(BL) Taming the Field Guide

It was Uncle Vance who asked some rather detailed and important questions of Kellen. Things he hadn’t even considered to ask.

He was picking Kellen’s mind over what had happened, how it felt, the lead up to it, probing questions that made Kellen think back on the whole situation. He also made notes and promised to send them to Taylor as well.

Seeing him act so professionally really helped calm Kellen. He was taking him seriously, but it also made Kellen feel better after it all when Uncle Vance told him that he agreed with Rhys in this regard. Powers don’t normally go against one’s nature. That’s not how it works. He’d seen many, many different kinds of Espers and Guides, and while Kellen was at the forefront of a new change in those with powers, there were some rules that you didn’t go against.

Becoming a Guide and an Esper didn’t go against Kellen’s nature, either. He was a Field Guide, he did a job that required him to be far more capable than Espers, and having the powers that he did made him that much better at his job.

He was far more likely to continue to move subconsciously to protect himself and others than he was to suddenly lash out at others with his newfound abilities.

Kellen trusted Rhys, he did, but hearing more confirmation from someone who was a professional and had seen many, many Espers and Guides during their lifetime really helped soothe Kellen. Rhys didn’t even seem to take offense to the fact that Kellen relaxed more once Uncle Vance had told him pretty much the same thing he’d said.

Instead, he just held Kellen closer, his arm tight around Kellen’s waist.

Kellen’s parents had moved closer to them, Kellen’s Dad pressing against Kellen’s side and taking his hand more firmly in his own. His Mom touched Kellen’s shoulder with her hand, squeezing it tightly in support.

Brent was staring at Kellen with sad, but compassionate eyes. Kellen didn’t tell them all of this to feel bad for him, he just wanted them to be aware of what was going on. Kellen could tell, however, that Brent wasn’t the only one who was looking at him like that. Uncle Parker was as well, as well as a few of the other Lieutenants around.

Aunt Dina didn’t look at Kellen the same way, but she was pissed. He could tell by the way she was holding herself.

"We’ll have to tell the leaders in charge of Guides about all of this eventually, but I don’t trust them right now. Not until we deal a serious blow to the E.A.G. Not that I think Guides would ever go against other Guides, but..." She trailed off and Kellen understood. He himself had been hesitant to tell the main hivemind of Guides what was going on. It was one thing to share a few details about how Field Guides did things differently from regular Guides, it was another to admit everything that was going on with Kellen to an entity that didn’t have a face. Kellen was told that it was run by Guides and that the information was safe-guarded, but Kellen was feeling a little burnt by Uncle Tom after his betrayal.

He had thought that even though he was disappointed in Kellen that he at least cared for the city that Kellen cared for, but then the stuff with the E.A.G. happened and the front lines and, well, Kellen was feeling a bit distrusting of organisations he couldn’t see face to face.

Aunt Dina was the one who spoke up after Uncle Vance had finished his probing questions and declared that the operation would go on as had been discussed. They would not change a thing. This was partially for Kellen’s benefit. He was the one who had seen everything, he was the one who should decide if anything changed.

Kellen was in full agreement with her. He didn’t want to change a thing, and so that wasn’t going to happen. Kellen could tell that his parents were in disagreement with that. They clearly wanted to put more protections in place for Kellen, but that wasn’t going to work. He was supposed to be protecting Brent, and he couldn’t do that if he had his own group of Espers protecting him.

In a way, he did, but it was clear that neither of his parents agreed that it was enough action. Rhys was a surprise supporter of Kellen’s actions, though.

"Kellen isn’t dumb." He told his in-laws. "He knows his limits, and this is one of the few times that he can act without them truly knowing what he is capable of. If we treat him like any other Guide, they are going to think that they can get away with the same kind of treatment. Besides, he’s going to be mostly covered. They won’t even be able to tell he’s a Guide when he steps out of hiding. They won’t be looking for him because we’ve been hiding Henry away so tightly since he’s arrived. Sure, they will know that I brought Kellen with me to the meeting, but they must know by now someone tried to take him. They won’t be thinking we’ll allow him outside again." Rhys told them.

"They aren’t going to be looking for me during Brent’s press conference, at least, not when Brent is talking." Kellen said carefully, squeezing his Dad’s hand. "They might be looking for me when Rhys is talking, but not Brent. They don’t really know how close Brent and I are. They haven’t seen us together and Brent wasn’t really the focus of the video that leaked of me." Kellen said. Rhys grunted.

"I forgot about that for a moment. Brent was caught in that video, but Kellen’s right, it was in passing. He was just grim-faced in the video if I remember. Some could take it to mean that Brent wasn’t for what Kellen was doing, even if we all know that’s not the truth." Rhys muttered.

Uncle Parker laughed, drawing everyone’s attention towards him.

"I forgot that you did that." He muttered, his lips twitching as he tried to hide his smile. "Either way, I agree with them, Ellie, Henry. Trust the kids, alright? They’ve got good heads on their shoulders, and if something goes wrong? That’s where we step in." Uncle Parker said, clenching his fist tightly and raising it up for the others to see. It was supposed to be an uplifting gesture, one of confidence, but Kellen’s Mom sighed loudly.

"I can’t believe I’m getting a pep talk from you of all people." She muttered and Kellen watched as Uncle Parker twitched, before he laughed.

"Strange, isn’t it? But I got to witness how powerful Brent was first hand after his brother tried to have him killed at a party. I have confidence in the kids, and it’s not like your son is marrying a man lesser than him." Uncle Parker said, gesturing to Rhys. "He’ll protect Kellen with his life, so I’m not worried. You shouldn’t be, either. Kellen’s already saved Henry’s life once, he’s not about to neglect his own life, even against a formidable opponent. He’s your son, after all." He reminded her.

It seemed that Uncle Parker’s coaxing was exactly what his parents needed. More specifically, his Mom, since Kellen’s Dad didn’t appear relaxed at all. He wasn’t protesting it verbally, but Kellen felt that his Dad wouldn’t be okay until after the press conference was over and the next step could happen.

That was okay. He was allowed to be worried and concerned for everyone. Kellen would never take that away from him. Kellen just hoped that everything worked out for the greater good. He had a sneaking suspicion that it would.

Brent was the one who brought up dinner and asked about when it would come. That shook everyone out of the heavy daze that they were in and Kellen was grateful for his friend. Kellen wanted to thank his friend but when he looked up to give Brent a nod of thanks, Brent signaled that he needed to speak with him in private.

Kellen didn’t mind, and after the food was delivered, Kellen turned to his lovely fiancé and asked him to make a plate for Kellen as he needed to have a word with Brent. Rhys didn’t bat an eye, his gaze slipping to Brent to give him a nod before he kissed Kellen and let the two Field Guides leave to the bathroom.

It was the only room on the bottom floor of the apartment that afforded some privacy, and given that there was another bathroom upstairs, they didn’t feel too bad occupying it for a few moments.

Brent locked the door behind them once they entered and then moved to the wall across from the toilet and pressed his back against it. He sighed, rubbing a hand down his face before he met Kellen’s gaze.

Kellen was worried that it was something horrible, like Brent had injured himself or that he was going to tell Kellen about his worries regarding the press conference. It was nothing like what Kellen worried about.

"Your parents all but said that they want to adopt me." Brent said. He lowered his hand, staring at Kellen for a long moment. "How do you...feel about that?" He asked and Kellen stared at him. He blinked, before he tilted his head to the side in confusion.

"What does it matter what I think?" Kellen asked and watched as Brent blushed.

"Of course it matters what you think! They’re your parents, and if we’re honest, I barely know them! I don’t want to just come in and force myself into your life like that without your permission." Kellen wanted to laugh at how quickly Brent was raising his voice. He was clearly worried about Kellen’s reaction, but it was a foolish thing.

Why would Kellen ever be upset about this?

"I essentially asked them to adopt Charlie against their will, and they did it. The fact that they came to you and asked your opinion is far more important than mine." Kellen said. "I’m sure you’ve noticed, but my Mom is pretty possessive of my Dad. She’ll do anything for him. It’s in her nature. If she approved of it, who am I to say no? Besides, I wouldn’t hate having you as a brother, Brent, I just don’t want you to feel conflicted about it yourself." Kellen shrugged. "Especially over my opinion. I’m sure Gwen would love it, too. She’ll wake up and have a new older and younger brother. She’ll be in her glee. She always wanted more siblings but my parents stopped at two." Brent stared at Kellen and Kellen watched as his throat worked.

He turned his head away from Kellen, his hand lowering to cover his chest as he clearly worked through his emotions. Kellen let him. It was clear that he’d been worried Kellen would freak out or something, which was ridiculous. Brent was the one who’d gotten mad at him for not thinking of him as a friend, and now that he was going through a tough time with his own family, Kellen’s family had stepped up without his knowledge to support him.

That was the sign that his family cared for him, and wanted him to know that not all families were like his. They would be there for him. It might also explain why his Dad was still distraught. Two of his children were going into danger in only a few days, and he’d already experienced that once and it had nearly destroyed him.

Kellen smiled, staring at Brent while he tried to figure out his feelings. For the first time since he’d shot the Invisibility Esper, Kellen was glad that he had this strange feeling in his gut. It meant that he could tell that as of right now, things would go the way he saw.

At least he could have faith in that. Things could change, but right now, everyone was making it out of the press conference in one piece, and that was all he could ask for.