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Antonio glanced up from his sewing and balked at the time.
He'd lost track of time from the hypnotic push and pull of the humming machine. The thoughtless movement and droning sound that lulled him into a peaceful lull.
It wasn't late late, but if Antonio wanted a good 9 hours he'd better get ready for bed ASAP.
Heading into their shared bedroom he found Ryan leaning over Miss Molly’s enclosure, entranced by her, predictably.
“Hey cariño, we gotta get ready for bed. It's already 9.”
“I… I can't,” Ryan answered, his voice trembling with emotion, breaking.
Antonio's voice catches. Oh god, he knew iguanas lived awhile, but he also knew Ryan had had Miss Molly for a long time. He braced himself and peeked over Ryan’s shoulder to see Miss Molly cradled in his hands.
“Oh goddess, I'm so sorry, is she…?” He says, his voice just above a breath.
Ryan craned his head, his eyes were filled with tears, tracks staining his cheeks. “She fell asleep in my hands!” He gasps, sniffing loudly as he's overcome with emotion.
Suddenly, Antonio can breathe again and he sags in relief. “Oh my goddess, you scared me. I thought she… passed.”
Ryan's face crinkled in distress. “Don't even say that!”
Antonio ran his hand through his hair. “Well, that's adorable, but we gotta head to bed, so put her back in her enclosure and we can—”
“I CAN'T!” Ryan cries, distressed.
They both flinch at the volume, eyes snapping to Miss Molly who shifts a little, but ultimately settles.
Antonio inhales a long breath. Ryan is incredibly intelligent, but with Miss Molly, his brain turns into mush with how much he loves her, enough that he doesn't think clearly. “Okaaaay. Why can't you?” He shifts so he's beside Ryan leaning over the old girl.
“Because look what happens if I move my hands!” he says, clearly distraught. He does so and as he tries to pull away. Miss Molly wiggles and follows his hands, clearly comfortable and unwilling to move. Ryan glances at him, his lip jutting out in a pout.
“Ryan… you can just move her.”
Ryan gasps, partly exaggerated, but his eyes definitely show real offense. “If a pet falls asleep on you, you don't move! That's the rule!” He says this as if Antonio is suggesting eating her, instead of shifting her half a foot to the left.
“Cariño, I love you, but she won't mind. Sure, she's comfortable, but you can place her in a comfortable place in her enclosure.”
Ryan scoffs at the idea like it's too ridiculous to consider.
Antonio glances at his PDA before he pinches the bridge of his nose. “Ryan. It's already 9:15, you know you need a good 8 hours or you'll get eyebags and snippy.”
Ryan grimaces, “Yeah, you're right, but I can't move her; look, she's so relaxed!”
Goddess forgive me. He thinks before he reaches down and shifts Miss Molly off Ryan's hands and onto the soft floor of her enclosure. She shifts a little but doesn't even open her eyes.
Ryan gasps like he's been shot, hands going to cover his mouth in (mostly) mock horror, but again there's definitely a little hurt in his eyes. “Antonio!”
He sighs, shutting the door and locking it. “I'm sorry cariño, I promise I'll give her an extra big helping of grub tomorrow to make up for it but we need to sleep. I hate it when you're grouchy.” He wraps his arms around Ryan as the other man stands, ducking to kiss his cheek.
Ryan twists his mouth to one side as he looks away. “I can't believe you…” he mutters.
Antonio decides to change tact. “Please, I'm tired and you know I don't sleep well without you. Who knows how long she would have laid there?” He tries his best to look repentant for moving a lizard (not even inconveniencing!!!) “I'm sorry, I swear any other time I would have let you two cuddle as long as you wanted.”
Ryan’s shoulders droop in resignation. “Okay… as long as you're sorry.” He tilts his head up and Antonio leans down to capture his lips.
“I am. Now let's get ready for bed.”