#wally quite literally pouring out his love for barnaby

[krasytoonz]

Love in a box

[browntownalley]

Winner Takes All 4/4

Just as you'd broadcast earlier that week, it started pouring two days later. It was lunchtime, and the rain had come on in a blink, but you loved this kind of weather and had gone for a stroll in a raincoat and an extra mini umbrella in case you met anyone in need.

What you didn't expect to find was Wally Darling, booking it past the pond's cobblestone wall with little more than a small, blank canvas to shield him against the onslaught of droplets. He was already soaked, his hair plastered around frantic, black eyes. A robust clap of thunder made him jump and send the canvas cartwheeling down the hill into the pond with him scrambling after it.

"Hey, Wally!" you called as you made your way over. He hesitated by the literal slippery slope, but didn't seem to hear you over the hiss of the rain.

"You want help?!" You call again once you're next to him. He jumps again, flailing to catch himself once he starts to slip down the hill. He almost got hold of the cobblestone wall until your eyes met. Panicking, he completely missed the wall and tumbled down the slope until a splash of water consumed his body.

The fish had already kidnapped the canvas, and by the time you made your way down they were hovering around the poor soul, looking for anything else to steal. You helped him up out of the mud, checking for any damage, but at the same resisted the powerful urge to laugh at the absolute disaster he'd become. Would an umbrella even help at this point? You spot a few pulled seams, wronkled joints and some twigs sticking through his felt. The show host tried to stand only to half-collapse awkwardly as some parts didn’t quite bend the way they're supposed to.

You asked if he was okay, but Wally was too stunned to say anything. His hands hovered discretely over his face- as if he were trying to hide that he was trying to hide- So you decided not to drag this out and scooped the tinier puppet up into your arms before heading off to the nearest shelter: Eddie's office. 

Eddie opened the door almost immediately and fussed over both of you as you got your coat and shoes off. Wally started to do the same, but his clothes were so plastered, that he struggled to reach them.

"Dont you worry, little fella. I got you." The postman gently slid off Wally's shoes while you plucked leaves, twigs, and clumps of dirt out of his hair. 

"Ah… thank you," he said stiffly to you and Eddie.

"No problem. All of your stitches still in? You're looking pretty rough."

"Ah-" Wally froze again.

"You mind if we borrow your bathroom?" You ask.

"Not at all! Not at all. Make yourselves at home. Tea or hot coco?" Eddie smiled.

"Coco for me, Postmaster!"

"Tea…"

Eddie lead you to the bathroom before going to get your drinks ready. You helped Wally out of his sweater and leave him to remove the button blouse before starting the hot water. Eddie popped by to gather the muddy clothes for the washer, humming a casual tune as he disappeared back down the hall.

Once Wally was in the tub, you got out a brush and shampoo and sat on the tub's ledge behind him. While Wally rubbed the crickles and dirt stains out, you plucked twigs from his shoulders and brushed his hair clean. Once the water was dirty, it was drained out, and you switched to using the shower nozzle to spray the loosened dirt and leftover soap off.  Wally seemed much more relaxed now, sighing under the hot water and leaning into your touch.

"What a day huh? What caught you in the rain?" you asked as you started to play with floppy navy locks.

"Oh, I was talking with Barnaby," he said with some hesitance, "I was coming to see you… But I… got distracted."

"With painting?"

"Ah- Well… yes?" 

You twirled Wally's hair in thought. You knew what it meant for him to suddenly start painting before doing something, but what was he so bothered by? It had been several days of this eggshell business. He'd looked so surprised to see you out by the pond. So scared morelike.

"Choo-Choo!" Eddie appeared at the door with your cups, blower-dried briefs, and a bright smile.

"Thanks, Eddie!" you said as you took your cup and enjoyed a deep whiff of sweet, earthy coco before sipping down the hot liquid.

"Wow, Wally! You're looking brand new already! Y/N's got the golden touch huh?" 

You sip your cocoa innocently, pretending not to notice Wally's cheeks puffing out, another close catch not made any easier by your free hand still stroking his hair.  

"Blow dry? Or would a towel pat do? Nah, its still cold out."  Eddie was already in the bathroom's closet rummaging around. You and Wally left the tub and dabbed off on towels set on the floor.. The show host started pulling on his briefs. Once he looked up you glomped him into a towel, causing him to bark out a laugh as he was held captive in soft, dry cloth. 

You kidnapped Wally to the living room before Eddie can find the blowdryer, leaving a trail of laughter and water as you go. Once the postman caught up he helped dry Wally out more thoroughly, fluffing his felt while you worked on re-tucking pulled stitches and straightening seams, massaging out any excess water with the towel. Just as Eddie was finishing up, the phone by the T.V. rang, and Eddie hopped away from the sofa to answer it. 

"Oh Frank! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to take so long…. Oh! No, I'm alright…" 

While he was on the phone, Wally stayed wrapped up in a towel, a thoughtful smile stuck on his face as he gazed into another cup of tea. Black eyes snuck a glance at you and got stuck as you were already adoring him with your own.

You wanted to pull him in for a tight hug and just cuddle on the couch, but you also wanted to do more than that.

"It shouldn't be too much longer, I'll be over as soon as I can…. I will. Love you lovebug, heheheh." 

The click of the phone hanging up draws Wally’s attention away. Eddie turns to him and you and scratches the back of his head apologetically.

“Ah- I’m sorry guys, but you don’t mind taking care of yourselves here do ya? Wally’s clothes havent been put in the dryer yet, and uh- well I had plans. I really dont want to leave ya in need though.”

Wally perked up a little, answering in an apologetic tone,“Oh, I don’t mind at all, Eddie, we’ll be fine. Thanks for the help.” 

“Anytime! Anytime." Eddie immediately starts to slip his shoes on and grab the large coat, a sparkle in his eye,”Oh, also, it’s still pouring out, feel free to use one of my coats in the closet if you decide to go on your way. No point in getting haggled again. Take care you two!”

With that the postman's boxy frame was out the door. A moment of silence hung in the air before a chuckle to bubbled out of Wally. He covered his mouth with a hand.

“What did you do?” You accused.

“Nothing,” the puppet’s shoulders were still bouncing, but eventually he settled down, and replied with equal parts hesitance and humor, “I… oh… I was terrified to think you'd see me like that, or like this. Especially today. You're both so kind."

His words caught you off guard a bit, and a strike of guilt hit you as you remembered the urge to laugh, but it cleared the moment you realized what he really meant. 

"Oh, psh. You really should get caught in disasters more often, Wall. Especially when I'm around," you teased Wally with a finger under his chin and watched him turn red all over again as he's led to face you, "It's a great excuse for a spa day~" 

"Oh~" Wally sighed softly as you stroked along the curve of his jaw and down his neck. He leaned toward you, eyes fluttering, and you were so ready to do the same until he stiffened and curled away with another nervous noise.

"Ah– I'm naked-?" His tone was laced with scandal, his feet getting sucked up into the towel. 

It was giving you a whiplash of confused frustration.

“I-I actually do want to go back to your place, if you don’t mind,” he admitted, hugging the towel tight around him until he looked like a dumpling. 

Now, you couldn't not adore that.

“Here,” you pull away to take off the t-shirt you wore over your long-sleeve. Wally lets you slip it over his head. It was already big on you, so it was practically a dress on him, but he didn’t mind at all.

“It’s warm,” he smiled, though he shivered. He still didn’t have pants.

"I think we're stuck here," you admit, "At least until your clothes dry." Without another wasted second, you leave to throw the clothes in the dryer, but when you get back, Wally's practically dripping with hopeless disappointment. 

"Neighbor~" you tease, flopping down beside the show host.

He looks at you tiredly, smiling, but not moving.

You cleared your throat, “Neiighboor~”

Wally laughed, and finally crawled over to you before laying his head in your lap. You ran your hand through his thick navy hair, smoothing it into something resembling a style before you started to experiment with its semi-poofyness.

“You know, I’m real tempted to make you spill the beans, little man,” you fake-shook his shoulders, "What were you lookin' for me for?" You smiled at his giggle. He hesitated for a moment before looking up at you, but his answer had more confidence in it.

“I wanted to know if I could spend the night with you," he admitted.

Your heart raced at the words, a blush coming on. It’s only intensified by the frustrating vagueness of the statement: Spend the night doing what? Playing a board game, watching a movie, telling stories?

Honestly that didn't sound too bad. You remembered the last time you had a sleepover, Wally blanking out on the floor, you sprawled on the sofa out cold over the sound of the Wiz playing on the TV. You'd stayed up so late you might as well have been drunk. It was a fun time

 But this…. this was still torture. There was only one reason why Wally would be so wrung about spending the night… right?

Wally was becoming stiff in your lap, eyes wide. The look of great regrets.

"The night!" you throw out before he thought he’d said something awful, "All night?" You let yourself relax. This didn't have to be a crime, even if there was some misunderstanding, Wally was one of the few who'd let you live it down.

Wally doesn't quite nod. Instead, his hand falls over yours cupping his face. A shy smile warmed your hand as he replied soflty, "I sure hope so.”

There was no mistaking that. You could have scooped him up into a kiss right then and there, but for Wally’s sake you resigned to just irradiate smug excitement, “Oh? Does this mean you surrender?”

Wally didn't say anything at first. You were expecting anything except for the coy smirk and shkw host shifting to nuzzle your lap and show himself off. In nothing but your t-shirt and blood red brief's it was almost enough to make you buckle.

"Woah there," you chuckled with excitement as heat pooled in your gut and your cheeks set ablaze.

‘Only if you do first.’

The game wasn't over just yet.

—-

Eventually, you and Wally escape Eddie’s cozy home fully clothed and enjoy a conversation about favorite kinds of storms on the way to your study. Once there you both let habit lead the way. Shoes were left by the door, coats hung, books broken out. The show host preferred to keep your t-shirt, and sat his own upper garments neatly folded on the counter behind the sofa while you went to change into ‘jamas. Despite your earlier conversation, there was still some nervousness in the way he fumbled and glanced your way, as if looking for a sign of what to do, but it would only be a moment before he continued on acting his normal self.

It was another night of stories, and thoughts as you camped out on the fuzzy rug, doing hair, going through books from different neighbors, and some of your own, to read or stack or even draw in. The hour hung on your eyelids as fairy lights replaced the sun. The books were eventually abandoned for sleepy small talk.

“I never said you… couldn’t kiss me…. You know,” Wally yawned and drifted while he played with the white buttons on your blouse. You didn’t remember what lead to this, maybe it had sprung out of the blue. Not that you hadn’t thought of kissing the yellow puppet laying on top of you.

“Hm-,” you grunted stubbornly, not even bothering to open your eyes as you hug the puppet tighter in protest, “You… started it.” You weren’t sure what you  even meant, but any thoughts of elaborating vanished as warmth pressed softly, against your lips. You opened your your eyes just enough to check that what you thought you were feeling was what your were feeling, before slipping back into amber darkness. 

You and Wally leaned further into eachother with each kiss. Something like relief flooded your body, like you'd fjnally admitted a secret you didn't know you had. Wally giggled as you rolled over, him pressed against you. His bare legs brushed against your sides and hugged you close. Stiff shoulders relaxed, soft hands melted into your hair.

You rolled over to your side, nuzzling Wally’s neck. He hummed sleepily against you, tracing your nose with a pointer.

“I adore you,” he purred.

Your eyes were closed, face smothered in the show host’s chest, body becoming one with the floor, but a smile didn't fail to sprout along your features, “I amorrhh ym, tomh.”

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5