(BL) Hunting The Field Guide-Chapter 431: We are going to be civil about this, until we can’t anymore

Chapter 431: We are going to be civil about this, until we can’t anymore

The second class went much like the first, only instead they went directly to the obstacle course room instead of Kellen and Brent picking them up. They were all already dressed, ready, with a steely look in their gaze.

Brent led them through the warm ups, Espers joining them once more, as Kellen stretched just a little bit. He was messaging with Rhys since news had hit the Guild about what had happened on the front lines, and also that the Field Guides were racing Kellen in the obstacle course room. They were not related issues in the slightest, but both had a huge impact on the Guild.

Rhys was pouting that he wasn’t able to make it to watch him race, and Kellen assured him that Brent had taken at least one video for him to see. Rhys sent back several hearts and kissy faces. He said he owed Brent a favourite snack or something and Kellen laughed and told him he’d ask Brent what his asking price for the video was.

Rhys sent back more hearts, and then Kellen had to put away his phone to finish what he started.

He managed to go another round, reaching a total 19 rounds run for the day before the class ended. His arms did feel like jelly, as did his legs, but in a good way. If he had attempted to go for the 20th run, he might have pushed himself too far.

Brent was watching him, his eyes warm as Kellen collapsed on a folding chair that he had prepared for him, Brent sitting in the one next to him. Most of the Field Guides were gone, some chatting to each other, while a few were speaking to some of the Espers around them.

"Feeling better?" Brent asked and Kellen chuckled. He was sweating, his hair sticking to his skin and his clothes clung to his body in a way he hadn’t felt in a long time. He also had a giant smile on his face that wouldn’t quite leave.

"Yeah. I am." Kellen told his friend. Brent put his clipboard beside his chair, smiling as Kellen leaned back, grabbing the front of his shirt and fanning it. Brent whistled.

"Careful there. Rhys might mysteriously show up if he sees you doing that." Brent joked and Kellen smirked.

"Why? I’m not doing anything." Kellen protested and Brent snorted.

"Yeah? I’m sure everyone who’s ogling you begs to differ." Kellen didn’t know what he meant. Until he looked out around the room and noticed that everyone was quickly looking away. Kellen felt his brows furrow as he turned back to look at Brent.

"What? Why would they be looking at me? They all work out too. Plus, we all have bodies." Kellen said and Brent’s smile bloomed across his face. He looked satisfied, smug even.

"Riiiight. Alright. Well, I’m glad the Captain has nothing to worry about in that regard. Do you want to get a shower before we go for dinner?" Brent asked and Kellen nodded, leaning back in the folding chair as he closed his eyes for a second.

"Yeah. Just give me a minute before I do so." Brent chuckled.

"Don’t worry about me. I’ll just text a few people." It was nice, just sitting in silence with Brent. Being around someone who he didn’t have to tip toe around who wasn’t just Rhys was nice.

~

Rhys and Casper joined the two Guides while they were eating dinner. They had only just sat down at a table when Rhys spotted them. He gave a big, goofy grin, waving his hand wildly so that everyone in the cafeteria could see him.

"Babe!" Rhys shouted and Kellen felt his face warm slightly as the rest of the Guild grinned to themselves. Casper, who was standing next to him, shook his head but even he couldn’t fight the smile that touched his lips. Kellen watched the pair approach him and he could tell that both of them looked exhausted.

Kellen hadn’t seen or heard anything from Casper and Rhys besides the phone call and the confrontation in the morning. Now that he was seeing him again near the end of the day he could tell he’d had a very busy day.

When Rhys came over and sat down Kellen easily took his hand in his. Rhys seemed a little surprised, but also just melted at the simple touch.

"A long day?" Kellen asked and Casper sighed as he settled in next to Brent. He took off his glasses, rubbing the spot between his eyes and the bridge of his nose.

"Don’t even get either of us started. I’m not one for violence like the rest of you, but..." Casper trailed off and Kellen wondered if they had gotten more information from the front lines. Kellen tilted his head slightly, blinking, before he glanced at Rhys, Brent and then Casper again.

"I’m sorry to hear that. I’m assuming this is about the front lines?" Kellen suggested and watched as Casper and Brent flinched, along with a few other Guides at tables around them.

Kellen turned his gaze to Rhys, knowing from holding his hand that his powers had fluctuated.

"That bad?" Kellen asked quietly and Rhys growled.

"I’m going to kill him." Rhys’ words were a statement. A declaration. Kellen wasn’t quite sure who he was talking about though, since there were quite a few people that Rhys probably wanted dead. There were a few that Kellen wanted dead, but not by his or Rhys’ hand. An ’accident’ would do.

"Who, Rhys?" Kellen asked, and Casper looked a little ill. Rhys’ jaw was tight, his grip firm on Kellen’s hand. Kellen raised their joined hands and quietly kissed Rhys’. Rhys melted while Brent gagged loudly. Casper chuckled.

"Shit. I wish I could have seen that in definition." Casper said and Brent gagged again.

"Ugh. No you didn’t. It was so damn sugary sweet I feel like I got diabetes from seeing it." Brent protested, but his eyes were bright. He didn’t mean a damn word out of his mouth, so Kellen just stuck his tongue out at the guide. Casper slid his glasses back onto his face, catching Kellen sticking his tongue out at Brent and Casper smiled, before it faded quickly.

"Unfortunately, we’re talking about the usual suspect, Kellen. Something...awful has happened." Casper’s words were solemn and Kellen just stared at him for a second. When the pieces clicked, Kellen felt his own jaw tightened.

"Ah. What did he do?" Kellen asked, turning to look at Rhys. The happiness in seeing Kellen had faded to be replaced with cold, hard anger. Rhys looked murderous. Kellen kind of wanted Rhys to tell him what had happened, but also expected it when Casper spoke up for him. Rhys looked like if he spoke right now, he would spit fire.

"We’re pretty sure, since we’ve spoken to all other leaders but...somehow...Captain Tom found out that you...you know, about the situation with the General store." Casper spoke quietly. Very quietly. It was clear that he knew that everyone was listening in on them. Even while realising that, it took Kellen a second to process what Casper was saying.

When the words washed over him, he took a moment to understand what was being said to him. Kellen nodded. He squeezed Rhys’ hand.

"Okay. So why is this a big deal? Did he tell everyone? Did everyone believe him?" Kellen asked and Casper swallowed. Brent pushed at the food on his plate, looking pissed as well.

"Well, we aren’t quite sure. He didn’t mention your name, but did say that someone close to the Captain saw it. So obviously-" Kellen started laughing. That seemed to surprise the rest of the people at the table.

"Obviously? There is nothing obvious about this, Casper. I’m sorry, but if he didn’t say my name, then it doesn’t matter. Who the hell is going to believe that I, of all people, saw anything? That’s insane. I’m not even fully sure I did, and I experienced the pain of the situation personally. Honestly, I think this situation works in our favour. We just host a press conference questioning what the Captain of the D.E.C. was thinking, bring up the situation on the front line and hold his feet to the coals." Kellen said and felt like everyone else was kind of shocked by what he said.

"You aren’t...upset?" Brent asked, and Kellen stared at him.

"Why would I be? Should I be shocked when a man who I’ve stopped trusting years ago proved to me and everyone else that we shouldn’t trust him? You’re already thinking he’s involved with the E.A.G. This wouldn’t be a crazy jump whether was involved with the E.A.G. or not. He’s petty, self-serving, and has been hiding on the front lines away from us because he knows if I was where he was, he’d be in a lot of trouble. Or, if Rhys was there, he’d be dead." Kellen said with a shrug.

"We were worried you’d be upset." Casper said slowly, carefully, and Kellen chuckled.

"Me? Upset? Well, I guess that was a potential. More like I’m just sad that he met the expectations I had set out for him. He really just proved everything that my therapist had said about him, and honestly? He probably exceeded my terrible expectations of him by trying to paint an even bigger target on my back after I was shot in front of his place of work." Kellen would admit, he did sound a little bitter. Given the situation and the news he was finding out, he was pretty sure it was allowed.

"You’re right. I’m sorry that you had such a low opinion of him and he failed to even meet that bar." Rhys murmured. "So? What do you want to do? Hill has everyone rounded up on the front lines, Sergei is keeping an eye on him especially after word broke, so we could go...beat him up if you wanted?" Kellen could tell that was what Rhys wanted to do. It wasn’t just because he suggested it. It was also because that was what he wanted to do for a while.

Kellen shook his head, smiling.

"We’re going to talk to Pamela about how to handle this, as well as Lieutenant Fisher. We’re going to do it by the books so he has no viable reason to go after us. If he disappears after that, I will have no qualms. I just...don’t want to be as bad as them." Kellen said and Rhys grumbled, but clearly gave in. Casper seemed slightly relieved, while Brent didn’t look happy at all.

At least he knew he had Casper on his side.