Chapter Text
Imagine Welcome Home being one of those kid’s shows where the cast is mainly puppets but then there’s like one or two humans thrown in the mix.
You are a child actor that featured as a main character on Welcome Home. You were someone for kids to relate to and see themselves through. You’d go on all sorts of adventures with Wally and the rest of the neighbors.
Sadly, eventually you were cut from the show after becoming too old to continue playing the role off the neighborhood’s human friend. You had to say a final farewell to your beloved friends as well as the viewers (think Steve from Blue’s Clues going to college).
Of course life didn’t end there. You moved on to bigger and better things. You eased into your adult years happy and healthy and with your own house, your own car, and a wonderful career. It wasn’t until your friends got you a special present for your birthday that Welcome Home finally came back to you.
Inside the opened present was a Wally plushie and a VHS tape of “Welcome Home: Julie’s Not So Joyful Day”.
You smiled. That was one of your favorites. It was where Julie suddenly got very sad because her family hadn’t sent her any letters for a whole month and all the neighbors, including you, did everything in their power to make her feel better. You knew the ending, Eddie had misplaced the letters and forgot about them, but after a heartfelt apology and writing her family an apology letter, things ended up okay.
You happily thanked your friends and after everyone had headed home, you broke out an old (but still functioning) VCR player. Siding the pink VHS tape out of its colorful sleeve, you carefully pushed it into the slot and sat down on your couch with the remote.
The movie played well enough at first. Julie was skipping rope in her yard next to her mailbox, happily humming to herself. Eddie tipped his hat to her in greeting, but didn’t stop to give her any mail. Julie looked dejected at that, remarking that her family should have sent something by now. You engrossed yourself into the movie until it got to the part where Poppy came to talk to you, Barnaby, and Wally about Julie’s mood.
It was suppose to be a scene where you and Wally were painting Barnaby with an apple on his head. Instead, Barnaby and Wally were the only ones there with Poppy. You were gone and your canvas was tipped over and ruined. Even so the scene played on with the characters talking with noticeable pauses where you remember you had spoken. Everyone even reacted like you were speaking to them! Then just as Wally went to suggest that they should throw Julie a party, there was suddenly a weird glitch and the movie completely stopped.
You looked on in confusion. The movie was stopped right as Wally was turning around so that he was facing the viewer. The way the screen distorted Wally’s face almost made him look… sad. The way he looked at you was almost like he was sad to see you.
‘Lonely.’ Your mind supplied. ‘Lonely without you.’
You and Wally were the best of friends when you were part of the show. Everyone often referred to you as Wally’s little sibling from how you two acted like family. It made your heart ache as you remembered Wally’s crestfallen look when you told him you had to leave. He never wanted you to leave and if it were up to you, you wouldn’t have.
“—-ome he—“
That startled you out of your thoughts as the badly broken words sounded from your speakers. You looked to the screen and Wally’s face hadn’t moved.
“C-C-Co— he-rrr…”
You weren’t sure why but it almost felt like you were being called to. It felt silly to think a movie was calling to you but without thinking you got up and made your way over to the screen. You felt a bit nervous, but reminded yourself that there was nothing to felt scared of. Nothing was going to happen. Your mind was being unreasonable.
“Com— He-re…”
With a deep breath, you reached out and touched the screen.
…
Nothing happened.
You let out a small huff with a wry smile. You honestly don’t know what you were-
Suddenly small felt hands reached out of the tv wrapped around your outstretched hand and with surprising strength, pulled you forward and through the screen of your tv.
It was like you entered a portal in a fantasy movie. One moment you were in your living room, the next you were free falling. You closed your eyes against the sudden dizziness as you plunged down to who knows where.
To your surprise, you never hit the ground. You just closed your eyes and moments later, you were being cradled in someone’s arms. The scent of paint and apple scented cologne hit you and stirred up old memories in your mind. You’ve been held like this before after falling asleep after a long day of fun. You were carried home and put to bed by someone you trusted deeply.
But how could this be?
You carefully, slowly opened your eyes to find a sight you would have never expected.
Wally Darling in all his blue pompadour, rainbow attire, sleepy-eyed glory was looking down at you with a sweet smile as he held you in his arms.
“Welcome Home, Y/N.” His borderline monotone voice said. “It’s so good to see you again.”