Chapter Text
Eddie and Frank have been fighting a lot more than usual. Eddie's been busy, his shifts as the neighborhood's one and only mailman have been more demanding lately, and more time-consuming. He's gone for most of the time the sun is up, but he's always home at night for Frank. Frank has noticed his absence and has not taken kindly to it. This lack of attention has caused endless agitation for Frank, who has become cold towards Eddie. This coldness keeps Eddie out of the house for just about as long as he can be, who would want to return home to a barrage of passive-aggressive comments?
Wally, on the other hand, is over the moon about this development. Eddie's been spending more time with other members of the neighborhood, but he spends most of his time with Wally. It all started because Wally invited him over for tea one afternoon.
"Me?" Eddie asked, scratching the back of his neck as he looked down at Wally.
"Well, yes! Of course! You do so much for all of your neighbors, shouldn't you take a break, hm?" Wally responded, taking his time to speak just like he always does.
Eddie grinned, he hadn't ever been inside Wally's Home before. Which, now that he was thinking about it, was odd. This thought was forgotten as Wally grabbed Eddie's arm and led him into his Home, shutting the door behind them.
It was nice, though dim. Wally didn't keep his windows open, so lamps lit the Home entirely. It made Eddie feel at ease, nostalgic.
"Have a seat anywhere, Mr. Mailman." Wally signaled towards the loveseat, which had heart-shaped cushions and looks inviting.
"Thanks." Eddie placed his bag, which still had letters left for Barnaby in it, on the ground and sat on the loveseat.
Wally continued to the kitchen, which was attached to the living room through a doorway with no actual door.
"I'm just going to fix us two glasses of tea, how does that sound?" Wally softly called through the kitchen.
"Sounds great, thank you," Eddie responded bashfully. He felt like he had butterflies in his stomach, but he didn't understand why. Wally was his friend, he was everyone's friend. Why did this feel so foreign?
He wondered what Frank was doing right now. He was either at home studying butterflies or out on the town with Julie. Eddie liked Julie, she was such a ray of positivity. She could cheer anyone up, she seemed like she knew that everything in this world would work out just fine. Julie was loud around everyone. Everyone, except Wally. Now that Eddie's thinking about it, she always seemed a bit shy around Wally. Her cheeks were extra pink, she would avoid eye contact. Did she...did she really? Could she have feelings for Wally Darling? Is it possible? I mean- sure. It is possible. Wally was so friendly. And so unique. He had this aura around him. Wally Darling, what a guy. Anyone would have a little crush on him, right? Anyone in their right mind would-
"Here you are, Eddie Dear." Wally placed a hot cup of tea on the table in front of the loveseat, before he sat down in the other spot available, right next to Eddie.
"Do be careful, it is hot. Barnaby taught me to do this," Wally lifted his cup to his lips and blew onto the tea, pushing the steam away from his face and into the air of the Home.
"This will cool it down, Barnaby said," Wally smiled at Eddie.
"Oh, yeah, of course." Eddie copied Wally, so that they were both smiling at each other while they blew cold air onto their cups of tea.
Gee, Eddie thought, Wally sure does have dark eyes. Big ones, too. He has long eyelashes that make him hard to look away from. Really, really hard to look away from.
The butterflies in Eddie's stomach were agitated by this seemingly endless eye contact, they began to tickle his organs into a slight cramp. Eddie looked away and took a sip from his tea.
It was, of course, perfect. It was sweet, it was plain, it was clean. It was perfect.
"Gee, Wally, this tea really is great!" Eddie smiled at him. Wally smiled back.
"Thank you, I wish I could take credit, but Home made it."
Eddie didn't understand, but he didn't really need to.
Time passed as the boys caught up with each other.
"I'm sorry to hear about Frank, Eddie. That must be so hurtful, when he says those things to you." Wally cooed, placing his hand on Eddie's thigh.
Eddie froze, feeling a sudden jolt of electricity in his gut.
"Oh, it- it's not so bad." Eddie nervously giggled, looking at Wally's hand as if he wanted it to do something.
"Well, Eddie, you are always welcome to come by my Home. I would love to have you."
"Yeah, thanks, Wally."
Wally smiled at him. Eddie grinned back.
"Wally," Eddie asked, "do you have anyone- like how I have Frank?"
Wally cocked his head slightly, surprised by the question.
"Do I..." Wally trailed off, placing his index finger on his chin and staring up at the ceiling.
"Well, sure! Kind of. I have Barnaby! He and I spend most every day together, we even have sleepovers every now and again." Wally grinned, looking back at Eddie.
"Oh, of course! I should have figured." Eddie wasn't sure why, but that answer upset him. Barnaby. What does Barnaby know about Wally? Barnaby isn't a romantic, he probably doesn't even do anything nice for Wally.
"Yes, Barnaby." Wally smiled at Eddie, but this smile was different. It didn't look as genuine as it normally would have. It seemed almost... almost feigned. Why is that?
"Well, Eddie Dear, we have spent almost all day together." Wally was right, because the windows were shut, Eddie hadn't realized how much time had passed. The sun was setting already.
"Gee, you're right." Eddie shot up, grabbing his bag and adjusting his cap. "I really should be going. But I had so much fun with you, Wally," Eddie beamed.
"And I, you." Wally closed his eyes while a smile came to be on his face. This one seemed real.
Wally rose, took Eddie by the arm, and walked him to the front door.
"Do come back soon, Mr. Postman," Wally pulled Eddie down into a kiss on the cheek, before opening the front door and revealing the outside world again.
"Goodbye now," Wally whispered, closing the door once Eddie stepped out.
Eddie was frozen, red as an apple. What?
What did Wally mean by that kiss? Does he do that with everyone? Or was that special? Was Wally inviting him back for more? For something further than a kiss on the cheek?
Eddie felt electric. But this rush of energy needed to be focused on his work. He still had Barnaby's mail to deliver. As his thoughts of Wally continue to race, he rushed down the street to Barnaby's house.