--The day after the fights--

As though it were all just some horrible nightmare, Loren Dames was now just as before. Using the constant clicking of the train as a metronome, he let the violin run itself, drawing a small crowd of children to his cabin door to watch him. Of course, he didn’t just play stagnantly, he danced around the room, flourishing in ways that excited the kids and earned him praise. It was a show for them, and it also let him get out his pent up energy. Playing for people was the only reason he lived, and because of the changes he was going to go through, this was his only way of doing so.

Sitting in the corner of his room, bobbing his head slowly along to the sound was Wolf, who was listening to Loren play for the second time ever. There was something satisfying about watching the man play, but Wolf couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was. Could it be the fact he completed his task and saved Loren’s life?

After grabbing Owl and jumping from the platform, he figured everything would be over. At that moment, he had accepted his death.

He wasn’t able to save Loren Dames.

Fate, however, had different plans.

As Wolf soared through the air, plummeting down, his hand caught onto something thick. He only needed to tighten his fist a small bit to grasp into it, and his fingers tore through the fabric of the stage curtains, slowing his fall and depositing him face down on the floor. It was a miracle, and he hadn’t even realized it, because all the stress on his body had finally been too much and caused him to pass out.

And when he woke up, everything had seemed to be resolved. Cerberus had been defeated, even though it cost a great amount of sacrifice. Loren was able to make it out safely, and both the Bear God Army and the Black Viper had decided to let him go free. Because Loren was able to explain how Jackal was never part of the assassination, everyone could breathe easy. That was how the night ended.

After that, Loren decided to quit being a star.

It was too dangerous, for one, and even though he thought he was trying to do good in the world, it really wasn’t helping people that much. It was all superficial.

But someone like that wouldn’t just go into retirement. Loren was going to travel throughout the UE and do his best to help others with his two hands, playing music and providing support without needing to sell himself. He was giving up the life of fame and publicity to become a regular person.

Naturally, there would still be attempts on his life, Wolf had considered, and so he made a decision.

He was going to stay with Loren and protect him. Like an utterly devout bodyguard, Wolf was going to sacrifice everything in his body, including his soul, to make sure that someone good, like Loren Dames could make the world a better place. That was how Wolf would change the world; by protecting the real heroes. It took some convincing for Loren to accept the man as a bodyguard, but ultimately, he accepted, and the two ended up taking the train tickets Mick had already bought. But after that, they would be living free, unwilling to break.

As Loren finished playing, the children left. It was starting to get late on the train, and playing music while others were trying to sleep was pretty rude, so the two just sat and ate dinner while watching lights in the far distance zip by.

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“I’ve already thanked you so many times, Wolf, but I really can’t help but say it again,” Loren started. “Thanks for protecting my life.”

“It’s nothing.”

“But honestly, I know I shouldn’t say it: that entire ordeal was pretty exciting. I don’t think I’d ever want to do it again, but I can’t lie and call it awful. Got my blood pumping in a way it never has before. Is that the type of stuff you always used to do?”

Wolf snorted.

“Ha. No, nothing like that. It was all a lot less intense. Plenty of fighting though. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t fighting.”

“How sad…”

After realizing that it might have been an offensive thing to say, Loren caught himself.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean anything bad.”

“I get it, and there were times when it was sad,” Wolf admitted. “There were times when it was awful. I’ve done things I never want to think about, things that are absolutely unforgettable. But on the other hand, because I’ve gone through all those experiences, I’m a better person. Because I’ve done all that, I have the strength and the will to grab the world and bend it as I want. I have the power to protect the people who are important to me.”

“Ooh, you make it sound so great,” Loren said. “I guess I’m one of those important people to be protected, right?”

“Huh? Uh, well, yeah…”

That was sort of an embarrassing thing to say, so Wolf looked away. He wasn’t used to things like friendship.

Loren laughed.

“Wait, Wolf, are you blushing?” the violinist said, getting up and trying to look at his bodyguard’s face. “Hold on, let me see. Turn this way!”

“No...I’m not…”

“You’re a silly guy, Wolf,” Loren said. “You’re acting too shy for someone so strong.”

“I’m not acting shy! You’re just acting weird.”

“How am I the weird one? I just want to see my bodyguard's embarrassed face!”

“I’m not...I just have something in my eye…”

“Haha, yeah right!”

Wolf gently pushed his overbearing ward away. While he did want to be friends with Loren, this felt like a little too much all at once. It would be like jumping into a whirlpool immediately after learning how to swim. He needed to change the subject.

“Oh, so, Mr. Dames…”

“Huh? Call me Loren. We’re friends. Equals. Adding that ‘Mr.’ part makes it seem weird, don’t you think?”

“I suppose.”

“Weren’t you going to ask me something?”

“Ah, you’re right,” Wolf said. He still wanted to talk, but didn’t actually remember what he wanted to change the subject to. “Oh, I know. Remember when we were leaving everyone earlier? What did that girl, Honey, want to talk to you about?”

Loren smiled. Actually, it was more like he was smiling before, but this froze his face. Not something he was expecting.

“Hmm…”

He remembered what she had asked. It was pretty awkward.

“Well, to put it politely,” Loren started, now suddenly feeling a bit awkward himself. “She was trying to get me to...how do I put this? Basically, she was trying to flirt with me, but in the most direct way possible. Like, telling me where she lived and what time to go over to her house. Yeah...haha, it was way too forward.”

“What? She really said something like that?”

“Something like that. Except she was way more forward, and used a lot of weird words and slang I didn’t really understand. I’ve never met a woman who acts so aggressive like that. Kinda scary.”

“Wow. So what happened then?”

“Not much. I told her no, because she isn’t really my type.”

“Huh?”