Chapter Text
Scrooge patted Webby's back as she clung to him then watched as she ran over to Mrs. Beakley, who picked her up and hugged her tight. He sighed softly, watching as his family all clamored together, talking and recollecting. He felt warm. As he looked around he saw Goldie standing off to the side, looking winded.
“Goldie?” he called out to her, scowling in confusion. She smiled almost guiltily and waved at him. He sighed and walked over, sensing something afoot. “What did you do? What did you take from me?” She put her hands on her hips and looked at him almost scoldingly.
“Scroogie, what makes you think I took something of yours?” He glared a bit and she gestured at one of the rockets. “There are giant rockets make entirely of gold! Where else would I be?” Scrooge couldn't help but laugh a little. “What? What's so funny?”
“If that's the case, why aren't you with one of the rockets? Why're you here?” He leaned forward on his cane, taking great pleasure in making her stutter over herself.
“I don't have to explain myself to you!” she shouted. She turned on her heel to storm away but Scrooge wasn't having it today. He grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her towards him, making her ram into him chest first. “Ow! Scroogie, can't you see I'm trying to-mph!” He kissed her, smiling when he felt her grip his jacket in surprise. He pulled back just a bit, locking eyes with her.
“I almost died,” he said softly, her eyes widening. He looked down as he latched their fingers together. He felt her grip on his hand tighten after a moment. He pressed his forehead to hers.
“Is Sharpie okay?”
“Louie?” She nodded. He looked over his shoulder at the others, spotting Louie up on Gladstone's shoulder. “Aye, he's alright.”
“Good. C'mon.” She lead him away from everyone else and Scrooge easily went with the pull. He watched his feet as they walked, not really paying attention and just letting Goldie lead him wherever she wanted. His bones felt weary from the fight, his bruises starting to ache. He was so tired.
His mind wandered to the battle, how close he was to losing absolutely everything and everyone that had ever mattered to him. If the kids hadn't shown up when they had, Lunaris would have killed him. He almost killed them, he almost killed everyone.
“Scrooge?” He looked up at her, seeing that they were now in the foyer of his manor. She was frowning at him. “Scroogie, you're crying.”
“Am I?” he asked, his voice sounding dead. He looked back at his feet. After a moment he felt himself dragged off again, blindly following her up the stairs and into his room. He felt her remove his jacket and hat but it felt so far away, like he wasn't really there.
“Oh Scroogie.” He'd never heard her voice so soft before. Her hands cupped his face and it was like reality was seeping back into his mind. He could feel the air brushing his feathers, hear the creak the wood made as she shifted her weight, feel himself breathe. He locked eyes with her. “You should lie down, you look tired.”
“Are you going to-”
“Steal all your things? Not today.” She lead him over to the bed, making him lay down. “You almost died, you get a free pass today.” He reached for her and she froze a moment. “What?”
“Stay? Please?” She sighed heavily, sitting on the edge of the bed and removing her boots.
“Fine, fine.” She crawled under the covers with him. “There, happy?” He clung to her and buried his face in her shoulder, shaking. “Scrooge?” He couldn't stop himself, the whole day came crashing down on him and he started to cry, his body jolting with each sob. Goldie hugged him tight, fingers running through his feathers. “Let it out, I've got you.” Scrooge clung to her tightly, crying himself to sleep.