Jimmy to his head pounded. His tongue was dry as a desert and he felt his stomach twist. He opened his eyes to see he was in a canopy of some sort. The tan curtains formed a large square around a room of pillows. He sat up and groaned as he became dizzy. He placed his hand upon his brow and rubbed, trying to ease as much of the pain as he could.
Ugh, no more of that wine...well maybe one cup but no more. I've never had a hangover this bad and I've drank more than what I did last night.
Though he was unsure of how much he drank. Jimmy could barely remember much after Thomas had pulled him to the side to tell him to relax on the drinking. He faintly remembered following Char away from the group, but he did remember seeing a bench...and the feeling of lips on his. Jimmy gasped. Did he and Char do something?
No, no , no I would never with Char. I'd NEVER with a man!
But memories of sweet soft lips upon his and the feeling of grinding a man in his lap did not leave Jimmy. He groaned and placed his face within his hands.
Oh please, dear God, tell me I did not do anything with Char. Please…
Suddenly he heard a soft sigh and Jimmy froze.
Oh no. Oh no!
He slowly began to turn his head to see the body lying next to him. There lie in a pile of red, green, and blue pillows was Thomas. Jimmy let out a large amount of breath that he was holding in relief.
Oh, Thomas. Thank God, its you.
Jimmy smiled at Thomas's sleeping form. His dark hair was entirely out of place, a sight Jimmy would never have thought possible on Thomas. Even when they were out at sea, Thomas had such a load of pomade in his hair, it still looked quite made, but now, every little hair was almost sticking out of place. He hugged a pillow tight and mumbled into it. His face was no longer clean shaven and his pale soft skin around his jaw and lips was replaced with dark scruff.
The look really suits him. Makes him even more handsome.
Jimmy mentally kicked himself for such thoughts but he immediately returned his gaze to Thomas's lips. He thought back to the unfortunate night kiss and compared him to the memory he had left of last night.
Could it have been…
Jimmy shook his head. He knew Thomas wouldn't dare something like that again. Jimmy did know how deep Thomas's feelings were for him and hated to know because he could never return the favor. Jimmy sighed but continued to stare at sleeping Thomas.
I'd prefer you over Char anyday, Thomas. I hope you're dreaming of me, Thomas. Dreaming of what I can never give you..
Then Jimmy thought. This place does not know of God or of sin surely. Would they judge people like that despite not knowing if it is natural? These people don't know much about their gods as they claim?
Jimmy shook his head, but only to try and shake the thoughts, but they wouldn't leave. He never realized that he could be such.
No, I'm not lavender...
Jimmy slowly reached to touch Thomas's lips.
I just want to feel them.
"Good Morning, my lords," Tzeckal Kan said with a smile as he flew open the curtains. Both Jimmy and Thomas jumped and yelped a little.
"Time to arise," he said before leaving and closing the curtains.
Jimmy swallowed as he looked at Thomas.
"He's back," Jimmy said. Thomas groaned.
They slowly began to crawl over to the curtains and slowly opened them. The bright morning sun blinded them a bit and did not help Jimmy's headache. Jimmy slowly crawled out and felt sick as he stood. Thomas tried to do the same but stumbled and almost fell out onto the ground if Jimmy hadn't have caught him. Jimmy smiled as he helped Thomas stand. Thomas smiled back and nodded.
"Thank you, Jimmy," he said brushing himself off.
"I'm sure you didn't have that much, did you?"
"No, I was sober compared to you."
Jimmy laughed as they stood beside. Jimmy gasped as he saw they were standing on a ledge with the chief standing to the side with a serious look upon his face. Jimmy swallowed as he saw Tzeckal Kan stand at the edge.
Oh no, we're dead.
"The gods have awakened," Tzeckal Kan said and the people cheered. Jimmy sighed in relief and spotted Char come over with a look of fear upon his eyes. He stood between them and Jimmy scooted a little away.
"Char," Thomas said, "What's going on?"
Jimmy looked down. He didn't know why it began to agitate him that Thomas was speaking to Char, but it did.
"Its not going to be good," Char answered.
Jimmy eyed Char viciously and Thomas blinked.
"Oh, thank you," he said then looked at Jimmy.
"This city has been granted a great blessing," Tzeckal Kan continued, "and what have we done to show our gratitude? A megal celebration."
The chief grunted and looked away.
"The gods deserve a proper tribute!"
Suddenly a large bag tied at the top was brought in front of Tzeckal Kan.
"A beginning of a new era! A dawn of the new age demands..."
The bag unwrapped itself revealing a man that was bound. It was all too obvious the man was greatly injured and week. Thomas and Jimmy gasped at the sight.
"Sacrifice."
The people and the chief all gasped and whispered as Tzeckal Kan raised his hand and drew a large sword.
"I don't like this," Thomas growled.
"Thomas, we've got to do something," Jimmy said placing a hand upon his shoulder. Thomas looked back and nodded.
Tzeckal Kan forced the man to stand and then pushed him closer to the edge with his sword. Tzeckal Kan got closer and raised his sword.
"Stop," Thomas yelled right before Tzeckal Kan brought his sword down. Thomas and Jimmy both walked up to Tzeckal Kan as he turned around.
"This is not a proper tribute," Thomas said as Jimmy walked over to the man and helped him not to fall into the pit of vicious swirling water.
"You do not want the tribute," Tzeckal Kan asked confused.
Jimmy thought quickly.
"No, no, we uh we want the tribute, its just that..uhm..Thomas tell him."
Thomas eyed Jimmy then cleared his throat.
"The stars," he said, "are not in position for this tribute."
Jimmy began to pull the man away as far as he could.
"Like he says," Jimmy said, "Stars," he pulled farther, "Can't do it...not today."
Tzeckal Kan returned his attention to Thomas who glared.
"Ah," he said, "well it is possible that perhaps I misread the heavens."
"Don't worry about it," Jimmy said as he gave the men to a couple of guards who carried him away, "To err is human."
"My lords," the chief called, "May the people of El Dorado offer our tribute?"
The chief stood aside and beautiful women came out carrying large trays of gold. Thomas and Jimmy's eyes lit up at the sight.
"My lords. Does this please you?"
Jimmy almost moaned out his answer then cleared his throat.
"Yes, very nice, uhm certainly acceptable."
Thomas nodded.
"Yes, it'll do."
The chief smiled wider.
"The gods have chosen," he called out, "To Shelbalba?"
Thomas and Jimmy looked at each other and nodded.
"To Shelbalba!"
The people cheered and the women stepped forward.
Oh Thomas, we are truly in heaven!
The women raised the gold then tossed the treasures over their heads, falling into the watery abyss. They watched with wide open mouths as gold rained around them and landed behind. They watched as the gold hit and splashed into the water. Jimmy's heart dropped.
Oh what have we done.
Char walked over with a furious look and crossed his arms.
"Uhm," Thomas began, "What are they doing?"
"They're giving it to Shelbalba," Char answered, "The spirit world."
"Spirit….world…," Jimmy mumbled. Char rolled his eyes then smiled.
"I'll take care of this."
Jimmy moaned and felt tears in his eyes.
All that beautiful gold...gone away...kill me now.
Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted.
"Stop," the chief yelled. Everyone froze in place.
"They wish to bask," the chief said, "Take the tribute to the gods temple."
The women smiled once more then began retreating slowly the way they came. Thomas and Jimmy turned around and smiled. Char hummed as he walked over to them.
"Nice going," Thomas said as Char stood right next to him. Jimmy glared but did not say a word. He was pleased but he still did not trust Char after what may have occurred last night.
"You still owe me," Char said to Thomas. Jimmy froze and looked at Thomas who smiled wider.
How dare you, you little...rat!
Thomas and Char walked side by side together and Jimmy watched them. He looked down then felt someone stand next to him
"Everything alright, my lord," the chief asked Jimmy with a smile. Jimmy cleared his throat and nodded.
"Yes, everythings alright...I just…" he paused and looked at Char and Thomas. The chief followed his line of sight.
"You were the ones who requested him to show you the way," the chief said understanding, "He lives to serve you now."
"I know," Jimmy said as he and the chief walked side by side, "I just can't help but feel...like we could've chosen better. More loyal."
"Yes, Char has been caught trying to steal a few times but he never actually stole anything until recently, but that was because of you."
"Yes...I suppose it was," Jimmy said, "But with, uhm...being in a human vessel I fear we are susceptible to such mortal emotions such as…"
"Love," the chief finished. Jimmy glanced at the chief but did not say anything.
"It is understandable if you have began to feel such confusion emotions due to your human vessel as you say, but who is it you are feeling for?"
Jimmy kept his sight down.
"If you ever need to speak to someone about such things, come find me. These are foreign to you and as a human, I would gladly give you the advice you need as you will remain in your human form."
Jimmy looked up and smiled.
"Thank you, chief, I appreciate that."
The chief smiled then walked away to his temple. Jimmy sighed then looked up at the temple where he already saw Char and Thomas head in. He sighed and looked at the sky.
Perhaps we don't have to leave
perhaps…
I can give you what you want.