Welcome to the Rainbow Factory

Ch.19: Dust to Dust

Keeping (Y/n)'s secret was proven difficult until she realized they could exchange information via USB card. She would keep the card around her neck and visit Joy, giving it back to him to add more information onto her files. He would then wear the USB until he saw (Y/n) again, exchanging it back.

All the while, despite the change in her body, things appeared to become normal again within the factory.

Except Wally.

(Y/n) couldn't put her finger on it but something seemed off with the boss himself. She'd known him long enough to know when he wasn't acting right, however it was difficult to pinpoint what was different.

One thing was very obvious, his attention towards her had significantly increase, being closer, more physical contact. He'd brush into her, lightly touch her hand, tuck her hair behind her ear.

She grew uncomfortable quickly as the workers had noticed his affection towards her, all while in the middle of his divorce. The last thing (Y/n) needed was for it to get back to Julie, someone who she believed was a friend though they weren't as close anymore.

Her thoughts carried on while working in a lab setting today with chemicals. As she concentrated on dropping precise amounts of acid into a beaker, Wally remained on her mind.

(Y/n) always did most of her deep thinking when working on projects such as these. The first drop went into the beaker, a low reaction, then another drop, a slightly bigger reaction. It had to be done slowly or the entire project could be ruined.

Then a vibration could be felt.

No.

Heard.

Heard?

Purring?

Wally placed his large hand gently against her neck.

She jumped.

Several drops of acid went into the beaker causing the liquid to turn completely black.

"Wally!" She shoved his hand away and faced him. "That took me two hours to set up!"

He continued to hold a smile on us face, "It's alright, I can set it up again. I wanted to check on you."

"You've been checking on me a lot lately since the other day." She crossed her arms.

"Is that an issue?" He placed a hand on her cheek, caressing her face.

"Wally, did anything I say stick to you?" She pushed his hand away again, "Your divorce isn't final, this is not okay."

"Julie and I are over, (Y/n). You need to understand I don't love her anymore, I haven't in a long time." He spoke sternly, "Seeing her true colors showed me who is there for me and who isn't. I should have recognized that a long time ago, and that's my fault."

For Wally to admit he was wrong was unheard of yet here he was telling (Y/n) it should have been her all along. Her eyes were a bit wide as he spoke this to her, and it was the raw truth.

"I understand it's hard to see that, see this, see this entirely different side to me." Wally placed his hands on her shoulders. "I want to show you who I can be, if you let me."

(Y/n) paused, her face red, she looked at him briefly then away, "Finalize the divorce, and we can try things out. Julie was always kind to me. I won't do that to her."

"Okay, I'll finalize the divorce. Until then—" He then kissed her forehead. "—I'll lay off, okay?"

She nodded at him, "Thank you."