#beaglepillar

The inside of Barnaby’s house was comfortably cluttered. Circus props, various simple instruments, and a collection of dog-centric furniture. A lamp in the living room was still on, Barnaby must have forgotten to turn it off.

The sudden exhaustion, more from his anxiety episode than anything, hit him like a baseball bat.

Slowly, Wally trudged over to Barnaby’s couch. It was pretty tall for him, so climbing up on it took a bit of effort. He curled up in the corner, sinking into the soft cushions, gently setting the spare key on the side table. There, he buried his head in his knees and began to quietly cry.

Wally did not cry often. He made a point not to. But he so overwhelmed, and exhausted, and felt ridiculous. But he still didn’t want to be alone, he wasn’t ready.

He’d just cry for a bit, and then he’d head back home before. . .

Heavy footsteps came in from the kitchen.

Wally looked up in surprise and was met with the sight of Barnaby’s huge form standing in the archway between the living room and the kitchen. A cookie in each paw (one half eaten already), crumbs scattered across his snout. Having spent the night here several times, Wally knew that either Barnaby slept through the night or woke up halfway through for a late night snack.

Why did he have to feel peckish tonight of all nights?

The blue canine puppet had just finished off one cookie before he caught sight of his guest on the couch.

“Hey there kiddo!” He said with a smile, brushing crumbs off his snout. “I didn’t hear ya come in” Tossing the last cookie in the air and catching it in his mouth, he brushed the remaining remnants of his midnight treat off his fur and pajama shirt.

Wally was speechless. Barnaby was okay, that was good. Now he had to explain why he was here, that was less good. He hated worrying people.

Being distracted by his own thoughts, he hadn’t even registered Barnaby come closer. The much bigger puppet now leaning over him “Though if ya wanted to have a slumber party, you could’ve just said so earlier, buddy! I would’ve left the door unlocked.”

Barnaby chuckled at his own joke. Hearing his laugh was soothin’, it helped ground Wally when the world felt unsteady. Barnaby had a personality as big as he was. Big, bursting with noise, so full of. . . life. Wally felt his ‘heart’ aching.

“Hey? You okay, kid?” Barnaby’s voice, a sad softness to his tone, interrupted the mental spiral.

Wally looked up, Barnaby’s face not but a few inches from his own, peering at him with concern.

Barnaby knitted his eyebrows. Wally’s eyes seemed glossy, his normally placid expression tainted with anxiety. The tiny hands stained with dirt, obviously he’d dug up the spare key in a hurry, so late at night. He seemed very small, curled up in the corner of the couch in as tight of a ball as he could, his chest quaking with wobbled breathing. Wally was trying not to cry.

Oh absolutely not.

“Alright, come to Barnaby, little buddy” Two paws seized the little puppet under his armpits “Upside daisy!” He said, hoisting the little guy up with zero effort. Wally was so light and so darn little.

So little in fact, that when Barnaby pulled him close and wrapped his arms around him, he practically dissapeared in the hug. Taking Wally’s original seat on the couch, Barnaby made himself comfy to thoroughly smother his little buddy in his fluffy embrace. Wally hadn’t picked up on hugs yet, or how to return them. But he cuddled into Barnaby’s shoulder like tomorrow depended on it and quietly began to sob.

“There we go kid, let it out. I’ve gotcha.”

One arm kept a tight squeeze on his weeping friend. The other paw rubbed his back, gently coaxing more sobs out. Meanwhile his snout nuzzled into the crook of Wally’s neck. He could feel small hands gripping his pajama shirt. Softly he rocked back and forth, murmuring soft assurances. Wally was safe, here in his arms, he was okay; Barnaby would hold him for as long as he needed.

A tired yawn sounded from towards the hall from the doorway. Barnaby peeked over to see his caterpillar, his beautiful Howdy, trudging out in his pajamas and slippers. He rubbed his eyes sleepily.

“Ya know, once a man gets used to having a heat buddy at night, it’s awful uncomfortable to wake up to a cold bed” Howdy murmured groggily.

“Sorry bugbear, had a bit of a ‘little buddy’ emergency” Barnaby said, moving one hand to uncover Wally from view.

The little puppet rubbed his weepy eyes with his overcoat sleeve, glancing bashfully at Howdy. He felt a little ashamed barging into their home so late, when they could and should have been in bed. Now both of them were awake, and Howdy would most likely be drowsy at the store tomorrow. All because of him and his little fit.

Wally tried to sheepishly pry himself from Barnaby’s hold, suspicious that perhaps he had overstayed his uninvited welcome.

Only for Barnaby to tighten his grip, both arms pressing his little friend closer to his chest. His snout buried into the plume of blue hair. “Where you think you’re goin, kid? Gonna leave me without my little cuddle-buddy? You wouldn’t be so cruel to your best pal Barnaby, would’ja?”

Wally couldn’t help but let out a wobbly laugh, Barnaby was so dramatic.

Howdy came and sat down beside them “Barnaby’s right there, little guy.” He playfully ruffled Wally’s hair, his fingers playing through the blue curls. “We can’t have our favorite little fella all down in the dumps, now can we?”

Barnaby released his hold, Howdy snatched Wally under the arms and set him on his lap. Wrapping both left arms around him, he asked “So, spill it Walls? What’s gotcha racin’ to our door so late at night?”

Wally faltered a little. He didn’t even know where to start. The visions, nightmares, the ever hovering dread over his head. The world felt tilted, inverted, and so sickeningly artificial at times. Everything was so garish and too bright.

It felt like his whole life was balanced on a see-saw. A single shift one way or another, and everything he loved would crumbled to ashes.

And he would be alone.

“I-I had a nightmare. Everything was gone. I was-I was all alone.” That was the best way he could explain it. He could felt a lump in his throat, putting a quiver in his voice.

“Aww, there there, Walls.” Howdy said, rubbing his back. Wally rested his head against Howdy’s chest. A hand combed through his hair, while another rubbed soothing circles on his back. He felt himself melting into the gestures, softly absorbing the warm compassion behind them.

Barnaby gently clasped the little hands in his own, Wally’s tiny hands utterly devoured by the massive paws. The soft pads squished under his fingers.

“Listen here little buddy, I dunno what train is chuggin’ around in that little head of yours. . .” He emphasized his point by gently boping Wally’s forehead with his nose “. . . but no matter what kinda smoke it’s blowin’, I’m not goin’ anywhere kid.” He squeezed Wally’s hands, bringing them close to his chest “I’m here, buddy, I’m right here.”

Wally gave a weak smile. Barnaby always knew what to say.

Howdy gave a firm pat and shake to the shoulder “Barn here’s right, Walls. There’s nothin’ no good-for-nothin’ nightmare is gonna do to keep the likes of us out of your hair.”

A gentle paw cupped his chin and gently tilted it upwards “Yeah! So pick that chin up, kiddo, give your buddies a big smile.”

Barnaby’s cheerful tone did brighten Wally’s smile a little. But he still seemed wilted. Things still weight heavy on him. Like there was an anchor on his heart, keeping him from feeling completely at ease.

Meanwhile, Barnaby peered up at Howdy concerned. They shared a look, as if searching each other for ideas. Then, unbeknownst to Wally, Howdy suddenly had a look of brilliance. He gave a winking smirk at Barnaby. Lifting up one hand from behind their guest and wiggled his fingers, then gesturing to point down at the puppet in his lap.

Barnaby understood the assignment instantly, grinning down at his unaware friend. “Hmm, alright then, little buddy.” Wally looked up at him from where he had sat, staring at his own hands, curiosity and soft sadness in his gaze “I know you’ve had a rough night and you’ve got a lot on your mind. But. . .” he raised a finger “. . . me and Howdy know just the trick for that, don’t we, Howdy?”

“Sure do, Barn! I think we know exactly how to put some happy in that heavy heart.”

Before Wally had any chance to protest, Barnaby scooped him up in his arms. Heading down the hall, they entered Barnaby and Howdy’s shared bedroom. The bed was much bigger than the original, now having to fit double the puppets it used to.

Howdy climbed onto his side of the bed. Without fanfair, Barnaby tossed his passenger to his partner. Promptly, Howdy seized both little wrists in one hand and pinned him down against the pillows. Barnaby then followed, laying down comfortably on Wally’s other side.

This left the now very giddy little puppet sandwiched between two mischievous giants. Both very intent on cheering him up, no matter what it may entail.

“Well, no need to dillydally, our little guest seems eager to giggle all his worries away. So let’s just do away with these. . .” Howdy easily tossed Wally’s slippers aside. Seizing one of Wally’s ankles in one hand, another hand wasted no time promptly digging wiggling fingers into the soft, yellow sole.

“NYAHAAHAA! GEEEheeheehee! Oh goodness *snrk* GAH-HAHAHA!” Wally spluttered, wiggling like a stuck fish. Pulling his ankle free was out of the question, Howdy was very strong.

“Gosh, you’re so little I hardly have to stretch to reach these tootsies of yours” Howdy teased. “Have it on good authority these twinkle-toes of yours are pretty tender.” He emphasized his words by lightly scribbling his fingers at the base of the wiggly digits.

“Pleeheeheease Ha-Howdy-heeheehee! Not *snrk* GeeHEEheeheehee! Not-NOTTHETOES! GYAHAAHAAHAA~!”

Barnaby’s voice cooed directly in his ear, the whisps of his snout tickling “Got some ticklish tootsies, eh, little buddy?” His voice sent a wildfire of blush across Wally’s cheeks.

Meanwhile, Howdy was having a field day with those wiggling toes. His fuzzy fingers scratching at the base and gliding up and down the wiggly appendages. “Now as someone who’s a bit of a fellow tenderfoot, I happen to know that this. . .” Howdy gently grasped the sides of a single toe between his thumb and forefinger, “. . . really tickles.” With that, he began caressing his fingers up and down the trapped digit. The absolute squeal that left Wally’s body was delightful.

“Ha! No body knows ticklish toes like you, bugbear.”

“GYAAAHAHAHA! EEHEEHEE, IT TICKLES! *honk* *honk* It ti-hickles! EEHEEHEEHEE!” His other foot kicked wildly and his arms pulled at the hand that kept his wrists trapped.

Barnaby, who had been only comfortably watching his lover turn his little buddy into a giggly puddle, now decided to get in on the fun. “Oh and it’s about to tickle a whole lot more kiddo!” Barnaby carefully unbuttoned Wally’s pajama shirt, fumbling about the delicate buttons with his large paws. But with a bit of work, both halves of the pajama shirt fell away, leaving the spasming yellow tummy out in the open.

Wally squeaked and shook his head, quivering with titters and giggles “N-n-no! GEEHEE-YEEHEEHEE! NYAHAAHAA-heeheehee! *honk* Barna-BEEHEEHEE, an-hee-where but thERE-*snrk*-NYAAHAAHAAHAA! Goohoodness meEEHEEHEE! *honk*”

The soft paw tickled at the heart in the center of his tummy. That velvety patch might as well be a bullseye with how eager the town ‘Lers were to get to it.

“Hehe, not gonna happen, kid. Gotta put some happy in your heart somehow, lucky thing this heart’s awful ticklish.” Barnaby teased directly in Wally’s ear.

In the opposite ear, Howdy’s voice practically purred “That tummy ‘tickle-button’ of yours gets too good a giggle Walls.” His final free hand became an instrument of silly destruction as the fuzzy fingers joined Barnaby in scribbling over the heart patch. “Gets ya honkin’ like a gosling too!”

“NYAAAHAAHAAHAA *honk* *honk*! GEEHEEHEEHEE! OH *snrk* goodness! Oh NOHOHO! TIHICKLES *honk*! GAAHAAHAA~!”

“Oh we want it to, little fella. Best save your breath, because your tummy and toes are in for it!”

“Ha-ha, don’t you worry kiddo, we’re gonna tickle that sadness right outta ya. We’re not stoppin’ ‘till your dizzy with giggles.”

Wally dissolved into his own laughter. His last words were truly the last ones he would be speaking for a while. The two giants were good on their word about tickling him silly. Howdy had not relented on his toes, actually gripping both ankles in one large hand so both sets could be attacked at leasuire. Meanwhile his poor tummy heart received no respite. Fuzzy fingers wiggled and scribbled into the velvety surface. His whole body was overwhelmed with tingles.

The whole while he laughed his heart and mind out, he had two playful tickle-monsters whispering directly in his ears. Their soft fluff wicking against his ears and cheeks as they teased and taunted.

“Kitchy kitchy kooo, little tickle sponge, you laugh all your worries away.”

“Atta kid, your tum’s gonna be awful sore after this, but a hard laugh’s just whatcha need right now.”

“You won’t have to worry about nightmares after this Walls. I’m not sure you’ll even be able to even think straight without laughin’. Gonna be nothin’ but giggles and happy thoughts in that noggin’ of yours.”

“Hee-hee, you’re lovin’ every minute of this arn’tcha little buddy?”

It was maddening!

“Hey, Puppy-Love!” Howdy said over Wally “Take his arms for me, would’ja?”

“Sure thing, Bugbear.” Barnaby replied, grasping Wally’s wrists in his free paw.

Howdy proceeded to sit up. Grasping Wally’s ankles still, he placed them in his lap. Now with a hand free, he was able to mercilessly tickle both sets of toes properly. Meanwhile still keeping one hand firmly glued to Wally’s tummy heart, tracing little swirls in the surface.

“Tickle-tickle little tippy-toes!” Howdy taunted, cheekily smirking at Wally, then said thoughtfully “Hmm, my Uncle and Pa used to play this game with me all the time when I was a little bug.” Gently grasping one of Wally’s toes “This little caterpillar. . .”

Howdy cheerfully played his little game, enjoying the squeaky squeals of his giddy playmate. There was a softer smile on his face as his mind wandered to youthful memories of his childhood.

As Wally squealed and cackled and honked, Barnaby nuzzled close to his face. His sniffs and fuzzy face tickled the soft felt of Wally’s neck and shoulder. “I gotta say little buddy, I’m getting’ kinda hungry again. I get a mean sweet-tooth being up this late. . .” His snout moved to root and snuffle at his friend’s ribs “. . . I know just the sweet little guy for the perfect snack.”

Wally could only shake his head. Barnaby growled playfully and chomped down on Wally’s ribs and the side of his tummy. Rubber teeth prickling along his side and long ears brushing against his felt like soft feathers.

“ACK *snrk*! YEE-*honk*-HEEHEEHEE! NO NIHIBBLING! NYAHAAHAAHAA~!”

Howdy grinned as Wally’s fervent wiggling escalated to little jolts and bucks. “Hope you’re ready to be frazzled silly-style, ticklebug!”

Between Howdy playing with his toes, Barnaby’s tingly chomps, and both of them mercilessly still scribbling at his tummy heart, it was so much to take in at once. There were no thoughts, no worries, no fears, only laughter and this joyful euphoria glowing in his belly. Being sandwiched between two close friends as they tickled and playfully teased every sad thought from his mind.

It was maddening. It was exhilarating. It was. . .wonderful.

“HA-HA-HA HO-HO TOOHOO *wheeze* toohoohoo, GAH-HA-HAHAHA! I-AIIEEEHEEHEE-I cahan’t *snrk*. EeehEEHEEHEE, *honk* I CAN’T! *wheeze* Tihickles...AHHAHAHA! It-ihit-IT TICKLES *hic*! Too MUHUCH *wheeze* hic*! HEEHEE-GAHHAAHAAHAAHAA-HAAHAAHAA~! *hic* Pl-EAHEESE! *wheeze*”

Wally pleaded and spluttered, his laugh airy and wheezy. He had long lost the strength to wiggle. His cheeks, tummy, and the soles of his feet had begun to blush crimson. Any longer and he was going to lose his voice. His thoughts had begun to tip into delirium.

Knowing his limit well, his attackers stopped. When he was released from their grip, all he could do was lay limply on the bed, heaving heavily. Little titters and giggles escaped as the after-tickles still rippled through him. His tummy heart was practically buzzing with phantom scribbles of fingers. Wally felt like a puddle of giggles on the blanket.

Howdy turned and gently re-buttoned the little puppet’s pajama shirt. Gingerly, he and Barnaby got him under the covers and climbed in on either side of him. Following this, they proceeded to re-sandwich him between them.

Wally melted into the heavenly softness. It was so cozy and warm and the fluffiness gently flittered against his cheeks and ears. He could feel Barnaby’s snout gently nuzzling into his hair. By the thumping sound, the big dog’s tail was wagging.

Then the tummy rubs started. A gentle hand massaged his aching tummy. Only, instead of Barnaby’s usual large paw, it was one of Howdy’s hands. Not that Wally was complaining, it was delightful!

“That feel good, Walls? Barnaby says I’ve gotten pretty good at giving this belly rub business.” Howdy said.

Barnaby laughed, rubbing Wally’s hair “He’s really been getting a lot of good practice in.” The two of them shared a kiss, Howdy scratching the dog behind the ears. Wally nodded, unable to speak; nestling himself deeper into the pillows and the soft giants that had him trapped in the squishiest hug.

When all the ghost tickles had been messaged away, they made themselves comfortable. Their little bed guest was merely a teddy-bear between them, as they were both perfectly able to cling to each other over him. Barnaby rested his chin on Wally’s head, holding the little puppet close; Howdy comfortably nuzzling close, wrapping his long arms around both of them.

It was not long before they were both drifting off asleep. A chorus of snores and sleep noises rumbled through the room. They were both very tired.

Wally’s little hands reached upwards, taking a hold of Barnaby’s arm with one and grasping the side of Howdy’s hand with the other. He could have cried at how they seemed to curl around him at the gesture.

His friend Porter once said ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift; that is why we call it the present.’ It was easy to sound wise when you read so many books. But Wally had an inkling that he was finally starting to understand what he had meant. He couldn’t tell what the future held. He couldn’t predict what tomorrow would bring them.

But in this moment, here in these six arms, he was safe. He was warm. He was loved.