(BL) Taming the Field Guide

Chapter 205: Looking for a fight that will never happen

Kellen gave them as long as he could. He truly did, but he could tell that the other Espers were getting too damn tense. Even his parents were behaving like Kellen had sent Brent off not with Sergei, the man that had been silently protecting the city they lived in for years, but a true beast that had no control.

Kellen was honestly more worried for Sergei instead of Brent, but he knew that if he didn’t go get them, it would be worse.

So while everyone had stopped conversing and instead was staring in the direction that Sergei and Brent had disappeared with the glowing, serious eyes of their powers, Kellen got up off of the couch with Rhys and patted his knee with his gloved hand. Rhys chuckled.

"Call me if you need backup." Rhys teased, his own eyes yellow but that was the norm. Rhys was the most relaxed Esper in the room, which Kellen was grateful for. At least he knew that Sergei wouldn’t hurt Brent with this many people around. Nor would Sergei go too far. The man cared about Brent too much.

At least, that was what Kellen had observed. You didn’t go under when a Guide went missing because of a ’fling’.

Kellen moved towards the room where he assumed Brent and Sergei were. It didn’t take much for him to realise he was right and after a few rapt, quick knocks, the sounds on the other side of the door halted. Kellen waited respectfully on the other side, until the door opened and a rather flushed Brent opened the door. He was embarrassed by his display, but Sergei?

He was composed. Even if his lips were a little too red for respectable behaviour. Brent was worse, but Kellen didn’t say a damn thing. He just wished he had the power to heal others so that they didn’t get teased.

"Sorry for interrupting, but I do think you need to come back. They’re behaving as if Sergei is going to steal you away from them." Kellen told Brent and Brent’s expression darkened.

"Damn Espers." He muttered. Kellen slid his gaze to Sergei, but the man wasn’t phased. He just nodded, adjusting his clothes.

"Thank you for grabbing us, Guide Kellen." He told him seriously and Kellen let out a laugh.

"Of course. It would be a crime scene if anyone else came." Kellen told them seriously and unfortunately, no one laughed. They were all in agreement with Kellen’s words.

Kellen went back first, giving Brent and Sergei a few more moments and glaring at the Espers in the room. Those who were used to Kellen’s new gaze didn’t flinch, but everyone else? They looked like shaken animals all of a sudden. Kellen knew that his gaze had to be glowing, but seriously? They were being ridiculous.

"What? Are we no longer humans? Or is this the trend of other cities? Get it together." Kellen scolded harshly, his gaze going from his Aunt to her Lieutenants. Even Uncle Parker was behaving this way and that made Kellen feel very disappointed in them.

Rhys was grinning from ear to ear as he patted the spot on the couch next to him.

"Come on, sugar, and come take a seat again. You know that Brent is more likely to harm Sergei like I do. These fools just have been getting the soft treatment from Brent because he didn’t have you around to defend him." Rhys said with a wink. Kellen grumbled, but couldn’t disagree with him.

"Brent is perfectly capable of defending himself without me around, he just likes having backup." Kellen clarified and Rhys laughed.

"Of course, of course. No Field Guide you’ve personally trained wouldn’t be able to do that." Rhys comforted him as Kellen came over and sat next to Rhys. Their thighs were pressed against each other, comfortable as the others waited for Brent and Sergei to come back.

~

When they did, the colour had gone down from their lips and they looked refreshed. Sergei looked like he hadn’t done a damn thing in that bathroom while Brent was blushing for the both of them. It was honestly very cute to see normally stoic Brent, ’I could be caught in the middle of it’ Jameson looking like a blushing bride.

Kellen tried to control his laughter.

The Healer, who Brent had been introduced to, went towards the two of them and healed them quietly before Brent came to sit next to Kellen on the couch. Sergei didn’t take the small spot next to him and instead opted to be near, but not too close. Kellen could see that Brent was a little disappointed with his decision but Sergei was looking out for everyone in the room.

The tension dissipated significantly when Sergei sat away from Brent.

"Now that he’s back, can you all back off of being possessive of him before I get really upset?" Kellen asked loudly, and Brent turned his wide, surprised gaze towards Kellen who was not afraid to be flashing his powers around. He was behaving more like an S Class Esper than an S Class Guide, but it suited him just fine.

His Aunt Dina hesitated, looking rather conflicted.

"Kellen, sweetheart, it’s not that-"

"So what if he has one arm?" Kellen cut her off. "Or so what if his family hates him? So what if they are trying to kill him?" Kellen said, glaring at his Aunt who normally was relatively reasonable. "I get it. Brent is pretty to look at and he makes others want to protect him. I understand better than I think any of you are giving me credit for. I also believe that the way you’ve been treating him is ridiculous. He’s been a damn chaste man while he’s living here. You don’t even know who Brent is because he’s been forced into hiding and damnit, I’m pissed that you didn’t even consider treating him normally until now. Did you only see him as a Guide who needed to be protected and not a person? Did all of the E.A.G. terror get to you too?" Kellen demanded and watched as all of them looked upset and angry. A few even tried to open their mouths to defend themselves, but stopped.

Kellen huffed, crossing his arms. Brent sighed heavily.

"Kellen, I appreciate you getting mad at me, but you don’t understand how entrenched the E.A.G. is in this town. My brother...he helped fund them." Brent admitted quietly. He braced himself as if he was ready for Kellen to snap at him and get angry. Kellen stared at Brent incredulously.

"So? That wasn’t you, and this is the man we’re talking about who tried to have you killed more than once. I am not surprised to hear that he’s also supporting a terrorist organisation." Brent faltered in the face of Kellen’s unwavering support.

"He corrupted the biggest Guild in the area." Brent told him. Kellen shrugged.

"So? Your family name is probably tied to it. I already knew you had some idea about Guilds as soon as I brought you into the Saturn Guild proper. That only explains more of your knowledge." Brent flushed. It almost looked like he was hoping Kellen would get mad at him.

"I-I was created as an experiment from my father’s genetic code and my mother’s. My grandfather knew everything, watched over everything, and I’m pretty sure the E.A.G. has taken over that research facility in my father’s absence." Brent told him. Kellen felt anger rise in him, but not towards Brent.

"So what you’re telling me is that not only did they let your older brother try to kill you, they also didn’t even give you a normal birth, too? That and the ton of children we have back at the Saturn Guild could have been made by the E.A.G. instead of being stolen?" Kellen could feel his anger growing and knew that he wasn’t the only one. Rhys let out a low, dangerous breath that had both men putting a hand on each other’s knee in support.

Brent stared at Kellen, his face contorted in confusion and anger, but Kellen knew it wasn’t directed toward him. He didn’t seem to understand that when Brent and Kellen had that conversation in Kellen’s office that Kellen was already committed. Brent was his friend and Kellen would always have his back.

"I-I’ve killed people!" Brent was getting desperate and Kellen huffed.

"Who in this room hasn’t, Brent? Be realistic here. Did you forget that I came here specifically to ruin the E.A.G.’s plans? Do you think that’s going to happen by talking to them? That’s already failed at this point." Kellen told him, almost smiling. Brent threw up his hand in desperation.

"M-My name isn’t even Brent!" Kellen did raise a hand to cover his mouth at that, gasping. Brent glowered at the man who wasn’t taking this seriously at all.

"Oh no. The thing you warned me about is true? I’m truly shocked." Brent shoved Kellen’s shoulder, knocking him into Rhys. It wasn’t even hard, just a clear sign of his frustration. Brent glared at Kellen without any heat and Kellen smiled. "Come on, Brent. Just accept it. I’m not mad at you. I wouldn’t be mad at you for any of this shit. How could I? No normal person would be when you were taken against your choice, created against your choice, and then blamed for everything. I’m newly awakened as an S Class, not a damn idiot. Emotional, but not stupid, Brent." Kellen smirked. "Or if that even is your real name." Brent let out a yell, getting to his feet and moving away from Kellen. He took up to pacing the space in front of him, Sergei and the others. Between the couches and the T.V. that was mounted on the wall.

"I know I should have anticipated this, but damn it, Kellen. I’m over here, excited to see you and also full of guilt over lying to you for so long. Can’t you at least get mad at me or fucking punch me?" Brent looked absolutely torn, while Kellen sat next to Rhys, grinning.

"How is that any different from any of my other friendships?" Kellen asked, teasing. Rhys tensed, and Brent growled at him. He pointed a finger at Kellen, glaring.

"I am not like those users." Brent argued and Kellen shrugged.

"I know that, so why are you comparing yourself to them? I don’t consider you like them at all, Brent. So stop comparing yourself with absolute losers. You aren’t that. As far as I know, you’re a big deal now." Kellen told him and Brent flushed. He turned and began pacing again. He had a lot of energy. He was more like a caged animal than anything else.

Kellen really needed to get him out of the house for a little bit. Take care of his other needs. Maybe find a mountain that they could climb nearby or something. Kellen was interested to see what he could do with his hand now.

"If it’ll make you feel better, I can punch you." Kellen told him. There were several gasps from those listening in. Kellen’s Mom was the loudest. Rhys tensed as Sergei turned silvery eyes towards Kellen. Kellen winked, forgetting that he had an eyepatch on. Brent paused, turning to look at Kellen like that was the best idea he’d ever come up with.

Rhys didn’t stop Kellen, even if it felt like the man really wanted to. Kellen approached Brent and the man braced himself. He clearly thought Kellen was actually going to punch him but he was just clouded by weeks of being confined and a guilt that he couldn’t shake until he met Kellen in person.

Kellen wound up, making it look as real as possible. He even tensed his whole body.

Then, he punched Brent. Lightly, in the shoulder. Exactly as he was asked to.

Brent looked shocked, Rhys let out a laugh that cut through the tension and Kellen pulled the other man in for a hug.

"That’s enough, alright? We’ve got other things to discuss, and honestly? I’d rather not beat you up today, alright? All is forgiven, Brent." Kellen told him. Brent’s body relaxed.