Work Text:
Webby couldn't understand adults.
Why were they so confusing? I mean, all the adults in her life were really different adults— but that just makes them even more confusing! They could be having a good time, yet still be so sad or angry.
At least, that's how she thought it worked.
The little girl lived happily with her grandma, at a multi-(not a real number)llionaire's manor. She lived with her grandma, a few ghosts, and a very grumpy duck.
It was a nice life, at least for a four year old.
She would often stay in her room, playing with her toys as her granny cleaned and helped with Mr. McDuck.
Webby thinks that her granny is a spy, and that Mr.McDuck is the person she's protecting.
She also thinks that, Mr. McDuck, is a very sad man.
From what her granny said (and what she heard from totally not eavesdropping), Mr.McDuck had a family, but he lost it all right before they arrived at his house. That's why he's always working, day in and day out.
He yells at a lot of people, even her granny, and makes loud noises in his office. Webby's a bit scared of him. He always looks mad and sad, and Webby really wants to help him — granny always said that nice people help others in need — yet she's never allowed near him. It's not like she gets to chance to be near him anyway.
However, one day, Mr. McDuck came home angry, cranky, and most especially — sad. Webby wanted to ask if he was okay, but her granny took her away to her room so she could be safe.
That's not a good sign.
Later that night, she heard yelling, crying, and stuff thrown around in Mr. McDuck's office. He was being scary again — A "tantrum", as granny calls it.
Webby, despite herself, went down from her room to check on him. As she stepped closer to his door, she heard things that weren't in English, and something that banged against the wall loudly.
"Bha mi dìreach a’ feuchainn ri bhith nam uncail math, mallaichte e! Cha robh mi airson gun rachadh i à sealladh! Cha robh mi airson gun rachadh esan à sealladh!" The Scotsman yelled, "Gu tur bùrach! Nar leigeadh Dia gun robh mi airson a faighinn air ais! Nar leigeadh Dia gun robh mi airson a faighinn air ais sàbhailte! Nar leigeadh Dia gum biodh fear ag iarraidh a theaghlach air ais!"
Now, did Webby get any of that? No, of course not. All she did get, was the pain and anger in his voice.
She quietly stepped closer, hesitant.
Suddenly, a crash, then another, then a thud. "Ifrinn mhallaichte!" He yelled out.
Webby stood there quietly, listening to his loud cries tone down to softer sobs, his voice muffled through the door.
"Och… my darling, Della…. my dearest, Donald…. Ae have failed ye and yer parents… Ahm so sorry…" He sobbed quietly.
The little girl stood outside, hesitating to go in. What was she doing? Why isn't she helping him?
Just as she was about to enter, her granny picked her up, scolding her softly.
"Webbigail! What on earth are you doing out of bed?" She headed to Webby's room cautiously, " I've told you many times to not bother Mr. McDuck during his… 'tantrums'."
The small duckling nodded, "yes granny." Her voice soft.
As months passed, she saw less and less of Mr. McDuck. He was always in his office, or in his bedroom during what granny called the "super bad days".
Mr. McDuck never came down to eat, never came out of his room or office whenever he was called to meetings or anything. He practically stopped existing.
Granny got tired of it however, and he was taken to this doctor for people like him. After a few visits, Webby started to see him more. She was glad her granny helped! that's why her granny was the best!
The old man would actually have the energy to do things other than be sad and lie in bed! She saw him outside admiring the flowers once! She also saw him smile a few more times compared to the last— well— few months! He was getting better, thanks to granny's help!
Everything was going so well for him— she was glad that he was getting better!
'Til the day she watched her granny frantically call the hospital, telling her to stay in her room so she couldn't see what happened to Mr.McDuck. She listened, yet peeked out of her door just a little bit, and was able to see Mr.McDuck getting carried out of the house.
… But… But he was just getting better.
He was finally happy.
What happened? Why did he… why did he ruin it all for him again?
Webby couldn't understand adults sometimes.
After that whole ordeal, Webby watched the old Scotsman slowly fall back into— what was it? Dew-press-on? Whatever, she didn't understand what that meant, other than the fact it made Mr. McDuck really sad and tired.
It was sad to watch him go back to that state, especially after the hope she had of him getting better.
Her granny was doing everything she could to help him, but Mr.McDuck was barely improving. It made her mad. People are trying to help him, why won't he accept it?
She feels bad for him, but can't help being angry at him for making everyone else suffer around him.
Why couldn't he get better already?
Later that month, she secretly went through his office to look for clues on why her granny was still working with him!— What if he was a really evil person and her granny was too scared to leave him? What if he's mani-pool-ating her? Too many bad things that could be true! She had to make sure, okay?!
After a few more digging and reading, she slowly became intrigued by all this new information about the sad old man she lives with, and needed to know more.
To… y'know, make sure he isn't evil?
Eventually, she started to spiral into her obsession and hoped Mr.McDuck and her granny didn't find out about it.
"Webby! Come help me with breakfast!" Her granny yelled out for her.
The now 7 year old ran down the stairs while yelling out a response, "Okay granny!"
"Careful dear, or you'd upset Mr.McDuck again." The older woman chuckled.
"Oh!— Got it!" The little girl giggled. "What are we making today, granny?"
"Mr. McDuck's favorite tea— nutmeg tea." Her grandma said, grabbing the old duck's favorite mug— which Webby recognized as a gift from his late sister, as she found the gift card in the attic a few months ago.
The girl bounced on her heels, excited to make her idol's — sorry granny — favorite tea!
"Now, Mr. McDuck has been feeling a little down this week, so we'll be making this together, to give him extra love." Granny said softly, her hand slipping through Webby's hair as she ruffled it up.
Webby giggled, pushing her hand away, "Grannyyy! I just fixed it!"
Her granny chuckled once more, "Loosen up, dear. Now come, let me teach you." She said, before grabbing the cup and the tea bag.
The pair laughed together as they made the tea, with Webby hoping it would help Mr.McDuck cheer up.
Little while later, Webby went into his office, placing the freshly made cup of tea on his desk.
"Here's your tea, Mr. McDuck! I hope you like it, I helped granny make it today!" The wee lass said excitedly.
The older duck's gaze rose from the papers and documents on his table to the tea, before landing on Webby.
He scoffed lightly, before taking the tea. "Thanks, lass. Now please, let me work in peace." He grumbled.
Webby, albeit a bit hurt, nodded and left.
She really does hope he's gonna be in a better mood today.
At around midnight, Webby busied herself with research about the McDuck family, adding more and more information to her board.
She connected loads of red string together, while sticking news articles about the 'Spear of Selene" onto the corkboard. She was always so curious on what had happened— there was barely any information she could gather!
All she knew was that, it made Mr. McDuck the way he is today. And she wanted to know more! How did it affect the rest of his family? Better yet— where is the rest of his family? She only knew their names and faces, but didn't know where they currently were. Based on letters she found, his father, mother, and sister were all at the infamous Castle McDuck. Oh how she wishes to visit it one day.
But she didn't know where… where the famous Duck twins were. She knew Mr. McDuck was close to them, but he never liked hearing their names. She knew that Mr. Duck took in his sister's children after the incident, but she didn't know anything about them! It was nearly impossible to figure it all out— especially with her lack of evidence and information on them!
She shook her head, knowing she was about to spiral and it was far too late for that. She closed up her board, fixed her things, before heading downstairs to grab some water.
As she crawled down her ladder, she heard loud crashes and thuds coming from Mr. McDuck's office.
Oh. Oh no,
She quietly passed by, listening to stuff hitting the walls, alongside with the sounds of Scottish rambling and grumbling, which she now slightly understood due to research and language training with granny.
While she listened, she accidentally leaned too close to the door and pushed it ajar, scaring both her and the older duck.
Webby stood there, too scared to move. She stared back at the Scotsman, his tired and red eyes meeting hers.
As she prepared for the worst, he chuckled and knelt down to her level, his arms open for her.
He smiled tiredly, which barely reached his eyes. His eyes were dark and gloomy, yet had the faintest bit of sparkle as he looked at the duckling in front of him.
Oh.. Oh Webby felt so bad for him. She couldn't reject him like this, in such a state.
She cautiously walked over, fear weighing heavier and heavier on her shoulders each step she took. She looked up, flipping her hair to the side a bit to get a better view. His soft yet weary eyes bore into hers, somehow lighting up ever so slightly as she walked closer to him.
Webby took his hand gently— calloused and scarred hands enveloping her small ones. She looked at their hands, before up at him.
He let out a soft and sad sob, before taking one of his hands to glide over her cheek. The touch felt… odd, yet warm and comforting. She leaned into his palm, relaxing just a bit.
Mr. McDuck caressed her cheek with his thumb, before whispering, "Ach… Ahm so glad to have yet back, my darling… my darling, Della."
The Duckling winced a bit. She wasn't Della, of course she wasn't.
But… would it really hurt to… let him think that she was?
She hugged the old man tight, letting him hug her back even tighter. He sobbed silently, running his hands through her hair, whispering apologies for every mistake he had made when it came to her and his nephew.
Webby, the ever so caring girl she was, just stayed silent. Why hurt him more by pulling away? By telling him she wasn't actually Della? It's better to let him believe she is, because at least then… he'd feel better.
The moment soon got interrupted by her granny, both concerned and angry.
"Webbigail! What're you doing up so late?" She scolded as she pulled the duckling away, much to Mr. McDuck's dismay.
"Aye!— leave the lass alone, director 22!" He yelled, reaching out to grab back Webby.
Her granny stood there in shock, all anger draining from her face. "Webby, get to bed, now. Mr. McDuck is not in a good enough state, okay? He needs help—"
"I donnae need yer help!" The older duck yelled, now angry, "Give me back me niece, 22!"
"Mr. McDuck— please— this isn't Della! Did you not take your medicine after dinner today?"
"Ach— I donnae need to listen to yer balderdash!" Mr. McDuck shouted loudly, before desperately trying to grab Webby again.
Webby was ushered out of the room by her grandma, while Mr. McDuck stayed in his office, clearly out of it.
She listened outside for a few moments more, before hearing a thud and her granny yelp, calling out for Mr. McDuck.
Webby swallowed, before running back to her room to not get caught eavesdropping.
She laid in bed, staring up at the sticky glow-in-the-dark stars and planets on her ceiling. The duckling sighed, before turning to her side, glancing over at her covered board.
"Adults are so confusing." She thought to herself, before drifting off.
Mr. McDuck was very confusing. He refused help, even if he deeply needed it. He claimed to be so independent, yet can barely get up everyday without assistance or pestering from her granny. He always said he was okay, but it was so painfully obvious that he wasn't.
Even as a child, Webby never understood what he really wanted or needed.
But… after this… maybe she can. At least by a little.
She always found adults confusing, especially the adults in her life.
Webby couldn't understand adults, and she may never will, even if she tried.