A/N: I know I said it was a one-shot, but I couldn't resist!
The sun peeked through the blinds and rested on Gladstone's eyes. He squinted and pulled the blanket over his face. He rolled over and nuzzled into his pillow. He peered over the top of his blanket and looked at his alarm clock.
"Ugh…11:42. I guess i have to get up." He said to himself, tossing his blanket off and sliding out of bed. He smoothed out his green pinstripe linen pajamas. After a quick stretch, the goose left the bedroom, yawning as he passed by a mirror. He looked at his reflection and played with his unruly, curly hair. He winked at himself and shot two finger guns at the mirror.
"Even when you're a mess, you still look good, Gander."
Gladstone walked into the kitchen and grabbed a square jar with the word "coffee" embossed in gold lettering. He opened the jar and the smell of the earthy beans filled the kitchen. He sniffed and sighed with contentment. Gladstone ground the beans in the coffee grinder and made himself a French press. He grabbed a purple mug from the cabinet and began to pour.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"The hell? I'm not expecting anyone. Probably solicitors. Or that rip off artist door-to-door salesman! Maybe if I don't make a sound, they'll leave." He snickered to himself.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Once more and they'll be gone." He whispered, pouring cream and sugar into his mug.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
He waited. Silence.
"Heh heh, every time. Just my luc-"
There was a jingling and a click at the door. Gladstone put his mug on the table and walked to the door. He reached for the handle. The door swung open and hit him square in the beak.
"What the fu- Ow! Ow! Ow! My beak!"
"Cazzo!" Magica ran in and slammed the door. She rushed to Gladstone. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hit you!"
"What are you doing in my house? Breaking in?" He pinched the tip of his beak. Blood trickled out.
"Your nose is bleeding!" She dug her hand into her purse and pulled out a handkerchief. Magica pressed it to his face. "Here, lemme help!"
Gladstone took it and pushed it up his nose. "Why are you here?"
"I…uh…its kind of embarrassing." Magica's cheeks turned pink. "I need somewhere to hide…for a few days maybe."
He pointed to the kitchen and led her to the table. She took her purse and put it on the table. Gladstone grabbed a green mug and poured her a cup of coffee. He put it on the table and sat down. "Now, why do you need to hide? And why me?"
"Well…I don't want to be that person-"
"What kind of person is that?" Gladstone wiggled his beak. More blood trickled out.
"The kind that…takes advantage of you…and your…" Magica looked down at the cup of coffee.
"My luck? I mean, I should be used to you using me…considering Matil-" He looked at her. She was looking down at her hands and fiddling with the cuffs of her dress. "I'm sorry. After our 'tea spilling' session, thats probably the last thing you want to hear about-"
"Look, I don't have to stay here!" Magica looked dead into his eyes. Fire burned behind her stare. "You and your luck can just help me get someplace safe or whatever away from-"
She froze and looked down at her hands. "I need your help. I'll owe you or whatever you want."
"What are you trying to get away from?" Gladstone looked at the handkerchief. The blood stopped. He wiped his nose on a clean corner and put it down on the table. Magica sat still, her eyes on her hands.
"Its not a what, is it? Its a who?" He picked up his mug and sipped. "Who are you running away from."
"More like hiding from." She murmured.
"Let me guess…enemy?"
"You can sorta say that."
"Alright so its someone you don't like." He leaned back and put his arm on the back of the chair.
"Very much so." Magica took the cream and sugar and poured it in her coffee.
"Am I related to this person?"
"Surprisingly, no." She sipped the coffee. "Oh, wow. This is great coffee."
"I get lucky and always find the best blends." She smiled at him. His cheeks beamed. "So if he's not related to me, then that knocks out my list of names…is it family?"
"Pretty much."
"Is it…" He put his mug down on the table and looked at her. "Okay, hear me out. I'm gonna throw out a random shot in the dark here, and hope I get lucky."
"Go on."
"Is there…uh…" His cheeks turned red. "Is there a guy…that your family is trying to pair you up with?"
Magica looked at his face. Gladstone frantically scratched his head. "You can tell me if I'm wro-"
"His name is Rosolio. And I hate him."
"I mean, he can't be that bad-"
"He literally comes to my doorstep every two days with flowers and tries to get me to run off and marry him." She sipped her coffee.
"Well that's extreme."
"My grandmother keeps pushing it. Some junk about pure bloodlines, magic, he's a 'nice guy,' blah blah blah. And my whole family is in on it!" She put the cup onto the table and rested her head. "He's an idiot. Stupid. Can't think for himself. And every family gathering they invite him, hoping he'll grow on me."
"Will he?" Magica looked up at Gladstone. His cheeks were bright red. She looked him in the eyes. She got lost in the green ocean of his unexplanably sad eyes. Her cheeks got hot.
"Probably never." She watched as his body relaxed. Magica sat up. "My family is trying extra hard this time. They're resorting to more drastic measures."
"Like what?" Gladstone took a sip.
"Like tracking me down and making me spend an entire week at his family's house."
Gladstone spit his coffee in his cup. "Excuse me, what?"
"They're basically trying to kidnap me and hope that Stockholm syndrome kicks in."
"Are you gonna have to free a whole house of magic talking furniture from a curse?" He snickered as he took a sip.
"I should have cursed his furniture to annoy him the way he's been annoying me." She leaned back and crossed her arms, looking off into the kitchen. Gladstone looked down into his cup.
"A week?" He asked.
"Hmm?" Magica looked up at him.
"They're trying to make you stay at his house for a week?" He put down his mug and stood up. "If all you need is a week, then you can stay. Hell, if he's persistent, stay for two. There's a spare bedroom down the hall."
Magica jumped out of her chair. "Wait, you're letting me-"
"I have some house rules, though: No crazy spells that can destroy my house, no summoning demons or creatures into the house, pay me some money for food, and help keep the place clean without bewitching brooms to do chores."
"I can do that no proble-"
"And no dime."
"What?" She trembled.
"While you're here, you cannot let my family know you're here. And you cannot make any attempts to get my uncle's dime." He pointed a finger at her. "This is my main condition, understand?"
"I do, but would you really think that I would make up the whole situation, and force myself to live with you just to get that dime?"
"You tried really hard as Matilda." Magica blushed. "And as for this Rodolfo guy-"
"Rosolio."
"Whatever." Gladstone rolled his eyes. "Look, just try to stay in disguise and out of trouble. My luck should keep you safe."
"How does your luck even work in that regards?"
"Whatever I want, my luck gives me." Gladstone smiled at Magica and they shook hands.
A/N: Hey guys! So I know. "Why, Alex, did you continue this one shot instead of "The Fight?"" WELL BECAUSE I NEED MORE MAGICSTONE TRASH IN MY LIFE OKAY?!
I needed something to cleanse my palate from all the work I have been doing on The Other Vanderquack. I said I would use the whole month of May to write the next adventure, but I've written 10 chapters already and cant seem to stop. (Please send help) I might do a oneshot or two if people request it on tumblr.
But as of now, this fic is gonna be continued. I hope you like it. Please review, follow, favorite, and check out The Other Vanderquack and The Fight. I might update that one...you never know! ;)
Love you
~Alex