(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 249

Chapter 249: Maybe meditation is the answer, but revenge tastes sweeter

Taylor arrived shortly after. She looked awkward at first, but after a quick glance to make sure everyone was doing okay, she got to checking Dad’s vitals again. It was clear that his Dad had used up all of his energy and Kellen’s Mom was getting antsy. His Dad’s head was bobbing as the man blinked rapidly and Kellen chuckled.

Rhys had the same, affectionate look on his face that Kellen had and Kellen tapped Rhys’ arm.

"I think it’s time we left. I need to get to work, and you need to get some sleep. We can always talk later, but I need to get some things fixed." Kellen told him. Rhys helped him up and Kellen did his best not to show the pain on his face. Bending forward with the help of Rhys, Kellen hugged his Dad again before pressing a kiss against his forehead. His Dad chuckled.

"A few fires you need to put out?" His Dad asked and Kellen groaned.

"A few? How about the same ones that existed before you got shot? It’ll be fine now." Kellen told him, smiling. "You just focus on getting better. Taylor, I’m sure, has all the things you are allowed and not allowed to do mapped out." Kellen tossed a grin in her direction and she gave him the finger.

"Hey. Don’t say that in a mean way. Do you forget who keeps you in tip top shape?" Taylor warned and Kellen laughed.

"Ah yes, only one of my friends." Taylor’s demeanor changed slightly, her cheeks flushing before she gave him a finger and huffed.

"Yes. Your best friend." She clarified and Rhys’ shoulders shook as he helped Kellen stand on his feet. He didn’t have his cane since this had been such a sudden visit, and it also appeared that Rhys didn’t like that he used a cane. Well, not just Rhys. Apparently the whole Guild was offended by it.

"Ah, Mr. Woods, I thought you should know that once you are well enough, I’ve offered my apartment for you and your wife to rest in. It’s still protected, and Green would have access to you whenever you needed it. Plus, I would be next door staying with Kellen in case anything happened." Kellen’s Dad laughed.

"I wasn’t wrong to be worried about you." He muttered and Kellen’s eyes went wide. Rhys’ expression didn’t shift from the affectionate way he looked at the other man.

"I am glad you look out for him." Rhys replied and his Dad shook his head.

"Come here Rhys." Rhys hesitated, but Kellen shifted away, holding onto the chair he had been sitting in only a few seconds prior and Rhys had no reason to refuse his Dad. Kellen watched as Rhys fought himself. Kellen also wondered what his Dad wanted to say to him, but knew that his Dad would tell him when the time came. Maybe.

It was also nice to see how easily, even after doubting him, that they accepted him.

Rhys and his Dad whispered to each other and Kellen glanced at his Mom. Her eyes were a little less red then they had been when they’d first come in. She looked...awful still, but at least it looked like there was an upward curve now. She’d hit rock bottom, and now she could only go up. Neither Taylor, his Dad, nor Kellen was going to let her go further down.

"Can you hear what they’re saying?" Kellen asked her and she chuckled. Her mood shifted as she looked at her son. She smiled.

"I’m not going to rat out their conversation to you Kellen if you can’t hear it." It wasn’t Kellen’s intention, but he’d roll with it if it amused her this much.

"Why not?" He asked and she laughed. She reached out, ruffling his hair affectionately, a grin on her face.

"Always up to no good, huh? You’ll let me know when you find out who did this if you do before I do, right?" Kellen narrowed his eyes at her question and the way she worded it.

"And you’ll do the same, won’t you?" She froze and Kellen snorted. He rolled his eyes before pulling her close, hugging her. "Love you Mom. But you can’t try to protect me in this case. People are already afraid of me. I don’t mind if more people are scared of me."

"They are not afraid of you." She protested and Kellen gave her a look.

"You are really going to say that when I’m sure you watched the news after everything happened. I didn’t, but I heard from Pamela how bad my image was after I beat the shit out of those Guides. I know my public image isn’t that great. I don’t care. It never really bothered me and as long as it doesn’t affect my work life, it should only benefit me." Kellen grinned at her. "It’ll make them second guess trying to kidnap me. They might die in the process." His Mom stared at her son’s slightly malicious grin before she closed her eyes and snorted. She shook her head.

"You’re forgetting that Rhys is an S Class Esper, Kellen. Most aren’t going to want to mess with him." Kellen nodded at her words and her exasperated tone.

"Yeah, most. Other S Classes might get silly ideas. I’ll just have to use my words, and if that doesn’t work, a knife or gunshot or something. Nothing to kill, just to prove a point." His Mom’s expression grew concerned.

"You weren’t this violence prone before. Are you...is this situation influencing this sudden shift?" Kellen, who hadn’t realised it, paused.

Was he getting more violence prone? He reviewed some of his feelings and thoughts over the last few days and found that yes, his solutions had veered more towards violence. Confusion filled him. Before the accident he hadn’t solved his problems with violence, but now that was all that flooded his mind.

"I...maybe I need to meditate or something." He muttered, and she scanned him from head to toe. She nodded slowly.

Uncrossing his arms, he sighed before reaching out and grabbing Rhys’ shoulder and giving it a squeeze.

"Alright. I don’t want to make everyone hate me. I just didn’t realise how delicate they all were." Kellen muttered and felt Rhys’ shoulders relax. His whole body went lax.

"They are all quite delicate when it comes to you. Most of the Espers who have worked with you are the same. Lots of members from the Nemesis Guild and the Peach Guild, along with random Espers from abroad have been reaching out to us since news broke that you were shot. It’s why Pamela has been so exhausted. Getting calls from all times of the day has depleted her sleep reservoirs." He sighed. "She suggested that once you were better that we did another press conference, but I’m against it."

"Why? It’s a good idea. It proves that those fuckers didn’t get me, and I can send a message too." Kellen felt a smirk cross his lips. "That they can run, but they can’t hide." Rhys shivered.

"That’s so hot, but, they could show up at the press conference." Rhys said and Kellen gave his shoulder another squeeze.

"I won’t be alone this time. I’ll take you, and my Mom. And I’ll bring my guns. If it makes you feel better we can have some Espers in amongst the crowd in disguise as well. I just can’t let them think I took this sitting down. It’s clear that this is a fear tactic, and I am not going to let them win. Fuck. We should do it in front of the Center too. Just to rub it in their faces." Rhys’ expression went white.

"No. I can’t agree to that." Kellen chuckled, smiling.

"But you will, won’t you? If it’s part of my plan to get revenge? You aren’t going to deny me that, are you Rhys?" Kellen tilted his head to the side, his smile wide as he watched Rhys fight everything in his body.

"Fuck. I’m with you every damn step of the way. Blake is going to work overtime. So are any others who can create barriers. If a shot is fired off and it’s not from your gun, you’re out of there." He warned and Kellen laughed.

"I’m going to be out of there if it’s from my gun too, Rhys. I promise. I just...those fuckers have ruled with fear for enough time. I am not letting them do it to our city either." Rhys froze.

"You seem convinced that it’s the terrorists." He said slowly, and Kellen nodded.

"I just can’t see one of my Dad’s exes doing it. They all spoke so fondly of him." Kellen muttered. "And it was targeted at him. I was just an afterthought I think. At least, that’s what it felt like." Rhys’ expression hardened.

"Fuck. I’ll talk to Pamela and Tom. Fuck." He repeated and Kellen felt his heart swell. The man took such good care of him. Especially with letting him have this.