The Golden Heart - Chapter 11
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Everything had been a blur since they reunited with Launchpad. Just as the pilot had said, Caleb and Toby had brought reinforcements back with them. It was a blessing that Caleb and Toby knew where the old King's Castle was located for Launchpad certainly didn't. As he told them, it had been a miracle he'd made it back to the little Bed & Breakfast, let alone back to the well.
The townsfolk that Caleb and Toby had recruited to help them out of the cave had blessedly created a pulley system that allowed them all to be strapped in with belts and proper climbing gear so that they could be lifted out of the cave without having to actually climb out like Launchpad had.
It enabled Scrooge to be more discreet with Fenton's trance-like condition and had earned fewer questions about the accountant's state.
Guilt was something that Scrooge had surprisingly little experience with. At least on this sort of emotional level. Despite all the adventures and experiences he had lived through in all his years; both in the Klondike and after earning his fortune, nothing could have prepared him for this.
The tears refused to stop and the old miser found himself sniffling and hiding his tears harder than he's ever had to before. Rationally, he didn't understand what was wrong. Fenton was clearly alive and while he may not be back to normal, it was better than him being dead, right!? Yet he simply couldn't shake the overwhelming panic and sadness he was currently feeling.
Scrooge forced himself back to reality, blinking his eyes rapidly and wiping away any left over moisture in his eyes. He was Scrooge McDuck, after all! He wasn't about to let something as silly as emotions get the better of him!
Toby and Caleb were absolutely delighted that Scrooge and Fenton were alright. They retold the tale about how devastated they had been when they had found Launchpad running back to them; completely out of breath and asking for help.
They sat at the same table they had all eaten breakfast at the morning before. Everyone was there minus Glomgold. He was unsurprisingly absent. Scrooge had made it quite clear he didn't want anything to do with the other Scottish duck. Toby and Caleb were happy to join in on the Anti-Glomgold Act.
Scrooge had sat Fenton down at the table, hoping everyone accepted his excuse that Fenton was still out of it from hitting his head. The duck in question was still unresponsive and had to be guided into walking and sitting, which was where he was now. Fenton sat there staring into space with his hands in his lap while the other four table occupants talked.
"Aww, shucks! I wasn't in THAT big of a panic" chuckled Launchpad in embarrassment as he scratched the back of his head.
Toby laughed. "Well, you certainly gave us a scare! I knew you lot were off explorin' and such, but I didn't expect Launchpad here to come back tellin' us you'd gone and fallen into a hole!"
Caleb, who was pouring everyone some more water into their glasses, shook his head. "Listen, I'm just glad you're all okay. I mean, I wish Fenton here was a little better off, but I suppose a bump on the head isn't the worst thing that could have happened to him down there!"
At the mention of Fenton, Scrooge squirmed in his chair. He smiled wanly and rested a hand on Fenton's shoulder. He was now expecting it and quite disappointed when he saw that it still earned him no reaction. "Aye. He hit his head so hard. Just thankful he didn't crack his head open. He's just tired, I suppose. Bad headache." He grimaced when he heard the very slight waver in his voice; making sure to breath deeply and fight back the uncharacteristic anxiety he was fighting.
Caleb raised a finger in the air at the reminder. "Ahh! That reminds me! I was gonna go and get him something for that headache! Be right back!" Toby also excused himself from the table.
Scrooge opened his mouth to dissuade him but said nothing. Better they think it was a bad headache than go digging for the truth.
"Oh, hey, Mr. McDee!" spoke up Launchpad between bites of his sandwich.
Scrooge scowled at his bad table manners as crumbs were spit out everywhere. However, any distraction from the gut wrenching guilt was worth it.
Launchpad swallowed. "The airport also called while we were gone apparently! They said the plane is ready to fly whenever we're ready to go! Though they did advise that we wait until morning, since the weather isn't supposed to be too great for flying tonight. Something about a thunder storm rolling in."
Scrooge sighed with relief at the thought of going home. "Splendid. We'll leave first thing in the mornin'!"
The deep familiar voice of Glomgold sounded from the stairway as the second richest duck finally made an appearance. "Great. I'd like to leave as soon as possible."
Launchpad watched as Scrooge's entire demeanor went from calm to furious.
Scrooge's eyes landed on his rival and narrowed. "If you think for one MINUTE Glomgold, that you're flyin' back with us, yeh have another thing comin'!" he sneered.
Glomgold frowned at him. "I don't have a flight back to the States otherwise!"
"Not my problem, Flintheart! Yer not comin' within spittin' distance of my plane! I don't want t'see yer face, Flintheart!" spat Scrooge, who stood up from his chair.
Glomgold backed away as his rival and long time crush stepped closer to him. He was reminded of a snake slinking its way in before the kill.
"Go away, Flintheart! As yeh said yerself, no one cares about yeh the way MY loved ones care about me! Yer the worst of the worst and just lookin' at yeh makes me sick t'my stomach! Don't come near me, don't contact me, don't interact with any of my businesses, because believe me, Flinty-If I so much as get a post-it note on my desk that involves you-I can promise yeh I'll find a way to ruin you and everything yeh stand for! Do I make myself clear!?"
Launchpad and Fenton, the latter of whom was still staring off into space, could only sit and be bystanders as Scrooge tore into Flintheart Glomgold.
Looking as though he had just swallowed a lemon, Glomgold took another step back. "We'll have to see each other eventually! Board meetings and the like-!" He scrambled for words. It was obvious the threat of never seeing Scrooge again in person bothered him greatly. "S-Several of our businesses and associations cross paths-"
Scrooge shook his head. "Then yeh can be darned sure I won't be there! And if circumstances insist I am, then I'll be sure security knows t'keep us apart!" he declared vehemently.
Gobsmacked, Glomgold could do nothing but stare. His mouth opened and closed yet no sound came out of it.
"Gee, Mr. McDee" commented Launchpad. "That uh...That's a bit harsh. I know what I said before we got here about him riding along with us, but it really didn't bother me much-"
The pilot was interrupted when Scrooge snapped, "But I DO care, Launchpad!" His eyes never left Glomgold's. "Yeh weren't there, laddie. Yeh don't understand what he DID!"
Launchpad's eyebrows flew up as his eyes widened in shock. "Does this have t'do with how Fenton hit his head?"
"Yes!"
"He didn't hit his head!"
Both ducks had answered at the same time.
If Scrooge was angry before, he looked murderous now.
Launchpad scratched the back of his neck in confusion. "Wait, so he didn't hit his head?"
With a challenging smirk, Glomgold said, "Go on, McDuck! Tell him what REALLY happened to Crackshell!"
Caleb and Launchpad both gasped and backed away when, for the second time in the span of a few hours, Glomgold was punched hard in the jaw with Scrooge's fist.
Glomgold howled in pain and this time, was unable to stay standing; finding himself staggering to the floor and landing on his behind. To make matters worse, on his way down, the second richest duck also smacked the back of his head on a nearby chair.
Shaking his offending fist, Scrooge scowled down at Glomgold, his other hand reaching out for Fenton. "Go soak yer head, Glomgold! As I said, I'd best not see yer ugly gob any time soon!" With that, he gently guided Fenton out of his chair and began guiding him towards the stairs. He could hear his own voice cracking with emotion. "Don't ever talk to or about Fenton ever again, Flintheart!" He looked to their hosts, Caleb and Toby; the latter of which had just rejoined them with some aspirin. He cleared his throat and said in a much calmer voice. "I thank yeh boys from t'bottom of me heart. Yeh have been wonderful hosts and I would be happy t'do future business with yeh."
Caleb and Toby nodded appreciatively; both giving small but warm smiles.
Launchpad went to stand up and follow but a soft but pointed look from Scrooge told him not to follow. The richest duck guided Fenton out of the room and towards the stairs, making a point to ignore Glomgold altogether as the other duck sat there on the floor and nursed his pride and jaw.
The trek up the stairs and into the shared suite he and Fenton were staying in was a memory Scrooge would never remember. He simply recalled shutting the door behind him and locking it tight. The room had been annoyingly frilly and floral before to the old miser but now it only seemed worse. Fenton was staring ahead at the said floral wallpaper and Scrooge was quick to move him to the bed.
Now completely alone and without any unwanted or prying eyes, Scrooge McDuck lost the battle against his emotions and broke down into tears.
"Oh, F-Fenton, please!" he whimpered through his sobs. "P-Please forgive me!" The old miser collapsed on the floor at Fenton's feet; the accountant completely oblivious in his current state. "I-I...I promise. I'll get yeh home t'Duckburg and we'll-we'll sort this all out! I promise yeh!"
This declaration might as well have fallen on deaf ears for Fenton still didn't show any kind of reaction.
Scrooge whimpered and clutched at his head. "Why, oh why did I have t'let the gold lust get t'me again!? Didn't I learn me lesson the last time with the Golden Suns!?"
He allowed himself to wallow in his guilt and sorrow for what seemed like a decade. He wasn't entirely sure how much time had passed as he wiped away more tears; yet the sound of fabric rustling and the very faint crinkle of bed springs coiling with movement had Scrooge perking up from where he still sat on the floor. He looked up and saw that Fenton was no longer sitting up and had laid back on the bed.
Surprised that Fenton had moved on his own, he couldn't help but feel the twinge of hope inside him. He quickly stood and found that Fenton was now resting on his back, his feet still dangling off the side.
Scrooge sighed as his shoulders sagged when he saw that the accountant's expression had not changed. He sat down on the bed next to Fenton, angling himself so that his torso was facing the younger duck. He ran a hand through the tuft of hair on top Fenton's head. Sniffling, he swallowed thickly. "I never thought I'd hear meself sayin' this, Fenton, but...I really do miss yer constant babbling. Yer always chatterin' away; always ranting. Yeh never shut up. Always so positive and always...ALWAYS gushing about how amazin' I am." He trailed off, his fingers continuing to run through Fenton's hair.
Scrooge looked away and scoffed before rolling his eyes. "Truth of t'matter is...I'm really not all that great... I let yeh down, laddie. Yeh always had such faith in me...I never understood why either." Scrooge turned and clasped his hands down in his lap.
"I'm sorry, Fenton. Truly I am. I don't understan' what's happened to yeh. Yeh should be dead. Instead yer just this lifeless...puppet. Still breathin'..." He rested a hand on Fenton's chest to be certain. "Still have a heartbeat. Yet yeh still won't respond. Like yer not actually here."
Fenton continued to lay there, his eyes empty and his expression blank.
A few more tears spilled down Scrooge's cheeks as he pushed himself up. "Well, mornin' won't get here any sooner by just sittin' here. Best get ready for bed." His eyes landed on Fenton. Wordlessly, he began pushing Fenton up into a sitting position and he began unbuttoning the green jacket his accountant was still wearing.
It took time, but eventually Scrooge was able to get him dressed for bed. He didn't even attempt to dress Fenton in his usual onesie space pajamas. Instead, he found a simple tank top in Fenton's suitcase. It would suffice. He didn't have the patience or strength to bother with the onesie. Not with Fenton being so limp and unresponsive. He then began dressing himself.
It wasn't until he'd managed to both get them settled into bed that Scrooge's guilt begin to creep back in. He had Fenton underneath the covers and propped up against the pillows. Wrapping his arms around himself, Scrooge felt uncharacteristically lonely and vulnerable. As he had confessed earlier, he truly was missing Fenton's constant positive chatter.
He reached over and turned the light out. He then sunk into the blankets and laid down. He was startled to find that Fenton had closed his eyes. He pushed up and immediately checked to make sure the younger duck was still breathing. This was the first time Fenton had willingly closed his eyes after all. He was relieved to find that Fenton was still fine.
Sighing, Scrooge gave him a wan smile. "Sleep well, Fenton." He ran a hand through Fenton's head feathers. "Turns out yer the real treasure I was lookin' for..."
Scrooge closed his eyes and prayed for sleep to come quickly.
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Glomgold was no where to be seen the next morning and Caleb and Toby weren't about to show their concern over the Scottish duck. It had been Launchpad who had asked after the other duck; Scrooge being too busy making sure all their suitcases and belongings were in order. Evidently Glomgold had left late in the night, mumbling and cursing about how he didn't wish to be at the Inn a moment longer.
Launchpad had tried broaching the subject about what exactly had happened down in those caves, but Scrooge refused to answer beyond saying, "There'd been a near cave in that had terrified us and we didn't think we'd make it for a while there." Scrooge reasoned with himself that it wasn't entirely far from the truth. There had been a near cave in and they had thought they were going to die on several occasions.
Scrooge then had a minor panic attack once he realized Fenton's Gizmoduck suit was nowhere to be seen. Launchpad had laughed and reassured him that he had found that out by the King's well and had Caleb bring it back to the Inn.
That was one less thing Scrooge had to worry about.
Though still highly suspicious about Fenton's behavior-or rather, his lack of-Launchpad kept giving his employer uncertain and suspicious looks as they boarded the airplane. Scrooge was simply thankful that for the majority of the flight back to Duckburg, Launchpad stayed in the cockpit of the plane while Scrooge and Fenton stayed buckled up in the seats.
With a crunching landing on top of Scrooge's fountain in front of the mansion, Launchpad happily announced their arrival. "Heh, heh! Honestly, Mr. McDee, I think you're better off just making this fountain a landing sight! Save ya the cost of always fixing your fountain!"
Scrooge rolled his eyes as he guided Fenton off the plane. "Why bother, Launchpad? Wherever I put the fountain is where you'll end up crashing into it! No point in adding a landing pad now! Yeh won't use it anyways!"
Launchpad walked down the ramp of the plane after him with a laugh. "Heh, true that, Mr. McDee!"
Scrooge was just about to walk through the front doors to the mansion when it opened up. He was shocked to see not only Duckworth at the door, but Huey, Dewey, and Louie as well.
Scrooge stopped at the steps of the mansion, finding himself holding Fenton tighter to his side as his nephews happily greeted him.
"Welcome back, Unca Scrooge!" they cried out happily in unison.
Scrooge opened his mouth to say something when Fenton raised a hand up at them as though to wave before his hand fell limp at his side once more.
Scrooge stared at Fenton; his heart pounding with delight and hope.
Perhaps being in familiar territory and the sound of the triplets greeting him was helping Fenton snap out of it. He noticed that Fenton's face was still lacking expression, but it was better than nothing!
Suddenly filled with more happiness than he'd felt in the last 48 hours, Scrooge beamed down at his young nephews. "Ahh, hello, lads!"
Huey, Dewey, and Louie were now surrounding them in front of the door. "Well, how was your trip, Unca Scrooge!?" demanded Louie.
"Yeah! Did ya bring back a bunch of lost treasure!?" asked Huey.
"We expected you back in a few days! You came back early!" Dewey pointed out.
Scrooge pushed past the boys with a smile on his beak. He nodded his head in greeting to Duckworth as he walked through the door with Fenton beside him. The triplets followed close at their heels.
"Ahh, yes! The trip didn't last nearly as long as I had expected!" explained Scrooge. "But t'be honest with yeh, lads. The trip ended up bein' a fluke!"
"A fluke!?" parroted Huey. The three brothers exchanged perplexed looks before turning back to their uncle with questions waiting to be asked.
Scrooge simply nodded. "Aye, lads. A fluke. There was gold there, but it didn't triple me fortune like it was supposed to. Shame." He kept him demeanor light-hearted and casual in hopes the boys didn't get too curious. They were able to read Scrooge better than most and the last thing he needed the was the boys asking the wrong questions; particularly about Fenton.
The three boys hummed with disappointment.
Scrooge was slowly trying to walk out of the room with Fenton in tow when Louie asked, "Say, what's up with Fenton? He hasn't said a word since you got here. Is he okay?"
With his back towards the boys, Scrooge stopped mid step. He had hoped they wouldn't ask about Fenton. He looked at them over his shoulder, patting Fenton on the back. "Eh, uh, who?"
Huey, Dewey, and Louie all raised a suspicious eyebrow at him.
Glancing at Fenton, he began to chuckle nervously. "Ahh, right! Fenton! He's uh..." He slowly turned himself and the younger duck around until they were facing him. "He's uh...He's very tired, lads. I'm afraid he hit his head pretty badly on the trip and uh...he's still not quite himself."
This earned him three sympathetic looks.
"Gee, that's too bad!" spoke Huey sincerely.
"Yeah! Well, we'll let you two be then!" suggested Dewey.
Louie nodded. "Yeah! Since ya didn't get any treasure and the whole trip was a bust, guess there's not real story to hear, huh?"
Scrooge shrugged. "'Fraid not, lads. But don't you worry! There will be other adventures!"
With that now on their minds, the triplets bid their uncle and Fenton goodbye before they took off outside to play. Scrooge let out a large breath he hadn't known he was holding as he watched them leave. While Fenton's attempt at waving didn't brighten his spirits a bit; the idea of having to lie even more about Fenton's condition was starting to eat away at him. Yet he had no choice. The very idea of his friends snd family knowing what had really happened to Fenton was simply out of the question. He could hardly believe it himself and he knew his dear sweet nephews would never understand; never look up to him had they known the truth.
That Scrooge's lust for gold and treasure had nearly cost Fenton's life.
Scrooge gulped at the very thought. He rubbed at Fenton's arm as he walked down the hallways toward his bedroom. Hopefully he wouldn't be running into anyone else. The triplets would be outside for the rest of the afternoon. Launchpad was busy dealing with the airplane. Webby was spending time at a friend's house. Duckworth was off doing chores. That only left-
"Oh, why hello, Mr. McDuck! Hello, Fenton!" came an elderly but cheery voice.
Bentina Beakley.
Scrooge stopped short as Mrs. Beakley appeared at the other end of the hallway.
Not seeing his discomfort, Mrs. Beakley walked down the hall to meet them halfway. She was wearing her usual lavender uniform and apron and in her free hand she had a small duster. Her smile showed how happy she was to see them.
"Why, I wasn't expecting you back so soon, Mr. McDuck! How did the trip end up going?"
It was a simple enough question. The same question the boys had asked just minutes ago. Yet for some reason, the ability to lie didn't come quite as easy. Since day one, Scrooge had a difficult time lying or arguing with the house keeper. It was as though she was able to see right through him and see his very thoughts. He always remembered their first adventure together, just days after she'd been hired as their boys' nanny. She stood up for herself and was very well educated and witty. Definitely a force not to be reckoned with.
Avoiding eye contact, Scrooge quickly tried to answer with a lie. "Oh, well-It-uh...It ended up being rather-"
Mrs. Beakley wasn't listening, however. Instead, her eyes were only for Fenton.
"Oh, dear!" she admonished. "Oh, Fenton! You don't look good at all, dear!"
Before Scrooge could do anything about it, Mrs. Beakley had taken the back of her hand was feeling Fenton's forehead. Of course, the accountant didn't so much as flinch, let alone move at the action. Mrs. Beakley seemed to notice this for even though he didn't show signs of a fever, his unresponsiveness was another reason to worry.
She retracted her hand and looked to Fenton with concern. "Fenton?"
Scrooge closed his eyes tight; knowing what was about to come.
When Fenton still didn't answer her, Mrs. Beakley turned her eyes to the old miser next to him.
"Scrooge McDuck, please explain to me what is wrong with Mr. Crackshell!" she demanded with authority.
Floundering, Scrooge found himself chuckling nervously as he took his free hand and took off his top hat. "Heh, heh! W-Whatever do you mean, Mrs. Beakley!?"
Placing her hands on her hips, Mrs. Beakley towered over her shorter boss and gave him the same look she often gave the children when they were caught doing something wrong. "Mr. McDuck, you are many things-but a liar is not one of them! Certainly not when it comes to anything besides money and numbers!"
Scrooge gasped, slightly affronted at the insinuation. He didn't get a chance to argue though since his house keeper pressed on.
"But it's clear to me that something has happened to our dear Mr. Crackshell- Why, he looks-" She paused as she tried to determine the best word. She struggled, taking in Fenton's half-lidded, dazed looked and how it was obvious Scrooge was the main force keeping him standing. "Dead on his feet."
Mrs. Beakley could not have chosen more painful words.
Which was why when Scrooge began openly sobbing, she gasped and took a step back in alarm. She watched as large tears formed and spilled over his beak.
"Oh, my goodness, Mr. McDuck! Oh! Please, dear! There's no need to cry!" she soothed, gathering the old miser into her arms. She knelt down on one knee, careful not to jar the hold Scrooge had on Fenton, and pulled out a handkerchief. She offered it to him and he gratefully took it and blew his nose. His top hat was now laying on the floor forgotten.
As he cried, Mrs. Beakley couldn't help but look to Fenton; a horrified look appearing on her face when she saw that he was still staring off into space as though he wasn't really there. It was then that she knew something truly horrible had happened. It was heartbreaking to see such a sight. McDuck was someone she thought quite highly of and to see him broken down in such a state always pulled at her heart strings.
At length, she finally said, "Mr. McDuck, I think it's time you explained to me what happened." She rubbed his back patiently.
Scrooge swallowed thickly. "M-Mrs. Beakley...I...I've done something awful..."
Mrs. Beakley regarded her older employer carefully, her expression turning remorseful, yet decidedly guarded at the same time. "I gathered that much, myself, Mr. McDuck. Though I was hoping you weren't to blame."
Scrooge shook his head. "Oh...But I am! I AM t'blame!" he wailed.
Mrs. Beakley sighed and with a nod she stood back up. Glancing back and forth down the hallway, she gently pushed Scrooge and Fenton into Scrooge's master bedroom. She discreetly shut the door and had them sit on the bed. She was able to see for herself just how much guidance Fenton needed.
Once Scrooge had sat down on the plush bed, he rubbed at his eyes and managed to settle himself. Mrs. Beakley waited patiently for him to speak; keeping herself busy by checking over Fenton's vitals. She grabbed the accountant's wrist and made sure his heart rate was steady. Once she was satisfied, she checked over him for injuries.
She jumped when Scrooge spoke up quietly, "He's perfectly f-fine. I checked too. He's j-just...in a daze...I-I'm not sure myself..." He hiccuped and sniffled away his tears.
"So, if his vitals and everything are alright, then why is he in a daze?"
Staring down at his lap, he mumbled, "Do yeh remember our first adventure together, Bentina?"
It was rare for Scrooge to call her by her first name, so she knew how serious he was being when he asked. She nodded. "Yes, of course, but what does that-"
"I succumbed to the gold sickness?" He said this like it was a question.
"That's right. It was the Curse of the Golden Suns" she confirmed.
With a nod, Scrooge pressed on. "Well...I did it again. I succumbed to the gold sickness..."
Furrowing her brows together in confusion, she could only tilt her head and stare at him. "What do you-?"
He cut her off again. "I succumbed to the gold sickness and...Fenton, poor sweet Fenton...Paid the price."
Mrs. Beakley's eyes widened in alarm. She slowly sat down on the other side of Fenton, her eyes never leaving her employer. She listened as Scrooge explained what had happened in the caves. How the legend had spoken about a sacrifice and how Glomgold had ruined part of the scrolls so they wouldn't find out. He confessed that Fenton met with the fairy and knew ahead of time that he was going to die if Scrooge chose the Golden Heart. He also confessed how he had chosen the Golden Heart without a second thought and how he had watched Fenton die. Lastly, he told her how he'd mysteriously woken up and that even the fairy themselves didn't understand why.
Mrs. Beakley was speechless as he finished his tale. She watched as Scrooge whimpered and fell onto his back on the bed. A hand was over her mouth in shock. She then turned her attention on Fenton, who was still sitting there staring.
Scrooge closed his eyes. It felt so good to tell the truth; despite how awful it was. He felt like there was a weight off his shoulders to know he and Glomgold weren't the only ones who knew what really happened.
"So, he hasn't spoken?" was her first question.
"Not a word."
"Has he eaten anything?"
"I've tired getting him to nibble on a couple pieces of cheese and crackers. Not with much success." was the monotone answer.
Mrs. Beakley's shoulders slumped with dismay. "Oh, dear..."
Scrooge placed a hand on his forehead, his eyes still closed. "You're the only person I've told, Bentina. To everyone else, he hit his head badly on a rock and he's still out of it."
"That story won't work for very long, Scrooge" she lightly scolded.
"Ach, I know! I know!" he moaned. "I didn't know what else t'say! I hardly have had the chance to come t'terms with any of this meself! Let alone explainin' it t'others! Then I bumped into you and-"
Mrs. Beakley's eyes widened as she remembered her own words. She gasped. "Oh, my! When I said he looked dead on his feet-!"
A humorless laugh escaped Scrooge's beak. "Yeh hit it right on the bill because he might as well be and it's all my fault!"
Silence filled the room.
Eventually Mrs. Beakley broke the silence and stood up. She straightened out her apron as she spoke with authority. "Alright. Well, then. This is what we're going to do. I'm going to help you with Fenton. We'll start by getting him into some fresh clothes and wash him up a bit. The both of you could desperately use a bath."
Scrooge opened his beak to say something but a narrowed look from the house keeper kept him silent. It was clear there would be no arguing with her.
"Then we are going to get a nice hot meal in you. We'll try to get Fenton to eat something light and simple and possibly get some liquids in him. Being starved and dehydrated certainly isn't helping his condition. Then it's straight to bed for both of you!"
"It's barely even noon-" began Scrooge.
"I won't hear it! I don't care what time of day it is! You both need rest!" she insisted. She pulled Fenton into a standing position and pulled him close to her, which immediately got Scrooge's attention. He quickly sat up; unnerved by the idea of being very far away from his paramour.
Scrooge paused. Had he really just thought of Fenton as his paramour? That was usually only a term Fenton used. He watched as Mrs. Beakley fretted over the accountant. Sure, the two of them had been dating for a little while now, but never before as he felt so strongly for the other duck. Was this how Fenton felt all the time when it came to Scrooge?
'Curious' thought Scrooge.
The next hour was a rush of bathing, changing clothes, and eating. Fenton was hard to coax to eat and neither of them wanted to force feed him. Mrs. Beakley came up with the idea of feeding him applesauce. Something he didn't have to chew. They were delighted when they found Fenton swallowed small spoonfuls. They did the same thing with some fresh water.
It wasn't until Scrooge's head hit the pillow did he truly reason just how exhausted he was. He'd hardly slept in the last 72 hours and he was feeling it now. Before it had been because of adrenaline from being on a treasure hunt. Afterwards it was due to guilt over Fenton.
As he laid there in his bed, he turned on his side and looked over where Fenton was laying. The accountant had closed his eyes again.
Taking in a deep breath, Scrooge ran a tentative finger along Fenton's cheek. "I'm so sorry, Fenton. So very sorry. I never meant for yeh t'get hurt. I never realized just...how important yeh've come t'be t'me. Yeh really do have a heart of gold, Fenton. A different kind of gold. A gold that truly matters..." He wiped away a tear. "Now I know that you're the real treasure I've been searchin' fer..."
Removing his hand, he snuggled deeper into the mattress and closed his eyes; forcing himself to sleep and praying Fenton would properly wake up.
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Tha-dump. Tha-dump.
It was a constant, steady beating sound. Like a very soft drum.
Tha-dump. Tha-dump.
It was such a soothing sound. It made his body feel weightless.
Also, everything felt soft.
He could feel his head and upper torso moving ever so slightly; just as steady as the thumping.
Tha-dump. Tha-dump.
Fingers twitched ever so slightly.
He was disoriented. Where was he?
Tha-dump. Tha-dump.
His eyelids felt so heavy. He knew his eyes were closed. That's why all he saw was darkness.
After what felt like an eternity later, Fenton slowly opened his eyes.
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Scrooge had only been able to sleep a couple hours before his brain went back into overdrive and his worry over Fenton kept him from resting. Unable to keep his mind focused, he asked if Mrs. Beakley would keep everyone away from his bedroom when she had come in to check on them. She agreed, saying that it would be best. She told the triplets that their uncle and Fenton were suffering from jet lag and were not to be disturbed.. At least it wasn't too big a stretch; they would have been anyways despite what happened.
He was sitting up against the fluffy red pillow of his bed with Fenton pulled close to him. Having the younger duck lay close to him helped settle his nerves. That was how he found himself with Fenton's head resting on his chest. The lanky accountant was half on top of the rich duck and while usually such closeness would make Scrooge uncomfortable; he was craving the contact at the moment.
With his right arm wrapped around Fenton's shoulder, it left his right hand up near Fenton's fluffy head feathers. The old miser was staring off in deep thought as he ran his fingers comfortably through his feathers.
Scrooge was so deep in thought that he didn't notice the tiny twitches of Fenton's fingers, nor the slow blinking of Fenton's eyes as the accountant slowly began to regain consciousness.
The richest duck in the world jumped slightly as Fenton gave the tiniest grunt of weariness. Having been used to the absolute silence of the room for so long, even the tiniest noise startled Scrooge out of his thoughts.
Feeling his heart beat heavier in his chest, Scrooge looked down to see Fenton's eyes opening and closing sleepily.
"Fenton? Me treasure!? Can yeh hear me!?" he desperately asked.
Fenton licked his dry lips and groaned again. Slowly, Fenton began to move his tired lanky limbs, brushing and bumping up against Scrooge's own legs.
Scrooge stared happily with tears in his eyes sluggishly moved on his own for the first time since the caves in Sitka. Fenton pushed himself up with his arms; nearly winding Scrooge in the process by jamming an elbow into his chest. Yet Scrooge couldn't care less. Fenton was waking up!
Finally, Fenton's bleary eyes landed on Scrooge, who looked like he was about to start sobbing and shouting for joy. Raising a hand to rub at his eyes, Fenton finally spoke for the first time in days, "Scroogey?" His voice sounded slightly deeper and it was obviously drier from the lack of use.
Scrooge let out an emotional and weak laugh.
"Oh! Tickle me tail feathers! Blessed be!" he cried out happily. "I cannae believe how happy I am t'hear yeh call me by that infernal nickname!" He then laughed, not caring that he was sobbing once again at the same time. He leaned forward and placed a kiss on Fenton's forehead.
Completely baffled by Scrooge's behavior and also not entirely sure he wasn't still dreaming, Fenton yawned. "Boy!" he then exclaimed, though not with the same amount of exuberance he normally did. "Someone sure is happy! Did yeh end up findin' the treasure then?"
Scrooge paused, not entirely sure what Fenton meant by treasure. He briefly wondered what the last thing Fenton remembered was. He quickly shrugged it off though and pulled Fenton close. "Aye, Fenton!" he whispered into his ear. "I did find the treasure!" He kissed the side of Fenton's head.
Fenton pulled back slightly and smiled at Scrooge. He moved until he was finally sitting up next to Scrooge. "Oh, good! I love seeing you happy, Scroogey!"
This earned him a slight frown, though Fenton didn't see it because he was too busy stretching and trying to wake up further. With a sigh, Scrooge gave him a wan smile. "I know, me treasure. Trust me. I know."
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Mrs. Beakley was humming to herself quietly as she walked down the hallway and towards the master bedroom. While her heart truly did go out to Mr. McDuck and Fenton, she found that humming a simple little tune kept her from falling into her own depression. Her boys needed her to be strong at the moment and it wouldn't do well for any of them for her to start crying and losing herself to grief as well.
She was just about to twist the doorknob to open the door when the door swung open by itself. With a small scream of fright, Mrs. Beakley released the doorknob and staggered backwards. She placed a hand on her chest when she saw that it was simply Mr. McDuck.
Scrooge beamed at the sight of her. "Oh! Mrs. Beakley! I was just comin' to look fer yeh!"
"Oh! Is everything alright, Mr. McDuck!?" she asked. She watched as he grabbed hold of her hand and began tugging her into the room.
Scrooge cackled with glee. "Heh heh! MORE than alright, Mrs. Beakley!" He pointed to the bed, which was empty. "Look there!"
Mrs. Beakley blinked, not understanding what she should be seeing. "I-um...What am I-" she fumbled with words before realization came to her. "Wait a moment! Where is Fenton!?"
This only made Scrooge clapped his hands together and jumped in the air with glee.
Just then, the door to Scrooge's personal bathroom opened and out came Fenton, shuffling and dragging his feet on the soft carpet. He was rubbing his head and the poor dear looked so tired. It didn't help that the large off white night shirt they had found for him to wear was a couple sizes too big since it had once belonged to Duckworth. None of Scrooge's pajamas fit the taller duck.
Mrs. Beakley sucked in a breath of delight at the sight of Fenton standing and moving about on his own. "Oh!"
The sound of her excitement caught Fenton's attention. He looked up and smiled happily at the house keeper. "Oh! Hi, Mrs. Beakley! Good to see you again!" His voice still sounded a bit off but it was quickly gaining back its usual positive notes. "Guess Scroogey told ya how our trip to France got cut short. Turns out the Golden Heart was a fake! Not that I remember any of it..." He sighed. "Silly ol' me went and hit my head on a rock of all things! Pshaw!"
Mrs. Beakley turned to a sheepish looking Scrooge. He stared back at her, silently begging her not to say anything. The house keeper turned her attention back to Fenton, who was fidding with the sleeve of his oversized shirt. While she disliked the idea of Scrooge lying once again about what happened, she found it hard to truly care. It was so wonderful to see Fenton properly awake and talking animatedly like he was so well known for.
"Hmm...Well, are you boys hunrgy? I was just going to make a nice afternoon snack!" she offered instead.
"Boy, am I ever! I feel like I haven't eaten in days!" exclaimed Fenton as he ran a hand over his stomach.
Scrooge chuckled nervously. "There wasn't much t'eat on the plane and yeh were in and out of consciousness the last couple days...eh..." He shot a worried glance at Mrs. Beakley, who simply raised an eyebrow at him.
Fenton didn't notice this quiet exchange, too busy fighting the sleeves of his shirt some more.
"What happened to my spaceship pajamas?"
"Eh, they're in the wash! I didn't have any pajamas that would fit yeh so I got yeh into Duckworth's old set!" chuckled Scrooge nervously.
Mrs. Beakley quietly excused herself. "Just come on out into the kitchen whenever you're dressed, boys." She gave Scrooge one last meaningful look before smiling at him and giving him a thumbs up. This earned her a large smile from Scrooge.
Once they were alone, Scrooge found himself practically bouncing on his webbed feet. He watched as Fenton looked about the room; a little quieter and subdued than he would normally be, but up and about nonetheless.
Fenton seemed to sense he was being stared at for he looked back to Scrooge with a smirk. "What is it, Scroogey?"
Scrooge just shrugged. "Nothing. I'm just happy."
Smiling, Fenton walked over to his paramour and was thrilled when Scrooge allowed him to lean close against him. "Oh? I'd think you'd be all depressed! What with the Golden Heart being a dud! Normally you'd be upset by it!"
Scrooge shook his head. "Not this time, me treasure!"
Fenton froze.
This caused Scrooge to frown with concern. "What's wrong?"
"Y-you..." Fenton tried and failed. He stepped back from Scrooge yet kept a hand on the older duck's shoulder. "You called me 'treasure'!
Seeing what had happened, Scrooge smiled once more. "Aye. Yeh told me before that I didn't have a pet name for yeh. Well, I found one I really like."
Fenton's face turned red as he dazedly stared at his paramour. "R-Really?"
Scrooge nodded, taking hold of Fenton's hand and holding on tight. "Aye. Cause that's what yeh are t'me. Me treasure."
It was a good thing Scrooge was holding onto his hand, for the accountant suddenly had hearts in his eyes as his blush spread down to his neck and chest.
Swooning with love and affection, Fenton allowed Scrooge to guide him out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen for a bite to eat.
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Author's Note: And so with this chapter finished, that just leaves the epilogue! Hopefully I will have that up soon and it'll start to tie in with the events that happen in 'Thicker Than Water' that is in my other series. The two stories coincide with one another if you didn't already know. Until then, thank you for your support and comments! They are what encourage me to continue! -EricaX