AN EPILOG

Chief Tonibuck was dead. His loyal subjects had born his body away to be buried in El Dorado, while Miguel and Tulio lingered behind with Altivo, making sure that Margarita would take her father and the others back to the ship and never return.

"I am sorry things couldn't have worked out, Miguel." she sighed. "I could have made you very happy for a time…until I got bored with you. You understand." she said.

"Yes, of course." Miguel nodded. "But you deserve a prince my dear, you should not have to settle for a second-rate pick-pocket and fencer like myself." he replied.

"Yes, you are rather…common." she nodded, and Miguel had to squeeze Tulio's hand to keep him from expressing his outrage.

"Thank you, for sparing Daddy's life." she said then, looking very sincere.

"Don't thank me, really." Miguel pleaded. "Just take him far away and never return."

"But what about you?" she asked.

"Widows are made everyday. Consider me another soul lost to sea." he said, trying to sound dramatic.

"Well then, I do hope you find happiness…with your uh…friend." she said, looking to Tulio, feeling rather confused about the whole concept.

"I'm sure we will." Tulio spoke then, putting a possessive arm around Miguel, which made the smaller man smile.

"Adios!" They cried, watching her disappear towards the shore.

"A very sweet woman, you know…once you get past all her faults." Miguel shrugged.

"But a banana short of a fruit basket, if you ask me." Tulio muttered. Miguel nodded vigorously. "Well, my dearest love, shall we return home then?" Tulio asked, taking Miguel's hands in his.

"I'm afraid it'll be a very sad homecoming," Miguel sighed.

Tulio held him briefly. "I know." he whispered as Altivo made his way over to the two men, little Bibo scurrying beside him. Both animals nuzzled the blonde man with great affection.

"I think you should be the God of all things cute and innocent, Miguel. They seem to flock to you, like some stupid fairy tale princess." Tulio teased him.

Miguel stuck his tongue out at him. "You're just jealous because I'm so loveable and beloved and you're such a grouch."

"No, I'm jealous because THEY'RE getting all the attention!" Tulio replied, pulling Miguel from his animal friends and dipping him low before kissing him, making Altivo and Bibo stare at each other and roll their eyes.

***

The sun did not shine in the city of El Dorado that day. It's people were greatly saddened by the loss of their great Chief Tonibuck, but comforted by the fact that he was in heaven now with the Gods, and Tulio and Miguel would be looking after them in his place.

The two Gods stood at the top of their temple steps, gazing down at the half deserted streets below them as the rain set in. They retreated inside the temple, getting out of the chilling rain, and retired to their bed, both sore and exhausted from the day's events.

It was as they were lying there quietly, side by side, listening to the rain outside, that Miguel felt Tulio stir and reach for something across the bed.

"Miguel?" he asked softly, making the other man look at him.

"Yes?" the blonde-man asked. Tulio looked exceedingly nervous.

"I…I meant what I said, you know." he went on, fumbling with something behind his back. Miguel sat up, wondering what he could be talking about. "I really do want to marry you."

Miguel chuckled a little at the thought. "Tulio, people like us don't get married, it's simply unheard of." he said.

That's when Tulio produced a plan, bright golden ring. A wedding band. Miguel stared at it. "Tulio…how long have you…?" he gasped.

"I had it made a long time ago, when I was still sailing. I made a pair, for the both of us. That is, if you haven't changed your mind." he added.

"But…but, we don't have a minister." Miguel pointed out.

"Who needs one? This isn't exactly orthodox, you know." was Tulio's reply.

"Alright then, what about witnesses?" the other man asked.

"The horse and the Aardvark will do." Tulio shrugged as Altivo and Bibo blinked up at them from their sleeping spot on the floor at the foot of their bed.

Tulio edged closer to Miguel, taking his trembling hand in his. "I…Tulio, promise to love, and protect, and cherish you, and I promise to…be nicer to you when you rant about insane things, and to not 'worry too much' and to hold you, when you're scared, or lonely, and to be your partner in crime and adventure for as long as we both shall live." he said, gently placing the golden band on Miguel's finger.

Now Miguel took the extra ring, and held Tulio's hand tightly, staring into his eyes, "And I…Miguel, promise to be faithful, and love, and protect you as long as I live. I promise to try to not be so annoying and crazy all the time, and to sit back and think about things before I charge into them, to not worry you so much, and to cheer you up when you're depressed, and love you with every breath that I have." He slipped the ring onto Tulio's finger.

Altivo whined then, as if to say "Just kiss him already!" which they did, quiet gladly, before falling on the bed, and immediately commencing their honeymoon…

"Wait, wait!" Miguel gasped as Tulio began feverishly kissing his way down Miguel's chest and stomach. "Someone needs to say I pronounce you and man…uh…man, or something like that!" he gasped.

"I pronounce you mine!" Tulio cried, pouncing on him like a wild beast. Miguel squealed in delight under the attentions.

"Oh close enough…" he sighed, and threw hand full of flowers from the vase next to the bed across the room, which Altivo managed to catch in his teeth, before munching on them happily.