Written for the Duck Family Fic Exchange 2021 for TheChase_OfSpades.

Prompt: Fenton decides it's time to tell Drake about his secret identity, but for whatever reason, DW refuses to accept it.

"Yes, you are! You are Gizmoduck! That's right! Without you there is no him!" Darkwing paced in front of his computer screen hyping up his friend, cape swishing around his ankles. "And you can tell that pompous blowhard to his face. He might wear the armor, but who had the idea for it?" He planted his foot and whipped around, pointing at the screen, clearly prompting Fenton. Who answered honestly.

"Dr. Gearloose"

"Well, who assisted with the designs? Who lost sleep putting it together and testing it? Who suffered the papercuts and headaches and trial runs? The cold coffee and terrible working conditions and… and the failed pies."

Fenton hesitated so Darkwing continued. "You did! Not that stuck up glory hog!" He grabbed the back of his swivel chair and pulled it out, only to push it away again when he realized he had more to say. "And you're going to tell him that to his face the next time you see him."

Fenton blinked in surprise. "Huh?"

"Yes. Yes, you are. The next time that… that… that jerk comes in to pick up his shiny new suit, you're going to get right in his face and say, 'Listen here! I demand some respect around here. Why should Gizmoduck be written into the history books when I'm the one doing all the work? Without Fenton Crackshell-Cabrera, there is no Gizmoduck! And don't you forget it!"

On the screen, Fenton gave a slightly pained smile. "Yeah. Thanks, Darkwing. I'll do that."

Darkwing watched the screen go dark as his friend hung up, and then turned to the other two ducks in the room. "I'm honored that he knows he can come to me for advice and a pep talk." He paused when he noticed Launchpad and Gosalyn sharing a look at each other. "What? Was that not good advice?"

A city away, Fenton dropped his head into his hands. "Why do I talk to that man?"

Yyyyy

Darkwing felt the feathers on the back of his neck stand on end. He looked down off the side of the building he was standing on. The streetlights illuminated the emptiness of the sidewalk. He turned to make his way to the other side of the building when he heard the sound of a familiar propeller getting closer. Looking up he sighed in annoyance as a familiar white suit of armor descended.

"Seriously? You really don't have anywhere better to be?" The caped duck crossed his arms, making his displeasure apparent.

"I was looking for you, actually. I have something you need to know."

"What, that you're lost? See that giant bridge over there?" He pointed towards the bay; the top half of the bridge visible over the roofs of the buildings. "Duckberg is on the other side. Now if you'll please run along-,"

"No. That's not what I-,"

"Oh, then you must have been looking for some tips from an actual superhero. Here's one; stay out of my city. Stay away from me. And, while I'm at it, stay away from… Fenton?" Darkwing froze as Gizmoduck removed his helmet, revealing the head of his friend.

"This is a pretty dangerous job, especially given how many super villains are around, and I want us to be able to work together-," Fenton broke off from his rambling when his helmet was snatched out of his hands and practically thrown back on his head.

"Are you insane?" He wasn't sure if he was more worried or pissed. "Someone could see you. What the hell are you thinking?"

"I-," He pushed Darkwing away, "I was thinking that we have very dangerous jobs. We need to be able to work together."

Darkwing, having had a moment to process seeing Fenton wearing the suit, decided that he was beyond angry. "He put you up to this, didn't he?" It wasn't a question. "He's trying to establish you as Gizmoduck's alter ego. He wants… he wants to be sure he's safe if anyone ever wants to go after Gizmoduck when he's not in the armor."

Fenton held up his hands to stop his friend. "N-no. That's not-,"

Darkwing grabbed his armored wrist and pulled him over to the roof access door. "Get over here."

"No, Darkwi-,"

"Take it off! I am not going to allow you to end up as collateral damage to protect that coward." He yanked the armored duck into the dark stairwell and slammed the door shut.

"Darkwing-,"

"Fenton, take it off!"

"No!" Fenton grabbed him by the shoulders and held him still. "I'm not going to take it off. Listen to me. I am Gizmoduck. I'm not a patsy or… or a stand in. I am Gizmoduck."

Darkwing didn't respond right away, just studying his friend's face. His eyebrows were drawn together in concern. "Fenton…," his voice was uncharacteristically soft. "Fenton, is this about the other night? I was being metaphorical. You're not actually Gizmoduck."

"Yes I am." Fenton was starting to get frustrated. "I am. I helped Dr. Gearloose build the suit. I took it out to run extra tests and stole it when he decided to scrap the project. I'm the one who used it to save Launchpad, Dewey, Mr. McDuck, and Dr. Gearloose from Beaks's self-driving car. I am the only one Dr. Gearloose trusts to wear his invention in the city." He noticed Darkwing was just shaking his head and started to remove the rest of his suit, giving him a chance to talk.

"I've talked to you- video called you, while Gizmoduck was live on the news fighting super villains."

"I'm very good at filled his duffel bag with the pieces of his suit and stood up, only to be pushed back against the wall.

"You… you're being serious? You're actually Gizmoduck?" Fenton nodded, and Darkwing turned away, hands on his hips. "Are you telling me that this whole time, this whole time, you've been the one taking on super villains, and… and armed crooks? And-," He broke off again and covered his beak with his hand. "You were the one to confront the aliens when they invaded."

"Yes. Which is one of the main reasons I decided you needed to know. I'm the only hero in Duckburg. I know you're pretty strictly St. Canardian but we've worked together before and with how many weirdos are out there we're most likely going to have to do it again. And I know you don't like Gizmoduck, so I figured it would be safer if you knew who I was in case anything happens."

"All those times I ranted about Gizmoduck-,"

Fenton grinned awkwardly. "Yeah, you were complaining to me about me."

Darkwing sighed and leaned back against the wall across from his friend. "Just… just do one thing for me from now on."

"What's that?"

"Next time you're in the middle of a fight and I call you, hang up on me."