Chapter 7 - Forced Unveiling
"What could you possibly have to say to me that you couldn't say in front of Miguel?" Tulio asked peevishly the next day as Chel pushed him into the back section of the tent. She had been behaving rather oddly all morning, and casting the oddest glances at Miguel when she thought that neither of the boys were watching.
Could she be jealous of him? thought Tulio. It seemed strange, but not entirely unrealistic. Certainly it would explain a number of things. Including why she had requested this solo chat with him.
"There's something really important I have to ask you," said Chel, pushing him down onto a cushion. "I think you're really making a mistake, letting the one person who is perfect for you get away. Now I want you to sit here, and close your eyes, and let me kiss you. Don't think of anything that we had or didn't have together, don't let any thought to past or future influence you. Just let me kiss you, kiss back, and see if you feel anything. Maybe you'll finally realize what was meant to be all along."
Tulio frowned. "Chel, that's silly. I don't think that one kiss could change my mind. You know you're welcome to come journeying again with me and Miguel, but you hardly need to go to such elaborate-"
"Just humor me," Chel interrupted. "I want to try this. I really do think that it might be more revealing than you give it credit for."
Tulio rolled his eyes, but sighed and nodded. "Oh, alright. You can go through with this. But I don't see how it will make a difference."
He closed his eyes, and in a moment felt lips brush across his. Feather-soft and tentative at first, as though not sure that it was actually being allowed. And then suddenly they became fierce, seeking, deeping the kiss. As though desperate to make sure that he felt something, anything. As though this kiss was one last chance at survival.
When finally they broke apart, Tulio tilted his head down, eyes still closed, and smiled softly to himself.
"You're right," he said, "I did feel something. You know, I wasn't sure that this would work, but it really did. I think maybe you and I were destined to be together after all, not because of any past we shared, but because of what looks like a rather bright future.
"Miguel."
He opened his eyes and was rewarded with the sight of an immensely startled Miguel kneeling in front of him. He grinned as the blond sputtered and tried to come up with something to stay.
"You knew?" Miguel hissed.
"Of course I knew," said Tulio, justifiably smug. "There's a reason I'm the brains of this outfit you know. I can recognize a scam from a mile away. And Chel at least is nowhere near as good at this as she thinks she is. Not good enough to fool a professional, anyway."
"But... why?" asked Miguel quietly.
Tulio softened a little. Miguel seemed so scared, so unsure of what Tulio was going to say. Not at all like his usual self.
"I meant what I said you know," he said, "about us being together. I know it's what you want and I... well, I want to try it, at least. I was a total mess without you, you know. And... if what I feel for you isn't love, then I've never felt anything closer to it."
Miguel looked poleaxed, but there was also an insane hope in his eyes. "Do you really mean that?" he asked.
Tulio nodded. Then, to prove his point, he leaned forward and kissed Miguel once again, pouring as much sentiment and love as he could into it. Miguel responded in kind and they were quickly on the floor exchange heady kisses and general ravishing.
Chel smirked at them from the doorway. "My work here is done," she said softly to herself, before closing the flap and returning to the main section of the tent.
Oh God, that was hideous. Take me back.
or
Oh God, that was hideous. Let me complain to the author.