So what does everyone think of this story so far? Thank you to my first reviewer! It's very much appreciated. Ready for chapter 3?

III

Miguel sat in his throne-like chair and looked out at everyone. People were talking, laughing, dancing, and some were even walking around playing instruments. Children were running around and playing various types of games. Miguel jumped suddenly when a cup was placed in his hands.

"To calm your nerves," Tulio said, pointing to the drink. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I do?" Miguel asked, taking a sip of the wine.

"Yeah," Tulio replied, taking a seat next to him in the other chair. "I'm worried about you."

Miguel gave him a small smile. "Haven't I told you that you worry too much?"

Tulio smiled back a little. "More times than I can count…but I always worry about you, Miguel."

Miguel got serious again. "Like when?"

"Well, usually when we're in a con that goes wrong. I worry about you getting hurt or caught." Tulio glanced over at his partner. "I don't want to lose you, Miguel."

Miguel's heart fluttered at the comment, and he looked seriously at Tulio. "I don't want to lose you either, Tulio. Promise me you'll stay with me forever?"

Tulio opened his mouth to say something, but the sudden banging of drums startled him. "What's going on?"

"It's time for the tribal dance," Chel explained, seeming to have appeared from nowhere. She had a proud look on her face with a sense of hostility that only Miguel detected.

Just like that, Tulio turned all his attention to Chel, forgetting to give Miguel his word. Miguel shook his head sadly and looked forward again to watch the dance. I should know better than to ask Tulio to promise me eternity. He obviously cares about Chel more than me. He sighed and leaned back as dancers appeared wearing colorful costumes. He froze when Tzekel Kan appeared in costume as well.

The high priest caught Tulio's attention as well. He glanced over at Miguel, who looked shaken. With a frown, he reached over and put his hand comfortingly on his arm. "Hey, it's ok."

Tzekel Kan had been twirling around with the other dancers around a fire. He looked over at Miguel, jealous at seeing Tulio's hand on his arm. The undeserving fool! Soon he will no longer be in the way of what I want. He made his way over to the two men and quickly snatched Miguel right out of his chair.

Tulio gasped as Miguel was suddenly pulled away from him. He tried to jump up, but Chel stopped him. "Chel?"

"Calm down, Tulio, its part of the dance. Look." She pointed out to where Miguel was standing. There was a circle of dancers around him twirling and chanting. She glanced at Tzekel Kan, only to find him staring at Miguel in desire. She glared quickly and looked away. He won't miss him; he'll love me. He'll see what I'm capable of when I kill his little toy. She stood there and mentally plotted different ways of brutally murdering Miguel until the dance ended.

Everyone cheered and clapped, including Tulio. "Nicely done!" he called out, laughing when Miguel blushed madly from the center of the circle.

"Well done, my Lord," Tzekel Kan said to Miguel. "I hope I haven't embarrassed you too much."

"Heh…no, it's fine," Miguel stuttered, walking briskly back to his seat.

"Our Miguel, the little dancer," Tulio teased. Miguel gave him a sour look, which only made him laugh harder.

Miguel shook his head with a little smile and looked away. He saw Tzekal Kan staring at him from across the fire, shivering when he grinned slyly at him. Something is up, I just know it! "Hey, Tulio, did you-" He stopped talking when he realized his partner wasn't there. He stared at the empty seat in confusion for several moments before glancing over to the food tables. He spotted Tulio all over Chel, who was faking interest so obviously that he was shocked Tulio didn't notice. I can't believe him! How can he not see that she doesn't care about him?

"My Lord, is everything alright?"

Miguel jumped a little, sighing in relief when he saw that it was only the chief. "Oh, good evening, Chief."

The chief smiled questioningly at him. "You look…distressed."

"Oh, no I was just wondering where Tulio went." He looked sadly back over at his partner. "I found him."

"Lord Tulio seems to be enjoying himself," the chief said, also looking at Tulio and Chel. "This upsets you."

Miguel frowned and sighed. "What can I do? I can't stop him, he deserves love."

"But it is not your love that he is accepting," the chief mentioned knowingly.

Miguel shook his head and looked away. "She's completely faking it, I just know she is! She's going to hurt him and I'll be left to pick up the pieces." Just like every other time.

"I see," the chief said. "Perhaps Lord Tulio will soon realize what you mean to him?" He smiled reassuringly. "Well, I must be off to make sure everything is still running as planned. Perhaps you should retire for the evening."

"Yeah, I think I will. Thanks, Chief," Miguel said with a small smile. He stood to leave as the chief bowed quickly and walked away. He glanced over at Tulio once more, seeing that he was still with Chel. I wish what the chief said was true. I wish Tulio could just love me. He put his head down sadly and began to ascend the temple stairs.

Tulio laughed at something one of the native children had told him, and he thought that Miguel might find it funny as well. He turned towards the thrones they had been sitting on earlier, surprised to find his partner missing. "Where's Miguel?" he thought out loud as he looked around. He looked up at the temple, spotting a sulky looking Miguel almost to the top of the stairs. He frowned and hung his shoulders. I'm sorry, Miguel. I should have been paying more attention to you.

"Maybe he's just tired," Chel suggested, following Tulio's gaze.

"He would have told me," Tulio said, watching Miguel disappear into the temple.

"Really? I assumed he was the type of person to just walk off."

"Well, yeah, but he's usually sneakier about it, and it's only when I'm mad." He looked at her and frowned. "I think I hurt his feelings."

"By being with me?" Chel asked in pretend concern. She was actually ecstatic that the blonde might be upset.

"I don't know," Tulio answered, running a hand through his hair as he looked up at the temple again. "He was upset before and I kind of ignored him." He dropped his arm to his side and looked over at her again. "I should go be with him so I can make sure he's ok."

"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Actually, I promised it would just be me and him tomorrow."

"No problem," Chel said. She kissed Tulio on the cheek, knowing she could get him to break that promise easily.

"Thanks," Tulio said with a small smile. He kissed her back and then turned to head up to the temple.

In the temple, Miguel had already changed back into his normal clothes. He had been silently crying the whole time, so there were tear streaks on his face. He splashed water on his face from the pool in the middle of the room, looking at his reflection and sighing. I look so pathetic, no wonder Tulio doesn't want to be with me. I should just give up all hope of him being with me forever. He stood and looked at the bed, and then at a large pile of cushions on the floor. Figuring Tulio and Chel would want the bed he chose to sleep on the cushions. He crawled on top of them, attempting to get comfortable. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he fell asleep.

About five minutes later, Tulio entered the temple. He spotted Miguel on the cushions in what didn't look like a comfortable position. He frowned and knelt down next to him, noticing the tear streaks on his cheeks. "Oh, Miguel," he said sadly, gently touching Miguel's face. I really did hurt you, didn't I. He carefully lifted Miguel in his arms and carried him to the bed, setting him down gently so he wouldn't wake him up. He then proceeded to change into his normal clothes as well. When he was finished, he climbed into bed next to Miguel, looking over at him when he began to stir. "Hey."

Miguel rolled onto his back and looked around before sitting up. "How did I get on the bed?"

"I picked you up and put you on it," Tulio answered, sitting up as well. "Why were you on the floor?"

"I figured you and Chel would want the bed," Miguel pointed out, looking around for Chel.

"She's not here. It's just you and me tonight."

"Oh," Miguel said, looking over at him. "Well, good night then."

"No, wait, Miguel," Tulio started. "I need to talk to you."

"What's there to talk about?"

"Us," Tulio said quietly. "I know you were crying earlier."

Miguel looked down at the sheets. "So?"

"Miguel, I know it's my fault," Tulio admitted. "I know I hurt you for not being there when you needed me, and for leaving you alone at the feast tonight. "I'm so sorry." He reached over and put his hand on Miguel's shoulder. "Please, talk to me."

Miguel looked at Tulio, sensing the sincerity in his voice and seeing it in his eyes. "Yes, it does hurt when you're not here; when you're ignoring me. It kills me to see you with her and-" He stopped talking and swallowed hard. I should tell him about Chel but I know he won't believe me. He would hate me! He put his head in his hands and began to cry again.

"No," Tulio said sadly, pulling Miguel into a tight embrace. "Please don't cry; I'm sorry." He rocked the two of them back and forth, resting his cheek on Miguel's head. He pushed aside the fact that it felt good to have his partner's body this close to his.

Miguel eventually looked up and sniffled. "Sorry," he murmured, wiping tears off his face.

"You don't have to be sorry for anything, Miguel," Tulio assured him, helping to wipe away his tears. "I'm going to fix this, I swear."

Miguel nodded slowly. "I'm really tired," he said quietly.

"Yeah, me too." Tulio hugged Miguel once more before settling down again. "Miguel?"

"Hmm?" Miguel yawned, already half asleep.

"I promise to stay with you forever."

Miguel looked at Tulio and gave him a small smile. "Really?"

"Yeah." Tulio smiled a little as Miguel fell back to sleep. He still felt incredibly guilty for hurting his best friend, but he swore to himself that he would make it up to him. With this thought in mind, he quickly drifted off to sleep.

TBC

So I realized in the first two chapters I spelled Tzekal Kan wrong. My apologies, it'll be right from now on. I also want to mention that the chapters will be getting longer now, so be ready! More reviews would really be awesome.