(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 195

Chapter 195: A Guiding Center like no other

Kellen could feel his head swimming as they walked down the rows of cars Rhys had. Rhys was happily chatting away, Kellen’s hand in his own as he pointed out the perks of each expensive looking car. Did the man not own a single, normal car?

Kellen knew he should have expected this, especially after the way the man had driven them for their ’date’ that had very much not been one before. The one after that? Well, now that Kellen felt like he was walking around with his eyes open, he now realised that had most definitely been one. But that didn’t mean that he had realised just how many cars this man had.

It took up two levels, and Kellen didn’t have time to tour all of them. He had several appointments to make, and he needed to go see Sakura at her Guild as well to convince a Rogue Esper to do his damn job. So, growing desperate, he pointed at the first black car he had seen in a row of purples, blues, and reds.

"I-I’ll take that one, alright? I really have to get going." Kellen told him, his tone edging onto desperate and Rhys tossed a grin his way.

"Oh? Why did you pick that one?" He asked Kellen, curious, and Kellen grew nervous. If Rhys had spoken about the car, Kellen wouldn’t have been listening. His head had been full of everything else in his mind. Struggling to come up with a reason, Kellen just spoke the truth.

"Because it’s black?" Kellen offered, and Rhys burst into laughter.

"Mr. Woods, were you not listening to me?" Rhys teased and Kellen felt his face heat. He glanced away, giving the Captain’s hand a squeeze.

"I...It wasn’t intentional. I just have a lot of things I need to get done over the next two days." Kellen admitted, feeling bad and Rhys pulled him close, pressing a kiss against his cheek.

"It’s okay. I know we’re both busy. Humour me at a later date?" He asked, and Kellen readily agreed.

"Of course. I would never want to miss it. I just...I really do have to go." Rhys smiled against the skin of Kellen’s face, before pressing another kiss there and pulling away. Tugging on Kellen’s hand, he pulled him towards the car Kellen had selected. It still...looked black, but for some reason, it didn’t seem true black. Kellen would worry about that later.

"Things you should know." Kellen forced himself to pay attention to Rhys. "There is an armory in the back of the car. Stocked with guns, and other things you might need." He opened the truck and Kellen blinked. Kellen moved without much thought, stroking the guns he found there, and Rhys watched him with a smile on his face. "I thought that was the reason you had picked this car. This is the most well stocked out of most of my cars, honestly. I thought it would speak to you more." Kellen swallowed, realising most of the guns were ones he preferred. Turning, he stared at Rhys who smiled down at him warmly.

"Has it always been stocked like this?" Kellen asked, suspicious, and Rhys’ smile grew.

"I had planned to give this to you as a birthday present last year." Rhys admitted easily, and Kellen felt his whole face turn red. Rhys was not expecting Kellen to jump at him and wrap his arms around him, but he didn’t protest as Kellen squeezed him. "Woah! If I knew getting weapons for you would get me this kind of reaction, I would have started with that." Rhys teased, but Kellen gave him another squeeze, ignoring the man trying to downplay his behaviours.

What Rhys had planned to give him...the cost alone...

"Thank you." Kellen gave him a squeeze, and only hesitated for a second before he pulled back and planted a kiss on his lips. It was chaste, and quick, but enough to surprise the Captain enough that Kellen could wiggle out of his arms and go back to the weapons. Humming happily, Kellen pulled out one of the smaller, easier to conceal guns and tucked it into the back of his pants. He made sure it was loaded before doing so. Smiling, he stroked the guns before him, before he closed the trunk on himself.

If he kept staring at it, he would make himself late.

When Kellen spun around, Rhys was standing there, his eyes a soft, warm yellow colour and his arms crossed. His smile reached his eyes, and Kellen’s heart skipped a beat.

"The car should already know your fingerprint, so you should be able to drive it out of here. I just want to make sure. Could you start it for me?" Kellen nodded, his cheeks a slight pink colour as he opened the car door and got in. Pressing his finger into the ID spot, the car roared to life and Kellen spun, about to yell at Rhys over his shoulder when his lips brushed against Rhys’. Rhys pressed him back into the driver’s seat, kissing Kellen for a few wonderful, short seconds before he pulled back. "I am glad you like the car. I was worried that you wouldn’t, but my heart almost fell out of my chest when you picked it." He whispered against Kellen’s lips. "Now get out of here before I am tempted to get on my knees and suck you dry." Kellen’s mouth opened in shock at Rhys’ soft, warm words before he nodded.

Pulling away, Rhys closed Kellen’s door and waited as the man adjusted everything in the car to his preferences, before pulling out of the parking spot. Rhys waved to Kellen, and Kellen tentatively waved back.

His heart was still racing from Rhys’ words, but he had to steel himself now. He was basically walking into a battlefield, but one made for Guides. He needed to be strong, and he needed to be firm. He needed to not have images of the Captain between his legs filling his head.

That being said, the Guild had been busy enough that they hadn’t noticed the Guides forming cliques internally and almost killing several Espers, so Kellen felt he should take any information with a grain of salt. _{freёwebnovel.com}

In the ten or so years since he’d begun school and been here, Kellen realised that they had had a facelift. The basic building, which was supposed to be the same for all of the Guiding Centers had been changed.

The shape hadn’t changed, but the design had. The giant windows that covered the front of the building were still there, but a sweeping tarp of some kind was draped from the top of the building, all the way to the pathway. The pathway had been covered, and a beautiful, glowing garden filled the area. It felt more like he was pulling up to a romantic restaurant than a Guiding Center. Vines straight out of some of the prettiest Gates he’d ever seen were here, and because Kellen was who he was, he knew that they were harmless, but beautiful.

He pulled the car into a free spot, just so he could stare without being distracted.

Several benches still dotted the area, but the Guiding Center had converted the fountain into a bubble machine that spilled out aromatic bubbles and filled the area. It was a spectacular show of wealth, and power on their part. So many Espers and Guides were here, Kellen felt like he was viewing a dating spot instead of a Guiding Center, but he remembered that this was what Guiding Center C promised.

Close guiding of the heart, and the body. It was a similar mission statement to Guiding Center B, but less medical. A...different kind of therapy. It was the reason that Guiding Center B had never had any issues with Guiding Center C, and vice versa.

But why had they said no to the Saturn Guild?

Getting out of the car, Kellen adjusted his jacket, doing up the buttons he had undone to drive and locked the car. Several of the Guides and Espers around him froze at the sight of him, and Kellen put on his PR smile. It would only reflect poorly on him if didn’t do at least this much.

Strolling past them, and past the teeny, tiny sign that said Guiding Center C, Kellen made his way towards the doors. He worried for a moment that they wouldn’t open for him, but thankfully they were automatic like every other Guiding Center.

The lobby was dark tones, with brightly lit vines decorating the room. Comfortable leather sofas and chic end tables filled the area, while warm, classical music filled the air. Again, Kellen could feel the slight similarity to Guiding Center B, but the differences as well.

Kellen turned his gaze to the receptionist, and watched as the colour faded from their face as Kellen approached.