☆ Welcome home Neighbor~! ☆
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Human Reader x Welcome Home!
Tonight is the night to confront Home. Or are you too late?..
Chapter 10/?
Word Count: 3,200 out of 31,967
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Your blood felt like ice as you stared at Wally, you knew it was Home in front of you, but you couldn't help but still see Wally, someone you thought was your friend.
“Don't go quiet on me now Neighbor... I thought you wanted to have a conversation?..”
You knew you had to say something, so despite your throat feeling tight, and your eyes feeling dry. You spoke through the anxiety.
“...Wiping memories isn't right Home. It doesn't matter what it's for, people deserve to live normally..”
Wally sat back in his chair. The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife before he sighed and continued.
“You were unhappy before you came here.. Who do you think fixed that?”
You stared deep into Wallys' eyes, searching for any hint of him still remaining. But all you saw was Home.
“...What do you mean?..”
“Don't be daft. You can't even remember your So called friend's names, yet you never paid it any Mind, Did you?”
You felt like you were going to throw up, but you found quickly you couldn't move from the chair Home had set you in. Every time you slightly shifted your arms they reconnected with the chair, as if there were strings attached to your nerves holding you there.
Wally slowly rose from his seat across from you, walking over to where you were sitting slowly.
“In fact… You never even noticed you don't remember your Parent's faces… Am I correct?”
“What… Of course, I remember..!”
You felt angry. Despite your best efforts, however, you couldn't produce more than a scowl at Wally, the chair holding you in your sitting position as Wally neared.
“Then what do they look like? Go on,”
You found yourself frozen. You couldn't speak, your throat felt like it had a snake around it, squeezing every time you tried to think of your parents.
Wally seemed to find this amusing as he finally stood beside you, you craned your neck to look at him fearfully.
“That's what I thought. Now Neighbor, if you wouldn't mind..”
Wally leaned down to make eye contact with you, his hand connecting with your jaw as you were overwhelmed with the same feeling of burning skin that once took hold of your ankles.
“I would like for you to join our lovely Neighborhood.”
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Howdy continued to sweep outside of the Bugdega, looking out at the passing sunset as he leaned on his broom.
He felt like he was forgetting something… No, it felt more like he was forgetting about Someone.
As he moved inside his shop, he tried to think about everyone who had passed in and out of his shop throughout the day…
Poppy had passed through to gather more flour and blueberries, he can't seem to remember why, but he knew she was making something for someone. He even had a conversation about how this someone enjoyed her baking…
…Maybe she had baked for Wally?.. That had to have been it, maybe even for Sally... He knew how Sally had a major sweet tooth.
Still though, even that didn't seem to make much sense. If Sally normally had a request for Poppy she would come in herself and purchase the proper ingredients, which she had not done today.
…So who was he forgetting?
His thoughts were interrupted as he heard the chimes on his door ring faintly, he zoned back into reality and turned around to see Eddie with a rather large package outside of the Bugdega.
“...Sorry I took so long Howdy!..”
Eddie curled in on himself as he panted a little, his hands holding onto his knees as he caught his breath. Howdy couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at the frazzled mailman before he continued.
“Phew’ As I was sayin’ I had to wait for the storm to pass through before I could deliver this to ya’!”
“Its no worries Eddie, thank ya’ kindly for coming out an’ delivering to me on such short notice!..”
Howdy was kinda shocked at how fast Eddie had brought his produce for the week, he just placed that order today. Eddie looked confused before he pushed himself up from his knees and stood up straight,
“Whaddya mean Howdy? Ya placed this order a few days ago?..”
Howdy was confused, moving one of his hands to scratch his head as he thought... He didn't remember ordering anything, all he remembers ordering recently was a product stock for the upcoming week..
He guess it didn't matter anyways, giving a shrug before shooting Eddie a friendly smile.
“Suppose it slipped my mind!.. No matter, thank ya’ either way Eddie!”
Eddie returned Howdys smile as he began to leave the Bugdega, leaving Howdy to figure out how to move the package inside his shop.
Before he could move it he had to figure out what it was, he didn't remember ordering anything, much less anything this big…
As he grabbed a boxcutter from behind the counter, his leg bumped into the small stool that sat nearby. Howdy absentmindedly wondered why that was there… It wasn't like he sat down much during the day…
…And why did looking at the counter make him feel sad? Like it was missing something resting on it,
As he shook his head he continued outside, he still had a package to open after all. He could move the stool later. As he walked outside to the large package, he first read the label..
It seemed that this was a bed frame and mattress, this only served to raise more questions in Howdys brain. Howdy had no need for a new mattress, much less one that was only a twin-sized one, with his many arms and legs he needed at least a queen-sized…
So why was there a mattress and bed frame at the door of his shop?..
Howdy found himself forgetting. ---------------
Frank sat in his study for a few hours after Y/N had left, finding himself staring off into space at the clock he had on his wall.
He worried for them, he really did. He knew how terrifying it was to face Home and challenge them on their beliefs, he experienced it firsthand when he first moved in with Eddie.
…Unfortunately, that's also how he knows the most.
‘Curiosity killed the cat, and satisfaction never brought it back’
Frank thought as he stared absentmindedly at a framed picture of him and Eddie before Eddies first Reset.
He still remembers when Eddie returned that day after delivering a package to Wally, he saw the fear and panic written in his eyes and face.
Frank couldn't do anything as he watched Eddie collapse in front of him. He felt so helpless.
Frank sighed and wiped at the tears that had begun to fall down his face as he zoned out, shakily rising from his chair he walked to the living room, Eddie would be home soon and it was his turn to make dinner.
Frank reserved himself to the small task of making a quick dinner, they didn't have a need to eat but it was still nice for the both of them to have a common time to chat and discuss how their day went.
Like clockwork Eddie entered at approximately 8 PM. Despite Frank's clock being broken he knew Eddie started his day as early as 6 and ended at 8. Sometimes returning early if it's a slow day.
Eddie entered and collapsed onto Frank's couch, something he had grown used to over the years of sharing his space with the other man.
Frank didn't mind, he washed his hands before walking over to his husband with a fond smile as he leaned to take his hat from his head before placing a small kiss on his temple.
“...Rough day?..”
Frank spoke softly as he pulled a small blanket from the spot on top of the couch it once rested on, Eddie grumbled in response as he pushed his head further into the pillow he had collapsed onto.
Frank couldn't help but laugh,
“What was that love?..”
Eddie slowly pulled his head up from the pillow, his hair already beginning to come out of its usual stiff shape he styled it in every morning.
“..M’ day was alright’... Had a big package for Howdy, had to wait for th’rain to stop..”
Frank still had a fond smile as he gently lifted Eddie's head and sat down, laying Eddies head in his lap as he settled his hand on top of his head and in his hair. Gently undoing all of Eddie's hard work of styling it.
“..What did Howdy get?.. If you don't mind me asking of course,”
Frank knew how seriously Eddie took privacy in his work, but he couldn't help but wonder what Howdy had ordered for the week. And with Y/N living with him, he was sure it had to be some sort of gift.
Eddie took a moment to respond, blissed out by the feeling of Frank's fingers in his hair.
“I think it was some sort of bed… Dont know why he would be wantin’ a twin sized though, a big guy like him won't fit into it..”
Frank let a small laugh out of his nose as he looked down at Eddie fondly,
“Perhaps it's for Y/N, That's rather thoughtful of him,”
“...Whose Y/N..?”
Franks’ fingers halted all movement through Eddie's hair as he froze, he felt the familiar static take hold of his head as he quickly stood. Disrupting Eddie's peace and tumbling him out of Franks lap.
“Wh-..! Monarch’ where are you?!..”
Frank didn't have time to tell Eddie what was happening as he quickly took off toward his Office. If Eddie had already forgotten Y/N he would soon be next, he didn't dare to think about Howdy and what he must be going through.
He had to get everyone's memory back on track before they all forgot Y/N or worse.
His legs shook as he practically collapsed in front of the drawer connected to his desk as he quickly flung it open. Eddie standing in disheveled shock behind him.
It didn't take long before Frank's fingers gently grazed over the familiar feeling of the notepad.
Quickly pulling it out he skimmed over the pages, Y/Ns face becoming less and less familiar to him by the second.
He read through everything Y/N had written. With Eddie looking over his shoulder reading along as he did so, Frank was so focused on reading to notice Eddie falling to his knees beside Frank.
After a few moments, the static subsided and Frank composed himself enough to turn around and look at his husband, where he saw him collapsed and crying.
“Home made me forget again, I knew this would happen..”
Eddie spoke through choked sobs as Frank moved to console him. After Eddie lost his memory the first Reset, Frank was tasked with reminding him of everything, including their marriage.
Ever since Eddie had taken every precaution to keep him from forgetting again, it was no shock to Frank this would be his reaction to learning it almost happened again.
“...We need to go to Howdy. If we already Forgot imagine the rest of the Town..”
Eddie nodded solemnly, knowing they would have to remind everyone of Y/N, Frank absentmindedly glanced at the notes left by Y/N and couldn't help but smile at the small, child-like doodle they drew for Howdy.
With a final resolve, Frank pushed himself to stand, holding Eddie's hand and helping him up as he did so.
“I'll go tell Howdy. Could you tell the others?.. I imagine Howdy is going to take it the hardest.”
Eddie gave a nod and gave Frank a comforting kiss on the cheek, skimming over the notepad quickly before leaving and grabbing his hat on the way out.
Truth be told Frank didn't know how Howdy was going to react. He knew he and Y/N had a deep connection. Home must have really intertwined and tangled himself to get the whole Town to forget.
…Which also meant Home was more vulnerable, Frank knew he had to act quickly if he had any chance of loosening Homes grip on you.
It didn't take long for Frank to reach Howdys. He just wished he didn't have to pass Home as he did so, especially knowing you were more than likely inside.
…But there was always strength in numbers, so he would have to get more than just himself to protect you.
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Wasting no time he practically ran to Howdys, on the way he saw Eddie consoling Barnaby as he reminded them of you, Frank knew the feeling all too well. They were all afraid of resets and forgetting others.
Frank practically burst into Howdys shop. Taking no caution as he quickly ran to his office door and knocked, waiting for the bug to answer.
After a few minutes, Howdy did answer the door, wearing his pajamas. If Frank looked behind him he could see the faint shadow of a massive box squeezed to fit inside Howdys already small office.
“I'm sorry to intrude at such a late hour Howdy, But I need to Ask a very important question.”
Howdy looked confused and concerned as he stepped forward, his antennae flicking up in interest at what Frank could be questioning him about so late into the night.
“What's up Frank?.. I ‘avent seen you this riled up since… You know,”
Howdy had an uncomfortable grimace on his face as he hinted at Eddie's last reset, this was good Frank thought. It meant Howdy still remembered resets and wasn't fully gone himself just yet.
“That actually leads into what I was Going to Ask you Howdy. Do you remember Y/N..?”
Frank took a deep breath as he grounded himself for Howdys response. No matter how many times he had to go through this, no matter how many people got reset.
It didn't stop the aching feeling he had in his chest whenever he saw people remembering again.
It's as if their world stops for a minute as their mind catches up with processing all the lost memories. Before the ripping pain of Homes strings detaching kicks in.
It's a fiery hot feeling that seems to wrack through their very essence of being. If the act of being Reset wasn't traumatizing enough, the feeling of remembering almost made it worse.
However, as he looked at Howdy while holding his breath, none of that happened. Howdy seemed to have no reaction until he dropped to his knees and his breath became frantic.
Frank almost instantly moved to console him as he saw the familiar shaking overtake Howdys body as his memories came flooding back. Howdy even began to sob a little, his sobs coming out choked as he held tightly onto Frank's shirt.
After a few moments, Howdy regained his ability to speak, shakily asking Frank,
“...What time is it?..”
Frank didn't have a watch, so the best he could do was a rough estimate.
“..About 8:30 PM.. Y/N went to Home about 6.”
Howdy took a deep breath before looking into Franks eyes, a look of hope spreading across his face briefly before disappearing as quickly as it came.
“So theres still time?.. Time to stop the reset?..”
“Theres always time.”
Frank stood and helped Howdy up as he did so,
“I already sent Eddie to gather the others. They should be remembering Y/N now. Home is vulnerable, we need to take action while we can.”
Howdy looked nervous as Frank moved to leave Howdys store, Howdy quickly grabbed a hair tie and his orange apron to tie above his pajamas. He tied up his hair as he followed Frank,
“...We need to take action while we all remember.”
“..Indeed we do.”
Frank didn't notice Howdy grabbing a small lighter before they exited his shop into the cover of night. -----------------
Eddie had gathered the other Neighbors into Franks' home, Frank and Howdy being the last to arrive. Frank could hear the worried mutters before Sally spoke above the rest.
“It doesn't matter How we do it!.. We need to get Y/N out of there Right now!..”
“Sweetheart’ you're not taking into account what could happen to us if we try to do that!.. For all we know Home could very well be waitin’ for us to rush into action..!”
He could hear the mixed voices of Sally and Poppy arguing, something they often did when under high stress. Like a mother and child arguing.
The room seemed to go quiet as Howdy walked in, however. The whole town knew how close the two were, and they almost seemed ready to follow whatever he said.
“...We need to take action as quick as possible. I don't wanna do it neither’”
Howdy turned to look at Poppy who was once arguing with Sally,
“But we don't got much choice. If we wait any longer Y/N could very well not be themself anymore.”
Howdy had slight eye bags under his eyes from just how much he was crying. The fabric that was his skin seemed to take the tears and let them sink into it. Adding onto his disheveled appearance.
“Now, I can go in and confront Home myself. But I need ya’ll to promise me you'll grab Y/N.”
Howdy looked at the others with a serious expression. Barnaby was quick to speak up at Howdys statement, stepping forward through the crowd. His eyebrows furrowed.
“If ya think I'm gonna have any part in your suicide mission you got another thing comin’ Howdy.”
Barnaby practically growled as he stepped closer to the bug man. A stern and serious expression on his face.
“Ill help ya confront Home, the others can grab Y/N, but I ain't lettin’ ya put yourself in that high of danger for the fleeting chance it'll save them.”
Howdy looked as if he was about to cry as Barnaby continued to speak. Clearly overtaken with emotions.
“...I just want them to be safe Barn’s… I don't know what I would do if they..-”
Barnaby pulled Howdy into a hug as Howdy was speaking, He knew what he was going to say, and didnt want to think of what would happen to you if they didnt make it on time.
Barnaby pulled away from the hug and turned to their neighbors behind them.
“So its settled. Me an Howdy will distract Home and get Y/N outta there..”
Eddie and Julie looked nervous as Barnaby and Howdy finalized the plan, Julie spoke after a minute.
“...What about Wally?..”
Barnaby had a sorrowful expression on his face as he turned to his friend, moving to put a hand on her shoulder.
“We’ll get him outta there too.. I promise.”
Julie sniffled and wiped at her tears before giving Barnaby a determined smile, the overall morale in the group seeming to increase at the thought of recovering Wally and Y/N by the end of this.
“Let's get ready gang, we got a long night ahead of us.”
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Hope you Enjoyed!! As Always my AskBox is open! I even posted my Oneshots to my Ao3 If you ever struggle to find them all!
I hope to chip away at the requests this week! Until then i hope you all have a amazing week <3 Dont forget to drink water and take care of yourselves! ʕ •ᴥ•ʔゝ☆
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