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“It was a very long list. He wants strawberries but without the green leafy part, the little floating dried shrimps, the crunchy orange bits that come in that one treat bag but only the orange bits….”
On the list went as they finished the last tank, Captain Jack’s, and Matt was predicting a very pricey trip to the pet store soon. Not that he minded, of course. He enjoyed spoiling his pets, and his boyfriend too, so that also meant a trip to the butcher to get something special for dinner.
After Matt declared cleaning day was finally over, Fidi retreated back to bed. He wanted to snuggle in his electric blanket while Matt took a quick shower.
Fidi was curled up in a neat spiral over top of the blanket when Matt stepped out of the bathroom, and Matt paused for a long moment to admire the adorable sight. He knew a lot of physical activity would tire Fidi out, and it wasn’t unusual for Fidi to need lots of naps.
Matt hoped that Fidi would be too tired from cleaning to sneak out while he was at the store.
He got dressed, grabbed his phone and keys, and tiptoed over to kiss Fidi’s forehead. “Love you, baby.”
Fidi’s eyelids twitched, and he smiled sleepily. “Mm. Love you too.”
“I’m not gonna be gone long.”
“Mmhm.” Fidi stirred. “Okay, baby.”
“I mean it. I’m coming right back.”
“Got it.”
“So, you’re staying put,” Matt said firmly. “You are staying right here until I get back. No more escapes. Okay?”
“Yup. Staying put.”
“I’m going. Where are you going?”
“Nowhere.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Matt couldn’t quite explain why, but he had the funniest feeling that Fidi was going to be gone when he got back. It had been a few weeks since his last daring adventure, so maybe they were overdue for one.
He hoped he was wrong.
While Fidi’s desire to help animals in need was wonderfully endearing, it also terrified Matt worrying about his snake-man boyfriend roaming around outside. Anyone could see him and just snatch him up, someone could try to hurt him or worse, and Matt’s stomach was already in several tight knots by the time he pulled up to the pet store.
He did his best to get everything on Professor X’s list plus a new heat lamp for Captain Jack since his didn’t seem to be working right, and he also grabbed a toy treasure chest. It was meant for a fish aquarium, but he thought Fidi and Captain Jack would both get a kick out of it. After checking out, he headed to his car to stow the goodies in his trunk.
As he walked toward the driver’s-side door to get in, a flashing neon sign grabbed his eye. It was the open sign for a pawn shop that had opened up next to the pet store.
Matt had another funny feeling now—the feeling that he should go inside.
Unsure as to why, he found himself walking over with his keys still in his hand. He’d go in for a quick peek and then get out. He still needed to go by the butcher’s and the grocery store too, so he needed to be fast.
A display in the pawn shop window beneath the gleaming open sign was packed full of a variety of big shiny jewelry. Nestled in the middle of giant diamonds and thick gold bands was somethingspecial.
Something that made Matt really glad he’d come over to see what the pawn shop had to offer.
It was a silver band engraved with two twisting snakes, their heads framing a small green gemstone in the middle. It was the same brilliant shade of green as Fidi’s skin, and Matt knew he had to buy it at once. It was perfect, exactly the kind of ring he could pop the big question with, and—whoa.
Matt took a deep breath.
Was he really thinking of proposing?
To his very not human boyfriend?
