Chapter Text
As the morning rays shone through the curtains of Home's windows, Wally turned to his side with a smile he often wore. This morning was cold and crisp, as he took a deep breath of the air surrounding him. It was morning alright, a very cold morning that is.
"Yawn..." He said, turning to look at the ceiling. "Good morning, Home. Did you sleep well?"
A pause. After a few moments, a faint creak echoed in the room. A rather long creak as it lasted for a good few seconds.
"That's good....I hope," Wally replied. He turned to look at his side, looking through the window, he saw the leaves of the trees and grass were no longer at sight, and in its place was a thick blanket of snow covering everything the little doll's eyes could see.
Winter was pretty alright, but it was the least season he was fond of. Not that there's nothing fun about it, not at all! It's quite the opposite, really. Snow angels, snowballs, snowman, and let's not mention how one of the best holiday is held in the same season. The sight was also not the problem as Wally, despite the lack of colors, found it quite beautiful how the white snow compliments the colorful houses of the neighborhood. So what was the problem, really? It's the weather.
The little doll thought that the season was "far too cold" for him. Fall was cold enough as it is, why double it for the next season? He didn't like feeling cold, it was, crippling to say the least. Last thing he wanted was to feel the cold in a dark evening alone in his home. Alone. Yeah, that too. Winter seemed to also have a thing for loneliness it seemed. Maybe he was looking through it too much? The neighborhood just seemed to feel much more quieter this season, or maybe it was just him?
Or perhaps it was Home?
"Oh..." Wally found his thoughts cut short with that name in mind. "Don't you think I've been here for reasonable amount of time already, friend?"
It didn't respond, not even a faint creak.
"Home..." Wally sighed. It's been... a while. Has it been days already? Last time he was able to walk outside was 3 days ago he believes. He'd be lying if he said it wasn't starting to get to him.
"Can I go out now?"
Still no response.
"Please...?"
No response.
Wally let out a shaky sigh, squeezing the blanket on his lap. "I'm not very happy, Home. Why do you do such a thing, friend?"
Wally forced himself out of bed, his feet landing softly on the ground. He sat up, but didn't leave his bed yet. It feels pointless to do so. If Home wasn't planning on opening its doors soon, then really, what's the point of getting up?
If it weren't for his usual lazy smile and eyes, you'd think Wally was no where near upset. He wasn't the type to frown, though it was never easy to begin with.
"I'm just.... It's scaring me. You're scaring me, Home."
That seemed to have caught the house's attention because it was quickly followed by a creak, this time, it was no longer faint as if Home was no longer whispering.
"I know you didn't mean to that way, but—"
A crack echoed, followed by a series of taps from below.
"I hear you, Home. You're just doing what you think is best, and I'm happy for that," the doll paused at his words, covering his face with his palms. "But this has been going on for quite a while now. I think I've come to understand."
A thud. It didn't sound loud, nor did it sound too quiet.
"Yes yes... I'm very sorry, Home. I won't leave you for long periods of time anymore."
That seemed to satisfy Home as it opened its windows wide, letting the cold breeze of the wind flew by. Wally felt his heart flutter at the feeling. The wind, despite being so darn cold, felt so good against his body.
"Thank you... my friend," he said, shutting his eyes close to feel the breeze. He stayed still on his position, as the gentle wind caressed his skin.
He hummed to himself till he heard a knock from downstairs. Ah, that's probably Eddie letting him know the letter was here. For the past few days he's only been able to greet Eddie from his window, that was unfortunately locked so the best he can do is wave and smile as he passes the letter, but today was different. The door was unlocked and the window was open. Oh, how he can't wait to greet him in person!
"Coming!"
With this newfound motivation, Wally dashed from his bed, sliding on the hallways as he ran downstairs. Still in his pajamas, while his hair lay loose on his shoulders, the little doll could only focus on his meeting his friend. Upon arriving on the door, Wally wasted no time and opened it.
Wally shivered upon opening his door. He didn't realize how windy it was today and was met with a thrash of wind hitting him when he opened the door. He heard a faint giggle from the other side and next thing knew the little doll was now held against Eddie's embrace.
"Wally! Oh am I glad to see you!" Eddie had practically squeezed him against his chest, his face filled with joy.
Wally slumped against the mailman, enjoying every second of his hug. "I could say the same thing, neighbor."
"It's been a while, little bud. We've all been worried, especially Poppy!"
"Oh?" He was not expecting that. "But I'm not hurt."
"You aren't?" That seemed to confuse Eddie as he placed the little doll on the ground, dusting his shoulders for any snow that might've landed on him. Only now did the mailman realize how Wally looked. His hair, which was usually, if not always, kept in a fluffy pompadour, was now laying loose. He was in his pajamas, now wrinkled all over.
He didn't look messy, at least not for the mailman that is. He kind of looked cute, if he was being honest.
"I look a little off, I must admit," Wally said, his fingers playing with the loose strands of his hair.
"Oh no! Despite the change of style, I do think you look very nice!" Eddie paused before continuing. "Definitely not suited for Winter though. Are you not cold, Darling?"
"Oh..." He forgot about the cold. "Not as much."
"We thought you had fallen ill that's why you had to keep inside at all times."
"I was."
It's a lie, but Wally can live with that.
"How do you feel now, little one?"
The little doll paused for a moment before looking up at Eddie with a smile. He felt so lost in these past few days. So tired and out of energy to do anything. That question almost urged him to tell him everything, how he needed them so much, how it's been incredibly lonely, how much it hurts, yet he couldn't do it. Wally wouldn't want to bother him for too long.
He'll just have to enjoy his company and cherish that instead of bothering them with hysteria.
"I'm feeling very happy."
At least that was not a lie. He was happy to see Eddie and to finally be able to go outside again.
"That's wonderful! We were hoping you'd be available—" Eddie rummaged through his bag, looking through the letters before pulling out a colorful pink letter, sprinkled in what seemed to be glitter with stickers plastered all over. This was definitely from Sally.
"Because... We're all planning on going out in the lakeside this evening!" Eddie handed Wally the letter, a warm smile on his face.
He accepted the letter and turned to look at the mailman, clearly waiting for his response. "You mean, we'll be camping out?"
"Well- yeah? I don't know, Sally says it's a play, but thought it would be fun if we do it in the woods." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Says it adds to the atmosphere of the story."
"Oh uhm..." Wally gripped the letter, unsure of what he should say next. "I'll see you then, Eddie! Wouldn't want to keep you from your work any longer haha."
Eddie chuckled, petting the little doll on the head. "It's never a bad thing to have a nice chat with you, especially since it's been days. I'll see you as well, neighbor!"
With that, Eddie had left, tipping his hat like a gentlemen before departing. Wally chuckled at that. He was left feeling happy and contented with his interaction. It made him realize just how much he missed his chats with all of them. He used to visit them everyday, waking up early to visit Poppy, then Barnaby, and so on. When Home had started locking him away for minutes, hours, and now days, he began to feel as if he'd taken every one of those interactions for granted.
Wally turned back to Home, the door closing from behind as he stepped inside.
"I take that you heard him, yes?"
For a moment, not a single sound echoed before a thud made its way to Wally's ears. He sighed. "Home, I won't be gone for long."
A creak came from the hallway, progressively getting louder and louder.
"Just one night, my friend. I promise to plow the snow first thing in the morning." Wally smiled at his house, hoping that he'd let him leave after hearing Eddie. "I've been...very lonely, Home. You're a good friend, and company, but I do miss the others."
Wally chuckled, though it came off forced rather than genuine. "It's just one night in the woods after all, no need to fuss over, hm?"
With that, Home seemed to have calmed down, or at least that's what Wally could feel. Spending so much time within the walls of a sentient house, Wally found himself being able to tell what Home was feeling without needing another onomatopoeia from it. Feeling the strong emotions erupt from your house can be overwhelming in most cases for him, and Wally had found ways to calm Home for those occasions.
"I'll make you cookies to help and I can also bring some to my friends, but for now—" Wally turned to the glimmering letter on his hand and opened it.
Hello, Wally Darling,
I am very happy to write this for everyone as Sally had planned to have a small trip near the lake in the woods. The trip shouldn't take too long as it is a walking distance, but for everyone's safety, I invite everyone to my barn to meet up before we go together. Sally had planned for this camping to hold one of her plays that she is very eager to showcase in a different location other than our town. We'd love to see you come over for the trip! Safe travels little hatchling, see you at the barn.
Signed, Poppy Partridge
Huh, so this letter was from Poppy? Sally must've designed it then. Wally couldn't help but smile at that. He felt so excited and so happy. He looked down on his pajamas, examining it like he'd never seen it before.
"I'm a mess," he said. Now that he's feeling more relaxed, Wally can't help but be embarrassed. He'd rarely show this side of him, and Eddie just had to see him like this. Even if Eddie had told him that he looked "nice", he still felt his face flush just a little at the memory. Poppy was the only one Wally was comfortable with showing this side of him since she had always been more of a mother figure for him.
He should find better clothing, something suited for Winter that is. He made his way to his room, humming a soft melody on the way.
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"I'll be going now, Home." Wally placed a hand on the window frame, caressing it gently. "I'll come back tomorrow," he smiled.
He was fully covered now. Wally was wearing a half cloak covered in colorful polka dots while under it he wore a white sweater with rainbow stripes at the ends of the sleeves. His pants were a colorful array of blues, yellows, and red stripes with his signature red scarf on the neck. He didn't want to wear a hat as he wouldn't want to ruin his hair.
With a tapping noise that came from the windows being opened and shut, Wally made his way to Poppy's barn, blowing a kiss to Home before doing so.
He found it hard to walk in the snow as it progressively becomes deeper and deeper for him to lift his legs up properly. He decided to hop every once in a while to loosen his legs a bit.