Chapter Text
Neither of them falls asleep though.
Because unknowns to Home, Wally doesn't sleep like most do. But they wanted to keep an eye on him until he got more settled. So he'll stop trying to escape.
Wally couldn't even lie to himself, the bed and blankets were actually really comfortable. Even with his day clothes on.
They were just the perfect amount of soft and fluffy, but still slightly firm. And one blanket has just enough weight to help ease the rest of his nerves. and the bed has such light warmth radiating off of it. He's guessing because Home is alive and has warm of it own.
It's all so nice...
He wasn't supposed to be enjoying laying here! Or be relaxed! He needs to think up a way out of here!
But the longer he lays here, the more it felt like his mind was being filled with cotton. And all he wants to do is close his eyes and bury himself further into the blankets. He could barely even keep his eyes open, and eventually he can't at all. The soft warmth becoming too much to think.
Home is very surprised he hadn't fallen asleep already, with how cozy they know the bed must be. And despite him not actually being asleep, all the tension has very clearly eased now. But maybe he has general insomnia, or he just has that much will to stay awake. It's difficult to say.
It's so nice having him here either way. With him wrapped in the bedding, It can feel the warmth and softness of him. It's like having a lovely teddy to hug! Nice and safe in it- arms...? Walls?
It could easily close their eyes and fall asleep itself right about now. It's never been so cozy before. Just having another presence here made it so much nicer. Especially knowing how comfy he had to be, safe and sound inside here. Just as a home should be for their resident.
Eventually the sun rises, even though neither of them could see it inside. Home could still see out if it wanted to, and it felt the warmth from the sun too.
So it brings out a tentacle, and wraps it around him slightly, to gently pull him out of bed.
He whines at the movement, grabbing ahold of the blankets to try and stop it. Not wanting to get up at all now.
Fondness and amusement fills Home. Funny how much more clingy he was being while tired. It's so cute.
Still, it was time to get up! And it has all kinds of fun things for him to do today!
It's unfortunate he didn't sleep, since he'll be tired while playing. But at least hopefully that'll prevent him from even trying to escape again. Being too out of it to even care.
Also you know the old say! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
So it brings him into the kitchen. Although He doesn't fully let go of all the blankets. So they end up dragging one along with him.
It doesn't fully let go of him once there, but use the tentacle to keep him upright, until he's fully... awake? He wasn't asleep, but he's still out of it as if he had been.
It takes a long beat for him to catch his balance, as the fluff in his mind clears enough to react.
Once he does, he immediately wraps the blanket back around himself better. Causing the other to chuckle.
While the tentacle lets go of him now, as he goes to the cabinets. It still hovers around him slightly.
At least he can still have apples if he's going to be stuck here for a while, Wally thought to himself... They were always so sweet and ever so slightly sour. You could never go wrong with them. They're the most!
The fact that he picked another apple over everything else once again, does not go missed by Home either. It hopes he still likes the other food, but it might just be his favorite? That might be good to know to use as reward or something later, if it is the case.
He sat on one of the kitchen chairs, and ate the apple silently. While he stares at the one window in the room. The shutters were tightly closed. There has to a way to yank them back open. But it was going to be difficult with Home watching him so closely. Maybe he could distract it somehow? He wonders if there was any other doors that lead outside...
Once he's done with the apple, the tentacle goes to wrap around him again, but this he flinches hard away from the touch. Also letting out a very quiet whine. As he drops the blanket fully.
Home eyes widened. Did he just not want to be touched at all now? That was fair enough really. But it was still going have to, to tell him where to go.
But he hesitantly pulls up one of his sleeves, revealing several small cuts on his hand and arm. From when he tried to get out the broken window.
Oh- He's been injured all night!? No wonder he couldn't sleep!
At least none of them looked bad enough to need sewing back shut.
It gently takes hold of him again, softly pulling him into another room now.
A clear bathroom.
It pulls him to the medicine cabinets, the door softly swinging open, to reveal bandages in it.
Wally stares at them uncertainty.
If it wants company, it doesn't want him to die.
But does it have anything to do with him specifically? How often did others come by exactly? Would it let him out so he won't die? Or would they just see it as a lost cause and let him kill himself?
Maybe he should try not eating, just to see how it'd react. Maybe it'll let him out? It sounds painful though...
But he also doesn't want to just do whatever Home wants him to do either.
So he turns around away from the cabinet without taking any of it.
Home eyes narrowed, slamming the door to the room shut.
Wally eyes narrowed at the door now too. "I'm not using any of that."
Why the hell not?? Home cries in it mind. Maybe he likes being in pain...?
He scans the room, and there's still small eyes everywhere in here too. Isn't the bathroom supposed to have privacy? Maybe it doesn't know that... Or doesn't care. Clearly it doesn't care what he wants...
There was a sink in here, as well as the kitchen. And he wonders...
He turns the sink on, and water starts to pour out. But he stares at it uncertainty.
Where was the water coming from exactly? It looks normal as far as he could tell, just as the food. Maybe Home is connected to a local river or something? What if this was something else though...?
They turns off sink itself. Rising a brow at him. Why was he just staring at the water without using it-?
"Is this water from a river?" He hesitantly question. Would it just lie to him though?
The cabinet gives two soft knocks. Where else would it come from? Why is he more suspicious of this then the food?
He doesn't look all that convinced.
Should he just believe them...? It does look clean...
Very hesitantly, he turns the sink back on, and put one hand under the water.
It feels clean too. He wished he had a way to smell it... But he's just going have to hope it's fine.
So reluctantly, he now wash his hands and arm under the water. Where all the cuts are.
It burns a bit, but it also felt nice. So he's just going to tell himself that it's okay, and won't cause more problems later.
Home is just happy he's doing something at this point. though it'd rather him still put on bandages. But maybe he doesn't like how they feel.
Once the sink is off again, they both pause for a moment.
Before he now reluctantly pulls his pant sleeves up to look at the cuts there too.
Home huffs in frustration. How badly did he hurt himself??
They form a towel over the sink right by him.
He tenses at it. Half glaring at it. He's not going to take it!
So instead he tries to grab hold of some water in his palm. carrying the water to the cuts on his legs and knees.
It glares at him. Why is he refusing to take anything? He took the apple! Why was these any different? It'd be so much easier to just use the wet towel!! He's getting water all over it floors!
The cuts on his knees hurt so much more then all the others, but hopefully all of them will heal quickly.
Turning off the sink, he stares at the towel again. Would it be better to use it just to make sure all the cuts are dry? But he doesn't want to give Home the satisfaction...
He walks up to the door, and tries to open it. It obviously doesn't budge.
"Open the door." He glares at some of the eyes.
It glares right back. Giving one knock with the cabinet. Is he just trying to be annoying now?
"Why won't you let me out?" He huffs out.
Every eye in the room eyes the towel. Does he not know that wetting a cut without drying it, will just lead to more dirt sticking to it??
Did Home just not want him to drag water everywhere...?
There's a very long beat where they both just stare at the towel.
Before extremely reluctantly, he goes over to it. And gently dries his arms and legs.
Finally! Home huffs.
He goes to the door again, but it still doesn't open.
"What now?" He huffs out in annoyance.
It eyes the opened cabinet.
Were they seriously not going to let him out until he uses the bandages?
"Fine..." He goes back over, and takes the bandages. Reluctantly pulling them on. At least they don't seem to have eyes on them either.
Home starting to think he does like pain. Why was that so difficult? Why leave them uncovered when those are right there? Not only will they heal faster. But it'll also protect them! So ridiculous.
Also Wally was glad the bandages were very colorful. He always loved bright colorful stuff. One thing to make his time here less miserable. Besides... At least he has bandages to use here at all...
The door now opens. And the tentacle goes to wrap around him again-
"Wait. Home-" He immediately steps backwards a bit, his back hitting the wall.
It stops the movement, just hovering near him now. As he hadn't reacted quite like that yet.
"Look- Please let me out. I promise I won't leave you. I just don't want to be trapped in here..."
Hm. That's a interesting thought. But he could easily be lying. And they'd rather him be safe and warm inside anyway. What exactly was he even going to do? camp right outside it's door step?
It goes to grab him- But he puts his hands on the tentacle first, trying to plush it away.
"Can I at least have privacy to use the bathroom...?" Does this whole bathroom work normally? If not, Home will say so right? Or- Maybe just say no?
Ah. That it can do.
All the eyes close. And the tentacle retract into the floorboards.
He stares at the eyes uncertainty. Technically it could reopen them any moment. But he guess he's just going to have to trust that it'll keep them closed...
Nevertheless. once done, and after rewashing his hands, he goes to the closed window. Pressing palms against the shutter. Just to see if there's anyway to get it open.
There doesn't seem to be... But he still tries to pull it open, it doesn't work...
Home obviously feels him move to it, and pull it. Eyes opening to watch him.
He hesitantly turns around, already knowing the other won't be happy he even tried it. He might have just lost his privacy privileges after that...
They stare at one another for a moment in silence.
He has to know there's no way out. So they don't understand why he haven't given up.
Besides, what was so special about even being outside? It could give him everything and anything here! He just needs to ask for anything but to open the door!
A tentacle yanked back out, wrapping around him. Before pulling him into the living room finally. As that's where all the items to play were.
His eyes widened at all the stuff, that was definitely not there yesterday. He also glances at the record player, because he just realized it was still playing the soft music from before he came inside. Did Home ever turn it off? They were both so distracted that he wasn't sure. Surely they turned it off last night with the lights...?
But they had not. It was still hoping having soft music on would keep him calm, with a relaxed atmosphere. Not that it been working... Maybe that's why he hadn't fallen asleep too?
He's sat down in the middle of the room, where their two main eyes can see him perfectly.
And the floorboards pulls the items closer to him. Clearly telling him to use them.
His eyes just narrowed at them. As he scans everything here.
There's a lot of puzzles from 100 pieces to 5000. Story books, mainly ones made for kids and young adults. Toys like blocks, cars, bean bags, and a tossing ring game.
What was this? Some kind of playpen? Was that what the whole house was supposed to be for him? He doesn't need protecting, or playtime! Just let him out!
But if they been lonely... He could see how it'd want to play with him. And there was far worst ways to play...
Still, he doesn't want to play this game.
"I'm not playing with these."
Home rolls their eyes. Should have known he'd be difficult.
Surely he's bored. This'll entertain them both!
They pulls the stuff closer to him, but he just glares at them.
Alright. Surely there's something he'd still like to play, even despite trying to spite it.
So they flip a floorboard, and a wooden cup and ball game is now next to him.
He doesn't take it.
So they form bubbles bottle.
He just glares at it.
So they try a yo-yo.
Then a trampoline
And then a puzzle cube.
And then a toy microphone.
And then a clicker toy.
And then a spinner.
But he ignores them all.
Until forming some paper and crayons box.
And he tenses seeing them. Really trying to play it off, by just glaring at them like the rest.
But- Oh ho! It saw that!
He wants those! He wants to use those!
They pull them closer to him.
And very clear nervousness comes over him.
Come on! It knows he want to~
Just take it!
If he was to play a bit... Wally wonders, maybe Home would be more likely to let him out? Because it'd get it fill of having company? Probably not... But he doesn't want to lose all hope...
And it will be very boring here without anything to do. But was giving in just letting it have the validation it clearly wants?
He needs to find a way out,
But he really loves drawing... And painting...
And he's never been encouraged to do art before.
Very reluctantly, he picks up the red crayon.
And flinches as the other immediately lights up with clear joy.
He's playing into exactly what they want, and he hates it...
Still, he takes the paper, before laying on his stomach. And start to draw anyway.
Starting with apples as they're his top favorite thing, and food. Before adding hearts because he loves that they mean love. And then flowers because they're pretty. All in the red crayon. He would add smiley faces, as he loves drawing those. But he doesn't want Home to get the wrong idea. Although... He did draw the hearts already...
He almost forgot how fun art is. Most of the time is extremely relaxing and meditative. It's one of the only things that could make him forget how bad everything around him really was. He could easily draw for days straight if he was ever able to.
Home watches him draw very carefully. All the drawing were so cute! It'll put them on the fridge once he's done! As that is the highest honor!
It also noticed how he's only drawing with one color. perhaps that's his favorite? Maybe that's why he liked them so much when he was still outside, since not only was their main build red, but many of their decorations were as well.
Now that they thought about it though. He and they both mainly has the primary colors. It truly like it was fate that they ended up together like this. Although it'd much rather him wear a bit more red honestly. With his blue hair and yellow fabric, a red cardigan would match perfectly! The blue one is still nice though.
They form new papers as he finishes each drawing. Even though he just keeps drawing the same things over and over and over again.
Until the red crayon is gone.
He stares at the end of the red, that is unusable for drawing any more, very sadly for a very long moment.
He could use another color now... But he really doesn't want to...
They're definitely thinking red is his favorite. So after another beat, where he doesn't pick up a different color. it forms another box of crayons next to him. Only just with shades of red.
He grasped seeing them. He doesn't think he even seen this many kinds of red before! They're so beautiful!
Ignoring the paper now, he takes out each crayon out one by one to look at them closer.
Making the other chuckle with fondness. It's so grateful it found some things he likes. That'll make it so much easier to keep him happy while here with them.
After a long while, he starts drawing again. Now using all the different shapes.
But being so focus on it, he draws pass the paper onto the floorboards. Realizing after a beat, eyes widening.
"Oh no- Sorry!" He tries, sitting up while dropping the crayons.
Oh... It hates that fearful tone. Why does it sound so much more scared then anything they did before now?
He must think it'll be mad about that. But it actually found it cute over anything else. Because he was just enjoying drawing so much, that he didn't even notice what he was drawing on.
But they have no easy way to reassure him. So ever so gently, it tries to pat him with a tentacle.
He flinches. But after a few soft pats, he eases a bit. Staring at it uncertainty.
"Sorry... Are you mad at me? I can try to clean it?"
One clear knock ringed out. Hopefully answering both things.
He doesn't look convinced though. He's really have to hope it won't toss him into the dark because of that...
Maybe he needs a distraction? Home thought, So it wraps the tentacle around him very softly. Pulling him into the kitchen, as the floorboards flip the drawings inside. Being moved to the fridge.
Setting him right by the fridge, to easily see all the drawings now on it.
His eyes widened.
It... hung up all his drawings?
Why? They were more little doodles then anything... Did they really like his drawings?
He's not sure he likes how his chest fills with fondness at the thought...
But he couldn't help but ask. "Do you like my art?" It's said so quietly that they easily could have missed it.
But they didn't, as two knocks ringed out. 'Yes! Of course! They love them! They're so pretty! Hopefully he'll make more at some point, even if not now.
"Oh... I'm..." He starts, but trails off.
Because is he happy really? He's happy it likes them, he truly is. But he also shouldn't be doing things to make it want to keep him here, more then it already does...
No one ever liked his art before though. Drawing and painting might be his favorite things to do. But he never thought someone else would appreciate them. He usually just got yelled at for wasting time and money when he does art.
But maybe it makes sense, if Home never really had the chance to have company, it's far more likely to appreciate the seemingly smaller things in life. Just like him really. Those were the things that made life worth any pain one might go through.
He's really not sure how to feel about all of this...
Also now that he's here... Was there even anything in the fridge?
Slowly, he goes to open it. And he wish he hadn't. Because there's very clear, raw red meat in there.
It made sense though. Home wouldn't have known exactly what others might would eat, and probably was just trying to make sure whoever ended up here would have options.
Although... The meat didn't look like any animal meat he have seen. It almost looked more like...
“Were there others before me?” He questions before thinking more on it.
There's a long beat of silence. as it's clear what he meant, were there other residents here before it got Wally.
Home weren't sure if it should be honest. Because on one hand he must know what was in that fridge if that was his first thought to ask after seeing it. But on the other hand, they didn't want him to think that meant it appreciate him any less just because there was technically others before he got here.
But hesitantly, there's two knocks.
"What happened to them?" He asks quietly. "Did you kill them?"
There's no reply to that. Because technically no, as if they just got away from the door, they would have realized that there was food and water inside for them to live on. But they also didn't open the door when it was clear that they weren't going to move away from it.
"Why haven't you killed me yet?" He now asks, even though it has no way to answer.
Before asking instead. "Are you going to kill me?"
There's a immediate knock as clear No.
You’re perfect. it wish they could exclaimed in reassurance.
He scrunched up his face. Why? He has no more worth over anyone else. He doesn’t deserve to live while others don't. But maybe Home wouldn’t agree with such a thought since he's still here...
Just closing the door back, he's going to try and ignore what he saw. He'd really rather not think about all that.
He tries to move back into the living room, but the tentacle tightens around him, stopping him.
"What-?" Home's not going to get him to eat that meat is it...?
He's pulled ever so slightly back towards the cabinets with all the fruit.
He has to be getting hungry, they thought. It's been quite a while since breakfast now.
"I'm not hungry..." He says, like a liar. But maybe it'll believe he lost his appetite after that... conversation?
Home stare at him for a long moment. He's very clearly trying not to make eye contact with it now. He was already unsure of them. But it didn't mean to make him this afraid. Maybe it should have just lied about the others. Unless it had more to do with drawing on floors by accident.
Either way, maybe he just need some relaxing time to calm back down?
Sometimes drawing is very calming. But maybe it'll be better to do something else, since he already drew so much today. It wonders if it could get him to either just listen to the radio, or watch tv? Those are the best mind distracting things to do. That it knows of anyway.
Gently it pulls him over back into the living room again, very softly setting him onto the loveseat in there.
Pulling the tv closer to the seat, before turning it on. At the same time as turning off the record finally.
His eyes widened at it. There's a tv in here? Is it really in range of the channels signals?
He used to really like watching talk shows, because he likes listening to others talk. But he's not sure if the other will let him pick what to watch. He was never allowed to pick something to put on if others were there too...
For something relaxing, Home would think putting on something like a nature channel would be good. But it doesn't think being reminded of the circle of life is the move right now.
But he does like art! So, they put it on a craft show! Close enough hopefully.
It's a episode all about paper origami too! So maybe he could try making some of them later.
This worked too, Wally thought. It was always really fun to see what others would come up with to create! And they always made him either want to try those too, or think up more new ideas himself.
In the show, they start with showing something simple, like a paper hat to wear, and stars. and then started on some different kinds of flowers, like roses and sunflowers. And some birds, such as crows, swans.
It does continue to play more arts and crafts after that, but honestly neither of them is paying attention to it by that point.
Home was more just watching Wally watch the show. But he stopped really paying it any mind after a while. Really worrying the plan of not eating is not going to work. But at this point he doesn't know how else to get out.
It wasn't even that bad here- So far anyway... But he also wants the choice of staying. But the other doesn't trust him enough for that. For all he knows, if he stops trying to get out, then they'll start to believe him. But there's no way to know that. It might just start to think he's perfectly fine with being trapped forever.
Home was kind of hoping he would just fall asleep while watching. But he doesn't even seem any more eased then before the show started.
He has to be exhausted. It wonders what would help him. Maybe he had a confront item or something before getting here. It might be able to make something for him, but it might take a while to replace something with that kind of sentimental value. Especially when it doesn't have any clue of what kind of item it might have been, or what he might want.
Either way, maybe the tv wasn't helping. So it shuts it off.
The other getting yanked out of his thoughts.
"Oh. Can I go outside now?" He asks. Causing them to get a unimpressed look.
The only answer he gets, is the door to the bedroom closing, then opening again, as 'come here. Clearly saying bed time.
He just stares at the door.
Before putting simply. "I don't sleep."
It now rise a brow in disbelief. He can't be serious.
Although he does eat with his eyes too. He really is special.
Still, they go to pick him up with a tentacle again.
And he whines. "Do you have to manhandle me?"
It just eyed him. Because it wouldn't have to, if he would just do what they say.
Nevertheless, he's pulled right next to the dresser again. As it hopes he'll actually use the nightwear this time.
He doesn't though. Immediately moving to the bed instead.
He really wish he could take his shoes off... But that's exactly what Home would want him to do.
As he start to get into the bed, he realizes that one of the blankets was still in the kitchen.
"Oh..." He Immediately gets back up. Causing the other to rise a brow. But oddly enough, it doesn't stop him leaving the room.
As he picks up the blanket, understanding comes over their expression.
Just as fondness fills their heart. Because it's cute that even without wanting to be here, and allegedly not sleeping. He still already doesn't want to change what they set up. which gives it the impression that it is just as comfortable as they wanted it to be. Hopefully that means he'll finally ease too. It can't be good to have that much tension for this long.
And while he isn't lying about not needing sleep. He did still need to just lay down and rest. So while he doesn't want to tell the other that, it's probably for the best that they don't seem to believe him.
Resting was really boring sometimes though. But at least this bed was like lying in a cloud with sunlight lightly hitting it.
Home dims the lights slightly again. And now that they know he may not sleep, it suppose they should just try and get sleep itself. Since obviously it still needs to. And if they were just tired all the time, it won't be able to enjoy his company.
So they swing the door to the room close, locking in place. They should wake up pretty easy, even if he just got out of bed. But they still don't want to take any chances.
He takes a soft sign in relief. Very glad that they aren't turning the lights fully off now.
They both lay there for a long while. Half waiting for the other to go to sleep.
Both not doing so. But to Home's relief, he does finally start to ease a bit. Causing it to relax by a lot as well.
And as Wally lays, he realizes there's a very clear beat ringing throughout the room- Wait. No. It might be coming from the living room.
It's such a specific repetitive rhythm, it makes him think of a heartbeat. Was it Home's heartbeat? That would make sense, they're alive after all.
The softness of it reminds him of music. And listening to it was very calming.
So as they both start to close their eyes, they don't even notice the other doing the same.