Chapter 1: Ends and Beginnings
Fenton arrived back home to see M'ma's back at the kitchen table. Even without seeing her expression he knew she wasn't happy.
"Hola M'ma…" He coughed, anxiously fiddling with his tie. "How was your day at work?"
She slowly turned around and gestured to a seat across from herself at the table, "Fenton, I think we need to talk about your girlfriend."
Fenton swallowed, or at least, tried to. It seemed his mouth had gotten dry all of a sudden. "Um… uh… What about Gandra?"
"Fenton, it's clear something isn't working here. You two have been together for almost a year and I keep seeing less and less of her."
Fenton scratched at his arm, sitting down across from her. "Well, it's been busy with being Gizmoduck and all… Maybe I haven't been around her as much, but-"
"Fenton, no me mientas. I'm your mother; I know when you're lying."
He sighed. "Okay, it's been more than that." He sat down across from his mother. "I don't know, it just doesn't seem like we really…" He waved his hands trying to think of the phrase, "…are compatible."
His mother nodded. "You feel like you're drifting apart?"
"No, not really." Fenton admitted, "We never really were that close. I mean, aside from saving the world together and launching a few projects, we never really, well, clicked."
"Pollito, there's something else, I can tell." M'ma frowned in only the way that a mother wanting the best for their child can. "Why stay together all this time if you didn't feel like you loved her?"
"Because…" Fenton hesitated.
M'ma raised an eyebrow.
"Because reasons."
"Reasons?"
"Yes, reasons."
"Fenton." She crossed her arms. "Not only am I Captain of the largest precinct in Duckburg, I am your mother. I know how to make you talk." She softened, "But more importantly, I want you to talk to me, please mijo."
The only sound for a few moments was the clock on the nearby wall ticking. It struck six, which meant that normally M'ma would be sitting down and watching her telenovelas, provided that the busy woman had the evening off.
Fenton exhaled slowly, clasping his hand tightly around itself, "Gandra and I, neither of us really… well, dated before." He paused, "And, so, I didn't really know what to expect."
"That's normal." M'ma nodded.
Aquí va nada … "M'ma, the truth is Gandra and I really only went on three dates. We've still been together since then, but in name only."
"Por que, Fenton, why?"
"Because it was easier that way. The holidays, the family dinners, cousin Domingo's christening. We looked like a good couple. Her family was happy, you were happy…"
"But you weren't." M'ma's face softened, sadness starting to creep in at the corners. "Fenton, what's going on?"
"M'ma, I… I don't want to lie anymore."
"Fenton, pollito, I'll love you no matter what. Por favor dígame."
"M'ma, I'm gay."
***DT***
Twenty minutes away in St. Canard Drake Mallard was sitting at the dining room table of his apartment as Gosalyn stabbed some of her Chinese takeout with a pair of chop sticks. His lo mein was mostly finished at this point; it had become a tradition with the two to eat out on Fridays and this time Gos had chosen the Chinese place a few blocks away. Eating out gave something to look forward to after a long week. Tonight something was different, Gosalyn could tell from the way Drake kept glancing off to the side, like when he was trying to remember lines.
"Gosalyn, you know that right now I only have you on a provisional basis." Drake began, "And one of those provisions is that I have a steady job."
She nodded, remembering the courtroom and how they'd all had to dress up and act really carefully. "But isn't Mr. McDuck helping pay for all the Darkwing stuff?"
"Yes, but I can't exactly explain to child services how an anonymous rich old man giving me regular generous donations into my bank account is my job." Drake exhaled, wishing that his crime fighting was something more 'legal' according to the court system so he didn't need disguised payments.
She smirked, "Yeah, they'd think you have a sugar daddy."
Drake coughed, "Yes…" I'm going to ignore that you know that word for now. "Which is why I need a day job."
Gosalyn thought a moment, "What about all that stuff with acting? You were supposed to be Darkwing for a movie, right?"
"True, but that was almost two years ago. Since then I haven't had much steady 'work'. The only reason you're with me now is that Mr. McDuck testified to my character." Thank goodness he has some pretty big pull with the judges around here. Drake folded his hands as he leaned back slightly in the dining room chair, nervous about the news, "I need a normal job, and given how the last sixteen acting jobs I went for turned me down, I think this one is my best shot."
Gosalyn bit her lip, Sixteen? Geez… "Okay, so, what exactly is it anyways?"
"Well, you know I went to college, right?"
"Yeah, at some place in Mouseton." She waved toward the office where Drake had his diploma on the wall, next to all the Darkwing collector's memorabilia.
Drake huffed, "More than some place, I went to Jabiruard." He paused, "Anyway, I majored in performing arts-obviously-but I did get a minor in education while I was there."
"Okay…"
"Well, I found out your school drama teacher, Mrs. Beakerson, was retiring and reached out to Principal Muttley… "
"Yeah…"
"And you're looking at the new intermediate drama teacher, well, as of next month-they still have to get everything finalized."
Gosalyn blinked, "So, to clarify, you're going to be at my school-daily-and possibly teaching me or my friends, for the next three years."
Drake smiled, the nerves evident, "Well?"
Gosalyn sighed before chuckling slightly, "Alright, I guess the whole 'overprotective' thing isn't just for when you're DW."
"So, you're okay with it? If not I can decline."
"No, I like it. I mean, it'll make it way easier to get away with anything when my dad's on staff."
Drake smiled.
"What?"
"You called me your dad."
Gosalyn reddened slightly, "So, whatever…" she fidgeted, "You are kinda the closest thing I've had to a parent."
Drake beamed, "Well, how about I get these cleared away and get some dessert in before patrol?"
"Deal."
