Astro Boyd was so good, and after I watched it I knew that Boyd would be the star of so many of my stories moving forward. It also made me stop, hesitate, and realize that I can absolutely never claim that any of my Ducktales stories are one-shots. I definitely recommend reading Co-Parenting before you read this chapter if you haven't.

Because as Season 3 continues to come out I keep coming up with times my stories need a chapter 2. I know I'm going back to Hu-Bot after The Trickening. I encourage any of you who think that one of my stories needs a chapter 2 to tell me in a private message, on a review of that story, or on a review of this story. Although I wouldn't recommend commenting on other people's stories relentlessly that you want more unrelated content. I can see how that would bother other people.

Also if you ever have any story ideas, shoot me a message. I won't necessarily do them, but sometimes my most fun ideas come from other people.

"You've been going to work with Uncle Scrooge almost every week," Louie noted, walking up behind Huey and cracking a can of Pep! in a way that sent shivers down Huey's spine.

"Yeah? I like hanging out at the lab. Dr. Gearloose and Fenton are big inspirations for me."

"That's fun."

Huey nervously eyed his brother, who suspiciously had his hood up. That was the sign of either a scheme or an emotional slump.

"Did you, um, did you want to go with me?"

"Maybe. Science, huh? Pretty interesting."

"You've been going out more too," Huey said, feeling a bit bolder, "Every Thursday, around 2. I have records." Now it was Louie's turn to look nervous.

"I won't follow you to the lab, just drop it."

Recognition clicked in Huey's brain, "You already know, don't you?"

"Know what?" Louie played dumb.

"About Boyd."

Now Louie had no reason to lie, "Oh! Boyd. Sure, I know about Boyd. Nice fella."

"You're the reason he ended up living with that psychopath, aren't you?"

"Well, it was hardly my fault, Doofus was going to kill me, and Boyd was ready to help him. I just gave him a chance to be more human and less killer robot."

"I know Boyd, he'd never complain about having more family, but why them? The parents are pushovers and Doofus is violent and unhinged!"

"Obviously, I know that! And what about you? I know you're not innocent, you're the reason Boyd lives with Dr. Gearloose, half the time. He's kind of unhinged himself."

Huey opened his mouth to argue, feeling a momentary surge of anger and jealousy and then he laughed.

"Are we really fighting over Boyd? Boyd can take care of himself and he certainly wouldn't want us fighting over him. We can both be friends with Boyd."

"You're right, we can. I do owe him an apology though… And you."

"What do you mean?" Huey watched Louie fidget with his hoodie strings, feeling worried for his little brother.

"I'm sorry about hiding this. I've been so protective and obsessive over my friendship with Boyd," Louie murmured, a blush lightly painting his face, "I didn't want to share him with anyone because I felt like I'd lose the only friend I had outside of you, Dewey, and Webby."

"Neither of us will lose Boyd, Louie. I promise. Why don't you come to the lab with me today? You can tell Boyd what's on your mind and show him that there's no tension between us about us both being his friend."

"Sounds good," Louie agreed. He checked his pockets to make sure he had everything to face the day. His hand stopped when he hit the little toy truck Uncle Donald had gotten him when he was younger. Another thing that had always been his and his alone. He hadn't realized that he'd slipped it into his pocket. For a second he thought about leaving it here, he was eleven, after all, he shouldn't have to cling to a toy, but something told him to bring it. So he followed Huey out, spinning the wheels on the truck.

As they rode with Scrooge to the Money Bin, Huey and Louie talked about their friendship with Boyd. It was a necessary conversation, but an awkward one, when it became abundantly clear to both of them that Boyd was the keeper of secrets the other wasn't comfortable sharing with his brothers. For a moment the silence lingered and jealousy stirred at their feet.

"Do you think," Louie asked after a moment, turning the wheels of his truck in secret, "do you think we're still best friends?" He held his breath, awaiting the response.

"I think so? But Boyd is one of my best friends now. He really gets me. He doesn't replace you guys, but he is going to be the one I go to sometimes."

"Okay, that makes sense. Good… That's kind of what I told Dewey."

"How much of this does Dewey know?"

"Not much, just that Boyd is a robot and one of the only people in the world who is my friend, just because he likes me for me."

"That's how it is for me," Huey said with a sigh, thinking about the small number of people outside of his family who actually put in the effort to get to know him.

Louie looked at his older brother, feeling overwhelmed and choked up, "What's wrong with us, Hue? Why don't other people like us?"

"Nothing is wrong with us, Louie, there are just people who can't see past our differences and don't want to try. But I know us. The people who end up sticking around to learn more are going to be delighted by the treasure they find."

"You think we're treasure?" Louie sounded surprised.

"Absolutely."

"You think I'm treasure?"

Huey put his hand on Louie's shoulder and gave him a comforting squeeze, "I know you are."

"Thanks, Huey…"

"Of course. That's what I'm here for."

It was nice for all of them to finally spend time together. Boyd was clearly excited to get double the friends, and Louie was just happy that he had friends at all. He was still shaken by the understanding he and Huey had reached earlier. He knew there were still a lot of things he needed to open up to Huey and Dewey about, but the unconditional love they'd already shown was enough for now. When he saw Boyd's underwater bedroom he realized that something was missing from Boyd's exploration into childhood. He could tell Dr. Gearloose was trying his best but didn't fully get what it meant to be a kid. Before they left, he bid Boyd close his eyes and then pressed his toy truck into Boyd's palm and passed on a bit of unconditional love.

"Are you sure?" Boyd asked, spinning the wheels of the toy.

"Yeah. You're our friend. We care about you. I care about you." Boyd pulled Louie into a hug and for a moment Louie felt secure in his friendships. It didn't matter that he had to share Boyd with others. This was enough.

I snuck the teensiest bit of Louyd in, I'm not 100% sure how I feel about the ship and I know I introduced an OC for Louie to date in other stories, but I think at the very least it's charming enough for me to write in the future.