"Wait!"

Lots of heads turned to the person who had shouted, and when Lukas and his wives saw who it was, they weren’t sure how to feel about it.

Ryan and Dominik jogged through the hall to meet them. Dominik was breathing hard, as if he’d just run a long way, while Ryan looked normal.

"W... Wait." Dominik said as they grew closer, bending with his hands on his knees and panting.

Lukas stared at them both.

"Gentlemen," he gave them a nod. "To what do I owe this... dramatic meeting?"

He glanced around. Eyes were still on them from the attention the duo had drawn. He’d been planning to quietly leave Havenhart but it was clear that a few people recognized him, and speculation began filling the air.

"Lukas Valentine," Ryan gave him a nod before glancing at his wives. "Ladies."

Dominik was still trying to catch his breath at the side.

"You know you could have just run to meet us here without that loud ass shout, right?" Akira said, voice dry. "This better be good, or some people might just be leaving here without functioning balls.

"Akira!" Melody gasped in shock, one hand flying up to cover her mouth. Then she frowned. "One ball would be more than enough. Leave them one for... continuing their family lines."

"Hmm." Akira nodded thoughtfully. "You make a good point."

"I know."

Ryan stared at them, eyes slightly wide, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Even though he was now S-rank himself and was sure in his ability to at least run away if they were actually serious, he wasn’t sure if he could abandon his best friend, Dominik, who was still A-rank. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The bald man gulped, knowing if they made good on their threat, balls would indeed be crushed.

"Ahem!" Lukas lifted a fist to his mouth, clearing his throat. However, one could see he was merely using his hand to hide a smile. "So... what do you want with us?"

Ryan blinked, before clearing his throat too. "Ahem! Yes, uh... judging by your presence here, we can already tell you’re leaving Havenhart, and we’re not here to stop you or anything like that."

There was a pause that Lukas quickly filled.

"I didn’t ask what you’re not here for, but what you’re here for. Do get to the point."

"Of course." Ryan said. "We’re here to extend the Iron Fist guild’s final offer."

Lukas sighed at that, but before he could say anything, Ryan continued.

"The Iron Fist guild has an operation in Salaria, which I’m assuming you’re going to, judging by the fact that you’re here. We know we can’t really speak on their behalf, but we’re here to implore you to at least check them out before you decide on anything over there."

"With most of the guild members being from Havenhart, all three of you would be treated better than if you joined any random guild. After all, we look after our own."

Silence filled the air at that, then after making sure there weren’t any other things, Lukas finally spoke.

"I’m afraid you’re too late," he said. "We already signed with the Le Fay family."

Ryan’s eyes widened slightly before he controlled his expression. "I... see. Guess my attempt was doomed to fail from the very start."

He then turned to look at all three of them, a polite smile on his face. "Then I wish you all the very best in your future endeavors."

"Thank you." Lukas nodded.

"Wait," Melody spoke up, the small group turning to look at her. "Why’s he so quiet?" She asked, pointing at Dominik, who had long since regained his breath but had said nothing throughout the conversation.

Lukas frowned. That was indeed... odd. He’d expected at least one joke from the man.

The man eyed Akira and Melody, his eyes wary. "No, thank you," he said. "If keeping quiet lets me keep my balls, I’m quite okay with that."

Lukas snorted. Before he could say anything, Ryan was already dragging Dominik away, not that it took too much effort as the man himself wanted to leave, and soon they were gone.

"Well, that was that," Akira said. "Now to Salaria."

They turned back to the window to see the clerk almost pressed up against the glass, staring at them with shining eyes.

"Jesus Christ!" Lukas was taken back at the sight, one hand coming to rest over his chest. "What the fuck?"

Akira chuckled, but Melody was similarly startled.

The clerk grinned, picking up the book they’d placed face down and sat. "That was more entertaining than I’ve had this entire month. I almost thought it was going to be a teary goodbye and shit with lovers reluctantly letting the other go."

"Lovers?" Melody frowned.

The clerk grinned, motioning to Lukas. "Maybe this one and the short one that just left."

"Lukas and Dominik? Ewww" Melody scrunched up her face in disgust. "What is wrong with you?"

"Tons of BL, mostly." The clerk grinned.

"BL?" Akira mouthed. But she didn’t bother to ask. She already knew it would be disgusting.

"So, about that ticket to Salaria?" Lukas asked.

"Oh, we don’t sell tickets here." The clerk grinned. Lukas almost groaned before they spoke again. "But I can point you to where you can buy the tickets you need."

"Oh, thank God."

A few minutes later, they were deep inside the station, clutching their newly bought tickets.

Their train wouldn’t be ready for boarding for another hour, so they found somewhere to sit.

They’d quickly learned that the reason they were able to find a train to Salaria was because Havenhart mainly traded with them, so trains moved to and fro everyday. However, they would need to squeeze into the available bunk rooms, since single rooms were all taken.

If it had been another city with less trade, they might have to wait three days or more.

As they waited on the train platform, Lukas kept staring around in curiosity, looking for the train tracks.

His unspoken question was answered a few minutes later as the train finally rolled into the platform.

He stared at it, unable to believe his eyes.

"What the hell...?!"