Chapter 53: Hard but Soothing
Kellen, still worried about the other Esper, finished his last plate quickly. All conversation had stopped after Gunther’s outburst, so Kellen found it easy to get up and follow her. The Captain gave Kellen’s ass a pat as he passed, but he brushed it off. He was more worried about Hill, enough to not be concerned about his own side effects.
Hill was chatting with another Esper who had overheard Gunther’s words. Hell, Kellen was pretty sure the whole cafeteria, including civilians, heard him quite well. Gunther, whether he had known it or not, had used his instructor voice. It had boomed over the large space, filling it. It was no wonder that the Esper before Hill was in a panic trying to soothe her.
"Karen, don’t listen to him. He’s just jealous. You know Lieutenant Gunther doesn’t get guiding in the Guild. He’s jealous because you can." They insisted, their large, brown eyes begging Hill to listen. Kellen would be the first to admit that this Esper probably fell into Hill’s type, given the books she’d given him to read. Soft, delicate, with a soft, open expression, this Esper did invoke the impression they needed protection. Even if Kellen knew that they were a powerful, B Class Esper with a habit of destroying the areas they were sworn to protect. They’d been a disaster on the front lines when Kellen had worked with them a few years ago. Kellen could remember the expression they’d had too. One of pure glee.
"Thanks Carlie. I appreciate the kind words, but he’s kind of right. I am a serial...." She trailed off, and Kellen felt his heart jerk. When he made fun of her, it was to make fun. It wasn’t to actually hurt her. If he knew that his words were like barbs to her, he never would have said them. Maybe Hill was like him? Always wanted a pair, but wasn’t able to? Fuck you Gunther, for hurting her.
"Karen, you aren’t like him. You know that, right? And you aren’t like your parents either. Lieutenant Gunther doesn’t know, that’s why he sa-" Hill cut off the other Esper, a soft, but insincere smile on her face.
"Carlie, I’m fine. I don’t know why you brought up my parents either. This and that are not related." Carlie, for her part, didn’t look like she believed Hill. Kellen wasn’t so sure either. He hadn’t spoken to Hill about her childhood, but given her response, and how concerned others were about her, he felt that he needed to remedy that. And soon. Carlie grabbed onto Hill’s shoulder, tightening her grip for a second before relaxing.
"Karen, I mean it. You aren’t like them, and fuck what he said. You are a strong, desirable, considerate woman. Anyone would be lucky to pair with you." She added, and Hill didn’t look at Carlie. Kellen felt his chest tighten. He’d had no idea that Hill had this complexity to her, and now he felt like a jerk. Knowing that Hill was going to say something about herself, he finally made his presence known. He rather loudly put down his tray, and the Espers jumped. That only proved to Kellen how focused they had been on their conversation.
"I agree with Esper Carlie. You are all of those things, and more, Hill. I don’t know what bee got into his bonnet, but he’s being a complete jerk. Anytime I’ve ever interacted with you, Hill, you’ve been focused, kind, and dedicated to your job. So what if you’re a little extra sometimes, or that you like being on the front lines? Lots of Espers and Guides are like that. Plus, you’re still young. You have plenty of time to find someone to settle down with." Hill and Carlie stared at the Guide, both seemed to be surprised that Kellen had spoken up. Kellen continued. "And so what if you’ve slept around? Who actually gives a fuck about that? I agree with Esper Carlie. He has to be jealous because he can’t get what he wants, therefore he is putting down someone who can." Hill’s eyes widened as Kellen cleaned up his tray. Carlie covered her mouth, hiding her wide grin.
"Uh, Kellen, what on earth are you on about?" Hill asked, furrowing her brows. Kellen felt himself fill with shock. How had Hill, of all people, not noticed the interaction between Casper and Gunther? He opened his mouth, about to reveal it out of spite, but stopped himself. Out of respect for Casper, he thought better of it. Right now, Gunther could go shove it, but Casper hadn’t done anything wrong. So, Kellen shrugged, stacking his tray to be cleaned.