Every time someone comments on my writing, I feel all warm and good inside, please comment.

    Miguel woke at dawn's first rays. The sunrise was perfect and he took in a huge breath of fresh seaside air with a broad smile. "Tulio, look at the view!"

    Teh darker Spaniard blinked Sleepily and opened blurry, unfocused eyes, "It's too early."

    "But Tulio. . ."

    "Miguel."

    "Hm?" He turned shining bright eyes to his companion and offered a dazzling smile.

    Tulio had never been able to resist Miguel's morning smile. "Oh alright."

    "The city is so . . ."

    "Ready for the picking."

    A slightly disappointed look chased the smile away and entered the blond's eyes but he quickly hid it, "Right."

    "You're doing it again."

    "What?"

    "That 'look'."

    "What look?"

    "What did you want to do today Miguel?"

    He bit his lip thoughtfully, "Well I thought . . . since Cortez isn't sailing until tomorrow. . . we can con the sailors then and today. . ."

    "Yes?" Tulio pressed impatiently.

    "We could just. . . have a holiday?"

    "A. . . holiday."

    "Mm Hmm."

    "Now?"

    "Yeah!"

    He looked carefully at the vibrant young man and sighed, "Oh, alright. Fine."

    "Yes!" Miguel jumped and grabbed Tulio's hand.

    "Hey wait! Where. . ."

    "I know this beautiful public garden, we can get some wine, bread, and cheese and have a picnic!"

    "Great." Tulio droned sarcastically.

    Miguel however was completely impervious to his partner's sarcasm, he gathered all they needed and set about prepairing the perfect holiday.

    "Just sit and enjoy the garden Tulio!"

    "It's just a bunch of . . . trees."

    "But look at them! They're beautiful!"

    "Sure." Tulio took a swig of the cheep wine and lay back on his elbows watching his friend wander off to play with some children. The blond's whole body was glistening with sweat in an hour and Tulio felt his body respond to the sweat slicked skin. He took another drink. And another. Miguel laughed and stripped off his shirt to cool off a little. Tulio finished off the bottle and took up another.

    //What the heck am I upset about?! So he's beautiful, I can appreciate that. It's just the build of his muscles, like a statue. . . but statues don't have laughs that sound like angels music or eyes that shine at the sight of every day life. . . no! Stop it! I need another drink.//

    "Tulio!" Miguel collapsed beside him, panting happily, "That was fun! Why didn' tyou come?"

    "I was buisy."

    "But you can drink any time."

    "Yeah, and I choose to do it now."

    Miguel smiled with a gracefull shrug and ruefull shake of his head and unpacked the bread and cheese, "Well here then, have something to wash down with it."

    "Ah." He bit into the bread and nodded.

    "Tulio, don't you ever dream of more?"

    "Gold."

    "No, I mean, adventure, new worlds. . . love. . ."

    "Hold it!"

    "What?"
 

    "You said the L word."

    "What word?"

    "The 'L' word!"

    "What? Love?"

    "Don't say it!"

    "Tulio wha. . ."

    "Lo. . . lo. . . that 'word' is the end of happiness!"

    "Love?"

    "Stop 'Saying' it!"

    "But Tulio it's. . ."

    "No."

    "But. . ."

    "Stop."

    "I just. . ."

    "Shh!"

    Miguel was frustrated so he did the first thing that came to mind. He shot forward and captured Tulio's lips with his.

    "Mmm!" Tulio gasped and fell back onto the blanket.

    Miguel followed, never letting up until finally air was needed. He pulled back slowly, breathing heavy and eyes bright, "I love you."

    Tulio gapped at him in shock.

    "I know I;ve betraid your friendship. I didn't 'mean' to fall in love it just happened and I. . . I hoped. . . but I'll go now. I am sorry, Tulio."

    He watched his friend walk away in a daze. //Miguel just. . . he just. . . he said he. . . and then. . . he. . .// His fists tightened and he blinked in surprise, he was holding Miguel's shirt in his clentched fingers. //What just. . .// "Miguel!" He stumbled to his feet and ran after the blond man, "Wait!"

    Miguel ran blindly until he was sure that he'd lost Tulio. "Why did I have to say it? Stupid! Stupid! Why didn't I just let it be?! At least I could be 'near' him if no t'with' him! Damn it why did I have to want more!"

    "MigueOOF!" Tulio had turren the corner and slammed into him, knocking them both to the ground.

    "Tulio!"

    The man looked trapped, "I . . . ah. . . you. . ." He reached behind him and pulled out a crumpled red cloth, "You forgot your shirt."

    "Oh." He took it and slipped it over his head, "Thanks."

    "Yeah."

    "Was that. . . all you wanted to say?"

    Tulio tried but found himself at a loss. He and Miguel sat there, on their knees facing each other, "I. . . I. . ."

    "Yes?"

    "Don't go. You're my partner! We're a team!"

    "I. . . Tulio I can't."

    "Why not."

    "Do you want to just pretend I didn't say it?"

    "Say what?"

    "That I LOVE you you idiot!"

    His partner flinched and Miguel stood slowly, the sparkle and life gone from his eyes, "Goodbye Tulio."

    "Miguel. . ." He rushed to his feet and snatched the other man's shoulders, "Wait!"

    He watched and waited as he'd been asked, but said nothing.

    "Please don't leave."

    "Why not."

    "Because I. . . I. . ." Before either realized it Tulio pressed his lips tightly to Miguels and slammed them both against the wall. They attacked each other passionatly. Fear and love entertwining until the world was a dream and the only thing in it that was still real and reliable was the one they held to.

    When Tulio finally pulled back Miguel opened his eyes slowly, "Tulio. . . ?"

    "Miguel you can't leave me."

    "Why?"

    "Oh come on!"

    "I need to hear it."

    Tulio hesitated, gesturing helplessly with his hands, "I. . ."

    "Yes?"

    "I. . ."

    Miguel waited with baited breath.

    The hope in his friend's eyes was his undoing, "I feel for you."

    "Say it."

    "I L. . . I like you. A lot." He found his arms full of a squirming and happy Spaniard and fell back to the ground before said Spaniard began to cover him in kisses, "M. . . Miguel!"

    "It's enough for now Tulio." He gasped as their hips ground together.

    "Oh! Oh Dios!"

    "W. . . we. . . let's go home."

    "Yeah . . . home. Let's. . . ohhhh! Now!"

    They barely managed to close the door before clothes were being torn away and they collapsed onto the bed. Miguel laughed happily and played with his new lover until finally Tulio silenced him with a kiss.

    "Why are you always so happy?" He asked later as they lay in each other's arms, sated and smiling.

    "Because I'm with you." He yawned cutely and currled closer.

    Tulio spooned him against him and smiled the softest smile he had ever used before, "I never would have bet on this hapenning."

    "Can't win 'em all."

    "Oh I think I won any way." He smoothed the golden hair he loved so much.

    "We both did." Miguel yawned again, "Te amo Tulio. Amor para siempre."

    "Always." He agreed.

    "So what are we doing tomorrow?"

    Tulio grinned lustfully and chuckled, "Are you in a hurry to go out?"

    "The boat won't sail until three."

    "Won't take long to con the sailors."

    "I'd say we should spend some. . . quality time."

    "Good idea. I agree."

    "I love you."

    "Me too." Tulio smiled.

    Miguel smiled too and cuddled closer. //And maybe someday you'll be able to say it.//
 
 

~End~