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Antonio huffed as he rolled over for what felt like the thousandth time in his hammock. He’d been tossing and turning every which way but just could not get comfortable. Not that his hammock wasn’t comfortable; he usually loved it, especially how it was big enough to hold him and several of his new friends at once.
Tonight though…
The five year old sat up with a sigh that was close to a whine, his movement causing the coatis sharing his hammock tonight to shift closer without waking up. Clutching the stuffed jaguar Mirabel had made just for him, Antonio gazed around at his recently returned room. It had been so easy to fall asleep the first night he’d gotten it, largely because he’d spent what had felt like hours after the party had officially ended running or swinging around, getting to know each and every animal that had come to take up residence. He dimly remembers curling up with his big jaguar as the lights dimmed down but not completely out; more passing out than falling asleep.
The next night…well…
He’d been more concerned about his family and animal friends than his room, as Casita had fallen down around him.
Rebuilding had taken a whole month and he’d returned to bunking with Mirabel as their neighbors took turns housing the Madrigals. Though it was more like all of the grandkids slept together, sharing a room more often than not. His siblings and primas would claim it was to not take up so much space as guests, but really he thinks they just wanted to be close together.
Not sure why they just didn’t say so, but he always did understand animals better than people. Even before his ceremony.
And as thrilled as he was to have his gift and all of his new friends back–
–It turned out he was less thrilled about his room.
He loved it, he did! It was so cool and had spots where all of his friends could be comfortable.
But it was also really big.
At times it felt like it was even bigger than Casita.
Great for fitting everyone!
Not so great when he was feeling…whatever it was he was feeling.
He hugged his plushie tighter, trying to name the odd space that had appeared in his chest. Kind of like a hole, but with really fuzzy edges and somehow almost heavy in weight.
A snuffle made Antonio turn his head and see his big jaguar, the live one, stretched out on a nearby branch, fast asleep. The branch above had several boas splayed on it. Occupied bird nests could be seen in every direction. He knew without looking down that different mammals would be snuggled in their burrows that were scattered around the base of the massive tree.
He was literally surrounded by his friends and tears came to his eyes as he realized what the feeling in his chest was.
Loneliness.
Antonio sniffled and rubbed his cheek against his plushie, the gentle bumps of the stitching helping a little but not enough. He needed someone.
And he knew exactly who.
Rolling to the edge of his hammock, the youngest Madrigal grabbed a nearby vine and slid down to the floor. A few of his nocturnal friends watched him go, making sure he landed safely, but chose not to follow.
They understood it was not their company he was seeking tonight.
Antonio slowly opened his door, his hair waving as he looked left and right around the second floor balcony. Not seeing anyone he quietly stepped out and closed his door again, plush still clutched to his chest. Tiptoeing he made his way along the pathway, making sure to be extra quiet as he passed in front of Dolores’ door. He knew his sister had probably already heard him if she was awake, but he didn’t want to bother her any more than necessary.
Besides, her’s wasn’t the door he was aiming for.
Reaching his destination, Antonio raised his hand but hesitated before grabbing the doorknob. It was the middle of the night… Could he really just…
The tile until his feet lifted up, forcing him to catch himself with the doorknob. Looking down the boy saw more tiles gently waving him on.
Giving them a whispered thank you and a small smile, Antonio opened the door and peeked his head in.
During reconstruction, although they had done their best to replicate what Casita had been before, it had been a unanimous decision to make some major changes to one room. Looking around the darkness, Antonio was pleased to see their efforts hadn’t been undone with the miracle’s return.
The space he gingerly stepped into was larger than before, but it still held all the comfort it had possessed before, well, everything.
Mirabel’s room.
To Antonio’s right he could just barely make out the massive table and cabinets his prima used for her craft projects, her latest one already splayed across the table: but he was more focused on the left. Tucked away in the far corner, as it had been all his life, was Mira’s bed; though this incarnation was nearly twice as big as the one that used to reside in the nursery. One she could really grow into.
Closing the door with a near silent click, the boy tiptoed to the curled-up form of his prima, stopping just inches from the bed.
“...Mirabel?” he whispered, repeating himself a little louder until she began to stir.
“...Mm? Antonio?” Mirabel murmured, her voice still thick with sleep. Raising herself onto an elbow, she tried to rub the sleep out of her eyes. “Wha’s wrong?”
“I-” Antonio bit his lip, not sure how to properly explain how his jungle room full of animals felt empty and cold compared to the small bed he used to curl up in at night in the old nuresery. How the hole in his chest had to be filled. How he need something but he couldn’t articulate how.
“Toñito?” she asked when the silence dragged on for a moment too long. “Did you have a bad dream?” Antonio shook his head, arms still holding his jaguar in a death grip.
“Could…could I sleep with you tonight? Please?” his eyes felt like they were about to overflow with tears.
Mirabel blinked at her primo, surprised, before she gave him a warm smile and started scooting back towards the wall, lifting up the covers in a silent invitation Antonio was all too happy to accept.
Quick as one of his furry friends, Antonio leapt into the bed and wasted no time cuddling up next to his favorite prima. Mirabel chuckled softly as she tucked the covers around him before pulling him even closer.
“Buenas noches, Toñito,” Mirabel whispered.
“Buenas noches, Mira,” he mumbled back, eyelids already heavy. “Te amo.”
“Love you too.”
Within minutes, the pair were fast asleep. And come morning Casita would make a point of delaying their awakening for as long as possible. It knew Antonio hadn’t been the only one to have trouble falling asleep without their roommate by their side.
Besides, it needed someone else to bear witness to the picture the primos made, curled up together on the elder’s bed; the head of a lovingly handmade jaguar plushie sticking out from between them.