Chapter Text
“What do you mean he’s gone?!”
Dewey looks up from the dining room table as Donald continues to shout at Mrs. B for not keeping a closer eye on his brother.
“Calm down, he couldn’t have gotten far,” she sighs. “I’m sure he just needs a moment to process everything.”
Dewey frowns with worry, watching the adults go back and forth about where Louie could’ve possibly gone instead of doing anything about it. They had only just found a good psychologist to help Louie understand what happened to him and he didn’t even bother to show up for his first session.
“I don’t get it,” Dewey huffs, leaning into his hand. “I thought he wanted to get better.”
“Oh, I’m sure that’s still true…” Webby assures him with an uncertain lilt in her voice.
“Then why isn’t he here?” Dewey argues, his face set in a slightly disappointed expression. “We looked everywhere and found no sign of him.”
Webby twists a lock of her hair. “Well… Louie couldn’t have gone too far, like Granny said. We just have to find him.”
“How? He’s not picking up anyone’s calls.”
“I think I know where he is.”
Dewey looks at his older brother as he pushes out of his chair and heads out back, then shares a glance with Webby and follows without question.
—
It takes no more than 10 minutes for the three of them to hijack the jeep and drive to the marina. Huey pulls up into the parking lot and turns off the engine. “The houseboat is in a low-stress environment. I bet he’s here.”
“Good thinking, Huey,” Webby praises, unbuckling her seatbelt. Meanwhile, Dewey climbs out of the passenger’s seat and makes a beeline for the boat.
Dewey spots Louie instantly, sitting on the dock right by the boat. “Louie!” Dewey calls him. Despite being out of earshot, Dewey can hear the tired groan coming from his brother.
“What?” Louie whines when Dewey gets closer.
“What are you doing down here?” Dewey demands, raising a brow.
Louie tilts his chin up, pretty nonchalant for a guy who’s clearly avoiding therapy. “What are you doing down here?” He counters.
Huey catches up in time to save Dewey from having to grill into their younger brother. Webby isn’t far behind him.
“We’re looking for you,” Huey replies blatantly, obviously trying hard not to sound annoyed. “You had therapy today. One hour ago, actually.”
Louie blinks. “Oh, was that today?”
Huey crosses his arms. “Yes, I reminded you yesterday.”
“Must’ve forgotten.”
Dewey narrows his eyes slightly, not buying his brother’s claim. “Oh, you just forgot?”
Louie shrugs. “Guess so.”
“This isn’t a joke!” Huey snaps. “Therapy can help you, but you’re just going to ignore it?!”
Boy, and I thought I was upset, Dewey thinks before promptly stepping in front of the eldest. “Woah, Hue, maybe take it down a notch.”
“Yeah, let’s just talk this out,” Webby adds, putting her hand placatingly on Huey’s arm.
Dewey bites his cheek after Huey stands down and turns to his younger brother, who had decided to go back to gazing forlornly at the water. “Hey… what’s the big deal anyway? All you gotta do is talk to some stranger about what happened to you in those caves.”
Okay… it sounds worse when it’s said out loud.
After a quiet and awkward moment, Louie sighs. “I can’t...”
“But why?” Dewey presses before he can think to stop himself. “Everybody says talking about your feelings helps, so just tell the psychologist what you’re feeling— Uncle Donald said she’s really nice. Or tell us! We’re your family.”
“No! I don’t want to talk to a stupid therapist and I don’t want to talk to you, okay?! Just leave me alone.”
“No, I won’t leave you alone! I’m your brother and I’m not gonna let you waste away like this!”
“So much for talking,” Webby mutters.
Huey steps forward, his voice tense. “Dewey’s right. If you continue to ignore this, things will only get worse. You have to talk to someone.”
“And say what?!—” Louie grunts in pain and screws his eyes shut. His right hand grips the opposite shoulder, which was left scarred and useless. It not only reminds Dewey about the seriousness of the injury, but also that his brother should be at home resting.
“How about that you’re in pain,” Huey offers. “Or that you almost died— did die, in fact— and that you’ve been having nightmares ever since? Literally anything would be a start.”
Dewey nods slowly, brushing over the second part. “Yeah, you don’t even have to talk about your arm yet. Maybe just tell her about your day or something.”
“Look, I’m fine… really. It’s mostly just the pain that’s bothering me,” Louie insists, but nobody believes it. It was 6 full hours before the rescue team pulled Louie out of that rubble. “Can we just go home?”
Silence.
“Fine,” Huey huffs and heads back to the car.
“Uh, yeah, of course… you’re probably tired,” Webby chimes in a little more lightheartedly. She looks at Dewey and follows Huey to the parking lot.
Dewey doesn’t want to drop the conversation that easily. He wants to keep pushing until Louie agrees to at least make an effort to fix himself, but seeing his brother so exhausted and in pain just makes it harder to fight with him.
Reluctantly, Dewey offers his hand to Louie and helps him to his feet. “This conversation isn’t over just because your back hurts.”
“Shoulder,” Louie corrects.
“Whatever. I just don’t want you to unravel, okay? You’re my baby brother.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know.”
Dewey smiles, although it’s never been so forced. “Good. Let’s go home.”