I'm back! And with a long update! So this one takes off from the idea of chapter 3, that sometimes the sound of their own voices can be upsetting. And while Della and Lena grow close, a certain triplet starts to feel a bit jealous.

Dewey was the first one to notice the silent exchange that morning. He knew his mom often spent time with Lena at rather odd hours, but he never quite understood what it was that they bonded over. Nor did he intend to ask, but as Lena and Della seemed to do hand gestures at each other, he had to wonder what exactly did they did all those twilight hours.

Sometimes they didn't do the gestures, others it was just one of them who spoke through her hands, but today, they were both silently exchanging words through charades at the breakfast table.

He was just eating his cereal, throwing questioning glances that no one was going to answer. The rest of the family was so engrossed into their own talks and stuff that didn't seem to notice the exchange. Webby would have noticed, though. If she were there, but Mrs. Beakley had taken her to do something confidential, Dewey just thought it was code for 'groceries'. So no one paid attention, not until Donald entered the room looking half defeated and certainly exhausted and reached for a plate.

Della gazed at her brother concerned by his deflated state, doing two swift movements with only one hand to which Donald answered with another gesture, not batting an eye.

"Wait! You too?" Dewey exclaimed loud enough for everyone to turn at him.

"What are you on about now?" Louie asked, interrupting his puzzle solving on the back of the cereal box.

"Uncle Donald is part of the little secret club" he pointed his spoon at the three of them.

"The what?" Huey questioned.

"The coded messages, handshake thingy" he mimicked some movements in a poor imitation.

"You mean sign-language?" Huey retorted unimpressed.

"Wait? Sign language?" he repeated.

"Wow, you truly are the one Uncle Donald dropped as an egg" Louie sentenced.

"Dropped?" Della turned to her brother about to go on a rant of questions, being only saved by Dewey's interference.

"So all this time your secret language was sign-language?"

Della offered an easy going smile to her son "Yeah, we have been practicing a bit" she explained "as kids Donald and I would sometimes communicate like that, it helped to have private conversations"

"And since no one understood me and writing took too long, I'd do this instead" Donald said in his usual voice "But Della was the only one that signed back, so…" he left the rest unsaid. When he lost Della, he lost not only his sister, but a grip of his world; he was muted in more than a way.

Della laid a hand on his shoulder squeezing softly, there were not enough words or signs in any language to express her regret or translate her apologies, but she hoped Donald could still know them to be true.

He nodded curtly, smiling faintly at her. He understood.

"Okay, I guess that explains that much" Dewey agreed "but why do you do it?" he gazed at Lena, who shrugged into her seat taking a breath before opting against it and signaling the twins instead.

"Easier than speaking" Donald said, he was on board with that thought.

"But why?" Dewey insisted "We can understand you just fine" he huffed folding his arms "and you said you aren't keeping any more secrets, so why be so guarded?"

"Wow, hey" Huey elbowed him "not cool, bro"

Lena frowned, she could tell Dewey was upset with her, but she couldn't quite place why exactly. So she signaled and Della made sure to be her voice this time, eyeing her son severely "Because I can't stand the sound of my own voice some days" she said, to then add her own thoughts "to which I can relate, that's why I offered to teach her"

Dewey felt her intense gaze and decided to avoid it, keeping his arms folded as a shell.

"I think it's a cool idea. Can I join in?" Huey asked "I still haven't gotten that badge"

"I'd be fun!" Della agreed "I have a couple books that can help you get started; we can practice between flights on our way to adventures"

"Awesome!"

"Yeah" Dewey muttered "woo-hoo" he grumbled.

"Surprise attack!" a round of darts flew across the garden as the triplets ran around chasing each other as Della teamed up with each of them on different times. Right now her partner in crime was her oldest, as Huey lead them behind a tree.

"Remember what Uncle Scrooge said! Shouting makes you lose the element of surprise!"

"Then stop shouting your position!" Louie fired at them as they snickered, running away.

"What's the plan?" Della asked Huey.

"According to the Junior Woodchuck-"

"Got you!" Dewey successfully cornered them, getting a dart on Huey's forehead and another on her mom's metallic leg "Score!" he threw a punch to the air "Okay mom, you are on my team now"

"Not fair! You've teamed up like four times already!"

"Don't be bitter I'm better at this game" he folded his arms smugly.

"We had a good run" Della ruffled Huey's hat before turning to Dewey "Ready?"

"Yeah" he beamed.

"What are you guys doing?" a voice called from behind.

"Hey, Webby" Huey waved an arm and Dewey was already turning around with a smile on his face, when Huey added "Hi, Lena" and his smile dropped.

"Hey girls" Della greeted "How's everything going?" she said out loud while at the same time doing signs.

"Great!" Webby smiled broadly, she always seemed happier with the teen by her side.

Lena automatically signaled back instead of speaking.

"Oh! I know that one!" Huey said reaching under his cap for his guide, flipping through the pages before doing some motions of his own "How was that?"

"Close enough, nerd" Lena smirked "Speaking of nerds, Violet went ahead to the manor's library, said she'll expect you there"

"Perfect!" he clapped his hands "We are going to plan the next fundraiser to help the homeless shelter!"

"As if you didn't have a millionaire Uncle" Lena teased.

"Family can't donate! We have to prove our own resourcefulness!" he said proudly before turning around "I better go catch up with Violet"

"Wha-? Hey, what about our game with mom?" Dewey intervened as his older brother was already walking away.

"Is okay, honey" Della reassured "tell me all about your ideas later" she smiled at Huey.

"Thanks mom!" he waved and ran off.

"Well, we can still play against, Louie" Dewey jumped to say.

"Nah, I forfeit" he called from a window in the second floor, drinking a pep soda.

"When did you get up there?!" his brother demanded.

"About seven minutes ago, when you all stood around talking" Louie shrugged taking a loud sip.

"Is that from my secret stash?!"

"Not so secret if I found it" he said nonchalant disappearing back into the mansion.

"Hey!"

"Why don't we call it?" Della patted his shoulder "we can always play tomorrow" she offered, holding a hand up to shield her eyes from the sun.

He huffed dropping his shoulders "I guess"

"Perfect" she leaned down to kiss his forehead.

"Do you want to go inside?" Lena pointed at the entrance "It's kind of hot outside today"

"Yeah" Della said in a heartbeat "let's go in" she turned walking towards them, squeezing Lena's shoulder lightly.

Dewey grumbled staying behind.

"Are you coming?" Webby waited for him.

"No, I think it's a beautiful day and I would like to take advantage of it, because it's not even that hot!"

"Ooookay?" Webby frowned, gazing at him agape "Well, see you later, then" she said, ready to catch up with the others.

"Oh phooey" Dewey kicked the dirt.

"And then, with a knife pointed at my throat and just a few seconds to spare, I looked him in the eye and said 'your time is up' and smashed the chrono-bomb! Freezing him as I freed the rest of my party and we escaped the ruins!" Della gestured grandly as her big finale brought the story to a conclusion.

Webby's eyes couldn't possibly be any bigger and sparkly "That's amazing!" she jumped up and down her stoll, leaning into the kitchen bar "I always wondered how you had escaped from the time-sand dessert"

Della shrugged smiling "Well, there you have it" she said as if thought she just had shared a cooking recipe.

"Oooow, there's so much more I want to know!" Webby had that dreamy look on her face and perhaps if Lena hadn't noticed the way Della had run a hand down her hair for the fourth time that minute, she would have wanted Della to share more, but is she was ruffling to make some sound near her own ears, then Lena knew that the older duck was starting to get tired of the sound of her own voice.

"Maybe we should wait for the others before hearing more stories" Lena said casually "We don't want to unveil all the secrets without them here"

"You are right!" Webby said with utter surprise in her tone "the guys should be here to hear them too" she grabbed her journal writing down some notes "we won't tell them we heard the ending of this one"

"Our lips are sealed" Lena smirked, taking the opportunity of Webby's distraction to shape her fingers into an 'O' then a 'K' and pointing at her, asking mutedly if she was alright.

Della offered a relieved and grateful smile, answering with a gesture with her fist, as if knocking on an invisible door, saying 'Yeah'.

"I'm just saying, food is the most important thing" Huey's voice arrived into the kitchen, just seconds before he and Violet came into view.

"Exactly, that's why we should focus on other needs to cover" the hummingbird claimed back.

"What are you two nerds arguing about?" Lena asked.

"Part of the project is to plan where to invest the resources we gather" her sister answered.

"And I say that the main focus should be edibles" Huey folded his arms stubbornly.

"And every other group is going to suggest the same; I'm just opening the possibility to explore different areas"

"I don't know, Vi. Huey does have a point" Webby shrugged.

"Well, then. It seems like we need to do some field investigation" she turned to the teen "Lena, as formerly part of this vulnerable group, what would you suggest we propose to help the homeless shelters?"

The silence that followed was almost as terrifying as it had been shocking to hear Violet utter those words.

Out of all the stunned faces, Della's was the one that carried the most concern as she heard probably for the first time that Lena had been without a home for who knows how long.

But to the group's relief, Lena didn't seemed upset, uncomfortable maybe, but she played it off coolly as she often did "To my defense, the last year or so I did had a place to crash. Long before your dads adopted me too" she shrugged "But, sure, prior to Duckburg and not counting a few boarding schools, I spent time on the streets. So shoot, what do you want to know?"

Huey hesitantly gazed around the room before daring to talk "So…besides food and everything else the local shelter already provides, what do you think we should cover?" he held his notes up, hiding behind them.

"Well, I don't know if I am a good subject on this investigation since I tended to move around a lot, but…shoes" she finally said and they all gazed at her with confusion.

"Shoes?" Webby echoed, coming to the realization that, besides her, no one close ever had the need to wear them.

"Yeah" Lena shrugged "You have no idea how much or for how long a person without a home has to walk, or through what conditions and terrain. Some stay in one area, but others travel around in search of something better. There's a lot of people that walk from one part of the world to another and end up in line wanting a hot dish from the shelter before continuing their travels" she explained as if it was just common sense "you meet a lot of interesting people waiting in those lines" she added, taking a hearty bite out of her sandwich.

Della's stomach turned at the idea of the kid before her eyes having to travel around the globe with nothing but an abusive parental shadow-figure harassing her every step of the way, while having to fend for herself, and only ever hearing that she was worthless in return.

"Shoes" Huey repeated, his brain already working "Okay! We can ask people to donate those! As long as they are in good shape, they can be hand-me-downs. That way we can use the money to focus on food and still take care of that issue"

"That seems reasonable" Violet nodded "We can make a recollection campaign and distribute flyers in public spaces"

"Ah-ah" Huey intervened "no use of paper, environment first"

"Very well, a digital campaign it is"

"We can get started on that!" he said excitedly.

"Let us begin, then" she nodded "thank you Lena. Your input has been most valuable"

"Sure thing nerd, remember we have to be home by eight"

"No time to waste then" the two junior explorers swiftly left the room, already going a hundred miles per hour, brainstorming ideas.

Webby hesitantly reached for Lena's hand, holding it gently and giving her one of those looks only Webby could muster. It was concern but not pity, empathy that was in no way condescending. How could she manage to reassure her so easily? The shadow witch didn't know, that was just Webby's magic. So, Lena smiled back.

"It's okay, Pink. It was a valid question" she shrugged her shoulders "besides, I rather have those two ask me about it than hit the streets on their own, it's not always safe" the idea that Lena knew that only added to the ache Webby felt in her heart, but made an effort to disguise her grimace.

"Yeah, just…" she hugged her, cuddling under her chin, giving a tight squish before releasing her, as if nothing had happened.

Words weren't always easy for Lena, the fact that she had openly talked about that part of her life, brief and unspecific as it had been, was still a huge progress. So Webby answered through the one language she mastered better than words or signs; affection. And Lena gladly received it, even if she hadn't been able to wrap her arms around the smaller girl, having her embrace her was valuable on its own.

"I'll go grab us a couple of sodas" Webby offered "we can go watch something in the rec room"

"Sounds good" she nodded and the little spy summersaulted out of her chair in search of the drinks. Now in complete silence, Lena finally felt Della's eyes land on her own. The woman was looking at her with such…compassion? Lena felt small under her gaze, so she tugged at her friendship bracelet trying to find comfort in that little tic, averting her sight.

But a hand reached through the table to touch her own, and Lena had to look up, seeing quick motions that asked about her wellbeing.

Lena opened her mouth, closed it, took a breath to try again, but ultimately, her hands did the talking. They were evasive answers, trying to reassure her that she was alright, but Della was sure there was so much more under the surface, as she came to the realization that there was still a lot she didn't know about the teen that so easily understood her.

Meanwhile, Dewey dragged his feet all the way to the kitchen, ready for a glass of juice. So, staying outside under the sun was after all tiring, but that didn't meant they had to cut their game short! He grumbled as he pushed the door ajar, finding his mom speaking through sign-language to Lena, before tentatively wrapping the girl in a hug. Lena seemed aback, but sure enough, her arms found their way around Della as she answered the gesture, closing her eyes in the process.

Dewey frowned as he was trying to decide if to bust in or let the door close again.

"Hey Dewey!" he heard a voice over his shoulder, making him jolt, turning around to see Webby holding a six-pack of soda "Came for a snack before dinner? If you hurry you can avoid Granny"

"Oh! Um, yeah" he looked at her hands "Is that my pep?"

Webby shrugged shyly "Maybe?" she chuckled "I found it laying around by some old tapestry"

"Come on Louie, if you are going to take from my secret stash at least make sure to hide it again!" he shouted to the roof in hopes of getting his point across.

"Well, do you want to join us to the rec room?" Webby smiled grandly "we were going to watch something; I found this old monster movies that I bet Lena would love to see"

Dewey folded his arms "Pass" he rolled his eyes "those movies are such a bore"

"Huh, I thought you liked them" she said in retrospective "Okay then, enjoy your snack and I'll see you at dinner" she swung the door open catching Della and Lena off guard as the teen hastily scrubbed her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater.

"Hey Pink" she smiled "Found the pep?"

"Yeah, my pep" Dewey scoffed "but sure, why don't you take that too?"

Lena frowned, but didn't get a chance to make any questions as Della patted his head "It's okay, I'll buy you some more tomorrow. We can find a better place to store them" she smiled at him before reaching the door "I'm going to see Donald, I promised I'd help him out cleaning his boat. Apparently he is expecting visits and would like the feminine touch" she chuckled "You kids have fun!" she waved.

"Later, Della!" Webby effusively waved back "So! Movie marathon" she turned to say "give me a five minute head-start to put up a pillow fort!"

Lena snickered "Sure thing, Pink" she ruffled her hair, minding not to mess with her signature bow.

"Okay, you can time me now!" she ran off and now it was the two of them.

Lena could easily feel his brooding, almost as if he was casting a dark aura of his own. She wanted to ignore that by pulling out her phone and let those five minutes pass her by with mindless entertaining, but Dewey stood in front of her, arms crossed.

"Can we talk for a moment?" he asked in a demanding voice.

"What's got your feathers all ruffled up?" she asked coolly, leaning into a wall.

"Look, I think it's great that you are back and it's fun to have you visit and all, but maybe back off a little?"

"I'm not sure I'm the one that should be backing off" she replied with a scoff "what's your problem with me all of the sudden?"

"Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but my previously missing mother is finally back and out of the blue you share a secret code with her?"

"Is this about the sign-language again? We told you, speaking is kind of hard sometimes!"

"Well you seem fine right now!"

"I don't choose when I feel off about my own voice!" she bite back, frustrated.

Dewey held his hands up "Look, all I am asking is to have a chance to meet my mother before other people outside my family do"

Those words hit way too close to home, making her physically pull back. Lena couldn't even begin to untangle her own feelings as to why they hurt so much.

"I mean, you already have Webby, why don't you spend time with her?" he said with a coat of bitterness.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she challenged trying to cover the hurt with anger.

"Before you came along, we used to spend a lot of time together, you already took her, so it's only natural I want to keep my mom's company"

Lena didn't know if she had any blood in her, but whatever was inside, it was boiling.

"You know what Dewford? Fine! I'll stay out of your way" she walked past him pushing his shoulder.

"So I was thinking, we could go to the ice ring" Dewey said jumping every step as he looked up at his mother "Or bowling!"

Della chuckled "You know? Donald was surprisingly good at that when we were kids. With his luck it was only natural he would knock everything down" she looked at him "Why don't you ask your brothers which place they rather go? I'm okay with either"

"There's going to be a family rally at the park next week, maybe we should enroll too!"

Della held a half-timid, half-forced smile "Y-yeah, maybe"

"So far we've collected about thirty pairs of shoes" Violet's voice was carried inside the manor as she walked in next to Huey, engrossed in their talk.

"And the money we've collected is enough to sponsor at least two weeks' worth of meals" he smiled pleased.

"Is that about your project?" Della asked as the two Woodchuck explorers looked up at her.

"Yes, mom! We are ahead of schedule" he proudly pointed at his chart.

"And the director of the project was rather impressed with our approach" Violet added.

"That's great!" Webby called, sliding down the rail of the stairs to join the chat, doing a backflip before perfectly landing in front of them "It sounds like you'll get those badges in no time"

"Most importantly, we'll help people. Lena's suggestion was rather proactive"

"Speaking of Lena, where's that beautiful complex moonlight?" Webby asked in hopes of seeing her friend.

"She insisted on staying behind to help Indy with the garden"

"Again?" Webby's tone reflected her disappointment.

"Yes. She seems rather invested to see that project through"

Della noticed the smaller girl's disillusion, so she patted her shoulder, while looking at Violet "If it's okay with your dads, we could swing by and give you a hand with your garden" she offered and the idea made Webby jolt up with excitement.

"Could we?!"

"I still need my next badge on the botanic department" Huey snapped his fingers "maybe you could help me"

Violet pondered for a second "Very well, I shall ask my dad so we can make an appointment"

"Great!"

"I mean, we are no experts" Dewey intervened, scratching his neck "maybe we can recommend you someone?"

"Nonsense" Della dismissed with a wave "gardens are a family activity"

"That's why we should let them do it" he motioned his hands in circles.

"Dad might want to do things his way, but help is always welcome, especially when it comes to heavy lifting" Violet concluded.

"Oh! This is going to be so much fun!" Webby clasped her palms together kicking the heel of her foot up.

"Yeah, sure" Dewey swiftly tried to redirect the chat "Anyways, until then, what are we going to do to spend the day?"

"We are going to make a report with our progress" Huey pointed behind him.

"It shouldn't take us long, since we both have kept very organized entries in our journals"

"Yeah, we'll see you in a bit" Huey said as they went up the stairs

"Well, just the three of us! How about a water balloons?" Dewey said.

"A free-for-all battle royal!" Webby declared.

"How about it, mom?" Dewey asked, looking at her with big eyes, so Della just gazed at the garden, giving her eyes the brief opportunity to brace for the brightness.

"Sure! Count me in"

Unsurprisingly, Webby's athletic ability gave her an edge, as she would attack from the tree tops, behind bushes and even zip line down the mansion's roof to bombard them with giant balloon. So naturally Della and Dewey were soaked to the bone while the small spy was perfectly dry.

They would run around from one side to the other, shouting battle cries and sharing laughs. Dewey was shamelessly enjoying the company, being the center of attention by having his best friend and mom all to himself throughout the morning.

That until the commanding voice of Beakley called from the entrance "Lunch will be served shortly! You better step inside and clean yourselves!" she shouted.

Webby promptly used her grappling hook to rappel down to stand by her side "Okay, Granny!"

The former spy saw her perfectly spotless "Good job on keeping the high ground" she praised before turning to Dewey "I expect you to be in time"

"Yes, Mrs. Beakley, I'll just find mom and we'll head inside" he waved running back to the trees looking around "Mom?" he called "Mom?!" he looked around until he saw some branches ruffling behind the bushes. He smirked and planned a surprise attack, jumping right to where Della was "Found you!" he shouted and Della recoiled against a tree, covering her ears, sliding down to the ground, her breathing quickening "Mom?" his tone broke by seeing her so distressed "What is it?" he knelt in front of her reaching to touch her knee.

Della shakily did hand gestures Dewey couldn't understand.

"Mom, I don't know what you are saying"

Della quickly covered her ears again, shaking her head no.

"Mom, how can I help?!" he was growing frustrated and scared.

Della did a broadly known gesture, putting a finger against her own beak to ask for silence.

Dewey felt out of sorts, he had no other way to communicate or ask for help.

"I'll…I'll go for Uncle Donald" he tried to mumble, but given the grimaces he got in return, he could tell all noises were still overwhelming for her. So he stood up rapidly running to the middle of the garden, screaming towards the boathouse "Uncle Donald! Launchpad?!"

The wince that escaped Della's beak forced Dewey to turn back to his mother and note his calling was distressing her further. Della was close to tears, shutting her eyes tightly and pressing the sides of her head harder than that.

Dewey desperately tried to think of a solution and just then, his own friendship bracelet came into view. The thought crossed his mind as he tugged at it anxiously, knowing she would probably be one of the few people that could help him-not him- his mom, right now "Lena, I need you"

Within seconds, the shadows that were close by started to move in unnatural forms, materializing the teen right in front of him. She seemed to be caught off guard by her own sudden appearance. Her knees were muddy and she was wearing gardening gloves, so she clearly wasn't prepared to be 'summoned', since she didn't willingly teleported with the shadows.

"Lena!" he said relieved.

The teen took a step back, looking around. There was no imminent danger, nothing was set on fire and there was no magical aura, so why was she there? With him of all people?

"What did you do?" she asked sternly.

"It's not that, my mom-"

Lena gazed away, ready to leave "I said I'd stay away, you win"

"No!" he urged "she needs help!" he grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards the trees where Della laid in darkness.

Lena rapidly reached her side, taking the globes off to quickly communicate through her hands.

Della was still trying to fight off the tears as she whipped her eyes to clearly see her motions before answering, her whole body was trembling.

Lena extended a hand towards each, expectantly.

Della didn't hesitate to take it, but when it came to Dewey, he gazed at it indecisive; he wanted to ask her plan but knew that each sound hurt his mother. So he took it, in hopes that whatever the witch was going to do, it would help.

Then everything became significantly darker and outstandingly quiet. The scenery was the same, but it looked like the negative of an old picture. He gazed around, finding that his own body felt…shallow.

"What the-?" he patted himself, his voice sounded very distant and muffled "Where are we?"

"In the shadows" Lena answered, still kneeling in front of Della as the older duck tried her best to catch her breath through a couple of false starts.

"Mom!" he reached her side. The sound didn't seem to overwhelm her as badly in this pocket of space and time "Are you alright?"

Della shakily nodded, rubbing the heel of her palm against her eyes. Her trembling hands made an attempt at an explanation.

"The sun" Lena said out loud, sight fixed on Della "she says the light disorientated her and that everything became too much, too quickly"

Dewey turned his sight from his mom to Lena. He never actually considered that the whole 'being your voice while you can't stand the sound of your own' was something that actually went both ways. That his mom needed it just as much as Lena did.

"I'm sorry, mom" he ducked his chin ashamed.

Della reached his face and planted a kiss on his forehead, trying to reassure him. He hugged her tight, burying his face on her chest, trying to not cry as well.

Lena allowed them a moment before looking around warily "I'm sorry, I can't keep you here long" she said out loud before trying to talk to Della, mutedly asking what she needed. Della seemed beyond mortified regarding her display, but there was nothing else to do but ask for help, hard as that might be.

Lena nodded at her request and reached for them again, moving them through the darkness in a rapid and erratic way, reappearing abruptly into the real world, were colors and shapes weren't inversed and distortional.

Dewey fell to his knees after the psychedelic experience, feeling the weight of his body crush back into his silhouette. He was now glad his stomach was empty, because otherwise he would have emptied it himself.

"Give it a minute" he heard a voice call from the side as Lena closed the blinds, making sure no rays of sun could come through Della's room.

"What-? Why-?" his voice was weak and off, his whole being felt wobbly as he held into the edge of the bed.

"You are not used to the Shadow Realm, your body needs to settle back in"

"You…feel this…every time?" he asked, as the drowsiness finally began to crawl out of his body, a similar tingle to when a limb would fall asleep. He saw a hand outstretched in front of him as his mother helped him up. She on the other hand didn't seem as dizzy or affected by the little jump, which made him wonder how often had she been in the shadows for its effects not to bother her.

"The first few are always the worst" Lena said, turning to them "After a while I stopped feeling it altogether. I'm just one of them"

The idea of Lena referring to herself as just a shadow made him feel sick, or maybe it was just the adjustment.

When everything was in a comfortable darkness, only Lena's amulet held a dim glow as she stood before Della "Are sound too much?" she asked quietly in case they were, speaking only for Dewey's sake. When Della shook, reassuring them she was a bit better, Lena continued, still cautious not to be too loud or overbearing "Do you need something?"

Della held three fingers up, tapping the index against her chin.

"What's that?" Dewey turned to the teen, knowing by now that Della wouldn't dare utter a word yet.

"Water" Lena provided.

"Oh! I can get it" he stood up, still a bit weakened "I'll be back in no time" he reached the door, making sure to only open it slightly to get out without letting any light in.

Once alone, Lena wanted to avoid Della's eyes, unsure of how to explain why she hadn't been around. So the silence extended between them, until Della held a thumb up circling her hand around her chest.

"Don't be sorry" Lena answered, hesitantly taking a seat next to her, rubbing a palm up and down her opposite arm, still avoiding her gaze "I'm…I'm the one that's sorry" she clasped her hands over her lap "If I had been around maybe I could have helped, avoid this" she mumbled.

Fast gestures countered 'It's not your responsibility to take care of me' Della transmitted before wrapping an arm around her shoulders, driving her to a half hug, cooing her softly. Lena leaned in, feeling guilty and reassured of being under her embrace. She had missed it, missed her. Lena wasn't sure at what point she had grabbed the fabric of Della's coat, but by the time her knuckles felt numb, she realized she was clenching it "Sorry" she repeated, taking a deep breath and letting go, scooting away. She turned her face to the opposite side, far from her gaze, keeping her arms folded defensively.

Della looked at her saddened, so she tentatively rolled the words in her beak once sure she could stand the sound "W-why haven't you visited?"

Lena turned to her worriedly, not at her words, but at the fact that she was using them "Sure you should be speaking so soon?"

Della nodded, meeting her eyes "This feels important"

Lena felt small under that statement, at the premise that she was important enough for Della to make an effort to use words. So the teen shrugged even more, kicking her feet up the bed, hugging her knees to her chest. The previous question was still hanging and she wouldn't force Della to repeat "I…I got…too close for comfort"

Della frowned confused at the explanation, Lena could see it, so she had to elaborate, even when she didn't know where to begin. "Dewey…" she backtracked uncomfortably. She could talk to Della about anything, but that was her son at the end of the day. Still, Della made a motion with her hand for her to continue.

"He…said something that…made me think stuff through"

Little did they know that the blue coded duck in question was behind the door, holding the glass of water, while at first unintentionally eavesdropping, now he was invested in the chat with equal parts fear and dread of what the shadow teen could say.

"I'm…I'm not…one of you" Lena said, but the term 'you' was heavy with meaning, as a lot of things could be implied.

"Human?" Della tried to guess, keeping sentences short.

Lena awkwardly fidgeted with her bracelet "No…not human" she hid her face away "I tried to keep away because… I'm not your family"

"What?" Della asked aback, surprise and pain written in her face, the latter inflicted by realizing how vulnerable Lena seemed admitting that "Why?" she couldn't help but to caress Lena's back.

Dewey gulped, bracing himself to be called out. But that didn't happen...

"Because I hurt your family!" Lena snapped, pushing her hand away "I helped Magica, I endangered everyone here! Every single one of them! Your uncle, your brother, your sons, Webby!" she buried her face in her hands knowing it was too late to stop the tears "And the list just gets longer" her voice broke "But…but I didn't…I didn't get to hurt you" she sniffed "and I liked that I had a clean slate with someone but…that doesn't take back the fact that I could have taken everything away from you. That you could have come back to find nothing" she finally gazed up "ten years wast-"

She didn't get to finish the sentence as Della embraced her firmly, holding her close against her chest "You didn't" she said, combing her hair back "you don't have to torture yourself with 'what ifs', believe me, I know. I had them over my head for a decade" she loosened the embrace, without letting go "And you don't have to push me away or anyone else here for that matter"

"You don't know how the Shadow War was like" Lena's voice was heavy with regret.

"Maybe not, but I know you. And I know you are a good person"

"I'm n-"

"Don't" Della held her face in hands making sure to meet her crystalized eyes "whatever happened is not solely your fault. You were manipulated and abused. And when faced with a decision, you chose to stand with them, with us. If that doesn't make you family I don't know what will" she moved her pink streak of hair out of her eyes "you sacrificed yourself, you don't have to keep proving anything. You are not an outsider anymore"

Lena felt the air get caught up in her throat as she ducked her chin, unable to face her as a fresh batch of tears roamed down freely.

Della smiled softly at her "And truth be told, I think I need you more than you need me" she admitted, chuckling dryly at her own words "which sounds ridiculous since I'm the adult but…but having you to talk, or not talk, has helped me a lot" that prompted Lena to try and meet her eyes again "I don't have to keep a strong façade with you, kid. You've seen me at my lowest, which is unfair since I'm unloading with a teen that has her own issues but…but I like that I don't have to be the legend my family remembers me for. You are a clean slate for me too" she concluded "and I would very much like you to consider me family, honey. Because I already thought of you that way"

This time it was Lena who dived into the hug, hiding against Della. She couldn't recall the last time she had cried against someone that cradled her, or a time in which she had an emotional display like this in front of someone else, excluding Webby, of course. That girl would hold her thought nightmares till dawn. But even then, she never truly let her see all the broken pieces, or the pain and hurt that were underneath. Lena didn't want her best friend to worry over her after the smaller girl had spent six months mourning Lena and trying to get her back. That's why she also felt comfortable with Della. She too could let her façade slip for a second.

By the time she had cried herself out, the sun was already setting.

Lena tried to collect herself as she whipped away the tears, sniffing.

"You'll be okay?"

"Maybe? I'll try, though" Lena offered and that was all anyone could ask of her.

Della chuckled "Okay, honey" she patted her head "don't wait so long to reach out, promise?"

"Same"

"Deal" she smirked "now I'm guessing your dads must be getting worried" Della mused out loud, realizing the potential truth in her words.

"Vi usually covers for me" she dismissed "But I better go" she stood up "I'll see you around"

"I sure hope so, Webby has missed you"

"I'll make it up to her" she smirked in her usual misdemeanor and a bit of normalcy was restored as she reached the door.

Dewey stumbled back a couple of steps, hiding in the hallway as Lena walked over the stairs. She could hitch a ride with the shadows, but preferred to do so outside Scrooge's roof, since he wasn't fond of magic. Once about to reach the entrance, she felt her hand being tugged.

"Lena" Dewey called and she turned around to meet him, she was exhausted already and couldn't stand to have another heated conversation.

"Listen, Dewford, I-"

"I'm sorry" he said and meant it "I…I was being selfish and stupid and a jerk" he grimaced "and you still came and helped" he rubbed his arm, ashamed "thank you" he said "She means a lot to me…but that doesn't mean she can't care for others"

Lena gazed at him before sighing "I…I care too" She offered and he held a timid smile, gazing down.

"I guess, I was jealous that…that she talks to you. I just…wanted to help her as well"

"She's still your mom and she'll always be…that's also why saying some stuff to me is easier" Dewey wouldn't admit that he already knew that for what they talked about "but, if you want to help, make sure to pay attention" she said "see what she needs, not only what you want to do" there was a jab and a scolding there, but Lena didn't seem to be saying that out of malice "She can't stand the sun for too long, if you notice she's trying to find a shadow under a tree, just suggest to go inside, you don't have to call her out"

That clicked "W-wait, that's why you said to go for drinks the other day?"

"Duh" she folded her arms "if she plays with her hair for too long or starts tapping her metal leg, she's trying to make sound to distract her form her voice, so don't force her to talk"

Dewey was aback, Lena had truly being paying attention and taking care of his mom "I-I will" he said nodding "is there anything else?"

"Too much people around can be overwhelming, remember, she was alone and in complete silence for years, it's still an adjustment"

"You…you have been keeping an eye on her all this time?"

Lena shrugged looking away "I can relate to a few of those things" that was an understatement "if it's too much for you or if she needs help, get Tea Time"

"What? Why her?"

"Trust me, she knows what she's doing" she tugged at her bracelet and Dewey understood that she was talking from her own experience and he couldn't picture in what scenario Lena had leaned into Mrs. Beakley for help.

"Okay, I will"

"And…I'm only one shadow trip away" she added "if she needs it, you can call me like today, I'll be here"

Dewey couldn't even begin to describe the relief those words brought him. Because indeed, she was there. She had showed up and helped and…he couldn't picture how he would have managed that scare without her.

"Thanks, Lena...I'm glad you are here" he said honestly "for her, for us, for Webby" he shrugged at the mention, seeing something flash in the teen's eyes "what I said before, about her…that was also uncalled for"

Lena gazed down at her magical friendship amulet "I…I know I spend a lot of time with her, and after six months as her shadow, you'd hope I would try to find my own space but…I kind of still need her as my anchor, Dewey" she opened up to say "reality is not always clear, but here or in the shadows I always had her, that's why it's so soothing" she explained a bit self- conscious "But you deserve spending time with your friends too" she half smiled "so, I'll try to give you space"

Dewey smiled genuinely at her "And when you need her, I'll give you yours. With Mom as well"

Lena chuckled "Sounds good" she opened the door ready to leave.

"Hey, Lena?"

"Yeah?"

"You think I could join in the little secret language club?"

"I think that's actually a pretty good idea" she smirked smugly.

"One last thing" Dewey urged before she stepped into the shadows "It's really great to have you back with us. Things weren't the same, but now the family is all back together"

Lena's smile dropped in surprise before it turned to something softer for only a moment.

She then held up another mischievous smirk "Get used to it, you are not getting rid of me for a second time" she merged with the shadows leaving him at the door.

Dewey actually chuckled "Wouldn't dream of it"

I hope you liked it! My knowledge of ASL is pretty limited, but I hope I did it a bit of justice. Thank you for reading and until next time!