(BL) Hunting The Field Guide Chapter 295: The worries of a trainee

The second class was extra surprised to see that the Captain of their Guild was wrapped around his pair like a koala when they entered into the conference room for class. Kellen couldn’t bla them.

Brent was barely keeping it together himself.

Cass had tried to keep things respectable, but the Captain had made up his mind. He wasn’t going to leave Kellen’s side today, and that ant that instead of using his cane, Rhys had insisted that Kellen use him instead.

It was a ridiculous proposition. They couldn’t hold the sa function, but Kellen knew better than to argue with him when the Captain got that glint in his eyes, and that warning bell rang in the back of his mind.

So, he shut his mouth, and let Rhys cling to him like a leech while Kellen went about ignoring him as he taught the class. The Guides were having a harder ti keeping their thoughts focused, and Kellen couldn’t bla them.

They probably didn’t have that much interaction with Rhys. Why would they? He was an S Class Esper who was usually guided by Casper before this, and even then, even if Rhys tried to interact with the other Espers, he didn’t really try to interact with the Guides.

Kellen didn’t hate that now, but he could see how it could bring about so strange interactions in the near future. As much as Rhys had made sure that his cafeteria wasn’t segregated, Kellen was sure that Rhys hadn’t frequented it as much as he wanted.

Kellen turned his attention back to his lesson, answering questions as they ca while Brent sat in the back, typing away. Brent always took notes, especially about the questions that were asked. Kellen had made fun of him when he first started doing it, but he had to admit, it had been a good idea.

It was a way to see where the groups were struggling, or where a few people were struggling. It helped them tailor their lessons more, and Kellen found that it was a nice touch. Either that, or Brent was looking up porn.

There were really only two options in his mind.

The class ended successfully, and Kellen let out a sigh when everyone was gone. Rhys pressed a kiss against his cheek.

"You’re so cute when you’re teaching. It’s adorable." Rhys told him and Kellen frowned.

"And you’re a big distraction. Did you see how everyone was so scared? They were worried if they fucked up, you’d get mad at them." Rhys gave him a baffled look.

"Why would they be worried about what I think? If anything they should be worried about what Casper thinks. Or you or Guide Jason." Kellen groaned.

"You’re the Captain. Doesn’t matter who their next superior is, you’re at the top of that list." Kellen told him, frustrated. He felt like he was about to go into a rant when a soft knock sounded at the door. Surprised, Brent, Kellen and Rhys turned to look at who was knocking. Kellen felt a jolt as he realised it was Bree. She looked...she looked nervous. "Guide Matheson. Is everything alright? You rarely co to speak to after class." And never after the second class.

Bree had co sotis to have a discussion about parts of lessons she didn’t understand, or places she felt she could improve on but needed a little more guidance. She was a very passionate student, and Kellen liked her for it.

She shifted nervously in the doorway and Kellen glanced at Rhys.

"Rhys dear, could you wait in the hallway? Guide Matheson seems to want to speak to us in private." Rhys’ face flushed and he stared at Kellen, his mouth slightly open.

"O-Of course! Just holler if you need !" Rhys pressed a kiss against Kellen’s cheek, rushing out of his hold, turning back, grabbing Kellen’s cane and shoving it into his hand before he squeezed past Bree, a grin on his face. Kellen had no idea what had him acting that way, while Brent snorted behind him.

"He’s in love with you all right. Guide Matheson, did you want to speak to both of us, or just or just Guide Woods?" Brent asked after shaking his head in amusent. Bree swallowed.

"Is it okay if I speak with just Guide Woods?" She asked tentatively and Brent and Kellen shared a look. Brent got to his feet with a sigh.

"It’s perfectly fine to speak to just one of us. I’ll wait outside with Captain Thatcher." Brent patted Kellen on the shoulder as he passed, giving it a squeeze and did the sa to Bree. She shifted nervously, waiting as the door closed behind Brent.

"Shall we sit down?" Kellen asked and Bree nodded. Kellen moved towards the more comfy chairs at the front of the room. It took him a mont to sit, his thigh aching as he did so and he did his best to not let on how much it hurt. When he was finally sat, he noticed Bree hadn’t. "You can sit down beside ." Kellen told her, gesturing to the other soft chair next to him. Bree nodded seriously before she sat down.

As Kellen stared at her, taking in the way her leg was shaking nervously and how she was playing with her hands, he realised that sothing quite serious had to be bothering her.

"What’s wrong, Guide Matheson? You seem...distracted." it was the nicest way he could put it and she laughed. She didn’t et his gaze, her hands twisting in her lap.

"I, well, I guess you could say that." She muttered. "I saw...I saw the press conference highlights this afternoon in between guiding sessions." She told him and Kellen blinked.

"Oh. Is sothing bothering you from that?" He asked and she nodded.

"Is it really only 20%?" She asked quietly and Kellen froze. Oh. He should have predicted this. Bree, of all of the Field Guides he had been training, had been briefed on what her role was. She’d basically been shoved into this course knowing that she was going into the gate.

Yes, at the ti, it hadn’t been a poison gate and was still dangerous, but significantly less so. She would have been going into a gate that had at the very least, 45% chance if they started truly exploring it, not staying near the entrance.

But things had changed. It was a poison gate, and they had told the public about it. Of course this was going to get to her, and of course it was going to make her nervous.

Kellen reached his hand out, placing it on top of hers.

"If you want to back out now, it’s okay to do so." Kellen told her and Bree flinched.

"I-I wasn’t-"

"I’m not blaming you for your thoughts. This is a lot. It was a lot to put on your plate when we thought it was a normal gate, and now it’s changed even more. I won’t lie to you and say that I’m completely comfortable with how things are going right now. For so reason people seem to think that more of the Field Guides I’m training are going into that gate, but we’ve only ever discussed you. It’s a heavy burden to bear." Kellen smiled at her softly and watched as Bree’s face crumbled.

"I-I didn’t realise it was going to be so dangerous." She said, and Kellen squeezed the top of her hand. "I-I know you’ve told us over and over that gates are dangerous, I knew that, but I guess I just...didn’t take how serious this gate was until now. I didn’t...attend any of the etings. I didn’t think it was my place to. If I had, would I have known sooner?" Kellen sighed.

"There’s a chance, but you could have also been overwheld by the way people were speaking. When I first arrived at the front lines I didn’t realise that there were a lot of terms I didn’t know, and no one cared to catch up on them. I had to learn on my own. I doubt they would have taken a second to explain things in plain terms while in an ergency setting when they don’t even do it in normal circumstances." Kellen sighed. "You’ve...been to the front lines before?" Kellen asked carefully and she nodded. She sniffed, wiping at her eyes.

"It was before I awakened as a Guide. I was a volunteer with Ms. M. I would go and help with food and the shop and stuff. I was roped in to help with a scientist expedition once. I was already cleared by the D.E.C. so they let them take . I was just a porter, and it was a lower Class gate." She told him and Kellen nodded.

"Well, that makes sense why you have a slightly different view on gates compared to others." Bree blinked.

"I don’t think I-"

"Guide Matheson." Kellen called to her, his voice kind. "Most people either never see a gate, or the gate explodes and that’s their first interaction with them. You’ve had quite a different experience, so it’s no wonder you didn’t take the severity of this gate as seriously as you should. That’s not a criticism, I promise. We need all different kinds to make the world go around, it’s just unfortunate that that different perspective has caused you so much stress." Bree’s eyes stared at Kellen in shock before she began to cry in earnest.

"I don’t want to back out. I feel like I’ll be letting everyone down. You put so much work into this, into , that I don’t want to spit in the face of it. I just...I don’t want to die, Guide Woods. I wanted to beco a Field Guide to help people. I don’t want to die before I can even do that." Kellen’s heart broke for this young Guide.

"Is it alright if I hug you?" Kellen asked her and she gave a quick jerk of her head. Kellen ignored the way his thigh ached as he leaned forward, comforting his top student. "It’s okay, Bree. You aren’t letting anyone down. The other students probably don’t even consider that they would interact with the gate, but you’re different. If you don’t want to go into the gate, I will make sure that you don’t go into that gate. Nothing will change. You’ll still continue your classes, Guide Jason will take you guys on a field trip to the front lines, maybe go into a stable gate if things go well, and then when you’re nice and ready, you’ll be given our stamp of approval." Bree hiccupped, holding onto Kellen tightly.

"You won’t be disappointed in ?" She asked, her voice tight and Kellen felt his heart squeeze.

"No. I won’t be disappointed in you. I would never be disappointed in you for valuing your own life. There is a reason only one or two Guides go with groups that want to go into gates. We’re few in number, and valuable, Bree. I’m glad that you recognise your own value, and so quickly. It’s okay." Kellen told her, holding her as she sobbed.

"Y-You were so cool too, so I feel even worse. Won’t it look bad if I back out right now? What about your image?" She sobbed and Kellen smiled.

"What image? Everyone thinks I’m a psycho, both off and on the front lines. Brent smooths out my image, but he can’t do that for in the city. Don’t even worry about sothing so small. I never really cared what others thought of , anyways." Well, anymore, but she didn’t need to know that.

"A-Are you sure? You aren’t mad?" Kellen sighed, squeezing her again.

"Bree, I’m not mad at all. I would never, ever be mad about this. If you had co to hours before stepping into the gate, I still wouldn’t have been mad. You did the right thing by coming to as soon as you did. It gives soooo much ti to find so poor sucker to replace you. So, don’t worry, okay? You’re not a bad person for choosing yourself. Soone else with more experience will take up the mantle." She nodded and Kellen held her, letting her cry.

He hadn’t expected that this was the conversation that they were going to have, but it wasn’t bad. He was happy to be able to provide comfort to the Guide who had the most promise, but hadn’t really opened up to her classmates. Hopefully, with this burden off of her shoulders, and now on his, she could relax. Open up to her fellow trainees. After all, this was the most important ti. Being a Field Guide could be lonely if you didn’t have soone to lean on. Kellen would know.