Author: TippierCoffee

Disclaimer: I do not own—nor do I claim the rights to—any of the characters from the show Codename: Kids Next Door. All credit goes to rightful owner: Mr. Tom Warburton.

Enjoy :)

Pet.

Two weeks passed like that. The four of them worked tirelessly on the tree house, while Mrs. Gillian told them stories about things they claimed to do as children. They especially got a good laugh at Hoagie's hobby of being a detective. He still endorsed in said hobby every once in a while, much to the others' amusement, convincing himself he would one day be in the FBI. Maybe, he would even become a private detective!

Once Hoagie turned the conversation into aspirations, Kuki shared hers as well. She really wanted to be a nurse, but sometimes her parents scoffed at the idea. Why be a nurse, when she could be a doctor? She would be much more respected, and make more money. It was clearly the better option, but Kuki disagreed. Sometimes, when they worked late and talked about everything and nothing, Kuki would talk about her parents' plans for her. Trying to arrange for boyfriends who could later become husbands. Ask her, it was insane. She was only fifteen! But her parents had her life planned. Two kids at the least, married before thirty.

Abigail aspired to be a surgeon, just like her father. A legacy she wouldn't mind trying to pass onto her kids, but after hearing how stressful Kuki thought such things could be, Abigail noted she would not be as forceful about it. Maybe just hint it and see what happened.

As embarrassed as he'd been to admit it, Wally wasn't sure what he wanted to do after high school. He never had the patience for homework or paying proper attention, so he didn't get the credit he deserved. There were many things he knew and was smart in, but he just, couldn't get himself to show it. Sometimes, however, his mind became so unfocused he wasn't sure what a task asked him to do, even when it was simple. He was more of a physical type who needed to move. Due to this, his parents had him tested for ADD and ADHD. As far as doctors cud tell, he was neither. It was all up to learning styles. Wally learnt best by doing, rather than sitting, listening, and writing. He had been thinking about playing a sport professionally, maybe soccer or football, but he wasn't even on a team, and it took more than just talent to get scouted; it took luck.

A short temper had gotten him involved with bullies, and he still had trouble backing out and committing himself entirely to this new friendships. But he tried. A hard task when his former 'friends' kept calling, and texting, and showing up at his door to ask him to hang out, or approaching him in school. It was like having stalkers. But he would work better on cutting those ties, make his intentions clearer to his former friends. There was something here he enjoyed a lot more, something that felt truer.

Sometimes, when Wally ditched his older friends in favour of this new group, people whispered in the hallways. When his former friends started laying off of him, they went after Hoagie. Wally had warned the guy, but despite that, he could see it really got to Hoagie when Simon or Lou would shove him in the hall, push him against a wall, ask him if he enjoyed being Wally's pet. They went after Abby, they went after Kuki. If they kept harrassing Wally's new friends like this, was it really worth it? He cared for all three of them. The way they clicked and got along. Hoagie's wicked strategies when playing Captain Yipper. Abby's calm, cool, calculated personality and her talent for solving conflicts. Even Kuki's humming and bubbly personality. Wally enjoyed all of it, even loved it—though he might never say it out loud.

Over time Wally built a certain pride because he did better in school. He got along better with his mother, their tree house was about ready for use, and when he had trouble in history Abby helped him out, in maths Hoagie helped him out. When he needed an escape from reality, Kuki knew the answer. And no, he would also never tell anyone about those stupid pretend tea partied he attended with her, or admit to actually finding something enjoyable and relaxing about them. It was mostly because he enjoyed Kuki's imagination really, and the places they could go without even moving. As late as yesterday, they'd been on a travel together. In real life they just went to the park because Kuki wanted to pick flowers for her room in their tree house, but because of her imagination—and Wally's willingness to play along—they went on an adventure through the deepest forest of the Sapphire Empire. How was it it went? An evil queen had trapped the innocent flower people in a dim part of the woods. She'd built a dungeon around them, and it was Wally's and Kuki's job to free them, and bring them into the light so they could use their powers to defeat the evil queen. But many dangers and obstacles met them on their journey, and they had t be careful who saw them. It was best to stay hidden, because anyone could be an ally of the queen. At fifteen, Wally never thought he'd be playing silly games like that. He always though he'd rather be caught dead, or forced to eat raw fish, after catching them like a bear. But he enjoyed every single moment spent with his friends. When he needed a break from one of them, he could hang out with another one. Sometimes, all four would chase the ice cream truck, for God knows which reason, when it left after selling ice cream to kids.

Today was another one of those days where Hoagie got tormented; by Lou this time.

"What up Gilligan?" he sneered. "You enjoy being Beetles' little pet, huh? He give you protection to do his homework, huh?" a shove. "Which one sucks which one's dick, faggot?"

Wally perked his ears by his locker. Steps, two sets, coming closer to Wally. Abby's rasp voice. "Why don't you leave him alone, you dimwit?" a chat with her hat.

"Yeah, you're not being very nice." Kuki added.

Wally could already see her face; imagine it perfectly. Knitted fists resting by her thighs, an angry pout which puffed up her cheeks, fire in her eyes. As much as he wanted to, as much as he knew he needed to, he didn't move. He stood at his locker, hardy even breathing, taking in every word. Lou had waited for Hoagie to be within Wally's earshot. He wanted Wally to react; do- or say something. Wally couldn't give him what he wanted, but by staying passive, his friends would hate him, call him terrible. For every step forth, he took five steps back.

"I can't believe you," Hoagie grumbled. His bruised face nothing but a sour expression.

"What was I supposed to do?" Wally gave back.

"Oh, I don't know. How about, help me fight? Stand up for me?"

"Lou tried to provoke me. Reacting would have given him exactly what he wanted."

"So? Wouldn't it have been a lot better than letting me get this?" Hoagie shot a nasty glare at Wally, pointing to his black eye.

"Of course, but…"

"But nothing, Wally! Don't bother coming by today. If you can't even stand up for your real friends, then forget about us."

"Like I said, Hoagie: Lou was trying to provoke me!"

"I don't care, give into it then! Help me out. I would have done it for you… we all would."

Wally was about to respond, but nothing came to mind. He hated being wrong, as much as he hated his attention span. He couldn't even bring himself to yell- or run after Hoagie when he stormed ahead, headed for the tree house.

It happened again. This time it was Simon. He caught them when they left maths class together. Hell was not an unlikely description of today's class. Hoagie's eyes held nothing but loathing, and his answers came in grunts and huffs. Wally sat next to him when class started hoping it would force him to at least talk a little. But Hoagie had stayed quiet. Now they stood here, at the door, blocked by Simon who called Hoagie every name he could think of. He shoved Wally every once in a while, his eyes hard.

"What up, little Hoagie?" Simon sneered. "Do you enjoy being Wally's little pet? What does he give you in return for making his homework?"

Simon gave Hoagie a shove, his smile growing, and that's when Wally lost it. Hoagie had been right yesterday. Wally should not care if they tried to egg him on, or use that as an 'excuse' to stay passive. So what if they just did it to get a reaction out of him? Hoagie was his friend, and he would stand up to him. He gritted his teeth, curled his fist, tore Simon away from Hoagie, and suddenly, two boys lay on the ground in a heated fight. A crowd gathered around them, cheering out loud. Entertainment for them, the right thing to do for Wally.

"Auch!" the wet cloth Kuki brought to his fresh bruise stung.

"Sorry," she gave him an apologetic smile.

Wally shook his head, diverting his eyes to Hoagie who sat on the couch in their tree house. He shuffled his feet, a smile working its way onto his lips.

"You owe me," Wally stated. "I got expelled for a week for you."

"Yeah," more shuffling. "Thanks, man."

"No problem, Hoags. I was gettin' tired of those doofuses anyway. But you can't cruddy rely on me to do stuff for you. You gotta fight for yourself sometimes."

"I know. I still want to thank you. Really. I'll figure out how to make it up to you."

"You can take me to that one cheese restaurant down the street. That'll get my mood better," Wally stuck out his tongue, a light chuckle escaping him. Hoagie returned the chuckle just the same.

Yeah. These friends were a lot better than Simon and Lou.

Holler! I am so sorry for the wait. Two years; holy potato! I do not know if this is the last chapter or not. I fee like this might be a good resolution. I had so many more plot points planned, but I don't really see them working with the overall story I was ging for. This feels more right. For now, this will be labelled as "In Progress". I did have an idea for a final chapter after this. I know it's kind of rushed, and I am a bit disappointed with it myself. There will come a day where this story goes through rewrites, so maybe I can change things to make it seem more satisfying then? We'll see. I hope you can forgive me. Thank you so incredibly much for your patience. I have been busy with my original works and with high school, but I am hoping to get time for Fanfictions every Sunday in this year :)

As always: Criticism and/or advices on improvements is/are welcome and appreciated.

TippierCoffee

PS: I took down the website I mad for the almost original fics. I decided to put them up here instead when the time comes.