(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37: What are Guides?

Kellen ran into not a single soul on his way back up to his apartment. He was beginning to worry no one else lived upstairs besides him and the Captain. Once in his apartment, he made quick work of cleaning himself. He did take a second to appreciate the water pressure of the shower, but only a second. He was never going to admit it was better than what he'd had at home. Deciding he couldn't wear sweatpants all the time outside of his uniform, he pulled on one of two pairs of jeans he owned, and pulled on a dark blue t-shirt that he owned.

Heading back downstairs, he ran into the two lieutenants just outside the front door of the gym like they had promised, only they had a joiner. Casper was chatting with the two other lieutenants, clearly catching up. From the two Esper's appearance it was clear they had also taken a shower, and were in casual civilian clothing as well. Hill was the first to notice him as he approached, and she waved wildly, her smile infectious.

"Kellen! Casper here wanted to join us. I'm sure you're fine with that?" She confirmed and Kellen smiled with ease.

"The more the merrier I say." Casper had seemed nervous at first, but relaxed at his easy agreeance.

"I clearly missed out on something yesterday, but I was worried I was inviting myself to your group." He said, and Hill wrapped her arm around his shoulders.

"Casper, Casper, Casper, you are just a cute little Guide! Who would ever think that of you?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Say, Captain Thatcher's all paired up, and it would probably look good if two lieutenants paired up, so what say you about me and you getting together? I don't think our compatibility is bad, and I'll treat you well. You can do whatever you want." She winked at him, while Casper had a horrified look on his face. Kellen had to hide his laughter, knowing that Hill wasn't serious. Gunther swooped in for the save. He snorted.

"He's too good for you, Hill. From what I saw, your compatibility isn't even 55%. Why would a man who has seen what 90% and 70% looks like settle for less than that?" Casper seemed stunned that Gunther said that, while Hill had dropped her jaw. Kellen came in with the finisher, for both Espers.

"Of course he's too good for you. He's too good for everyone in this Guild. Have you seen Casper? He's the ideal Guide, and he's well spoken. Honestly, I could see him being poached away if we don't treat him well." Even Gunther had a stunned look on his face while Casper's ears were turning pink. Kellen smirked. "Besides all of Casper, I can't really see you settling down with anyone, Hill." Her face flushed at his teasing, and Gunther cleared his throat.

"Well, we can't have Cas leaving us. He's the glue that's held us together before Kellen arrived." Kellen watched as Gunther licked his lips nervously. "Is there...anyone you're interested in, Cas?" Casper almost choked, Hill gave Gunther a wide eyed look, and this time Kellen was the one to step in.

"Casper told me that he never wanted to get tested again, so I'm going to take it that as long as you make sure that doesn't happen, Casper belongs to the Guild. Right, Casper?" Kellen shot the man a smile, while Gunther seemed shocked, and Casper's whole face was bright red.

"Haha, yup. Kellen's right about that." Casper's voice seemed higher than normal, but Kellen just took it to mean he wasn't teased as often as the others were. Gunther chuckled nervously, while Kellen gave a nod.

"D-Did Kellen make you blush, Hill? We can't have Rhys finding out about that." Gunther tried to steer the conversation back, and it seemed everyone was willing to follow him. Kellen took great pleasure out of being able to get them so worked up, considering that they had a great time making fun of him.

"T-That's not fair! Kellen has background knowledge on me from the front lines." Kellen smirked at Hill's protests.

"I love to research things. You were the easiest to get information on out of all the lieutenants, especially because we were on the front lines and I had more access to you. I needed information on all of you way back in the day because I knew nothing about the Guilds at the time." Kellen told them as they all began to move towards the elevators. Gunther moved especially quickly, getting to the elevators first and pressing the button. Gunther cast a look back at him, raising an eyebrow. _{freeweɓnovēl.coɱ}

"You looked into us before you started working with us?" Gunther's tone was slightly suspicious, and Kellen gave him a disbelieving look. The elevator opened right away and the four of them stepped inside.

"Of course. Didn't you guys look into me before you hired me?" Hill shook her head, pulling a lollipop out of thin air and shoving it into her mouth.

"Nope. Not at all. We didn't look into you until after you pulled off the damn near impossible." She told him cheerfully, already over her upset. It was one of her best traits.

"That surprises me. I would have thought you would have been more cautious." Especially after Gunther's reaction to the information that Kellen had looked into them. Casper coughed, glancing at the other Guide.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you're a Guide Kelle, and you were just some random C Class Field Guide. What was the worst you could have done to us? Hurt their feelings?" He laughed, halting Kellen from protesting. Kellen knew of several worse things he could have done. "At least, that's how they thought at the time. Apparently, the real answer was ensnare our Captain in a seductive honey trap you wouldn't act upon until seven years later." Kellen's jaw dropped and Casper winked at him. But, instead of getting offended, or overly embarrassed, a fit of giggles overtook the Guide. They arrived at the cafeteria, and Kellen finally caught his breath enough to be able to respond.

"Oh, ah, of course. Like any great little Guide out there, I am capable of swinging my very thin hips but thick ass like the best of them." All three of them had wide eyes as Kellen's shoulder shook as he continued. "I can be coy and demure just like my Guide textbooks taught me." Casper couldn't contain himself and burst into laughter, taking his glasses off so they wouldn't fall off of his face. The two Espers were staring at them with wide eyes full of confusion. Casper grabbed Kellen's shoulder, giving it a squeeze as he wheezed.

"I never expected you of all people to say that." He muttered, his eyes dancing with laughter. You said something about me being a perfect Guide earlier, didn't you?" Kellen nodded at his question. Kellen took a moment to glance around, surprised by how many people were still here for dinner, but then again, this was a huge guild. Not everyone had a 9-5. "Wild. Did you read the textbooks front to back?" Kellen nodded again.

"Yeah. Do you think my father is someone who let me slack in my studies? Or Gwen? If we weren't doing our best, we were torn a new one. I also happen to like studying." Casper shook his head, putting his glasses back on.

"That...makes sense." His shoulders shook. "I don't think I can imagine you as a 'classic' Guide Kellen. You, sitting all prim and proper waiting for the right Esper to have a near perfect compatibility score with you. Then that same Esper sweeping you off of your feet and into the sunset where you sit at home in an apartment fully protected and docile. Not a thought in sight, not a wish or a dream. Just making your Esper happy." Kellen, gleeful he had someone to riff off of, let out a wistful sigh, cupping his face in his hands.

"Oh, but I do wish for that life Casper. If only I wasn't graced with these wide shoulders, thick thighs, and rippling muscles." Kellen made sure his voice was soft and wistful and Casper snorted.

"How tragic. What a crime that you weren't built like a delicate flower, with arms and legs that could snap in the wrong breeze. What a harsh, cruel hand the world has dealt you." Casper matched Kellen's tone exactly, and both Guides were giggling like children while the Espers around them seemed confused, if not concerned. Kellen playfully hit Casper's shoulder.

"And what a nightmare for you too, Casper. Being forced into a position of authority so you can't spend seven hours a day wistfully sighing out the window. I am so sorry for you. When will your big, bad Esper come and whisk you away from this life of utter hardship?" Casper placed his hand against his forehead, pretending to faint.

"You are so right Kellen. Why, I get faint at the thought of potentially never meeting them. I do hope they show up soon. I am so anxious to meet them." Casper was good at acting. When they made eye contact the two of them burst into laughter. The poor Espers were staring at them like they had two heads.