Aliens of a Feather Stick Together
Getting used to Earth was definitely a challenge for Penumbra. Everything was so noisy, there were so many things happening all the time, even when it was supposed to be a peaceful day. Any while she didn't mind the extra distractions, she actually enjoyed spending time with Della's family for the most part, there was also a lot about them that she didn't fully understand yet and that took adjusting too. The little ones were so full of energy all the time, getting into some type of trouble and sometimes dragging Penumbra along because she was the muscle, as Huey put it.
The kids were fun but they really tired her out, much to her surprise. They just got back from another adventure which involved getting covered in some gooey purple substance after Penumbra had to punch a giant blob monster in the face.
Penumbra stepped trough the door, carrying Huey and Luey under one arm, Dewy under the other and Webby riding on her shoulders, still very energetic despite what happened and that it was already getting pretty late.
"That was so much fun! Let's do that again." Penumbra cringed as Webby shouted close to her ears.
"Maybe after we get this stuff off us. We still don't know what it is." Huey made a disgusted face as he wiped his hands across his face.
"Looks like jello to me." Dewy commented staring intensely at the substance, "Don't worry I'm not gonna lick it." He said when Huey glanced at him with a worried look.
"Maybe its valuable." Of course Luey would think that.
"I don't think anyone wants to buy monster goo." Beakley commented with her arms crossed over her chest as she looked at the group in front of her, "In any case its a good thing you're not melting from it. Yet. Go wash that stuff off just to be safe." She motioned to the kids to go.
"Okay!" They all said in unison. Penumbra put the triplets down while Webby jumped off her shoulders, still not worried about the goo.
The kids quickly disappeared behind the corner. Beakley looked over at Penumbra. The Moonlander knew that the woman was formidable and she respected her as a fellow warrior, "Lieutenant Penumbra, I know that you're trying to bond with the children but that doesn't mean going along with their every whim. Especially when they're going monster hunting."
"I quite enjoy the monster hunting. And the they are always safe with me, I'm the best warrior Moon has to offer." Penumbra brought her fist to her chest and straightened up.
"Yes I'm aware, Della talks about you non stop. I'm just saying you don't have to let them do what ever they want. They already have Della who goes along with their notions, they don't need another mom like that. You have to have to be the firm one of the two." With that Beakley walked away.
Penumbra stood there, trying to process Beakley's advice. She understood where she was coming from, wanting to protect the kids. Penumbra knew that feeling well, she dedicated herself to protecting the Moonlanders for most of her life. But they're doing fine on their own now... mostly. And the kids seem to be fine, sure they still need some muscle so to speak but Penumbra enjoys just tagging along, even if she doesn't have much to do sometimes.
The kids are unpredictable, like Della. Wait... did Beakley say something about Penumbra being a mom? To the kids? Along with Della?
Penumbra could feel herself blushing. She shook her head from these thoughts, she had other things to worry about. Like getting this goo off herself. For all she knew maybe it really would make her melt. The Moonlander hurried to her own bathroom, well the one she shared with Della actually, and cleaned herself up.
When she was done and dressed in her tank top and boxer-shorts she practically collapsed on the bed with a sigh. She'd be lying if she said her muscles weren't aching. These adventures with the McDuck family definitely kept her in shape.
"Penny!" Della barged into the room, door slamming open and closed quickly, "I just talked to the kids! Why didn't you tell me you were gonna go out to punch jello monsters? I would have tagged along!"
Penumbra groaned and rolled over and onto her elbows to look at her. She was bouncing excitedly and shadowboxing around the room.
"It seemed urgent." Penumbra shrugged, "The small Dellas seemed to be in a hurry. Although looking back I think they were merely too excited to get going and there was no actual emergency."
"Yeah they can be like that. I like to think they get that from me." Della went to change for sleep as well. When she was done she jumped up on Penumbra's bed, her legs dangling from the edge. She leaned in a bit with a big smile on her face, "Did you have fun?"
Penumbra nodded, "Yes. It was exciting. I don't know how you manage to find all these monsters."
"We're natural danger magnets. Its a McDuck family thing." Della winked, "But I'm glad you're spending time with them. The kids really like you."
Penumbra hummed. She sat up looking at Della in the eye, "I see. So endearing myself to your kids is a quality you look for in a mate correct?"
Della blinked. Once, twice, "Uhhh... what?" She tilted her head to the side.
"It makes sense, I was worried I would have nothing to offer to your kids but they seem to be content with me just tagging along with them. What other rituals to I need to preform before we can be official?" Penumbra asked completely serious.
"I... official? What? Penny um..." Della was beat red and her voice was cracking, "You think we're... mates?"
Penumbra blinked in confusion, "Well not yet. Although Beakley seems to think so judging by the fact she called me the small Della's other mom. Oh, did I not notice? Have been official this whole time? I'm sorry I'm not familiar with Earth mating customs, I assumed there was some sort of ceremony involved. Or a consummation?"
"Beakley said what? Ceremony? Consummation? I gotta sit down." Della's head was spinning and she could feel her heart threatening to beat out of her chest.
"You're already sitting. Are you alright? Your face looks very flushed and you're hyperventilating." Penumbra blinked at Della in a mix of confusion and worry.
"No, no, I mean yes! I'm fine. Just... trying to process this." Penumbra sat cross legged, tilting her head in confusion, she placed her hands on her knees causing her muscles to flex for a second. Della caught that second in slow motion.
"How is she both adorable and hot?!" Della shook her head to clear her thoughts. It worked... mostly. "So..." Della rubbed the back of her neck eyes darting from Penumbra to the wall, "You like me right? In a romantic way?"
"Yes? Haven't we been courting for the past few months?" Penumbra scratches her head.
"Not that I'm aware of..." The pilot was fidgeting uncomfortably, even more so when she looked at her roommate and saw the confused and crestfallen look on her face.
"But... you took me to all of those places in town for food and beverages. And we've been on adventures together, fought beasts, thieves and assassins, we exchanged battle strategies and fighting techniques. You entrusted me with your kids." Penumbra was getting more confused by the moment, and hurt judging by the frown on her face.
"You're sad now... uh... I'm sorry. I didn't know you felt that way." Della reached out to touch Penumbra's arm but the soldier flinched away, "Penny..."
"Its fine. I'm not hurt. I'm just confused, those all seemed very similar to courtships on Planet Moon. Well there there was no fights or adventures but we do share activities we enjoy with our mates and provide for them." Penumbra kept a neutral facial expression and tone of voice as she spoke, at least she tried too, but she was never good at hiding her emotions so Della could easily see that she was indeed hurt by this situation.
"We do all of that on Earth too. But we talk about the relationship... er... courtship beforehand. If you asked me..." Della blushed, sat across from Penumbra and gently covered her hand with hers, "I would love to go on a date with you... I mean court you. I think you're awesome, and brave, and super handsome, and really strong, and funny, and caring, and..." Della was cut off by Penumbra pulling her onto her lap and into her chest in a tight hug.
Della yelped, "Fuck you're strong." She mumbled.
Penumbra chuckled, actually chuckled, "Yes so you've told me. I would love to court you as well. You're determined, smart, brave, surprisingly strong, a great fighter, and you're really, really soft and... pretty." Penumbra muttered that last part to herself but Della caught it.
She pulled back so she could look up at Penumbra's face which was now several shades darker than usual. It made Della give her a dopey, love struck smile.
"What? What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You're very cute." Penumbra blushed even more upon hearing those words.
"Uh... thank you. I think you're cute as well Della." Penumbra gave her a kiss on the forehead, the movement caused her muscles to flex once more as she lifted Della slightly.
"Damn... Take me now." Della sighed dreamily.
"Where do you want me to take you? Its pretty late. Can it wait till tomorrow?" Penumbra once again tilted her head to the side.
"Oh! Um... Take me... I wanna go on an adventure. Yeah! Just me and you. Fighting monsters, flying in the plane, maybe taking down some Sky Pirates. Think of it as a first date." Della winked, hoping she managed to save face and came off as suave and charming rather than a bumbling mess she felt like.
Penumbra smiled, the moonlight coming trough the window almost made Della believe Penumbra's smile was actually shining brightly, "I would love to. That sounds like a very romantic and satisfying step in our courting."
Della snorted, "That's romantic to you?"
"I am a warrior Della. Of course us battling side by side is a romantic courting activity for me. And don't worry, I've been told that I'm the muscle." This time the flex was deliberate.
"Yeah... You sure are Penny." Della hopped off the bed, trying to shake off her intrusive thoughts before her brain explodes from the heat. She was stopped by Penumbra's hand on her shoulder. Della glanced back.
"Where are you going?"
"To my bed?" Now it was Della's turn to be confused.
Penumbra shook her head, "You can sleep in my bed." Della was sure Penumbra didn't mean anything suggestive by it but the way she looked at Della sure told her otherwise.
"Are you sure? You're not trying to consummate our courtship early are you?" Della joked. Penumbra blushed realizing how her invitation might have sounded.
"No! Well if you... I mean no, we haven't even started courting yet. I apologize, you don't have to..." Della laughed, jumped on the bed and into Penumbra's arms once more.
"Dork. I would love to sleep with you. And I mean that in both ways." Della grinned at her... girlfriend? Partner? Mate? "Can I call you my girlfriend now?"
Penumbra nods eagerly, "I learned that term of endearing before. I wanted to know what to call you when we're official. Although I also heard the term wife, we have those terms as well and I don't think we're there yet."
Della chuckled, "No, definitely not yet."
Penumbra settled into bed, followed by Della snuggling against her chest. The Moonlander sighed contently and wrapped her arms around Della's smaller body.
"This is nice." Penumbra spoke softly.
"Yeah. Looking forward to more of this in the future. Sweet dreams Penny. We have a date to plan tomorrow." Della yawned. She interlocked her fingers with Penumbra's, falling asleep shortly after. It didn't take long for Penumbra to follow, although the warrior wanted to get her erratic heartbeat under control first.
Once that was done she whispered into Della's ear as sleep started to get to her as well, "Good night Della."