Chapter 81: Everything isn’t quite so green

Charlie moved towards the other Captain, offering his hand for a handshake.

“Nice to meet you! I’m Charlie.” He said, offering a grin before he glanced around curiously and leaning in. He covered his mouth as if he was telling the other man a great secret, which he was. “Kellen asked me to help you because I’m an S Class so it won’t take as long, and it’s less likely to hurt.” Charlie told him quietly. Sergei, faced with such young enthusiasm, relaxed slightly.

Kellen could even tell that the tense Lieutenant sitting next to Hill relaxed slightly just having Charlie in the room. Hill’s shoulders had dropped as well. That was the effect Charlie had on others, and the pride that Kellen had for how the other man was so capable overwhelmed the small petty feelings he’d had earlier. He was like a proud older brother.

He didn’t feel like Charlie would take well to the other parts of being siblings yet. The poking and pestering. They’d work up to it. Gwen would help with it too, once she woke up. She’d be thrilled to have a younger brother. She’d always wanted to be a big sister.

She’d cried big, sad tears when their parents had told her they weren’t having anymore kids. Huh. Kellen had forgotten about that. He’d have to tease her about that when she woke up.

“I understand, but we might have terrible compatibility, Charlie.” Sergei said, squeezing the other man’s hand. “I’m Sergei Volkov, Captain of the Nemesis Guild. I’ve heard of you, but I haven’t actually met you yet, I don’t think. I’ve been mostly on the front lines.” Sergei told him and Charlie smiled. He glanced at Taylor, catching her eye and giving a slight nod. He was still smiling, but it was clear that Charlie was in work mode now.

He’d been in work mode since he’d stepped into the room. Kellen, the other Guide in the room, was the only one who had noticed. Rhys might have picked up on it, but the others? Too drained from the day to pick up on it.

“I think we’ll be fine, Taylor. We won’t need to worry about a compatibility test. I’ve guided other Espers with your powers before, and I don’t want to brag but I’ve never had any issues guiding any Espers.” Charlie told him with the confidence of a Guide who had worked far beyond the years that were legally allowed. He honestly spoke like the Guides who taught the Guiding School he should still be in.

Sergei shifted, not expecting that kind of confidence from a man who should have still been wet behind the ears. Then again, Charlie had been a secret kept from everyone that they could manage. For his safety, mostly. Sergei had to be catching onto the fact that he was being trusted with a serious secret.

S Class Guides were rare, and someone as young as Charlie but who had Kellen’s level of experience? Yeah, that didn’t spell having a good childhood, which apparently all S Classes came from.

Kellen gave a kind smile to the Esper when he glanced towards Kellen, his silvery gaze probing. Anyone would get emotional after hearing Charlie speak that way for the first time.

Kellen knew what Sergei wanted to ask, or at least had a feeling he wanted to ask. Now was not the time to speak about Charlie’s past. This was a time to get Sergei to a better place, and speak about Brent. Charlie could wait for later.

“I’ll help Charlie get ready, Taylor, so you can stay there. Your Guide is on her way.” Kellen told her. For once, Taylor didn’t take that as a threat. She nodded, focused, and Rhys cleared his throat. Kellen glanced towards the man who placed a hand on his chest, bowing slightly.

It was a silly, old fashioned show of respect that made Kellen’s lips twitch and his heart warm. Rhys’ eyes were sparkling, the tension in his shoulders completely gone as he glanced between Charlie and Kellen

“I can help. I’ve done this several times, and you currently only have use of one of your hands. You just stand there and look pretty, Kellen.” Rhys told him with a wink. Kellen narrowed his gaze while Charlie laughed softly. He couldn’t argue. Rhys had use of both of his hands. It was a frustrating truth, even if he felt his face warm. Rhys told him he was pretty.

Kellen huffed, rolling his good eye before glancing at Sergei.

“I guess I can at least keep watch.” Kellen said, trying to sound tough. “Oh! Sergei, do you want to see my new gun?” Kellen asked, and watched as Sergei dropped his head for a second. Kellen worried he’d said something wrong until he realised the other man was laughing.

“It’s nice to be back in the city.” Sergei said. “I forget how the miasma on the front lines twists your thoughts.” Sergei raised his head, his eyes dimming back to his natural shade. “I would love to see your new gun, Guide Kellen.” Sergei told him. Kellen shuffled over to the other man, pulling his gun out while Charlie took off his soft sweater and Rhys got him hooked up to the machine.

Kellen was having a fun time explaining the functions of the new gun and how it could cauterize the wounds that it made when another soft knock sounded at the door. It was the Guide for Taylor. She was a little nervous entering the room until she spotted Taylor, Kellen and Charlie. She waved, stepping into the room and staying near the door.

“You can come in. You don’t have to be so scared. We don’t all bite.” Hill called, smiling. “Nice to see you again, Layla.” Hill greeted and Layla flushed and nodded. She stepped into the room, taking a spot next to Hill against the wall. Sergei watched the interaction while still watching Kellen explain his gun.

“I take it that’s the Healer’s Guide?” Sergei asked and Kellen chuckled.

“Taylor doesn’t have a partner. Don’t you remember when there were rumours about her and Rhys dating?” Kellen asked and Taylor hissed from her work station.

“Would it kill you to drop it? Damn it, Kellen, you know that it would never happen! The Captain is not my type!” Taylor, annoyed, shouted. Kellen raised his gaze, surprised by her outburst.

That didn’t feel like the Taylor he knew.

Hill even froze, glancing towards the other woman. Hill then glanced at Kellen, worry in her brown gaze. Layla was also quite upset, and Kellen knew that if she had been an A Class, her eyes would be shy blue right now.

“Do you need-”

“Taylor, why don’t you start the test and talk to Hill for a sec outside, alright? Maybe with Layla?” Kellen suggested, taking control of the situation. Taylor, who also seemed a little surprised by her outburst, let out a frustrated sigh.

“Right. Fine.” She agreed. “Are you ready, Charlie?” Clearly, she didn’t care if Sergei was ready. Sergei gave a soft shrug, a smile on his lips. He was clearly enjoying the show. Life was probably pretty boring with Brent in his life. Kellen knew his life would be pretty boring without Rhys in his.

“I’m ready.” Charlie said, smiling, reaching out and taking Sergei’s hand in his own.

Rhys and Kellen watched as Taylor hit a few buttons, set a timer and grabbed her phone. Charlie was already gone, focusing on his work while Sergei shivered, experiencing what being guided by an S Class felt like probably for the first time.

Hill and Layla were already moving, meeting the other woman at the door. Hill held the door open for Taylor and she stormed out into the hallway. Kellen was a little worried, but knew that despite everything, Hill would handle this.

Kellen turned his attention back to Charlie and Sergei, and pulled out his own phone. He’d stop it if he needed to. Rhys moved to the control panel, a small smile on his lips.

“It’s been ages since I had to work one of these, so let’s hope Green comes back before then, hmm?” Rhys said with a smile.

~

Taylor, Hill and Layla didn’t come back in time, so Rhys had to stop monitoring the session on his own. Charlie stopped guiding on time, as any proper Guide would, and when Sergei released his hand he looked…better.

Almost healthy.

Now Kellen could tell that most of the bags under his eyes were from an actual lack of sleep and not because he was lacking guiding. His face looked a little fuller, while Charlie looked a little less plump. A little less full of a sparkle.

Kellen moved towards the mini fridge, opening the door and grabbing a few shakes. He placed the ones he grabbed on top of the fridge before closing it, stuffing them under his sling since he couldn’t use his other arm, and walked towards Charlie. Charlie, still topless, took the shakes with a grin.

“I get to feel like a real Saturn Guild Guide.” Charlie said, and Kellen couldn’t help but smile.

“You are a real Saturn Guild Guide.” Kellen told him, and Charlie scoffed, rolling his eyes even as he smiled, opening one of the shakes.

“You guys keep me in a glass case. Even I can tell.” He said the words, knowing the conversations that they had and the weight they had carried. These words didn’t feel like an attack, just an acknowledgement of a truth. Sergei laughed quietly.

“I can understand why. You’ve got a rather caring set of pseudo parents, Charlie.” Sergei told him. Charlie beamed.

“I know! The Woods family has really taken care of me.” Charlie told him and Sergei snorted.

“I wasn’t talking about the whole family, but that also makes sense.” Sergei said and Kellen stared at Sergei, his brows furrowed. Who had he meant? Rhys’ loud snort told him that he understood the meaning behind Sergei’s words, and Kellen turned to meet his gaze and get some clarity.

“He’s saying that we’re like parents to Charlie, Kellen.” Rhys told him, smiling. “I can’t believe that Charlie is our second born.” Rhys said, pretending to wipe a tear from under his eye. “They grow up so fast.” He joked and Kellen felt his face warm while Charlie gasped.

“Wait, I’m not your first? Who’s that?” Charlie asked. Rhys grinned at the other Guide while Kellen shook his head.

“Drink your shakes, Charlie.” Kellen ordered softly, and Charlie nodded, focusing on the gentle order while Sergei took the pads off of his chest and then began to pull on his uniform.

“Obviously, it’s every S Class Esper’s first child. Their Guild, Charlie.” Sergei told him seriously, meaning his words. “The same way the Nemesis Guild will be Brent and I’s first child.” He spoke with certainty. The man was serious, and Kellen was honestly a little worried for Brent. Kellen hoped that he was right and that Brent did actually like the man.

Otherwise, Brent better stay the heck away from here. Sergei wouldn’t let him escape if he came back. Hell, Rhys might even give Sergei the cabin plan.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep