Work Text:
“What’s my nickname?”
Andy turned his head, confused. He raised himself from where he was looming over his brother’s desk.
“What?” He questioned the younger man.
“You know. My nickname. You seem to like giving them. Big tuna, Nard dog. Just assumed I had one too” Walter adjusted his glasses, facing his brother.
Andy felt both ashamed and surprised he hadn’t come up with a nickname for his brother. Sure the two didn’t get along much back then, but Andy always gave nicknames.
“Guess I just never made you one, dude.” Andy confessed. Walt frowned slightly at the statement.
“Why don’t you two come up with one now?” Phyllis chimed from next to them.
“We should!” Walt agreed, looking up hopefully at Andy. Andy nodded his head, smiling, as he searched his mind for possible names.
“How about.. Nard puppy!?” Andy beamed. Walt just raised an eyebrow.
“Nard puppy?” He laughed
“Well I’m nard dog, and you’re my baby brother, so you’re nard puppy.” Andy explained.
“That’s stupid. Don’t make him sound so pitiful.” Dwight turned his chair to face the two.
“It’s not pitiful! It’s fun!” Andy defended, folding his arms.
“It’s a little pitiful.” Walt chuckled as he removed his glasses.
“Put those back on. Look, I’m the big dog, you're the little dog. That’s just how it is.” Andy told.
“Again, pitiful.” Dwight repeated with a scoff.
“I agree. Walt deserves something that’ll represent him well.” Phyllis added.
Andy felt a bit of irrational jealousy at that. Even at work Walt was already becoming more liked than him. He pushed those thoughts back, remembering their conversation on the boat.
“Well I think nard puppy is perfect.” Jim commented. Dwight gave him a look, mumbling something about staying out of it.
“This is my best work, guys! I think it’s perfect.” Andy reasoned. Walt knudged him with his elbow.
“You’re the man!” He jested. Andy whipped around to face him.
“That’s right! I am the man!” He snapped, stepping towards Walt. Walt stared for a moment, startled at his brother's outburst. Andy regretted it right when he saw that face.
“Sorry, sorry.” He sighed, stepping away from the desk.
“Don’t worry about it. I think I’m going to go redil my coffee.” Walt shrugged, standing up. He retreated to the kitchen. Andy didn’t want to focus on the eyes on him.
“You should go talk to him.” Phyllis urged softly.
“You made him frown. I saw it. You messed up.” Dwight noted, eyebrow raised.
“Yea yea I messed up I get it.” Andy rubbed his eyes before looking up at the kitchen. He should listen to Phyllis’ suggestion.
Walt didn’t raise his head when he heard the kitchen door open. His usually upturned lips sat at a neutral expression. Andy sighed inwardly.
“Hey.” Andy started, closing the door behind him. “Sorry about what happened back there.”
Walt turned to face him, expression changing into his usual style.
“Don’t worry about it. Things like that happen. It’s been a day.” He laughed at the end.
“You got that part right. I don’t know what came over me. Guess I was just feeling a little jealous again.” Andy leaned against the counter.
“Jealous? Of what?” Walt questioned, placing his glasses back on.
“You’re just getting along so well with everyone already. Sometimes it feels like you just get along with them better than me I guess.” Andy shrugged.
“Andy, we talked about this. You don’t have to be jealous of me. Your friends love you!” Walt reminded.
“It just feels like they love you more, bro. I don’t blame them.”
“Stop. I don’t know why you’re acting like this again.”
Andy didn’t know either. He’s fully aware that his friends love him. He loves his brother too. But it was all irrational at the moment. Not wanting to continue this conversation, Andy tried changing the topic.
“How about little dog?” He asked. Walt gave him a questioning look but smiled.
“Y'know what. I’ll take it.”