He had seen more ghosts in the last month than most people see in their entire lives. Ghosts did not shock him. Twisting, writhing nightmarish masses of eyes and limbs did not get so much more from him than a look of mild exasperation.

This was something else.

Arthur was human, he'd been pretty much at his limit. There was no reversing the damage the consumption had done to his lungs, even if the Medicine Seller had pulled a magical cure from his box that day they met by the fire.

How?

He had so many questions, which promptly got shoved to the side because the other man was warm and real and solid as the Medicine Seller cupped his cheeks, pushing insistently into the kiss. No smell of sickness and death. Just Arthur and a lot of bear.

He nosed into the crook of Arthur's neck, breathing in the other man deeply.

Live bear too. Not a pelt or a trophy, or meat, or fat. Live. And very hygienic for that matter.

Had Arthur acquired an ill-advised new pet? You would think a massive apex predator would have trouble hiding in a tiny cabin.

"Yes, please," he said, hands sliding from Arthur's cheeks to his chest. "I cannot begin to say how happy I am to see you looking so well."