~🎬𝒜𝓃 𝒜𝒸𝓉 𝒪𝒻 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒🎭~

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ꜰɪᴠᴇ

𝚂𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝚍𝚊𝚢

Walking up to work you felt exhausted, your limbs were sore, and your head was killing you. It's been a few days since the party, but you haven't been able to catch up on sleep, and you could tell Wally hadn't either. He was much more snappy, and no matter how much he denied that he was tired, you could see his eyebags drowned out with concealer.

Knocking on Mr. Darling's door, you called out for him, waiting for him to answer. "Mr.Darling? Can I come in?" You ask only to be answered with silence.

Opening the door slowly, you saw his dressing room empty and the lights off. Gently closing the door behind you, you walked off to find where he might have run off to so early. Spotting Julie, you waved over to her.

"Hey Julie, have you seen Mr.Darling? I didn't see him in his dressing room?"

"I don't think he came in today, he didn't look too good either when I heard him on the phone. Do you need his number? It's probably best if you call and check on him. You are his assistant." She said, teasing you slightly at the last line, fully aware that he wasn't fond of you.

"No, I think I already have it in my phone book... are you sure I should check on him? It seems weird..." you say, second-guessing her words. She simply laughed and shook her head.

"Even if Wally seems like he doesn't want it, he does need the help sometimes, especially when he's not feeling good. Just give him a call and tell him you're going to visit to check on him, boss's orders."

"But the boss didn't give me that order?-"

"He doesn't know that, and I'd rather you check on him than him ending up dead alone." She jokes, cutting you off. She was called by a director and quickly waved goodbye to you.

The idea of calling him felt weird; you never talked outside of work unless it was an event like the party, and even then, he was rather distant. Confused, you walk over to a nearby phone and dial his number that you had saved in your phone book.

You waited a moment, the phone ringing loudly in your ear, before you heard a click.

"Hello?" You heard from the other line.

"Mr.Darling? It's me, Ms.(L/N), I heard you were sick today and I wanted to ask if I could come over to help out?..."

He stayed quiet, and you assumed he must have hung up or something.

"You don't have to say yes, I just wanted to check on you. Have a good day, Mr.Darling-"

"Wait." He said right before you were about to put down the phone. You pulled it back to your ear quickly, waiting for his answer.

"Fine. You already know my address, just don't make so much noise when you get here." He said before the line died due to him hanging up.

You placed the phone down, a little nervous about what to do. Mary wasn't going to be at your stop anytime soon, and you had no idea how to get the Wally's house. Panicking, you looked around before walking up to Barney's dressing room and knocking lightly.

"Come in!" He yelled out. As you walked in, he let out a smile. "Good morning, didn't expect you to be here today with Wally gone."

"That's why I'm here, he said I could check on him... but I'm not sure where his house is... exactly? So I'm not sure if it's walking length. And I don't have a ride if it's not." I explained, he nodded and laughed a bit, mumbling under his breath, "this guy..." before standing up.

He was wearing his welcome home costume, which was just a brightly colored outfit, fake dog ears, and a spot colored on his eye and face to look like a dog.