Chapter Text
Iprottaalfurinn hadn't heard about Glanni's crimes for a while . It was not that out of the ordinary, Glanni was very good at what he did. He tried not to let it bother him, there were plenty of other criminals to concern himself with. But still, there was something about that fierce man..
Eyes dancing as he talked a thousand miles a minute, dazzling people, robbing them blind and that smile... That smile that seemingly invited Iprottaalfurinn to share in a private joke, a joke Iprottaalfurinn never got. Suspected the joke to be himself.
Iprottaalfurinn held no illusions that the fact that he did not hear about Glanni's crimes actually meant the man did not commit any. Surely one day there'd be another madcap scheme and Glanni in the middle of it. One step ahead and Iprottaalfurinn in pursuit. Iprottaalfurinn wasn't sure what he was pursuing. If he was the one chasing after Glanni or Glanni leading him on a merry chase, all while batting his long long eyelashes, smiling his wild smile and...flirting. Iprottaalfurinn was sure Glanni was flirting. And thus he did not know if he was chasing Glanni or if Glanni was leading him on.
He wasn't sure if he wanted to find out. But still, whenever he saw a flash of pink, heard the whisper of a deep voice singing in the night, caught a sudden flash of light reflecting from a rooftop his heart always seemed to be pounding in his chest as he searched the crowds in vain for a tall lean man.
And then he saw him in the streets one day and did a double take.
Glanni.
Glanni who seemed to be... shopping for groceries?!
Mouth hanging open Iprottaalfurinn stared as Glanni patiently waited in line, paid, actually paid for them, willingly handed over his money.
From what he could see there wasn't anything in the basket that was even remotely healthy but still...
Glanni didn't seem to have noticed Iprottaalfurinn even though the dazed Elf had been getting odd looks from townfolk who found their path blocked by their local hero who seemed to be rather shell shocked. Half-distracted Iprottaalfurinn assured them he was doing fine, was simply practicing to stay still for a moment. The concerned citizens nodded in understanding at his explanation: that surely would demand all of Iprottaalfurinn's concentration.
They watched him leave in a sedate pace, appreciatively murmuring amongst themselves about how much effort he put into improving himself for the good of the town as Iprottaalfurinn even managed to walk on his feet instead of on his hands.
Iprottaalfurinn followed Glanni through back alleys and narrow passages, tailed him as the cat-burglar was slinking around hidden corners of what appeared at first glance to be dead-ends and scaled walls of which the barbs and spikes on top were not so much deterrents as mere convenient handholds to the lithe man.
Iprottaalfurinn watched from afar as Glanni stopped at the iron-wrought gates of a communal garden and whistled a cheery tune.
Through the rosebushes came a young boy running towards Glanni, flung his arms around Glanni's long legs and hugged him tightly.
Iprottaalfurinn gawked as Glanni ruffled the boy's dark hair, smiled down at him.
Iprottaalfurinn had seen many of Glanni's smiles: cocky, taunting, mocking, sly and calculating, teasing and high on adrenaline. Eyes sparkling and sharp teeth gleaming as he danced away from Iprottaalfurinn's grasp on the rooftops. It had done things to Iprottaalfurinn, stomach tight and heart racing he was confused by his feelings.
But this, all soft and affectionate, unguarded and genuine... Iprottaalfurinn's heart skipped his chest, there was a ringing in his ears...
No, not in his ears. His crystal.
He clapped a hand over the noise but it was too late, Glanni had spotted him.
His grey eyes wary he stepped in front of the boy, a hand on his narrow shoulder. His tone guarded he nodded, " Iprottaalfurinn."
Iprottaalfurinn knew that his curiosity must be clear on his face, he had no time, he had to go to wherever it was his crystal wanted him to go. He waved awkwardly and flipped away.
He patrolled the area for a few weeks but did not see Glanni again. Nor the boy.
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