(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 64

Chapter 64: Treat your in-laws well

Kellen and the Captain headed towards the upper A Class gym. Both of them assumed that Gunther was pushing the new recruits hard since he’d been in a foul mood earlier.

Turns out, they weren’t wrong, but weren’t quite right either.

When they got to the gym, they found Kellen’s Mother in the gym outfit normally worn by the students of the Guild, while Kellen’s Father sat at one of the bench press benches, a nicely wrapped basket at his feet. Gunther looked flabbergasted, Kellen’s Mom had excitement on her face, and Kellen’s Dad looked serene, if not a little mischievous. Gwen was nowhere in sight, but most of the Espers in her year group weren’t in sight. Kellen watched as his Mom saluted Gunther, saying something that Kellen couldn’t pick up, and Gunther only hung his head in exasperation before responding. The smile Kellen’s Mom gave reminded Kellen of Gwen, right before she got into trouble.

"What are they saying?" Kellen asked, and the Captain smiled down at him.

"Your Mother is teasing Gunther. She wants to ’pretend’ she’s a new recruit to see what Gwen’s reaction will be." Kellen couldn’t help the smile that split his face. Great minds think alike. Wait.

"How did they get into the tower? When I went looking for you I needed an escort." Kellen asked and the Captain gave his hand a squeeze.

"Did you really think I was going to make your parents go through the same treatment as everyone else? They’re your parents. Whenever they enter the lobby the upper power structure of the Guild is notified, and the front desk asks where they are going. Then they receive a visitor’s pass. If your parents had any plans to ruin me and my Guild, they already have the best access point. Giving them a key card won’t hurt anyone." He shrugged as Kellen stared at him. "And it could get me brownie points with you. This is your new home. Our new home. Who would block their in-laws’ entrance? Maybe that’s not how others do it, but I happen to like your parents, and they seem to tolerate me." Kellen couldn’t take his gaze off of the Captain’s face. His eyes were yellow and bright, but he had this...expression on his face. Almost like he was...embarrassed? The Captain? Kellen’s cheeks split with a slow grin, and the Captain’s ears began to turn red. "Why are you looking at me like that?" The Captain asked, and Kellen shook his head, giving the Captain’s hand a squeeze.

"I just thought you were being rather cute, Captain Thatcher." Kellen dragged them towards the door before the Captain could process what Kellen said. They were inside before the Captain could corner the Guide and smother him with kisses, and he especially couldn’t do it with the way Kellen’s parents were glaring at him. His Mother had open hostility while Kellen’s Father was being a bit more discreet about it. "Mom, Dad. What are you doing here? You didn’t even text me, and instead texted Taylor? What’s that about?" Kellen protested and his Dad broke out into a smile. He stood as he spoke.

"Well, you barely respond to my messages when I text you, and Taylor is your friend and Healer, so I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone. Now, get over here and give me a hug." Kellen released the Captain and easily went to his Father’s arms, hugging the older man with a sense of comfort he relished. He’d missed this on the front lines more than he had thought. And given the emotional roller coaster of the day, he could really use the comfort of his parents. His Dad noticed that his son held on a little longer than usual, but made no comment on it. Instead, he gave him another squeeze and held on as long as he wanted. It was while the two were hugging that the door to the gym opened again.

"Ah, Captain Thatcher. I was looking for you." It was Casper’s voice, and Kellen broke free from his Father’s hold to turn and face the Guide. Turning away from his Dad, but instead standing next to him, he found that Casper wasn’t alone. In fact, he had a rather awkward-looking Brent beside him. Brent was wearing the workout uniform for the Guild, but his leather jacket was covering up the fact he had a prosthetic. He also still had his gloves on as well. Kellen felt startled to see him. He wasn’t sure what to say to the man, especially after the revelation that he’d forced Brent to join the Guild. Especially after knowing Brent’s personality and how he didn’t like to stay in one place for a long time. Kellen was overwhelmed with feelings of guilt, until he met the Captain’s gaze. The Captain was watching Kellen, and he simply raised an eyebrow when Kellen hadn’t greeted his friend. Flustered, Kellen stepped towards Brent.

"Brent! Were you planning to work out after work?" Kellen asked, his smile a little awkward. Brent, for his part, wasn’t any better. He was too busy glancing between the three obviously related people to catch on to Kellen’s awkwardness.

"Uh, yeah, and then I ran into Casper as I was about to come in." He admitted and Casper sighed. Kellen turned his gaze towards him and noticed that Casper was rolling his eyes. His hair was also spiked to high heaven, and he seemed quite tired from the bags under his eyes.

"Guide Jameson was hesitating in front of the door so I forced him to either step aside, or enter." Casper added, and Kellen gave the man a strange look. Why had Brent been hesitating? There was nothing Kellen could see that would make him do that. Kellen’s dad, having heard the names of the two new men, stepped forward, all smiles.

"Ah, you two must be Kellen’s immediate colleagues. Brent Jameson and Lieutenant Casper? A pleasure to meet you. I’m Kellen’s Dad, Henry Woods." Kellen’s Dad offered his hand first to Brent, he took it with surprise, and was shocked when Kellen’s Father pulled him in for a hug. When he released Brent, Casper had a concerned look on his face. Kellen’s Dad laughed, and pulled the slightly reluctant man in for a hug still. "Just as Kellen described. I’ve heard the most about Brent. You were his partner in crime on the front lines, correct?" When Brent gave a short nod, clearly out of his element, Kellen’s Dad smiled. "Very impressive, and very dangerous business. But I’m glad he had such a capable set of hands on his side." He winked at Brent, who flushed easily at the taunt. Brent had a stunned look on his face, as if he wasn’t sure how to handle Kellen’s Father. His Mom chuckled.

"Don’t be so surprised. You might hurt my husband’s feelings." She teased the other Field Guide, while Kellen’s Dad laughed. He reached out, patting Brent’s shoulder while Brent just seemed to turn a brighter shade of red. The Captain was watching all of this with amusement, while Kellen’s Mom tossed her arm around her son’s shoulder, pulling him close.