Aftermath of Moorshire
Launchpad parked the limo inside the hull of the Sunchaser, then set about fastening it down as Scrooge and the kids made their way up to the passenger cabin to settle in for the overnight flight back to Duckburg.
Their latest escapade at Moorshire had been harrowing to say the least. But it had also been rewarding.
"Hey, Dewford," Louie called to his middle brother, using his full name to tease him, "Let me and Huey look at that golden honour of yours."
Dewey looked at the golf trophy in his hands. "Alright, but don't even think of stealing it, you two! This baby's going up on my top shelf."
"Relax, Louie and I wouldn't dream of stealing it," Huey said in defense of his youngest brother, "And if he does try to, I'll foil him."
"You're one to talk, Mr Sore-cause-I-didn't-get-an-internship," Louie smoothly fired back, expecting that quip from Huey.
"That was a different matter entirely. And it wasn't even a fair one," Huey responded with a frown, "Besides, me and Dewey are past that now. He knows that I'd beat him fair and square in an actual career selection."
"Yeah, okay," Dewey smirked, rolling his eyes before pausing to add emphasis to his next line, "Unless it's for golf."
"Ha ha ha," drawled Huey in a complete monotone. He walked up to Dewey and took the trophy from his hands. "Let me and Louie see that thing now."
Before Dewey could respond to his older brother snatching his trophy off of him, Webby pulled him aside. "Where are we going?" Dewey asked as the girl brought them just outside the door of the toilet cubicle.
"Don't let them get to you, Dewey," said Webby with a smile on her face, "They're just jealous that you were the hero of the day again."
"Don't mention this to them, Webbs," mumbled Dewey, looking down somewhat ashamedly, "But I faltered at the last hole. I was panicking after you guys had turned to stone. At the time, I thought I'd lost my whole family, minus Uncle Donald. That sadness turned into panic and I could've missed the shot. Though if I had truly lost you guys forever, I don't think I would've cared. I would've wanted to join you all in death."
Webby slid a gentle palm under Dewey's beak, delicately lifting up the lower mandible so his head wasn't drooping anymore.
"Don't dwell on stuff like that, Dewey," she said, her voice containing warm undertones of encouragement, "You did it. You scored the shot, you won the game, and you saved us all. What's that term you use again…?"
"What term do I use?" asked Dewey in confusion.
But Webby was only pulling his leg.
She quickly seized the moment, leaning over on tiptoes to peck a quick kiss on his cheek.
"You nailed it," she answered for him. Then she turned swiftly and skipped off back to the main cabin section to find a seat.
Dewey was left too stunned and star-struck to think straight for a minute.
After recollecting his thoughts, a giddy smile and chuckle escaped from him. Then he had an epiphany of a different sort of kind.
"Hey!" exclaimed Dewey as he rejoined his brothers in their seats. He was just in time do so too, for a few seconds later, Launchpad started thundering the plane down one of the runways of Stornoway Airport.
"Nice to have you back with us, Dewford," Louie welcomed him with a tease.
"Hey, are you still taking offers to be a caddy? I could use one when I go on a social match," Dewey grinned, "Or are you still on Glomgold's payroll?"
"Oh come on! You know I was trying to make him miserable this entire time!" the green-clad triplet burst out indignantly.
"Really? No sweat then. Except for the part where you wanted payment from me before passing the club up on the final hole," Dewey beamed, then his tone dropped in pitch to sound more sincere, "Seriously though, that was savvy businessman behaviour from you. Uncle Scrooge may choose you to be his successor."
"Thanks for that," smiled Louie in genuine gratitude.
Then Dewey turned to Huey.
"You know how you are 3 seconds older than me, right?" he asked his older brother.
"Right…" Huey answered warily.
"Well, you were petrified for 20 seconds, so…"
"It wasn't 20 seconds!" burst out Huey.
"Okay, 10 seconds," amended Dewey, "But that doesn't change the fact that I'm now biologically older than you!"
To Huey's annoyance, Louie perked up at this.
"Really? Ha! I can't believe I didn't realize that until now! Thanks Dewey!" the youngest triplet laughed, clutching his sides.
"Come now, that doesn't change our personalities," Huey muttered crossly, "I'm still the responsible one!"
"You still are! I never said otherwise," chortled Dewey, "I mean, chronologically speaking, you're still older. But biologically speaking – I AM!"
And while Louie and Dewey continued to laugh their lungs out at this solid scientific fact, Huey just glared at them with a pout on his beak.
Eventually though, after a few more moments, he joined his little brothers in their mirth.
After all, when one thought about the fact, and made the belated connection between the dots, it was a pretty funny realization.
This was going to be in 2 parts originally.
Part 1 would have had Webby pulling the kiss-and-run on Dewey, while Part 2 would have been the "Dewey is now biologically older than Huey" realization.
Honestly, once your mind clarifies the truth behind that fact, you'll smack yourselves for not realizing it sooner – like I also did!