into when the Captain approached me, or at least I thought I did." She saw the concern cross Kellen’s face and she waved it off easily. "Don’t worry, it’s not more than I can handle. Even Captain Thatcher wouldn’t let me kill myself for the Guild." Captain Thatcher sighed heavily.

"The fact that several people think that it’s okay to consider overworking as an option concerns me. I don’t overwork myself, so neither should you." He warned, and Casper and Pamela chuckled.

"You do overwork, you just lie and say you don’t. I knew we shouldn’t have added an office to your apartment." Casper confidently ratted out the Captain of his Guild, who shrugged, unrepentant.

"It’s my Guild, of course I’m going to work hard for it. But I made it by myself, meaning none of you have the right to outrank me, even in overworking. And as everyone knows, I am a power hungry, overbearing, scary, greedy Esper, and I take those allegations very seriously." Kellen snorted. He believed that even if half of those allegations were true, the Captain was still a better Esper than most. Speaking of being better than other Espers, Kellen glanced at Gunther.

For his part, Gunther at least looked like a moody teenager. He had his arms crossed, and his long silvery-white hair covered half of his face. Kellen also noted that Casper wasn’t looking at him, and even Miro was ignoring the Esper. The aura around Gunther was dark still, and Kellen wasn’t feeling generous. Normally, he’d try to soothe or calm an Esper in his state, partially because an emotional Esper was a dangerous one, but also because he was a good guy. In this case, Gunther could go get comfort from one of the Guides from the Guiding Centers he frequented.

"Well, I am happy to know that you know that about yourself Captain. The first steps to recovery and overcoming your flaws is to know them." Kellen said, his face flat. Brent snorted, covering his mouth with his hand as the Captain’s lips turned up.

"Awe, thank you Mr. Woods. Do you know the steps because you’ve gone through them?" Kellen was shocked. What a low blow.

"I’ll have you know, I didn’t have to go through them, but my therapist did mention them in passing." Kellen sniffed, his body stiff and the Captain patted the hand he had on his shoulder.

"Mmhmm. Did you stop going to therapy shortly after they brought that up?" Kellen didn’t like the tone he had to his voice, and since he was now worked up, he missed the smirks on a couple of the faces at the table.

"I kept going to therapy for another six months, I’ll have you know. I have no weaknesses I am not willing to deal with." Kellen stated boldly, which only made Brent snort again.

"Oh, what a good little Guide you are. There is no way you were in therapy while on the front lines if that’s the case." Kellen frowned deeply at Brent’s comment.

"I was in therapy the whole time I knew you Brent. I only stopped when I came into town because my therapist is on the front lines." Brent, Gunther and the Captain seemed stunned.

"That was you with therapy? What the hell were you like when I didn’t know you?" Kellen shrugged and Brent’s incredulous words.

"Worse, I guess?" He offered dryly and even the Captain knew it was time to tone it back now.

"You weren’t worse, Mr. Woods, but you were...uh..."

"Entitled?" Gunther offered softly, glancing at Kellen before darting his gaze away. "Not in a bad way, I should add. But in the classic, new Guide way?" Gunther offered. Kellen wondered if he was actually faking this whole thing and was actively choosing to be the villain of the day. Why else would he be speaking right now?

"I’ll agree with Gunther on this. When I first met you on the front lines I was worried you were going to get seriously injured on your first mission." Hill’s cheerful voice washed over everyone as she came to a stop next to Kellen, in between him and Casper. She placed a hand on Kellen’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "That might have been my prejudice at work as well, so take that with a grain of salt. And it’s not really a mark against your character Kellen. All new Guides are like that. Everyone who’s spent time on the front lines thinks that way. I’m sure you’re the same." Hill easily diffused the situation, and Kellen’s tense shoulders relaxed. Hill was right. Kellen had thought the same thing, and had been right in a few circumstances. Hell, he’d had the same thought about Brent, and look where he was. He’d just been recruited as Kellen’s right hand man on a fairly large project for the top Guild in their country. Well, Kellen’s country. Kellen was fairly certain Brent wasn’t actually from here.

"Kellen was. I remember how many times he warned me about being careful before I went into my first gate. I was a shithead then, so of course I didn’t listen to him. Plus, he was scary scary. Like, in a really hot way, but I was too much a chicken back then to try and hit on him." Brent admitted easily. Kellen knew that wasn’t the truth, since right out of the gate the younger man had been flirting with him quite obviously. But Kellen felt the Captain’s shoulders tense under his hand, and he was sure that Brent said it for the Captain’s sake. "But, I’ve learned my lesson. Three years of getting shot down was enough, and now he’s taken. I don’t poach, so don’t even think about worrying Captain." Brent shot a wink over to the tense Captain, who only stared at the Guide. Brent chuckled. "I’m serious, Captain Thatcher. Kellen’s all yours." He added, and when Kellen gave the Captain’s shoulder a squeeze, he glanced behind him at his Guide.