Golden Heart

Chapter 1

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"Aww, come on, M'ma!" cried out the shrill voice of Fenton Crackshell as he tried desperately to gain his mother's attention. "Don't do this to meeeee!"

Iva Crackshell tore her gaze away from her soap opera long enough to glare daggers at her flustered son. "I told you, Fenton!" she hissed. "I haven't touched any of your clothes! Let alone your work clothes! Do you really think I touch anything of yours? The only time I do is if it's over top of the remote and you know the remote is usually glued to my hand!" She turned back to the television.

Fenton grumbled in frustration from his spot next to the couch. He should have known his mother wouldn't be any help.

He was still wearing his onesie space pajamas and he was supposed to be at work already! He was surprised Scrooge hadn't called him yet demanding to know where he was at!

"I told you my clothes needed washing and you said you would wash them!" accused Fenton as he looked behind the television.

"And you believed me!?" scoffed Iva before she added vehemently, "Touch those antennas and you're dead, mister! I finally got the damn thing working!" Fenton flinched and backed away from the television before going around to the other side of the living room.

He set back into action by going around the other side of the couch. He was searching for his usual waistcoat and three quarter sleeve jacket, or rather, his last clean one. All the rest of them were horribly wrinkled and badly in need of washing.

He fell to his knees, checking underneath the couch for the fifth time. He pushed aside several empty microwaveable trays and empty bags that were once filled with chips. He had never been one to mind a bit of a mess and a bit of clutter, but lately the disheveled atmosphere of their home was starting to drive Fenton a bit nuts.

If Fenton thought about it long enough, he'd probably stem this back to the fact that he spent more time at the McDuck Mansion these days than anywhere else and that place was as clean as clean could get! Absolutely spotless! Which only made the piles of trash around the trailer all the more noticeable.

"M'Ma!" whined Fenton from under the couch. "Don't you ever get tired of this place always looking like such a pigsty!?"

Iva rolled her eyes and pulled at one of the curlers in her hair. "Are you insinuating that I'm a bad house keeper?"

Fenton pulled himself out from under the couch, pulling out a very moldy banana peel. He glared at it in disgust as he tossed it into the trash bin by the door. "That is EXACTLY what I'm insinuating, M'ma!" He pointed to the trash can. "That banana peel was practically growing NEW things!"

Unfazed, Iva replied sarcastically. "Great, now maybe we can start that garden I've always wanted to plant."

Fenton smacked his palm to his forehead.

"Now, move aside, Fenton. My new favorite show is starting!"

Fenton did as he was told and moved aside. It was then that he noticed what time it was. He squeaked in alarm. "It's already 9 o'clock!? I was supposed to be at work an hour ago!"

He dashed back into his bedroom and went straight to his bed, which was hardly seen from all the clothes that were piled over it. His room was a disaster area; all of his clothes pulled out from their drawers as he tried to find his work clothes. He had nothing that was clean! All of his laundry was dirty!

Fenton closed his eyes and groaned. "Okay, I just have to find something ELSE to wear!"

He started sorting through all his clothes and after a minute of searching, his heart sunk when he realized that nothing presentable was clean. Just his pajamas and undershirts and his old uniform from the bean factory. "I need something PROFESSIONAL! Something that Scroogey WON'T kick me out of his office for!"

He paused and his eyes went wide. He then dove for his pillow and pulled out something that was underneath it! "Not the best idea, but it's all I've got!"

Five minutes later, Fenton walked out of his bedroom and stepped in front of Iva, who tore her eyes away from the commercial to look at him. She frowned at what she saw. "Isn't that McDuck's coat?"

It was. Fenton was wearing one of Scrooge's many navy blue jackets with the red collar and cuffs. The accountant looked down at himself and nodded. "Yeah, this is Scroogey's."

"Okay...Why do YOU have it?"

Fenton turned cherry red. "Uh..." he pulled at his collar. "Well, you know how I was having trouble sleeping last month?"

"Yes, you kept waking up in the middle of the night, hollering and crying. I couldn't get any sleep. What's your point?" replied Iva sharply.

"Well, I asked myself...What makes me feel better? Cause it was getting really bad and I said...well, being with Scroogey makes me feel better. But of course, he wouldn't let me stay with HIM at night-Trust me-I asked-and so...I came up with the next best thing! I took one of his jackets!" He paused and sniffed the material. "It smells like Scroogey! He always spells like freshly printed money and tea leaves. It's soothing-to me at least! And so I took this and have been sleeping with it ever since!"

Iva just raised an eyebrow at him. "Just when I thought you couldn't get any more strange."

Fenton ignored her comment or perhaps simply didn't hear it. He pulled at his jacket. "Sure, its wrinkly, but it's better than going in to work with my 'Happy Ducky University' shirt!"

"I think you're better off with the knock-off college shirt. McDuck is not gonna be happy when he sees you wearing that."

"Pshhaw! He'll be flattered!" laughed Fenton. He looked at the clock and squeaked in alarm once again. "Alright, now I REALLY have to go! Bye M'Ma!" He quickly kissed her on the cheek and headed for the door, grabbing his briefcase in the process.

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"Ha ha!" came the victorious, half mad cackle of the world's richest duck. "Ya always were horrible at business, Flinty! This jus' further proves it!"

Currently, the two most richest ducks in the world were standing in Scrooge McDuck's office, nearing the end of a business negotiation. Scrooge was overlooking the legal papers over his soon to be property.

Flintheart Glomgold stood several feet in front of him, his hands crossed over his chest. The other duck grunted at Scrooge's excitement. "Heh! You're doin' me a favor by buying that land, Scroogey! You don't realize how worthless it is!"

Scrooge was too busy patting himself on the back as he sorted through the paperwork they had both just signed that made his newest investment official. He eyed his rival from his seat behind his office desk. "You also were always a sore loser" he goaded.

Flintheart's frown deepened at the mockery. "Just you wait, McDuck. You'll find there is nothing but useless landmarks and dead trees on that property. Not to mention bad locals in the area. Its dead wood, McDuck, along with barren lands. Its not worth any more than the ol' folklore its known for."

Scrooge chuckled as though he was remembering some sort of inside joke. "I know. That's why I bought it."

"Are you joshin' me?! You believe that hogwash?" gasped Flintheart.

"Call it what ya will" smirked Scrooge. "It's none of yer concern now, is it?"

Flintheart crossed his arms, his cane in one hand. "I'm tellin' ya, McDuck. One of these day, you're gonna make a bad deal and screw yourself over too badly to recover."

"So kind of ya to show such concern, Flinty" replied Scrooge sarcastically. "We both know how happy yeh'd be if I went bankrupt and became a homeless person of the street."

There was a slight flicker of emotion on Flintheart's face that Scrooge wasn't able to discern before his rival's face went blank once more. "Well, consider it me bein' charitable in offering ya good advice then. That legend you spoke of? I may have some information about it that may help yeh?"

Scrooge scowled. "And why should I trust you? And if yeh wanted the treasure, you'd have gone after it yerself!"

Flintheart shrugged. "I don't believe it. I just thought I'd be charitable, like I said."

"Oh, go soak yer head, Flintheart! The deal is over. Why are you still here?" snapped Scrooge. He was growing bored of this idle chatter. He had work to do. He put the paperwork safely inside his desk and rose from his chair.

"Can't a man stay and chat like ol' friends?" asked Flintheart.

Scrooge narrowed his eyes and glared. "We are not friends, Flintheart. Far from."

Flintheart shrugged and leaned on his cane. "We're much alike, McDuck. Despite how much you hate to admit it, we're two sides of the same coin. Perhaps it would be a wise move to spend more time together. As they say, love your enemy?"

Scrooge made a face. "Yech! No thank you! Now get out, Flintheart. Yer givin' me heart burn!" He walked around the other side of the desk; ready to push Glomgold out his doors himself if he had to. He had other plans to that day.

Flintheart was about to reply when the doors to the office slammed open. Both of the rich ducks stared in shock as Fenton came barreling through the door and nearly collided with them in his frenzy to stop. Fenton was panting heavily as he leaned on his knees.

"I'm here, Scroogey! I made it!" he gasped between breaths. "I'm sorry I'm late!"

Scrooge and Flintheart just stared at the younger duck before them, neither of them knowing what to think. Scrooge recovered first and sneered down at his accountant. "Fenton Crackshell, get back to your desk this instant!"

Flintheart tapped his cane on the floor and clicked his tongue before commenting, "Is he wearing your jacket, McDuck?"

There was an elephant in the room; or at least, it felt that way to Fenton. The air was certainly heating up as he felt sweat start to form around his temples. His paramour was most definitely not happy that he was wearing his jacket like he had hoped he would be. No, Fenton figured as he straightened up and took a step backwards. The menacing glare in Scrooge's eyes was telling him that the love of his life was VERY unhappy with him.

"Fenton- Why are ya wearin' me jacket?" hissed Scrooge.

Fenton gave them both a sheepish grin. "Ya know, that's a funny story!" Looking between Flintheart and Scrooge's distasteful expressions, his smile disappeared. "Okay, so maybe its not THAT funny-"

"Seriously?" interrupted Flintheart in a cackling voice. He turned to Scrooge and jabbed his thumb in Fenton's direction. "THIS is Fenton Crackshell?!"

It was Scrooge's turn to blush furiously. He knew what Flintheart was referring to. It had been roughly two months since Glomgold had tried his hardest to ruin Scrooge's career and bankrupt him by shining light on the relationship he was having with Fenton. It had worked at first; turning many of his busy partners against him; but in the end, with the help of some proper news reports and positive feedback from the world, Flintheart's plans had backfired. Scrooge was now wealthier than ever.

"Yes!" spoke Fenton indignantly. He stood up tall next to Flintheart. "My name is Fenton Crackshell! I am Scrooge McDuck's accountant and yes: we are dating!" He stood beside Scrooge, who was glaring out into space; clearly looking as though he didn't want to be there. Both of them were wearing identical outfits, which made the scene even funnier. Especially since Scrooge's jacket was clearly too small for the taller duck.

Flintheart was straight up laughing now. "OOOH! That's rich! Haha!" He doubled over laughing. "I knew the welp's name was Fenton Crackshell- But that's about it! I never dreamed he would be such an idiot!"

Fenton crossed his arms and pouted. "Hey! I resent that remark!"

"What's the matter with yeh, eh?" teased the older duck wearing the kilt. "Too poor to afford yer own clothes? Havin' to steal clothes from Scroogey!?"

"No!" snapped Fenton in his own defense. "I just didn't have any clean clothes today!"

That only made Flintheart laugh harder.

Scrooge shot him a furious glare at his accountant shutting Fenton up efficiently, before turning back to Flintheart. "Alright, alright, Flinty. You've had yer fun. Now get outta me office!"

Still cackling, Flintheart started heading to the door. "With pleasure! Though-" He calmed himself down a bit before continuing. "I must say, Scroogey-" He whacked Fenton on the back of the head with his cane, which made Fenton cry out in pain. "Ya deserve far better than this pathetic thing!" He winked at Scrooge and left without another word.

The door shut behind him with an audible click, leaving Fenton and Scrooge there alone.

"Sheesh- What's his problem!?" grumbled Fenton as he rubbed the back of his head and glared at the door. He stepped up next to Scrooge, who turned his attention on him.

Scrooge whacked Fenton on the top of the head with his own cane. "Fenton! Ya great buffoon! What were ya thinkin' bargin' into me office like that! Why are ya doin' wearin' me clothes!? And why ARE you so late!? That's comin' out of yer pay, ya hear me!?" Scrooge grabbed at the jacket his boyfriend was wearing, trying to figure out which one it was. "I've been wonderin' where this one went!"

Fenton blushed and fumbled with his words. "I took it a while back-Remember when I told ya I was having trouble sleeping and I asked you if I could stay at the mansion with you-and-you said no-well, I took this- cause- Scroogey, you make me feel better! Just being in your presence calms me down-so-So I took this jacket in hopes that if I kept it by my pillow, it would smell like you and I could pretend it was you sleeping beside me and not your jacket!"

Scrooge blushed and looked away. "Yeh- Yeh did that?"

Fenton nodded.

Scrooge found himself asking, "Did it work?"

Fenton nodded once more. "It sure did, Scroogey! And I'm sorry I took it from you, but I didn't know what else to do! I needed sleep!"

The older duck seemed to be calming down. It was then another question came to mind. "Well, then, why are you wearing it?!"

"M'ma said she'd do my laundry and I stupidly believed her and now all my clothes need washed and this was the only thing I could think of to wear that was professional..."

Scrooge gave out a long sigh. "Fine. Just...get back to work..."

"Sorry I made ya look bad in front of Mr. Glomgold..." whispered Fenton meekly as he fiddled with his hands.

Scrooge shrugged it off. "Donnae matter." He walked back to the other side of his desk and opened the drawer where he had put the paperwork. He looked down at the papers. "I managed to swindle a deal of out him-" The mischievous gleam in Scrooge's eyes that Fenton loved so much appeared. "Have ya ever heard of the The Golden Heart?"

Fenton thought about that for a moment. "Hmm...You mean like the Goose that lays Golden Eggs?"

Scrooge shook his head. "Nae. The Golden Heart is an ol' legend that can be found in the hills of France. Its not a very well known legend, mainly because its so old and there are many who try to keep it secret...But it is said to give riches to those who finds it..."

Fenton gave his paramour a half smirk. "And let me guess, you wanna go find it?"

Scrooge grinned widely. "You bet your dollar on it, laddie!"

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