(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Don’t mess with my sister

Kellen was flustered when he came out of the pantry with his Father. Anyone could tell. From the way his cheeks were flushed, the way he covered the back of his neck, even the way he walked. Brent and his Mother were the first to notice, both having a similar, amused smile on their faces.

Gunther and Hill were busy chatting to the two, while Casper was examining the little trinkets that Kellen had placed on the built-in shelves in the living room. It was only Gwen who was behaving out of the norm. She was near her Mother, clutching her hand around her wrist, and her smile was slightly warped. Kellen sighed. He had hoped that she wouldn’t freak out, but clearly this was too much for her. Knowing that he now needed to change, since his Father had already teased him, Kellen grabbed his sister and yanked her up the stairs. Gwen, for her part, was surprised with the strength that Kellen grabbed her with, but allowed her older brother to drag her up the stairs. Kellen headed for the bedroom, and closed the main door behind them as they entered the space.

"Gwen, what’s up? It’s not like you to be so...quiet? Flustered? What’s going on in that thick skull of yours?" Kellen asked her as Gwen looked around the space. The bedroom alone was the size of Kellen’s old apartment, and the bed was king size. She could practically see how the Captain had planned this all out, but shook her head, paying attention to her brother. He was staring at her with concerned eyes, his arms crossed, and the poor buttons on his shirt straining against the tension. _{freēwēbnovel.com}

"Kellen, they’re my direct Bosses. How the hell am I supposed to be chill around them? Pretty much all of the lieutenants are in your house right now, and I feel like if I say the wrong thing I’m fucked. And your pair is the Captain of the fucking Guild I’ve always wanted to be in as soon as I found out I was an Esper! Your apartment is right next to his! How the hell am I supposed to behave? I’m pretty sure this is a normal reaction." Kellen would have believed her if it was anyone else, but this was Gwen. Gwen was the kind of person who jumped out of planes for fun. She lived for adrenaline, so this must have been something else. At least, he felt that way.

"Gwen, I promise you, they aren’t going to treat you like a new recruit when you’re in my house. You’re my sister." Kellen told her quietly, knowing full well that the Espers downstairs had big ears, and were curious folks. Honestly, he was more worried about Hill and his Mother, since he was sure Gunther didn’t give a goddamn. Gwen gave Kellen a look, and he sighed. He headed for the closet while Gwen remained in the main bedroom, arms crossed, and stressed. "Well, I can’t do anything about the pair thing. The Captain has already threatened that if I was ever to find someone else with even a marginally close compatibility that it wouldn’t stay that way for long." Gwen gasped. Kellen expected her to be surprised, even appalled at the obvious sign of possessiveness shown by the S Class.

"That’s so romantic!" Gwen cried, and Kellen rolled his eyes. He should have known better than to expect a different response from her. Gwen was an Esper after all. She loved that kind of shit, whether she spoke about it or not. Kellen began pulling off his pants to change. It wasn’t a romantic notion to him. It was upsetting, so Kellen planned never to get tested ever again. He didn’t want the Captain to become a murderer because of Kellen.

"Let’s agree to disagree on the topic, but either way, I can’t change that part. What I can do is help you interact with them normally if you want me too." He glanced over at Gwen to find her staring around the room with big eyes. He understood. This place was worth a lot more than he was sure the Captain wanted to let on. Kellen was also sure that not all of the apartments were like this either, but didn’t want to bruise the Captain’s ego by bringing it up out loud. "Plus," Kellen started, trying to bring her attention back to him. It worked, and Gwen’s gaze slid to him. "Mom and Dad are also here today, so use them as a buffer. And, Brent isn’t a lieutenant, nor am I." She scoffed.

"Ew, what am I? A baby? I’m not going to rely on my parents when I’m around other adults." Kellen shrugged. She was allowed to do what she wanted, but it was silly of her to protest so much. It only made Kellen want to agree that she was a baby. "And I’ll agree that Brent isn’t a lieutenant, but Kellen, you’re the pair of the Captain of the Guild. You’re basically second in command, even without the title. Brent is your right hand man and he’s just like you. He comes from the front lines, and is also a freelance Field Guide." Gwen glanced away from Kellen as he pulled off his shirt and jacket. "If I’m honest, he’s more nerve wracking because he’s just like you. Probably." Kellen snorted, rolling his eyes at his sibling as he tossed his clothes into the laundry basket in the closet.

"Brent and I share the title, and that’s about it. He’s always been an A Class Guide, while I haven’t. He’s also always had good compatibility with others like a universal Guide, while I haven’t. Him and Casper have more in common as Guides then we do. And come on, you can’t honestly say that Casper scares you, can you?" Kellen chuckled as he looked through his closet, trying to find the most appropriate clothing he owned. He needed something to cover the mark on his neck, and the only thing he could think of was the one black turtleneck that his Dad had gifted him a few Christmas’ ago. He pulled on the turtleneck first, before finding one of the two pairs of dress pants he owned, and tucked the sweater into the waistband of the pants before buttoning them up. Now fully dressed, he turned to his sister who still hadn’t responded. He had been teasing her, trying to joke about Casper in a light way. To Kellen, Casper was a very soft Guide. Yes, he was usually good with words, organising, and managing others, but he also showed his stress in the spikiness of his hair, and easily laughed once you got to know him. He was thin, and it felt like you could just put him in your pocket and walk away. Kellen understood why Espers’ swarmed him, even if he didn’t fully agree with it.