(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 493

Chapter 493: I always believed in you

Sounds were the first thing that reached him. The constant drone of a familiar beeping, going at a normal, regular pace. Something he was rather familiar with, especially on the front lines. The shifting of fabric, the sounds of others moving beyond where he was, and the soft, worn out sigh of a man who was patient with him.

Kellen opened his eyes slowly, staring up at the folded fabric above him, along with the metal beams that were holding the tent up. He half expected that he’d be back in the city when he opened his eyes. He had a feeling it wasn’t off the table, but Taylor, or hell, even Carlos had been convincing. It would make sense if Carlos was on the front lines to keep all of those affected with the poison from the gate in one place. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

So he could work on helping them.

Kellen inhaled slowly, feeling the oxygen reach his lungs, how he didn’t feel laboured to breathe, before he exhaled, and then a face was in his view. His Captain was still there, still ready and dressed. He didn’t look out of place, his eyes still that same unnatural shade, but he looked worn. Tired.

Rhys’ hair didn’t move as he hovered over Kellen, meeting his gaze and Kellen went to raise his hand to touch his face, but found he couldn’t.

His hands were bound at his side, both of them. The one that was uninjured was filled with I.V.s and needles, while his other one was wrapped in bandages and probably the main reason he was bound. So he wouldn’t hurt it.

That was when Kellen realised that he still couldn’t see out of his left eye, but that had more to do with the fact that he had something on his face. An eyepatch.

"Can you hear me?" Kellen thought his heart was going to drop out of his chest. Rhys’ words were soft, delicate. Worried. He was terrified that Kellen wasn’t going to be able to hear him again. Kellen could hear it even though he couldn’t see it in Rhys’ face. He was hiding it from him in case he couldn’t hear still.

Kellen swallowed, his mouth feeling dry, like cotton.

"Y-Yeah." He said, his voice catching because his throat was dry. Rhys’ eyes widened, before his lips trembled and Kellen felt two wet spots fall on him before Rhys shifted, turning his body so that he could slip his hands up and under Kellen. He was pulling him against his chest, holding the man like he was delicate and easily breakable.

To Rhys, Kellen probably was. He always would be.

"Fuck." Rhys exhaled sharply, holding onto the man and Kellen just laid there, letting the man hold him as he shook, crying as he held Kellen against him. "I never doubted you. I never doubted you." Rhys repeated. Kellen knew he meant it. The man had faith in Kellen in a way that not even his own parents had. That didn’t mean that the man wasn’t terrified. Terrified of the cost of letting Kellen go and do what he wanted. Do what he needed.

"I know." Kellen told him softly. "Thank you for waiting." Kellen did his best to speak past the rough, cotton texture in his throat. He attempted to wet his mouth, gathering saliva as Rhys continued to cry. He didn’t want to ask the man for some water, not when he was breaking down like this.

It felt wrong.

Rhys shuddered at Kellen’s words, nuzzling his face into the nook of Kellen’s neck, inhaling sharply as Kellen felt his tears dampen his neck and drip down into the sheets on the bed.

"I was so worried. So worried that they wouldn’t wake me up. That I would wake up only to hear that something happened. Something bad." Rhys admitted against Kellen’s skin, his words rough, fast, and whisper soft. "I couldn’t live with myself if you were injured. I can barely live with myself now." Rhys admitted. "Fuck. Kellen. I’m so sorry. I can’t believe-" Rhys cut off, choking. "Your hand. Your sister. Kellen, I-" Rhys cut off, shuddering as he tried to gather himself.

Kellen felt his own eyes water at the sheer emotion in Rhys’ tone. In his despair. He was the first one to react ironically. Kellen hadn’t let himself, nor had Bree allowed herself at the moment. Rhys was the first one to grieve.

"She thought it would be a fun thing to do." Kellen whispered, his voice still rough. He felt like it added to the horribleness of the moment. "She wanted to touch the core. Wouldn’t let me or Bree do it." Rhys paused, his grip tightening on him. Kellen could feel what he was thinking, and he knew that the man felt guilt immediately because of what it cost him. Cost her. Kellen laughed. "She knew the risks. I just..." Kellen let out a shaky breath. "I just wish it hadn’t been me who had to make the decision." Kellen admitted before he felt his own shoulders shook. "I couldn’t lose her." He whispered and Rhys held him tighter against his chest.

"Oh baby." Rhys murmured. "You’re her big brother. I know she knows it hurt you too." The way he said that made him realise that maybe...no one else had woken up yet.

"Rhys? Am I the only one awake?" Kellen asked and Rhys didn’t pull away to meet his gaze.

"You are. Bree was awake when she came in, but she passed out shortly after we got her onto a bed. She hasn’t woken up yet. Taylor is working around the clock with Carlos and Guide Martinez to make sure that they can wake up." Rhys told him, soothing him. Kellen gulped.

"They can wake up?" Kellen asked and Rhys was silent for a moment too long.

"We...don’t know, Kellen." He admitted as softly as he could, and Kellen let out a shaky breath.

"Okay. Well, I at least got them out. I found two deceased members. Field Guides." Kellen said and Rhys let out a hiss of air.

"Oh fuck Kellen. I’m sorry." Kellen let out a shaky breath.

"It’s okay. It has to be okay. I got...I got two out for sure." Kellen whispered. "I got Gwen out, and another Esper. Did the Esper near the gate come out?" Kellen asked and Rhys sighed.

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