Work Text:
Wally loves hanging out with all the neighbors of Home. Having a gathering of friends to be able to talk with is very nice.
And ever so often the nine of them would all set of a party right outside of Home to spend time all together.
This being one such day.
They set up all their favorite foods for a picnic. And started playing a bunch of fun games. Along with upbeat music playing out all day in the background.
But every party can have their lulls, and there's nothing wrong with that. It was nice to have moments to just relax with each other too.
So as a few of them sat down to eat, a much softer and slower melody started to play out too.
Causing Frank to brighten, and offer Eddie a hand. "This is a perfect song to dance to, don't you think?"
Eddie grinned, agreeing immediately. "Absolutely! Lead the way."
And just like that they're up and start moving around in the grass in gentle movements.
Wally couldn't help but follow them with his eyes. Because while he have seen Julie and Sally both dance individually before. It was nothing like what they both were doing now.
Julie and Sally always does very extreme hops and twists, with strange hand and arms gestures.
But Frank and Eddie held onto each other, while slowly moving together on the beat.
It looks much easier then what the other two always did. Maybe he could actually do it.
Turning to Barnaby, he gently lays a hand on his arm to get his attention.
And the other smiles, looking down towards him. "Yeah bud? You need something?"
"Can you show me how to dance like Frank and Eddie?"
His eyes widened in surprise. Before pulling at his tie a bit. "Uh- Oh boy. I'd love to. But I don't actually know how to dance like them myself Wally."
"Oh..." That's really unfortunate... "That's okay."
Barnaby immediately gives him a reassuring smile. "But you know, we could both learn how. Maybe they'll be up for teaching us both?"
And he brightens. "That's true! Do you think they'll mind?"
"Nah. But let's wait until this song is over. So they can have their moment."
Oh! That's a good point. "Okay."
It was also just nice watching them dance too. They moved so in sync, that it was like the song was made for them.
He didn't think he and Barnaby was going to flow that well. But it should still be fun! At least he hopes so.
He never found dancing all that much fun when Sally tried to get him to, because she always told him he was doing it all wrong. And told him to copy her movements better.
But it was fun with Julie. She insists that it was just supposed to be fun. And anything worked and long as you were moving your body. Even if he fell, she'd just pick him back up again and they'll keep going.
Maybe he should have realized Barnaby wouldn't know how to dance like the other two now that he thought more about it. Because when he first learned about dancing, he asked him about it. And he said he only knew something called The mashed potato dance. At least that dance was very easy and fun.
Nevertheless.
As the song starts to fade out, Barnaby lay a hand on his back and he stood. "Ready to get groovy kid?"
"I thought we were going to dance." He replied in slight confusion.
The other chuckle. "It's the same thing."
"Oh. Then yes." He stood as well. They both walking over to Frank and Eddie now.
Frank's eyes narrowed at Barnaby in annoyance as they got closer. And Barnaby eyed him teasingly as well.
Not that Wally or Eddie noticed any of this though.
"Oh! Hello there." Eddie starts. "You two coming over to dance too?"
"Yes." Wally confirmed "Can you two teach us how to dance like you two were?"
They both brightened. "Of course Wally!" "Well- we'd love to!" They both exclaimed.
Before Frank eyes Barnaby and adds. "As long as you're both taking it seriously."
Barnaby rolls his eyes. "Don't get your bowtie in a twist Frank. We'll be the most behaved teacher pets ya ever met!"
Frank groans. "From you? I doubt that."
Eddie pats Frank's shoulder, giving a reassuring smile. "Aw come now, I'm sure they'll be fine. This should be fun!"
While Frank returns the smile, he doesn't look convinced in the slightest.
"Yeah Frank." Barnaby gets a smirk. "Don't be a party pooper."
"Oh alright." Frank huffs. "But only because Wally asked."
Barnaby rolls his eyes again. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever ya say."
"Thanks Frank. Thanks Eddie." Wally now says with his own smile.
They both brighten. "Of course Wally." Frank says.
Before putting his hands together momentarily. "Shall we begin?"
"Yes!" Wally declared. Just as Barnaby said. "Yeah, sure."
"So normally-" Frank starts. Pulling Eddie back into the same hold as before, to show as example he spoke. "One might put their hand on the other shoulder. While the other put their hand on their waist. And hold one another other hands."
He takes hold of both Eddie's hands with his own now. "But that usually works better when the dance partners aren't such different sizes-"
"Hey now-" Barnaby eyes him in amusement. "What are ya talking bout? Walls and I are both lil pooch's!"
Frank rolls his eyes. "The point is. You two are not the same height. So it'll be a lot more difficult to that. So I'd suggest you just hold each other hands on both sides instead." He hold up his and Eddie's intertwined hands for emphasis.
"Right, alright." Barnaby says, as Wally tries to copy the other two hold. Intertwining his and Barnaby's hands.
"Now. You both just got to move together in a repetitive back and forth motion. usually along with the beat of the song. Like so."
Frank and Eddie both start moving a bit on beat, to show them. Pausing to sway a little after every two steps to say better in sync.
"Yeah! And It's easier if one is following the other lead." Eddie adds. "So whoever is following should pay attention to how the other goes. If he takes a step back, you'd take a step forward at the same time. And if he moves forward, you take a step back too."
"Exactly!" Frank agrees. "And if one starts to move a bit to one side, the other should follow along. You'll just step on each other feet if you don't keep to one leading the whole time- Unless you agree to switch rolls in the middle. So try to keep it consistent."
Frank lets go of one hand for a moment to point to their legs while moving. "When the one leading goes to move their right leg, the one following should move their left leg in the same direction. And the same if the one leading moves their left leg, then the one following should move their right leg."
Wally watches the two very carefully. Before staring at his and Barnaby feet in slight confusion. The other two kept eye contact with each other. But if whoever was following was going to need to keep track of the lead movements, would one of them have to stare at their feet the whole time?? That doesn't sound very fun. Maybe slow dancing wasn't for him after all.
"Alright-" Barnaby pulls his attention towards him. "Ready to try this bud?"
"Yes." Not exactly. But maybe it won't be as bad as he thinks.
"How bout I lead for now, while we get the hang of it?" Barnaby suggests.
"Okay." That was probably for the best. He doesn't think he'll be very good at leading. And then he can see if it'll really be not fun too.
So with hands Intertwined. They both start moving back and forth together.
Wally watches each movement carefully as Barnaby pulls him along.
It was much slower then any of the other dances he tried, and that made it so much easier. But having to focus so much on where they needed to step, was not very fun in itself.
The other continued to dance as well, only much slower then before, to also watch their moves.
Frank hummed after a moment. "Wow- color me surprised. You two are doing really well!"
Barnaby scoffed in mock offense. "Was there ever any doubt?"
Causing Frank to add. "Well you aren't on beat whatsoever. But at least Wally knows how to follow."
"Ouch! You wound me." Barnaby cry in actual slight offense now.
"It'll probably be easier to stay on beat with a slower song." Eddie points out.
"Yes." Frank sighs in agreement. "But we can't exactly decide what's playing on the radio."
"Eh, It's alright." Barnaby waves off easily. "We both prefer upbeat cheerful songs anyhow."
"That's true." Wally agrees.
Slow songs were nice sometimes, like when you were relaxing and just wanted something soft in the background. But if he was going to put on music in the first place, he'd mostly want something that'll be likely to lift ones spirit.
Eddie adds though. "Being on rhythm helps you get in better sync though. So it'll be easier to stay in that flow, without having to put so much focus on each movement as much."
Oh? Really? Maybe this would be much more fun with a slow song then!
"It'll also get easier with practice of course." Frank adds.
"Not that we need it! Ay bud?" Barnaby grins.
"I don't know. It's difficult to follow you." Wally points out reluctantly.
Stopping their dance entirely. Causing the other two to stop as well.
"Ah, well, I guess I'm not moving in the same sway each time..."
"Which is why you need to be on beat." Frank points out once again.
Barnaby rolls his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. We get it."
"You don't have to-" Eddie starts. "Just keep moving in the same way, so Wally knows what you're about to do."
"Geez! I didn't come over here to get lectured."
Frank eyes him in amusement. "Anyone can dance with a good lead. So this IS your fault."
Barnaby eyes narrowed at him. "Hmmm. I'm starting to think you only agreed to teach us, to insult me, Frank. You're only a good lead because you love being bossy."
"Here." Frank offers his hands to Wally. Ignoring that comment. "Follow me, since clearly Barnaby can't do it right. He can see how I do it, and copy it."
Barnaby raised a brow. As Wally took hold of the other hands. "Couldn't you just dance with Eddie again, and I'd watch you two instead?"
"Technically. But if Wally ends up having a lot of trouble following me too, then we might need to try another way of dancing."
Barnaby barked a laugh. "Wow you really were just insulting me without any benefit of the doubt huh?"
"Oh, I have reason alright. I have eyes Barnaby. You weren't even close to the beat."
"Geez pal. Like a broken record over here."
Frank rolls his eyes.
Just as Eddie gives Wally and Frank both a pat on their shoulders in encouragement. "Good luck!" Before saying a little more towards Frank. "It'll be fun to be able to watch you dance from afar for a change." He chuckles, now moving away to stand side by side with Barnaby.
Frank face flushed slightly. "Er- Yes. Let's begin."
Now he and Wally starts moving back and forth together, swaying around a bit.
And to Barnaby's horror, but Frank's amusement. And Wally's and Eddie's delight. They easily get in better sync.
"Oh! This is so much easier!" Wally exclaimed with a bright grin. While he still has to watch their steps, he didn't need to focus as much, because there was a much clearer pattern.
"Well I guess all I can say is- I told you so." Frank laughs towards Barnaby's dismay.
"Sugar honey ice tea- Never hear the end of this." Barnaby huffs. "You're supposed to be teaching us. Any bright idea on how I can lead better then?"
"Dance on the beat." Frank says unhelpfully.
"Okay, wise guy-" Barnaby glares.
"Here-" Eddie interrupted before it escalated. offering his hands. "Why don't ya dance with me, and you can try to keep your own rhythm. Maybe it'll be easier for me to follow while you practice, since I've danced much longer."
"Wouldn't it be easier without any music at all too?" Wally also questions. Since the beat could mess up his own rhythm.
"Most likely." Frank agrees. "But It'd be rude to turn it off when the other neighbors is still listening to it."
That was true too.
Barnaby reluctantly takes Eddie's hands, Now trying to copy Frank's repeated movements better.
This time it's a bit easier to get in a more specific rhythm, since he was actually trying to keep a pattern this time around.
The real music beat was seriously messing him up. But he just tired to ignored it.
And after a bit, they did get in much better sync.
So Frank and Eddie exchange looks.
Before they both pull Wally and Barnaby slightly, where they're all four next to each other. Before handing off their hands, so the other two hands are now together. Before grabbing onto each other's now free hands.
Successfully switching dance partners.
"Pfft- Now that's a unique move." Barnaby chuckles. As he and Wally start to dance with each other once again.
"Yes." Frank muses. As he and Eddie now dance too. "It's a good move to know in bigger groups. So everyone can have a chance to dance with everyone else."
"You also could have just told us you thought we were ready to dance with each other again." Barnaby points out in amusement.
"Where's the fun in that?" Eddie chuckle.
Barnaby barked a laugh. "Fair enough."
They quickly got back in sync with their new- old, dance partners.
All easily falling into a quiet rhythm this time. Letting their surroundings fade away for a long while. As they just focus on their movements.
It's so calming. And very fun.
Also a bit exhausting.
Wally stops dancing. Causing Barnaby to follow suit.
"Okay. I'm done dancing. I'm very tired."
"Oh thank goodness-" Barnaby says in relief, now flopping to the floor. "So am I. But I didn't want to stop if you were still having fun."
"Ha, ha, ha. I did have a of fun." He sat in the grass next to him. "Thanks for dancing with me Barnaby."
"You bet bud! I had a lot of fun too. Ya know, once Frank stopped being a nuisance." He chuckles.
Frank and Eddie both stopped dancing as well now. "You could say thank you, instead of insulting me." Frank says in annoyance.
"Heh. See. That's a good one." Barnaby jests. Making Frank groan in response.
"Thanks for teaching us, Frank, Eddie." Wally says.
"Of course Wally." Frank gets a soft smile.
Eddie grins. "We should all dance again soon! It was really fun having more dancers around!"
"Yes! That would be the most!" Wally agrees.
Frank and Barnaby eyed each other. But neither actually declined. As much as they didn't want to be around one other. They weren't going to disappoint the other two.
"Yes. That would be nice." Frank says somewhat reluctantly. "Regardless. It's getting dark. We should all be heading back home."
The three all agreed easily. All heading back to their picnic to help clear everything. As the sun was now setting.
Before long all heading back to their respective houses.
Wally gives Home a bright grin as he walks up. "Did you see me dance Home? Slow dancing is so much easier then those dances Julie and Sally showed me."
The door opens with a loud squeak in acknowledgment.
And now Wally pats the wall doorway gently. "Wish I could dance with you too Home. I bet you'd be the most dancer!"
Home walls shake as it chuckles with fondness at the thought.
Before softly closing the door as Wally fully walks inside.