Chapter 3: Reunion
Jerking, Kellen stumbled, trying to get to his feet, but a firm hand pushed him back onto the cushion with a soft chuckle. "Stand down soldier, you're injured." Opening his eyes was easy now given the shock he was experiencing. Kellen tilted his head back to take in the full glory of the man in front of him, and swallowed the saliva forming in his mouth.
The man looked like he had come out of a magazine for the perfect front line Esper. He wore his Guild's uniform colour, the perfect blend of black and white, with not even a thread out of place. His shoes were perfectly shined when he glanced at them. It suited his personality that nothing was out of place, including the coiffed black hair, cut just short enough to not be too long, but long enough that it tempted others.
Kellen wasn't sure why, but he'd always had a desire to ruffle up the perfect image of the man who stood before him, but it was the eyes that held him back. The man had vivid yellow iris'. Just like the man who had almost surged in the lobby, and he'd had those eyes ever since Kellen had met him.
"C-Captain, what are you doing here?" The words fumbled out of Kellen's lips, almost like he couldn't stop them. The Captain smiled as he raised his hand, slowly cupping Kellen's face in his palm.
"Funny story, that. I happened to be in the area when the alarm went off, and that Esper also happens to be one of my new recruits. I didn't know he'd let himself get to such a dangerous level, but I am glad if it meant that I could see you again." Kellen's mouth opened slightly as the Captain admitted that so casually. "Tell me, I thought you were supposed to be kicking up your feet and enjoying an early retirement. So, Mr. Woods, why do I always happen to find you with injuries all over your body?" Kellen's face heated with embarrassment.
"Uh, I..." The Captain's yellow eyes stared deeply into the Guides, and Kellen was the first one to break it, turning his gaze towards his knees. "I never meant to end up injured, I was just trying to protect the others." With his grip on the Guide's face, he gently raised his face, forcing the Guide to not avoid him. Kellen watched as the Captain nodded at his explanation, but Kellen had worked enough with him to know that was never a good sign.
"Of course you would never mean to. Who would? But, I've had plenty of examples of what kind of man you are in the past Mr. Woods. Need I remind you of how many times you've saved my men from peril before?" His grip tightened slightly on his face. "But I've always been curious about one thing, why is it that you always happen to be in the wrong place at the right time? Every time I think you're tucked somewhere safe and sound, you come out of the bushes covered in dirt and blood." He tsked. "At least this time you aren't covered in dirt." The Guide's face heated further with every word out of the Captain's mouth.
"I-I cannot help it if I'm accident prone, Captain." Sniffing, Kellen opened his mouth and spoke his mind, feeling brave from the loss of powers, and the fact that they weren't on the front lines. "It's very rude that you keep poking into my sore spots." Kellen glanced at the Captain to see his reaction, and was stunned to see his expression shift, and his eyes drop into a deeper, golden shade as his fingers gently grazed his cheek. Kellen felt himself swallow.
"And I cannot help but seem to be in your debt despite that." He smiled down at the Guide. "How many men of mine have you saved with your measly C Class guiding Mr. Woods? 30? 40? How am I ever going to repay this debt I have towards you?" His tone was teasing, and Kellen felt his cheeks flame, turning his gaze away from the Captain.