Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I’m getting a new roommate.” 

“What happened to your old one, did you scare him away?” Donald asked, not looking up from the guitar he was attempting to tune. 

José chuckled, “No. He is transferring schools next semester.” He sighed and leaned back against the tall window in Donald’s room, “For a while, I thought the school wouldn’t be able to find someone to rent the room to. Then I could have had a real bachelor pad to bring ladies back to, eh?”

At that Donald finally looked up at him from his place on the bed, “Ladies? Ha! What ladies? You haven’t had a date in months.” 

“You wound my pride!” José moaned, placing a hand over his heart and swaying dramatically. “Maybe I could get a date if I wasn’t so busy making sure you stay out of trouble.”

“Ugh you sound like my sister.”

José pushed open the window he had been leaning against, “I’ll take that as a compliment.” A comfortable silence fell over them as the parrot reached into his pocket to pull out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. He wordlessly lit one and leaned out the window, careful not to let any smoke in. Donald continued to pick lazily at a guitar string. He was so tired from finals he couldn’t even tell if it sounded good anymore.

“So have you met the guy?” Donald asked, setting the guitar aside and standing up with a stretch.

“Hm? Oh! The roommate, yes, well.” José took a drag from his cigarette before continuing, “He sent me an email..”

Looking for something to do with his hands, Donald settled for picking up some of the clutter in his room. There were still notebooks and study guides strewn all over the floor from his last study session with Della and José nearly a week ago. “What did it say?”

José’s face scrunched up, as if he was remembering something unpleasant, “Not much... and also too much.”

“What does that even mean, Zé?”
“The email was long, but the content was...” José shrugged, “You know how Della gets when she finds something that interests her.”

Donald nodded his head as he stacked his notebooks on his desk neatly, “She gets all excited and takes forever to say one simple thing.”

José snapped his fingers, “It is like that! Exactly like that. He’s from Mexico City, and he seems very excited to be coming to Duckburg.”

It was Donald’s turn to make a face, “Who would be excited about coming to Duckburg. It’s so boring here.”

“You,” José shook a finger at him, “do not get to say that senhor Donald, the bravest adventurer in the world. You probably discovered Atlantis before you were potty trained!”

Donald laughed heartily at that. José’s teasing always had that effect on him. He wished Della and his uncle would take a page out of his friend’s book. When Donald’s family teased him it often felt like he was the butt of the joke. With José it felt... warm and comfortable. There was no bite behind it, just a knowing smile and a wink. Honestly Donald had no idea why José had taken such a liking to him their freshman year of college. They had sat next to each other in BIO 101, and Donald soon discovered José was anything but shy. The parrot instantly struck up a conversation with him and before he knew it Donald was spending every other weekend in José’s dorm room attempting to work on homework but ultimately ending up watching TV and talking to his new friend. Talking with José was so effortless it scared Donald. The duck didn’t make new friends easily. Most of the time people would pretend to be his friend only because he was the nephew of the richest duck in the world and lived in a fancy mansion. Once they learned that Scrooge never gave Donald so much as a penny they would suddenly lose interest in hanging out with him.

The first time Donald offered for their next homework session to be at his place he feared the worst. He was such a nervous wreck the day before that even Della stopped tormenting him long enough to attempt to comfort him. Donald knew she had similar experiences with bringing friends over. Though at least Della was charming and could effortlessly make friends with literally everyone around her unlike her short tempered brother. Despite all the anxiety surrounding the event, José barely batted an eye when Donald led him up the hill to the giant manor he called home. Once they got to his room, and past the always nagging Duckworth, José broke his silence by asking if he could smoke.

“You can, but do it out the window. My uncle will throw a fit if he smells any smoke in my room.” Donald had answered while pointing towards the window he usually kept closed and curtained. 

“Muito obrigado.” José smiled at him before pulling back the dark curtains. 

Donald had sat nervously on his bed and looked expectantly at José’s back as if expecting any minute now he’d turn around and start asking for money or to meet his uncle as many of his friends had before. What he really wanted was to ask José was if he liked the band posters that covered his bedroom walls, but that felt stupid. Before he got the chance to open his beak though, his friend had let out a little hum and turned his head slightly towards the duck.

“You know what is funny to me?” José didn’t wait for an answer, “You live in the biggest house in all of Duckburg… but I am pretty sure this is the smallest room in the whole state.”

“My uncle makes me pay rent.” Donald blurted out, a sheepish grin growing on his face.

And José had laughed at that. It was a musical kind of laugh Donald had never heard from his friend before. A laugh that had made his stomach tighten in a way he still couldn’t decipher. All he could think was how much he wanted to hear José laugh like that again. 

Donald was ripped away from his memories as the door to his room slammed open, causing an already drooping poster on his wall to slide down even more. He growled and turned to see his sister Della standing in the doorway with a grin on her face.

“KNOCK FIRST!” He all but screamed, reaching for the nearest textbook on his desk and throwing it full force at her.

Della dodged it easily, as if she had been through the same song and dance a hundred times, “You know this used to be my room too. I don’t have to knock!”

“That doesn’t make any sense!” Donald was growling now, always quick to anger.

José watched the exchange with a small smile on his beak, “Hello Della.”

She smiled brightly at him, “Oh hi José! I didn’t know you were here, anyway, you’ll never guess what-” Della suddenly squinted her eyes at the parrot, “Are you smoking? You said you were quitting!”

“I am quitting,” José pushed the cigarette into the window sill, “See? That was my last one.”

Della didn’t buy that and within seconds was on José, shoving her hand into his jacket and pulling out the pack he had out earlier. “Oh yeah? And what are these then?”

José put on his most charming smile, “Those are for emergencies.”

“Mhm.” She clicked her tongue and pocketed the pack, ignoring José’s whine. “Anyway, as I was saying.” Della rounded on Donald, “Scrooge and I found an ancient scroll depicting a mystic temple in Japan that-”

Donald frowned, “I’m not going.”

“You didn’t even let me finish! You see, there’s this curse that-”

Once again, Donald interrupted, “I’m. Not. Going. The next semester is going to start soon and I want to enjoy my time off for once!”

Della grabbed at his shirt, shaking him, “A thrilling adventure is the perfect thing to do to enjoy your time off! Come on, you haven’t adventured with us in a while now.”

“Unlike you, I don’t like skipping my classes.” Donald pushed her away and went to retrieve the book he had thrown at his sister earlier.

She grumbled, “You wouldn’t be skipping classes, they don’t even start for another week. Besides, Scrooge is finally letting me pilot the cargo plane! I’ve wanted to fly that baby for years now!” Della looked to José, “Help me out here buddy, if anyone can convince Donald to do something it’s you.”

José hummed, “I do not know about that…” He walked over to Donald, flinging an arm around his shoulders. Donald tried to ignore the way his face felt hotter all of a sudden. “I would love to help, but I’m feeling a bit off without my emergency supplies.” 

Della rolled her eyes, “I’m not giving you the cigarettes back.”

“Ah, then I cannot help you. Sadly…” José grinned back at her. Looking at Della’s annoyed reaction, Donald felt the anger that had been welling up in him start to fade away steadily. It was nice to be on the other side of the teasing for once.

“Fine fine. I know when I’ve lost.” Della started to make her way out of the room before smiling back at them, “For now! Della Duck never admits defeat!” She slammed the door behind her, shaking the whole room once again.

José huffed out a laugh and moved his arm away from Donald, much to the duck’s disappointment. “She sure is excitable, yes?” There was a fondness in his voice that made the green beast in Donald’s chest growl. 

“Sure.” Donald muttered, finally placing the textbook he had used as a weapon back on his desk with the others. “Thanks for the help in shaking her off, but I have a feeling I’m going to be going on that trip. Hopefully it’ll kill me.”

He’s startled when he feels a hand on his back, “Do not say things like that, Donald.” José spoke softly, and Donald could hear the frown on his beak.

The touch felt far too intimate for Donald’s liking, “Oh I’m kidding, it’s just a joke jeez.” Donald shrugged off the hand and walked over to the beat up bean bag he kept in the corner of his room. “It’s just annoying. I don’t want to go on some silly adventure. I’m too old for stuff like that.” He plopped down and folded his arms, “You don’t know what those adventures are like.”

“No, I don’t.” José sighed, choosing to sit on the floor in front of Donald. “You never talk about them. I hear everything from Della’s perspective.” He smiled and nudged Donald’s foot with his own, “Help me understand, my friend.” 

Donald grumbled, and José could tell he was in for a rant. “First of all, they always sound simple at first. Just a quick trip through the jungle! It’ll only take a day or two! I swear !” José laughs at Donald’s impression of Della. “Then next thing you know, there’s a witch, or a ghost, or, or-”

“A curse?” José offered, trying to stifle his laughter. 

“A CURSE!” Donald pointed at him, a scowl forming on his face, “And then it turns into a whole new thing that never ends! There’s always some clue, or artifact, or treasure! Ugh! I haven’t even gone over all the death traps. Sure, most of them are predictable, but that’s not taking into account all the nutso contraptions Glomgold throws our way. I swear that guy stalks us. And if it’s not Glomgold it’s whatever villain of the week Uncle Scrooge has breathing down our necks.” 

José hummed, “When you put it like that, adventures do sound like a pain, eh? But there must be some things you like about it, Donald.” He leaned back and stared up at the ceiling, “You get to travel all over the world! Ah, I would love to travel..”

Donald’s scowl lessened slightly as he watched a dreamy look glaze over his friend’s face, “... I guess. I get to see some pretty cool places. Though it’s not like we get to do fun touristy stuff… well except for.” He smiled and pointed under his bed, “Grab that box for me.”

“Oh Donald, is this your collection of dirty magazines? How saucy.” José chuckled, scooting back a bit on the floor to grab at the box.

“N-No!” Donald tried to hide the blush forming on his face as he took the box from José. “These are, uh, my little collection.” He hesitated for a moment before prying open the box and tilting it towards José. 

José smiled at him, a warmth in his eyes, “Postcards! Are these from everywhere you have been? There are so many!” He reached in and pulled a few out, “You have been to Barcelona? You must tell me what it was like!”

“Beautiful.” Donald answered honestly, feeling a surge of pride rise in his chest. His postcards meant a lot to him, though he’d never admit it to anyone. No matter what happened during the journey he could look back at the postcards and remember the beauty of the cities he went to. They were the perfect time capsules. 

Silence fell over the two as they mindlessly shifted through the box, José occasionally made a noise of amazement and stared dreamily at the pictures. From what little José spoke of his youth, Donald knew he hadn’t been anywhere outside of Brazil until his move to Duckberg. He also knew that José had a fondness for learning about other cultures. A ping of guilt shot through Donald as he realized how he must have sounded as he complained about getting to travel all over the world. 

He was startled out of his thinking when José suddenly looked up at him. “Donald… have you ever been to Bahia?” The parrot was holding a card from Rio de Janeiro in one hand and one from São Paulo in the other.

“I don’t think so. Doesn’t sound familiar.” Donald admitted, “Why do you ask?”

“Ahh,” José sighed wistfully, “I ask because I would very much like to go there. I have never been either.” He shuffled the cards in his hands absentmindedly, his tone going soft. “My parents,” Donald sat up, having never heard his friend mention his parents before, “They met in Bahia. My mother once told me she fell in love with the city as much as she did with my father.” José's smile faltered for a moment, “It is one of the only times my mother has thought fondly of love, I believe.” He was quick to recover, the easy smile returning to his beak. “I think there must be something magical about that place.” 

Donald felt his heart rate start to pick up. “Magical?”

José didn't respond right away, instead he stood slowly and walked back to the window. He looked lost in his own thoughts with a glaze in his eyes. “When I fall in love,” José leaned his arms against the windowsill, closing his eyes as the breeze rustled his feathers, “I will go to Bahia… and I will confess all my feelings to the one I hold dear. And then we will dance all night.”

Donald locked away the memory of José at the windowsill, and held it close to his heart. 

---

The adventure in Japan was every bit as terrible as Donald suspected it would be, but he really only had himself to blame for caving when Uncle Scrooge himself asked him to come along. He had a suspicion that Della had been the reason for that. Despite everything, he had been impressed with Della’s ability to safely fly the cargo plane. Not impressed enough to not mourn the loss of his precious vacation time though. His only solace was the small disposable camera he had brought along with him. Donald had wanted to take some pictures to show José when he got back. Their classes would be starting up soon, and they had agreed to meet up when he got back to buy textbooks together. 

“Donald, how beautiful!” José shifted through the stack of photos Donald had picked up from the corner store where he had the camera developed. Donald beamed, feeling like the trip might have been worth it in the end if he got to see his friend smile like that.

They had met up in their usual spot at a local burger joint and sat outside under one of the tacky red and yellow umbrella tables. Donald was working through his burger while José picked away at his order of fries. The monotony of Duckburg was comforting after spending time away, and Donald found his spirits much higher than they had been in days. 

“Yeah, and get this, the treasure was practically worthless. It held no monetary value, and Scrooge just ended up donating it to the local museum.” Donald chuckled, remembering the look of horror on his uncle’s face when they had found the old artifact. “It didn’t have any magical properties either, trust me I asked.”

José looked up at him, “I still cannot get over how casually you talk about things like magic. You know most people do not believe in it?”

“Most people haven’t seen what I’ve seen.” Donald grumbled, taking another bite of his burger. 

José shrugged, pulling all the photos together and stacking them neatly before sliding the stack towards Donald, “Thank you for showing me these. If it is alright, could I keep this one?” He pointed to the photo on the top of the stack, and Donald almost choked. It was a photo Della had taken after sneakily taking the camera from his bag. Donald was standing next to Scrooge, both of them obviously arguing over the map they were both holding.

“Why?” Donald frowned at it.

“I think it is funny.” José admitted, an unreadable expression on his face like always.

Donald tried not to read too much into it, “Knock yourself out, buddy.” He watched as José carefully folded the photo and slid it into a pocket on his over the shoulder bag. Donald was surprised to see José dig a little deeper and pull out a small package. 

“Oh, before I forget, here you go my friend.” José held it out with an uncharacteristically bashful smile. 

“This isn’t a trick is it?” Donald narrowed his eyes at it, “What’s this about?”

José looked confused, blinking at him before pushing the package into his hands, “No tricks. It’s a gift for your birthday.”

Donald’s grip on the package tightened, “M-My birthday? How did you know my birthday was today?” In all honesty, Donald had almost forgotten himself. He had never had much luck on his birthdays, so he had taken to ignoring them and hoping his bad luck would spare him for once.

“Della.” José shrugged, “She told me your birthday was coming up so I got you a gift, was that ok?”

Donald nodded quickly, not wanting to seem ungrateful. “Of course. Thanks pal!” He carefully unwrapped his gift and pulled out a small notebook. The cover of it caught his eye. It was a watercolor painting of Duckburg’s city skyline. “Wow, this is really cool! I can use this to write my songs. Where’d you get it?”

José waved a hand, “Nowhere special. I am glad you like it. Happy birthday, Donald.”

The way he said it, with such fondness in his tone, caused the white feathers on Donald’s cheeks to look a little redder than usual. He smiled down at his gift and ran a hand across it. The cover was ever so slightly damp, and he gasped. “José did you paint this yourself??”

“Maybe.” And José had the gall to wink at him, “Hurry and finish your burger, we are going to be late meeting the rooster.”

Any joy Donald had been feeling at receiving his gift seemed to drain out of him at the reminder. Upon returning home, José had told him his new roommate would be arriving the day they had planned to get textbooks and he wanted to invite him along to help him get used to the campus. Donald hated meeting new people, and from what little he knew of the guy he wasn’t going to be a fan. José described his emails as disjointed and excitable. All they had to go by appearances was that he was a rooster who would be waiting around the train station with a guitar case strapped to his back. What if the guy was a jerk? Then they’d be stuck with him all day. 

“You are making a face,” José snickered, “Come now, it will be fun!” He stood and gathered his trash, “You cannot be anxious of every little thing now.”

Watch me. Donald thought to himself, but followed José’s lead. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his car keys as they approached his busted up station wagon. The car had been a gift for him and his sister when they turned 16. Of course Uncle Scrooge would give them the cheapest car he could find in all of Duckburg. Donald was surprised it lasted this long, but he took good care of it. Sure, sometimes it took an extra turn or two of his key to actually get it running, but a crappy car was better than no car. 

As they set out towards the train station, José suddenly sat up in his seat. Donald glanced at him worriedly before returning his eyes to the road.

“What’s up?” He turned the music he had been blaring down, “Don’t like Geezer?”

José shook his head, “You and Della! You are twins!”

“Wow, great detective work.”

“No, no,” José frowned, “You share a birthday. I didn’t realize until just now. I didn’t get Della a present.”

“Pfft.” Donald couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Dumbella will live. She gets plenty of presents from her fan club of a friend group.”

José sank back into his seat, “She does have a lot of friends. Still, I will get her something small I think. I do not want to be rude.”

“Whatever man.”

It wasn’t long until they were approaching the train station, and Donald parked the car. He could feel a pit growing in his stomach with how nervous he was. José must have sensed it because he patted Donald’s shoulder reassuringly. 

“We do not want to keep him waiting, yes? Let’s go!” 

They wandered towards the crowd of people gathered around the platform looking into the crowd for any sign of their new ‘friend’. José lit a cigarette and started humming some unfamiliar tune. Donald wanted to ask José what the guy’s name was, but he had a faint memory of José telling him and didn’t want to embarrass himself by asking again. Instead he walked slightly ahead of José and shoved his hands into his hoodie pocket. He let out a quack when José suddenly tossed an arm around his shoulders and started waving, a big smile on his beak. 

“There he is Donald!” José sounded excited, but Donald couldn’t focus on much other than how close they were.

Still he lifted his head enough to follow José’s line of sight to- oh. Donald’s eyes widened a bit as he locked eyes with a tall, lanky rooster waving right back at them. There was no missing that impressive looking guitar case strapped to his back, or the brightest smile Donald had ever seen in his entire life. He was pulling along a large trunk, no doubt filled to the brim if the jeans sticking out the side were any indicator. The dusty flannel shirt he was wearing looked two sizes too small, which might have been why he hadn’t even bothered to button it up. It felt like time sped up and before he properly registered it, the rooster was standing right in front of them. He spread his arms out wide and pulled José and Donald into a tight hug. Donald heard José chuckle next to him, a little too close, and pushed back from the two.

“Saludos, amigos!” He all but yelled, pulling back from his monster of a hug. He grabbed José’s hand and started shaking it. Donald snickered at the way José’s whole body shook with the force of it. 

José, as always, took it in stride, “Welcome to Duckburg, Panchito!” Donald thanked whatever God was listening that he wouldn’t have to ask for his name, “I am José, and this here is Donald.” He looked Panchito up and down, as if assessing him.

“Donald Duck!” Panchito turned to him, and Donald shrunk back slightly, “Oh, I have heard some things about you!” He leaned in, “José wrote that you were a brave adventurer! Is that true?”

Donald gave José a look before replying, “Uh, sorta. I wouldn’t say that… exactly…”

“He is modest.” José patted Donald’s shoulder a little harder than usual. “How was the journey?”

“Very long!” Panchito sure didn’t look like someone who had just been on a long trip. In fact he looked more energized than Della did after her morning coffee. “It was very exciting. I met lots of new people on the train.”

Donald frowned. Normally when he had to ride in a train he did everything in his power to avoid talking to anyone, including his own family. “Didn’t the trip take a few days? Why didn’t you take a plane?”

Panchito answered immediately, giggling all the while, “Because! It sounded more fun this way! Plus, I had never been on a train before.”

“What’s your review?” José asked, smiling up at Panchito.

The rooster held out two thumbs up and raised them high, “10 out of 10 my friends! I would highly recommend it to anyone.”

José started laughing in that warm way Donald desperately sought after. The fact that Panchito was able to get him to laugh like that within two minutes of meeting him made Donald’s blood boil. He decided he didn’t like Panchito, but refused to think too deeply about why. Donald had long ago convinced himself that the odd feeling in his chest that rose when he was around José was nothing more than feelings of friendship. He was one of the only real friends he had, so of course he would be a bit protective. Right?

“Panchito, I hope you do not mind me saying this but your English is very impressive.” José gestured towards himself, “I am self taught, so I do not always feel the most confident.”

Donald gawked at him. José rarely admitted any personal failings, especially to people he just met. 

Panchito placed a hand on José’s shoulder, “Don’t be silly, your English is great!” Donald had a sudden urge to slap Panchito’s hand away, but he squashed it. “Thank you for saying so, but I feel you are more impressive for being self taught. You see, my abuelito has a farm in Dallas! I spent most of my summers there as a kid.”

“Oh, how wonderful.” José seemed to lean a little closer, “That must have been fun.”

“Tons of fun,” Panchito suddenly rounded on Donald, pulling his hand from José and causing the parrot to stumble slightly, “Hey, Donald, is it true you went to Japan recently?”

Donald tried not to be annoyed that José had apparently been telling this guy his life’s story, “Uh. Yeah. I have pictures if you wanna see. They’re in the car.”

Panchito let out a yell and grabbed his trunk. “What are we waiting for then! Let’s go!”

---

Donald gripped the steering wheel a little tighter when Panchito yelled out for the fifth time since they entered the car. Panchito was sitting in the back seat eagerly looking through the pictures Donald had been showing José not even an hour ago. The guy was too damn excitable, and it aggravated Donald. They were headed to the dorms to drop off Panchito’s things before going on a walk around campus. He wondered if he could survive the day without having a total meltdown.

“Wow, you’re so lucky Donald! I would love to visit Japan one day, it looks beautiful. Oh!” Panchito held up a photo, “Who’s this?”

José glanced back from the passenger seat, “That is Della, Donald’s sister. She is lovely, I do hope you get to meet her.”

“She’s cute.” Panchito smiled, “I guess good looks run in the family.”

Donald blushed, “What’s that supposed to mean?? Are you making fun of me?” 

“No, I’m not.” And Donald was startled by how sincere he sounded. His grip on the wheel loosened a bit. Maybe he had been a bit too quick to judge. 

“Oh.” He stared ahead at the road, “... do you like Geezer?”

“I’ve heard a few songs, but I’m not too familiar. Do you have a CD?” he could hear Panchito shifting forward in his seat.

Donald chuckled and pointed at the tape player. “I have a cassette. This car isn’t exactly the most up to date.”

“Old school, cool! Play some, I love hearing new music.” 

“Alright then, prepare to be blown away!” Donald pressed play on the tape player and turned the volume up. 

He couldn’t help but tap his hand to the beat of the song. Normally he would sing along but he didn’t know if he could handle the embarrassment of somebody he just met hearing his awful singing. That anxiety was apparently not shared by José who began to sing by the time the chorus came along. Donald’s stomach did a little flip, he had always thought José had a nice singing voice. It was soft and airy, the total opposite of his own singing. Surprisingly, Panchito began to tap against the back of Donald’s seat. He was beating a steady rhythm as if he were feeling out the song. Emboldened by the action, Donald opened his beak and started to sing along with José. He hoped the parrot’s voice would drown him out enough.

José smiled at him and started singing a little louder as if to challenge him to do the same. Well, Donald had always been the competitive type. He started to raise his volume as well. It didn’t take long before they were both practically yelling out the song, and when it ended they burst into a fit of laughter, Panchito included.

“You didn’t tell me you two were so musically gifted.” Panchito clapped, “We must have a jam session one of these days.”

“Thank you thank you,” José blew kisses into the air, “We will be here all week.”

Donald felt a laugh escape him, and the knot in his chest seemed to loosen a bit. He pulled into the underground parking lot beneath the dormitories and parked in an empty visitor lost. Panchito was the first to hop out of the car and start unloading. He was already blabbing about how excited he was to see his new room. Donald tuned him out, but still offered to carry his guitar case for him. José led the way up the stairs into the building and through the crowded corridors. He pointed out the laundry room and bathrooms to Panchito before leading them up another flight of stairs. They stopped in front of a door in the next hallway and José fished out some keys from his pocket. 

“Welcome to your new home,” José announced dramatically, pulling open the door and gesturing inside the room. Donald had visited José here a dozen times, and often wished he lived in the cramped dorm rather than back at the mansion. To him, it was cozy. The kitchen only consisted of a sink, a small fridge, and a microwave. Donald moved into the living room, or what could be called that. It was a tiny space attached to the kitchen with a small, worn-out couch and an even smaller TV. He had spent a lot of late nights watching old action movies with José and laughing at the bad acting and special effects. A voice in the back of his head told him that those movie nights would never be the same now that Panchito was around, but he shushed that voice and focused on helping Panchito move his trunk through the doorway. 

Panchito whistled, “This is a lot nicer than I was expecting, to be honest.”

“That’s because José is a neat freak.” Donald snickered, “You should see what some of the other dorm rooms look like. I heard one guy has a stack of pizza boxes that’s so high it touches the ceiling.”

“It’s true, I’ve seen it.” José winced, “He calls it Mt. Pizza. Not very original if you ask me.”

After shoving Panchito’s things into his room, the three of them headed back out. José handed Panchito the second set of keys as they headed downstairs. Conversation flowed easily between the three of them, and Donald was surprised to find himself grinning the whole walk over to their school campus. His anxieties from earlier in the day started to melt away and he wondered if it had anything to do with that infectious smile that seemed to be permanently attached to Panchito’s beak. Whatever it was, he was glad for the feeling… and he hoped it never went away.

Chapter Text

The room was far too quiet for Donald’s liking. He stared down at his plate and pushed his half eaten mashed potatoes around in an attempt to distract from it. There was no hiding from the heavy silence that filled the dining room though. Even Della who would usually be chattering nonstop about something or the other seemed to be trying to get through dinner as fast as possible. Donald heard his uncle put down his fork, but before the silence was broken Mrs. Beakley, a recent hire Donald was still getting used to seeing around the mansion, entered the room and placed a small cake in the middle of the table. 

“A small dessert. Courtesy of your uncle, to celebrate the start of the semester.” She announced and then took her leave. 

Donald glared at the cake. So that was his uncle’s game then. He tried to give Della a look, hoping his twin would pick up on the meaning of it. There was no stopping Della Duck when cake was involved though and before she could catch his eyes she was already grabbing a slice. Donald sighed and pushed his plate to the side before grabbing one himself. If you can’t beat em....

Uncle Scrooge cleared his throat loudly, “Glad to see you kids sticking around for once instead of running off to your rooms as soon as you finish your meal.” The twins shared a look before returning their attention to their cake. “You know, Della told me something interesting the other day.”

There was a choking sound from Della, who looked a lot like a deer in headlights. She swallowed and raised a hand defensively, “Hold on! You’re making it sound like I’m a snitch, and trust me Donald I’m not-”

Donald felt his heart sink. This was about him then, wasn’t it? He tried to keep calm and rolled his eyes, “I don’t care what Della told you.”

"Well, I do. She told me-" he paused when Della coughed a 'mentioned', "... she mentioned that you were taking a music theory class this semester.”

“Of all things to casually mention...”, Donald grumbled. He took an aggressive bite of his cake as he tried to calm himself. It would do him no favors if he lost his temper now. His uncle so graciously paid for half of his tuition with the promise that Donald would take classes that would help him find a good paying job. Unfortunately, that meant taking a slew of boring business classes. “It’s just one fun class, so I don’t lose my mind staring at numbers all day.”

Scrooge narrowed his eyes, “I’m worried you’re not going into your classes with the proper attitude. You don’t need any distractions.”

The heat in Donald’s chest seemed to rise. He gripped his fork with a little more force than necessary and seriously considered chucking it at his uncle. Della seemed to sense his rising anger because she slapped a hand down at the table, effectively drawing Scrooge’s attention to her. 

“Oh so what if he takes a little music class. Successful people have to be skilled in a lot of things, right?” Della spoke through a mouthful of cake, “C’mon uncle Scrooge, loosen up.”

The mood in the room lightened considerably as Scrooge seemed to consider her words. Still, Donald’s temper wasn’t settled that easily. He felt like a child who needed his sister’s help against a bully. The feeling infuriated him. 

“I suppose you’re right. I was just expressing some worry is all.” Scrooge stood and grabbed the rest of the cake. Della looked devastated, obviously having wanted to grab another piece or two. “Have a nice night you two.” 

Donald watched him walk all the way out of the room before turning to Della, his anger flaring, “Thanks a lot Dumbella.” 

Her mouth fell open, “You can’t seriously think I thought something like that would happen right??” 

“I don’t know! Maybe!! Stop flapping your beak about my business anyway!” Donald hissed, his face getting red with rage.

“You’re unbelievable.” Della frowned and stood from her seat. “You’re lucky I was here to stop it from escalating.”

Donald stood quickly, fists clenched. “I don’t need your help! I could’ve handled it.”

His sister didn’t look convinced. Della rolled her eyes and left the room, mumbling something to herself. Donald’s chest rose and fell quickly and for a moment he considered following Della to continue the argument. This was normal for them, and in a way it was comforting. A screaming match would surely make the dreadful feeling in his heart go away, right? He let out a long breath and felt some heat drain away. A voice in the back of his head told him to go apologize to his sister, but he ignored it. 

He always did.

---

Getting a hold of José was a nearly impossible task. Not only did the guy not have a phone but he was rarely ever in his dorm. Donald had circled the campus twice looking for him. They usually met up for lunch, and he hadn’t had any luck finding him in the usual spots. Finally he gave up and trudged his way to the library to find a quiet corner to eat in. As he walked in he stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of José sitting at the front desk. He was talking animatedly to a girl Donald recognized from one of his classes. She was scribbling something on a slip of paper and walked off after handing it to José. Donald approached the desk and cleared his throat to alert José to his presence.

José looked up from where he was grinning at the slip of paper and gasped, “Oh! Donald! How has this first week been for you, my friend?”

“It’s, uh, been fine.” Donald scratched at his neck, “That was Carla right? I have her in my marketing class.” He wasn’t sure why he asked about her. Donald had a feeling he wouldn’t like the answer.

His friend chuckled and waved the paper at Donald, “Yes, and she just gave me her number.”

There was an unpleasant tug at Donald’s heart that he refused to acknowledge, “Great going, now you just need a phone to call her with.”

José leaned across the desk towards Donald, “Surely you wouldn’t mind letting me borrow yours.” He walked his fingers up Donald’s chest, and the duck let out a quack.

“Knock it off.” Donald slapped his hand away, causing José to laugh. “What are you doing here anyway?”

“I decided to get a part time job, and they needed help here. Not that it pays well, but it is convenient not having to leave campus .” José sighed, “Though I am getting antsy. Want to join me outside? I could use a smoke.”

Donald glanced at the elderly librarian who was organizing a pile of books behind José. “Is that ok? Won’t you get in trouble?”

His friend laughed and without another word turned to approach the older woman. “Oh Miss Roman?”

She turned to smile at him, “José I told you, goodness, it’s missus! I’m married!”

“Ah and what a shame that is.” José took her hand and gave it a kiss, “I will be stepping out for a moment.”

If Donald hadn’t seen José pull the same trick about a dozen other times on a dozen other women, he might have been shocked when the librarian let him leave without batting an eye. They found a quiet spot in the grass behind the library building and Donald slumped against the brick wall before pulling out the sandwich he had jammed in his bag before leaving the mansion that morning. José slid down to sit next to him, their shoulders bumping as he found a comfortable sitting position. Donald did everything he could to focus on unwrapping his sandwich rather than let his mind wander to thoughts of how close the two of them were sitting. He took a frustrated bite of his sandwich and stared ahead, refusing to meet José’s eyes . The thumping in his chest that usually accompanied him whenever he was near José was so loud he worried his friend would hear it.

“Are you excited for today?” José asked before lighting the cigarette hanging out of his beak.

He was caught off guard by the question and took a moment to swallow what was in his mouth, “What do you mean?”

José tilted his head at him, his eyebrows knotting in confusion, “Today is the first day you go to your music class, right?”

Shit. That was right. “To be honest with you, I kind of forgot.” He looked down at his feet and shuffled them uncomfortably, “I’m thinking of dropping out of the class actually.”

“What?” José frowned, “Panchito is going to be pretty bummed if you don’t go.”

Ah yes, Donald had also almost forgotten about what he had learned when the three of them were buying textbooks last weekend. How could he forget though when Panchito had trilled excitedly when he realized Donald and him were holding the same ‘Beginners Guide to Music Theory’ book. The thought made a knot form in his stomach. Donald might not have hated the guy but if there was one thing he had learned about Panchito during their brief time together it was that he was unashamedly blunt which Donald found intimidating. As far as he could tell, Panchito wasn’t putting on any act. Donald envied that more than anything. How easy it must be for him to fit in and make friends. Just like Della. They’d probably be good friends even. That thought somehow made him more upset.

He realized a little too late that he hadn’t given José a response, but before he could think of anything to say José let out a sigh.

“Panchito is… a funny guy.” José was staring ahead, lost in a sea of his own thoughts. 

Donald swallowed, “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” José’s beak slowly turned into a smile, and Donald stared. He knows he shouldn’t think it, not about his best friend, but he does. He thinks… José’s smile is beautiful. 

The thought was invasive, and unwelcome in his mind. Many thoughts like it crowd his brain, desperately pushing at each other for attention he refuses to give them. There wasn’t a word for what he felt like when he was with José, but if there was it was lost in that crowd. His friend meant a lot to him, meant something to him, but anytime he tried to dive deeper into those unknown waters he would come up gasping for air. The depth was frightening, and every time he got a little closer to the bottom he could feel something loosening in his heart. 

Did José understand this? Did he feel anything like how Donald felt? Were the moments of silence they shared actually filled with deep conversations between their souls? If Donald were as brave as José made him out to be, he might have asked. José’s shoulder nudging against him brought him back to reality, and he took another bite at his sandwich.

“Did you hear what I said?” José asked, having obviously noticed Donald spacing out.

“Sorry, what did you say?” Donald blushed at being caught in his thoughts.

José just shrugged and took a drag of his cigarette before continuing, “I was just saying how much of a morning person Panchito is. He actually spends time making breakfast. I’m pretty sure he has a lot of early classes.”

Donald found himself asking before he could think too much about it, “Has he been a good roommate? Like, are you getting along?”

“Hmm. He is loud sometimes.” José admitted, though there was a playfulness in his voice, “At least he doesn’t make too much of a mess like my last roommate. However…”

“However?”

José looked like he was holding back a laugh, “Panchito walks around the dorm without a shirt on. You would think he was raised in a barn.”

Donald snorted, “He sorta was if he spent as much time at his grandpa’s ranch as he claimed.” 

“Ugh, don’t get him started on that. For your own sanity.” José turned to him, “The other day he went on for hours about horseback riding. He even showed me a picture of his horse. If you ask me, he’s in love with it.”

Better a horse than your best friend, was all Donald could think. 

—-

Anxiety was a tough beast to tackle because, unlike the many dozens of mythical beasts Donald had encountered on his adventures, you couldn’t actually tackle it. His stomach twisted into unpleasant knots as he made his way to his next class. The staircase leading down into the basement of the building was full of students lounging around in between classes, and Donald did his best to squeeze his way through. Before he could find the correct room, he felt a finger tap at his back.

With a quack, he turned around quickly to meet Panchito, who was leaning over slightly to match Donald’s height, and his bright smile. Something flipped inside his stomach as he met Panchito’s shiny eyes.

“Donald!” he crowed, “How are you? You look glowing!”

That comment almost made Donald’s temper boil. He was certain the bags under his eyes and scowl on his face didn’t make him look glowing . “I’m fine.”

Panchito straightened up and waggled his eyebrows at Donald, “You sure are! Come on, class is going to start soon. Let’s sit together!”

It wasn’t a question. Panchito grabbed Donald’s hand and practically dragged him down the hallway. Being around the rooster made the world feel like someone had pressed the fast forward button on the world’s remote and before he could fully wrap his head around it Donald found himself sitting in a small classroom. The room was slowly filling with other students, some were carrying instruments. Donald noticed the same guitar case from the train station resting on the ground by Panchito’s feet. In an effort to fill the silence between them with conversation, he pointed at it.

“How long have you been playing?” 

If Donald thought Panchito had been smiling before it was nothing compared to how bright his face suddenly got. “I’ve been playing since I was a kid. My papa taught me.” He patted the case with fondness, “He gave me this guitar when I started college. It was his way of wishing me luck I guess.”

“Oh.” Donald felt like he was intruding on information much too personal, but Panchito didn’t seem to mind. “So you haven’t had it long then?” 

Panchito shook his head, “It’s only been a few years.”

“This isn’t your first year?” Donald’s eyes widened when Panchito shook his head, “How old are you then?”

“You shouldn’t ask questions like that! How rude.” Panchito giggled, “I’m kidding. I’m 23.”

Only three years older than José and him then. “Cool. Uh…” He fiddled with his hands, unsure of what to say next. His eyes roamed the room and landed on someone listening to a CD player in the corner. “What kind of music do you like?”

“Hmm.” Panchito leaned back in his seat and put his feet up on the desk. “I like all sorts of music. Mostly folksy, indie songs, but I like music you can dance to the most. Music is really powerful! It can create a physical sensation in your body.”

Donald smiled, “Yeah! Totally!” The knots in Donald’s stomach untangled slightly, “I like music that makes you feel a strong emotion. That’s why I like a lot of garage rock. There’s something so raw about it you know?” 

“I know exactly what you mean! We need to hang out and introduce each other to some new sounds.” Panchito tilted his head, “Do you play anything?”

“Sort of. I can play a lot of different instruments actually, but I’m not great at any of them.” Donald admitted. Picking up an instrument and trying to figure it out was one of his favorite pastimes, but with no proper practicing or learning he was an amatuer musician at best. “I want to learn more about music. It makes me happy, and not a lot makes me happy.”

As the words left his mouth, Donald wanted to grab them and shove them back in. He couldn’t believe he had admitted something so personal to Panchito. There was something about those kind eyes that made him want to bare his soul. It reminded him of how he had rambled on and on to José about his family problems one late night months ago. He had felt embarrassed about it back then, and that familiar flush returned to his face now.

“... I’m glad you found something to make you happy.” Panchito said in a low voice, and the pure genuineness of it made Donald’s heart skip. “Come over this weekend, let’s hang out. I’m sure José won’t mind.”

Again, it wasn’t a question, and even if it was Donald wouldn’t say no to it.

---

“I hope you have fun at your sleepover!” Della teased, following Donald down the stairs. 

Donald’s cheeks burned red, “It’s not a sleepover. We’re adults, it’s just an overnight hang out.” 

Della put a hand to her chin and nodded, “Hm, hm, yes. I see! Forgive me, Mr. Duck! I didn’t know I was speaking to an adult.” 

With a huff, Donald pulled his backpack straps closer to his body. He wasn’t going to let Della’s teasing ruin his surprisingly good mood. True to Panchito’s word, José had no problem with Donald coming over for the weekend and even encouraged him to stay the night. It wasn’t the first time Donald had spent the night at José’s dorm, but the addition of Panchito made the night feel more exciting. Is this what having friends was like?

“Hey, don’t forget about Sunday night.” Della jostled his shoulder, “I’ll be bummed out if you do.”

Right. His dear old Uncle Scrooge had insisted they spend Sunday night playing board games together. He had some crazy notion that they weren’t spending enough ‘family time’ together. Donald was sure it was just an excuse to nag him about his classes again, but he was just as competitive as both Della and Scrooge so there was no way he was chickening out of it. 

“I won’t forget.” Donald pushed her hand away as he finally made it to the front door. “Um. Della?”

Della blinked at him, surprised by the sudden change in his tone, “Yeah, bud? Something wrong?”

He pulled his face into the most pathetic looking frown he could manage, “I…”

She put a hand over her heart, “Donald you can tell me anything. I promise not to spill any secrets.”

“... I’m borrowing all your Zombie Slayer movies, thanks, bye!” With no hesitation he threw the front door open and bolted outside towards the car. 

Della gasped and started chasing after him, “YOU LITTLE THIEF! GET BACK HERE!!”

Donald fumbled getting the keys out of his pocket, and nearly dropped them when he finally succeeded. He could hear his sister gaining on him so he quickly hopped in the front seat and shoved the key in the ignition. A triumphant laugh escaped his beak when the car came to life and he started to pull away. He rolled the window down and waved at Della, who looked steamed.

“I also raided your snack hoard, bye Dumbella!” Donald snickered, sticking his tongue out.

“JUST WAIT UNTIL I BEAT YOUR ASS AT SCROOGEOPOLY! THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY!!” Della stopped running after him and raised a fist to the sky, “NO ONE GETS AWAY FROM STEALING FROM DELLA DUCK!”

As Donald pulled out of the mansion property and started the drive towards the college he couldn’t help the giddy laughter that seemed to flow out of him. Excitement prickled his skin, he couldn’t believe he managed to pull a fast one on his sister. Really she should blame herself because he learned the trick from her. In fact he had witnessed her pull it on Mrs. Beakley for the first time just the other night. The look in the older woman’s eyes told Donald it would be the first and only time it ever worked.

Caught in his thoughts, Donald almost missed the turn into the public parking lot across the street from José’s dorm building. He pulled into an empty spot and parked the care before grabbing his backpack and stepping out into the early night. It wasn’t very dark yet. The sky was mixing into a dull pink and blue overhead. The prickling excitement of the evening only grew as he made his way along the familiar path to José’s room. When he found himself standing in front of his door, he could hear muffled music and singing from the other side. With a calming breath he knocked on the wooden door.

Almost instantly it flew open to reveal Panchito, who was only wearing some dingy looking sweatpants and a stained apron with faded letters spelling out “kiss the cook”. The music he had heard through the door hit him at full force as Panchito pulled Donald into the room and spun him around excitedly.

“Donald! You’re here!” He laughed, “¡Caramba! What took you so long?”

When his head stopped spinning from Panchito’s enthusiastic greeting he took a look around the familiar room. Not much had changed since he was last there, José obviously still kept the place neat, but a few of Panchito’s things were strewn around. There was an old game console by the TV now, and a stack of unlabeled VHS tapes next to it. What really caught Donald’s attention was the wonderful smell floating through the small dorm. He turned back to face Panchito, almost forgetting that he had asked him a question.

“Huh? Oh I had to get my things together and sneak some movies away from my sister.” Donald chuckled at the memory, “Where’s José? And what’s that smell?”

Panchito beamed, “I’m making curry for dinner! It’s a recipe I’ve been wanting to try.” He cocked his head, “José went outside for a smoke, I’m surprised you didn’t see him on your way in!”

Donald shrugged and walked further in, tossing his backpack at the foot of the couch. “You like cooking then?” He didn’t really care about the answer if he was being honest, but a conversation was better than awkward silence.

“Oh I LOVE cooking!” Panchito turned down the music blaring from the small boom box he had set on the dingy little table Donald had seen José eat at a dozen times. “I have a lot of little siblings so I used to help my mama out in the kitchen.” 

“I can’t cook to save my life. Unless you want to count toast, and even that I burn.” Donald plopped his arms against the kitchen counter and rested his chin against them. 

“All it takes is a little practice. It’s a useful thing to know after all.” 

“What do you mean by that?”

Panchito shrugged, “Well, knowing how to cook is good because then you can cook for others. My mama is a dentist you see, and she works long hours. I wanted to get better at cooking so that she wouldn’t have to when she got home. Plus, I feel really happy when people eat my cooking and like it. My big sister even admires it!”

Donald stared at Panchito who had started to dish out rice onto a few plates. He wondered why Panchito, who had such a loving family, would decide to go to school all the way in Duckburg. He wanted to ask, but decided to reword the question.

“Cool uh.” He tapped a tuneless beat against the counter, “Is there any reason you decided to come to school here?”

At this question, Panchito laughed. “Sorry, are you asking why I would want to study music at one of the most prestigious colleges in America?” 

Donald blushed, “Stupid question.”

“No no, I’m sorry for laughing. It just caught me off guard.” He shook his head, “Enough about me though. Eat up.”

A plate of curry slid up next to Donald, and he almost commented that he didn’t ask for any. Instead he took the fork Panchito offered him and started to eat. Something in his gut told him that Panchito knew if he had asked, Donald would have said no. As he took his first bite, he was glad he hadn’t refused. 

Through a mouthful of rice he spoke, “This is delicious!!”

Panchito’s chest puffed out with pride, “Thank you! I think it’s a little too salty but I’m glad you like it. Not too bad for my first attempt, eh?” 

Donald nodded, hungrily shoving a few more bites into his beak before pointing at the boom box at the table, “What were you listening to?”

At the question, Panchito became a bit bashful. “Oh, it’s an old CD. Just the best hits of Tweeto Puente! He’s one of my abuelito’s favorites. Kinda old school though.”

“No, it’s cool.” Donald tried not to spray his food everywhere as he reassured his friend.

Panchito took his apron off and threw it over a chair before grabbing a plate for himself. “I hope José comes back in soon. His food is gonna get cold.” He smiled at Donald, “Though I don’t mind spending time alone with you.”

It would have been hard for Donald to miss the way his heart suddenly jumped to his throat, but he had months of practice ignoring feelings like that. His face felt a little hotter at that moment, and for a second his eyes wandered to Panchito’s shirtless chest. Before he could be caught staring, he quickly returned his attention to his food.

“Uh. Yeah.” Donald swallowed a little too fast and started coughing.

Panchito sprang to action, running behind Donald and wrapping his arms around his chest, “Don’t worry! I know how to do the Heimlich movement!”

“W-Wait!” Donald tried to stop him between coughs.

“I see you two are having fun.” 

Donald didn’t even have to look to know José was standing in the front doorway, smirking at the scene in front of him. His cheeks burned with embarrassment and he quickly pushed himself away from Panchito. Despite how much he tried to forget, he could still feel the ghost of Panchito’s arms around him. Avoiding eye contact with either of them, Donald grumbled.

“Panchito thought I was choking, that's all.”

José hummed like he didn’t quite believe him, and damn did that just make Donald’s cheeks burn even brighter. Anger was not an uncommon emotion to accompany Donald when he was embarrassed, and he shoved the flame that was starting to ignite deep down into his stomach. It was one thing to get into screaming matches with his sister, but he didn’t think he could forgive himself if he yelled at José. A hand on his shoulder made him jolt, and he turned to meet a sympathetic smile from Panchito.

To his credit, he looked just as embarrassed as Donald felt. “Sorry amigo. I shouldn’t have just grabbed you like that.” 

“It’s fine.” He said quickly. It wasn’t fine but he’d say anything to move on from the situation.

José cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him. “So, is that fun little hug included with dinner, Panchinho?” 

“Haha!” Panchito seemed to laugh a little harder than necessary, and Donald couldn’t help but notice a faint blush appear on his cheeks, “You’re such a kidder, José. Here let me make you a plate.”

Donald watched with careful eyes as Panchito hurried back towards the kitchen. It would have been hard for him to miss the way José’s gaze followed the lanky rooster as he went by. His skin prickled with a sudden flare of jealousy. Was José interested in Panchito? No, that couldn’t be right. José wasn’t… José liked girls. Donald was almost sure of that. If the months of watching José flirt with any girl who crossed his path told him anything it was that José Carioca was VERY interested in girls. The thought both placated him and made his anxiety rise. 

Desperate to get José’s attention, he grabbed his friend’s arm. “Hey, guess what I stole from my sister’s VHS collection.”

“Oh Donald,” José grinned, placing a hand over his and subsequently making Donald’s heart do a backflip, “please tell me it’s Zombie Slayer 1 through 5.”

Donald nodded, “That’s right. I hope you’re ready for the best movie night ever.”

“Zombie Slayer?” Panchito tilted his head as he approached with a plate for José. “What’s that?”

José took the plate from him, “Thank you for this.” He leaned against the wall, “The Zombie Slayer series is only the most cheesy, beautifully gorey b-horror movie series ever released. It sold so poorly that copies of it are hard to find.”

“My sister has all of them but she’s so stingy about her things she’s never let me borrow it.” Donald took over the explanation, excited to share with Panchito. “These movies are so bad they’re LEGENDARY!”

Panchito didn’t look like he really understood why the two of them were so excited, but he smiled nonetheless. “Sounds spooky. We better get started on them if we’re going to get through all 5!”

“That’s the spirit.” José waved his fork at Panchito, “This curry is excellent. You never cease to surprise me with your cooking.”

Again, Panchito blushed. Donald held back a growl and instead moved to the living room. He grabbed his backpack and started to dump the contents out onto the carpeted floor. Panchito followed after him, curious about what he was doing. By the time José had finished eating and joined them on the floor, Donald had organized the tapes into a stack and laid out all the various snacks he had snuck away from his sister. 

“Impressive haul.” José whistled, “I’ll be taking these.” He reached forward and grabbed a bag of skittles. 

“Hey! No fair, I was going to call dibs on those!” Donald pouted. 

“Too slow.” José teased, standing up to sit on the couch. “Hurry and put on the first movie, or I’ll steal those chocolate bars you like so much.” 

With a grumble Donald made his way to the small TV across from the couch. It was a relic even to the old room. Everytime he turned it on he’d have to give it a few smacks before it would come to life. When he finally got the tape going he turned around to find himself suddenly struck with a… situation.

The couch had always been the perfect size for him and José, but with Panchito now included the small size of the seat was much more obvious. Unlucky as always, Donald found himself staring at José and Panchito sitting at the edges of the couch with a small space left for him in the middle. There was no way he could sit there without touching either of them. He had already faltered one second too long, and he could see a question forming in the way Panchito was looking at him. Before he could be pressed, and before he could think too much about it, Donald sat between the two birds and hugged his arms to himself. Immediately he regretted the hasty decision. His right arm was pressed up against José, and his leg was brushing up against Panchito’s. Both points of contact felt electrifying in a terrifying way. He was no stranger to contact with José, but it was never very prolonged. This was far too close. Donald could feel his heartbeat start to pump a little faster. 

“This acting is so corny!” José laughed, drawing Donald back to reality.

Right. The movie had started. The movie that he and José talked endlessly about watching together one day was finally being played in front of them. Donald had always imagined they’d be in a similar position to now. Both sitting a little closer than usual on the couch and laughing at the bad special effects of the ancient horror movie. Maybe Donald would be brave enough to tell José how he felt that night. If only to get it off his chest. Yet, the reality was that Panchito was sitting just as close to him as José was. That did more than add complications to Donald’s fantasy scenario. It didn’t help that he was apparently a restless sitter, and kept shifting in his seat.

“Sorry guys,” Panchito suddenly spoke up as a zombie on screen started lumbering after the protagonist, “Can I stretch my legs out? I’m a bit cramped.”

“What’s the matter?” Donald grinned at him, “Do your feet hurt there, grandpa?” 

Panchito stuck a tongue out at him playfully, “You wouldn’t understand my pain, shorty.”

“Oh shush. Go ahead, my friend!” José suddenly perked up, “Let me adjust a bit too.” 

José pulled his legs up and leaned closer to Donald, moving one of his arms around his shoulder. It scared Donald how comfortable that position felt to him, but he didn’t have much time to dwell on it before getting distracted by Panchito resting his legs across his lap. He watched as Panchito rested a food on José’s thigh, and let his other rest in between Donald’s legs. By the time everyone had stopped shifting around, Donald thought his skin was going to burn right off him. Everywhere José was touching him felt like it was on fire, and Panchito knee knocking against his chest wasn’t helping. He kept his beak tightly shut, afraid he might express these feelings out loud.

“Much better.” Panchito smiled before turning his attention back to the TV.

After a few torturous moments of silence for Donald, José clicked his tongue and gestured towards the screen, “Why would she run into the woods? She’s definitely going to get eaten now.”

“I think I’d make poor decisions too if I was getting chased by a zombie.” Panchito argued. 

Donald could barely register what they were saying at first. How were they not freaking out by how much contact their bodies had with each other?? Then again, José made a habit of bursting his personal space bubble. Maybe he was the weird one for thinking there was anything more to the warmth surrounding him than simple friendship. With difficulty, he tried to focus his attention on the movie in front of him. His overthinking would just cause him more stress than it was worth. 

José pinched Donald’s side causing him to quack loudly in surprise, “You look jumpy. Well, you always look jumpy. Is the movie getting to you that badly?”

“N-No! You know I can handle a little horor movie.” Donald growled, though he and José both knew that wasn’t true, in this instance it really wasn’t the horror movie getting to Donald’s nerves.

“I got just the thing.” He untangled himself from Donald and pushed Panchito’s feet off his lap. José quickly paused the TV before disappearing into his room. Panchito and Donald exchanged confused looks with each other. 

José called out from the other room, “I cannot believe I forgot to show you Donald.” He entered the living room carrying two cases of beer. “Look what I got.”

Donald gaped at him, “Where’d you get that?”

“Don’t be a snitch.” José laughed, “Don’t worry about where I got it from. Do you want one?” 

Panchito shifted uneasily in his seat, “Have you guys ever drunk alcohol before?”

With a scoff, Donald pushed Panchito’s legs off him and stood to meet José, “Yeah… I’ve had beer and stuff before. Give me one.”

It was true, this wasn’t the first time Donald had drank before. In fact, the first time he had was with José. They had stumbled into a house party that José had found out about. José had clearly more experience with the stuff than Donald, so he offered to watch over him if he wanted to drink any. Not wanting to seem like a square, Donald of course agreed to the offer. Though after a while they both ended up drunk and passed out in the bathroom. Since then he was careful to not get himself piss drunk every time he happened to have access to some booze. 

As he cracked open the can José tossed at him, he turned to Panchito, “Don’t tell me you’ve never drank. You’re the only one of us that can actually buy it.”

Panchito looked mildly offended, “Oh please, I could drink circles around you two. I just didn’t want to be responsible for your drunk butts once you had a single sip.”

“That’s rich.” José smirked, throwing a can at Panchito who caught it with ease. “Let’s toast then. To a fun night.”

“To a fun night…” Donald took a swig and finally felt his shoulders relax for the first time since he walked into the dorm. 

Chapter Text

“Oh my god! You can totally see the boom mic in that shot!” Donald yelled with laughter as he pointed insistently at the TV.

Panchito pounded a fist against the armrest of the couch in a fit of laughter and José, pink in the face, lifted his can of beer. “You know what that means boys, take a sip.”

The rules of their drinking game had been established somewhere in the middle of movie 1 and now, nearing the end of movie 3, they were more than feeling the effects. Donald threw his head back and downed what remained of his can. He had long since lost count of the number of cans he’d gone through, and threw his now empty can towards the growing pile besides the couch. As José and Panchito took a few more swigs of their own drinks, Donald reached into the case of beers by his feet and rummaged around for a fresh can. His vision wavered and made it difficult to grab one. 

“Maybe you should take a bit of a break.” José’s slightly slurred voice sounded like it was coming from miles away rather than right next to him.

Panchito patted a hand on Donald’s shoulder and pulled him to sit back against the couch, “José is right, sit the next few rounds out.”

Donald opened his beak to argue, but his stomach lurched in that moment and he knew it would be best if he followed their advice. He couldn’t imagine anything more embarrassing than getting sick all over his friends’ carpet. A bottle of water was thrusted into his hands and he didn’t need to look up to know José had given it to him. More than likely he was also worried about the potential of Donald ruining his clean carpet. 

“The dead guy on the ground is totally moving.” Panchito snorted, turning everyone’s attention back on the screen. 

José hummed and held his can out to Panchito, “That was fast, down the hatch I suppose.”

Panchito knocked his can against José’s with a satisfying clunk before taking a swig. Donald watched in amusement as José pulled the can away from his face with a grimace. Earlier in the night José had lamented that he was only able to get the cheap shit they were drinking now, and how he vastly preferred much fancier and better tasting drinks. Panchito didn’t seem to mind, and he was much better at holding it down than Donald was. The movie droned on in the background of Donald’s mind as he tried to compose himself enough to get back into the game. His brain felt weightless in his head, and he swayed slightly to the side before his cheek landed on Panchito’s shoulder. Had Donald not been drunk he probably would’ve been horrified by this, but the soft feathers he found himself pressed against made him feel warm in his gut.

All his anxieties for the night seemed to wash away completely in that moment. He took a few gulps of water and watched the movie the best he could through lidded eyes. The three of them were pressed more closely together on the couch than they had been even an hour ago, but none of them seemed to mind. It was comfortable. Well, maybe comfortable wasn’t the right word seeing as they were tangled up in awkward positions, but it was pleasant. Donald didn’t even jump when he felt José’s hand squeeze his. 

“Are you feeling alright? You look sleepy.” José smiled at him in a way that made Donald want to kiss him. 

The thought flew in and out of his head so fast he didn’t have time to grasp it fully before he was responding, “I’m fine.” With a sudden jolt of energy he pulled himself off the couch and paused the movie. “I just had an idea.”

Panchito straightened up on the couch, an amused grin on his face, “An idea?” 

“Yeah,” Donald grinned back at him, “We should break into my uncle’s money bin.” 

The room was silent for a full minute before Panchito spoke up, failing to hide the amusement in his voice, “You have definitely had too much to drink. That’s a terrible idea.”

José nodded, but Donald didn’t miss the way his eyes lit up at the thought of causing a little mischief. “Do you not have a key to get in anyway? Would it really be breaking in?”

Donald scoffed and started to pace around the room, stumbling slightly, “You think he would give me a key? No way! We’ll have to be a lot craftier.”

He jumped slightly at the sound of Panchito rolling off the couch to sit on the floor. The squawk that accompanied this movement told Donald that José had come along for the ride unwillingly. It took every fiber of his being not to laugh at how José was now face first in the carpet, tail feathers in the air. Panchito, to his credit, looked mortified. He had obviously forgotten his leg was tangled up with José’s in his half-drunken state. 

“Sorry.” He offered sheepishly and reached over to help José up.

José’s red face was enough to tell how embarrassed he was, but he didn’t refuse Panchito’s help in sitting up beside him. He cleared his throat and brushed a few stray feathers back against his head.

“No offense, Donald, but if you think I’m going to attempt to break into one of the most secure buildings in the world and potentially get myself killed…. you have definitely had too much to drink.” José scoffed, turning his beak up at the other two.

Donald grabbed at his hands, pulling him to his feet, “Come onnnnn it’ll be fun~” he nearly fell over once he let go of his friend’s hands.

Panchito jumped to his feet, almost as if he sensed Donald was going to topple over at any second. “Why don’t we turn in for the night? It’s getting kind of late. You can share my bed if you’d like, Donald.”

“Okayyyy,” Donald hiccuped, leaning against Panchito for support. If he wasn’t so drunk he might have noticed the pink blush that now tinted the rooster’s cheeks.

José waved a hand at the both of them before heading off to his own bed. Panchito called out a “goodnight!” to him before leading the stumbling Donald to his own room. Even in his haze Donald couldn’t help but notice how messy the room was. A pile of clothes that were dangerously close to spilling onto the floor sat on Panchito’s desk chair and a few dirty dishes were scattered around the room. 

“Jeez Panchito, do you ever clean?” Donald grumbled, his filter completely gone.

“I’ve been busy with school. I promise I’m not usually this messy…” Panchito sounded embarrassed, so Donald left it at that.

Donald threw himself at the bed, not bothering to slip under the covers. He pulled a pillow close to his chest and took a deep breath. His eyes felt heavy, and he found it hard to focus on whatever Panchito was babbling on about at the moment.

“- and this assignment has been stumping me a lot and..” Panchito paused, “Donald are you asleep already?”

An annoyed groan was all he got back as a response. Panchito laughed softly, climbing into bed beside him. 

“You can be so cute sometimes, Donald.” He sighed, patting the duck on the back before settling against his own pillow. “Goodnight my friend.”

—-

Donald woke the next day hungover, but happy nonetheless. It was hard to be too grumpy anyway when Panchito cooked him a surprisingly big breakfast and made plans to continue the movie marathon next weekend. He left the dorm without saying goodbye to José, as he was still fast asleep and according to Panchito wouldn’t wake up until noon. They finished the horrible zombie movies by the next weekend, and not wanting the good times to end they decided to set aside Saturday for their official movie nights. It was strange for Donald to have such a consistent friend group in his life, but he found great joy in their company. 

His general mood improved the more he spent time with Panchito and José. Even Della’s teasing didn’t bother him as much anymore. When his uncle commented that he seemed to be in better spirits, a part of Donald wanted to snap at him for the comment, but he found he had no anger to release. 

It had been two months since their first movie night when Panchito approached him after their shared class. He looked uncharacteristically stressed, constantly running his hand against his comb and tapping on his guitar case. 

“Donald? I know you’re a very busy guy, but can I ask for some advice?” Panchito leaned down slightly to meet Donald’s eyes, which made Donald feel a little flustered.

“Sure, what are friends for? What’s going on?” Donald reached a hand to pat his arm, but felt embarrassed by the gesture and instead shoved his hands into his jacket pockets.

Panchito looked relieved for a moment, “Thank you. Well, I’m supposed to write a song for one of my classes... and I have no idea if it sounds good. Also, I get really anxious playing my guitar at the dorm because I don’t want to bother anyone. I could really use some help.”

A strange feeling bloomed in Donald’s chest. Not many people asked for his advice or help on anything, and he’d never had a friend confide in him about any anxieties. Even José was a much too private person to ever come to him when he was in trouble. He was filled with a desire to not disappoint his friend. If Panchito needed his help he would do everything he could. 

“Sounds like you need a quiet place to play.” Donald hummed in thought, “I know somewhere we can go. And don’t worry, I know a thing or two about music also so you can play your song for me and I’ll let you know what I think.”

The gracious hug Panchito pulled him into caught him off guard, but he managed to stifle his own surprised quack.

“Thank you! You’re too kind, Donald.” Panchito smiled, squeezing Donald a little tighter.

“Don’t mention it buddy.” Donald coughed, pushing himself away, “Oh, we should go ask José if he wants to come.” Donald tried to make the suggestion sound natural. The truth was that he was endlessly thankful for Panchito’s presence when he hung out with José. The rooster being around made him feel less nervous around his… crush? He pinched his leg, trying to shock the thought of referring to José as a crush out of his head. 

Panchito’s smile faltered a bit, “Uh, he told me he was pretty busy today… with classes and other stuff. We shouldn’t bother him.”

Donald shrugged, although a bit disappointed, “Alright. Let’s go then.”

—-

It didn’t take long for Donald to lead Panchito to a nearby park. He was glad for his hoodie that day, as the wind picked up around them. Panchito, whose usual unbuttoned shirt was now tightly closed up, seemed to regret only wearing one layer. Not many people were walking about in the cool weather, which made it easy for them to pick a spot to sit. Donald plopped himself down on the first swing set they found while Panchito chose to sit against a nearby tree. 

They sat in silence for a while (Donald was pretty impressed that Panchito managed to keep his beak shut for so long) before Panchito pulled his guitar out of his case and started to play for Donald. The melody flowed calmly through the breeze, and Donald found himself relaxing at the sound. He heard Panchito take in a deep breath, and just a moment too late Donald remembered he’d never heard his friend sing before.

It was beautiful, and he was not prepared. There were no other words for the voice that seemed to infiltrate his whole body and plant itself firmly into his heart. In an effort to keep himself together, Donald did his best to focus on the lyrics. Panchito’s voice was full of longing, like he was reaching out to someone who couldn’t hear him. When Panchito finished, his grip on his guitar loosened and he looked expectantly at his friend.

“Wow… you’re really great at singing, uh…” Donald blushed, “I guess the only critique I have is that the last line sounds a bit awkward.” Donald looked down at his lap, swinging a bit in his seat.

Panchito groaned in frustration. “I know right?” He leaned his head against the neck of his guitar, “I think I should just rewrite the last verse entirely. I can’t get it to work.”

Donald hummed, “Well, who’s it about?”

“What do you mean?” Panchito scratched at his cheek. Donald knew a bad liar when he saw one.

“Panchito, it’s a love song right?”

Panchito’s cheeks went red at that, “What? I mean, sort of. I don’t know if love is the right word... admiration maybe.”

“It would help if you could tell me something about them.” 

“I-I uh.” Panchito sighed, “Fine. I’ll tell you about them.” He adjusted himself on the grass, pulling his legs to his chest and resting his chin against his knees. “They’re… really funny. They always make me laugh.”

Donald clapped his hands together, “There you go. Put something in there about how they make you smile or something like that. It’s kinda cheesy, I guess but what love song isn’t.”

If at all possible, Panchito’s face got even redder, “I already told you it’s not a love song.”

“Whatever man, c’mon I need more material.” 

“... they’re really brave. Even though they act shy sometimes, they’re actually really bold. I’ve never met someone with so much spirit.” Panchito looked over at Donald, “Is that enough? Can I stop embarrassing myself now?” 

Donald nodded, “Yeah, sorry. This person sounds pretty interesting. Anyone I know?”

Panchito shook his head quickly, “N-No, definitely not.”

A sudden uneasy thought entered Donald’s thoughts, and he found himself asking “... is it José…?”

“Whaaaat??” Panchito sat up straight, looking genuinely baffled, “No way, it’s not him. When has José ever been shy?” 

Donald felt embarrassed for even asking, “Sorry, I had to know.”

“It’s fine.” Panchito waved a hand, and visibly hesitated before continuing, “Besides… José kinda hates me doesn’t he?”

It was Donald’s turn to look baffled, “What do you mean hates you? That’s ridiculous we hang out all the time.”

Panchito looked away, “F-Forget I said anything.” 

Donald squinted at him, “Panchito…”

“Fine!” Panchito slapped his hands to his face, quick to crack under pressure as always, “Listen, sometimes he acts really weird around me. It’s like he wants me to leave him alone, so I do, but then he gets kind of annoyed if I avoid him? And whenever I say we should invite you with us when we hang out he also gets like.. weird about that? I don’t know. Did you two have a fight or something? Am I misreading him? He’s so hard to understand…”

Donald blinked at him, confused by the sudden barrage of information. He thought they were all getting along perfectly. Was he just imagining the bond between them? The thought made his heart sink a little too deep in his chest. His first real friends and he had already messed up somehow. The frown on Panchito’s beak really didn’t suit him…

“José can be kind of hard to read…” Donald started, hopping off the swing and moving to sit across from Panchito on the grass, “But I’ve been friends with him long enough to know he has fun with you. We all do.”

“I know.” Panchito sighed, “It’s just. I don’t know. I’m having so much fun with you two, I never thought I’d find such good friends right away.” He paused for a moment, tapping his guitar aimlessly, “I’m just...”

“Afraid to mess it up?” Donald finished for him, staring wide eyed at the rooster across from him when he nodded. How could someone as effortlessly charismatic as Panchito share his anxiety? He almost wanted to laugh at how absurd it was.

They sat in silence for a few moments as Donald tried to collect his thoughts. He had never been very good at cheering people up. The only way he was able to get Della out of a funk was by telling a stupid joke. Well, it couldn’t hurt.

“Hey Panchito…” Donald grinned, “Did you hear about the kidnapping?”

Panchito looked confused, “No? What happened?”

“Oh don’t worry, it’s ok. He woke up.” 

Panchito’s face froze for a moment before his beak cracked open into a huge smile. He let out a few small chuckles before a laughing fit seemed to take him over and before he knew it he was rolling around on the grass. 

“T-That joke! That joke is so stupid!!” Panchito yelled, gripping at his stomach.

Donald smiled, an unfamiliar feeling of accomplishment blooming in his chest. “Sorry, you just looked so sad. I had to do somethin.”

Panchito sat up and positively BEAMED at him, “Thank you…” he picked up his guitar and strummed idly, “... you do always make me laugh.”

—-

Morning classes were always a slog for Donald to get through. He cursed himself for scheduling his most boring lectures so early in the morning. The duck would consider himself a thousand things before considering himself a morning person, but with enough coffee he managed to make it through each one with all the energy he could muster. 

Truth be told, what he most looked forward to in his day was spending time with José when he took a break for lunch. José had really gotten into the groove of working at the library, and he didn’t even have to ask to be allowed to step out for a while when Donald would approach the desk. The librarian would just smile knowingly and shoo them both out. Still, even though their lunch became routine, Donald still got complicated knots in his stomach when he was alone with José.

“What did you bring today?” 

Donald lifted the cold pizza in his hands before taking a bite of it, “Leftovers.”

José hummed, taking a drag of his cigarette before speaking again, “I hope it doesn’t rain today.”

They had sat in their now usual spot behind the library against the brick wall, and also as usual their shoulders were pressed against each other in a way that made Donald’s stomach do flips. He nodded in response to José but held his attention solely on his lunch. He was afraid if he thought too much about his friend he’d start sweating.

“.... did you and Panchito have a good time the other day? Where did you go off to again?” José looked at him, an unreadable expression on his face.

“Huh?” Donald swallowed, “Oh, right. Yeah, Panchito wanted a place to play his guitar and wanted my input. He’s got an assignment in one of his classes he’s worried about so I suggested we go to the park to clear his head. It’s really nice there this time of year. Nice and cool, not too crowded.” He picked off an olive from his pizza slice and flicked it into the grass, “The song he’s working on is pretty cool actually it-“

“Why didn’t you invite me?” 

Again, Donald found it difficult to read his mood. 

Donald frowned, “I did. Well, I told Panchito we should invite you and he said you were busy.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Oh.”

An uncomfortable silence filled what little space there was between them. If Donald couldn’t feel José against his shoulder he would have thought he was sitting alone. Suddenly he didn’t have much of an appetite, and quietly packed away his lunch. His thoughts drifted to his conversation with Panchito. Maybe José really did have some sort of problem with him. He wasn’t keen on asking, but he cared too much about his friends to stay completely silent.

“... I’m sorry. I think Panchito…” he trailed off, trying to find the right words, “I think Panchito is worried you don’t like him.”

José stood up so suddenly Donald almost fell over, “W-What? Why would he think that?”

Donald blinked up at his friend, he’d never seen him so flustered before, “I don’t know! I’m not him.” He tried his best to remember what exactly Panchito had said, “Look, it’s probably nothing. I think Panchito is nervous because he really likes hanging out and wants to be good friends with you. He doesn’t want to screw up. That’s all.”

At that, José’s cheeks went pink, “Oh.” He took a long drag of his cigarette before sliding back down next to Donald. “I’m sorry for sounding so… what’s the word... accusatory.” 

“Don’t worry about it.” Donald stared at him, still confused about his reaction. “Are you ok? You look… stressed. I thought José Carioca didn’t get stressed.” 

“Everyone gets stressed.” José said simply, staring up in the sky.

With all the courage he could gather, Donald lifted a hand and put it over José’s. He gave it a squeeze and sighed, “You know you can talk to me about anything.” 

His heart leaped up into his throat when José turned his hand to properly hold Donald’s. His amber eyes met Donald’s and a smile formed on his beak.

“I know. I’m sorry for worrying you. I promise you I’m ok.” José leaned his head against Donald’s shoulder, “Thank you, my friend.”

Donald was surprised he managed to quack out a “No problem” without stuttering. He decided not to push José to say anything more and instead focused on their shared warmth. Donald didn’t remember how long they sat there together, but he remembered never wanting it to end.

—-

The odd air of uncertainty surrounding their friend group seemed to clear in the following month, much to Donald’s relief. In fact the only pressing matter any of them were dealing with were the approaching midterm exams. They sat in his room, each of them working on review guides but none of them getting much done. 

José groaned from his seat on Donald’s bed, slamming close a book with ‘French for Beginners’ written across the front and tossing it unceremoniously onto the floor. “My head hurts, I don’t think it appreciates me trying to cram in more vocabulary than it can fit.”

“It’s your own fault for taking two language classes this semester.” Donald huffed, thumbing through his ‘Intro to Business’ book at his desk. “At least you don’t have to take my statistics class.”

Panchito clicked his tongue from his place on the carpet, “Boys boys, all this complaining won’t help you study.” Donald and José shot him an annoyed glare which Panchito pointedly ignored before continuing, “Administration forced a ‘History of Duckburg’ class onto my schedule and you don’t see me throwing a fit.”

José hummed, “I remember having to take that class last year. It was actually kind of interesting.”

“How come I never had to take this class, is it a requirement?” Donald scratched idly at his chin, having long since given up on reading his textbook.

“Because you live here, Donald.” José shook his head as if chiding a child, “Obviously, only students from out of state have to take that class.”

Donald blushed, “Oh, I didn’t know that…”

“Why should you be expected to know that anyway,” Panchito waved a hand, “Zé is just being a bully.” He laughed when José’s notebook missed his head by a few inches.

José lifted his Spanish textbook, “Oh ho, you won’t be laughing when this hits.”

“I was kidding!” Panchito chuckled, holding his hands out in front of him, “Have mercy, Zé!”

“Just this once~” José warned, shaking the book in the air before tossing it to join the other on the carpet.

Donald laughed, “How are you going to get any studying done when all your books are on the floor?”

José brought a hand to his chin, “What a predicament I have found myself in.” He turned to slide off the bed and onto the floor next to Panchito. “There, problem solved.”

Panchito smiled, picking up José’s long forgotten French book and holding it out to him, “Honestly José I think it’s amazing that you’re able to take Spanish and French at the same time.”

If Donald hadn’t been looking he would have missed the way José’s cheeks went a slight red. 

“It’s nothing special.” José took the book from Panchito. “I know I complain about the workload a lot, but I love learning different languages. I want to be fluent in as many as possible so I can travel the world alone with no worries.”

Panchito tilted his head, “Wouldn’t you get lonely?”

José seemed surprised by the response, but recovered smoothly. “Hm, yes, well I suppose I’ll have to find someone to come with me.”

The way José’s eyes drifted to meet Panchito’s brought to life an ugly jealous monster that had been lying dormant in Donald’s chest for months. He turned quickly to stare at his book but the words looked jumbled and out of order to his frazzled brain. He couldn’t even really place what he was jealous about, or why it was upsetting him so much. The monster in his chest grumbled disapprovingly when he tuned back into the other two’s conversation in time to hear José laugh at something silly Panchito had said.

Donald sighed and turned in his chair to look at his friends, “I think my brain needs a break. Anyone want a snack or anything I can grab from the kitchen?”

Before José and Panchito could make their requests an overly enthusiastic Della bursted through the door. Donald jumped to his feet almost as quickly as she burst in and moved to push her out of the room.

“How many times do I have to tell you!!” Donald growled, raising his arms as he approached, “KNOCK!”

Della pushed the palm of her hand to his forehead, keeping him out of arm's reach. “Sorry sorry, I know. I just had to tell you something incredible!”

Donald clawed feebly at the air between him and Della as she kept him back, “Not interested!!”

“Come on Donald, don’t be a spoil sport.” Panchito laughed, getting to his feet.

“Panchito!!” Della gasped, dropping her arm and causing Donald to fall forward on his face. She rushed to the rooster, clasping his hand with hers and initiating their usual “”secret”” handshake. 

The two had become fast friends when first introduced to each other, something that seemed to aggravate José even more than it aggravated Donald. It wasn’t hard to see why they were close, the two were equally energetic and had a scarily similar sense of humor. 

José got up from the floor and put an arm around Della, pulling her slightly away from Panchito and closer to him. “Are you going to grace us with this incredible news of yours?”

“Right!!” She beamed, throwing her arm around José and pressing their cheeks together. “So, Uncle Scrooge and I-“

Donald, who had recovered from his face plant, lifted a finger up and wagged it at Della, “Oh no no NO! This is NOT about another adventure is it??”

“Well duh, what else would it be about.” Della laughed lightly, “You see, there’s a crater in Italy that-“

“Della!”

“Quit interrupting,” Della glared, “You could at least hear me out for once. I didn’t even get to the good part about the ghost and the pirate.”

Panchito whistled, “A ghost AND a pirate? I don’t know Donald, I kind of want to hear this story."

José nodded vigorously, practically shaking Della’s head with him, “Come on, it could be fun.”

Donald sounded desperate, “Della, you do know midterms are next week right? Do you want me to fail?!”

Della frowned, “Of course not. I just thought…”

“No! No you didn’t think! You never do!” Donald growled, forcefully pulling apart Della and José before shoving her towards the door. “Get out!”

His sister was far too stunned by his sudden flash of anger to do anything but allow herself to be pushed out of the room. She didn’t even flinch when the door was slammed inches from her back. Donald leaned against the door, breathing heavily from the sudden burst. He turned slowly to meet the uncertain looks on Panchito and José’s faces.

It wasn’t the first time they had witnessed a fight between the siblings, but this one had been particularly short and nasty. Donald felt his cheeks going red as he tried to calm his pounding heart. Panchito was the first to speak.

“Are you ok? That was… kind of intense.” Panchito placed a hand on his shoulder.

“And unnecessary.” José added unhelpfully.

Donald shrugged Panchito’s hand off and stomped to the other side of the room, Panchito wasn’t deterred and followed after him, “I’m fine! Jeez! Can’t I be annoyed at my sister?”

“There’s being annoyed and there’s… whatever that just was.” José frowned.

“Not everyone can be as cool and calm as you, Zé.” Donald grabbed at his head, running his fingers forcefully through his feathers, “Look I’ve told you both tons of times that I have anger issues. This shouldn’t be a surprise anymore.”

Panchito reached out and took his hands, gently pulling them away from his face. “We know, we just wanted to help.” The sincerity in his tone only made Donald feel more embarrassed by his outburst.

“... I know.” Donald looked down at his feet. “I’m sorry.”

José approached him, taking one of his hands from Panchito. “Are we really who you need to be apologizing to?” 

Donald shook his head with a sigh, his head feeling a bit lighter. “I’ll apologize to her later. If I go up to her now she’ll probably try and kill me.”

Panchito barked out a laugh and pulled José and Donald to his chest in a tight hug, “Don’t worry Donald, we’ll be there to back you up.”

José smiled, leaning into the hug, “Always.”

—-

It was a week after midterms when Donald invited José and Panchito back to the manor. Panchito had come in his usual unbuttoned flannel and dusty jeans, and with his guitar case slung over his shoulder he looked indistinguishable from an indie rock star. José had underdressed for once, wearing a comfortable looking sweater appropriate for the weather. Instead of leading them to his room when they arrived Donald excitedly took them to the side of the manor and into the open garage. Before explaining anything to his confused friends, he pulled a water cooler to the middle of the room and posed on top of it.

“Welcome to the garage, boys.” He placed his hands on his hips, “As you know, Dumbella and Uncle Scrooge are out to, ugh, Italy so I have the house to myself.”

José raised a brow, “Don’t you have a butler?”

Donald rolled his eyes, “Ok, mostly to myself… the point is I thought it was finally time to make good on Panchito’s suggestion.”

“Huh?” Panchito looked around, “What suggestion would that be, exactly?”

“During our first class together you said we should introduce each other to some new sounds,” Donald hopped off the cooler and went to pull a guitar case from behind a sheet covered box. “What better way than to have a garage jam session?”

Panchito smiled big, “That’s why you asked me to bring my guitar! Alright alright, why didn’t you say so earlier?” He placed his case on the floor and took out his guitar.

“I see,” José walked over and sat on the now vacant cooler, “And what about me, my dear Donald? You know the only instrument I can play is the flute, and it’s not something I would associate with this… grunge aesthetic you’re going for.” 

“I thought you could play the piano too.” Donald pointed at a keyboard he was now pulling out from under a tarp.

José shook his head, “I said I could play a little piano. I wouldn’t be able to freestyle.”

Panchito stood as he began to tune his guitar, “I guess you will have to be our vocalist, eh Zé?”

“Yeah sounds good to me.” Donald shrugged, “I have a ton of instruments if you want to just pick one up and give it a try though.”

José shrunk into himself a little. “Sing? I like to sing, yes, but I don’t have a strong voice like you two. Let me just watch for a little, ok?”

“Fine fine, but move your ass, your blocking access to the booze.” Donald smirked, pointing at the cooler José was sitting on.

“It better not be cheap.” José warned, standing and opening the cooler to pull out a cider, “How cute~”

Donald blushed, “Shut up, it’s what Della drinks.”

Panchito looked uneasy, “Don’t tell me you stole from her…”

“No way, not after the beating she gave me when I stole her stupid zombie movies. I asked and she let me have some.” Donald took the cider from José’s hands and popped it open. 

“At least it will taste decent.” José pulled another out, waving it at Panchito, “Want one?”

Panchito walked over, “Yeah, thanks.” He took it from his hand and held it out, “Let’s toast then, to friends and music!”

Donald lifted his glass to tap against Panchito’s, “To friends and music!”

They both looked expectantly at José who had already taken a swig of his own bottle, “... to friends and music, of course.” He grinned.

Donald set his cider down on a dusty looking lawnmower before sitting against it, “Start us off Panchito.”

It didn’t take long for Panchito to find his groove, strumming some nameless tune and humming to the beat. Donald on the other hand stumbled a bit in his guitar playing, attempting to match Panchito’s melody. He grumbled a bit as he went out of sync with Panchito yet again.

José flinched, “No no no, Donald you’re thinking too much.” He stood from his makeshift seat, that was mostly a garden hose, after downing the rest of his bottle, “You need to feel the rhythm, put your body into it.”

Donald blushed, “It’s hard. Panchito’s just better at this than me.”

“Don’t be silly.” José approached Donald and took his hands, “Paco, play us a tune! Something we can dance to.”

“D-Dance?” Donald stared at him, wide eyed. “I have two left feet, you know that!”

Panchito was grinning, “Good thing José has two right ones.” He tapped his guitar, “Show me what you got, boys.”

José twirled Donald around as Panchito started up a fast paced song. The guitar in his arms clattered to the floor, thankfully, unharmed, as José wasted no time in pulling Donald along. He tried to keep up with José’s movements, swinging his hips to the melody the best he could. His face went red with embarrassment as José danced circles around him as if he was born to do it. 

“You’re still thinking too much.” José sighed, taking Donald’s hands and placing them on his hips, “Here, feel how I’m moving?”

Donald tore his hands away immediately, a fire in his heart igniting like a bomb. “Y-Yeah, yeah, I get it.”

“Let the music flow through you. Let it guide you.” José smiled at him reassuringly, “Maybe you need some lyrics. Panchito..?”

Panchito nodded, “I got you covered.” He took a deep breath and belted out a yell before launching into a song.

Donald had to admit the words were helpful in finding his groove. He closed his eyes and started to move around the room, letting Panchito’s voice lift him and spin him. His feet felt light, and for once he wasn’t worried about horribly embarrassing himself. He opened his eyes to see José’s reaction, but nearly stopped in his tracks when he saw him.

José wasn’t looking at him. He was staring, frozen in place, right at Panchito. Panchito was lost in his own world, singing loudly and playing a beautiful melody. His handsome singing voice danced throughout the room and seemed to have launched itself straight into José’s soul. Donald wondered for a moment if José had ever heard Panchito sing before, and a moment later wondered if he had looked as dumbstruck as José did the first time he had heard him.

Something grew in Donald, and it was something unfamiliar. The jealous monster that lived inside him slept peacefully, and the red hot ember that usually accompanied his anger had been extinguished. The new feeling was strange, but not unwelcome. His body seemed to move on its own as he reached out and grabbed José’s hands. Without a word he pulled him along to Panchito’s singing. José finally seemed to snap out of whatever haze he was in and looked at Donald, eyes wide. He was blushing, furiously. Donald felt a laugh escape him, he remembered how hot his own cheeks had gotten the first time he heard Panchito’s singing voice. The shared experience made him feel that much closer to his friend. José’s beak turned up in a shy smile, and he moved to dance with Donald.

They continued like that for some time, until Panchito’s playing slowly came to a stop and Donald and José could hardly feel their legs. The both of them collapsed on each other, smiling warmly. Donald looked up at Panchito to see him beaming, a dull pink dusting his cheeks. There was no doubt about it. They were all feeling the same thing Donald was. A feeling of comradery, and companionship. The music they shared was flowing freely between all three of their souls. 

“Guys…” Donald started, a little breathless, “... I think we need to form a band."

Chapter Text

As it turned out, there was one big obstacle that all newly formed bands had to overcome. Finding band members was easy, and finding inspiration was even easier. Donald had kept posters of his favorite bands on the walls of his room as long as he could remember and Panchito’s record collection was nothing to sneeze at. No, the thing that currently had the three of them stumped was naming their band. They sat in the grass behind the school’s library building, a spot usually reserved for Donald and José’s lunch time, debating over what to call their newly formed band. Panchito provided the soundtrack to their hang out, strumming idly at his guitar and humming a few tunes Donald vaguely recognized.

“It has to be cool.” Donald insisted, scratching out a few suggestions he had written in a notebook he usually used for his statistics class. “You know… something kind of grungy.”

José frowned, taking a drag of the cigarette in his hand and blowing the smoke away from his two friends, “Grungy? I was thinking of something more classy. Grungy sounds dirty.”

Panchito shrugged, “I’m cool with whatever. Grungy is fine for me.”

“See Zé? Panchito likes it.” Donald grinned.

“Oh stop it, you know Panchito is the most agreeable man in the world. He’s just being considerate, isn’t that right Paco?” José turned to the rooster, flashing a mischievous smile in his direction.

“No! I mean, of course I’m trying to be considerate,” Panchito babbled as he raised his hands in defense, “but I am telling the truth. I really don’t mind what we call ourselves as long as we get to play music together. The three of us. It really makes me happy.”

Donald felt something stab at his heart so intensely he thought he’d fall over. Instead he chased off the sappy feeling in his chest with a snort, “Well jeez, isn’t that sweet.”

He tried to ignore the way Panchito’s cheeks went red with embarrassment and turned his attention back to the list of names they had been working on for nearly an hour. Was he thinking a little too hard about this? Maybe, but this was exciting. If the band took off, like really took off, he would be able to crawl out from his uncle’s shadow and make a name for himself all on his own. No more being dragged across the globe at a moment’s notice. No more being put in perilous near death situations just to increase his uncle’s infinite wealth. This band could be the ticket to everything he ever desired.

“Including José”, a voice Donald thought he had buried deep into his subconscious reminded him.

It had been a while since he indulged his thoughts about his crush on José. There was no more denying that was what it was. A hopeless crush. One that he was sure he’d never act on. Firstly because he wasn’t even sure José… swung that way, and secondly because even if he did why would he want to be with someone like Donald. A hot tempered, dorky duck like him would look ridiculous trying to woo a stylish, handsome bird like José. It was hard for him to imagine a world in which his friend would reciprocate his feelings, and that realization made his heart sink. Donald pushed his pencil a little harder against his notebook as he scribbled absentmindedly, about ready to give up on both love and naming his newly formed band.

“Panchito, you haven’t suggested any names yet.” José turned to look at the rooster, a small smile on his face, “You must have some ideas right? Don’t be shy.”

If possible, Panchito’s cheeks went even redder, “Of course I’ve thought about it… I’ve always wanted to be in a band or something like that.” He grabbed his backpack where it had been sitting on the grass and riffled through it before pulling out a worn out leather notebook. “I wrote some ideas down in here. This is where I write all my songs too.”

Donald held a hand out, “Ok let’s take a look then.”

He was surprised by the way Panchito held the book against his chest protectively. “T-There’s private stuff in here. Let me just read some of the names out.”

José and Donald watched patiently as Panchito thumbed through a few pages before stopping. The rooster looked up at his friends, an uncharacteristic frown on his beak.

“Don’t laugh.” He said as he clutched the book a little tighter in his hands.

“Paco, why would we laugh?” José smiled softly, reaching out a hand to pat Panchito’s knee, “We’re your friends.”

Donald tried to give his friend a reassuring smile. After all, he knew first hand how embarrassing it was having all your band name ideas shot down.

“Well alright…” Panchito’s frown eased up a bit as he started to list out a few names.

Donald and José listened patiently, both of them waiting for the name that would stick, but it seemed not even Panchito’s band names were doing it for either of them. Nonetheless, they kept listening, nodding their head every time Panchito hesitated before reading out a new name.

“-the caballeros, the-“

“Wait, what was that?” José perked up, “Say that again.”

Panchito blushed but obeyed, “The caballeros?”

Donald tilted his head, “What does that mean?”

“It means like,” Panchito waved a hand in the air, “a gentleman? You know, ah..”

“Like me~” José preened, putting a hand to his chest.

“Oh shut up.” Donald laughed.

Panchito laughed along with him, “No no, that’s right. Like you Zé.”

If Donald hadn’t been looking at him he might have missed the way José’s cheeks darkened.

“You like it though? The Caballeros?” Panchito asked, a hopeful tone in his voice.

Donald hummed, “I do… but it’s missing something. Something to make it more personal, you know?”

Panchito shrugged, “Maybe then..” he cleared his throat and spoke in an exaggerated voice, “The THREE Caballeros!”

The three of them were silent for a moment, all of them exchanging looks of meaning. That was it. That was it. The last piece of the puzzle had finally clicked, and god did it feel right.

“I love it.” José spoke first, smiling fondly at the two of them.

“I love it too.” Donald echoed, trying to ignore a strange feeling growing in his chest.

Panchito beamed, “... me three.”

—-

Band practice days quickly became some of Donald’s favorite days of the week though calling it band practice felt much too formal for what it actually was. They would start by practicing the handful of songs, many of which were unfinished, they had written and then inevitably the practice session would dissolve into goofing off. That was only if Uncle Scrooge himself didn’t barge in and demand they “cease practicing their polyphonic pandemonium”. Della would often interrupt as well, sitting on the stack of newspapers and magazines in the garage and heckling them nonstop until Donald chased her around with a guitar threatening to smack her with it.

Donald and Panchito shared vocals as well as lead guitar which was just as chaotic as it sounded, but they wouldn’t have had it any other way. José had picked up a little guitar, or at the very least he had learned the necessary chords to play along with the other two. He was their wild card, able to pull out the keyboard or the tambourine as needed. He wasn’t well versed in any of the instruments he played, but he played them with that unmistakable José flair. Donald wasn’t sure if the three of them together sounded… good per say, but he was having the most fun he’d ever had with the two.

They were at a burger joint, celebrating the first band practice they had where they were able to finish a song. Donald had been so elated he offered to pay for everyone’s meal, an offer José took up with little hesitation.

“To ‘The Three Caballeros’!” Donald cheered, holding up his soda.

Panchito whooped and raised his cup as well, “To us!”

José rolled his eyes but played along, lifting his cup to tap against the other two, “Here, here and all that.”

Donald grinned, “Is fame getting to your head already, Zé?”

“Oh yes, I can feel my head swelling as we speak.” José chuckled, taking a fry from Donald’s basket and popping it in his mouth.

“Hey!” Donald protested, “Pick from your own plate.”

José blinked innocently, “Bandmates are supposed to share aren’t they?”

Panchito laughed, roughly patting a hand on Donald’s back, “Don’t let him bully you, Donald! Fight back!” He reached forward and plucked two fries from José’s order, causing the parrot to let out an over dramatic gasp.

“My own bandmates have turned against me! Oh what a cruel world.” José sighed, “Now I’ll have to try and make it as a solo act… which shouldn’t be hard considering how handsome I am.”

Donald steered his brain far away from thoughts on José’s handsomeness and rolled his eyes, “Oh please, we all know I’m the looks of the band.”

“Don’t even start on that.” José was barely containing his laughter, leaning over the table to push his beak in Donald’s face, “Don’t make me come over there and steal more of your fries.”

“Nooo~” Donald held up his hands, “Not my poor defenseless fries! You monster!”

Panchito slapped a hand to the table, unable to contain his laughter anymore, “Boys, boys! You’re both very pretty, now stop fighting!”

José and Donald both turned to look at the rooster who was nearly crying with laughter. His chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath, but his beak was curled up into a beaming smile. As Panchito wiped away a tear from his eyes José and Donald exchanged a look that they both understood without saying a word.

Panchito was definitely the pretty one of the band.

“Fine. For you Paco, I will stand down.” José sat back in his seat and pulled his food closer to him.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, or at least José and Donald did as Panchito kept breaking out into fits of giggles and could hardly keep a hold of his sandwich. When they were finished, they stood and made their way out to the parking lot where Donald’s shitty car sat waiting for them.

“Shotgun.” José called out as they approached it.

Before he could reach for the door, Panchito charged him, hooking his arms under José’s and lifting him off the ground. José yelped and flailed helplessly as Panchito turned him towards the back seat of the car.

“You always get to sit up front!!” Panchito laughed, “I should get a turn.”

José kicked his legs back at Panchito, no doubt internally cursing their height difference, “You should have called dibs then! Not my fault you’re slow to the draw.”

Donald watched with amusement, knowing full well José would eventually sweet talk himself out of Panchito’s hold and get his way. It was a song and dance he knew far too well, and no amount of Panchito’s wrestling was going to get him that front seat.

“I could always sit in the back.” Donald offered, though he knew neither one of his friends had any interest in driving the hunk of metal he called his car.

He couldn’t help but let out a laugh at the look of horror that crossed both José and Panchito’s faces.

“I don’t wish for an early death, Donald.” José shuddered, still immobile in Panchito’s arms.

“And yet you bum free rides from me all the time.” Donald grinned. “I see how it is. Now get in the car, it’s getting late.”

“I’d love to, Don, but I don’t know if you have noticed this, ah, situation I find myself in.” José tried to elbow Panchito behind him but missed terribly.

Panchito snickered, “Nice try. Look, I have a good idea.”

Donald and José both grimaced. They adored their friend more than anything but his idea of a ‘good idea’ was usually… well… a bad idea. Donald watched as Panchito awkwardly shifted him and José towards the passenger seat of the car. He opened up the door and plopped himself inside before pulling José on top of his lap. José was evidently not expecting this if the gasp that escaped his beak meant anything.

“There! We’re both in the front seat now!” Panchito cheered, settling his chin on José’s shoulder and wrapping his arms around his middle.

José looked a lot like a deer in headlights, staring wide eyed in front of him… though Donald wondered why. The three of them cuddled often enough… though describing it as cuddling made Donald’s cheeks get a little hot. It wasn’t uncommon for them to end up squished together on the couch at Panchito and José’s dorm over the course of a movie night. Panchito in particular was a handsy guy, in fact if he didn’t pull you into a bone crushing hug every time he saw you then you really must have done something to tick him off.

“If I get pulled over for this you’re paying for my ticket.” Donald grumbled as he made his way to the driver’s seat.

Panchito laughed, “Fine fine, but only if José pays for half.”

“Whoa!” José jolted, as if he was half asleep and got shaken, “I never agreed to these terms.”

Donald chuckled, turning the key a few times to get the car started, “Looks like you don’t have a choice.”

The ride to José and Panchito’s dorm was short and thankfully uneventful. José slid out of the car first, before reaching a hand to help Panchito out. Panchito always had a tough time getting up from the seats in Donald’s car as his lanky legs prevented him from sitting properly in the small space. Panchito reached into the back seat for his guitar and backpack before waving goodbye to Donald.

“See you guys tomorrow then?” Donald smiled at the both of them, wishing he could go home with them rather than return to the mansion.

José nodded, “I’ll see you at lunch!”

“And I’ll see you at class!” Panchito chirped after him.

With a final wave Donald drove off back towards the city.

——

Dinner was blissfully quiet that night as Donald tried to get through the meal as fast as possible so he could run back to his room and finish all the homework he had put off for band practice. Della was absent, and the only explanation he had gotten from Uncle Scrooge was something about a date. So the two of them sat in silence as Duckworth refilled his uncle’s tea cup. His uncle seemed to be deep in thought, most likely about one of his many business ventures. Donald was determined to finish his food before his uncle could find time to nag him about schoolwork or the mess he left in the garage. As he took his last bite, his uncle cleared his throat loudly. Dammit.

“Donald, do you know anything about public image?” His uncle asked, turning to look at him for the first time that evening.

Donald nodded slowly, wondering if he was stepping into a trap of some sort, “Yeah… isn’t your public image pretty-“

“Bad. Yes.” Uncle Scrooge smiled wryly. “I’ve been talking with one of my PR agents and she thinks it’s best if I … er… attend a charity event next week. Wednesday night to be specific.”

“Pfft.” Donald couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped his beak, “I bet you weren’t very happy to hear that.”

Scrooge looked like he was trying to stifle a laugh as well, “Noo, come now lad I wouldn’t say thaaat. I’m perfectly charitable.”

“Alright then, what’s the catch?”

His uncle sighed, “... she recommended that I bring along my family. So, I’d like you and Della to come with me.”

“What? What does that have to do with anything?” Donald grumbled.

“Having you two come along will show that I’m a family man! Eh, that’s what my PR agent said anywho.”

Donald sighed, “... will there be free food?”

Scrooge gave him a look, “Don’t be daft, of course there’s going to be free food. Wouldn’t be going if there wasn’t.”

“Fair enough. Fine, fine I’ll go.” He said as he stood to leave the table.

Uncle Scrooge stood as well, reaching over to pat him on the arm, “It means a lot to me lad, thank you.”

Donald made his way back to his room after sneaking into the kitchen to nab a slice of pie leftover from earlier that week. The mansion was dark and drafty at this time of night. His Uncle thought having excess lights on would drive up the electricity bill and you could just forget about turning the heat on. He was nearly at his room’s door when he heard a loud click. Donald choked on the piece of pie he had in his mouth when Della suddenly fell into the hallway from a now open window.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Donald yelled through fits of coughing and pounding his chest to dislodge the piece of pie that had gotten stuck in his windpipe.

Della jumped to her feet and slapped a hand over Donald’s beak, “SHHH come on what does it look like? I’m trying to be sneaky here.”

When she moved her hand from his face Della was met with a scowl.

“Can you explain to me why you’re sneaking into the house??”

Della scratched at her head idly, “Oh I’m avoiding Uncle Scrooge. He thinks I went on a date or something. I forgot the excuse I gave him.”

The twins stared at each other for a while before Della pointed at Donald’s half eaten pie slice and asked if she could have the rest. He wordlessly handed the plate to her and pushed his way past her and finally into the sanctuary of his own room. He took a moment to drink in the solitude before sluggishly sitting at his desk and pulling out the rest of his homework for the night. Sometimes he still felt like a teenager struggling to get some control or privacy in his life, and it really wasn’t helped by his sister constantly barging into his room or his uncle demanding to know every aspect of his college life.

By the time he finished his school work he barely had enough energy to crawl into bed. He flipped open his cellphone and sent a “hey” to Panchito, hoping his friend wasn’t already asleep. It didn’t take long for his phone to ping back with a message.

“Hey!!! What’s up??”

Donald smiled, Panchito always used too much punctuation in his texts.

“nothin much. just finished homework”

“Same! José already went to bed :(( im soooo bored”

“he’s probably faking so he doesn’t have to deal with your needy ass”

“:O RUDE! I’m telling Della!”

Donald frowned, gripping his phone a little tighter. “go ahead, it’s not like she needs an excuse to barge into my room and yell at me”

There wasn’t a reply for a few minutes, and Donald worried for a moment if he had upset Panchito until his phone pinged with a message he wasn’t expecting.

“I’ve been thinking…why haven’t you moved out??? You already pay rent……. might as well pay rent at a place you can have some privacy right??”

It’s not like the thought had never occurred to him, but Donald dreaded the conversation he’d have to have with his uncle to make that dream come true. Still, it had been a while since he had entertained that fantasy. He tapped his fingers idly against his phone as he thought up a reply.

“apartments are expensive. i would need a roommate”

Donald’s mind flashed briefly with the image of him and José cuddled up on a couch, but he quickly shook that thought away.

“I bet I could find you one!!!”

Donald smirked at his phone as he typed his reply, “Good luck.”

——

Band practice continued to be the one thing Donald looked forward to every week, and sooner than he realized they were already able to play a decent number of songs to completion. After one successful session, Panchito declared he had an announcement for them. They sat in the garage as usual, all of them thankful that Scrooge was off on business for a few days and couldn’t nag them about playing too loudly. Panchito climbed atop a shaking pile of boxes before pointing a finger to the sky.

“It is time for us to make our mark! The Three Caballeros can remain hidden no longer!” He yelled.

José looked amused, “Oh is that so? Are you saying it’s time for us to make our glorious debut?”

Panchito grinned before jumping down from his tower of boxers and landing right in front of José, causing the parrot to squawk and scoot back on the floor.

“That’s EXACTLY what I’m saying, my friend. And I’ve already gotten us a venue! You can thank me later.”

“What!?” Donald stared wide-eyed at his friend, “You mean we’re going to perform live?”

“Yup!”

“In front of people??”

“Uh huh.”

“Like in front of live people??”

Panchito laughed and put his hands on Donald’s shoulders, “Yes Donald. We will be like a real band! Isn’t that exciting?”

Exciting was certainly one way to put it. Sure, Donald was having fun rocking out with his closest friends in the comfort of his home, and sure he thought they sounded pretty decent, but this was something else. Something new and uncertain. What if they got booed off the stage or what if he forgot the lyrics to one of their songs? People already made fun of his voice when he spoke, there was no telling the kind of ridicule he would face when he sang. Donald’s mind ran wild with the vision of him standing on stage and dodging tomatoes being hurled at his face for daring to open his beak.

And yet.

And yet…

A different scenario started to form in his mind. One where he stood side by side with José and Panchito, and the crowd sang along with them as they performed a song. Laughter and cheers filled the air and the shine of the spotlight felt like a warm summer’s day. A moment he would surely never forget for the rest of his life. The true beginning of his REAL life.

“Donald, are you still with us?” He heard José ask with a light laugh in his voice.

Donald blushed, embarrassed at being caught in a daydream once again, “U-Uh yeah yeah.”

“Are you sure we can do this?” José asked with a concerned look in his eyes. “I know we can play a few songs now but…” he glanced at Donald, “... what if it goes bad?”

Panchito scoffed, “You are such a pessimist, Zé. Who cares how it goes right? We’ll march up on that stage and play until our throats get sore and our fingers get numb.”

Donald stood quickly, suddenly invigorated by the idea of finally proving himself as a musician, “Yeah! We got this!”

José rose to his feet much slower and sighed, “I suppose you’re right. Alright then Paco, when are we supposed to perform?”

Panchito beamed at both of them.

“Wednesday! Tomorrow night!!!”

Well. Shit.

Chapter Text

Agony and despair was what greeted Donald when he woke up on the day of The Three Caballeros’ first performance. A dreary Wednesday morning where the clouds hung low in the sky and threatened rain. Honestly it all felt like a bad omen… a warning of something awful just around the horizons. Who could really blame him for feeling so forlorn? It was as if the devil himself had stacked the unlucky dominos leading to today’s event and was poised to knock them all down. Of all the places Panchito could have chosen for their first show, he HAD to pick the charity ball his uncle had guilted him into going to.

He could still feel the shock from when Panchito had explained the circumstances, jaw hanging open dumbly.

“Someone in my guitar class was going to perform, ya know, it’s a free event so they were looking for some local talent. He had to back out though and I offered us in his place! It’ll be the perfect jumpstart to our rockstar careers, don’t you think?”

No, he did not think, and evidently neither did Panchito, Donald thought to himself. Panchito’s impulsiveness had finally screwed them over. Even José was hesitant to get on board, but it only took a few bats of Panchito’s eyelashes before they both caved and agreed to go. Really, he only had himself to blame for that. Donald should have said no. He should have explained that there was no way he could perform in front of his uncle and sister. It was already anxiety-inducing enough getting on stage in front of a bunch of strangers and he had no desire to add his uncle’s presence to that cocktail of nerves. He wanted to lock himself in his room, but that annoying part of his brain kept telling him that he couldn’t let down his friends. Still, he had to do something. Begrudgingly he pulled himself away from his bed and towards the only person who could help him.

Della’s bedroom was only a few doors down from his own. It had been nearly a decade since they last shared a room and, even though Della had no issue with invading his privacy, Donald hardly ever set foot in her room. He felt strange standing in front of it, hesitant to turn the doorknob. Should he knock? Not like she ever gave him the same courtesy. He knocked once, the thud of his knuckles against the wood felt heavy. No response. Maybe she didn’t hear him? He knocked again, two times in quick succession. Still no response. So much for trying to be the bigger duck, Donald thought as he hit his fist against the door harder and harder until finally he heard shuffling from the other side of the door.

He really shouldn’t have been that surprised when Della swung the door open with sleep in her eyes and the worst bed head he had ever seen.

“Good morning dearest brother of mine!” She said through clenched teeth, “What do you want your last words to be? Think quickly!”

Donald raised his hands defensively, “Whoa! Calm down! I didn’t know you were still asleep, sorry!”

Della shrugged, “Weird choice for last words but suit yourself.

“Della! I’m serious. I… I need your help.” 

His sister paused as she looked him up and down presumably trying to spot some trick or lie. Her expression softened after a minute and she nodded slowly, “Ok Donnie, you look like an anxious mess so this must be something serious.”

Donald sighed with relief, “It is. Well, to me it is. Can I come in?”

“Fine, but don’t touch anything!”

It’d be impossible not to, Donald thought as he tried to shimmy around a bunch of cluttered junk strewn across the floor. Della had always been the messier twin making Donald do a lot of the cleaning back when they shared a room. She would argue her mess was an organized one but Donald couldn’t see how she found anything with how randomly her possessions seemed to be placed. Still, now wasn’t the time to berate her about the state of her room if he wanted her help in anything.

“Sooo what’s so important you had to drag me out of bed this early?” Della asked, taking a seat at her desk and spinning around to face Donald.

Donald chose to sit on the softest looking pile of junk in the room, “It’s about the charity thingy tonight. You know, the one Uncle Scrooge is dragging us to?”

Della groaned, “Ugh of course I know. I’ve been dreading it all week.”

“Well… you see… it turns out…” Donald struggled to find a way to continue, “... my band is going to be playing at it.” 

Della stared at him for a while, and for one horrible moment Donald was convinced she was going to burst into laughter, but instead she beamed at him. 

“Whoa really?? That’s awesome! You’re going to like, actually perform?” She leaned closer, “You guys aren’t half bad you know. A little rough around the edges but I bet you’ll do amazing!”

Something heavy lifted from Donald’s chest though he could not put a name to it. He never realized how important his sister’s approval meant to him.

He waved a hand and attempted to seem unphased by Della’s half-compliment, “Y-Yeah yeah well. I was wondering if you’d help me distract Uncle Scrooge while we’re up on stage playing. I don’t know if I’m ready for him to see me perform..”

Della tilted her head, “He’s heard your band before. That garage isn’t necessarily sound proof ya know.”

“I know, I know. But as far as Uncle Scrooge is concerned that’s as far as it goes right? He thinks I have some dumb little hobby, but if he sees me on that stage he’ll know my true dream is to get the hell out of this place and travel the world playing music! Far away from this mansion and his business and-“

“And me?” Della scoffed, “I didn’t realize we made you so miserable.”

Donald felt his face grow hot with embarrassment, “That’s not what I meant! I just… I want to be free to live my life. I want to be with my friends and I want to perform for people. I can’t be stuck here forever.”

Della studied him for a moment before she responded, “... those two make you really happy don’t they?”

“Yeah.” Donald swallowed, “They’re really great guys.”

Another moment of silence passed before Della stood, “Alright I’ll do it! I’ll get ol’ Scroogey out of the room when your band goes on stage. You can count on me, Donald!”

Donald stood with her, smiling from cheek to cheek, “You're a lifesaver!” 

“Awh c’mere!” Della laughed, pulled Donald into a crushing hug. “I just have one little favor to ask?”

Donald groaned, “Oh great. What do you want?”

She smiled at him, “When your band gets rich and famous… don’t forget about me, alright?”

“You’re so stupid. How could I forget someone with a dumb face like yours.” Donald said, sticking a tongue out at her.

Della gasped and tightened her grasp around him, “You take that back you little punk!”

They both laughed and toppled to the floor, and in that moment Donald felt calm.

—-

The charity event was more crowded than Donald had anticipated. If his sister hadn’t been by his side the entire evening giving him reassuring advice the size of the crowd might have sent him into a full blown panic attack. The venue was an old decaying museum on the outskirts of the city which was no doubt in need of some extra funds. Donald remembered coming there as a child bored out of his mind, and it didn’t seem like the place had gotten any better in the years between. Still, he was fond of a memory he had of Della and him arguing about the legitimacy of the singular dinosaur bone the museum had on display. 

The time of his performance grew closer and with each tick of the clock Donald could feel his heart pounding faster and faster until he was sure he’d have a heart attack and fall over dead. True to her word, Della managed to distract their Uncle Scrooge with a well crafted lie about there being some hidden relic somewhere in the building. She gave Donald a tight, almost painfully so, hug before she pulled Scrooge out of the main room and down a hallway out of sight. He stood there for a moment staring at the piano player who currently took the stage and wondered if they had been as anxious to perform as he now felt. 

“Nervous?”

Donald nearly jumped out of his clothes at the sound of José suddenly at his side. His face grew hot as he took in José’s look, who knew his friend would look so good in a suit?

“O-Of course I’m nervous.” Donald stammered as he forced himself to look back at the stage to avoid embarrassing himself even more.

“Me too.” José admitted. “I met up with Panchito earlier and he said he couldn’t wait for us to get up there and become rockstars.” The parrot laughed, “I wish I had his optimism.” 

Donald scoffed, “I wish I had Panchito’s everything.”

“Oh Donald, then you wouldn’t be you.” José spoke with a warmth that spread throughout Donald’s chest, “And you’re wonderful.”

The compliment was almost too much for Donald’s poor heart to handle on top of all his stage fright nerves. He chose to ignore the comment and instead started looking around the room for a certain loud mouthed rooster.

“Speaking of Panchito, where the hell is he?” Donald asked.

José tilted his head, “Backstage. We’re up next after all. He sent me to fetch you.”

Donald swallowed, suddenly losing all ability to move, “Right….”

“Oh Donald.” José took his hand, “Please allow yourself to enjoy this.” 

Slowly José pulled him through the crowd and up the side of the stage where they slipped behind a heavy red curtain. Panchito was waiting, handsomely dressed in a button up and dress slacks that looked a little too short on him. He beamed at the two as they made their way over to him.

“My friends!” He crowed, pulling them both into a hug that could rival Della’s. “Can’t you feel it in the air? Our rise to stardom!”

José chuckled as a faint blush appeared on his cheeks, “Settle down, Paco. Save that energy for the stage!”

“You’re right!” Panchito exclaimed, letting them both go as he instead chose to sling his arms around both of their shoulders. “I’m sorry, this is just so exciting!”

“Hmm.. our first performance together. Surely this will be a night to remember.” José sighed fondly, sending a smile Donald’s way.

Donald’s anxiety wasn’t so easily soothed by kind words, but he tried to share his friends’ confidence as they made their way onto the stage only a few minutes later. As Donald looked out into the modest crowd, he thanked whatever god was listening that the bright lights on the stage practically blinded him from the faces that stared up at him. Panchito naturally took to the mic and greeted the crowd with that unmistakable Panchito charm. Donald hardly processed any of what he was saying and before he knew it there was a microphone in front of his face and a guitar in his hands. José sat slightly behind him at the keyboard and as he played the first few notes of the song the world went blurry.

An out of body experience was the best way Donald could describe what he went through for the next 20 minutes or so when their band was on stage. He was definitely there singing his heart out, but he was also floating above his own head. He could feel the energy from Panchito and José as they performed and it was electrifying. Donald could hardly hear the crowd over Panchito’s voice, but he found he didn’t mind. The crowd could’ve hated them for all he cared. Why had he been so wrapped up in worrying about if these strangers would like him? Why did any of that ever matter when all he needed was José and Panchito with him.

The thought hit him as he reentered his body long enough to realize they were accepting some light applause while they exited the stage. It felt a little too heavy for his liking, but he allowed the weight of his own feelings to sink down into his chest and land on his heart. He looked up at José and Panchito who both looked as stunned as he felt.

“That was…” José started.

“Amazing.” Panchito finished.

Donald couldn’t have agreed more.

—-

The next few months were easily the happiest Donald had ever been in his life. Somehow Panchito had managed to continuously land gigs for The Three Caballeros at all sorts of odd places. One night they’d be performing in front of a drunk crowd at some rinky-dink dive bar, and the next they’d be at an old folk’s home playing for people three times their age. Donald was always surprised when Panchito announced they’d be performing because if truth be told, they were kind of lousy.

Donald had come to the realization one night during a performance at the park during one of Duckburg’s many festivals. He could hear himself, out of tune and overzealous. The crowd stared at them uneasily like they weren’t sure if they were a joke or not. Somehow the realization didn’t cause Donald’s whole world to crumble. No, instead he found he didn’t care at all. He was having fun and having an audience, someone to listen to his voice… that’s all he ever wanted. If life could be like this forever then he could truly be happy.

So when Panchito approached him and José with the idea of taking their band on the road and touring the country he didn’t hesitate to say yes.

José was less enthusiastic about the idea. He nervously played with the bottom of his shirt as he tried to explain his reservations, “Paco, you know I love your enthusiasm, but this sounds… unreasonable. Expensive.”

They were in Panchito and José’s dorm room, all three sat on the floor of the living room with a map spread out in front of them. Panchito had drawn on it in red marker, and Donald recognized it as a potential tour route. How long had Panchito had this idea?

“Oh don’t worry about that,” Panchito laughed, “We can use Donald’s car! Our gigs will pay for gas, and if we can’t afford a place to sleep then I’ll bring sleeping bags.”

Donald couldn’t help but chuckle at the look of horror on José’s face.

“And if we can’t get, uh, gigs? Then what?” José folded his arms.

Panchito scoffed, “Then we play on the side of the street!”

“Sounds good to me.” Donald grinned as he nudged José in the arm, “C’mon Zé we can’t do this without you.”

José groaned, hiding his face in his hands. “You two are so hopeless… I can’t let you two go alone, you'll get yourselves killed. I guess I-“

Panchito pulled José into a hug before he could finish his next sentence, “I knew you’d come around!! This is going to be fun I promise!”

“R-Right right, now let me go.” José stammered, his whole face turning red. Once he was released from Panchito’s bear hug, he brushed his shirt off and turned to Donald. “Won’t your uncle be not exactly thrilled to see you pause your studies to do something like this?”

“Oh he’s going to pitch a fit for sure.” Donald sighed, laying back on the floor to stare at the ceiling. “But you know what? I don’t care. I’m an adult! I can do whatever I want, and I want to do this.”

Panchito laid beside him, propping his head up with an arm, “Who are you and what have you done with our Donald?”

“Stuff it, I’ve always been a rebel.” Donald chuckled.

“Hey now, I thought we all agreed I was going to be the bad boy of the band.” José teased as he scooted across the floor to the other side of Donald and copied Panchito’s position. 

Donald blushed, José’s face was a lot closer to him than usual, “Pfft, get real. Everyone knows Panchito’s the hardcore one.”

José snorted, “You can’t be serious. Panchito is a total sweetheart.”

“Hey, I can be tough!” Panchito huffed as he reached over Donald’s face to flick José in the beak.

The parrot squawked and batted Panchito’s hand away, “Ohh, so sorry tough guy~”

They all chuckled and settled back against the floor, staring up at the blank ceiling. Panchito’s proposal weighed heavily in Donald’s mind. Would he really give everything up to travel with the two birds on either side of him? He could already picture his uncle’s face, bunched up in anger as he told him he would be taking a hiatus from school just to bum around with his admittedly mediocre band. Della on the other hand would probably help him pack his bags and joke about taking over his room while he was away. The thought got a chuckle out of him.

He felt José shift next to him and let out a sigh before he said, “I have always wanted to travel more…”

Donald turned to look at him. He couldn’t place the look on José’s face. Maybe it was one of longing or maybe even nervousness. Donald always had such a hard time reading him. Panchito hummed in some vague form of agreement before slowly sitting up.

“Come on boys, we have a LOT of planning to do!”

—-

Donald had correctly predicted his uncle’s reaction to the news that he was going to put a pause on his studies. They fought for days over it, but Donald’s mind was made up and as the day of his departure got closer and closer he could sense his uncle’s feelings on the matter soften. Della on the other hand surprised Donald with her initial reaction which was one of disbelief with a touch of resentment. She ignored him for a week straight, all the while lamenting that it was not fair that he was being granted this freedom.

She was jealous. When Donald came to this conclusion he was dumbfounded. With his temper and his inability to make friends, he didn’t think anyone would ever have a reason to be jealous of him… much less Della. Still, he tried not to let her childish behavior upset him and instead focused on the journey ahead. Panchito had revised his initial “tour route”, as he called it, to be more practical. Donald suspected that José had a hand in persuading Panchito to set more realistic goals. 

Most of their route was going through the lower half of Texas and into Mexico. Panchito gleefully pointed out that they would be able to stay a few nights at his family’s house, and Donald and José both joked about being stuck in a room full of more Panchitos. Neither of them protested the idea though. José had started a budget of sorts and he was constantly warning how risky the whole thing was starting to sound.

“Look. I just ask you to think of the inevitability of us getting stranded somewhere because Donald’s junker of a car refuses to keep going, or something like that.” José huffed one evening as they sat around in his and Panchito’s dorm room. 

Panchito scoffed from his seat up on the couch, as if the idea was totally ridiculous and not something very likely to happen, “You have no faith, Zé. Loosen up~ where’s that carefree friend of mine?”

Donald ignored the way José’s cheeks flushed and sat up a bit from his position on the floor, “Guys, this is supposed to be fun. We’re young, we can make stupid decisions.” 

“Stupid is right.” José chuckled, “A bunch of knuckleheads is what we all are.”

“I resent that.” Panchito held a hand to his chest as if he were offended, but the grin on his face gave him away immediately.

“We might as well own up to it.” Donald snickered, nudging Panchito’s leg with his elbow.

Panchito leaned down suddenly, his face inches from Donald, “You’re right. What’s so wrong with being a little stupid anyway?” 

José threw an empty beer can at Panchito’s head which made Panchito’s turn on him and pounce. Donald did his best to contain his laughter as the two wrestled on the floor and only when he got pulled into the tussle did he stop. 

If this was any indication of how their travels were going to go, then Donald couldn’t wait any longer. He counted each day down as they drew closer to the day they were set to start the long drive across the country. In no time at all he found himself standing in the foyer of his uncle’s mansion, suitcase in hand, waving goodbye to both his uncle and sister. If Donald didn’t know any better he would have thought Uncle Scrooge was a little bit proud of him. His uncle waved him goodbye with a confident smile and told him to keep in touch. Donald knew that was his uncle’s way of saying that he was going to miss him. As for Della…

They still hadn’t reconciled. Not in any way that mattered. She had attempted a half hearted apology the night before, but Donald didn’t believe one word of it. As much as he didn’t want to leave things unsaid, it was hard to have a heartfelt conversation with Della right in front of his uncle. Even harder with her acting like they hadn’t spent the last week bickering endlessly about the trip of Donald’s dream. She waved at him with that smile that came so naturally to her, so easy going. In a way, it was similar to that unreadable smile José often wore on his face.

“Don’t let Panchito run you ragged, and don’t let Zé smoke, ok?” Della said with a laugh in her voice that sounded more fake the longer it went on. 

“I won’t.” Donald said plainly. He stared at her for a minute more and wondered if he should hug her. He wanted to, but he didn’t.

And so he walked out the door. 

—-

“Donald?”

“Hmm..”

“Donald.”

“Mhm…”

“DONALD!”

Donald jerked awake and sat up in his seat. It took him a moment to fully process where he was, and after he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes he remembered exactly where he was. They had been on the road for a few days now, and as they made their way to their destination the three of them would rotate driving as the others slept. Donald had been enjoying a particularly nice dream about a picnic date with a certain green parrot when said parrot so rudely woke him. 

“What time is it..?” was all Donald could ask as he stared out the window into the inky black night. 

José chuckled and replied softly, as if he didn’t want to wake Panchito who was still fast asleep in the back seats, “It is only midnight.”

“Only?” Donald huffed, leaning his face against the cold, glass window, “What did you wake me for anyway?”

José made a thoughtful noise, “I wanted to talk to you. Privately.”

Oh? The way he said it made it sound so… intimate. 

“I guess this is as private as you’re going to get until we reach the next motel.” Donald turned to look at José and noticed the way he gripped the steering wheel a little tighter.

“Yes…” José dragged out the word, stalling.

“I’m too tired for this, Zé, can you just spit it out?” 

“... do you think I have been too uptight lately?” José finally asked as he stared straight ahead.

Donald scoffed, “Yeah, like you’ve got a big stick up your-”

“Donald.” José’s cheeks went pink.

“José.” Donald crossed his arms.

“This has not been easy, you know?” José finally relented, “I love to adventure, and I love that we are doing this, but I have felt burdened by something.”

Donald raised a brow, but it took several more minutes before José spoke again. He kept fumbling, slipping in and out of Portuguese as if he was trying to find the right way to explain himself to his friend.

“It’s Panchito, Donald.” José started, “To me, this is fun. This is silly, and it will probably lead to nothing. We will look back at this time in our lives and we will laugh and talk about what idiots we were… but to Paco… I mean, does he really think we can be superstars? The way he talks, oh I want to punch him sometimes. He starts going on about how wonderful we all are together, and how we’ll always be here for each other.” 

José took a deep breath, “... and the scary part is that sometimes I believe him. Sometimes I believe you two will always be in my life, but I can’t believe something like that. This is getting too serious, Donald. I never wanted it to be this serious.”

It was deathly quiet as José finished his thoughts. Donald’s sleep deprived mind panicked as it tried to pick up all the pieces and put together a coherent response but he had none to give. What was José trying to say to him? Did he regret coming along? Did he regret their whole friendship? 

“Zé…” Donald found his voice eventually, but he couldn’t bring himself to look at his friend. Instead he watched the passing streetlights as they whizzed by, and found comfort in the rhythm. “There’s nothing to be scared of. Can you trust me on that?”

“Donald..” José started, his voice shaking. “How can you say that with such confidence?”

“Because I care about you, and I care about Panchito, ok?” Donald’s face felt hot, “You’re right. I know you’re right. This is silly!” He laughed a little, “But… for just a few months… can we pretend it’s not?”

José glanced his way, briefly, before he turned his eyes back on the road, “For you my friend, I will do my best.”

Donald sighed with relief and turned in his seat, desperately trying to find that comfortable position he was sleeping in not that long ago. As he adjusted himself he glanced into the darkness of the back seats…

And was surprised to see Panchito’s wide awake eyes staring right at him. 

—

Being on the road for weeks at a time really did make you appreciate the comforts of home with each passing day, Donald thought to himself as he brushed his teeth in a gas station bathroom. They had played a show the night before at some bowling alley (José kept joking it had to be a cover for some shady business) to an audience of disinterested kids and annoyed parents. Regardless, they were paid decently well. Not well enough to justify a motel room, so they slept in the car. Again.

José elbowed Donald to get access to the only mirror that wasn’t broken in the dingy bathroom and groaned as he picked at some loose feathers. “I need to get them preened sooner than later,” he whined miserably. 

Panchito, always the morning person, barked out a laugh. “You look fine! Here you just have to-” he reached for José’s face and the parrot squawked and ducked behind Donald to avoid him. 

“No no, I’m not letting you near my feathers after last time!” José frowned at him. 

“You accidentally pluck a little feather one time, and you never hear the end of it…” Panchito clicked his tongue and shook his head.

Donald looked at himself in the mirror as his friends playfully bickered with each other. Lately when he saw himself he almost didn’t recognize the duck that stared back at him. For one, he seemed older. Somehow all the world traveling he did with his uncle and sister didn’t age him nearly as much as just a few months roughing it with his two best friends. He also seemed happier… much happier. The smile on his face was evidence enough. Now, that wasn’t to say that his anger problem never flared up. Just last week they had a particularly rowdy crowd in Acapulco that the three of them had to fight their way through. Donald had gotten so pissed off he started swinging wildly at anyone he could land a hit on. Panchito got so confused in the ruckus he broke one of his guitars over Donald’s head, which only served to make Donald even more mad. Despite it all, it was a night to remember. 

“Hey,” Donald called to his friends, “Do you mind if I make a phone call back home before we get back on the road?”

José nodded, “There’s a payphone outside. Will you tell Della I said hi~?”

The physical distance between Donald and Della was apparently what they needed to settle their fighting, because Donald’s calls home quickly became his favorite part of traveling. Everytime he had a story for her, something wild that happened during a show, something funny Panchito had said, or even José’s failed attempts at flirting with anything that walked by him. She would be in hysterics by the time he finished catching her up, and she would always insist he call again as soon as possible. Truthfully, he missed her more than anything.

He waited patiently for her to pick up the phone and at the first click he almost immediately launched into speaking.

“Della! You won’t believe what happened last week-”

“Donald! I’ve been waiting for your call for weeks!” Della sounded worried.

Donald rolled his eyes for his own benefit, “You know I can’t make these calls every day.”

“I know that, but I need to tell you something. Um. It’s kind of important.” 

Donald leaned against the payphone and sighed, he fully expected some kind of prank. “Alright, what’s so important then…?”

A beat of silence and then, “... Donald. Dude. I’m pregnant.”

José and Panchito could hear Donald’s scream from the bathroom.

—

It had been an adventure unlike any other, but it was over now. Panchito and José were more than understanding when Donald insisted they rush back home to be with Della. None of them got many details until they finally arrived back at the mansion after a week of travel. Della was unusually tight lipped about who the father might be, but frankly Donald could care less. Within a month of his return the eggs had arrived, three boys. 

A month after that, Della was excitedly telling Donald about an adventure to the moon. It was so idiotic, so dangerous, that Donald blew up on her completely. He couldn’t let her do it, why would she risk it? Donald was not going to let his nephews be devoured by Della’s unending hunger for adventure, and so he took them away. 

And then Della was gone.

There was no funeral. No body to bury. Still, José and Panchito showed up on his doorstep a few days after the news spread. Donald was living with the still unhatched eggs in a run down apartment as he was unable to reconcile with his uncle who he felt held some responsibility for Della’s death. It felt strange seeing them with so much concern in their eyes. It made Donald feel weak and pathetic, but he still let them in.

They sat around Donald’s small kitchen table and at some point Panchito had started some awkward small talk. Donald didn’t even properly register the words coming out of his own mouth, much less Panchito’s. After a few more minutes of dancing around the obvious topic, José finally spoke up. 

“Donald. You know that we can help you with anything you need.” he started.

Panchito nodded along, “Raising three boys by yourself is not easy. José and I were talking-”

José leaned forward, “Not that we don’t think you could handle it, but we are more than willing to-”

It was more or less white noise to Donald, but he didn’t need to hear everything to pick up on what they were offering. Donald’s heart ached painfully. He couldn’t ask them to drop their lives to help him like this. They were supposed to become superstars… they could still do it even without him. 

“Get out.”

Panchito stopped in the middle of the passionate speech he was giving to stare at Donald with wide eyes, unsure if he had heard his friend right. “Donald…?”

“What, are you fucking stupid? Get out.” Donald wasn’t looking at either of them, instead staring straight up at the ceiling. It was easier this way.

He heard José gasp, “I know you’re upset, but do not talk to Panchito like that.”

Donald felt all the anger bubbling under his chest rise suddenly like an explosion. He jumped to his feet and slammed his hands on the kitchen table and looked them both in the eyes. “You two don’t get it! I don’t need you! Now leave me the fuck alone!” 

José stood suddenly and took a step towards Donald, anger in his eyes, “We’re just trying to be here for you. Let us be here for you.”

“Oh shut up.” Donald snarled. “You don’t want to do this, you’re a fucking coward José. You always have been! You’re so scared of your own feelings, of forming meaningful relationships with anyone, how can I let you make such a big decision like this?”

José took another step towards Donald but was stopped by Panchito finally getting to his feet and putting a hand on José’s chest. He looked pained… Donald had never seen such a deep frown on the rooster’s face.

“Y-You’re hurt, my friend.” Panchito swallowed, “I know you don’t mean that.”

Donald clenched his fists, “I mean every word of it. Will you stop acting like you're better than me, Panchito? You’re just an oblivious idiot who can’t take a fucking hint!” 

In an instant José tried to launch himself at Donald and was only held back by Panchito wrapping his arms around the parrot’s middle and pulling him back. Donald stood there huffing as Panchito struggled to hold back the swearing bird and eventually José pulled himself out of Panchito’s grip long enough to march right up to Donald’s face.

“Listen to me.” José said through clenched teeth, “We’ll come back when you’re not being such a massive asshole.” 

José turned away and nearly dragged Panchito towards the front door. The last thing Donald saw before they were out of view was Panchito’s pleading eyes staring straight into his.

The next few months were painful. Donald hardly answered his phone, or his door. When Panchito and José would show up at his place, more often than not it was Panchito alone, Donald wouldn’t let them in. Instead they’d share a few words over the doormat, strained and awkward before Donald would close the door on them. Over time, Donald stopped seeing José, but Panchito kept visiting. On his last visit he handed Donald a piece of paper with his and José’s email addresses and told him to keep in contact. Panchito was taking the train back to his hometown in a few days but he promised to write.

Donald didn’t know what compelled him to write José. He could sense a growing resentment between the two of them that was ugly and unpleasant, and he couldn’t bear to leave it as it was. So he wrote. Most of what he wrote was about nothing at all. He’d tell José about the weather, or about a song he heard on the radio. It was a few weeks before he got his first reply from José. The message was short, but he made Donald cry for hours.

“I’m so happy to hear from you.” was all it said.

His emails to Panchito were more lively, but not any more complicated than his messages to José. It was through him that he learned José was no longer in the states anymore either, though Panchito seemed unsure as to where he actually was. They had a few group messages as well, but they seemed to peeter out quickly. Donald remembered a time when Panchito, José, and him could talk for hours laying under the stars… but things had changed now. 

When the eggs hatched, Donald’s life became a blur, and then 10 years had passed in the blink of an eye. His emails to his once cherished friends only became more and more infrequent as time went on. He’d be lucky to get a message from them once or twice a year. How he wished he could tell his nephews all the stories of his old friends, but he preferred keeping his memories locked away. It was less painful that way.

So when Donald checked his email one lazy afternoon, he was surprised to see José had sent him a long message detailing a vacation he wanted to invite Donald and his family on. Of course, Panchito had been invited as well. Enough time had passed that the idea of seeing his friends again made Donald feel a sort of anxious excitement. They both seemed to be doing really well if each of their latest emails were to be believed. No big surprise, Donald always knew they’d go on and do great things. He replied to the email accepting the invitation without hesitation. 

Nothing could have prepared him for what happened next.

—

Nearly getting eaten by a carnivorous plant was almost worth it if it meant reconnecting with the best friends you’ve ever had, Donald thought as he sat between José and Panchito on the plane ride back home. The day had been a long one, and he was sure the two of them wouldn’t be in the mood for talking after the adventure they had just shared, but he felt like so much had still been left unsaid. 

They both looked so much older than the image of them he had been carrying in his head for nearly a decade. He’s sure he looks older to them as well, and probably more ragged than ever after raising three boys, but he knows they’re both too polite to point that out. At least Panchito was. Donald worried before the trip that his old feelings for José would rise up once he saw him in person again, but he was surprised to discover that they laid dormant throughout the entire ordeal. Instead he felt an ever growing fondness for Panchito and José’s forgiveness and acceptance of him back into their lives. 

The sun was still up when the plane landed back in the mansion, and Donald wanted nothing more than to collapse in his bed. As he stepped off the plane, Panchito put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze that sent a shiver up Donald’s back.

“Donald. Do you think we could talk?” 

José lingered nearby, as if he expected to be invited to this impromptu talk. Donald glanced uneasily at the both of them and gave Panchito a short little nod. 

“We can go talk inside-” Donald turned to point at the mansion.

“Somewhere private?” Panchito asked hopefully.

Donald couldn’t stop the blush from spreading across his cheeks, why privately? José, who was trying very hard to pretend like he wasn’t eavesdropping, looked equally as embarrassed at the wording.

“Y-Yeah? We can go to the houseboat, I guess.” Donald shrugged. 

“Oh, good.” Panchito beamed a smile at him. 

Donald started to lead Panchito away, but not before he glanced back at José who gave him a small wave and a sneaky wink. Great, now he was blushing even more. Panchito didn’t seem to notice the exchange and before he knew it they were sitting in the houseboat’s kitchen. Donald had offered to make him something to eat as they walked in, but Panchito politely declined.

“Crazy day, huh?” Panchito said, a slight quiver in his voice that was very un-Panchito. 

“That’s pretty much my normal.” Donald joked, “But hey, it was pretty fun.”

Panchito hummed, “It was fun…”

There was an awkward silence for a minute or two. Panchito fidgeted with his hands in a way that made Donald nervous. 

“Panchito, are you ok?” Donald asked. 

Panchito froze, as if he had been caught in some terrible crime. “I-I’m fine. I just…”

Then suddenly Panchito was much closer than he had been a minute before. Donald felt one of Panchito’s hands on his cheek, soft and caring. Then in an instant, they were kissing. Or more accurately, Panchito was kissing him and Donald was sitting there with the dumbest look of shock on his face. Slowly, painfully slowly, Panchito pulled away. He was searching for something on Donald’s face, almost desperately.

“Why?” was the only thing Donald could squeak out.

“I… I had to know.” Panchito smiled sadly.

Donald swallowed, “Know what?”

“If you loved me the way I loved you.”

How had Panchito loved him? Deeply, Donald thought. He could tell in the way he held him close, afraid of letting him go. Donald knew if he asked Panchito he would have followed him to the end of the world. A decade had gone by and Panchito still clung to his every word, reaching out to him with both arms outstretched longing for him to reach back with the same fervor. And yet… it was like a flame that had reached its last embers. Sparking out wildly and desperately trying to keep alight. The fire was growing cold and distant, and in a moment Donald knew it would snuff out completely.

“What’s the verdict?” Donald asked, a miserable chuckle in his voice.

Panchito laughed, “You don’t. Not in that way. A different way perhaps, but never in the way I felt all those years.” His hand finally lowered from Donald’s cheek. “You’re one of my dearest friends Donald, and I will always love you for that.” 

Tears pricked at the corners of Donald’s eyes as he mourned a love that never fully blossomed. How different might his life have been if Panchito had been by his side over the years? If he got to wake up every morning to his smiling face.

Panchito looked forward, away from Donald for the first time since they had sat down together. “... when Della went missing you shut me out. You shut everyone out. Of course we couldn’t blame you for it, and I could’ve tried harder to be there for you, but it was hard. Over the years it just got lonelier. Nothing was going right for me either. And then… someone reached out to me.”

“José.” Donald felt a knot forming in his chest.

“Yes.” Panchito’s smile grew, “We talked for months. Over email, text messages, long phone calls. It was like no time had passed, and we were back in college, except, well… he was different. More mature. More trusting. I was beyond excited when he invited me on this trip... I wanted to see him again.”

Donald nudged Panchito with his shoulder, “You’re falling in love with him, aren’t you?”

Panchito blushed, “... yes, I think I am. Maybe you can relate to that?”

Donald’s cheeks turned red as he looked away from his friend, “That was a long time ago. I don’t… I don’t think I feel that way about him anymore. Not like that anyway.”

The words came out so easily, so painlessly. He had never admitted out loud his feelings for José and yet here he was dismissing them at the same time he was confessing. It was true though. Those feelings he once had for José were no longer there. They were dulled and distant, but still warm. He felt like he was holding the heart of his past self and soothing it gently. With a sigh he allowed himself to lean against Panchito, wordlessly asking for support. 

Panchito broke the silence with a sigh, “We’ve all really changed haven’t we?” 

“No, we’re still dumb.” Donald chuckled, “And we’re still losers.”

Panchito barked out a laugh, “Come on now, maybe there’s still time for us to become world wide superstars! Don’t give up on us, Donald.”

“Trust me Panchito.” Donald took his friend’s hand and held it to his chest, “I’m not making that mistake ever again.”

—-

Donald didn’t find José until late into the evening. Huey had spotted him in his uncle’s massive garden and, after getting lost twice, Donald found the parrot sitting in a gazebo in the center of a field of flowers. He was staring off into the trees that surrounded the area as he either didn’t notice Donald was approaching or was flat out ignoring him. 

“I knew you’d be outside somewhere… needed a smoke break?” Donald spoke out as he took a seat on the bench José was on.

“I don’t do that anymore.” José said softly, still not looking at Donald.

Donald adjusted himself in his seat, the bench underneath them creaking slightly. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t know-“

“I quit when Della disappeared.” José admitted, finally looking at Donald. As usual, his expression was unreadable.

The words in Donald’s throat died as he tried to choke out a response. After a few moments of silence, José continued.

“It felt like a nice way to… honor her or something. She was always so insistent that I quit.” 

“Yeah..” Donald swallowed. “Uh..” he couldn’t find the words he wanted to say. What did he even want to say to José? Did he want to apologize for all the years he spent distant from him? Did he want to talk about his sister? His dead feelings for José? 

The sun was starting to set and the sky grew dark. Thankfully, the lights in the garden had sprung to life. Dozens of twinkling lights that wrapped around the trees and bushes illuminated the area around them. The setting would have felt romantic if Donald’s heart let it, but he wasn’t ready to let those walls down. Not yet. Not now. The silence was choking him, so he blurted out the only thing he could think of.

“Panchito kissed me.” 

José tensed beside him and stared off in the distance. For a few painfully slow minutes Donald sat waiting for a response from his friend. When no words were spoken, Donald steeled himself to speak again.

“We were talking, a-and he just. Kissed me. I was really shocked.” Donald choked out. 

This time José turned his head to look at him. 

“... so he finally got the courage to?” José smiled sadly, “You know, he always liked you. Back then, when we were in school together he would talk about you all the time.”

Donald swallowed, “I-I had no idea.”

José laughed, but it sounded hollow. “You two really are meant for each other. Both are so oblivious...”

At that remake, Donald reached for José’s hands and took them in his own. He didn’t have time to be surprised by his own boldness as all the words he had been holding back for over a decade spilled out of his beak.

“Zé. I never noticed because I was… I was in love with you. You were the first true friend I ever had and I felt like you truly understood me. Every time we were together my heart felt like it was on fire. I’m sorry I never told you.. I was scared of losing you… you’re my best friend.”

He was faltering, hands shaking as he held José’s hands closer to his chest. Donald stared at their hands clenched together and braced himself for a negative reaction. He raised his head to meet José’s eyes and found the parrot’s cheeks had turned pink.

“D-Donald..” José began but couldn’t seem to finish his thought.

Something burned in Donald’s chest, and before the flame could extinguish he leaned forward and pressed a kiss against José’s beak. Donald had imagined himself like this many times, bravely confronting his feelings and kissing the man he pined for, but there were no fireworks when his beak met José’s. Instead he felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash over him, as if he’d been holding in a breath for over a decade and could finally exhale. 

It was José’s hand gently pushing on his chest that broke the kiss. Donald pulled away and steeled himself to meet José’s eyes. The parrot was smiling at him, a soft and gentle smile as if he understood everything Donald was trying to say with the kiss.

“Oh Donald….” José sighed, giving Donald’s hands a squeeze. “Thank you.”

Donald laughed, though he wasn’t sure why, “Yeah.. no problem.” 

José ran his thumb along the outside of Donald’s hand and hummed, “So Panchito’s feelings for you..?”

“Gone. Well… mostly..” Donald’s shoulder sagged, “It feels bittersweet.” 

“Mourning a love that was never fulfilled?” José offered.

Donald nodded, “Hm. Maybe you know how that feels?”

“More than you know…” 

—-

The sun was barely rising in the distance as Donald packed the back of his car with his friends’ luggage. They both had early flights back home and he offered to drive them to the airport so they could save on cab fare. Donald was sad to see them go so soon, but they both insisted they had reasons for going home and would be back before he could miss them. During the drive they sang along to old music they had listened to together in college and made fun of the lyrics that had moved them so much when they were younger. 

“Oh man!” Panchito made a face, “We used to think this was cool?”

Donald threw a punch blindly in Panchito’s direction, “Hey! It’s still cool! God, I feel old.”

José laughed, “Don’t say that, I’m still young and sexy thank you very much.”

Panchito’s cheeks went red and he pointedly ignored the knowing look Donald threw his way. By the time they reached the airport, Donald wished he had driven slower. It felt too soon to let his friends leave him again. Only for a short time, he told himself as he helped them get their luggage out of the back of his car. They stood there for a moment, all of them unsure of what to say. What could be said? Donald was so very bad with goodbyes.

“Hey.” Panchito put a hand on Donald’s shoulder, “We’ll be back.”

José places a hand on Donald’s arm, “You should know by now that we’re very hard to get rid of.”

Donald blinked at them and then started laughing, tears pricking at the corner of his eyes.

“No matter where he goes~” José sang out.

Panchito grinned, “The one, two, and three goes~”

They both looked at Donald to finish the song, smiles in their eyes and love in their hearts. Donald smiled back at them, and opened his beak to sing as loudly as he could.

“WE’RE ALWAYS TOGETHER!”