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1. Sun burned.
The first time you fell for Wally Darling was when you had just arrived at the lovely neighborhood.
It was a hot summer day, the sun burned and prickled at your skin with sweat starting to pool on your forehead. Unfortunately, you were dead set on finishing moving all your furnitures inside your new house, choosing to ignore how your limbs seemed to scream for help at each movement that tired them.
And then, someone poked your shoulder. You looked over and saw what could be the love of your life, Wally Darling. With a sly smirk and half lidded eyes, he gave you a bottle of water while happily welcoming you in the neighborhood. All of his friends were behind him, yet your eyes stuck onto his figure.
"The Sun surely was rough with you, neighbor." He spoke with patience, leaving you with even more heat on your face, directly in your cheeks. "Your cheeks are red, you might wanna relax a bit, just so you won't faint from the heat."
The only thing that would make you faint was his burning stare, that was almost leaving you breathless.
"I agree with Wally! It's not safe to overwork yourself in such a weather." A girl with long blond hair exclaimed, "I'm Julie Joyful, welcome to the neighborhood!"
"It's nice to meet all of you! I'm Y/N L/N, I believe we can all get along pretty well." And after that, everyone began introducing themselves.
Frank, who's passion for butterflies was the biggest you ever saw, along with his interest in a certain mailman, Eddie Dear (Julie was the one to tell you that, leaving her bookworm friend red faced). Poppy was the colorful bird, also known as the mom friend, always making sure everyone was alright, and Sally Starlet was a sunshine person with a passion for the stage lights and everything around it. Howdy owned the local market, he assured you that you could get anything from there if needed. Barnaby is a big blue dog, with friendly and laid back type that made you feel immediately comfortable with his presence.
And at last, the yellow fellow who somehow got your heart in just a first sight of his existence.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Y/N. I'm Wally Darling, an artist who lives right in the center of the town, you probably met Home already, the one with eyes in their windows." So he lived in a house that was alive? Interesting, you took notes of that in your mind.
"Thank you everyone for the reception, you're all very sweet! I feel at home already and I just arrived here." You chuckled lightly, feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the friendly behaviour displayed today.
"It's no problem, really. Here, let us help you move some things inside, you should rest a bit." Barnaby said, already picking up your dressing table chair.
"Oh, there's no need to!" You tried to interfere, only to be stopped by Eddie.
"Nope, you should rest a bit. Poppy made you popsicles, make sure to enjoy them!" Oh, so that's where his last name came from. Truly, he is a Dear.
You giggled at your own joke before moving over to Poppy, who kindly gave you a popsicle while you watched Wally from afar. Guess the hot weather couldn't compare to your burning cheeks. Julie, noticing your looooooong stare at her friend, smirked slightly and got closer to you.
"Enjoying the view, Y/N?" She whispered to you, making you choke on the popsicle and have Poppy worried sick.
---
2. Stage Fright.
Today, everyone was reunited at Sally's house. She had planned a karaoke night for everyone in the neighborhood, saying that this would be a great chance to have everyone show their talents. You were excited to be there, not for you to sing, but to listen everyone's voices.
Julie and Sally sang Dancing Queen by the iconic band ABBA, everyone was hyping them up, you included. Poppy settled for Jolene by Dolly Parton, leaving everyone amazed by her singing skills. Eddie was a real deal while singing Your Song by Elton John, the reaction was a flustered Frank trying to hide his face while Julie and you laughed at his expression. Frank was eventually swayed into singing by everyone's begging, deciding to sing Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy by Queen. Howdy didn't want to sing alone, so Barnaby joined him on stage to duet Love Grows by Edison Lighthouse.
By the time your turn arrived, you tried to say you couldn't really sing. Everyone begged, and after some seconds, you were up on the stage, a bit scared to ruin the song. You settled for Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! by ABBA. While preparing, your eyes roamed around everyone, their expressions of full content and excitement as you mentally prepared yourself to sing without cracking your voice.
The instrumental started playing, you got the lyrics swimming around your head from listening to ABBA a lot in Julie's house. Then, you started singing, and everyone started hyping you up, but your eyes were stuck in making eye contact with him again. Wally stared at you with a smile and his goddamn hypnotizing eyes, making you look away sometimes. When the song ended, you were breathless.
Not by singing, but by his intense stare as you left the stage.
And finally, Wally got up and sparkled under the spotlights, above everyone like a blessing. Your eyes were stuck onto his figure, blinking seemed impossible as color reached your cheeks from how majestic he looked. Sally asked what song he wanted, instead of a loud and clear answer, he whispered to her. She nodded and went up to play the instrumental.
The first note ringed around the room, and you felt chills around your body with knowledgement.
"Wise men say, only fools rush in..." Can't Help Falling In Love, by Elvis Presley.
The room seemed to get warmer, you could feel your brain melting from his voice. Besides, it was difficult to keep looking at him if he keeps staring at you like he's dedicating the song to you. Your brain liked that idea, save it for tonight when you try to sleep and can't because of half lidded eyes and a cat like smirk. Time didn't seem to move, you were mesmerized.
It took you a minute to notice that he was done singing, your mind had you stuck on a loop where he kept singing as if he's serenating you. Now, Sally rocked the stage with more ABBA songs while you tried to calm your burning cheeks and fast heart. Julie was giggling at your face while Barnaby gave you a knowing look.
It was over, another person caught onto your feelings. As Queen would say, Another One Bites The Dust.
---
3. Slumber Party.
Julie likes to brush your hair with care, as if petting a cat.
Currently, you and Frank were both sleeping at Julie's house, a slumber party, one would say. Of course, being Julie herself, she spoke about different topics in a velocity that was almost impossible for you to keep up without stumbling your words. Frank just sipped on his cup of tea while holding a book with furrowed eyebrows.
"Oh, I know a topic that will make both of you talk relentlessly!" She sat down in the middle of both of you, Frank decided to close his book and pay attention. "So, why don't we ask Frank about a certain mailman?" Julie smirked and you let a "oooh!"
"W- What? There is nothing to say about him!" Frank's cheeks flushed in pure red while he crossed his arms.
"Aww, come on, no need to be shy." You spoke calmly. "We are aware of your crush on him already. Now pleeeeeeease share the details!"
Frank, still red, began talking.
"So today, he went up to give me my mail, right?" You and Julie nodded in curiosity, "And I went to give him a good morning, also because I was about to go to Howdy's market, needing to buy tea again. So I look at him and say good morning, he tips his hat at me and asks where I'm going. I tell him that I need to buy tea again and so I'm going to Howdy's. I see that his face goes a bit red, and he asks me, stuttering, if he could go with me there."
Julie screamed and stimmed, you laughed at her reaction. "And what did you do?!" She screamed again.
"I asked if he didn't had to deliver more mail, he said that he already delivered in each house, and I just said that he could come with me then." Frank is playing with his pajama's sleeve as he speak, "Then, as we enter the market, Howdy is confused since Eddie already delivered his mail. Eddie explains that he's just accompanying me while I take a look at the different tea brews. Out of the sudden, Howdy goes 'Oh, so you two are having a date?' and I drop the tea box."
You and Julie end up laughing with his expression and Howdy impression, but still in pure surprise at that outcome. At this point, even Frank is chuckling in a low tone. All of you slowly stop with all the euphoric laughter, still almost crying from that. Then, Julie turns to you.
"So, Y/N, how is it going with Wally?" She questions, and you feel your cheeks burning just from a mention of his name.
"Oh dearest Julie, no progress yet." You sadly spoke, "I just can't talk to him without dying on the inside!"
"Seriously? I thought that with all that staring that he gave you every time you passed by him was a sign that something had happened." Frank said.
"I know but- wait, what?" You looked at him in disbelief, Julie also following it with her mouth agape.
"You didn't know? I swear, you just walk by him and his eyes follow you until you leave his point of view. Almost sweetly sickening, I could see hearts all over his face." Frank dropped it on the table, served it like it was obvious all along.
"Oh. My, Stars! I knew it, he probably likes you too then!" Julie exclaimed.
"Oh... my..." You could hear your heartbeat going more fast, you flushed red just by imagining him staring at you nonstop.
"Y/N and Wally, sitting on a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" This was going to be a looooong night.
---
4. Apple Picking.
Poppy randomly decided to make lots of apple pies for a single day, call it a mom friend who likes spoiling people with all different types of pastries. She said something about it being a gift for everyone since she loved all of you guys so much. You cried a little, can't lie.
Although climbing on different trees for an entire day didn't seem like a pleasant idea, you could spend the whole day near the one person you were so in love with. Everyone divided in duos, the list went like this. Barnaby and Howdy, Eddie and Frank, Julie and Sally while Poppy stayed at her kitchen. Seeing all the pairs, you could guess what happened.
You and Wally were together on this one.
Trying to recompose yourself, you breathed in deep before letting it out, then you went up to Wally with a neutral smile. The stars know that you're trying so hard not to panic. He looks at you in his usual stare, the same smile on his face while he holds his basket for the apples.
"Alright, so which way should we go?" You questioned while looking around you two.
"Hmm, shall we follow the main path? It's a pretty good start if you ask me." By his voice, you were aware that your face is turning red just like all the apples you're about to catch.
"Oh sure! Let's go then." You began walking freely as he followed.
The forest was colorful just like the neighborhood, stunning as a rainbow. You felt pleased just to be in there, the birds chirped happily as you arrived with Wally following. Eventually, you two stopped in front of a tree packed with delicious looking apples. Seeing them already left you hungry for the pies.
"Alright, I'll climb there, you stay here with the basket to catch the apples that I'll drop, okay?" You asked him, feeling your cheeks burn just from acknowledging him next to you.
"Are you sure? I wouldn't wanna get you hurt from climbing." Answering you back with a question, Wally worriedly looked at you and the tree.
"I- I'll be fine! No need to worry." You confidently said before starting to climb the tree.
Up there, the air was fresh and the wind caressed your face, almost as if cupped your face with care. You sighed in peace before getting back to your main mission. Plucking the apples was an easy task, so was dropping them in the basket. The only difficult thing was keeping your eyes on the basket and not on the waiting Wally that held it.
Finishing it, you slowly climbed down from the tree, leaving a scratch in your hands in the process. You sucked it up even after seeing a bit of blood come out of it, you decided to hide your hand from Wally.
"Alright, let's keep going!" You spoke, Wally nodded at you and went to your side.
Then, you felt something hold your hand, actually, someone. You looked over to see Wally staring at you with half lidded eyes, and then your hands interwined. Oh stars, you were gonna faint for this man one day. You just looked away and kept following your way before your brain melted like wax wings that are too close to the Sun.
"So, neighbor," You looked over to Wally, "What made you want to join the neighborhood?"
"Oh, well... I just really needed a change of scenario! You know, I wanted to find a place to call my home, somewhere that I would feel welcomed to stay forever." You explained with a smile.
"And did you felt welcomed in here?" He asked, paying full attention to your words and the way they escaped your lips.
"I... did, a lot actually! I don't plan to move out, never ever!" You happily answered. "I made great friends in here, like Julie, and Frank, and everyone! That includes you..."
"I see... I'm happy that you feel that way..." He linked your arms together, leaving you to be a flustered mess. "And I hope you keep your promise, never ever leave me."
Oh stars, you were gonna die.
Recomposing yourself was difficult, you settled to just nod while trying to calm your heart mentally. You two spent the rest of the time talking and catching apples, all that while your hand itched from the scratch you made earlier, the blood from it almost drying completely. Didn't help at all.
By the time you two filled the basket to the top, everyone was also making their way to Poppy's house. The door opened and all neighbors left their baskets at the counter and filling their seats at the dinner table. You looked over to your hand and decided to clean it, walking to the kitchen.
"Hello Y/N! Do you need anything?" Poppy happily spoke.
"Hi Poppy, do you have a band-aid? I scratched my hand while climbing the trees." You looked over to the tall chicken with a shy smile.
"Oh dear, I have a first aid kit in the bathroom, I'll ask someone to help you treat it." Before you could say anything about doing it alone, she went over to the dinner table and asked if someone could help you.
"Poppy, there's no need, I can do it alon-"
"I'll do it."
Wally stood up and took your hand, pulling you to the bathroom. You looked over to Julie, she winked at you, leaving you even more red.
Arriving there, Wally pulled the first aid kit from the cabinet. You sat on the sink counter while he prepared some cotton with alcohol. Ouch, that was gonna hurt, you mentally panicked.
"Alright, breathe in..." You did as told, Wally then pressed the cotton with alcohol on the cut, leaving you to bite your lip so you wouldn't scream. "And breathe out."
After that, he put on a silly cat bandaid, making you giggle at the cuteness. Poppy sure liked cutesy things at her house, just like a mother would keep in case her kid was hurt. Wally then leaned into your hand.
And kissed where the band-aid was.
"Now it will heal faster." He calmly said.
On the way back to the kitchen, your brain was still short circuited. Wally just chuckled in his own way, pulling you with him as you both walked to your seats.
"Say, Y/N... do you wanna watch the meteor shower with me tomorrow, just us?" He asked, staring endlessly in your eyes.
"Sure! I mean, of course." You answered, breathless.
---
5. Meteor Shower.
Picking an outfit was hard, even more difficult if you had a restless Julie screaming happily all over the place as she helped you.
"I still can't believe it! You got a date! With Wally! The one you've been crushing on for months already!" She stimmed all over the place, flapping her hands lke a baby bird trying to fly.
You were settled on an outfit of your choice, it was simple but still had your charm and style marked onto it. You smiled at your reflection, wondering what Wally's reaction would be to your clothing choice. Looking at the clock, you noticed it was time to leave your house.
"Alright Julie, let's go!" You happily said, heart racing at the idea of having a date with Wally being actually real and not just a late night scenario that you would replay on your head until you fell asleep.
She nodded rapidly and you both left the house. Running to Sally's backyard, you saw Wally staring at the sky while sat down on a picnic blanket, in a more casual attire than his usual outfit. Still, both of you clothed correctly for the cold night of the season, Winter sure was being a bit rough with everyone.
Approaching the blanket, you sat by his side.
"Good evening, Wally." You calmly spoke despite your racing heart.
"Oh, hello Y/N." His eyes followed each piece of your clothing, leaving you flustered by his intense stare. "You look beautiful tonight."
"A- Ah, thank you! You too, absolutely handsome." The night was cold, yet you could feel the heat pooling in your cheeks.
Wally chuckled before pulling you close to him, hugging you with an arm. You, absolutely flabbergasted, did the same by hugging him. You could feel his arm behind you moving to your shoulder, playing with your hair around his finger.
Then, he pointed to the sky. "Look, it's starting." he whispered.
You looked, and was immediately mesmerized by the view. It was like stars were raining all over the sky, shining more than any expensive diamond jewelry. You had your focus intense on them, mouth agape at the sight that could leave you breathless easily. It was magical.
You didn't even notice that Wally wasn't mesmerized by the sky, but by you.
---
+1. Lovely View.
Wally had his eyes on you ever since you sang at the karaoke night, and you could say he fell way harder.
Head over heels for you, Wally couldn't stop staring at you ever since that night. Just the sight of you was enough to leave the puppet weak in the knees. If you liked something, he loved it, if you disliked something, then he hated it. Everything he did started to seem like it revolved around you.
But now, with you in his arms, looking absolutely beautiful, just like a masterpiece, staring at the sky while the falling stars illuminated your figure. Oh heavens, he was a gone man for you. Keep his heart in a locket, wear it wherever you go. No, he couldn't hide his feelings anymore.
"Y/N... I actually planned this with more in mind than just a friendly date..." You stared at him, and he felt weak as butterflies went crazy in his stomach from the view. "I need to confess it to you, I'm not strong enough to keep it hidden." He breathed in.
Alright, it seemed like it was finally time.
"You know, when you arrived here, I thought you would be just a neighbor, in which I could find a friend, and just that." He swallowed the air, "But then, at the karaoke night, something changed. Seeing you, shining with the stage lines as you sang freely, it absolutely rocked my everything. I fell for you, hard. I couldn't keep my eyes off of you, everything you did seemed to be mesmerizing for me. Each artist has it's muse, and I know that by how much I appreciate you, you're what I wished for months to call my muse. You're absolutely beautiful, captivating in a way that has me handing out my heart for you whenever you ask me to." Tears started to flow on your eyes, was this really happening? "So, would you make a puppet man even more happy, and be by his side until the end of the world?"
You didn't trust your voice, you just nodded and proceeded to jump on him with open arms. He chuckled as you hugged him like the world was ending. Then, you moved your head away from his shoulder, getting closer to his face until you sealed your lips together.
Oh my, he's gone.
You kissed him with passion, sweetness and all of your feelings freely given in just an act of affection. When you two separated for air, you heard clapping and screaming around you. That was when you remembered that all your friends were watching.
"That was beautiful!" Julie sobbed while hugging Sally's arm, who was also on the verge of tears.
Poppy cried like a proud mother while Howdy tried to comfort her, Barnaby sended a thumbs up while having his eyes watering. Frank now held in his arms an emotional Eddie, who was clapping while sobbing like he just watched the movie of the century.
You giggled through tears before going back to hugging Wally, who sighed in pure ectasy as he finally had you all for himself.
Seems like he found something that he loved more than painting, and that was loving you.