Protect the Wallaby (Wallace)

[Bailey Bonneville]

It had been a good game, Bailey thought as he pulled on some clean clothes after a refreshing cleanse in the locker room showers.  Despite his height (or rather, lack of it), he was becoming a pretty well-known basketball player, and a good one at that, and he'd been delighted to find that some of the cheerleaders were beginning to giggle and blush when he looked their way and winked.  Of course, he didn't play for the girls (or guys, for that matter), but it was always an ego boost to be noticed and fawned over.  Not that he needed any bigger of an ego...

Anyway, he was in a light mood by the time he slung his duffle bag over his shoulder, gave a couple of his teammates high-fives, and headed out of the locker rooms.  He was about to put his earbuds in and listen to his MP3 player when he noticed a small gathering a short distance away, and, frowning, went over to investigate.  As he'd thought (and worried), it soon became clear that a small group of older, bigger athletes were surrounding a smaller and frailer-looking boy.  Bailey recognized the older boys as some of the ones he'd just played against, and scowled, his light mood suddenly gone.

"Hey, jerks," he growled as he grew near, showing no signs of hesitation or meekness.  "Does it really take that many of you to pick on some innocent kid?"

[Wally King]

Wally wasn't good at a lot of things. This particular situation highlighted his social inadequacy fairly well. It had begun with only of one of the older boys jogging up to him, obviously, a player just finishing from the earlier game judging by the team athletic bag over his shoulder. Wally greeted him brightly and remained good natured even when the other boy 'bumped' into him and accidentally sent him staggering to the side.

It didn't take long for a few of what he assumed were the boy's friend's to group up with him. Wally still not suspecting of them and despite being overwhelmed by the group of them tried to be friendly with them... even as he was 'bumped' into again and spoken to in a way that began to clue him into the situation he had found himself in.

He laughed shakily at one of their questions, investigating an apparently odd statement about birds he'd made in class, when he heard the shout of another person approach them. His eyes widened a bit as he recognized his roommate, who he had yet to speak to him for fear of his roommate not wanting to deal with him. After all, he hadn't chosen to be paired with Wally, and he didn't want to make it harder on him by forcing their interactions.

Pick on? "Oh! No, it's okay," he smiled brightly, sure it was a misunderstanding, "They weren't picking on me!" This earned a confused look even from the bullies who shook their heads in disbelief before stalking away. The muttered accusations of 'freak' and 'weirdo' did not go unheard and earned a frown.

"... I guess they were," he said quietly with a furrowed brow before bending over to pick up the backpack that had been knocked from his hands. "Ah... I'm sorry you had to be bothered with that... Thank you though."

[Bailey Bonneville]

Bailey didn’t recognize the boy at first, both because he was surrounded by other boys, and because they hadn’t been roommates for too long so the basketball player had yet to really commit his face to memory. He’d tried to get the opportunity to introduce himself, but he just hadn’t seemed to find the right opportunity yet.

As for the bullies… “They’re not?” he asked in confusion as the victim spoke. It sure looked like they were bullying him, but maybe he’d somehow misread the situation. It only took him a few moments to disregard this thought as the group of boys looked at each other as though surprised that their efforts had gone to waste and left. “At least he’s not a coward like you lot,” he growled at the trailing insults, glowering at their retreating backs. “Seriously, does it really make you feel that good to team up on….”

Bailey trailed off, realizing they weren’t within earshot anymore. Shaking his head, he finally turned to get a better look at the boy, and let out a soft ‘oh’ as he recognized him. “Hey! You’re my roommate,” he announced, offering a smile. “Wallace, right? I overheard someone calling you that.” He scowled and looked back to where the other boys had retreated. “Don’t listen to them, they’re just upset that my team kicked their asses and apparently thought they would feel better if they found some poor bloke to tease.” Before Wally could reach his backpack, Bailey noticed it on the ground and scooped it up for him, slinging it over his own shoulder with a crescent-eyed grin. “I’m not bothered at all. In fact, I’d be happy to carry this for you if you’re heading back to the dorm.” The guy was so little and frail, Bailey couldn’t help but feel protective of him already. “And besides, it makes me feel good to make guys like that scramble. They know I mean business.” Even if he was on the short side.

[Wally King]

Wally listened curiously as his roommate chased the other's retreating backs with his own insults. He felt bad that he had gone so out of his way to take care of him... But it was kind of cool to see someone stand up against a group of, apparent, bullies like that.

The smaller boy jumped at his announcement, returning the smile with only the slightest hesitation. "Yeah, I am, you can call me Wally, though. You're Bailey right?" He let out a sound of protest as his bag was scooped away, brows furrowing in concern over his dark eyes. "Um, you don't have to do that! You've already done more than you had to... I couldn't make you carry my stuff on top of that!"

He wrung his hands in front of him, anxious at finally meeting his roommate. He'd been avoiding this... oh, god what if he screwed up and he made Bailey hate him and then they had keep living together. Urgh. He wasn't prepared at all to deal with this. "U-um yeah. I'm heading back... You really don't have to carry it," he protested weakly a final time.

[Bailey Bonneville]

Bailey grinned as the younger boy spoke, glad that he’d gotten his name right. Wallace wasn’t a super popular name, but he thought it was kinda cute. Wally suited him better, though. “Wally it is,” he replied. “Yep, that’s me! But you can call me Bae.” He said this with a wink and a finger gun. Now that Bailey was finally getting a good look at his roommate, he immediately noticed that he was incredibly cute. But mostly in a ‘ohmygosh I want to pinch his cheeks’ kind of way, because his face still held the obvious baby fat of youth. “Don’t sweat it, I don’t mind,” he assured Wallace with a wave of his hand. “Consider it a workout for me. I missed arm day yesterday anyway, so I could use the weight.” Nevermind that he had just finished a basketball game. The boy had already made up his mind about the situation, and he was as stubborn as they came.

He noticed that the younger boy was showing signs of nervousness, and Bailey threw another smile at him and nudged his shoulder in a friendly gesture. “Don’t worry, okay? I’ll make sure those guys won’t bother you again,” he promised, mistaking the source of Wally’s anxiety. “Once they realize we’re friends they’re not gonna want to mess with you, because they know I’ll show them who’s in charge around here!” Bailey puffed out his chest as they walked, a habit he wasn’t totally aware of. “Believe me, I don’t mind,” he assured the boy again. “It gives me a chance to show off my arms anyway.” Dressed in a sleeveless jersey, the basketball player turned around so he was facing Wally and flexed his arms, which showed a lot of definition from obvious hard work.

“So, Wallaby, how’s Bellefonte treating you?” he asked after a bit of time. “You’re pretty new and all. It’s been a couple of years for me, so if you need any help, just ask!”

[Wally King]

Wally chuckled cheerfully, surprised and impressed that Bailey had bothered to learn and remember his name. There was a pink flush to his cheeks when the older, larger boy repeated his nickname, somehow awed by the idea of someone as seemingly cool at Bailey saying his name and being friendly with him.

"Okay... Bae," he agreed hesitantly but then a wide grin spread across his face, finding the nickname cute and feeling a bit more at ease to be allowed to call him so familiarly. His eyes widened at the comment of a workout and another wave of panic settled in him, "Is it too heavy?" he asked with concern, "It's mostly books but I can carry some of those if you need me to!"

His smile faltered slightly at the nudge, and looked over at Bailey cautiously and let out a hesitant chuckle. "Ah, thanks." He grew concerned again, rubbing his arm, "I didn't even know they were bothering me...." He said pitifully, "I just thought they were playing." Wally chuckled when he flexed his arms at him, "Do you not get cold?" He asked, showing minimum attention to the definition or musculature of his arms and more concerned about the lack of protection for them. After all, it was still slightly cold for him here, though it was getting better.

"Wallaby?" he asked with a giggle before shrugging and shaking his head lightly, "...It hasn't been terrible...I just don't....like being somewhere new. I like being where I know where I am.... and everything's very different here and I do not like that." Wallace offered a small smile at his offer, "Thank you. I don't want to bother you, though.... I know I can be a bit needy." Or so said those around him.

[Bailey Bonneville]

Aw… Look at that smile. The kid really was a cutie. Bailey was glad he’d stumbled upon that situation, because who knew what those jerks might have done to such a sweet, innocent face? The thought made him sick. “Nope, it’s just right,” he assured Wally about his bag. “I know I’m not all that big, but I’m pretty strong. You just relax and let me take care of it, okay? It makes me feel good.” Bae shot the kid a grin, hoping that would ease his mind.

He barely noticed Wally’s reaction to his nudge, not realizing yet how the younger boy felt about being touched. “Really?” he replied, surprise and curiosity touching his voice. “I didn’t really hear what they were saying, but I know those guys and how they treat younger students, so I just had a feeling about it.” It was hard for him to believe that Wallace couldn’t tell… But maybe the guys just hadn’t done their worst yet by the time Bailey had gotten there. “I’m Canadian, I used to live in an igloo and rode a polar bear to school,” he replied, lifting his chin. “It’s warm down here in comparison.” Of course he was exaggerating, but it was true that he ran warm-blooded, and he was still running on adrenaline from the game anyway. Bae was a little disappointed that Wally didn’t say anything about his muscles… But there would be other opportunities, surely.

He smirked at the boy’s reaction to his new nickname, but didn’t respond. “Yeah, I understand,” Bailey replied, his voice softening a touch. “Where are you from? Trust me, I know it’s difficult at first, but you’ll get the hang of this place in no time,” he promised. “It may seem big now but it’s really not. And the staff and teachers and stuff are all really helpful.” Bailey scoffed at the idea of the boy being a bother. “You’re fine,” he assured him. “I really don’t mind. I’d feel better knowing you had someone to help you, really.” An idea popped into the athlete’s head. “Hey, do you like mochi?” he asked with a grin.

[Wally King]

Of course, even after Bailey's assurances, Wallace was still hesitant. This was hardly the first impression he wanted with his roommate, after all. "Okay," he finally relented, he didn't want to offend the older boy by pestering anymore. As they walked Wally fell into step beside him, hands fidgeting and then falling to his side and then cycling through those motions again as they walked.

He was glad Bailey was being kind and friendly to him, he would very much like to be friends with him... but he wondered if he pitied him. He didn't want to impose on him just because the older boy felt sorry for him... Wally looked up at his surprised reply, and smiled sheepishly, "Yeah... No, I think I'm just bad at noticing honestly... I'm not very good with... people."

There was a chuckle, slightly more relaxed than he had been before, as the boy told his tall tale. "That's not true!" he said through bubbling laughter. "Mmm... Miami... It's really warm there," Wally laughed at his own comment, "And way nicer than here." In his humble opinion at least, there were no beaches or pretty fish or birds here and it was a bummer. He flushed a bit, no knowing that he did apparently look totally helpless.

Wally shook his head gently at the question, answering unsurely, "I... I've never had it before?" He posed his statement as a question unsure of if it was bad or not that he hadn't so he looked to the more experienced of the two in question. "Should I have?"

[Bailey Bonneville]

“Thatta boy,” Bailey said with a grin when Wally finally relented and let him carry the bag. “Hey, if it makes you feel better, how about you owe me a drink or something? How’s that sound?” He normally wouldn’t ask for repayment for something like this, but he could tell that the boy felt guilty over the situation and wanted to make him feel a little less so if he could manage.

He would be lying if he said he didn’t feel a little bad for Wally, but Bailey had a knack for finding smaller and meeker students to help, and besides, most of them turned out to be friends in the end anyway. He was sure that would be the case with this one too, if he had any say in it. “Oh, yeah?” he replied with a soft chuckle. “I like that, though. It’d be nice to only see good in people.” But also dangerous… Yeah, Bailey would definitely need to keep an eye on this kid for his own safety, and hopefully the sweet boy would keep that innocence. The world was too cruel to people who see things differently.

Bailey gasped as Wallace laughed away his ‘true’ story. “How do you know!” he replied with a good-natured smile. “My polar bear’s name happened to be Jonathan.” He snickered at his own tale until Wally began speaking of his own, and listened in interest. “Ahhh… I bet it is nice there,” he agreed, musing. “I’d probably melt into a puddle, though. I don’t do well in the heat. Melted Bailey popsicle, that would be me…” He laughed again.

When Wally replied to his question, Bailey gasped in alarm, clutching his chest as he whirled around dramatically to look at his new friend. “Ohmygosh! Yes!” he replied, faking despair. “I have some in my room from a batch I made yesterday! C’mon, I’ll get it for you!” He tugged eagerly on the boy’s sleeve and sped up on their way to the dorms, excited to give him a new (and surely pleasant!) experience.

[Wally King]

Yeah, it did make him feel better to be able to repay the older boy in some way though he would still feel indebted to him. Because what was a soda for protecting him from a group of bullies and even carrying his things for him. Plus, something like a soda wouldn't hurt most people's pockets but it barely even scraped his... not that his family's wealth was something he often bragged over or even mentioned.

It made him a little uncomfortable, but only because it felt like Bailey was trying to make him feel better which made him feel a bit pitiful, rather more pitiful. "Yeah... I guess so. I just don't like to assume things about people I guess." Though he mostly just didn't pick up on the subtle things, sarcasm especially flew over his head at times.

"Because!" He retorted back just as joyfully, shoving at his arm playfully, 'You don't have a polar bear!" He nodded and hummed his assent, "Yes, it is," a small, sheepish chuckle, "I don't like the cold at all." Wally recoiled in surprise at his gasp, looking around a bit in shock at his dramatic actions, "Oh, o-okay." Wally stammered back, tripping along behind him before finding his footing at the slightly faster pace.

[Bailey Bonneville]

Unfortunately Wallace would likely remain to feel indebted to Bailey, because if the older boy had his way, he would make sure to take care of and protect him at least until he became more confident and comfortable with his new environment (if that ever happened). He didn’t do it to get anything from Wally, though – he just genuinely wanted to take care of those smaller and more victimized than he was.

“Mmm… That makes sense,” he admitted, although Bailey still had a hard time believing someone couldn’t immediately tell that those guys were bullies. Maybe he was just biased. “I could let you know some names you should try to keep away from, if you want. I’ve had a lot of run-ins with bullies at this school.” Mostly because he never knew how to keep his nose out of things and always had to get involved. “It’s hard enough to get used to a new school, you know? I wouldn’t want you to have to put up with the biggest jerks here because they always seem to pick on the newbies.” Bailey hated it.

He shook his head in mock disappointment as Wally denied his story, but grinned as he got shoved back. “You’re right…. It was actually a moose. Only the cool kids get polar bears.” Bailey sighed despondently. “Don’t you guys ride crocodiles in Florida? Or is it alligators? I can never tell the difference.” He let out a soft ‘aww’ as Wally spoke about his dislike of the cold, and reached over to ruffle his hair. “You’ll get used to it over time,” he promised. With that said, he quickly led the boy back to his (or rather, their) dorm and popped open the door to his room, waving Wallace inside as he went to the mini-fridge by his bed. He pulled out a plate with a half-dozen or so of the sticky rice balls – they were pale pink in color – and offered one to his new friend. “Try it!” he chirped.

[Wally King]

Wally was already flattered and overwhelmed by the kindness Bailey was showing so far, he would likely be floored in the future by the continued attention he was paid by the older boy. He chewed on his lip as he mulled over the offer, it would be a big help to know who he should be careful of but it seemed almost...mean, he supposed to simply avoid someone. Wally nodded anyway, a bit hesitantly at first, but then with more surety. "O-okay, yeah that would be helpful."


"Ah, there's both in south Florida," his voice was still as cheerful as before, but with more familarity, animals, after all, were his forte, "It's actually the only place they coexist!" Wally blushed a bit looking away as he remembered to dial back his excitement, "but that's probably not very interesting..." He quieted again to not further irritate the other boy as they walked.


He followed the other boy's directions obediently and stepped inside his room, not aware enough to disguise his obvious curious looks as he inspected the room. His attention was grabbed again as the food (?) was offered, he grabbed it daintily between his thumb and index finger and his eyebrows rose in surprise, "It's pink!", he squeezed lightly before giggling, "and squishy."


There was a small amount of concern at his roommates chirp and he bit into the food, hesitant about the texture but his eyebrows rose again and he grinned widely at the boy, "I like it!"

[Bailey Bonneville]

Bailey didn’t think it was mean to forewarn the boy about mean people. It was just self-preservation, as far as he was concerned. If the people he mentioned stopped being bullies, he would let Wally know, but in the meantime, he was more worried about his new friend than he was about possible hurt feelings for jerks. “Okay! Let’s see, there’s…” Bailey listed off about a half-dozen names of the biggest bullies he could think of that he knew targeted new people. “And here, how about I give you my number in case you ever need anything, okay?” He reached over for the boy’s phone, and would add his name into his address book if given it.

“Ooh, I didn’t know that,” Bailey replied in slight awe. “How did you live there without getting eaten? Someone so cute and squishy, surely you’d be their preferred prey?” The older boy giggled and pinched Wally’s arm, probably with more familiarity than he should have with near-strangers. This kid was just too adorable! “No, I think it’s really interesting!” he argued with a frown. “Do you know a lot about Florida animals? That’s so cool.” Bailey didn’t know much about anything except sports and baking.

Bailey’s room wasn’t super decorated, but he did have several posters of his favorite athletes on the walls and a corner of his room was dedicated to various sporting equipment. His mini-fridge was covered in various kawaii food magnets. He laughed at Wally’s reaction to the mochi. “Yep! They come in lots of colors though. I just like the pink and mint-colored ones myself.” Bailey waited expectantly as the younger boy took a bite, and grinned once he declared his opinion. “It’s good, right?” he beamed. “And look… Watch this.” Concentrating on one of the mochi balls on the plate, Bailey reached with his power and slowly made the selected treat float off of the plate and into his open mouth. “Mmmm…. Sweet,” he hummed.

[Wally King]

Wallace listened intently to the list of names, only able to place one or two with faces or incidents. Most people didn't really stop to introduce themselves before shoving him against the wall. "Oh," his eyebrows shot up in surprise, and he fumbled for his phone to hand it over to the other boy, "Um, okay." It was a little unfamiliar to watch someone input their information into his phone, having never been asked for it before. "I'll only bother you if it's urgent, thank you." He took the phone back, grateful for the kindness, but guilty that he went through the effort.

The smaller boy chuckled, "I'm not that cute... or squishy," he smiled softly, unused to how the other spoke with him. All the compliments and effort. Wally shied away a bit at the pinch, rubbing the spot with a sheepish smile, feeling bad that despite how nice Bailey was being Wally still didn't like when he was touched. Even if it was small. "You do?" he questioned in surprise,"Y-yeah. I like animals a lot... Especially birds and fish, I know a lot about them..."

Even if the room was rather bare, a bit of a relief compared to the bursting status of his own. "You, uh, you really like sports huh?" He questioned, a bit nervously. "Oh, wow, you could make all different kinds huh?" Wally gasped at the little trick, "You can move things?" He was a bit excited at the show, suddenly much more energetic and buzzy just as he had been when he spoke about crocodiles and alligators.