Gondar pulled Stygwyr along. "Come on, over there is something shiny!" He had a firm grip on the Bloodseeker's paw, both so he wouldn't lose him in the tangle of people around them and because he liked to hold him, to touch him, to feel him and to know that he was close.

Stygwyr followed but kept watching the crowds on the market place. He wasn't as easily distracted by some bits and pieces as the Bounty Hunter. They had only been here a short while and he was already exhausted from all the smells and sounds. Because he took them all in and analysed them until he was sure there was no threat. And it was a lot to take in.

The streets were filled with creatures of all forms and sizes, who were talking and laughing and shouting. Food was offered everywhere, all warm and smelling delicious, accompanied by hot drinks of various kinds. In addition, some of the goods in the shops smelled as well, of cinnamon and Christmas. Music played from somewhere though Styg hadn't been able to find the source yet.

Lights shimmered and twinkled, bathing everything in a soft glow. It was beautiful, but it was exhausting as well. Gondar seemed to be fine, though his hearing and sense of smell were almost as sharp as Stygwyr's. Maybe he was able to filter it better. Or he relied on the Bloodseeker to pay attention to their surroundings while he enjoyed the experience.

"Could we sit somewhere quiet for a moment?" Gondar hat stopped at a shopping stall, marvelling at the gemstones displayed and Styg used it to step closer and murmur into his ear. The ear twitched as his breath skimmed over the sensitive tip. But he didn't want others to hear the request. Styg was embarrassed he had to ask it at all.

Gondar stared at the gemstones for a few moments, before he nodded without taking his eyes off them. Taking Styg's paw again, he pulled him along. Not without a last glance at the stones, though. "Come, I know the perfect spot." This time Styg laughed softly as he was pulled through the creatures milling around. The Bounty Hunter fit into the chaos, he was chaos himself, at least today. And as much as it unnerved the Bloodseeker to have all these sensations around him, it was refreshing to see his boyfriend in such a good mood and so carefree. It didn't happen that often and it delighted Styg.

Stygwyr squeezed Gondar's hand once. It meant 'I love you' though he had never told the Bounty Hunter what he meant with the squeeze. It was better that way, so he could tell Gondar that he loved him as often as he wanted to without feeling stupid.

A short walk down the crowded street, then a sharp turn between two stalls. The small gap, through which they only fit walking behind each other, turned into a narrow alley before it opened. They stood in a backyard of sorts, with one tree almost in the middle, surrounded by a patch of grass. A single bench stood underneath it. Gondar didn't stop pulling until they had reached the bench.

It was quiet in comparison to the market, but Styg could still hear the shouting and laughing. He could even smell some of the food. But it was better here, because he didn't have to be so very watchful. He slumped down onto the bench and as soon as Gondar was by his side, he pulled him close with one arm around his shoulder. Because he liked to touch Gondar as much as his boyfriend liked to touch him. Styg took a deep breath, and looked around at the houses. No one else was outside. It was a nice place, a touch of nature between all these buildings. The Bloodseeker didn't relax, but he wasn't as tense as on the market place. He was glad he had asked for a moment alone.

Gondar looked around, too, but not to assess the situation. A tiny smile tugged at his lips. "You like it here, don't you?" Styg asked.

"You mean this backyard? Or the market? Or the village?" The Hunter's smile deepened. "Yes, I like it, all three things." He cuddled against the Bloodseeker. "I found this backyard when I was younger, in my late teens maybe. I just wanted to escape others around my age who tried to pick on me and stumbled into it. I didn't know why they didn't follow, then. Later I learned that this place is guarded by the residents living around here. They don't mind guests as long as we behave." He looked up at Styg and the Bloodseeker's heart beat a little faster. The small Hunter was too cute when he looked like that, all big eyes and ears. He nuzzled the side of his head. The smell of his fur wasn't able to drown out the things that wafted over from the market, but it soothed and the combination of it, food and drink and Gondar, it was actually very nice.

The rumble of Styg's stomach made Gondar laugh breathlessly. "I guess we should find us something to eat, before I go back to decide what gemstone would be useful for me."

Styg's embrace tightened. "Not yet." He murmured into Gondar's fur. Not that the Hunter had made any move to get up.

"Of course." One claw of his traced tiny circles on Styg's arm, a relaxed movement, probably only to maintain body contact. "Do you like it here?"

"It's too crowded. I like it when there are less people around. When there's less of everything." After a small pause: "I like this backyard. It feels like it is an entirely different place. Like we are not even in the village anymore. Like there is only us."

A chuckle against his chest. "I can assure you, we are not alone. Someone is surely watching to make sure we don't fool around."

Not that Styg would fool around in a strange backyard. It was way too unsafe and he wouldn't be able to enjoy it because he'd be listening and watching for threats all the time. But: "No fooling around? Why?"

"Because kids live here?" Gondar's ear twitched. "Or maybe because the elders don't want too much show of affection. Or because if someone is fooling around it might lead to trouble. I never asked. I just stick to the rules when I'm here. That way this is a safe place for me." The hunter snuggled closer still, as if he wasn't already as close as possible. "Always good to have a safe place." He murmured.

They were quiet for a while, the distant sensations of the market, the rustling of the leaves above them, the breathing of Gondar. When the Bloodseeker felt ready to get back into the chaos, he released the Hunter and stood up. Holding his paw out, he pointed in the direction of the marked with his head. "Let us find something to eat and then have another look at the gemstones?"

They walked side by side, until they joined the fray. It was too crowded and so Styg let Gondar lead. He knew his way around here, and that way Styg could keep his senses open without having to think about where they were going.

The food was unbelievably expensive but at least it was tasty. Which wasn't a given only because of the price. Small tables made it possible to linger so they stopped to eat.

Afterwards Gondar popped small sweets into his mouth while they strolled along the edges of the market.

"What do you need the gemstones for?"

"I don't." The Hunter took another piece of candy and rolled it around in his mouth. "They are shiny. I simply like them, they are beautiful. And if I find one that's shiny and useful, all the better." He held the sweets out to Styg, who shook his head. "Sometimes I use the gems, as wards or to boost my strength or speed or such. But I do have a few that are good for nothing." He shrugged. "Don't you have things that are useless but that you like nonetheless?"

"Like you?"

Gondar stopped and stared at the Bloodseeker. Who grinned and then winked.

Gondar laughed. The Bounty Hunter was more easy-going than the Bloodseeker, but compared to normal creatures, he was still rather serious. To make him laugh like that wasn't common at all. And for Stygwyr to make a joke was especially rare.

One thing Gondar didn't have a problem with was to show affection, not even when surrounded by a crowd of creatures. He liked to touch and to be touched. And so he brushed against Styg, chest against chest. He was smaller than the Bloodseeker, but Styg was already lowering his head.

Standing on tiptoes, the Hunter rested one hand against Styg's nape, before he rubbed his head against his boyfriend's cheek. The Bloodseeker stayed motionless, silently enjoying how the Hunter's fur felt against his skin. It was softer than one might expect, and the first time Gondar had brushed against Styg like that, he had never wanted him to stop. It was soothing and arousing at the same time, and when Gondar released him, Stygwyr sighed a little.

Gondar smiled at the way Styg was spaced out. He was a bit proud that such a small thing he did affected his boyfriend this much, especially considering how alert and tense he'd been since they had entered the market. It was cute and he'd like to do it some more, but he wanted to buy at least one of the gemstones and if he continued to rub against Styg, they'd head home and he'd not get this amazing stone he'd had his hands on earlier.

So, instead of cuddling against his boyfriend a second time, he pulled him along again. At least the Bloodseeker was more relaxed now. He was still watching and listening and sniffing and whatever at their surroundings, but he was fed and petted and not so tense anymore. Only when someone ran into Gondar and made him stumble, did he snap.

The creature, taller than the Bloodseeker by at least one head and heavily muscled, who had probably simply overlooked the slender Hunter, froze and stared in horror at the bared teeth in front of him. "Get away." Styg growled at them, which finally made the creature move. Slowly backwards, running over someone else in the process. But when this someone wanted to complain and saw the Bloodseeker snarling, they decided differently and instead simply turned away.

Gondar snorted in amusement and tugged at Stygwyr's paw. "It's fine, I think they saw their mistake and won't come near me again."

With a last hiss, the Bloodseeker disregarded the retreating creature. "They probably didn't do it on purpose, you know?"

"I don't care. They had eyes in their head, they could've used them. I don't like when someone hurts

you, no matter if it is intentional or not."

Of course Gondar knew that. Not that he didn't feel the same way about Styg, the difference was that no one ever accidentally stumbled over the Bloodseeker. He was too feral looking for that. Now

Styg was tense all over again, sticking as close to Gondar as possible, the good mood from moments earlier gone.

It had been fun, though, all in all. Being here with the Bloodseeker. So the Bounty Hunter simply hurried over to the stall with the gems and he didn't even bargain before he bought the one he had looked at earlier. It was a nice gemstone, he'd buy it anyway and he had enough money so he didn't have to prolong this and force Styg to stay even longer in a place that made him clearly uncomfortable. He had been good so far, and Gondar was happy. Even more so when he put the gem into his backpack. Grinning from ear to ear, he took Styg's paw. Who squeezed his hand shortly. "You happy?"

Gondar nodded. "Want to go home?" "Not if you want to stay a while longer."

"I'm fine." And side by side they left the market. "Thanks for accompanying me here. I like all the chaos, from time to time. And I like the colours and lights and all. The selection of food and merchandise. The mix of it, the feeling of Christmas. Not too long or too often, but once in a while. I'm glad to go home now where it is quiet and cosy." He stopped and snuggled against Styg. "And to be alone with you there." He'd also gather his gemstones and admire them, put the new one into his collection. But first was some cuddle time with Stygwyr.

"I like that, too." Styg pressed Gondar closer for a moment before he released him. "Then let's get home."