CHAPTER 13

Tulio walked through the town. It was a cooler day, so not many people were around. He looked up and down side streets and alleys, but he still couldn't find Miguel. He was getting worried because his partner hadn't come home for dinner, and he was afraid something happened. He turned a corner and went down an older street, deciding he should check the less populated areas. He finally came upon an old cemetery and he saw Miguel, who was on his knees in front of a small gravestone. He slowly approached his partner. "Miguel?"

Miguel looked back at him, his eyes bloodshot from crying. "Hey," he said softly.

"What's wrong?" Tulio asked in concern, kneeling down and putting an arm around Miguel. "Are you okay?"

Miguel nodded and looked back down at the stone. "My mother."

Tulio frowned, looking from Miguel to the stone. "I didn't know she was buried here."

"I don't come often," Miguel admitted. "I didn't want to risk running into…them."

Tulio knew Miguel was talking about his father and sister. "I see."

"The doctor told her something was wrong," Miguel continued. "He told her they could only save her or me, or we would both die. She…told him she wanted me to live so my father could have a son."

Tulio frowned; Miguel had never told him the whole story of how his mother died. "I'm so sorry, Miguel."

Miguel sniffled and wiped at his tears. "I know she would have loved me…she did love me before she was gone. I just…I wish she could be here." He put his head down and began to cry again.

"Oh, Miguel," Tulio said, pulling his partner into a tight embrace. "It's okay."

"What in the hell are you doing here?" an angry male voice suddenly interrupted.

Miguel's head snapped up and he looked at the man. "Father."

Miguel's father, Carlos, glared down at him. "You have no right to be here."

"I miss her," Miguel choked out.

"You never knew her!" Carlos shouted. "You're the reason she's dead! If she had just let you die, she would still be here!"

"Hey, stop it!" Tulio snapped, standing to face Carlos.

Carlos raised an eyebrow. "Who do you think you are?"

Tulio glared at the man. "The only real family he has left, apparently. The only one that cares, at least."

Carlos narrowed his eyes. "So you're the one he's been running around causing trouble with. You're making wrong choices…most likely his fault, he tends to have that effect on people."

"One of the best choices I ever made was getting him the hell away from you," Tulio growled.

"Tulio," Miguel said, coming up behind him. "Let's just go."

"That's right, run away," Carlos sneered. "It's the only thing you're good at."

Tulio would have said something but Miguel pulled him away. Once they were out of the cemetery, he turned to face the blonde. "Why would you let him say that stuff to you?"

Miguel frowned and looked away. "Because he's right."

Tulio was shocked. "What?"

"I am the reason she died," Miguel continued sadly. "She should have let me die, she could have had another son."

"Don't talk like that," Tulio said, putting a hand on Miguel's shoulder. "She chose you out of love, Miguel…and I'm glad she did. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Miguel looked at him sadly. "You wouldn't have my stupidity to ruin your cons."

"That's what makes them interesting," Tulio said with a small smile.

"But I make you make bad choices."

"I like making bad choices."

Miguel showed the tiniest hint of a smile. "You're the reason I'm still alive, Tulio."

"And you're the reason I'm still sane." Tulio hugged Miguel tightly. "Come on, let's go home."

Tulio became aware of his surroundings. He felt a bed underneath him and a sheet covering him, figuring he was back in the healing temple. But he didn't want to wake up, not when Miguel wouldn't be there. His mind flashed back to the moment on the ledge when he felt Miguel die in his arms. He couldn't believe he'd lost his best friend, his partner, the love of his life. It killed him to think that he would never see Miguel's beautiful green eyes again, or his smile. He could never again banter with him about some con that went wrong. He wouldn't be there to comfort him when he was sick or lonely.

Tulio groaned and tried to turn his head. He wanted to go back to dream, where at least he could see Miguel. He thought to himself that Miguel would finally be with the one family member who truly loved him…his mother.

"Tulio? Tulio are you awake?" Thelina asked softly.

Tulio finally opened his eyes and looked up at her. He noticed her eyes were red from crying, and she looked exhausted. He frowned sadly at her. "Hey."

Thelina gave him a small smile. "How do you feel?"

Tulio managed to shrug his shoulder. He felt the pull of bandages wrapped tightly around his chest. "What are these for?"

"You have a few broken ribs. Are you comfortable enough?"

Tulio nodded slightly. "Yeah."

"Good. You two really scared us up on that ledge."

Tulio frowned and immediately felt a wave of sadness wash over him. "Miguel."

"I didn't think he was going to make it," Thelina said, looking off to the side. "It's a miracle."

Tulio was confused. He followed her gaze over to another bed. He gasped and nearly leapt off his own bed when he saw who was on it.

Miguel was laying perfectly still, his eyes closed. He was deathly pale and broken looking. A sheet covered him up to him waist, and his hand rested on his stomach, which was bandaged. His breathing was so shallow Tulio could hardly hear it.

Tulio looked at his partner and tears welled in his eyes. "B-But…how? He died in my arms."

"I don't know," Thelina said truthfully. "When we got to the ledge and pulled the two of you apart, I could tell he was gone. All I could think about was how heartbroken you were going to be. I was about to hand him off to the guards to carry him down here when he just…came back." She looked thoughtfully at Tulio. "He didn't wake up, but I knew he was alive."

Tulio swallowed hard and looked back over at Miguel. "He hasn't woken up yet?"

"No," Thelina said sadly.

Tulio tried to sit up, wincing when pain bolted through his chest. "I want to go over there," he choked out.

"You shouldn't move for a while," Thelina said. "Don't worry, neither of you are going anywhere, and I'll be here."

"I know, I just-"

"Tulio, please," Thelina said. "You have to rest so you'll be better when he wakes up."

Tulio sighed and nodded. "Okay," he said sadly. "I just…don't want to be apart from him anymore."

"I know," Thelina replied with a small smile.

"We lost so much time," Tulio continued.

"You'll have a lifetime to get it back."

Tulio leaned back on the pillows and looked over at his partner again. "I've done so much that's hurt him…especially these last few days. I don't know if he'll ever forgive me."

Thelina frowned a little, sitting at the end of Tulio's bed. "What was the last hing he said to you before he…died."

"He told me he loves me," Tulio said quietly. "He was gone before I could say it back."

Thelina nodded. "Don't you think him saying that means he's already forgiven you?"

Tulio was silent for a moment. "I guess so. But I didn't say it back in time…what if he thinks I don't feel the same way?"

"Tulio, you saved him. If that doesn't show that you love him then I don't know what does."

Tulio smiled a little. "Thank you," he said quietly.

Thelina smiled back. "You're welcome. Now get some rest. I'll let you know if he starts to wake up."

Tulio watched her stand and walk towards the back of the temple. He looked over at Miguel again, wondering if Thelina had given him something for pain and that's why he was still asleep. I just hope he's okay when he wakes up. He wished he was at least closer to him, so he could hold him hand.

Thelina watched Tulio from the back of the temple, smiling a little. She prayed that Miguel would wake up soon so he and Tulio could be together. She watched Tulio until he fell asleep, and she got an idea.

ELDORADOELDORADOELDORADOELDORADOELDORADOELDORADO

Tulio thought he heard shuffling, and he opened his eyes. He spotted the chief standing nearby and smiled a little. "Chief."

"My lord, how do you feel?" the chief asked happily.

"Sore," Tulio answered, coughing a little and wincing. "Sorry."

"I'll get you some water," Thelina said, smiling at Tulio. "We have a surprise for you."

Tulio looked at the chief in confusion. The chief smiled at him and looked off to the side. Tulio followed his gaze, and he almost jumped off the bed when he saw the "surprise." They had moved Miguel's bed closer to his, so he was within reach. It wasn't much, but it meant the world to Tulio. He reached over and took hold of one of his partner's hands, gasping at how cold it was. "Miguel," he whispered, squeezing his hand tighter and frowning when he got no response.

"Lord Miguel will be fine," the chief assured Tulio. "Thanks to you, of course."

"No, it was all Thelina," Tulio said. "I'm the one who got him into this mess. He would be dancing circles around himself right now if it wasn't for me."

The chief frowned a little. "My lord, you should not say such negative things about yourself. After all, it was you who defeated Tzekal-Kan."

Tulio cringed in anger at the sound of his enemy's name. "He can't hurt anyone anymore."

"You have brought El Dorado peace, Lord Tulio. You must bring yourself peace as well."

"How can I when he's like this?" Tulio asked sadly, looking at Miguel once again. "How can I when I know I'm partly to blame for this happening to him?"

"Tulio, sweetie, he wouldn't want you to blame yourself," Thelina said. "Hw only wants you to be happy."

"I know," Tulio said sadly. "I just wish he could be happy too."

"I'm sure you make him very happy," Thelina said, handing Tulio a glass of water. "Here you go."

Tulio took the glass from her and managed to slowly sit up. He noticed that his injured arm was wrapped up as well. "Is it broken?"

"No, luckily. Just badly bruised, and you have a pretty bit cut as well."

"From fighting Tzekal-Kan," Tulio said, looking at his partner once again. "I wish none of this had happened."

"Would you have discovered your true feelings for Miguel if it hadn't?" Thelina asked, smiling at the fact she caught Tulio off guard with the question.

"I think I've known all along," Tulio said quietly. "I've just been too dumb to admit it." He sighed and then shook his head. "Things would have turned out so differently if I had."

"What do you mean, my lord?" The chief asked.

"Well, I wouldn't have done half the careless things I've done to hurt him. I would have been there every time he needed me, just like he did for me. I would have just listened when he wanted me to. I always thought he was just being childish sometimes and I would just…walk away." He frowned when he said the last two words. "Sometimes I wondered why he kept putting up with me instead of leaving. I never realized how much he cared."

The chief frowned a little at the sadness in Tulio's eyes. "Would you still have come to El Dorado?"

"Oh of course," Tulio said, smiling a little and looking up. "Miguel was hell-bent on finding this place he wasn't taking no for an answer."

The chief smiled widely. "You are welcome to stay, my lord."

"But what will the citizens think? We're not gods."

"You and Lord Miguel have released our city from a terrible evil. The citizens know that you are human, but you are just as good as gods to them. We all want you to stay."

Tulio smiled a little, his heart warming. This was finally somewhere he could be accepted and loved, where he wouldn't have to worry about hiding and scouring for food. He looked down at Miguel, knowing how much his partner loved this place. He knew he would be happy here. "I think I might take you up on that, Chief."

The chief smiled happily. "That is wonderful, my lord!"

"On one condition," Tulio added. "Please stop calling me lord."

The chief and Thelina laughed and Tulio smiled. "I will inform the citizen of your decision."

Thelina watched the chief leave and then turned to Tulio. "You have changed your mind?"

"I know Miguel wants to stay here, and I want to be where he is."

Thelina smiled. "I am glad. Miguel would not be the same without you here." She looked down at Miguel before turning to leave. "I'll be in the back, call if you need anything."

Tulio watched her leave and then focused on Miguel again. He took on of his hands in his again. "I love you, Miguel. I need you to come back to me. I don't know if you'll forgive me or not, but I just need to know you'll be okay." He reached over with his other hand to brush some hair off Miguel's face, resting his hand on his cheek for a moment. "You're my world, Miguel," he whispered. He signed, seeing that Miguel still wasn't responding. He curled up on his own bed again and looked up at the ceiling. He was starting to drift off when he heard it, weak and barely whispered…

"Tulio."

TBC

Apologies for the wait for this update! More to come!