AUTHOR'S NOTES: While not a two-fer exactly, this headcanon DOES tie into another HC where Antonio gets Bruno to do a production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' with the rats and other animals.

Chapter 4: Some Things Never Change

Headcanon: Camilo and Bruno are afternoon nap buddies. The family has often found the two sacked out in some area of the house, usually in sprawled, contorted positions.

Antonio, Camilo, and Bruno hadn't intended to crash on the sofa in the courtyard as soon as they got home from their dress rehearsal in town, but the trio was so exhausted as they entered the casita, that all three fell asleep practically as soon as they sat down.

Camilo had his legs hanging over one arm of the sofa and was using Bruno as a pillow.

Antonio had nestled into his tio's ruana and was out like a light.

Bruno had his head resting on the back of the sofa with one arm protectively around Antonio, both legs stretched out in front of him.

x

A grand production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' had been a goal of Camilo's since he'd first read the play when he was 12, but he'd never managed to talk enough of the townspeople into helping him to pull it off.

Sets were easy enough to build... the same for backdrops. Mirabel had gleefully offered to take care of the costumes but getting people to act and take direction from a child had been the tricky part. Plus, back then, Abuela had stated that there were better - more practical - uses for Camilo's Gift.

With the new miracle, however, Alma Madrigal seemed more willing to encourage her grandson's acting talent and had even suggested conferring with Bruno and Antonio for help getting the production underway.

Antonio became instantly excited and loved the idea of using the coatimundis, capybaras, and rats as actors.

Bruno, on the other hand, needed convincing. Although he was fine occasionally entertaining the other children in town with his rats and personas Jorge and Hernando, putting on a show as Bruno was much less appealing.

But determination and the World's Biggest Puppy-Dog Eyes were two things that Antonio had apparently picked up from living with Mirabel, and Bruno eventually caved.

This particular day, Bruno had surprised his sobrinos with his enthusiasm and eagerness as they went over lines and cues for the animals.

And then... he had begun ad-libbing.

His excitement and energy had led to him improvising his own dialogue and scenes and he darted around, sometimes playing three characters at once.

Antonio and Camilo joined in, of course, but somehow, they were no match for Bruno Madrigal as he was fully immersed in his passions and creativity.

x

The walk home at the end of the day had been filled with animated discussions about the new material and the three even considered taking their dinners up to Camilo's room so they could continue working.

But something happened the moment they walked through the front door, as though the house had drugged them somehow as soon as they stepped foot inside, and the mere idea of going any farther than the courtyard was suddenly too much exertion.

And so, Bruno, Antonio, and Camilo ended up sound asleep as Julieta came into the courtyard, stifling a giggle as she took in the scene.

Instantly, she was reminded of before her brother had disappeared, when he'd be babysitting the kids, and they'd all end up in a pile somewhere taking a nap.

Camilo was a frequent naptime companion for Bruno when he was little, and it seemed as though the two were making up for lost time...

"We should probably wake them up for dinner," Julieta pointed out to Pepa as the two retreated to the kitchen to start the meal.

"Oh, just let them sleep," Pepa replied, waving a hand dismissively. "They've been working so hard on their production. They can get something later if the aromas of your cooking don't wake them up. Besides," she added, a cloud forming above her head as a sad, nostalgic look came over her. "Bruno has a lot of bonding to catch up on." Nodding at her sons and brother, she concluded, "They may be unconscious right now... but you know how much this will mean to all of them."

Julieta certainly couldn't argue with that assessment, and she turned her attentions to culinary matters, still sneaking occasional glances at the trio snoozing away.