(BL) Hunting The Field Guide Chapter 41: A reunion for the ages

Kellen went to bed early that night, rising early to have a brisk workout in the morning to get his blood flowing. It had been a pleasant night before, getting to hang out with new and old friends. That and the Captain kept his hands mostly to himself, limiting his actions because they were outside. Or, at least, that was what Kellen was telling himself.

He still had a hard ti dealing with the man, even more so when his eyes had remained hazel for most of the night. It had even surprised Gunther and Hill, who had then rcilessly teased the two. Hill especially had asked what Kellen had done to the Captain to get him that calm, and had only laughed when Kellen answered ’guiding’.

Pushing that to the back of his mind, Kellen finished his giant breakfast, getting the last sip of tea in before switching out his slippers for his polished work shoes. He left the apartnt in high spirits, not even flinching when the Captain stepped out of his apartnt at the sa ti. Instead, he offered him a smile, noticing that his eyes had gone back to their yellow hue.

"Good morning Captain." He greeted cheerfully, and the Captain smiled warmly at the Guide.

"Good morning Mr. Woods." He greeted with affection that seed to roll off of Kellen’s back. It didn’t upset the Captain however, who just took it in stride as he joined Kellen on his way to the elevators. "Busy day?" He asked and Kellen shook his head.

"Not really. Casper has a few things he wants to go over with about the Field Guide school as he’s calling it, and I have a few orders that I need to get in since our talk yesterday. What about you?" He asked and the Captain smiled.

"Ah, I have a couple more talks I need to do with the other Captains now. Mostly showboating if I’m honest. Behind doors Sergei and I have already agreed to each others terms, but we can’t let the others know that. S Classes collaborating? What is the world coming to?" He teased, and Kellen chuckled. If he hadn’t been involved with all of the Captains he might have thought the sa. Most S Classes weren’t as amiable to others, often leading to fights breaking out when they interacted.

They exited the elevators and headed for the main set. The gym had filled up since Kellen had been in it earlier, and he waved at the ever energetic Gwen inside. They got into the second set quickly, the Captain ruffling Kellen’s hair as he exited on a higher floor. Kellen took it in stride, especially since the Captain had slowed down on his obvious war path of seduction since the kissing incident. He was counting his lucky stars, enjoying the small reprieve.

Kellen’s day felt like it was going smoothly, even as he headed for the Guiding Division a little earlier then planned. He was opening the door the Division when he saw a Guide rush to Casper’s door. Noticing how frantic the man was, Kellen approached with a frown as Casper opened the door with the sa expression.

"What’s wrong Caleb? You’re never this frantic. Is sothing wrong?" Casper’s soothing voice cald the man, but it made his eyes no less frantic. He glanced behind him at the approaching Guide, unsure if he could speak, but Casper nodded, urging him on. In hushed, but frantic tones, he spoke.

"T-There’s a man downstairs causing a disturbance. At first he was calling for Lieutenant Hill, but when he was told she was indisposed, he started demanding G-Guide Woods." He cast his gaze down, clearly unsure what to do. Casper also seed confused, while Kellen could feel a wide, almost maniacal smile cross his face.

"Was there a description of this man?" Kellen asked calmly, despite his expression. Caleb, glanced up at the man before looking down at his feet again. He swallowed.

"Uh, no. There wasn’t. The only other information I was given was that he was loud, and...and abrasive." Kellen felt the laughter bubble up inside of him. If anyone who had been on the front lines recently saw him, they would have known who he was imdiately. Unfortunately, it appeared all of the city slickers had seen him. He shook his head, amused.

"Was security called?" Casper asked and Caleb nodded.

"O-Of course but he won’t budge. He also won’t tell anyone his na. He just keeps repeating that ’they know him’." Kellen grabbed onto Casper’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. Casper seed surprised at his calm behaviour, even more so at the way Kellen’s eyes sparkled.

"You should co with to et him." Kellen told him, while Caleb’s eyes widened. Casper furrowed his brows.

"I take it you know who this is?" He asked and Kellen nodded, the two of them turning back to the entrance of the Division. Casper was clearly nervous while Kellen seed to be walking on air. He hadn’t expected him to show up so soon. This was great! They hadn’t even started getting in the Guides who wanted to beco Field Guides yet.

"If my hunch is correct, this is the person I asked Hill to contact. He’s here a lot faster than I expected." Casper sighed as they headed for the elevators.

"Ah, if that’s the case, this makes more sense." it implied that if he was Field Guide, his behavior could be explained then. Kellen took no offense to that. So Field Guides were like that, and this man was the poster child of that behaviour. They quickly made their way towards the lobby, and when the doors opened Kellen could hear his voice over the others.

"If that damn asshole asked for to co here, and he isn’t even going to pick up, what’s the fucking point in being here? He practically blackmailed to be here. The least he could do is show is ugly mug." His tone was angry, and it was clear to Kellen they had tried to placate him, but it had fallen through. The smile on Kellen’s face grew wider as he stepped out of the elevator. There was a slightly taller man surrounded by a bunch of security, but it was clear no one wanted to actually move him. Kellen pushed through the crowd, all of them growing surprised at the sight of him.

"That a bit harsh. I never blackmailed you to co here. I asked nicely." He man who had been glaring at a secretary spun, and Kellen got a good look at him. He hadn’t changed much since he had last seen him. Sa pretty green eyes, beautiful curly blond hair, chiseled jaw, and a scar that ran the length of his face from chin to forehead, crossing dangerously close to his left eye. He had his black duffle bag at his feet, his beat up combat boots on, military grade pants and a black t-shirt on underneath a leather, luxury branded jacket. His right sleeve was rolled and taped up, so he hadn’t worn his prosthetic arm today. His face changed from harsh scowl to a bright smile.

"You son of a bitch!" He cried before racing towards the other Guide. Not even hesitating, Kellen wrapped his arms around him and picked him up, swinging him in a full circle before putting him down.

"And here I thought you’d die without by your side, you damn monster." Kellen chuckled as he stepped away from the man. He shook his head, his green eyes sparkling.

"? A monster? Fucking takes one to know one." He laughed loudly. "Can’t believe I’d hear those words from a pretty boy like you. Fuck. A sight for sore eyes, you are." He grabbed Kellen’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "And what’s this I’ve heard on the news over the last few days I’ve been in town? You’re paired up? You? Kellen the celibate?" Kellen felt his cheeks heat as he brought up one of his nicknas from the front lines.

"Oh shut up Brent. I am not so priest." He shook off his hold and he laughed, letting the other remove his hand.

"Well, you certainly were compared to . Now, I was having a great ti on my mandatory leave from the front lines, so why did you call this old Field Guide into the Saturn Guild of all places?" He asked, glancing around at all the security. He leaned in closer, whispering loudly, "are you in so kind of trouble? Need an old friend to help you out? Blink twice if you need an imdiate extraction." Kellen burst into laughter, waving over the hovering Casper. He’d remained behind, unsure if he could intrude on the two, but with Kellen’s gesture, he approached. Casper clearly seed shocked, but forced his feet to move.

"Casper, co over and et an old colleague and good friend. Brent Jason, et Lieutenant Casper, the man who will be in charge of your sorry ass when you aren’t with ." Kellen teased easily, and Brent looked over the other man with interest. A slow grin crossed his face, turning up his charms as he offered Casper his good arm.

"Lieutenant Casper. We’ve never had the pleasure." He purred as Casper’s eyes grew into disks. Kellen snorted as the two shook hands. Brent cast an accusatory glance at Kellen. "Are there any other Lieutenants I don’t know about, Kellen? And why the hell are they all so cute?" Casper’s face went red as he shook the other man’s hand.

"I, uh." Casper was too surprised by his bold attitude while Kellen was used to it. He forced Brent to release Casper.

"There are several. You only know about Lieutenant Hill, and you’ve only seen Lieutenant Gunther in passing." He turned to Casper. "Ignore him. He’s a worse flirt than Hill." Kellen warned Casper, who gave him a blank look. Brent winked.

"Devastated to hear that there is soone even close to my level Kellen. How dare you imply that I am bad at my job?" He sighed and Kellen shook his head at his antics.

"You were on mandated leave? I didn’t realise that was coming up for you." Kellen breezed past his complaints, and Brent grinned.

"Yeah. They moved it ahead. Because of the new gate, no one is really getting any jobs right now, so they sent anyone they didn’t really need away. That includes most of the freelance Field Guides. I could have stayed around, but, it was boring. At least a ssage from you is interesting. I’ve already been here for about a day or so now, so I’m already bored." He whined and Kellen shook his head at the other Field Guide’s antics. Casper seed to be more surprised that this man who anyone would assu was an Esper was in fact, a Field Guide. But glancing at Kellen, he couldn’t really say he didn’t understand. Both n stood out.

"Grab your bag. I know you’re dying to find out why I called for you. I even used the Lieutenant Hill you’ve never t to pull your attention." Kellen teased and Brent huffed, but his expression was light as he slung his duffle over his shoulder. Kellen led the way, Brent following after him, and Casper taking up the rear.

"I hate when you do that. You’re always like this. Now, what’s up with the getup? You look like the cutie behind us." Kellen heard Casper cough while he shook his head, pressing the elevator’s button.

"Of course I do. I’m a Guide for the Saturn Guild. Aaaaand, I have my own office." Brent ooed appropriately at Kellen’s announcent, stepping into the elevator with ease.

"Fancy boy. You’re moving up in the world I see." He nodded as the elevator doors closed before turning a serious gaze to Kellen. "Also, I saw so other news? About you jumping Classes? Is that true?" He had clearly been waiting to ask this question while they were alone, and Kellen couldn’t hide his smile.

"Oh, that. They’re true. I have changed Classes. I’m an A Class Guide now. Like you." Casper’s eyes went wide like saucers as Kellen revealed that in front of him. Rarely, if ever, were A Class Guides Field Guides. Brent was also not known to the other Guides around, which made it even stranger that he was an A Class Guide. Kellen knew that ant Brent had co from either a different country, or a different part of their country. Either was possible, and he wasn’t going to question it. Few sane people went freelance on the front lines, and Kellen wasn’t going to claim he was one of them.

Another thing that must have surprised Casper was Brent’s appearance. Few Guides were seriously injured, if ever, and dicine had advanced enough that attaching an arm or leg was no big deal. The fact that Brent didn’t have both arms ant that sothing downright awful had probably happened to the man, giving him the sa aura as that of an Esper. It wasn’t until you spoke to the man that it beca clear he was a Guide, since he was quite proud of that. Honestly, if he had been from this area, no one would have dared to forget him. Brent was attractive in a roguish way. He wasn’t ’et your parents’ material, but he was your classic ’sumr fling’ material. And the man knew that. He openly advertised it, and he didn’t discriminate. He slept with anyone willing, and it was also his preferred thod when it ca to guiding too. Unlike Kellen, and more like Casper, Brent usually had high matches with others. Between 35-60%. Not quite high enough to pair off with anyone, but just high enough that everyone had left his tent with flushed faces and a giddy smile on their faces. It had been a bonus for Kellen, since his compatibility scores had been so low, which had made them a great team. Plus his dedication to being a Field Guide.

Like Kellen, Brent had so shit to work through on the front lines. He’d co in just like Kellen with a big chip on his shoulder, and a cocky attitude. Unlike Kellen, he’d also been full of rage. Kellen’s guess was that he ca from a famous family, like him. As Kellen had gotten to know him over the three years, he began to think it wasn’t quite in the sa way. They might not be famous in an Esper and Guide way, but more in an old, old money kind of way. Before everything went to shit kind of way.

One of the reasons he thought so was because no one on the front lines had as expensive of a prosthetic as Brent did, even now. Kellen didn’t ask questions, but like clockwork, once a year, a newer model would show up for Brent. He’d grit his teeth but he’d use it. It was clear that even if everyone in his family had a problem with him, at least one person still cared about him.

So, Kellen had taken one look at this fellow Field Guide and told him to straighten his act up. From that point on, Brent had had it out for Kellen. He had gone out of his way to try and cause problems for the more experienced Field Guide. But as they kept crossing paths, and Kellen kept saving his dumb ass, Brent slowly cald down. Over ti, he even began saving Kellen’s ass, until they eventually started partnering on harder gates. Of course, Kellen also had to turn the man down at least five tis a day in the beginning, which then led to his nickna, but Kellen thought it was a small price to pay for a trustworthy ally by his side.

"Oh shit dude, so it can happen to Guides? Fuck, congrats man. I’m happy for you. At least one of us got what we wanted from the front lines then." He didn’t say it with a sad tone, but Kellen flinched, staring at the other Field Guide with concern.

"Thank you? But what the hell is that supposed to an? What were you looking for Brent?" He asked and the other Field Guide smirked, giving a shrug. He wasn’t going to say anything more, and that only made Kellen more concerned. He hated when he got like this.