Chapter Text
“Pssst… Wally..?”
“Hm? Yes, Manny?”
What time was it? Wally stared at his little brother, who was crawling up his bedside. He should’ve been sleeping, he knows he’s going on a picnic tomorrow with the neighborhood!
“I… I had a nightmare.” His brother mumbled out, now sitting at the end of his bed.
“Oh… do you want to talk about it?” Wally scooted over, patting the spot next to him, inviting Manny to lay with him.
“N-no, not.. not really, it was bad,” he sniffled, crawling over. He plopped down and curled into a ball, while his tail laid over Wally.
“Awe, I’m sorry that happened. But your big brothers here! Don’t worry, I’m good at warding off nightmares. Barnaby’s been teaching me.” Wally smiled, wrapping an arm around the little ball of his brother. He gently rubbed his back, “I can sing you a lullaby. Would you like that?”
Manny rolled over to face him, “…no. Not right now…” he uncurled, now getting himself underneath the covers.
Wally laughed, “Ha, Ha, Ha, well alright lil’ guy.” Manny had already clung to his Pj’s, buried in his side. Wally simply rubbed his back, pulling the covers back over them, and watching his brothers eyes slowly droop.
“Sweet dreams, Manny. I’ll be here for you in the morning.” And with that, he closed his own eyes. “I’m sleeping, I’m sleeping, I’m sleeping, I’m sleeping, I’m sleeping….”
Manny stirred, lightly kicking Wally in his sleep. “Oh right! Sorry, ha, ha.” So he just closed his eyes, not a word from his mouth!
The next thing Wally heard when he ‘woke up’ was Home’s creaking floorboards, signaling them to wake up. “Yes, yes Home, I’m up. Let Manny rest.” With a final clank, Home quit with the noise. Manny was still drooling on the pillows, making Wally cringe a little. He’d have to clean those later… but that’s for later! Right now he’s got to get ready! He went to his closet to pick out his outfit- his iconic blue sweater, red ascot, and rainbow pants! Much better! Almost perfect, but he’s got to put up his hair next! So he did, styling it gently with hairspray into his normal pompadour. He stared at himself in the mirror, “Oh, look at me!” He smiled, posing a little for the mirror. “I’m feeling very pretty today. What a joy!” Now it was time to get his brother ready! He walked back into his room, Manny now sprawled out in his bed. He smiled fondly at his little brother, before he walked over to the bedside. He gently shook Manny’s arm, “Hey. Manny. Wake up, sleepy head! We have a picnic to attend.” Manny mumbled something, before tossing over to face away from Wally. “Oh. Well that won’t do, will it? Home? Would you like to help?” Home clunked in response, before shaking the floorboards underneath the bed, making Manny wake up in a panic; shouting and flailing. Home stopped just as quickly as it started, returning to the eerie stillness.
“Ah! I’m sorry, Manny, I didn’t mean for you to wake up so scared…” Wally quickly said, reaching out for Manny. He flinched, before realizing it was just Wally, and took his hand. Wally wasn’t actually prepared to see his brother flinch… what happened in those 3 years? His heart felt like breaking right there, but he couldn’t, not with Manny right there- speaking of Manny! Wally had frozen up and had just been holding his hand, he looked up confused. “Uh… Wally?”
“Huh? Oh! Right. C’mon, we have to get you ready!”
“Ruh- ready? For what?”
“Oh silly Manny!” Wally led him to the bathroom, dragging a stool to sit him in front of the mirror. “We have a picnic with the other neighbors, remember?” He asked, grabbing the hairbrush.
“Ohhh!! Right! I forgot…”
“Don’t worry about it! I don’t mind,” he started brushing his brothers matted hair. Darn this mullet!
“Ow..”
“Ah, did I pull too hard?” He asked, stopping briefly, only to continue but a bit slower.
“Yeah,” Manny looked at him through the mirror, “do you have to brush my hair?”
Wally chuckled, “Ha, ha! Why of course! We have got to look nice, it’s your first time meeting them!” he got the last tangle out, doing a quick check with his fingers, “but you’re done now! Good job!”
“Yay!!” Manny threw his hands up with his tail wagging.
“Come now, we got to get you out of those PJ’s!” Wally led Manny back to the bedroom, going back to the closet. “Do you want your sweater and overalls?”
“Yes, please,” Manny said, looking up at him.
“Okay. Go change, I’ll be waiting for you downstairs.”
Manny took the clothes, thanking his older brother, before scurrying back to the bathroom. Wally smiled, then left the room, leaving the door open for Manny. He walked downstairs, glancing at the canvas… should he paint something while he waits? Hm… no, not now. He’d get sucked into painting until it was done. Home creaked, getting his attention, “Ah! Home, what was that?” He asked, patting the counter. Another creak was heard. “Ohh… well, I can bring you back something from the picnic. How does that sound?” A croak in response. “Okay! I’ll make sure Manny gets you something, too.” A few soft footsteps was heard, and there was Manny! He was wearing his normal faded blue overalls, with a dark orange sweater underneath.
“There you are! You look great!” Wally quickly complimented, with Home agreeing with a chime.
Manny smiled, “Thu-thank you!”
Wally held out his hand for Manny, “You ready to met the others?” He smiled, staring down at him.
“You promise they are nice?” Manny asked, meeting his older brothers gaze, and taking his hand.
“Promise,”