#walaby

Barnaby was known to be the type to conk out the second his head hit the pillow. Forget about waking up on time. One alarm was never enough to get him out of bed. So, it was pure luck he woke up before Wally.

And… he would have fallen right back to sleep if it wasn't for… that face. He rarely got the opportunity to just stare at Wally's face. Usually, his felt was creased harshly around his eyes. Mouth pulled down in a deep frown. Eyes fiery, but something so much more wiry just behind those beautiful irises.

Now, though, his features slumped and squished into Barnaby’s furry chest. His lips were in the tiniest pout, but he didn't look upset. More like that was how his face naturally wanted to sit.

And oh his hair! Tousled this way, and that, in beautiful rolling curls. On anyone else it would have looked like a mess of frizzy, untamed hair. But, on Wally, it was untamed in the way a field of wildflowers are.

Barnaby yearned to reach out, but didn't from fear of tarnishing the perfect picture in front of him, just by being in it. Instead he committed the scene to memory. Each little strand of hair. The movement behind his eyes. The warmth of his cheek bleeding into his fur. The tease of his shoulder seam under his skewed robe.

Every bit more ethereal as the seconds passed.

Wally's expression changed for only a moment before his eyes opened. He gave Barnaby a look he was all too familiar with. The one that said ‘What kind of trouble are you up too?’ without ever saying it. A mild glare, paired with pursed lips. “Fucking staring at me so hard you woke me up.” The words slurred together, just slightly, from lack of use. Nothing more than a low mumble that could only be heard in the quiet of his bedroom.

Barnaby smiled, the kind that started in the confines of his heart and clawed its way out to take form on his lips. “Sorry… I didn't mean to…” As gentle as one could he brushed back those mused strands out of Wally's face; ending with his palm resting on Wally's cheek jaw, and partially brushing his neck. Wally's eyes followed the movement. When they met Barnaby's again the dog Puppet let out a soft sigh. “You're just so beautiful Wals.”

A lopsided grin made it onto Wally's face. “Geez, pull it together man!” He rolled his eyes with a little giggle. “You're acting like you're in love or something.”

Barnaby couldn't help but tease. “Oh, but I am, my sweet, fair, Wally!” If the over dramatic tone wasn't enough he even put on a terrible ‘regal’ accent. “As pretty as a rose, and just as prickly!”

Wally groaned, but he couldn't keep a smile off his face. “Shut up, before I rip that ear right off your head!”

Barnaby wiggled his eyebrows. “Oooo! Spicy~”

The only reason he didn't get a good ear tug is because Barnaby was faster. That didn't mean Wally would give up. The two of them spent the first 10 minutes of the morning playfully wrestling. Then, after 5 minutes of post-wrestle cuddling, they got ready for the day ahead.