Another day, another time. It had been a few days since the incident with Magica de Spell at the money-bin, and things were starting to feel somewhat normal again. Though the news still prattled on about Scrooge McDuck and his personal matters, the old miser found himself more relaxed about it- no longer feeling stressed. After talking with his go-to inventor- Gyro Gearloose- Scrooge was surprised to find out that while Magica had used the idea of turning flubblegum into a fuel for airplanes as part of the additional ruse to her Mr. O'Doo disguise… that her idea was actually feasible. And cheap, too! Suddenly the old mallard didn't feel as hopeless as he did before, the new business venture giving him some of his old pep once more.
His relationship with Fenton Crackshell, however, was another matter entirely.
It was not an easy feat to be seen with his young suitor in public, as the paparazzi was still very much a problem. However, luckily the two were about to go about business as somewhat usual. From a working relationship, anyhow. Scrooge couldn't help but find himself growing more awkward around the lad when they were alone in private. Fenton's fingers accidentally grazing his own as he passed him papers was enough to cause McDuck to fumble and drop them- the reports falling all over the desk and floor. And when it wasn't that, it was Scrooge being hyper aware of their closeness, or the fact he would sometimes catch himself staring off into space thinking about him- wasting minutes at a time on such fleeting fancies.
Scrooge McDuck was far too old to be dealing with this sort of nonsense. And it was with that thought in mind, when Fenton had asked if he could come over for dinner that evening, that the billionaire knew that he needed to have a talk.
Fenton was in the process of setting the table- a task he had insisted upon- when Scrooge suggested he sit down for a minute.
"Sit down? Nah! I feel fine! Great, even!" And he did, too. Sure, he hadn't missed how awkward it had been between them lately, either; but Scrooge wasn't yelling at him anymore, and he felt that must be a step in the right direction.
"Fenton... just sit down. We need t'have a talk, before this date goes on any further."
The plates Fenton had been carrying clattered to the floor, miraculously unbroken. They were picked up with shaking hands, and he sat down with rubber knees. Fenton stared at Scrooge from across the table, with wide, mournful eyes. Was this it? After everything their relationship had survived, did it truly just end here? Striked down while still in its honeymoon prime?
Scrooge looked back at him, expression serious, seemingly untouched by the puppy eyes he was receiving.
"Fenton, listen. I..."
"Mr. McDuck!" Mrs. Beakley bounded into the room, slightly out of breath. When she saw the two sitting there, she looked bashful. "Oh! Pardon me, I didn't mean to interrupt anything. But Mr. McDuck, there's something on the television I think you might want to see!"
Scrooge wasn't happy to be disrupted, but despite this he raised a brow as he began to get up from the table. He threw his date a look, nodding his head towards the door.
"Put my thought on hold for a minute lad, and c'mon. Let's see what the hullabaloo's about."
Crackshell found himself momentarily relieved for the interruption as he followed the duck out of the dining area and into the family room- where the children and Duckworth had the television on and were watching with interest. When their uncle made it inside, the lads and Webbigail lept from the couch as they ran towards the old mallard- grabbing and dragging him by the hands.
"C'mon, Uncle Scrooge!" Huey chimmed. "Ya gotta hurry or you'll miss it!"
Scrooge smiled despite his confusion, laughing as he was dragged towards his favorite old chair.
"Alright, alright. I can only go so fast, ye know. What in the world is all the excitement about?"
It was Webby who spoke up before her young male counterparts, nearly jumping from the floor in excitement.
"They're talking about you on tv!"
"Bah, is THAT all? They've been doing that for weeks now."
"Yeah, but this time it's all good things!" Dewey replied.
"Good things?" Scrooge gazed in wonder at the television screen, where he saw- "Well I'll be; it's Daisy!"
The room quieted down, and Fenton watched from beside the chair Scrooge was sitting in, smiling. Daisy may have just saved more than Scrooge's businesses!
"- But enough about what I think," Daisy was saying, "let's see what some other citizens have to say, shall we?"
The camera cut to a cluttered workshop. Scrooge chuckled, his small smile widening into a grin when he saw Gyro.
"Gyro Gearloose, long time freelance employee of Mr. McDuck, your thoughts on Scrooge McDuck and his recent love interest?"
"Oh! Uh..." The lanky inventor smiled awkwardly at the camera. "well, I know that Scrooge McDuck and Fenton Crackshell are two of the best people I know. In fact, uh, here, let me just..."
There was clanking and rattling as he dug through a box on his cluttered table.
"Ah, here we go! Look here. I always looked at Scrooge McDuck as a negative personality type..." he held up a flat magnet, a minus sign etched into its surface. "And here, we have Crackshell, obviously a positive type..." he held up an identical magnet, this one with a positive sign on it.
"And when those two types come together..." he brought them closer and closer, until they snapped firmly together on their own. "See what I mean? Opposites attract! Gender isn't always a part of the equation."
Gyro paused as he looked awkwardly at the reporter off screen, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Is that enough? Because I can also get out the chemistry set and explain bonding, if ya want."
As if to answer his question the screen went to black as it cut away again- this time to an old pig couple. At first Scrooge found himself confused, not recognizing them in the slightest. It took an animated Fenton to point at the screen and remind him that they were the owners of the cafe that they went to before McDuck found himself leaning in his seat- equally as eager to hear what they had to say.
It was Daisy who spoke up first as she stood next to the couple.
"And here we are at Dee's Cafe- with local business owner Mr. and Mrs. Dee" The reporter held out her microphone to the other woman, who smiled widely and waved into the camera. "Now, how is it that you know Scrooge McDuck and a Mr. Crackshell?"
"Oh, I would hardly say I know Mr. McDuck- but Fenton is such a sweet young man! He comes into the restaurant at LEAST once a week. Isn't that right, Harold?"
Her husband, arms crossed, merely leaned towards his wife as he spoke a blunt 'Yup' into the microphone. Mrs. Dee went on.
"Yes, but one time he WAS able to bring Mr. McDuck in- just a couple of weeks ago if I recall. Why, they made the cutest little couple! Never seen two happier people enjoy each other's company. In fact, and why I'm so embarrassed, I thought they were kin at first! It was only later when I read the paper say all those rude things about the two did I realize he was the Scrooge McDuck!"
"So," Daisy looked serious as she asked her next question. "You, an average tax paying citizen, aren't bothered by the relationship?"
The pig woman gasped, looking as if Daisy had asked her to break the heart of a kitten or something of the like.
""Oh HEAVENS no! Why, if anything, I'm more bothered they haven't come back for another helpin' of our cooking. Mr. McDuck never DID try my famous strawberry rhubarb pie!"
Daisy gave the camera a smug look, and thanked the woman, before the camera changed again. This time, the location seemed to be Scrooge McDuck's money-bin, and the interviewee was-
"Hey, look, it's Gizmoduck!" the boys chorused.
Scrooge turned and threw Fenton an unreadable glance. Fenton grinned and shrugged.
"Gizmoduck, Duckburg's most loved, and trusted protector. What are your thoughts on Scrooge McDuck's recent so-called scandal?"
Gizmoduck had to bend down a little to reach the microphone.
"Well, Daisy, I think it's the best thing to ever happen to either of them! Why, Mr. McDuck is the love of Fenton's life, the pep in his step, the sunshine in his day! " Gizmoduck forced himself to pause and clear his throat, realizing that he was beginning to sound like a certain accountant more than his heroic usual self. "... Er. So he's told me, anyhow."
"And you hardly think either of them a 'deviant' for it?" The reporter asked, clearly addressing one of the claims made by another station.
The metallic hero of justice frowned, crossing his arms against the chestplate of his suit.
"Hardly. I go up against REAL deviants every day- those that put themselves above the law and wish to do wrong to others. Thieves, scoundrels, ne'er do wells! Why, if anything it's refreshing to see two citizens stand up for love- even if it may be different than what some people are used to. We could all do with a little more love and a little less war, wouldn't you say Miss Daisy?"
The woman next to him smiled genuinely, as she gently patted the side of his Gizmosuit in a friendly gesture.
"Couldn't have said it better myself, hun. And it seems Gizmoduck isn't the only one who thinks that way. We at DNN went around polling people in downtown Duckburg to see what people REALLY think about this 'scandal'. Fifty-two percent of the votes seem to support the couple, saying that they would gladly buy McDuck products in support of the LGBT community- which is already starting to be seen in the stock market with a rise of McDuck Industries stock. Thirty-nine percent of the votes seemed to indicate they simply didn't have a thought one way or another, with only nine percent actually seeing it negatively impact them.
"Despite what other media sources are having you believe, Scrooge McDuck's celebrity status is having a positive impact for gay rights in the city- as it in causing citizens' to discuss the topic within the community. And it is rumored that Gary Cluckson- head of the Duckburg Pride Parade counsel- is looking to invite the world's richest duck to be a guest speaker for their upcoming 'Youth Pride' dinner."
Daisy paused, taking a moment to let all that sink in as she beamed smugly into the camera.
"This has been Daisy Duck, reporting the REAL news. Back to you, Tom."
The news continued on, but it went ignored.
"Well, I'll be..." Scrooge mused aloud, smiling. He felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. What a fool he had been to believe the press when they had said everyone was up in arms about all of this. Of course, it was obvious he wasn't the only one who had believed it, when you looked at just how many business partners fled in fear of his new infamous reputation.
"See, Uncle Scrooge?" Louie said from the floor. "Not everyone thinks you're weird, after all!"
Scrooge chuckled. "Aye. And I was a fool for taking their word for it to begin ..." he slid out of the chair, and sighed.
"Now why don't you four find something t'do. Fenton and me still need to have a talk."
The boys thought about complaining, but honestly, they didn't want to stick around for any mushy stuff, so they mumbled their "fine" s and "okay, Uncle Scrooge' s and disappeared upstairs. Mrs. Beakley took Webbigail into the kitchen.
Fenton watched them go, in a sort of panic.
"Uh, wait! Don't go! Uh, how about another story night? Doesn't that sound fun? ... Kids?"
But they were gone. He turned back to Scrooge, and swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Uh... heh heh. So! That pep rally, you going, or nah? Let's talk about that."
The old mallard, however, looked at Fenton with a deadpan expression- showing he would not be swayed from the topic at hand. Fenton sighed, before making his way back to the sofa where he sat across from his soon to be ex-boyfriend. The account slouched in his seat, looking more like a puddle of depression than a duck.
"Alright, Scroogey, let's get this over with. What did ya want to talk about, exactly?"
"I think you perfectly know what: I want to talk about… us. Or rather, I suppose, talk about me. Surely you've noticed I haven't been myself as of late."
Even Crackshell wasn't THAT obvious. Fenton looked over from the couch as he nodded his head in agreement.
"Er, yeah. I kinda just assumed you've been all over the place from all the news hooey. You HAVE been under a lot of stress lately."
"Aye, that I have. Yet… I suppose a great deal of my blunderin' has been because I've been distracted by other, non-worked related, things." A pause. "You, Fenton. I'm talking about this… this thing between us. You CAN'T be blind t'the fact that we don't always see… eye to eye on things. And heavens knows I'm not as young as I used t'be. Doesn't any of that bother ya, lad?"
That feeling that comes from realizing your point you've been stressing still isn't getting through, fell over Fenton.
"No, Scroogey, your age doesn't matter to me!" Fenton insisted, his tone and gestures reflecting his slight frustration. "You make me happy. You give me life, you give me purpose! You're a real go-getter with a heart of gold. And no matter how much of a screw up I can be, you've never truly given up on me. Those are the things that matter to me."
Scrooge smiled weakly at the lad, and then glanced away.
"And you're absolutely sure about that?"
"Yes! A million times yes! I love you, Scrooge McDuck, and I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life!"
Scrooge couldn't help but snicker at that; Fenton always did have a flair for the overly dramatic.
"Alright, lad. I won't say I'm smitten... but consider this old fish caught."
Silence momentarily hung in the air between them as Fenton stared at the old miser across from him. He blinked. Blinked again. And then blinked once more for good measure, as the accountant tried to process what he had just heard. Once the pieces fell into place, Fenton gasped as he lept from his seat- pointing dramatically at McDuck.
"You're not breaking up with me! In, in fact… That's the OPPOSITE of breaking up- YOU JUST SAID YOU LOVED ME!"
Scrooge scoffed, a smirk still on his bill.
"Now I never said that."
Fenton ignored him as he got closer to McDuck's chair, grabbing the old man's hands as he beamed widely- his eyes slightly teary from his own happiness.
"You said you love me an' ya wanna be with me! Oh Scroogey…"
"Mmm, that's starting t'be a little warmer, I suppose." The old mallard's smugness never disappeared, even as the middle aged duck put his forehead against his own- for once the gesture being welcoming as he continued to tease. "But don't ye go thinking ye have special privileges. In fact, I'm going to be harder on you than ever. I expect more from you now, laddie. And so do the youngins."
Welcome to the family, Fenton.
Scrooge McDuck may not have accepted the invitation to the benefit dinner for the young members of the LGBT community… But that wasn't to say he didn't have plans of his own. Feeling inspired by the growing profits in his companies- what Daisy Duck had said had indeed been true, more people were buying his products than what was being boycotted- Scrooge couldn't help but feel an increasing sense of giddiness as his money pile grew and grew. The winds of fate had changed, and suddenly Scrooge's name was all over the papers for POSITIVE reasons.
"Scrooge McDuck's fortune nearly doubled in last week."
"Gay icon, Scrooge McDuck, back on top as richest duck in the world."
"McDuck Industries hints of new product that will change transportation as we know it."
It was all the positive feedback that gave the old mallard the idea to hold a press conference of his own, finally addressing all the attention his name has been given. The turnout was enormous, and a good portion of the crowd were sporting pride attire and flags from across the spectrum. Scrooge saw men, women, and even children in the crowd, talking amongst themselves as they waited for him to step up and say what needed to be said.
"I can hardly believe it... look at all these people!" But of course he did believe it, because his cashflow had reflected the influx of supporters, and the numbers didn't lie.
"Yup!" Gizmoduck lifted his visor to peer out at the crowd, himself. "Three-hundred-and-seventy-four, to be exact! All cheering for you, Mr. McDuck!"
"Cheering for us, perhaps." Scrooge corrected. Gizmoduck's visor snapped down, as he looked back at Scrooge, with mock shock.
"Mr. McDuck! I, I don't know what to say... what would Fenton think?"
Scrooge laughed, despite himself, in an uncharacteristically good mood this day.
"You know what I meant, Gizmoduck."
"Maaaybe." The hero flashed a huge grin, before straightening up once more in his suit- going back into work mode. "That said, I should probably get going and survey the crowd up close and personally. No rotten tomatoes will be thrown today, not on MY watch!"
"Gizmoduck.. I'm sure if there was an incident, vegetable produce would be the least of my worries." The crowd suddenly started to cheer as McDuck's name was suddenly being chanted. "Ah, I'll be takin' that as my cue then."
The old mallard stepped from behind the red curtains, and the crowd roared louder in approval as photographers snapped photo after photo- no doubt wantings some good shots for the articles they would be writing and printing for the next morning's papers. Scrooge stepped up to the podium, waving for the crowd to settle some so he could begin speaking.
"Thank you all for coming out today; why, I haven't seen this many people in town square since Duckburg was founded. An' trust me, youngins, I was there when it happened."
Scrooge waited for the crowd to laugh at his joke about his age before carrying on.
"Now, I'm sure the lot of you have been hearing stories all over the place about me and a relationship with a Mr. Crackshell and I wanted to clear the air on a few things: I may come from a more conservative time- but in no way are my business practices conventional. Since day one McDuck Industries has strived t'be innovative in not only the products we produce… but also how we go about serving the customers. As hard as it is fer me to believe at times, we are certainly livin' in a new era- and I'll be damned if I'd standby and let business practices be indicated by something as trivial as judging the individual!"
He paused again as the crowd cheered and clapped, a few shouting praise and agreement. Scrooge revelled in it. It was a welcome change in events. When they had finally settled down, he continued.
"I'm glad we're all in agreement. Now that that's out of the way, I'd like to discuss a little business endeavor I've been working on- with the help of my good friend, Gyro Gearloose, of course."
Right on cue (for a change), the low droning of an airplane could be heard in the distance. The audience exchanged glances, and muttered to one another, as the sound grew louder, closer. Suddenly, a woman pointed up into the sky, and every head turned up to the sky as she shouted.
"Look! It's a bird!"
Someone else: "No, it's a plane!"
"It's both!"
The crowd began to grow nervous as it came ever closer. Scrooge was feeling pretty nervous, himself, suddenly wondering if hiring that particular pilot for the job was such a great idea after all.
A symphony of screams arose from the crowd as the aircraft swooped overhead, just barely missing a few of the taller attendees. Those screams turned to delighted laughter as it pulled up just in time, and a sweet, pleasant smell wafted through the air in its wake.
Scrooge noticed their pleased reactions, and chuckled into the microphone.
"Smell that? That's the smell of the best idea of the century!"
Scrooge cringed, and the crowd gasped, as the plane touched down a ways away, skidding across the dirt and talking out two trees and a bench on its way.
"Er, besides the poor landin' skills of my personal pilot proving otherwise, it's also eco-friendly! What you just witnessed was a new type of aviation fuel- something we at McDuck Industries are calling 'Flubble Oil'. It's cheaper than kerosene to make, healthier for the environment, and hardly weighs a thing at all! And with it, it's sure to transform flight as we know it. Imagine with me, if ya would: visiting relatives can be quite the taxing avenue for both your mental well being and wallet. But it doesn't have t'be- for your pockets, anyhow. I make no guarantees on yer relatives." The old mallard paused again as the audience laughed. Scrooge continued. " Yes, cheaper fuel equals cheaper flights. No longer will Thanksgiving dinner cost over six hundred dollars for just a few hours in a crammed non-reclining seat!"
The crowd cheered loudly, and yet again the chanting started. Scrooge McDuck laughed, taking in the energy as he mentally praised himself over the people eating up his every word. This was what he had been missing, this was what he had needed. And there was no doubt that after this performance his office would be flooded with calls from buyers from all around the globe!
Scrooge smiled smugly as he raised his hand again, signalling that he had more to say.
"I'll admit, I've been very blessed with this new venture. I doubt things would've come along so nicely if it weren't for my personal guest I've invited t'watch the show from backstage- the one who is responsible fer me new fortune and luck: Flintheart Glomgold!"
The curtains pulled away to show a very startled, but equally familiar, old duck. Glomgold straightened up with a jolt, before readjusting his tie just to give him something to distract the audience from the fact his face had been flushed red from rage just mere moments before. Scrooge, however, strolled over to his business counterpart as he with a false friendly airs, slapped the South-African duck on the back forcefully.
"Haha! Thanks, ya old goat! All that free publicity was awful kind of you. Here, have a free sticker to show my gratitude."
A bright, circular, rainbow print sticker was slapped onto the front of Glomgold's jacket, and he cringed when Scrooge draped an arm around his shoulders and lead him to the front of the crowd.
"Let's hear a round of applause, for the second- oh! I'm sorry, third most wealthy duck in the world!"
Glomgold smiled forcefully, as McDuck continued to wave to the crowd. The gruff mallard leaned in towards the other subtly, as he growled through his teeth at his enemy.
"I'll get you back for this, McDuck. Mark my words: you won't have the last laugh."
"Ya know, Flinty," the world's richest duck hugged the man next to him even tighter, as he chuckled for added effect. "I think I just did."