#⭒ ˙ ˖ ✧ — ˗ˏˋ ❝ ʜᴏᴡ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ʟᴇᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴅᴏ ᴛʜɪꜱ? ❞ ¦ 「 Drabble 」

[ducktales-wco-oo]

" Fenton... I- " The words cut off as Huey looks down at the blood splattered across his shirt, disguised against the red of the fabric, but horribly visible on his stark white feathers as he removes his shaking hand away from the wound on his abdomen. His breathing hitches, tears already falling from his eyes as he pitches forwards, headed towards the ground as his legs give out. He had done this for Fenton, had done this to save Fenton, because if Fenton was still alive, people would be safe, but he hadn't quite realized how much dying would hurt. " I... I don't... It hurts- " The words are quiet and scared as his large, watery eyes turn up from his blood soaked hands to his hero. [ <3 ]

- ✩ { @dollhousemuses } ✩

{ ☆ } Fenton always knew he was going to die in the place of another... He knew it would be painful— in more ways than one —and whoever he left behind would probably be worse for it, but they’d get better. Time heals all wounds... or at least, makes them easier to bear, even if they’ll never completely fade into obscurity. That’s what he’s told himself over and over again. The end justified the means; the sacrifice would be worth it. Regardless of WHO he laid down his life for. It would always be worth it.

 ... But this isn’t.

It’s not supposed to be this way. He’s not supposed to be the one still standing, even if he feels like he’s about to fall to his knees at any moment. He’s not supposed to be standing here, blood splat minimal and from another. And that another is definitely not supposed to be HUEY. He should be on the ground. He should be doing his best to remain composed as he comforts the duckling. Should be telling him that it’ll be alright, whatever happens. That’d be so much easier... Maybe that’s a selfish thought to have as he rushes forward on reflex, keeping the boy from hitting the ground as his legs give out. But it’s there in the recesses of his mind, nonetheless. It’ll always be there.

Fenton barely recalls moving, barely recalls what happened prior to the attack. The gunshot. One moment things had been normal and then the next... a figure. There was a figure. A threat. Huey had acted before Fenton could; noticing the hooded form in the shadows quicker than Fenton. It had only been a split-second of delay. But it was enough... Huey is smart like that. Observant. Far beyond his years, formed from a life that changed far too drastically and far too early within it. Fenton never mentioned that... perhaps he should have.

❝  It’s going to be alright, Huey... You’re going to be alright.  ❞  Words sound like they’re coming from someone else, Fenton unaware that he’d been voicing comfort since he first got the duckling carefully cradled in his arms. Laying on the ground, head nestled up and Fenton’s free hand applying firm pressure on the wound. It must hurt... but that’s a good thing, he reminds himself. Pain means you are alive. It’s the numbness you have to look out for. If the boy’s expression grows hazy, starts to slip out of the pain-stricken wince... then it’s time to panic. Who is he kidding? He’s already panicking. But for now, he needs to remain calm.

He needs Huey to think that he’s calm.

Strangely enough, his voice doesn’t tremble— he’s pretty sure it’s his voice; it sounds so muffled by the ringing in his ears, the thickness of his mind. Steady as his hand, as the smile he gives Huey as he gazes down into glossy eyes he doesn’t think he’ll ever unsee,  ❝  I’m going to get you help and then you’re going to get better and you are going to have bragging rights over everyone...  ❞  Fenton says while looking around at a street that is far too empty, people must have fled as soon as the shot rang out... aside from a singular figure. Standing a few feet away, meeting Fenton’s gaze with wide eyes from underneath the shadow of their hoodie. But only for a moment before lids lower into something akin to contempt, the curl of a smile lacing what little Fenton can make out of their beak. 

They were shocked at the start. Fenton knows that... He SAW it. But it was merely for a split-second before they accepted what happened. And as Fenton is painfully-aware..... a split-second makes all the difference.

Fenton’s stomach drops, eyes wide with disbelief at what he’s seeing. At the figure taking a few steps back, gaze flitting to the blood-stained duckling for far less notice than Huey deserves, before he turns on his heels and races away.... He’s gone. Just like that. Not a word, not a shred of hesitation or a fleeting reach to help. He didn’t care. He did this to Huey... and he didn’t care.  ❝  B-Because— because you’re a hero, you know that?  ❞  There was barely any pause between Fenton speaking and the silent exchange between him and the unknown attacker, but that one instant feels like it lasted hours. Fenton still feels trapped within it.

In the feeling... in the hatred....

He still sees them, even as he takes off his tie and uses it to assist with applying pressure. If he only had his collapsable first aid kit on him, but that project is still in the theoretical stage thanks to him getting sidetracks by others. If he had finished it, he could tend to Huey’s wounds himself.  ❝  Of course, I wish you hadn’t have done this. I’m grateful! Immensely proud- but you still shouldn’t have done that. People need you, Huey. More than you may realize. You’re too important to risk yourself like this...  ❞  Free hand contacts the ambulance with ease— after Fenton discards his first instinct of carrying Huey there himself. He’s too fragile to move and it’d take too long. Maybe if he had the suit, but it’s down for repairs. If he hadn’t have damaged it, he could have Huey at the hospital already.  ❝  You’re the smartest person I know, for one thing. But you’re far more than mere intelligence. Intelligence is easier to come by than courage or kindness or heh- patience... I know it can be hard with that last one, especially spending so much time around the lab.  ❞

❝  I know you consider me a hero- but truthfully, you’re my hero.  ❞  Where is that ambulance?  ❝  I wouldn’t have accomplished nearly what I have without your assistance. Without your belief in me... You’re a remarkable kid and you’re going to grow to live a remarkable life. Because it’ll be YOURS.  ❞  Hurry up... the tie is soaked... his hands feel so warm... so slick... Huey feels cold though.... Gaze worriedly looks around, Fenton swallowing thickly as he weakly says,  ❝  I know it hurts now, but it won’t forever... I promise. Alright, Huey?  ❞  

❝  .... Huey?  ❞  

 ❝  Huey, I need you to answer me, please.  ❞  

 ❝  Huey, please... Huey. Huey. TALK TO ME.  ❞  

❝  HUEY!  ❞  

❝  ......... I’m- I’m sorry for yelling.... I’m- ..... I’m sorry, Huey.....  ❞  

❝  I’m so sorry.  ❞  { ☆ }

[ducktales-wco-oo]

✩ I Wrote You Love Songs And You Liked That Sad One... ✩

{ ☆ } It’s a hectic day, as per usual, and Fenton is pretty sure anything and everything that could have gone wrong already is. An attempt at a decent breakfast was burned to a charred crisp thanks to an epiphany striking whilst he was in the middle of laying down chorizo, hot water was spilled all over his chest— Fenton can still hear the sound of feathers and flesh sizzling —he tripped while racing out the door to avoid missing an investor meeting that quote ‘had to take place this early in the morning, not a second later’ unless he’d rather seek extra funding elsewhere…

Which he would NOT.

Unfortunately he might have to regardless of sliding into the room with mere seconds to spare. What are the odds of one forgetting nearly half of their meticulously memorized and rehearsed presentation the moment they begin giving it? Apparently the same as spilling not only one but two hot beverages on yourself within the span of a single morning. Once again, Fenton can still feel the thermal burns forming underneath non-preened plumage.

It was a disaster to put it mildly and a nightmare to put it literally… the only difference being that he hadn’t woken up immediately after being given ‘the look’ that meant he had thoroughly unimpressed the group of people in front of him and let down the ones depending on him nailing that meeting. Head swimming with flashes of everything that had gone horrifically, the small duck hurriedly mumbles his speech to himself as he treks down the crowded sidewalk, flinching every time he manages to trip over a few words; uncertain if he should be disappointed in how he STILL can’t get it correct… or how he’s doing far better than before.

Knowing Fenton, he can easily find fault in both.

Distracted by his internal berating and already making plans to locate another source of funding, Fenton doesn’t even notice as he passes by someone whose gaze remains riveted on him for far longer than it should, the doberman’s ears perking and a grin slowly upturning his lip. All the forewarning Fenton receives is a strange shiver coursing up his spine, instincts both earned and natural cautioning against the presence of a predator. In more ways than one. But before Fenton can do little more than rub at his neck to try and ease the tingling sensation arising in the back of it, he hears an eerily familiar voice, memories that had refused to fade with time rushing to the forefront as that low, rumbling purr.

“Long time no see, baby~”

Freezing in place, Fenton’s heart stalls, the world seeming to do the same. Breath hitched and shoulders tense, Fenton’s mind needs a moment to wrap around it, to truly acknowledge that he’s hearing… him again. After all that had happened between them, the disastrous way things had ended, Fenton hadn’t thought they’d ever cross paths again. Swallowing thickly, Fenton is faintly aware of the way his cheeks naturally flush at the growled nickname, long-buried conditioning making him forget for a split-second that this isn’t then. This is NOW. Things are different now.

He’s different now. Are you really though? This doesn’t have to be a scene or a monumental occasion. It can be a simple bump into an old- … acquaintance. A past part of his life. Shove down the fear, ignore the HURT and the still-lingering guilt… Don’t be rude but don’t be timid. Don’t be unfair, but don’t be too easily-swayed. Don’t mess this up. Don’t make this worse. Don’t— For the love of all that is good and just, don’t just keep standing there like a deer in the headlights!

Abruptly turning around, facing the looming figure, eyes widen and mouth turns to sandpaper against his will, Fenton not certain how he feels at the sight of that sharp-toothed smile. That piercing gaze, deep green and unwavering as it seems to cut right through him, SEE right through him like the other man always was so good at doing… A beat of quiet passes, tongue flirting across dry lips and fingers shakily tapping one another before the canine quirks a brow, the slight movement quickly read and RESPONDED to by Fenton.

❝  H-Hello, Auggie....  ❞  { ☆ }