This is the last chapter I've done... I decided to just backlog everything that was up on Ao3 Here despite the fact that all I seem to be getting is spam posts about people wanting me to hire them to make cover art for this... while I'm not looking to pay people to illustrate things... if any readers just feel inspired to do so I 100% would love to see what you do... just please give me a link to wherever you post it so I can see it
Gladstone was befuddled…How could he be dateless on New Years Eve!
Sure, it never really bothered him before he could easily just dial a random number and the person on the other line would be lucky enough to accept an offer to be swept up for an evening on the town. This time though it was different…
Pacing around his penthouse preparing for the evening's festivities… the Goose let out a sigh. Truthfully, he was beginning to want more than a fleeting fling. He longed for a meet cute or cosmic connection however he was beginning to feel that Lady Luck wasn't one to dabble in matters of the heart.
A knock at the door brought him out of his daze. Perhaps on the other side of the threshold would be some blissfully single new neighbor in need of a corkscrew…however more realistically he figured it would be Selene.
In the last few months, his penthouse had seemed to have become a second home for the moon goddess and while she would claim it just made things easier to plan Della's wedding he could tell that there were definitely other advantages to having a home base in Duckburg.
A few weeks earlier…
Gladstone watched as Selene sashayed into the penthouse in a look that was a departure from her ethereal style however just as chic.
"Vintage Glamour was simply made for you Sel." He spoke as the Ibis dramatically took a seat on the couch.
"And who is this Sel you speak of?" She asked, playing with the long string of pearls hanging from her neck, "the name is Dita Von Slone darling, star of the silver screen."
Gladstone couldn't help but shake his head thinking about how his friend had just returned from the little soiree that was being thrown to celebrate Dickie's birthday.
"I take itDoctor Lightning's Murder Mystery Invite Only Casual Dinner Party / Gala For Friends Potluckwas a success"
Man that name was a mouthful he thought as Selene nodded.
"You really should have been there…I'm sure Huey could have crafted a character for you to play."
Gladstone flashed his friend a devilish grin before sitting beside her.
"Maxim Merriweather. He comes from old money and while he tends to turn his nose up on the nouveau he senses that Caspian is on to something with his interest in Doctor Lightning's dealings and he longs to beat the bloke to the punch."
Gladstone could tell that Selene was in shock at the way he came up with this off the top of his head.
"What can I say, the kid has a knack for world building… I just didn't want to feel like the odd one out."
"This wasn't a date night."
"I know, it's just me…being the only single guy in the friend group…"
"I know, I can't believe it either… I mean you're just so."
"Lucky."
"I was going to say charismatic but Lucky works…I mean you'd think dates would pop up around the corner like $20's for you."
"Yes, but they just want the fantasy of being swept away by my luck but never the commitment. What I need is someone too wrapped up in their own mystical aura to pay mine any mind."
His green eyes locked on Selena's violet ones for a moment.
"Once upon a time, the two of us could have made quite a power couple. Though I doubt all the luck in the world would make you light up the way your hero does."
"Gizmoduck is the hero of the people Gladstone… Fenton on the other hand is smart and kind and easy on the eyes…I could try to see if any of my fellow goddesses back in ithaquack are up for cavorting with a mortal if you want some mystical aurora?"
There was a part of him that wanted to ask what kind of Goddess she had in mind to set him up with…someone who was drawn to fates or celebrations or perhaps one more down to earth.
"Thanks but no thanks, I really don't want to deal with the long distance thing."
"I'm sure lady fate has something in store for her favorite mortal."
Opening the door Gladstone gave a stare to the person on the other side.
"I take it I'm not who you expected?"
Fenton asked running a finger through his disheveled feathers trying to make himself look more presentable however it was hard when his whole appearance looked rather worse for wear.
"Well, I mean it makes sense…you dating Sel and her making my pad her earthly address. I just thought you'd make some effort to dress to impress…"
Looking into the floor length mirror that hung on one of the living room walls, Gladstone smoothed out his lapel and flashed his reflection a sly wink before turning back toward Fenton.
"The Beagles don't take Holidays unfortunately…and I didn't want to keep the lady waiting even if I looked more out of her league than ever."
Gladstone nodded his head as he gave Fenton another once over. It was true the scientist definitely didn't look like someone dating a goddess though even if his shirt wasn't stained and his tie wasn't ripped honestly that still would be the case. He needed a bit more flair…more pizazz…thankfully he came to the right place.
If Gladstone didn't have his luck to coast on and needed to get a day job he always imagined he could craft out a career as a stylist to the stars.
"Thankfully, it seems as if we are the same size," Gladstone spoke with a smile as he led Fenton toward the master suite.
"The powder room is right through those doors, use whatever product you need. In the meantime I'll dig through my closet to see if I can find something to help you ring in the new year in style."
Gladstone could tell that Fenton was genuinely surprised by the gesture which wasn't to be unexpected especially as they never rarely hung out without a combination of Della, Selene or Gyro also being present.
As the sound of the door closed behind Fenton, Gladstone turned toward his closet, making a mental resolution to spend some more one on one time with Fenton in the new year as he soon began to shuffle through his wardrobe.
Would Fenton look good in Green?
Gladstone mused as he made note that a good two thirds of his closet contained threads that heavily favored his signature color. Pulling out the first non green item he saw, Gladstone cast a lingering stare at an Orange blazer with a label from a hot designer.
"I can't believe there was a period when fashion houses thought that Orange was going to be the new Black," he spoke to himself swiftly placing the blazer back into his closet notably further towards the back than before.
Looking a few moments longer his eyes soon fell on another blazer that he thought would work perfect for someone entering the room on the arm of a goddess.
While Gladstone didn't normally own many things in the shade of blue as it was Donald's signature color and he wanted to keep as much distance from his less than lucky cousin as he could, this was more a periwinkle in nature than a true blue with an iridescent glow to it.
Perfect, but was there ever any doubt?
Hearing the sounds of the shower turn off, Gladstone couldn't help but think that his timing was perfect as well as he placed the suit carefully across his bed.
"I know what I picked out for you tonight might be a bit … bolder than you're used to but I hope you can enjoy it nonetheless."
Exiting the room so that Fenton try his new threads on, Gladstone let out a sigh thinking about potential prospects to hopefully woo in the New Year and then it hit him.
Della was dating a scientist, Selene was dating a scientist… what if…
Waiting as he heard Fenton now moving about the bedroom, Gladstone approached the door however instead of asking if the duck liked his wardrobe for the evening he spoke through the crack.
"Say Fenton, out of curiosity, do you have the number for Wingsy's girl in the chair."
He could tell Fenton was perplexed by the question by his tone.
"Girl in the…you mean Gandra? I do but she's currently abroad doing some sleuthing to try to find a means to track down Gosslyn's grandfather."
Once again his luck in love was thwarted before anything could even be pursued.
Maybe he should take Selene up on her offer to be set up with a goddess…
Speaking of goddesses the door to his penthouse soon opened without warning as Selene made her way inside. Her cocktail dress was simply effervescent making her look ever much like the goddess she was.
"Hey Glads, you haven't heard from Fenton he hasn't been answering his…"
Just then Fenton stepped out of the other room locking eyes with Selene.
"WOW! You look."
Fenton gave a turn for his girlfriend.
"It's too much isn't it."
Selene shook her head.
"It's perfect."
Gladstone looked over to his friends acting all cute and decided if he was going to ring in the new year with all their sickly sweetness wind would be needed.
Thankfully they had agreed to spend the evening bc at the wine bar and not Abner's place. Not that he disliked his cousin, he just wanted a place that had more … wow factor.
—
Once the trio arrived at the bar they hardly made it inside before Della breezed over towards them. Linking one arm into his and the other into Selene's leaving Fenton to walk closely behind them.
"I was beginning to think you wouldn't get her before midnight," she said, "it's bad enough Drake and Launchpad had to cancel."
"Are there evil doers afoot?" Fenton asked discreetly.
"Worse, teenagers…Dicky & Penny had to hold down the fort at the Ax bar with Abner… and I wasn't going to miss ringing in my first new year in ages with my fiancé and brother and so they volunteered to babysit."
'Well,' Gladstone thought, 'at least I'm only the seventh wheel.'
Della must have been thinking this too as she handed him a champagne flute with a smile.
"Obviously this isn't a couples only event, there are plenty of singles here that would be lucky to kiss you at midnight."
"I think I may forgo a midnight kiss this year, tempt fate a bit."
Della couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?"
"I just can't picture you without your luck, you're always going about dancing through life, not a care in the world."
"What if I wanted to care, wanted to feel. It's no fun having the world be your oyster when there is nobody to share it with."
"I never knew you to be a romantic Glads."
"You've been trapped on the moon for a decade Dells…"
As He spoke he couldn't help but let his voice trail off as he spotted a male duck entering the bar. He'd been dressed impeccably in a deep purple tux and looked as if he stepped off the runway.
"He doesn't have anyone attached to his arm, I'd say go for it."