I love this dorky little guy, and I love the potential of him falling in love and navigating coming out to his big, accepting, and overly enthusiastic family.

Louie was concerned. Last time he'd checked the clock it had been 2:07 and he'd had plans (Ottoman Empire, but still.) for the afternoon. Now it was 5:31 and almost time for dinner.

It was no mystery what had caused this Category 5 Distraction Event. He'd gone into the living room to watch his show and found it completely taken over by Huey and his scouting buddies. Including Boyd.

After that, Louie had completely blacked out. He didn't remember a single thing he'd done or said for the next three hours and twenty-four minutes.

So he was just a little bit concerned. If he wanted to avoid becoming catatonic around his crush in the future he was either going to have to avoid Boyd for the rest of his life (impossible) or deal with his feelings head-on (terrifying).

Louie weighed the pros and cons and approached the matter from every angle he could see. His first inclination was to see if he could deal with his feelings by making them go away but that had the opposite effect- the more he thought about Boyd the more he yearned.

"I have got to shut that down," Louie muttered. If he couldn't get over Boyd he'd never be able to focus on anything ever again.

"Shut what down?" Dewey asked, reminding Louie that he was never really alone in this house.

Louie glanced around and pulled Dewey into an empty side hall.

"Dewey, you can't tell anyone but I have a crush on Boyd."

"Okay?"

Louie paused. "Well, don't make a big deal about it or anything," he huffed, a little insulted that Dewey didn't see the significance.

"It's not a big deal?"

"Dewey, I basically just told you I was gay. I've never told anyone that!"

"Oh! Congratulations, I guess. Honestly I thought you came out ages ago and I just wasn't paying attention."

"What? Why would you think that?"

"Uh…" Dewey realized that had been the wrong thing to say.

"Does everyone think I'm gay?" Louie demanded, suddenly feeling incredibly overwhelmed.

"No, of course not! Just mom, Uncle Donald, and Webby. Oh, and probably Huey."

"That might as well be everyone," Louie said, deflating like a run over basketball.

"Is it really so bad?" Dewey asked, nudging Louie a little, hoping to cheer him up. "I mean if you weren't gay that'd be annoying but you are so, that just mean you have four less people to tell."

"Maybe I wanted to wait," Louie snapped. "Maybe I had it all planned out, down to the second. And now coming out doesn't get to be on my terms because apparently the whole world already knows."

Dewey frowned sympathetically. "You wanted your moment. I get that. But hey, you can still tell Uncle Scrooge. He's pretty oblivious to that kind of thing."

"I don't think he cares who we date as long as it's not a business competitor."

"He doesn't have to worry about that with me," Dewey said casually.

"Oh yeah? Why's that?"

"'Cause I'm aroace?" Dewey said, like it was obvious.

"Did I know that?" Louie asked. He'd had a lot of Boyd-centric blackouts lately, so maybe he had missed it.

Dewey smacked himself in the face. "I really thought I told people. I guess I forgot."

"There's still time for your moment, then," Louie said, nudging his brother.

"After you get yours," Dewey replied.

"I don't… I don't need a moment," Louie said. "I'm just going to talk to Boyd, rip the band-aid off and let him reject me and then I can get back to everyone assuming I'm not straight."

"Louie, that's the worst plan I've ever heard."

"You got a better one, Mr. Moment?"

"I don't, no, but I know who would."

"Who?" Louie asked, dreading the answer.

"If you want help in the romance department, you're going to have to talk to Huey."

Louie bit back a groan. He knew Huey wouldn't let him take the easy route with this one, but he also knew Dewey was right.

"Plus, it'll give you a chance to come out to him. On your terms."

That part didn't sound too bad. In fact, Louie kind of liked the idea of having one-on-one conversations with all of the people who suspected he was queer, to set the record straight, so to speak.

"Maybe I'll warm up to that."

Dewey nodded, satisfied. "Thanks for telling me, Louie. Sorry I didn't treat it like a big deal, I know it is. If you need any help getting to your moment, let me know."

"I'll remember that. And if you need any help with your moment, let me know."

Dewey grinned. "I have some ideas."

Louie didn't have time to worry about whatever Dewey meant by that. He had people to talk to. Lots of people.

He started with Uncle Donald because he knew that would be the easiest person to tell. The others would want to know all about his crush and what he was going to do about it, Uncle Donald would let him go at his own pace and only reveal the parts he wanted to reveal.

Fortunately, Uncle Donald wasn't hard to find. Unfortunately, he wasn't alone. Donald and Della were in the houseboat kitchen in the middle of a heated discussion that cooled when Louie walked in.

"Hey, kiddo, what's up?" Della asked with a reassuring smile.

Louie adjusted his sales pitch on the fly.

"Mom, Uncle Donald? I wanted to tell you guys something."

"You can tell us anything," Donald encouraged.

"I know there are some rumors about me that have been swirling around-"

Della was immediately defensive, "Who's been starting rumors? Did something happen? Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," Louie said, forcing himself to believe it. "As for who started the rumors, I'm not sure. But there's been a rumor going around in this family that I'm gay. And honestly, it sucks that I didn't get the chance to tell you that myself but yeah. I'm gay."

Della gathered him in his arms, which shouldn't have surprised him. "Oh, honey, I'm sorry we took that away from you, we didn't mean to. I really didn't know you hadn't told everyone, back when I was on the moon."

"I didn't even know I was gay back when you were on the moon."

"You knew," Donald said with a wistful smile, "You just didn't remember. You used to tell me all the time you were going to grow up and marry a Prince like Cinderella."

"Huh. I really should have realized sooner."

"There's no timeline for these things," Donald said.

"Yeah, look at me and Penumbra. I didn't realize I was bi until I met her."

That did make Louie feel a little better until Della continued.

"So, who is your Penny?"

Louie squirmed out of her embrace.

"Della! He doesn't have to tell us right now."

"Oh alright. Take your time, sweetie. We'll always support you."

"Thanks. I still need a bit more time to figure things out, but I'll keep you posted."

Della gave him a thumbs up and Donald just nodded supportively.

"I have a few more people to come out to, talk to you later?"

"Sounds good."

Three down, three to go. He hadn't decided who would be easier to tell, Scrooge or Webby. He was definitely saving Huey for last. Louie had finally decided to tell Webby first when Scrooge bumped into him on his way to his office.

"Sorry, lad." Scrooge looked him over and frowned. "Is everything alright? You look troubled."

"I have something to tell you," Louie said, once again making impromptu adjustments to his plans. If it went off the rails again he'd really actually lose it.

"What's wrong? Are you in trouble? Have you been cursed by a magic relic that I specifically told you not to touch?"

"Not this time. It's actually good news? Well, it's kind of neutral. It doesn't really matter…" Why was this so awkward? It had been pretty easy with mom and Uncle Donald.

"Out with it," Scrooge instructed, offering him an inviting smile.

"I'm gay."

"Oh, good, I was worried there for a second."

"Worried that I was straight?"

"Worried you'd invented another pyramid scheme."

"Oh, yeah. Not this time. Anyway, like I said, it's no big deal I just thought you should know."

"Hold on," Scrooge said before Louie could dart from the room. "It is a big deal. I'm glad you told me, and I'm proud of you. You're growing into a fine young man. This boy you have a crush on is very lucky."

Louie reddened. "How'd you know I had a crush on someone?"

"You're not the only sharp one, Louie. Don't worry, I won't say anything."

"Thanks, Uncle Scrooge. I still have to tell Webby and Huey."

Fortunately, the last two steps of his plan fell into place in the correct order.

He was able to find Webby in her room, fussing over her conspiracy board. She covered it when he walked in, and he knew enough not to ask questions.

"Hey, Lou! What's up?"

Louie took a deep breath. He'd been thrown off his game twice now, so it took him a moment to remember his plan.

"Webby, I want to tell you something."

Webby nodded encouragingly.

"I'm gay."

Webby did not appear shocked. "That's really cool, Louie. Thank you for telling me."

"You already knew, didn't you?"

Webby's composure dropped. "...Yeah, sorry."

Louie rolled his eyes. "Can I just ask how?

"Well, you've been liking posts about being gay for about five months now."

"But my likes are private."

"No, they're not. They're just hidden."

"Webs, I'm really glad we're friends-"

"Aww, me too!"

"-because if we weren't I'd be creeped out that you went through my likes."

"Gotta keep tabs on my family. But hey, I meant what I said, it's cool that you're opening up. I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Webby. I've still got one more person to tell."

"Huey?"

"How'd you know that?"

"Gotta keep tabs on my family." With that, she went back to her conspiracy board and Louie went to face Mr. I've-got-a-matchmaking-badge himself.

"Huey, we need to talk."

Huey didn't look up from the book he was reading.

"Is this about Boyd?"

"What? Who told you that?" For some reason, he was more indignant about Huey knowing about Boyd than he had been about the others knowing he was gay.

"I've just noticed how you've been acting around him recently. We've known Boyd for years and you've never been weird around him before."

Louie cringed. "Does he know?"

"I don't think so."

Louie's mind was racing. "Does that mean he hasn't noticed me or does he think I'm that weird all the time?"

"Louie? Breathe. Jumping to conclusions is only going to make you feel worse."

Louie took a deep breath.

"Better?" Huey asked.

"Better."

Huey waited until Louie had calmed down completely before dropping another bomb. "I think Boyd might like you back."

"What?! Really?! You better not be messing with me."

"I'm not. I don't joke about matters of the heart."

"Do you think you could help?"

Huey's grin was so wide that it was almost scary.

"I thought you would never ask."

This is gonna be a little mini-series with two more fics, hopefully the second one will come out next week.