Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Blinga ling a ling! Went the bell as Wally stepped into Howdy’s Place. Howdy sighed. “Hello, welcome to Howdy’s Place! What can I get you this time Wally?” He said sarcastically.
Wally looked around the place, scanning the area to find his most favorite thing in the whole world: Apples. Oh how Wally loved his apples. Having a bad day? Just take a bite! Art block? Go to an orchard and draw the apples hanging from the trees! Whenever he felt bad, just looking or thinking about one could completely change his mood.
“Hello? Wally? Anyone home?” Howdy said, waving his hand in front of Wally’s face.
Wally blinked. “Oops! Sorry neighbor. I was lost in thought. Barnaby said that doesn’t mean you were actually lost-”
Howdy cut him off. “Ok pal, I get what you mean. Now what do you need?”
“Just apples,” Wally said. He grinned, he knew that Howdy was going to be all eye rolly, all groany, all grumpy. But what did Wally care? He wanted apples, and that‘s what he was getting. Howdy begrudgingly dragged himself from the counter towards the middle of the store, where the produce was. He grabbed a bag of apples, and brought them back to the front.

The bag slammed onto the counter. “There,” Howdy said. “One bag of apples.”
“Thank you!” Wally said. I‘ll get my money. Wally rummaged around his pockets, searching for the money he put in his pocket.
Or at least he thought he put in his pocket.
Wally started getting frantic, checking everywhere, his pants pockets, his socks, his shoes, even his hair, all to find the money.

“Can you hurry up Walls? I have a business to run,” Howdy said, sighing. Wally quickly nodded while he kept searching everywhere. Maybe he dropped it when he came in? Maybe he left it at home? Wait, does he already have apples? Does he need the new ones? Wally‘s thoughts started racing as he kept searching. Eventually, he knew he wouldn‘t be able to find it, and he started sniffling.
Oh no, Howdy thought. He had dealt with angry customers before, but never a sad one. What do you do in this situation? Comfort them? Howdy couldn‘t even comfort himself. Help him? Even if he did want to, how would he? Go to Wally‘s house and get his money? He knew Home would hate it.
Meanwhile, Wally kept trying to hold back tears. Even though he knew that people would think it‘s weird, he needed those apples. Apples aren‘t just apples, they‘re everything! He knows it sounds silly, but it‘s true. Wally walked out of the store, and sat outside, crying. It‘s my fault, isn‘t it? Wally thought. I should have double checked when I left! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

Howdy decided to be good for once, and try to help Wally. But how? He decided to call Wally‘s best friend, and his boyfriend, Barnaby. He‘d know what to do! Right?

Ring ring ring! Ring ring ring! Ring ring ring!
Barnaby heard his phone. Probably just Wally asking to hang out. He thought.
“Hello?” Barnaby said into the phone.

“Barnaby! Thank goodness you picked up! I need help!”

“Woah there Howdy, what‘s going on?”

“Wally came in for apples, and of course he forgot his money at home and now he‘s a crying mess. Can you help me?”

“Course I can! I‘ll be there in a minute!”

“Thank you! And PLEASE be here in a minute.”

“Okay. Bye!”

Barnaby hung up. Oh boy. How do I help out with this one?

Chapter Text

Wally kept crying. And kept blaming himself, like he always does. Howdy did feel bad, but he was mainly more focused on the fact that Wally was blocking the entrance to the store rather than the fact that he was having a meltdown.
“I’m here!” Barnaby rushed over.
Howdy sighed from relief, “Thank goodness! Can you help me out?”
“Lemme see…” Barnaby sat down next to Wally, seeing what was happening. This had happened before, Wally was forgetful and sensitive. A deadly combo. But Barnaby didn’t care, he was Wally’s friend, and didn’t want him to feel bad.”What’s goin’ on Walls?”
Wally sniffled. “Well.. I was trying to get the money for the apples, and I,” he sniffed again, “Couldn’t find it! So I tried looking in my pockets and everywhere, but it was nowhere!”
“Well, where do you think it is?” Barnaby asked. Wally thought, putting his hand to his chin.
“Maybe it fell out when I came into the store?” Wally asked.
Barnaby nodded. “Maybe it did! Let’s check,” Barnaby and Wally both got up and looked around. They checked the stairs, the path leading up, even the produce crates! But it wasn’t there.
“Maybe it’s in your house? You could have left it there,” Wally thought some more.
“Okay, let’s check,” Barnaby and Wally walked to Wally’s house, opening the door and checking the mudroom. “Oh!” Barnaby leaned down, and picked up the five dollars that Wally dropped.
“Here ya go!” He handed the money to Wally, which in turn made Wally flap his hands. Wally took the money, and him and Barnaby walked back to the store.

“Did you find it?” Howdy asked, looking down at Wally.
Wally smiled. “Yes! Here you go, Howdy,” Wally said, handing the money to him. Howdy took the money, and put it in the cash register, while Wally grabbed the bag of apples.
“Have a nice day!” Howdy said, waving unenthusiastically. Wally and Barnaby left the store, and went home. Wally smiled wide. Now he has the apples for his picnic!