A/N: For SelyneNightshade, who asked for a Negaduck meets Max story.

He didn't have the strength for this. It had taken him six years to adjust to this whole "Christmas" thing. No amount of time would prepare him for caroling.

It was his own personal hell, going up to stranger's homes, singing a Christmas song with a sappy grin, and then wishing these strangers "the compliments of the season" and going to the next house to do it all over again.

Not that Negaduck was caroling. He wouldn't be caught dead.

And apparently all Drake Mallards felt similarly because Dipwing Dork looked pretty damn miserable hunched over in his parka, scowling darkly, and grinding his teeth. Lilypad was blissfully unaware of Dumbwing's dark mood, going door to door with a grin on his big stupid beak, Scrooge McDuck and his brood (the three triplets, the weird girl that tagged along with them everywhere, his nephew… Donson? Daniel? and his girlfriend) not far behind. Two mice fleshed out the group along with a towering dog. Negaduck suspected that was who Gosalyn called "Goofy" and what kind of name was that? But Negaduck's attention was focused on the two carolers bringing up the rear.

Gosalyn and Max Goof.

Her boyfriend.

Things must be going well if Max had convinced her to go caroling.

Or he was blackmailing her into doing this, in which case, Negaduck would get rid of him. Forever. And not even feel bad about it.

Crouching in between two cars parked along the sidewalk, Negaduck pressed up against the cold metal and removed his fedora, trying to become one with the shadows.

The group of carolers passed by him, all chattering and thumbing through song books, none the wiser for his presence. Negaduck practically held his breath as Gosalyn passed; if anyone would catch onto his hiding place, it would be her. Or Dorkwing if he could be bothered to focus on anything other than his own humiliation.

"I'm gonna go check on Dad," Gosalyn said as she passed, proving that she and Negaduck had great minds since they thought alike. "I haven't seen him this upset since the Muddlefoots brought home their new snowblower and covered our lawn in four feet of snow."

Max chuckled, the bastard, and kissed Gosalyn on the forehead. "Go. Save the day."

Gosalyn smiled. She might've actually blushed but Negaduck must be imagining things. Because Gosalyn didn't blush. She was strong and sure.

"I might just save all of Christmas," Gosalyn said with a soft smile.

"If anyone could, it would be you."

Gosalyn's smile grew into a grin before she walked on ahead to the larger group, reaching for her father. Max lingered behind, a faraway expression on his face.

And Negaduck pounced.

Jumping up and grabbing the front of Max's jacket, Negaduck dragged him back down between the two parked cars. Negaduck figured he had about 60 seconds, maybe 90, before anyone realized Max was gone.

Shoving Max up against the trunk of the car, Negaduck snarled, "Listen up punk, if you—"

"Finally," Max breathed, some relief pouring over his features.

Frowning, Negaduck cocked an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"I've been waiting for this all day," Max said. "Figured you were in the area since you hit me with that snowball last night."

Negaduck opened his beak to snap some witty comeback, but couldn't find any words.

Max easily filled the silence. "Really, I've been waiting for this meeting for weeks. Months. And can I say? It's an honor, sir, to meet you. That you care so much about Gosalyn to want to talk to me. I… um… do you know you've lost your hat, sir? Of course you do. You're, I mean, you're Negaduck." Max swallowed, his eyes suddenly growing wide. "Okay. Yeah. You're… you're Negaduck. I um… clearly did not think this through all the way. Because you're Nega—"

"Shut up," Negaduck hissed, pushing Max more firmly into the car. He was still reeling — who was this guy? — but his purpose for being here resurfaced and refocused him. "Focus. You hurt Gosalyn, you do anything to make her unhappy, or I see a single tear, you're a dead man. Got that? Or do you need me to put on my damned hat to make it more official?"

Max snorted. "Gos hasn't talked about your sense of humor, sir. Which is a shame."

Negaduck snarled and tightened his grip on Max's jacket. The young man sobered, a flicker of fear flashing through his eyes. That was better.

Max cleared his throat. "In all seriousness, sir, if Gos feels she has to go to you to cope with something I did, I'd just turn myself over."

Negaduck eyed him. "You keep your promises?"

"When they're important to me, sir."

"Enough with the 'sir' already." Negaduck glanced at the group of carolers. They were approaching their next house, Gosalyn walking arm in arm with Dopewing and talking to him. The mallard looked far less agitated, but his beak was still down in a tight frown. Negaduck probably had 30 more seconds.

Glaring back at Max, he snarled, "I'll be watching."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Max said with a careful nod.

Negaduck narrowed his eyes. "What the hell is up with the caroling?"

Max shrugged. "My dad does it every year with his friends. They invite their families along, so I thought Gos should invite hers."

"You disgust me," Negaduck sneered.

"I hope this isn't too forward si— um… But, you really are funny."

With a low growl, Negaduck shoved Max back onto the sidewalk. The young man stumbled but did not fall. Straightening his jacket, he ambled toward the group of carolers as if nothing had happened.

Negaduck had to hand it to the kid, he knew how to be discreet. And he understood Negaduck's sense of humor. Which. Okay.

He had to hate Max on principle, but he wasn't at the top of Negaduck's shit list.