Chain Male by Naomi Brooks Angelia Sparrow

liked." Jace got the moneybox from the tent and settled in his chair to greet the shoppers. "You don't have to hover. You can go watch the fighting, take another trip and see who's setting up today, or visit the arts and sciences display.
    Chad nodded. "I like being here with you. A gorgeous morning, a wonderful breakfast. Nice bird song." He heard a distant wail. Jace made a face. "Even the bagpipes sound good this morning," he teased.
    Jace reached over and took his hand. "I'm glad you're enjoying it."
    They sat a while, just being together in the cool, fresh morning. Chad felt something in his chest. It made him feel like singing and laughing and crying and hugging Jace and running all over the field shouting. He had a sneaking hunch it might be more than a crush, that maybe he was in love. He was definitely in lust and like.
    Jace smiled at him and stole a kiss. "You are so cute."
    He let go and ducked in the tent. He came back with a pouch full of stones and chessmen. "What do you play? I got Nine-mens' Morris, Fox and Geese, Shut the box, checkers, chess and mancala."
    "Never heard of most of them. I play checkers."
    "I can teach you the others."
    Jace set up the checkerboard, blue stones on one side, white on the other. He played wickedly, with good strategy. Chad found himself losing the third game in a row, and his temper as well.
    "Teach me mancala."
    Jace spread out a cloth with twelve circles and two ovals. He dropped stones in each cup. "The object is to get all your stones into the oval at your right. The winner has the most stones." He demonstrated how to sow the stones in each cup.
    Chad caught on quickly and played hard. Jace won again. They played twice more and Chad finally beat him.
    More people were stirring in camp. Chad suspected Jace was an early riser for this hobby. Some of the people he'd seen last night had been very drunk.
    They watched the shoppers, dressed in everything from simple tunics and pants to elaborate court costumes with plenty of frills and bells and jewelry wander past. Chad just took it all in.
    A few people stopped by to shop. Jace sold a teddy bear, a set of earrings, and some juggling balls. He smiled and sat down after the last one wandered on.
    "Having a good time?" he asked.
    "A great one," Chad said.

    * * * *
    Chad passed the day generally enjoying himself. He wandered through the shops. Several of the books tempted him. He picked up a couple extra candles, since some of Jace's were looking low.
    At the clothing merchant, a soft beige tunic with bright red and blue trim caught his eye. He liked the feel of it and it wasn't as expensive as he'd expected. It would be good for next time.
    Chad grinned at himself. He was already planning for next time. He wasn't sure when it could be, since Jace had said this was the last camping event of the season. Maybe there would be indoor deals. Or maybe he'd wear it tonight.
    He considered the cloak, but the price tag was a little steep. The leather merchant had a nice belt and he bought a pouch with a triskelion on it, which made him think of Jace's backpiece. He couldn't wait to get Jace naked and trace out all the pretty knotwork.
    His pockets felt empty once he'd transferred his wallet and keys to the pouch. But he felt less like a visitor and more like a part of the event.
    Finally exhausting the merchant area, he stopped back by the booth.
    "Need anything?" he asked as he stashed the tunic in the tent.
    "I'm ready for lunch. Grab the bag of fighter cookies and the one of vegetables out of the cooler." Jace added, "Oh, and a Coke."
    "Fighter cookies? Are those like breakfast cookies?" Chad called as he rummaged in the cooler. He found the bag of carrots and celery easily enough.
    "They're the sausage cheese balls. Kinda tan lumps."
    "Not particularly yummy looking," Chad said setting the food and drinks down on the spool table.
    "Hot and sage sausage, sharp cheddar and biscuit mix. Trust me, they're yummy." Jace helped himself to