204 Cole's Sixteenth Birthday 4

"I think I'll take the shower first," he said and dug the fork in the smoked chicken. Cole dashed inside the tiny bathroom that had just one showerhead. His massive frame barely fitted inside, but his joy knew no bounds. He scrubbed off every tiny sand particle from his body, washed his hair with a lot of shampoo and then dried himself off with a fluffy towel. He came with the towel wrapped around his waist and with his wet hair looked nothing short of a Greek God. 

Quetz was in the kitchen preparing yet another dish. Cole helped himself with every food on the table, feeling so hungry that he could eat for his team. Quetz joined him a few minutes later. The satisfaction, the joy and the happiness – they all were like his sunshine. He enjoyed being in the moment, being in the present and allowed the bliss to become intense. He had woken up from the nightmares as negative emotions emptied and his soul yearned to look forward to spending the time with the boy in front of him. 

Until midnight… 

"How long are you here?" he asked looking at the sizzle plate. 

"I have to go back before midnight."

"Why so early? Stay back until tomorrow. I can take you around the town." Don't go so early, please… 

Quetz shook his head. "I have to. That's the time I am allowed to live here." 

Cole stopped eating. "Allowed? As in? You are speaking as if you are a slave of someone!" 

Quetz continued to eat. Yes… He was the slave of his birth, of the enchanted forests and realms, and of the Aztec Kingdom. What could he say? He couldn't reveal his identity to a human. That was against the protocols of the fantasy world. The treaty signed between the creatures of his world and the humans thousands of years back was rock solid and any breach would lead to serious repercussions. It was difficult. He was too young and his experience was limited to his rider. She had to discover her magic and enable him with that. Yes, it was complicated and he didn't know how much time it would take. So Quetz continued to eat piquillo. 

There was silence between them for a long time. Cole was hesitant in pushing this guy. Even his presence was good for him. 

"Where do you live?" he asked after a while in order to break the awkwardness. 

"Far from here." 

Oh, so that was why he couldn't visit them as often. "Is it possible for you to come to Bainsburgh once in a month?" Cole was too hopeful. Please say yes. Please… His chest tightened with the anticipation of Quetz' answer. Please… 

Cole's lips curled up. He tilted his head as he squinted a little to peer his beautiful arctic blue eyes. This boy knew about his feelings. That was a great start. And here he was wondering how to tell him everything. "I am happy that you know how I feel about you." His confidence shot higher than whatever he had achieved in his life. 

"Any fool can make that out," Quetz said, rolling his eyes. 

Cole chuckled. He wiped his mouth with the napkin and kept it on the table after folding it neatly. "It's not in my control not to be hopeful. I know I may sound crazy but ever since I saw you the last time, things have become difficult for me to handle." His breath hitched. "How do I put it?... I think I am fixated on you against my better judgment…" He stopped looking for signs of annoyance, but there were none. "From the past three weeks I wanted to meet you desperately. It has affected my life in a way I couldn't even think of." There— he had undone himself in front of the person he felt so strongly about. And now waited for his verdict, his analysis, his acceptance… 

"Would you like to walk on the beach?" asked Quetz after gazing at him for a few seconds. 

Cole was surprised. "Yes! Give me a minute," he replied eagerly. He only had a few hours left with Quetz and he had to make the best out of them. He had to convince him to meet him as often as possible. Even if it was once a month, he was ready for it. 

Cole dashed inside and was surprised to see that the closet had some of his shirts and pants hanging in there. Dawn had prepared the surprise so beautifully. Quickly he wore a blue shirt and black pants, paired with a white sweater, and was out. He found Quetz running his fingers through his hair. His silky, straight emerald hair refused to get roughened by constant raking. 

Minutes later they were walking on the beach. When they had walked for about fifteen minutes in silence, Cole thought if he should coax him to speak something. The sound of the waves crashing on the riverbank emulated the restlessness of his mind. He inserted his hands in the pants pocket only to keep calm. 'Say something Quetz…'

"Cole…" 

"Yes?" Cole immediately was all attentive. 

"I can't promise you anything at this point of time. Mostly, I don't want to get pushed." He had eternity to live. "I will try to meet you as often as I can, but there won't be a guarantee. Things in his world are too complicated." Quetz stopped. He turned to see Cole whose sun-kissed skin under the moonlight was radiant. His bow-shaped lips were plump and he resembled his sister in many ways. Quetz placed his hand on Cole's shoulder. "If you think you can wait, then you might have to wait for a long time and then also I am not sure if this will work out."