The main idea is that Wally died and by god Barnaby is coping so horrifically badly. I wouldnt want the plot to follow all the same beats as the musical Im not exactly keen on having Barnaby Fly, so to speak. As with how I interpret the musical, it's not entirely clear if Wally exists as a spirit or not. I like leaving that open to interpretation. Its interesting exploring what all unchecked grief can do to a person. This isnt a solid au or anything its more a cocept right now and the designs are far from final, this is my first time drawing any of these characters oops. But my god a chance to mix a favourite musical And Welcome Home isnt one I want to miss lol

The entire neighbourhood comes together as a found family, but Sally and Wally were as truly as brother and sister as it gets when he was alive. Rather than having lost Wally before ever having the chance to meet him as in Next To Normal, the two instead had a truly unbreakable bond. For the past 6 or so years Sally has been shouldering that grief, feeling entirely unable and disallowed from expressing or processing it, putting all of her efforts into supporting everyone else. As time passed she found herself a bit resentful of Barnaby, seeing how much care and support went into him. And seeing that the worst of his struggles was simply not easing over time despite everyones efforts. Of course that much was nobody's fault, but the frustrations built and were misdirected onto Barnaby himself. At a point she simply cannot take having her own grief ignored and breaks down in front Julie, who has been doing her best to help Sally despite everything.