A/N: Finally! I got the second chapter done after nearly a month of work! It's been that long since I updated this thing and I apologize. School and the other story I put up got in the way. Now that I'm in the midst of Spring Break (and a shitty one at that), I got the opportunity to finish this document that has been gathering dust for some time. I hope this part is just as enjoyable :) I don't expect it to be as well done as the previous chapter, but I try my best to still keep the characterization in check, which is my main goal.

This part mostly focuses on Tulio and Chel's relationship and how they handle their problems, and for everyone's relief this part is a bit more playful and uplifting with less angst bullcrap. There's obviously a few depressing scenes, but that's the point of this fic :P I warn you that there's more cussing in this, so I'm probably changing the rating. Please review!

/

He could feel the sun radiate on his skin, warming up his chilled body from the cool air of a calm May morning. He stood outside of his home, observing as Spain herself started to stir, beginning the usual morning routine. It was a serene, lazy day that commenced on a good note, which made Tulio smile merely for experiencing the first few hours of sunrise. Plants were blooming from the time of the year, the air smelled sweet, the sky was a clear blue… and he hoped that a certain caramel-skinned woman was still sleeping soundly in bed.

Tulio looked from side to side, judging his surroundings to be sure that his love wouldn't be able to disturb him. He looked back inside his shady house to check for any sudden movements, and quickly took out a small box of matches and scraped it on the nearest wall. The tiny ember ate away at the small piece of wood as Tulio held it up to his cigar and took in smoke, using his free hand to cease the growing flame on the match from reaching his fingers. He'd been waiting all night for a chance to sneak one. Early in the morning was his only chance nowadays. Chel was a late sleeper unlike himself, and if he wanted a cigar then the morning would be the only way to get what he wanted.

The familiar euphoric emotion swept through him almost instantly, relaxing his mind and calming his nerves. His new job had been stressful. Ironically, he ended up working for the idiot Cortes who practically enslaved him and his partner two years ago. He was basically Cortes's little guinea pig and did whatever he told him to do. The job wasn't specific in any shape or form, but Tulio assumed that the conquistador only hired him as an excuse to torture a former captive of his ship. Tulio knew Cortes recognized him, occasionally flashing hair-raising glares in his direction which signified who was dominant over whom. It haunted his nightmares. On regular occasions Tulio had to deal with Cortes's crude and barbaric behavior as he barked orders at him constantly. Cortes made sure to keep him busy for the whole day, which resulted in Tulio's exhaustion by the time he came back home. Still, the job paid him adequately and it was the only worthy line of work around other than cooking at local restaurants, which he couldn't do to save his life.

He inhaled the morning air, finding that he could breathe much easier than he could two months earlier. While his intake only slightly decreased and his habits were still just as bad, it was rewarding to find that he mentally and physically felt better. His recovery was making some sort of progress, much to the relief of those who cared for him. He found himself slowly, but surely, moving on from what he experienced… and that meant the world to him.

Miguel often snuck into his mind during peaceful scenes like this, but the memories were cheerful. Tulio looked at the vacant street in front of him, imagining a younger Tulio and Miguel running up and down the road with guards close behind, yelling some kind of nonsense about taking out large sums of money from the local bank by disguising themselves as wealthy merchants. He could still hear those nicknames they used to make up for the specific guards that usually stalk them, and yell their infamous pet names as they sent them on a wild goose chase across town. Little things like those made Tulio all the more nostalgic.

A single fingertip poked him on the back of his head, making him freeze instinctively, as if a gun was pointing in his direction. He felt vulnerable and embarrassed, ready to be scolded for rebelling against the 'head of the household.' He turned his head ever so slightly just so his eyes could see the culprit.

"Drop the cigar…" came a female voice.

Tulio cracked a grin, turning slowly around with his arms raised slightly in the air mockingly, his cigar still burning slightly at the butt with smoke escaping hesitantly. Chel still had her petite finger pointing at him with her thumb straight in the air, as if she was holding a weapon. Her expression was coy yet playful.

"Guilty as charged; you caught me."

"Off to jail, you naughty boy."

"Will you shackle me with chains and force me to endure violent torture from your dreadful flogging?"

"Only for you."

Tulio's grin widened. "It's a date."

At that, Chel couldn't help but burst into laughter at his expression. It was impossible to keep a straight face with him, especially when he was this lively with her. She felt his hands wrap around her, attempting to tickle her face with his goatee while she giggled gleefully and slapped him on the arm for him to stop. He gave her a brief kiss on the lips before letting go of her and making his way over to the kitchen to make himself something to eat.

Chel followed his movements, finding that she was smiling just as widely as he was moments ago. For the first time in what felt like millions of years, her and Tulio were this jovial, and Tulio was for once showing the silly side to his personality. For some reason it amazed her. Barely three months earlier he looked like a dying corpse while she was on the verge of insanity… yet they giggled like lovesick idiots at merely being together in the same room. It was almost magical, as if she and him were teenagers again. It was like a fairytale, only better.

She remembered how her own father used to do that to her mother, using something prickly to tickle her with while she had time to herself. He'd cut up pieces of thick grass and put them all together in a large clump in his hand, and while mother took a nap out in the shade he'd sneak his way over and rub it against her nose just to be an irritant. Then she would wake up and do the same thing she would do to Tulio: slap him playfully and tell him to take a hike. Father would then chuckle and do it again five minutes later, and the cycle would continue for sometimes hours on end. Eventually, though, mother would give in just so father would stop harassing her. She missed them…

Chel found herself having to sit down as nausea swept over her, making her feel dizzy and disoriented. She rubbed her stomach and laid back against the chair, hoping her stomach bug would go away. If there was one thing she looked forward to during the end of the week, it was spending the day with Tulio; not feeling well took away those moments with him. He worked five days each week for sometimes the entire day, and the only time she had with him was the weekends.

Tulio glanced at her, noticing the discomfort on her visage and how she almost appeared green. His brows met in a furrow, and questioned, "Are you feeling all right, Chel?"

"I honestly don't know anymore," she said in annoyance, her eyes darting from her lap to his presence. "Is it bad to feel like this every morning for a long period of time?"

"I'm not sure," he replied. "I'm starting to get worried about this. How long has it been since it began, a month?"

"That's about right." She rubbed her stomach in hopes of the aching subsiding. "I've also been feeling very bloated and uncomfortable lately." Chel, being the typical woman she was, couldn't help but glance at her figure. She indeed looked slightly larger due to the bloating, but it didn't appear too noticeable to her relief. However, the nausea didn't fluctuate much at all for the time she's been having the symptoms and it did not cease any less. Tulio, as always, sensed there was something wrong. "Are you sure you don't want to see a doctor?"

"Tulio, we've discussed this; it's only a little upset stomach. The doctor won't have anything to offer us other then rest… and I don't want to rest. This is the only time I can spend the day with you and I'm not going to let some silly stomach bug get in the way again."

Tulio hinted a smug smile. "That would be simpler if I didn't have a job." While he attempted at making himself an omelet he nursed his cigar nonchalantly.

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, stop complaining."

"I have a right to," he said. "Cortes is an asshole and you keep me on a tight leash so I don't skip out for one day, god forbid I go to the local pub..."

"No way am I going to let you get near any more drugs to feed your habit. And I felt you getting a job would be so much more beneficial considering we weren't doing very well to begin with by stealing and gambling. It's fun, but it's not helping. You lost your touch. And no, rubbing your loaded dice against your armpits is not considered good luck for anybody."

Tulio raised his eyebrows in surprise, exaggerating his features to make his statement humorous. "It is most definitely lucky!"

"It wasn't last Thursday."

With nothing else to fight off her remarks with, he only chuckled and finished his omelet. As much as he hated to admit it, things were getting tougher for gambling recently. Apparently the sailors have gotten smarter, and so have most of the people in the area. With no sign of him or Miguel for the past year while they were in El Dorado, Spain most likely considered them dead or fled the city under the guards' notice. From that, people probably try to be much more vigilant about whom they play with and whether or not the game they play is a scam. Cheating was harder, thanks to Spain raising awareness.

Chel said, "You know I'm only forcing you to get a job because I love you, right?"

Tulio pretended to think, letting his finger curl around his chin and ruffle his goatee. "Nah, I think you just like to control me. You want me to become a traditional Spanish man and settle down so you can tame me, and that's all you want."

Chel's face grew serious, wanting to slap the confident little grin off of his face. "I was serious, Tulio… because I do love you, and you know that."

He stopped what he was doing and looked at her, his expression bewildered. Somehow he felt that whatever she referred to was a step that she was willing to take in their relationship… and it scared him. He didn't want to know what it was, or let it be confirmed on whether or not his suspicions were correct. Right now… all he wanted was just the two of them. Together. Alone. No one but them.

He gulped down air, forgetting he was hungry. "Well… I love you, too. I hope you know that."

She smiled the smile he loved most. "I do."

The two then sat in an uncomfortable silence as the last words of their conversation lingered in the room… torturing them. Chel wouldn't say they were inappropriate, but they felt odd in the presence of Tulio. How could two little words be so mortifying and awkward? Why did I say such a thing? The silence continued for many minutes, with the only sounds coming from the cigar Tulio continued to suckle on.

She got up carefully from her chair as her boyfriend picked at his cold breakfast with a lack of enthusiasm. "Well… um… I plan to go back to bed," she said from a distance.

"You going to rest for a while?"

"Yeah, I still feel a little queasy," she said flatly.

"All right…" Tulio said, feeling rather stupid and uncomfortable, not making eye contact. "Goodnight."

She nodded slightly and said nothing, and walked to her bedroom slowly as if she expected him to call her back and talk. But, like she thought, he remained silent. She found it saddening to think he wouldn't spit out how he was feeling by now, but she let him decide his own emotional state.

I do.

He let the simple words roll around in his skull. Chel certainly didn't mean anything by it, but Tulio couldn't help but want to repeat the words over and over and over again in his head with the mental image of himself putting a ring on her finger. Just picturing it in his mind frightened him; such a commitment was uncalled for, and not to mention scary.

She called from the bedroom, "Get rid of that damn cigar!"

"I can't have one day to—"

"No."

"Shit."

Into the trash bin the cigar went.

Chel rubbed her stomach as she lay in bed as awake as ever. As much as she probably needed the sleep to rest, she couldn't bring herself to fall into a dreamless slumber. All she felt was the pain in her belly and the million different thoughts that plagued her mind.

Her sister told her once how mother felt before she was born. She was old enough to know about the subject, and when little innocent Chel popped the question her sister went on to explain. She told of how mother felt in the beginning: the vomiting, the constant feeling of being sick and bloated, and overall feeling downright awful. She remembered feeling scared when learning how mother had a large, swollen belly for many months before her arrival into the world. Because of her fear her older sister used to pester and irritate her with it by referencing it into any conversation they would have, but it never stopped her fascination. She asked questions, she learned of things that every woman would go through in her life, and how there was no way to escape it no matter how hard she would try.

What she knew now was that this new emotion she was feeling was the same fear she felt as a little girl. She feared for the unknown, but she knew why she felt nauseated. She wasn't stupid. She only faked just so Tulio wouldn't worry. Tulio…

What would he think? He'd take it too hard. He'd worry about so many things that would only come naturally to him when the time was right. She knew him, and she knew such things were impossible to hide. Soon she'll end up like her mother before she was born, and the signs would be too obvious to ignore; he'd know everything in an instant.

But she had to tell him. There was no point in hiding it… because there was nothing she could do to stop their offspring from growing. Their baby would be born, whether they liked it or not.

Late afternoon came that Saturday, and the sun began to set with the humidity in the air still present. The air was just as sweet as it was in the morning, and each breath of it nurtured her very being. The wind blew in her hair, giving her goose bumps as night was drawing near. Chel was even more fearful as she procrastinated most of the day. Tulio was in the other room counting his share of money from his first month working with Cortes, and with each minute that she didn't talk to him the more nervous she became. She expected a horrific reaction, with him about ready to have a heart attack from how scared he would be. Chel hoped that he would take it better than what it sounded like in her mind, despite doubting it.

"Tulio?" she called quietly, feeling too meek to speak louder. She walked into their bedroom to find him on the bed with a bucket and coins spread out over the covers. He turned around to find her standing in a diffident position, her arms hidden behind her back and her smile weak yet friendly. He returned the same weak grin, probably feeling just as unpleasant about their previous conversation that morning. "Hi…"

Her voice was adorable to him; hearing it sound so shy with a tiny smile was the cutest thing in the world to him. "Hello."

End of conversation. The silence once again grew... like their own child. Slowly, yet surely, the uncomfortable drone of nothingness became too unbearable to ignore. The dark-haired Spaniard only sat like his girlfriend stood, in an unbearable position to speak up. Say something, you imbecile. Reluctantly, Tulio found his voice. "I'm… sorry if I caught you off guard this morning. Or offended you. At all."

Chel did an indifferent shrug. "Don't apologize for something you didn't even do. I'm the one who said it, you know."

"I know."

More silence. It was killing the both of them, as if the anticipation was going to stifle any kind of conversation that would have been present if it not for the awkwardness of the situation. They didn't want it to be so mortifying, but what happened that morning was something too serious to not feel awkward about. Tulio grew anxious as a life-or-death question kept repeating in his mind while Chel continued to be mentally tortured by the newfound fact that could change their lives.

"Tulio, I—"

"Did you want to get married?"

The blurted question surprised both of them. They stared at one another in shock and disbelief, as if such a question was unheard of.

Chel looked at him with concern, wondering what kind of messed up thoughts must be running through that daunting skull of his. She honestly didn't know if she could reassure him of her answer. Tulio… it's not like that.

"I… I don't know," she spoke softly. "Did you?"

Tulio found himself scratching the back of his neck out of anxiety, turning his irritated skin a bright red. "Uh…"

What should I say? No? But that would hurt her feelings! She wouldn't love you anymore. Think, you idiot! Open your mouth and say something intelligent!

As always, silence followed. Tulio didn't know what kind of answer he should come up with. Saying no would mean losing Chel… but if he said yes, he would lose his mind. He didn't know if he was ready, or if she was ready, for marriage. He may not know what goes on in her head, but he knew she and him were not prepared in the slightest. They may be in love, but they were in no way going to join together in holy matrimony... for the moment, at least. Not while Tulio could barely live with himself.

Chel saw how he kept fighting himself for an answer to her question, watching with interest as his eyes kept darting from side to side, his expression fearful and unsure. He was worrying himself to death about nothing, and she quickly butted in and sat down next to him. She grabbed onto his hand and held it in her lap, his eyes looking into her dark ones as if she had all the answers to his confusion. She smiled knowingly.

"Honey… don't beat yourself up for it, okay?" she told him.

"But I—"

"Marriage is something we haven't even considered yet."

"I know, I know… but I thought you—"

"— would go too fast?"

He nodded. "We're not ready, Chel."

"I realize that… and I honestly did not intend for us to consider it." She started rubbing his hand, attempting to ease his nerves and let him relax. Even as she held his hand she could feel his pulse sky-rocket. She had no idea he was this uneasy. "I just wanted to let you know that things are not going to change between us. If we don't want to marry, then it doesn't mean we don't love each other… all right?"

She felt his heart beat slowly decrease. While a good sign, she wasn't sure if Tulio was at the point of finally calming down and easing his apprehension. He grasped her hand that held his, gently squeezing it as he sighed. "We thought too much into it, didn't we?"

Chel snorted a laugh. "We? More like you thought too much into it."

Tulio stuck up his nose in mock defiance. "God forbid I care about our relationship."

Both smiled at each other, yet felt guilty for expressing such up-lifting behavior while they still felt unsettled. Chel could easily sense that he was still very apprehensive about everything that was probably running through his troubled mind. If anything she wanted to be sure that he was all right. The news she was going to deliver would be enough to kill him, and calming him down for the time being was crucial.

C'mon, Tulio, don't sit here looking like an impassive vegetable. Be romantic… get your mind off of this; give your girlfriend the attention she deserves. Go on, man, do it!

Tulio made up his mind, and put on a dashing smile. "Chel…"

She felt his breath against her skin. "Yes?"

"This is going to be random and sappy… but you look absolutely ravishing this evening…" he told her, a flirtatious smirk forming on his lips, exposing his teeth. He knew she loved his flirtatious smirk, so what better way to change the subject?

"You're such a tease."

"You know you want me."

Chel couldn't help herself. She giggled like the airhead she felt she was whenever he flirted with her. As much as she needed to talk to him, she also wanted to give him some attention; choosing when hormones were involved was such a bitch. Meanwhile, Tulio still attempted to win her over. If there was one thing he could do to escape his fears… it was sex. Thankfully it would be all too easy, because Chel usually appeased.

Before she would say anything else to ruin his mood, he clashed his lips to hers and wrapped his arms around her in attempt to forget their conversation. For once he was the seductress, and ravenous. His tricks were working, because Chel melted into him like she always did to get himself out of trouble. Victory was his.

He was sure he could make her forget… because he desperately needed to do the same. Who cared about the future? Who cared about marriage? Their relationship mattered the most for the time being, as well as the bond they needed to tie into a tight knot to avoid any severed strings. Tulio didn't want to think about the bewildering emotions he felt whenever marriage was mentioned, and instead drowned it in sweet lust. It was his only chance.

Chel knew Tulio was awfully benign with her on many occasions, and how she gave into his charm and rich blue eyes, but she still felt that the affection she received and gave was too forced to be real hunger. But, at the same time, did she care? It's been the first time in a very long time since he started being so clingy with her; she might as well enjoy it. Still… when she had the moment, she needed to speak before she would be lost into the same spell she found herself in every time they linked together.

They soon lay next to one other in bed, with Tulio's lips to her forehead and Chel's body pressed up against his. Her hands snaked down the front of his breastbone, feeling the warmth on his chest as she listened to him respire. Tulio knew he was winning. It was a battle he couldn't afford to lose.

Just to be sure he had her right where he wanted her, he nipped at her neck and proceeded to pet, and to his relief heard her stir slightly before laying her head back as if to sleep. He lightly kissed her forehead, just for one final touch to his scheme. For someone like herself that shared his form of intellect, it was almost too easy to practically hypnotize Chel like a Cobra to its piper. He couldn't help but want to flirt with her some more, just for his own enjoyment.

"It'll be just the two of us, Chel…" he told her quietly, smiling to himself with half-shut eyelids as he planted another kiss. "Me… you… and no one else. Wouldn't it be wonderful to escape like this all the time?"

Wincing at his words, the El Dorado native touched the spot that contained their offspring and swallowed. As much as she wanted to be silent and continue to stage their pleasurable facade, it needed to be said. She summoned all the courage she could muster.

"Tulio…" she began, with a small smile. Blue eyes as fathomless as the ocean stared back at her, waiting for her to continue. She grasped one of his hands with her dainty ones and brought his hand down to her stomach; letting his warm fingertips touch her belly. He still appeared confused, as she expected, but as she continued to stare into his eyes with her chocolate ones, she witnessed them widen out of realization.

"I have a feeling that we're not going to be the only ones in this little house anymore," she softly told him, rubbing his cheek. Even with her soothing, he remained in his stoic state as he slowly rubbed her growing stomach. She couldn't tell if he was happy or disappointed about their child, but the anticipation wasn't helping.

Finally, for what felt like hours, he said quietly, "Are you sure?"

She only bobbed her head, hoping her small smile and gleam in her eyes would make him more comfortable. As nervous as she was for becoming a first-time parent, Chel felt excited for the arrival of their baby. Even though suspecting emotions with Tulio brought her down on the subject, she deep down was ecstatic. To this day the idea of giving birth to something that was literally apart of her drove her fascination. She kept picturing herself holding the tiny creature that would be her son or daughter… feeling its soft little fingers and knowing that he or she would depend on her for the rest of her life. She was only one month into the pregnancy and already she considered the possibilities.

Was she dreaming? What she saw next was a small, and visibly present, smile on that man's lips, and all she wanted to do was jump for joy. He still looked confused, and he still looked unsure… but she didn't care; he approved. That little grin was more then she had hoped for from him. The smile was weak, and it wasn't the usual smile that she would expect from the typical happy Tulio, but all that mattered was that things were going to get better. She knew it would.

She couldn't contain herself anymore. Chel hugged him tightly; making sure that he'll stay by her side and never let her go. She felt that there was finally going to be a chance for her to move on. She was no longer the tiny little girl back in those lush jungles of her homeland… but a woman. A woman that would take her mother's place as the next young parent to continue her heritage… with no crazy priests to destroy that chance. She would finally have a life of her own, and no one would tell her otherwise. She couldn't wait to see the little face that she desperately wanted to feel and stroke… because he or she would be theirs. It would be the most beautiful thing she would ever lay eyes on.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

His eyes shot open with a startle. All there was were the crickets outside and the moon shining high in the sky as Chel slept soundly next to him, the covers framing her body perfectly; what could have possibly woken him up from such a peaceful environment?

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Then came the same rhythm and the hard, forceful banging. Tulio eventually figured out that all the noise was coming from their front door, and before he could have a second thought the banging came again, only it was done at a faster pace. He yawned mutely, noticing that the moon in the sky was nearing the horizon. It was nearly dawn and whoever was at the door was bothering him now?

Silently he got up from his bed to watch with amusement as his girlfriend stirred slightly, making herself comfortable before drifted back to sleep from the shifted weight. It didn't take long for the banging to start up again, making Tulio all the more peevish. Whoever the asshole was that woke him up from his sleep better have something good to say.

Stiff and drowsy, Tulio walked out of the bedroom and into the kitchen area, scratching his back, and took his time to reach the door; he might as well piss off the idiot that disturbed him by taking his leisurely time to simply turn the doorknob. Eventually, he reached the door and opened it to find – absolutely nothing.

Tulio just stared. He got up for this? Must be those damn kids again. He shut the door, letting another yawn escape his mouth before making his way back to his bedroom. However, the creaking of his front door stopped him dead in his tracks. Whoever was at the door now was clearly irritating him. All he wanted was sleep and this buffoon was an obvious pest. He slowly turned around lazily to find something he did not expect.

What stood in the doorway was the silhouetted figure of an older man, possibly in his fifties or sixties, his face hidden from the darkness that surrounded him. Tulio squinted with his heavy eyes to get a better look at the person at his door, but the night was too black for his identity to be revealed.

The man looked upwards at Tulio without moving his head, and somehow Tulio could only see the white of his eyes… how they seemed familiar. They were dark, cruel-looking eyes that could send shivers down anyone's back… even Cortes, possibly. None other part of his face was revealed other then his eyes, and soon a very curled, almost dashing smile spread across the person's face; the kind that not only made one's skin crawl, but had the potential to fool those that were gullible and naïve. It made him look almost deranged, making Tulio all the more frightened at whoever was going to enter his home. And he had the feeling that the wide, creepy smile looked almost too much like his own.

"Tulio…"

His voice. It burned into Tulio's ears, making his heart pound in his chest at how afraid he suddenly became. The sound of his vocals were deep and menacing, yet at the same time could be distinguished for a warm, comforting tone. It was a voice he wished he would no longer hear, at least not in his lifetime. He didn't want to remember; yet the haunting memories came flooding back in monsoon-sized portions. He was frozen with extreme terror.

"Tulio…" the man spoke again, this time in a beckoning tone, as if he wanted Tulio to approach him. "Daddy's home..."

What Tulio saw next made him scream, because what the man held in his hand, his fingers hidden in thick blonde locks, was Miguel's decapitated head.

"… and he brought dinner."

Tulio awoke suddenly, startled and still laying in bed, his body doused in a cold sweat. He found himself breathing fast, his heart beating rapidly in his ears as the man's words continued to drone in his head. He put a shaking hand to his head, rubbing his eyes to clear any remaining thoughts from his nightmare, focusing on getting some rest. Every time he shut his eyes, however, all he saw was the blank, lifeless stare from his partner's wan face and grayish-green eyes. It made him feel all the more nauseated, and he could almost feel bile creep up his throat. He tossed and turned in bed, fighting his desire to go outside. He needed to stay in bed. He needed to forget. It was the past… why should he worry?

Fuck this!

Tulio retreated to the kitchen jittery and more awake then he wanted to be. He looked out of the window, seeing the moon in the same position as it was in his nightmare… and he somehow felt that the man was going to arrive at his door again and this time drag him to Hell. He simply stood there, shaking, fighting with his conscience, and telling himself that he was all right.

You can do this. You can do this. Whatever you do, don't reach into the drawers. Don't give into them…

He tried to focus on other things; he thought of Chel, he thought of the good memories with Miguel, and the times that he enjoyed most in his life, but his fears swallowed him whole. Tulio couldn't do it. One glance at his front door drove him mad. He felt physically sick.

He practically ripped open the drawers, searching for the one thing that he could use to escape his thoughts. After hopeless minutes of digging he found a large pack of cigars hiding deep in the drawer closest to the hallway. After more digging he eventually found a single match, lit it up, and to his body's relief was able to breathe in the familiar toxins he still considered a guilty pleasure. With each long inhale he took, the butt glowed an angry red in the blue lighting. He inhaled quickly, wanting the thoughts to go away, and proceeded to feed his body with poison once more.

Tulio wanted to kick himself for reverting back to old habits, but he couldn't stop himself. He couldn't deal with the pain any longer… and the only way was to drown it with smoke. He felt it cloud his thoughts, and he could feel himself drifting off, but it only covered up the lingering emotions in the back of his mind instead of eliminating them. Not even cigars could get rid of the demon-like eyes, its smile grinning back at him beckoningly… and he didn't even want to remember his voice, nor did he care. All he knew was that the man that held Miguel's head was a monster and there was nothing he could do to escape the facts.

I fucking killed him.

He simply sat there on the ground, his head hanging with dark strands of his hair dangling in his eyes as he forced another puff from his cigar. Spluttering and coughing, he shut his droopy eyes and attempted to sleep with the ache burning in his chest. Somehow he couldn't bring himself to walk back to bed and lay side-by-side with Chel. It would hurt her to see him in such a sorry state, and the few month's worth of time trying to break him would be a useless effort on her part… and she would give up on him. Abandon him. And then he'll have nobody. The only person he would have left was the man that haunted his every waking thought.

Tulio let tears slide down his face, the same kind he'd been trying to hold back for almost two years. Whimpers almost instantly turned into mute, pathetic sobs. His mouth was agape, trying to take in air with his damaged lungs like a fish out of water as he failed to gain control of his emotions. It was over; he finally broke down and let himself go. And like he expected, it didn't help the problems at hand one bit. In a sense, crying only made it ten times worse.

Chel caught a scent of something strong and rancid, waking her up to find that Tulio wasn't in bed beside her. She let out an exasperated sigh. I have got to think of better hiding places.

She sat up and quietly made her way out of the bedroom, the noisome odor growing stronger as she reached the kitchen. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, trying to see her boyfriend in order to scold him once more. Chel expected him to do this, considering he's done it a million times before; he would do anything to feed his addiction, even if it meant irritating the hell out of her by sneaking cigars in the middle of the night. At the same time, it also worried her. For months she'd been trying to wean him off of them by keeping a closer eye on him, but so far his desire to smoke only grew stronger; he even started experimenting with alcohol a few times she'd caught him.

Once she could focus her eyes, however, the image in front of her was very different from what she expected. The typical scene would be Tulio attempting to smoke as many cigars as he could near the front door before she would wake up and drag him back to bed… yet she finds him hunched on the floor, his visage a look of pain. She questioned him.

"Tulio…?"

He jumped from the sound of her voice, giddy and nervous. He didn't want her here. He didn't want her presence. He was too proud to admit that he was embarrassed for what he felt about everything.

"What the hell are you doing?" she said, her voice rising. "How many times must I do this with you?"

Despite how much she hated it, he nursed the cigar right in front of her simply because he knew was weak. Please… just go away, Chel.

"Tulio, answer me!" she demanded. "You were doing so well. What's going on with you?"

He continued to cry, and his attempts to quiet his hiccupping eventually solved every question that Chel had. With careful movements, she sat on top of her legs on the cold floor and went into a state of pure sympathy. Tulio, sensing her close contact, took the opportunity to be consoled. He felt her hands travel down his back and rub his face, taking advantage of the fact that his girlfriend was willing to support him.

She waited. For minutes he stayed in the same position, coughing and crying and vise versa, and the only thing she wanted was for him to feel better. Things were finally starting to come around for them, and she knew they were… yet she finds that they're back to square one. Tulio was once again a mess, and she was the one trying to reason with him. Thankfully she noticed how his weeping had dwindled, and the only thing she could do was be patient until he was able to explain.

"… Do you want to talk about it?"

Tulio forced back tears that he knew were going to come when he tried to describe his torturous nightmare. He didn't know if he should just tell her what was wrong straight off instead of bringing up the horrible memories that resurfaced, but whatever the case may be he needed to say something. He knew Chel couldn't take much more of his sorrow. He decided to say nothing, hoping Chel was smart enough to figure it out by herself. She was an intelligent young woman; she can scrutinize it on her own. The only thing he really wanted was close contact and a chance to let his pride be benched.

"It's about the baby… isn't it?"

He shot up, quick and brief. His dark eyes stared back at her with upmost guilt. Chel had the feeling that she hit a sensitive spot.

"Chel… Chel, no," he told her. "Please don't think that."

"Well, you didn't seem enthusiastic…"

"I know!" he nearly shouted, making her jump.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, hoping that in some small way she could squeeze answers out of him. "Then tell me why you acted the way you did. I'm not a mind-reader, Tulio."

Somehow he was mute. Once again he had the desire to escape, but Chel had none of it. Inside he felt the need to explode… and if he didn't get space soon he knew he'd go crazy. He ripped himself away from her, walking to the other side of the kitchen and tried to think of a logical and reasonable answer to her question. Chel looked on slightly hurt, but remained silent.

"Chel… I just can't take it anymore," he said quietly.

She was at the edge of her seat. He was almost there. Little did she know that he was a ticking time bomb. "Tulio—"

He exploded. "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" With his hands buried deep in his hair Tulio frantically walked back and forth in a small spot in the room, trying his best to think without losing his mind. "I can't live with the fact that he'll always be there watching me and expecting me to do things the way he wants to do them!"

"Tulio, wha—"

He grasped onto her shoulders, practically deranged. "He stalks me. He may not be here physically but I know he still lurks around me. He plagues my thoughts every night. Inside he tells me what to do. It's crazy, I know, but no matter what I do I keep thinking about it!"

"Thinking about what? Tulio, what the hell is going on with you?"

Again that look of pain went across his features, making Chel uncomfortable. She couldn't believe the picture that was being painted in front of her: Tulio's unstable emotions and gesticulatory actions, and his failed attempts to restrain himself. It had to be the most frightening thing she'd ever see from him. Never has she seen him so out of control; usually he'd stay calm in troubling situations in order to think of a solution to solve the problems, but at that moment he was a panicked mess. He did worry too much for his own doing, sure, but for someone like him, his state of mind that was playing out in front of her was incomprehensible.

He only stared, fresh tears running down his face. Slowly he released his grip on her, shrinking back down to the ground and hungrily taking in more smoke. Only did she pull it away did he stand back up to face her. His expression was full of desire, the same she's been seeing on him too many times. His frenzied hair made him look all the more yearned.

"Chel, don't do this to me, just-"

"Tell me."

She heard a very solid gulp, as if he was swallowing a mouthful of water. He reached, missed, reached again, and then missed.

Chel rolled her eyes so hard that she wouldn't be surprised if they popped out of her head. "Tulio, don't you fucking dare start this again. Goddamnit, why can't you tell me what the hell is wrong?"

"Because I can't!"

"Why?"

"You'll hate me…"

"For telling the truth?"

Tulio, panicked and on the verge of insanity, couldn't contain himself much longer. The only thing he could do was somehow reach out to her… and he did. The next thing he knew he could smell her hair as it brushed past his face while her arms made their way across his back, bringing him close as he tried to calm himself down through the touch of her velvet-soft skin. The congested, tormenting thoughts and feelings that he couldn't get out of his brain literally drove the dark-haired Spaniard into a state of madness. And yet… a part of him needed to speak.

"… I won't make a good father, Chel."

"Honey," she told him, rubbing his cheek, "don't say such things…"

"But I know I won't!"

"You'll know what to do when the time comes."

"That's what I'm afraid of…"

Chel shushed him, continuing to console him the best she could. "I don't mean to be so clueless, Tulio, but… what is there to be scared of?" She almost forced him to hold her gaze, longing for answers. "I know it's nerve-wracking… but in the long run I know you'll be someone that our child will look up to someday… and he or she would be proud to call you his or her father."

"I… I just don't want to end up like-" He let out a sigh, trying to explain things in a way that could get the memories off of his chest.

Is he referring to…?

Chel thought hard, trying to remember what he told her once. Somehow one little detail that foreshadowed his demise seemed to stand out at her, forcing her to believe Tulio's overthinking was caused by a single fact that he for some reason believed despite all the comforting and consoling given to him:

"I dreamed of riches, and having gold and jewels overflow down my hands so I can have whatever I pleased with no one to tell me what I could and couldn't do, and getting so wrapped up in it for so long… I feel like such a fool, because I was turning into him. I wanted everything, like power and control, just like he did. What else did I know?"

"What else did I know?"

It hit her.

"Tulio… Tulio, look at me, honey." She took his face in her small hands, while he placed his own on hers with a look of upmost sadness. "Let me tell you something, Tulio. No matter how much you think you're a horrible person for having someone like your adopted father raise you… don't let him hold you back. Don't let him come back in your thoughts and corrupt the person that I love and adore, because it's not who you are, and you know that! I don't understand how such things can drive you to insanity the way it did… but I know that no matter how much you'll doubt yourself everything will turn out the way it should be…

"… And the man I love right now is not a malevolent being, not a violent killer, or deranged monster. What you don't seem to realize in your distress is that he's controlling you right now. As you continue to think of yourself in such horrible ways, what are you doing? You're decaying and willing to believe such nonsense… and getting sicker and sicker. The more you belittle yourself, the more likely you'll be like him, whoever the fuck that bastard is.

"Please… don't believe it, Tulio. It's a vile trick. It's a trick to make you sink into a deeper and deeper depression which is exactly what that man wants you to do so he can destroy the rest of your willpower... and drag you down. As much as he abused you, and as much as he deceived you so he can fulfill his selfish desires… that won't mean that you'll do the same things. When our child his born… I wholeheartedly promise you that our child will not have a single scratch on its body, because you will not hurt a single hair on his or her head.

"All I want from you now is to believe everything I say and get that disgusting, repulsive, brainwashing garbage out of your head right now!" A hard slap against his face practically snapped Tulio out of his tensed state, staring at her in disbelief at her actions along with a noticeably red cheek. He could only impassively stare at her, his chest heaving with her face serious and her lips a thin line. Chel tried her best to hold back tears, because seeing him hurting in such a gruesome, torturous way was enough to send her on a murderous rampage.

Tulio, swallowing the pool of saliva forming in his mouth and relieving his parched throat, couldn't believe his very eyes at Chel's own words and reaction to his madness. He felt mentally fatigued, and too drained to argue with her. He could only feel even more apologetic for putting her in such a situation that would make her hurt just as much as he was. Immediately he wrapped her in his arms, knowing that Chel was letting her emotions out in a silent fury.

"I'm… I'm so sorry, please-"

"Shh." Chel looked up at him, with fresh tears in her hazel eyes. "Just stay with me. It's all I ask, Tulio. Don't destroy yourself anymore. I just… I just don't want to lose you."

The only thing he could do to reassure her abandonment issues was to give her a smile and lift his spirits up just enough to make his eyes sparkle. He knew she loved his eyes when he was smiling, and with better thoughts in his mind he lifted her up to kiss her affectionately, just to show her that he cared for her as much as she seemed to care for him.

For a while, like their similar emotional roller coaster two months earlier, things were silent as the two of them sat down on the floor while in each other's grasp, hands intertwined and heads touching. The only thing they wanted to do was stay in contact, knowing that when they had each other then everything would melt away and efface from existence.

Tulio said, ever so quietly with a sigh, "My dream was about him returning to my door."

Chel appeared to have stirred from her peaceful embrace with her boyfriend, looking at him worriedly in case he'll start becoming panicky at the mention of his nightmare.

"He was taunting me to come to him… with his menacing glare and wide smile that would be horrifying enough to make Cortes run for the hills. He was holding Miguel's head."

She said nothing, and only rubbed her stomach while pondering on the thought of their baby being born later in the year. She hoped Tulio was better about it.

Noticing her movements, he placed his own hand on her belly, rubbing it gently and somehow imagining a soft kick on his fingertips. As worried as he was before, he also felt so unbelievably proud. Here he was, two years after what he used to call his life before Miguel passed away, and his son or daughter was less then eight months away from being brought into the world. He couldn't wait to see his girlfriend hold the infant in her arms, the child glancing up at him with large, curious eyes and seeing him not only as another human being, but also as his or her father. His heart warmed at the thought of it. He smiled to himself. "I wish Miguel was here to see our child."

Chel placed a kiss on his cheek. "He'd be so proud of you, honey."

"Soon he'll joke and say that he's an uncle, then parade around town declaring that the next Jesus Christ will be born."

Chel laughed out loud. "That sounds like Miguel all right. Only he would do that, but he'll do it out of pride… because his best friend will have a son to look after."

"Yeah… he loves kids. He was always so good with them…" Chel noticed his mind seemed to drift, which she considered very dangerous. His expression was slightly sad, but most likely because of Miguel's absence.

She nudged him. "Hey. Don't think such things. He's still with you in spirit."

"He seemed so jealous of our relationship."

"Why? Is it because of this?" At that, Chel wrapped her arms around his neck and tenderly brushed her lips against this.

Tulio pretended to think. "Nah."

She slapped him playfully, feeling better now that Tulio was starting to become flirty and suggestive while stealing a few feather-light kisses on her neck before getting herself off of the floor.

"Come on, now, lover boy… let's get back into bed."

"You read my mind."

She giggled, separating himself from his grasp and making her way to the bedroom with Tulio following close behind. "You horny bastard."

"You wouldn't love me any other way."

The two disappeared into the bedroom, shutting the door behind them.

/

A/N: I hope this was better than the first chapter, as depressing as it was, and that the romance between these two was much more real. While I did make my point across already in the first chapter and the grief in here was hopefully just as powerful and/or interesting, I wanted to input some humor at the end here to get a last laugh, not that it's very funny anyway but whatever :P It's mostly perverted if anything lol

I'm still debating on whether or not I should make a third chapter for this, but I feel it would overdo the story a bit. It's already stretched out enough, so this is probably the end, as horrible as the ending was written XD What was I thinking? "Yeah, Draco, let's end a story that hints of them having sex because that's just so hilarious! 8D"

Whatev. Its done, out of the way, and I can get on with my life! (Wait… did I have one to begin with?)