(BL) Taming the Field Guide

Elder Ellis stared at Kellen, swallowing as he processed Rhys’ words. Kellen felt rather confused about the reaction from the other S Classes in the room. It was only a few minutes ago that they thought he was an A Class Guide, if not a C Class Guide. Now?

Now the pity that he could taste in the air was rather confusing to him.

“How is his mental health?” Elder Ellis asked and Kellen blinked. Why was he asking about that? Then, Kellen felt his face warm. It was actually rather important that he ask about his mental health. Most S Classes were a little insane, a little off. Kellen knew that better than others, so why was he so offended that an S Class, an Elder S Class, asked about his mental health?

It was actually a kind thing for him to worry about Kellen, probably the youngest S Class there right now. Rhys slid his gaze to Kellen, his expression hard, but his eyes soft.

“We’re taking it one step at a time. He’s strong.” Rhys sounded very proud of Kellen. “He’s had his moments, but as soon as Kellen realises that he’s being emotional or irrational, he has the ability to pull himself together. He’s better than I was as a newly awakened S Class, and probably most of the others here.” Rhys said with a chuckle.

Elder Ellis stared at Rhys, taking in his light expression, the relaxed way he was holding himself and the fact that he was still letting Elder Ellis hold Kellen’s hand. The tightness around his eyes softened before he turned his gaze to Kellen.

“And you, Guide Woods? How do you feel about this transition?” He asked softly. Kellen took a moment to truly consider it.

How did he feel?

Well, he’d never thought he’d be an S Class. He’d thought being an A Class was a pipe dream, so getting this far was…unimaginable. If there was one thing that he could complain about, it was that they kept it from him for so long.

“Well, it’s a bit unbelievable, if I’m honest, but the symptoms are too obvious for me to think it is anything else.” Kellen told him. “My only complaint is that they held the truth back from me because they were trying to decide if it was the poison that was making me behave like an emotional freak, or a change in my Class. Though, thinking on it now…” Kellen trailed off, glancing at a Rhys who was refusing to make eye contact suddenly. “I feel that you already knew, didn’t you, Rhys?” Kellen accused. Rhys let out a light laugh.

“I have no idea what you mean, Kellen.” Rhys said carefully and Kellen narrowed his gaze.

“Hm. Sure.” Kellen wasn’t going to bother him about it anymore. He was going to complain about it when given the option though. Kellen turned back to the Elder, giving him a soft smile. “If anything, I’m just happy that I’m able to help more people. Previously I was unable to Guide many different Espers because my powers were so restricted. However, with my S Class status and my abilities expanding, I am able to help more people. That is something to celebrate.” Kellen told him. The Elder stared at him before his expression softened further.

“You didn’t imprint right away, did you?” Kellen shook his head at his half question, half confirmation.

“No, and Rhys respects my wishes not to want to. At least, not right now. My work is too important for me to be restricted to guiding only one person. I’m glad to have found a partner who sees me for me, even if he gets a bit too jealous sometimes.” Kellen said with a smile. “Though, it’s not like I’m any better.” Kellen said proudly and he could tell that his words, his feelings, were causing a ripple through the room.

However, the Elder was watching Rhys and Kellen with curious, but happy eyes.

“I’m glad to see that. I also have to agree with Esper Thatcher as well. You are rather level-headed for a newly awakened S Class.” He praised and Kellen beamed.

“Thank you. I take that as a very serious compliment. I don’t think you would say the same thing last night.” Kellen said with a laugh. Rhys chuckled.

“Kellen is rather possessive of all Guides, and unlike Espers, his is a rather broad spectrum. He does consider them his, but it’s more like how a Guild is yours.” Rhys explained, and the Elder seemed fascinated by that.

“Oh really? I haven’t heard about this with other S Class Guides before.” He mused and Kellen smirked.

“Well, I’m not just a normal Guide. I’m a Field Guide. I think I have a more firm sense of identity and that has translated through my Class jumps.” Kellen could feel other Espers creeping closer, listening in to their conversation. Kellen could also feel Sergei behind them, half protecting, half support.

Elder Ellis’ eyes were alight with interest, as were some of the Espers around them. Kellen didn’t think he was in bad company if some of the Espers were as full of curiousity about him as Kellen normally would be if he was in their shoes.

“Fascinating. I would love to hear how other S Class Guides feel when compared to your experience.” He said and Kellen glanced at the Espers around him. He gave a chuckle.

“I think that might not be as possible here as you would think, but I do know a few other S Classes that you might be able to speak to in the future.” He gasped, squeezing Kellen and Rhys’ hands.

“You know of other S Class Guides? That aren’t registered?” Kellen gave a tight smile to his question.

“Remember what Rhys just said?” Kellen said carefully, a protective force growing inside of him. “They’re mine, protected, and I would not have just anyone come around them.” Kellen warned. It wasn’t for the Elder, but for the glimmer of possessiveness that Kellen noticed in a few of the surrounding Esper’s eyes.

“You can’t exactly dangle carrots in front of us and expect us to-”

“I can, actually.” Kellen told them with a smile that was as bright as it was cold. “I expect you to behave like decent human beings, actually, and if you attempt to harass me, harass Captain Sergei or Rhys for the information, there is no way in hell that I would let you near them. They will be discussed later during the meeting and that is when you feel sick to your stomach you felt, for even a second, possessive of them. If that is not the case, then we’ll make sure that you do.” Kellen told him. Rhys chuckled.

“He’s serious, too. I would be more scared of Kellen than either Sergei or I, by the way. Kellen’s not crazy when he kills. He doesn’t play with his food.” Rhys warned. Elder Ellis’ eyes narrowed slightly at Rhys and Kellen, his expression dropping from excitement into suspicion and anger. For a moment Kellen worried that it was directed towards them.

“I have a feeling we’ll all agree if I’m thinking that something terrible happened when those S Class Guides were created.” His voice had lost the sweeter, wise edge to it. Revealing the long-standing S Class Esper who had survived this long underneath. Kellen felt a shiver run down his spine at the reminder, but he didn’t flinch.

“We’ll take a fifteen minute break. Go see your partners, grab something to drink or eat, especially you, Guide Kellen. I can tell you’ll be busy, and while you probably don’t like being fussed over, you will be.” Elder Ellis looked slightly apologetic while Kellen felt his new name strange on the other man’s lips. The Elder smiled. “Do you like sweets? We have a good supply.” Kellen felt his jaw drop. Even he was trying to feed him, and immediately after he gave the warning.

Kellen laughed.

“I like all food, even if it’s poisoned. I doubt anything could be worse than what’s in my veins right now.” Kellen joked, and watched as the Elder’s eyebrow twitched before he relaxed his expression and nodded.

“Good. Esper Thatcher, take care of your Guide. He’s wasted on you.” The Elder said with a wink before pulling away his hands and turning. He seemed to have something that he needed to do while Kellen and Rhys were swarmed by Espers.

Kellen was worried for a second that it was for negative reasons, only to find out five minutes later after Rhys had finally detached themselves from the group that they were shoving food into Kellen and Rhys’ arms.

Kellen was a little shell-shocked, surprised that he was being treated this way, while Rhys seemed very pleased.

“What just happened?” Kellen asked and Rhys laughed. He was leaning them towards one of the couches that lined the walls of the large circular space.

“They were waiting for Elder Ellis to give permission to approach you with food. It’s something that happens to all new Guide partners that get brought here, but usually on the lower level. It’s a welcoming of sorts, and a thank you. You’ll be thanked more because we all know you’re quietly guiding us all right now. They’ll feel like shit if you grow too thin during the meeting. Expect more visits while we’re all chatting.” Rhys warned, his expression light. Kellen blinked.

“And what was with him calling you Esper Thatcher? Isn’t that not right?” Kellen asked and Rhys’ looked thrilled Kellen was asking about it. He helped Kellen sit down on the couch, then grabbed a basket from what felt like thin air, but Kellen realised it was from under the couch. He helped Kellen put all of the snacks he’d been given into said basket.

“It’s actually a sign of respect and acknowledgement. After all, we don’t have many Elders around us, and we’re all Captains here. None of us have really been just an Esper. It’s something we came up with when a large group of us come together. Respect, community, gathering. You’re a bit different because there are so few actual S Class Guides around. We put Guide before your first name as an acknowledgement of equals and also as a form of respect.” Rhys told him and Kellen was fascinated to learn more about the people who he thought he knew.

“Interesting. Is that why you don’t bat an eye when Sergei calls me it?” Kellen asked and Rhys frowned, but nodded with a sigh.

“Yeah. I couldn’t even argue it if I wanted to, and honestly, who would protest another Esper showing your Guide respect? He’s always been like that too.” Rhys muttered and they both glanced towards where Sergei was settling. It was pretty much directly across the room from them, on his own couch. Alone. Kellen sighed.

“I wish Brent could have come.” He muttered and Rhys made a small noise of agreement.

“I know. He’ll be here next time.” Rhys told him and Kellen nodded, then hesitated.

“You think they’ll last that long?” Kellen asked and watched Sergei’s head jerk towards him. He could practically see Sergei’s eyes narrow in offense. Rhys laughed.

“Well, if they don’t, then I can only blame Sergei. I would like to blame Brent, but I feel like he’s doing his best in his first relationship.” Rhys was baiting Sergei into a fight it seemed, but Sergei didn’t take it. He smiled instead, a slow, smug thing. Kellen chuckled.

“Well, of course. I will blame Sergei for breaking Brent’s heart if it comes to it.” Kellen agreed and Sergei, from his distance, gave a thumbs up in agreement. Rhys and Kellen laughed as Kellen reached into the bin and grabbed a snack. The way that everyone was watching him reminded of the scientists he shared his office with.

Kellen had come here very worried about how everyone would treat him, and he was very impressed that so far he hadn’t had to pull out his gun. Things were going well.