Not Ponytails or Cottontails: I think you should if you're in that position with someone in your life. It may just be a dialogue I wrote between two fictional characters, but that would also be my actual advice to people who are in Lena's position :)
dalek117: Oh honey, EVERYONE already knew that Lena liked Louie, but she's never admitted it up until right now. WEBBY'S A SPECIAL GIRL! Unfortunately, I cannot spoil which couple will "do it" first ;)
caetlyn27: thank you!
BarnMaker: Thank you!
riverajacobed1: Only seems right if you are number 50! I don't like jealously, I think it is the worst thing ever. Everyone is close friends with each other, so nobody needs to worry about cheating! I love the Huey/Lena dynamic too. And I cannot tell you which couple will hit homerun yet :)
Duke: I might do that :)
dewdrop: thank you!
Chapter 12, let's do it!
ooo
Huey grunted when he was roughly thrown to the ground by Dewey. Louie advanced on Dewey, snarling as he did so.
"One down, you to go." Dewey smirked at his younger triplet. He confidently cracked his knuckles and walked towards Louie.
"We'll see, Dewford." Louie grinned.
Dewey lunged at Louie and punched him in the gut. Louie doubled over in pain, and Dewey smirked as he prepared to knee him in the face. However, Louie was merely faking his pain, and grabbed Dewey, wrapping his arms around his waist, roughly ushering the both of them forwards. He wanted to tackle Dewey to the ground, but Dewey resisted by elbowing Louie's backside various times until he let go of him. Dewey smacked Louie across the face hard, sending him spiraling. Before Louie could recover, Dewey kicked him squarely in the chest and Louie flew backwards.
Louie seemed to wake up after Dewey's vicious attack. He spit out some blood and grabbed his water bottle, uncapping it, splashing the cold water onto his face.
Splash!
Water always woke Louie up, especially whenever he was in a fight.
Louie threw the bottle aside and charged at Dewey. Dewey was quickly tackled by a blur of green and groaned when he felt Louie's full weight crash down on top of him. Dewey groaned in pain, and Louie smirked.
The green triplet was about to congratulate himself on his small victory over Dewey until he felt a pair of strong arms grab him in a chokehold. Louie instincts kicked in and he head butted Huey in the face. Huey cursed and staggered backwards, but clutched onto Louie's sleeve. Louie shrugged off his shirt, leaving him shirtless and sweaty.
Huey surged forward, leaping up, and swiftly kicked Louie across the face. Louie cried out in pain, and Huey smirked. Louie charged at Huey, but Huey sidestepped at the last second, sending Louie crashing to the floor. Louie cursed, wiping the blood off his nose.
"Tired, Llewellyn?" Huey taunted, cracking his knuckles.
Louie's jaw clenched. Ever since they got kidnapped at Funso's all those years ago, their Uncle Donald made sure Louie and his brothers knew how to fight and defend themselves, so he, Ms. Beakley, Launchpad, and Scrooge taught the triplets all their moves. That, along with taking 6 years of karate, made each of them very skilled fighters, but they all had their own unique fighting style: Huey was smart about his moves, mainly maintaining a defensive position, and only attacking the opponent when the time was right. Dewey was the complete opposite: he was tough. He liked impulsively throwing himself onto the opponent and beating the crap out of them, usually maintaining an offensive position. Louie was a mix of the two, he was sharp about his moves. He knew when to maintain a defensive or offensive position, and liked thinking one step ahead of whoever he was fighting.
Louie stood up. "Not one bit."
Be sharp. Huey only attacked whenever he felt that his opponent was on the verge of giving up. Louie dramatically got onto his knees, pretending that he was struggling to stand. Huey walked towards him, raising his fists, ready to pound Louie with all his might and deliver the final blow. At the last moment however, Louie rolled over, and Huey slammed the cement floor instead. He cried out in pain, and Louie popped up and kicked Huey forwards, where he landed on the ground.
"Looks like I win again." Louie smiled.
Huey grinned. "You kidding? I did all the work. You just kicked me over."
Louie helped Huey up.
"Nice one, Louie." Huey smiled, clapping his back, wincing as he did so.
Dewey groaned from the floor. "God, Louie. Can you calm down next time?"
Louie gave him a cheeky grin. "Nope."
Dewey yelled out in pain when he tried to stand up. His leg felt like it was on fire from when Louie crushed it with his body weight. Huey and Louie rushed to his side and helped him up.
"Fuck." Dewey cursed. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" he cried out with each step.
Louie and Huey managed to drag Dewey to the TV room and laid him down on the sofa.
"Oh my," Duckworth said, phasing into the room. "Master Dewford doesn't look too well."
"I'm fine." Dewey insisted.
As Duckworth went to go fetch Ms. Beakley, Huey got him a glass of water.
Ms. Beakley sighed when she walked into the room, followed by Webby.
"You boys really need to go easier on each other. I'm glad that you're skilled in physical combat, but your safety is important too." she frowned.
"Dewey!" Webby cried.
"I'm okay, seriously. Louie just sat on top of my leg." Dewey said reassuringly.
Webby glared at him. "What did I tell you idiots about fighting?"
"That we shouldn't be too aggressive with each other." Huey, Dewey, and Louie murmured in unison.
"And what happened?" Webby growled.
"We were aggressive with each other." they whimpered, like guilty schoolchildren.
Duckworth phased into the room carrying medical supplies. Ms. Beakley worked on Huey while Duckworth tended to Louie. Webby glowered at Dewey before helping him to the bathroom. Duckworth frowned when he saw the various gashes on Louie's face and upper arms. Louie cried out in pain when Duckworth began stitching the minor cuts.
"Are you alright, Master Llewellyn?" the ghostly butler asked.
"I took the hit," Louie smiled. "I can handle the stitch."
"You three really need to be more careful." Ms. Beakley sighed, bandaging Huey's bloodied hands from where he had slammed the cement.
"I'm sorry. We just got into it." Huey apologized.
"We're 3 rowdy teenage boys, Ms. B, what do you expect?" Louie asked, grinning.
Ms. Beakley just snorted.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom Dewey sat there silently, trying his hardest not to flinch as Webby smoothed out the wrappings around his shirtless chest, her cold hands and the swelling of his bruises making it difficult to sit still. Webby's spent as much time as she could staring away from Dewey. It was obvious that she was mad at him.
"Webby…"
She ignored him, and cut the bandage, stuffing it back into the First Aid Kit. She hoisted Dewey's leg onto her lap and he cried out in pain.
"Can you walk?" Webby asked, concerned.
He shook his head no.
She cursed. "Not being able to walk is a symptom of a broken leg, Dewey."
"Webby, wait." he said, this time more firmly.
"Dewey—"
"I'm sorry."
Webby sighed. "You scare me sometimes, Dew."
"I'm sorry, Webbs. I just… this whole combat thing is really important to me and my brothers." he explained.
"You and your brother's safety is important to me! You think it's comfortable seeing you three fight this violently?" Webby demanded.
He sighed. "We do this every month—"
"And this time it's gone too far!" she snapped. "You broke your leg."
"It's not… broken." he tried.
"Dewey." she deadpanned.
"Okay, maybe it is a little broken," he admitted. "But Webbs, you like combat too! You almost killed me for a chocolate chip cookie!"
Webby glared at him. "Combat is only for emergencies like those, Dewey. Not so you can see who the strongest triplet is."
"It's to also make sure we… know how to fight?" he muttered, hoping it didn't sound as stupid as it probably did.
"Is that what kids are calling it?" Webby asked dryly.
"Webby—"
She vigorously shook her head no. "You went too far this time, Dewey. End of conversation. Starting today, you need to promise that you won't hurt your family."
He sighed. "I… promise."
"Good," she said before Dewey could say anything else. "Duckworth!"
Duckworth phased into the bathroom and frowned when he saw Dewey.
"Broken leg?" he mused.
"How did you know?" Dewey asked.
Duckworth snorted. "I constantly patched up Master Scrooge when he came back from all those adventures. I know a broken leg when I see one. Come on."
As fast as lightning, Duckworth picked Dewey up, and transported him into the TV room. Huey and Louie were there, cleaned up and looking a lot better. Duckworth propped Dewey's leg up against a foot rest, and worked on bandaging it.
Webby watched from a distance, her arms crossed against her chest.
"Webby?" Donald asked in concern from behind her.
"Oh! Hi Uncle Donald." Webby greeted politely.
"Why the long face?" Donald asked.
Webby sighed, and gestured towards the injured triplets. Donald grumbled.
"I was about to talk to them about their fights. They're going too far." Donald sighed.
"You think?" Webby asked dryly.
Donald stood there, uncomfortable. She was obviously angry at Dewey for being so careless, but he sensed it was more than that.
"Webby," Donald frowned. "What's on your mind?"
"He… ugh! They're such idiots sometimes!" Webby spat.
Donald, to her surprise, chuckled. "I know."
"I just can't stand to see him hurting his loved ones." Webby sighed.
"I think it's more than that." Donald said.
Webby stared at him. "Is it?"
Donald gently took her hand and led her to the base of the stairs, where they sat down.
"Webby, I may be your boyfriend's uncle, but you can talk to me. Why do you hate seeing him like that?"
"Well, for obvious reasons, he's hurt."
Donald smiled. "Let's look outside the box."
The thought of Dewey getting hurt infuriated her, but never to this extent. She felt like punching someone. Where did the sudden surge of protectiveness come from?
"I guess it's because I'm scared…"
Donald nodded, rolling his hand in a 'Go On' position.
"Scared of…" Webby trailed off, not knowing what to say. Dewey getting hurt meant that he wouldn't be around anymore. He wouldn't be around for her, and she realized just now much she depended on him for comfort, and love, but their connection went further beyond that.
Donald rubbed her shoulder. "Come on."
Webby came to one possible conclusion as to why him getting hurt triggered her tremendously:
"Because if he got hurt seriously then Dewey won't be there for me in the future! I… I want a future with Dewey." Webby admitted.
She expected Donald to laugh, but he pulled her into a tight hug instead.
"I understand where you're coming from, Webby. I felt that way about…" Donald caught himself. "About one of my old girlfriends."
"Girlfriends? You mean Daisy?" Webby asked.
Donald's heart ached. "Yes. Daisy. I wanted to marry her and start a family of my own. You see, Della was pregnant with the boys at the time, and everything and everyone were content. I thought life had given me a break, and that it was the perfect time to start a family."
"What stopped you?" Webby asked.
Donald looked down, his jaw tightly clenched. Touchy topic.
"Della's disappearance, and the three boys I suddenly had to take care of." Donald said. "I guess I sort of… forgot about her."
"Did you ever contact her after the boys were born?" Webby asked.
"She's reached out to me," Donald admitted.
"So… what's stopping you?" she asked.
Donald let out a soft laugh. "Webby, I'm 43 years old. There's no point of love for me."
It was the sort of thing he would talk about after one or two glasses of hard liquor, but he found it easier with Webby. Why exactly, Donald wasn't sure. Maybe it was her kind nature or gentle words…
Webby shook her head. "No! There's something more than that. That's your go to excuse whenever someone asks you about Daisy, but I'm not buying it at all. So, what's the real reason?"
No, not because of her kind nature or gentle words. Donald found it easy to talk to Webby because she understood him. Donald stared at her in amazement.
"You tell me." Donald challenged.
Webby knit her eyebrows together. "You didn't want to get close to Daisy because of… well, Della. Because the closest woman to you, your sister, left you and because of that you have abandonment and trust issues, just like Louie."
Donald paled. Webby stood up, pacing back and forth.
"You blame yourself, don't you? You blame Della's disappearance on yourself, and because of that, you're scared that if you ever get close to Daisy, then you'll lose her too. That's why you've kept her at arms length all these years. Not because you're 43 and you're too old for love, but because you're scared of what'll happen." she concluded.
Donald's face was stoic. "You're right."
Webby was furious. "But why?! Why can't you just let yourself be happy?!" Webby demanded.
"I don't think I deserve it." Donald admitted.
For a scary second, Webby saw Louie instead of Donald. The way he kept fidgeting with his hands while keeping his head down reminded her of the youngest triplet.
Webby laughed. "You're kidding."
Donald gave her a confused look.
"Don't give me that look," Webby growled. "You know you've done so much for this world and your family. You deserve everything good in life, Donald Fauntleroy Duck!"
Donald chuckled. "Webby, Daisy wants nothing to do with me. I broke her heart."
"Then fix it before you grow old and regret not doing it sooner!" Webby snapped.
Donald was taken aback by the harsh truth in her fierce words. Donald pulled her in for a hug, and kissed her forehead.
"I need to go talk to my boys," he smiled. "But we'll continue this chat later."
Webby smiled as Donald went into the TV Room to scold his nephews.
ooo
It was very late when Webby went to Dewey's room. The hallway was dark and there was no light coming from the crack under the door. She hoped that she could wake him without being too loud.
Webby knocked very softly and whispered, "Dewey?"
The door opened immediately. Dewey hadn't even been asleep. He stood on crutches Webby caught her breath when she saw his leg all bandaged up.
"I was about to come see you." Dewey said.
Webby ignored him, and rushed to him, carefully embracing him. She buried her face in his chest, and Dewey carefully wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm here. I'm okay." he murmured.
Webby sighed. "I'm sorry for not apologizing earlier."
"Why are you apologizing?" he mused.
"Because I was an asshole. You got hurt and I yelled at you." she frowned.
He smiled. "Webbs…"
"I just don't like seeing you hurt."
"I know. I'm sorry." Dewey sighed, disappointed that he'd hurt Webby.
Webby softly kissed him. "It's okay."
Dewey pulled her into their room, and she was careful not to hurt him. Webby helped him to Louie's bunk: he wouldn't be using his own since Louie's bunk was ground level and it was more convenient for him. Dewey lied down, and Webby placed his crutches against the side of the bunk. She turned off the lights and lied down next to him.
Webby felt Dewey reach for her and pull her close for a soft kiss. She smiled at the sensation. Webby rolled to face away, but moved her body against his. His strong arm wrapped around her. As her consciousness slipped away, she felt him nuzzle her hair and breathe. She sighed peacefully.
"I love you." she whispered.
"I love you more." he smiled.
ooo
Meanwhile, on the houseboat, Donald was about to lose hope. This was the sixth time he was calling her.
Finally, on the last ring…
"Hello?" a soft, gentle voice asked.
Donald's heart fluttered. "D-Daisy? It's me… it's Donald."
ooo
And I'll wrap it up here! See you guys next time :)
Thank you guys so much for 52 reviews, I love you all
—Jordan