(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38: A little teasing before bed

Turning, Kellen stared behind him to find the Captain. He had casual clothes on and his eyes were a muted yellow. He carried a tray in one hand, while with his other he poked Kellen on the tip of his nose.

"You have a habit of making friends everywhere you go Mr. Woods. I'm worried that if someone was ever foolish enough to kidnap you, you would be released before I could come and rescue you because you'd made friends with them." His smile was soft and teasing.

"I just wouldn't get kidnaped in the first place, but I appreciate that you would come to save me." Kellen told the other man. Captain's eyes curled with his smile as he took the free spot next to Kellen. The tray he put down in front of him was quite bare, and Kellen tossed his gaze between the Captain's tray and his face. The Captain's smile widened.

"Worried? I had a meeting outside where we ate. This is just to tide me over until the morning." Casually, and without much thought, the Esper wrapped his arm around Kellen's waist, pulling the Guide closer to him. Stunned that he would do that with so many people around, Kellen wasn't sure how to respond. When no one around them, especially those at the table began to tease them, Kellen slowly felt his muscles relax. He began eating again, if a little slower as the other three chatted amongst themselves. Everyone kept stealing glances at them, while Kellen began stealing glances at the Captain. After the day they had, he was worried about the Esper. Especially since his eyes were a muted yellow.

Quietly, and without drawing attention, Kellen moved his hand so that he was gently touching the Captain's thigh. No one noticed the Captain's slight stiffening, not even Kellen. Kellen, checking the Captain's levels, was pleased to find that between when he'd last saw him he hadn't changed too much, meaning he'd been using his powers sparingly. Hoping that was because he had seen what that had done to Kellen, Kellen felt a soft smile cross his face and went to pull his hand away. The Captain's hand covered his, halting him, and Kellen turned wide, stunned eyes upwards to find the grinning expression of the Captain staring down at him.

"Am I up to snuff, Mr. Woods?" His teasing voice filled Kellen's ears, which quickly turned red as the other three at the table looked at them. Hill and Gunther gave them a confused look, while a look of understanding washed Casper's face. Kellen tugged at his hand, trying to get it away again but the Captain only tightened his grip. "Did you think I wouldn't notice? You rarely touch me on your own, and I can feel when you probe me with your powers, Mr. Woods. The fact that you thought you could hide it from me is very cute." Kellen opened his mouth to protest, but the Captain released his waist just to cover his mouth. "I won't hear any of your excuses, even if I find it cute when you use your mouth." His eyes crinkled as he stared down at the Guide who was slowly turning redder and redder. Kellen could not believe the man had said those words with so many people around. It was clear what they would hear from his words, no matter if Kellen protested now or later. The man loved that he had cornered Kellen. Kellen was kicking himself that he hadn't realised what kind of plan this S Class had for him before it was too late.

"Uh, Captain, there is prob-" The Captain continued speaking, ignoring Casper who had valiantly tried to come to Kellen's rescue. Kellen shot the man an appreciative look, even as the Captain's words washed over him.

"You don't need an excuse to touch me, Mr. Woods. I've already given you permission to kiss me whenever you want. If you wanted to get a feel for the goods, I would never protest." His lips quirked up and Kellen swallowed. He had a feeling he was going to die from embarrassment. "After all, I didn't complain when you guided me today, did I? Oh, I was surprised when you climbed into my lap, but I loved every second of it." Hill's soft gasp punctuated the Captain's words, and Kellen, who had only viewed earlier as guiding, flushed deeply. The Captain was loving every moment of Kellen's internal screaming, and it showed easily and clearly on his smug fucking face. Kellen grabbed the hand covering his mouth, yanking it away so he could breathe easier before responding.

"That was just guiding, especially since you let yourself get so low. Did you forget what that cost me?" Kellen demanded harshly, and the fire dimmed from the Captain's eyes slightly, clearly remembering how skinny the Guide had been. Kellen, not one to back down from a challenge, continued, his ears hot. "Y-You also only gave me permission to kiss you, not touch you, so how was I supposed to know that without you telling me? Aren't my actions justified since I didn't know before you said so?" Kellen had caught the Captain by surprise. He had been prepared for the younger man to outright deny everything, while forgetting that Kellen hated breaking his word. His eyes widened, before he grinned wickedly. With only mischief in mind, he wrapped his arm around the younger man's waist again, pulling their bodies close. He took hold of Kellen's other hand, raising it from his thigh to Kellen's chest, intertwining their hands. He bent forward until there were only centimeters between their lips.

"Mr. Woods, it appears that you are correct. I have messed up. Should I make it clear, here, that you can do whatever you want to me? It would be quite embarrassing as the Captain of the Saturn Guild, but as a man I feel like they will understand. I cannot have my intentions questioned when it comes to my pair, can I? After all, I've made it very clear that I'm in your thrall." Kellen felt his breathing hitch as the Captain gave Kellen a squeeze. "Any time you open those pretty little lips of yours and call my name, I'm hooked all over again." Kellen sucked in. He'd forgotten, for a moment, how deeply the Captain's words effected him whenever they spoke like this. He was surprised he had. After all, it was this Captain before him that had talked him into kissing on the couch that first time, and he had no doubt that when he found out how much pull he had on Kellen like this, there would be more abuses of power.

"C-Captain Thatcher, whatever you are thinking, there are too many-" The soft chuckle made Kellen hold his tongue. What in the world was this lunatic going to say?