A/N: For leviprime because one chapter with the Goofs and Mallards wasn't enough. And for Amelia because she loves Max as much as I do.

Max had been worried that next to Santa Claus, the Darkwing trio wouldn't get as much attention as they were warranted.

It was Santa Claus after all. (Technically, it was Goofy dressed up as Santa in a red suit and fake beard, but the kids who'd come to the party with their parents didn't know that.)

But Darkwing Duck, sidekick Launchpad McQuack, and apprentice Quiverwing Quack each managed their own impressive queues. No one would ever beat out Santa, of course, and Goofy was a natural at the role, having played it on multiple occasions when Max had been younger. Children and adults alike lined up to sit on Santa's lap and express their Christmas wishes. Goofy was, naturally, equally attentive to everyone regardless of age.

Darkwing had more of an older crowd, those in their late teens and up remembering when he'd defeated the Fearsome Five in Duckburg years ago. For many, he was still their hero, most of them having kept up with his active career in St. Canard. Several ladies who'd had a few too many drinks at the bar flirted with him pretty shamelessly, but he rebuffed their affections with his usual aplomb, flattered more than anything and sending them on their way down the line.

To Launchpad, who did not handle them as easily. He blushed and stammered, trying to pull away when they grabbed his arms and shoulders. Max kept a wary eye out and made sure security was close by in case anything got out of hand, but nothing scandalous happened.

It was the kids Launchpad was best with. A few wanted to grow up to be pilots, like him, and others simply wanted to fly. Launchpad easily slipped in and out of make believe with them, eventually heading up an elaborate game of tag where everyone was a different type of flying craft.

Max had sometimes wondered how Launchpad — easygoing unassuming sometimes air headed Launchpad — had won over the hearts of Drake Mallard and Scrooge McDuck, two of the most stubborn and temperamental ducks in all existence, but he wouldn't wonder anymore. Both ducks were family oriented and if Launchpad had been half as good with Gosalyn or Scrooge's nephews as he was with these children, it was no wonder why they were so undyingly loyal to the pilot.

The big question of the evening had been Quiverwing Quack. She hadn't done many public appearances, didn't have the extensive heroic resume that Darkwing Duck did, and wasn't as genial as Launchpad.

But she did well, as Max had known she would. She was energetic and playful with the kids who all looked up to her, especially the young girls who were starstruck over meeting a female superhero. With the adults, Quiverwing let her sarcasm loose, making more than one group burst into raucous laughter.

The thump of a cane alerted Max to Scrooge's presence and he straightened as Scrooge stepped up next to him. "More or less what ye predicted, lad?" the old businessman asked. He'd lost the low bite to his tone he'd had when Max had been running late. Clearly, he was pleased with how well the night was going.

Allowing himself a small satisfied smile, Max nodded. "It seems to be going well, sir."

"So well we might need to make a separate 'meet your heroes' event. Which we could charge admission for."

Max glanced down and saw the dollar signs practically dancing in Scrooge's eyes. "You're also associated with popular heroes," he pointed out. "Which will increase your stock and public image."

Scrooge chuckled and tapped his cane once one the marble floor. "Ye've done well, laddie. Keep up the good work."

Max smiled fully and nodded to his employer as he ambled away.

Eventually, the party started to wind down, each meet and greet line getting shorter and shorter until there was no one left. The staff wanted photos with the group of heroes and managed to snap a few when the ballroom had been cleared of the party guests.

Scrooge and his family were the ones who got the final moments with the heroic trio and to Santa Claus, taking some marketing photos with the professional photographer Scrooge had brought in for the evening.

Max also fell prey to the photoshoot, Scrooge insisting he take a picture to commemorate the evening.

And Max couldn't say no; this was his boss after all. Never mind that he'd secretly hoped he could get a selfie with Quiverwing at some point.

But he got more than he'd expected, Launchpad and his father on one side and his girlfriend on the other with Drake Mallard Darkwing Duck hovering menacingly close by.

Honestly, Max couldn't have asked for a better night.