3. Chapter Three

Chapter Three

The Salamanca Markets were held every Saturday in Hobart. Hundreds of stalls, selling everything from crafts and handmade items, to gourmet food and fresh produce, covered the paved street that was lined with old sandstone buildings. The markets were popular with visitors and were one of Hobart's most significant tourist attractions. Today they were even busier, being the weekend before Christmas. It seemed half of Hobart, and a thousand tourists, had all decided today was the day to visit Salamanca and complete their Christmas shopping.

The sun shone brightly in the blue sky, only a few wispy clouds dotting the perfect expanse of azure. The temperature was warm, but not too hot due to a light breeze that brought the scent of salt with it and rustled the leaves in the large trees. Jaunty decorations on the stalls added to the colour and mayhem. From the corner of his eye, Owen saw Sebastian stumble as he was jostled, the shove from behind nearly sending him flying into another group of people. Owen grabbed his arm and kept him upright, as a woman behind them apologised on behalf of her rambunctious son. The kid looked chagrined as he muttered an apology before being dragged away by his flustered looking mother.

"And you love the hustle and bustle," Sebastian snorted, as he righted himself.

Owen grinned, Sebastian rolled his eyes, and together they merged with the crowd perusing the various stalls.

Sebastian, as usual, was enamoured with the fresh produce. He stopped at every vendor, checking out what was in peak season, and filling a couple of grocery bags with whatever took his fancy. The canvas bags were overflowing with fruits and vegetables, a selection of cheeses, marinated olives, and some cured meats. By the looks of things, they'd be eating well tonight and for the rest of the weekend, if not into the following week as well.

"Hey, look at this." Sebastian placed the laden bags at his feet as he stopped at another stall. He held up a large handmade glass bowl, the bright colours of the design catching in the light. Orange and yellow swirls trailed through the glass-like strands of sunshine captured in the crystal-clear glass. But the brilliance of the bowl couldn't outshine Sebastian's radiant smile. "What do you think? It'd be perfect on the bookshelf at the Adventure Bay house. You know, right under the window where it would catch the morning sun. And the colours are perfect."

There was something so infectious about Sebastian's joy that Owen couldn't help but respond with happiness. It wouldn't have mattered if the bowl was as ugly as hell, Owen would have had no hesitation in buying it, even if he had to re-mortgage the apartment. That ornamental bowl would be Sebastian's, and it would take pride of place at their holiday house.

"I love it," Owen replied. "You have great taste—"

"I do, don't I?" Sebastian's smile was broad.

Owen chuckled. "And you're right, the bookcase is the ideal place for it."

Sebastian held the bowl up in front of Owen. "See how fine the detail is? There's so much strength in the design. The fragility of the glass with the vibrancy of the pattern."

Owen took the bowl, feeling the weight of it in his hands. For something that appeared so delicate, it was surprisingly heavy. And Sebastian was right—it was gorgeous—and that gave Own another idea. "You know what, maybe we should talk to the vendor. I'm not sure where else they sell their stuff besides the markets, but I'm sure there's a large market for decorative, hand-blown glass pieces. We haven't moved much beyond selling furniture but maybe it's time to expand a little. Perhaps we could look at taking some of it on as a sideline. These sort of unique decorative objects would complement our unique pieces of furniture." Owen followed Sebastian's gaze to the pony-tailed woman who was at the other end of the trestle table showing her wares to another customer. She was talking animatedly, waving her hands and gesturing to a series of glass globes Owen assumed were paperweights.

"Great idea. Let's take a business card and we can arrange to contact her later. I don't want to interrupt our morning with business talk." Sebastian pocketed the small white card from the holder on the table. "In the meantime, I'm not letting this one go."

"Definitely not," Owen chuckled. "That's yours."

They waited a few moments and finally had the vendor's attention. Sebastian listened enthralled as she spoke about the glass manufacturing process, and the inspiration behind the particular piece they were going to buy. Owen was more entranced with Sebastian's fascination but paid enough attention to learn the story of the bowl—sunrise, new beginnings, bright starts, the fire of life. All-in-all very poetic, and Sebastian hung off every word.

When it came to paying for the sunrise bowl, Sebastian made to take his wallet from his back pocket. Owen forestalled the action, handing over his credit card to the passionate glass-blower. Sebastian didn't argue, for which Owen was grateful. Instead, Sebastian gripped Owen's hand, giving it a squeeze and letting his smile express his gratitude.

Once their purchase was securely covered with bubble-wrap, tucked tightly into a bag, and handed over to the excited Sebastian, Owen picked up the shopping bags of food from where Sebastian had left them. Worry clouded Sebastian's eyes for a moment as Owen straightened, but Owen didn't give him reason or time to voice his usual concern.

He bit back the grimace as the ache flared, instead schooling his features and making sure his voice was light. "C'mon, let's get this show on the road."

Owen led the way back in the direction they'd come, navigating through the crowd towards home. He ignored the flash of pain in his shoulder as he hefted the shopping bag higher. He'd have plenty of time to ice and rest the shoulder later when Sebastian was out kayaking with Matt. He swallowed back the twinge of jealousy at the thought of Matt and Sebastian enjoying an afternoon on the water.

Focusing on the physical pain almost felt preferable to dwelling on his recent doubts about his relationship.

Sebastian dragged the paddle through the water, relishing the resistance that caused the burn across his shoulders. The sun was warm against his skin, but the light breeze cooled the sweat that dampened his neck and back. Pulling through the water was strenuous activity but calming. Like meditation, it allowed Sebastian to clear his mind. Sebastian silently counted each stroke as the kilometres disappeared under the small vessel. He focused on his breathing, on the stretch of his muscles, and the beauty of his surroundings. He loved the juxtaposition between the historic buildings on the foreshore and the green of the lush vegetation and the backdrop of the mountain. Plus, how many places were there in the world where you could spot seals and dolphins while enjoying an afternoon on the water?

Sebastian looked across, waving his paddle to get Matt's attention. He inclined his head toward the shore, and Matt's gave the thumbs up. They paddled in unison across the harbour. Once at the shore they hauled their kayaks from the water and secured them.

"That was awesome," Matt said, as they made their way to the dock where a small fish and chip shop was guaranteed to provide an amazing feed. "I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon. Now to fill my belly and I will be one happy guy."

His grin was wide, but Sebastian found it difficult to muster the same level of enthusiasm and returned a weak smile. "Yeah, there's nothing like being out on the water."

Matt seemed to sense his change of mood. "You okay, mate?"

Sebastian nodded; it was easier than opening the can of worms that was his current life, that little niggle that things weren't like they used to be. "How about I grab the food and you find us a table?"

"Sure."

It didn't take long to be served and soon Sebastian was at the table with a cardboard box in each hand. The small containers were overflowing with golden fried fish fillets and crunchy hot chips. The aroma was mouthwatering, especially after the hard cardio workout they'd just completed. Sebastian's stomach growled as he placed the food in front of each of them.

"Thanks, mate," Matt said before digging in.

"You're welcome." Sebastian popped a salty chip into his mouth—so moreish. But as he swallowed, he had to push aside the brief burst of guilt at enjoying something so simple as fish and chips by the water's edge without Owen. Owen hated the thought he was holding Sebastian back from anything, but just because Owen wanted him to go out and have fun, it didn't mean that Sebastian had to enjoy every minute. Dammit, he missed him.

"That was a big sigh."

"Huh?" Sebastian hadn't even realised he'd made a sound.

"What's going on?" Matt asked. "Something happened with you and Owen?"

Sebastian shrugged and gave in to the need to air some of his concerns. "We're okay. At least I think we are. It's just that sometimes it feels like he's pushing me away. He's not sleeping well. He thinks I don't see it, but I'm aware that he tosses and turns all night. I just wish he'd be honest, let me help."

"I wish I knew the easy answer, Seb, but that man of yours is so strong-willed. If you want my advice…" Matt paused, obviously unsure, so Sebastian nodded to encourage him to continue. "I think you need to talk, really get to the bottom of whatever is going on, you know?"

"Yeah, I know. But he doesn't seem to want to talk about it. He says everything is fine—"

"Of course he does. Show me a man who wants to talk about his feelings, and I'll show you a unicorn," Matt said as he broke off a piece of fish and lifted it to his mouth.

Sebastian couldn't help the laugh. God, that was so true. Getting Owen to open up about what was troubling him was like pulling hen's teeth, although he had no trouble showing Sebastian how much he meant to him.

"I get he doesn't want to show any weakness, but we're partners. For better or worse, blah blah."

"You're not married, but I get what you're saying. I don't think I know any couple as close as you guys," Matt said.

"We've been together for six years, all of them perfect. Of course we've had the usual ups and downs, thankfully many more ups than downs, but we've always been able to talk. Owen's had to deal with enough of my shit over the years, I don't get why he's closing up about this." He looked at Matt as the idea formed. "Hey, maybe you could talk to him. He might appreciate someone to talk to, someone that's not me."

Matt frowned. "I don't know, Seb."

"I'm not asking you to get in the middle of us, just to be a listening ear. If he won't discuss things with me, then maybe he'll open up to you. I just want him to have someone else to talk to, some support."

Matt seemed to mull things over before eventually agreeing. "I'll see if he's free for lunch next week."

"Thank you." A weight lifted from Sebastian's shoulders. Between the two of them, maybe they'd be able to help Owen. At least he'd know he had friends to lean on if need be, instead of thinking he always had to be the strong one.

"He loves you, Seb."

"I know." He sighed. "I love him too. Nothing's changed about that. I guess I just need to remind him how much. Hey, did I tell you I'm planning a trip? I'm going to whisk him away somewhere special."

"Really? I'm so jealous of you guys and your travels."

"This is going to be a no-work-allowed trip. I'm not sure where to yet."

They spent the next half hour demolishing the fish and chips while discussing the merits of a tropical island holiday versus adventuring somewhere in Europe or trekking through New Zealand. By the time Sebastian headed home, he was on a much more even keel, lighter and energized.

Yes, it was time to go and show Owen just how much he was loved.