Gathering Husbands with a System in a Game Like World [BL]

"Lucien!"

I didn’t even think about it. The moment I saw him standing there in the middle of the crowded Guild hall, something in my chest loosened. I stepped forward and pulled the half-elf into a hug before either of us could overthink it. He stiffened for half a second, then returned it carefully, one hand resting lightly against my back.

It was nice. Genuinely nice. After everything that had happened since i came to this world it was very comforting to see a familiar face that wasn’t tied to blood or betrayal... it felt like breathing properly for the first time in weeks.

Especially if said person was a Day 1.

"Kai," Lucien said when we pulled apart, green eyes soft with surprise, i could tell he was genuinely happy to see me and so was i. "I really didn’t expect to see you here."

"Same. I thought you were in your home town?"

"Oh, i left my hometown last month after taking care of the issue. So i came here to get supplies...The supply lines are better in Veyrhold." His gaze flicked over my shoulder, A gave a polite but assessing look. "You’re not alone."

I turned slightly. Elias was standing a few steps behind me, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable in that way that usually meant he was already sizing someone up. The air between them shifted the moment their eyes met. It wasn’t open hostility either.

I quickly introduced themselves to each other.

"Lucien, this is Elias," I said. "We’ve been traveling together. Elias, this is Lucien. He’s an alchemist and a friend, We met at the capital "

Elias gave a slow, lazy smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

"So you’re the one who survived that mess with him."

Lucien’s expression remained calm, but I caught the faint tightening around his mouth.

He looked at me.

"You told him about Emeraldwood?" He asked and i looked around wondering where that question could possibly be coming from, was Thier anything to hide in the first place? He said was like i wasn’t meant to tell him at all.

"I mean... naturally, was i meant to not tell him?" I replied, his brows furrowed for a bit then his lips stretched into a smile.

"No, it’s not like that" then he looked at Elias who was wearing a sly smile.

"I am. And you’re the one who’s been with him since...?."

The way he said "with him" carried a weight that made my stomach twist. I glanced between them and suddenly felt like I was standing in the middle of something I hadn’t agreed to. The tension was enough to drown a fish.

Elias stepped closer, still smiling.

"That’s right. Stuck with him through worse. Funny how these things work out and we met in the capital too , i have been with him since then"

Lucien’s gaze didn’t waver.

"Funny."

I cleared my throat.

"Anyway. It’s good to see you. Really."

Lucien’s attention returned to me, and the tension in his shoulders eased a fraction.

"You look... different i could tell when you hugged me that you have been working out and your hair...it’s longer."

I self-consciously ran a hand through it.

"Long story. A lot’s happened and let’s just say i had to get stronger"

"I’d like to hear it," he said quietly. Then, after a small pause, "If you’re free, maybe we could get something to eat. Just the two of us. Catch up properly."

There it was.

The suggestion landed softly, but the intent behind it was clear. I felt Elias go still beside me. A particular stillness he got when something annoyed him and he was deciding whether to be an asshole about it or when he wanted to murder people. It all came down to his level of Anger. I right there feared for Lucien and myself too because the next fuck was going to be brutal.

I hesitated.

Part of me wanted to say yes to Lucien’s offer. He had been one of the few people in Emeraldwood who treated me like a person instead of a complication. He had stayed calm when everything went to hell. He had trusted me with the artifact. Seeing him again stirred something uncomplicated and warm.

But the other part of me was very aware of the man standing at my other side, the same man who had infiltrated an assassin organization for me and then fucked me senseless anytime i asked. (Yes that matters don’t judge me)

"I..." I started, then glanced at Elias.

He was watching me with that half-lidded, unreadable look. Waiting.

Lucien followed my gaze and seemed to understand immediately. His smile didn’t disappear, but it curved by a few degrees.

"Or all three of us, of course," he amended smoothly. "If that’s easier."

Elias finally spoke.

"How considerate."

The words were polite. The tone was not.

I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly exhausted by the undercurrent.

"Maybe later. We actually came here to pick up commissions. We’re in the middle of something."

Lucien nodded, though I could tell he was disappointed.

"The missing adventurers?"

I blinked.

"You know about that?"

"Hard not to. The Guild’s been quiet about it, but people talk. Especially when the Red Ledger’s name starts circulating."

Elias’s interest sharpened.

"You know something about them?"

Lucien’s eyes flicked to him again, assessing.

"I know enough to stay out of their way. They don’t like independent adventurers who refuse exclusive contracts."

That was useful. And also another point of tension. Elias looked like he was filing the information away while simultaneously deciding whether he liked Lucien or wanted to push him down a flight of stairs.

I stepped in before the air could get any heavier.

"We’re trying to make enough noise that they approach us instead of the other way around. High-visibility missions building good reputation."

Lucien considered that.

"It’s not the worst plan. Just be careful"

Elias smiled, all teeth.

"Being careful isn’t really my style, they should be wary of me instead"

Lucien’s gaze lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary.

"I can see that."

There it was again. That quiet, mutual recognition. Two men who had both, in different ways, looked at me and decided I was worth something. And neither of them was particularly thrilled about sharing the space.

I hated how aware of it I was.

The System chose that moment to chime softly.

[Candidate 002 residual affinity stable. Minor increase detected upon physical contact.]

[Candidate 004 emotional fluctuation: elevated. Possessive markers present.]

I almost sighed out loud.

Not now.

Lucien adjusted the strap of his satchel.

"I should let you get to your commissions. But... it really is good to see you, Kai. If you need reagents or information while you’re in the city, my workshop is near the eastern garden district. You’re welcome anytime."

The invitation was open. The "you" was pointed.

"I’ll keep that in mind," I said honestly.

He gave me one last small smile, nodded politely to Elias, and turned to leave. I watched him go until he disappeared into the crowd.

Elias waited exactly three seconds.

"So. That’s the alchemist."

"Yes."

"Cute. In a soft, bookish, ’I can poison your drink and look sad about it’ kind of way."

I turned to face him.

"Don’t start."

"I’m not starting anything. he has been finding for an excuse to get you alone. I just know he is pissed he didn’t get any"

"We went through something together. It’s normal to want to catch up."

Elias stepped closer, voice dropping.

"He wants more than catching up, Sugar. And you know it."

I hated that he was right. I also hated that part of me had been tempted by the idea of sitting across from Lucien without Elias’s sharp attention on us the whole time.

"He’s a friend," I said finally.

"Mm. Keep telling yourself that."

I exhaled and dragged a hand down my face.

"Can we just pick a mission before I develop a headache?"

Elias chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing .

"Fine. But if he tries to steal you for a private dinner, I’m coming with. And I’m ordering the most expensive thing on the menu."

"You’re impossible."

"And you’re stuck with me."

He said it lightly, but there was weight underneath. I felt it settle between us as we turned back toward the commission board.

Across the hall, I could still feel the ghost of Lucien’s hug and the quiet way he had looked at me. Two different kinds of interest. Two different kinds of danger.

And me, standing in the middle of both, trying to pretend the System wasn’t quietly tracking every shift in affinity like it was keeping score.

We had come to Veyrhold for an investigation.

Somehow, it was already becoming more complicated than missing adventurers and a shady syndicate.

I reached for the nearest high-rank commission and tried to ignore the way both men’s attention still lingered on my skin.q

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