Chapter Text
Born a twin to a sister who’s bubbly personality and energetic attitude wooed all to her side in a matter of moments. He himself being demurer in a way that he was cautious and silent around those that were not family or close relations. Her opposite in most ways yet her yin to his yang. Donald and Della Duck were raised with three others on a farm for most of their youth, the four became like siblings that were thicker than thieves. Donald, the cautious and protective role, the brains and younger sibling who was sadly blessed with a touch of bad luck. Della, the adventurous and mischievous younger twin with wide eyes full of life and passion. Gladstone the second youngest and the polar opposite of Donald’s general demeaner, the luckiest duck alive who always seems to have things going his way.
Fethry, the youngest and sweetest of the five who when he wasn’t being cared for by his elder brother Abner was left in Donald’s care. Fethry was a glue for these ducklings, his sweetness and gentle manner always calmed them. Speaking of Abner, this duckling was older than all four by far. He came to the farm to work and help their grandmother when her age sadly caught up with her. Abner always entrusted his younger brother in Donald and Gladstone’s care as they seemed to be a little more grounded that the wild and rambunctious Della.
These four ducklings were a rag tag bunch that would run around their grandmother's farm in their youth, following Della on little adventures she imitated from the old tales their great uncle Scrooge McDuck would tell them when he visited. Donald and Gladstone played the backup she needed, against their own volition sadly. How you may ask? By Della using the greatest arsenal at her disposal - baby Fethry and his innocent big brown eyes. Della would baby talk to the toddler, make him all giddy til he would just wail in excitement at jumping from hay bale to hay bale with his oldest cousin. Donald and Gladstone would sigh as they would snatch their baby cousin from her hold before she would jump ‘THE GREAT CANYON OF SAN JOSE’. On some days though Scrooge McDuck would bring what he called, his old flame, as they regaled their adventures together. A lovely looking duck with warm yet calculating eyes who seemed to enjoy their visits to see the young ducklings. Goldie O’Gilt.
The golden-haired duck loved to spend time with the boys the most as they would often climb into her lap with Fethry sleeping peacefully on either lads' laps as she told them how she pulled off some of the wickedest tricks to one up their Uncle Scrooge and beat him to the end goal. Gladstone was interested in her methods of talking her way around a terrible situation to the way she could pit one person against another with a few words. Donald would listen with rapture as she described her plans for stealing Scrooge’s next target, her methodology for escaping areas where she was cornered to even the little details that showed she was a reliable back up to his brave Uncle. The world’s best explorer. Fethry was more soothed by her voice, it was soft when she talked to the boys as she told them her tales. So soothing that he slept easily with her there.
Della on the other hand was always on the side arm of the big lounger that Scrooge would be relaxing in as his own enthusiasm and thirst for adventure shined through every word he spoke as he retold every butt kicking moment on this or another adventure. Never missing a beat to throw Goldie under the bus to be cheeky when he told Della how the duck would always woo him over and sometimes successfully steal his loot of the day.
These visits would always put a divide between the younger ducks, Gladstone and Donald sticking up for Goldie as Della stood up for ‘The Great Scrooge McDuck’s Honor!’. The three would argue during every visit to the point they would wake Fethry from his naps, the poor babe would wail so loud that fear installed in the three ducklets as the front door would slam open. A teen Abner standing in the doorway with a shiny axe slung over his shoulder and a look that promised a world of hurt. He would walk right up to the three and butt their heads together, a resounding thunk filled the room followed by a loud ‘OWW!’ before the sound of a babes laughter lit up the room. The laughter bringing a small smile to Abner’s lips as he would always approach his baby brother that was coddled by Goldie O’Gilt each time. A cycle that soon became a tradition every time Goldie would visit them. It was thanks to these situations the Della had nicknamed the three boys ‘Goldie’s Boys’ as a way to try and knock them down. Little knowing that this was just giving Donald and Gladstone a title they connected with on another level. A title they would carry to their older years.
Everything was like this in a happy cycle for a couple more years as the ducklings grew and slowly started to fall apart as time often changes. Della the oldest always assumed she knew right, head fast and a near spitting image of her idol and great uncle with how rebellious and curious she was. Her curiosity would often lead her to be being taken on a couple adventures every now and then with Scrooge and sometimes Goldie. The older duck tried to get used to having the young girl with them and even tried to teach her how to fend for herself but no! The young lass knew all her uncle taught he and would often charge in head first battles that would end with the young girl getting hurt or end up with a scar somehow. Something Goldie knew was avoidable, something she would try to get Scrooge to hear her out on. The old coot would never listen to her though as his favored niece would never be able to do wrong in his eyes as he always said to Goldie - “Hey she’s still young, let the lass learn on her own time.”
Scrooge’s favoritism shined through blatantly as he always coveted his niece more than the boys. This was shown rather blatantly when one day Scrooge and Goldie were meant to be visiting the farm like normal. Only Scrooge had come early and then driven off with Della. Goldie was not happy with this at all. The boys wanted to spend some quality time with him. However, with Fethry napping in the kid's playroom while the boys were out helping Abner feed the animals on the farm. A warm smile coming to Goldie’s lips as she heard a loud bang outside followed by Donald’s infamous rage tantrum. Loud laughter soon followed, the deep baritone and light laughter were definitely Abner and Gladstone. This day, Goldie was cleaning up the dining table while their nan was in the kitchen doing the dishes. Over the five years Goldie had been coming to visit her boys, she had grown close to their grandma. The two would often bake treats with the boys. Though again, the years have been so kind on the boys but not so kind to their grandma.
A loud clatter and the sound of smashing porcelain had the boys running past her and into the kitchen as she was also quick to follow. On the floor the pre-teen ducks saw their grandmother, collapsed on the floor with no rise or fall to her chest. Goldie held back her panic as she had Abner call the nearest doctors while she cradled the crying boys to her chest. Holding them back as they fought her hold to rush to their grandmother, their panicked cries of “Grandma! Wake Up PLEASE!”. Their quivering voices really wrenching at her heart only for the feeling to be magnified when the sound of Fethry’s cries for cuddles filled the room. Abner passed her with a steeled face, tears threatening to spill as he made his way to his younger brother but not before patting the golden-haired duck on the shoulder to say that help was on its way. Goldie had down her best to keep the boys away from the shattered porcelain while checking for a pulse, flat, nothing. Goldie hung her head as Donald and Gladstone mourned over their precious granny’s death.
It was not long till an ambulance had arrived; their grandmother gently placed onto a gurney before being driven out. Goldie was asked by the police if she could remain on sight till their next of kin was able to come and collect them. Goldie never hesitated as she gently stroked the sleeping ducklings' heads, Abner off to the side with a giggling Fethry on the floor before him playing with his favorite blocks. Goldie knew these boys were survivors and fighters, they have climbed back from their parents' death and they will come back from this as well.
A funeral was held two days later, the whole down had gathered for the passing of a dear friend, a mother, a grandmother and inspiration. The boy's grandmother had many people she had made allies with, even some bandits stopped by to pay their respects to an incredible lady with a heart bigger than any other. Many surprising faces were introduced to Donald, Gladstone, Abner and Fethry. Surprisingly some were enemies of their Uncle Scrooge who had nothing but amazing things to say their grandmother. Goldie was floored to see how loved her older friend was, even by the enemies of her once lover. Shame and anger filled her though as Scrooge didn’t even bother to show his pathetic face this day. Della wasn’t their either, this could only mean that the two were probably off on a adventure and hadn’t received the news.... hopefully.
Sure enough, a day later an aunt had come and collected Abner and Fethry while Goldie patted the heads of Donald and Gladstone. Both lads fearful of letting her go as they buried their bills deep into her hips. Goldie had waited a week for their next of kin to arrive, the same time she also waited for Scrooge to return with Della. By the time Sunday came, a postman had arrived with a postcard.....from McDuck Manor. A pit started to open up where she had that little bit of love for Scrooge as she read the writing on the back. Dated the following day of his cousins passing, a postcard. A POSTCARD! Not saying that he hopes the boys are ok and going to a good house but a simple summary that had her blood boiling.
Throwing it to the floor, Goldie walked into her boy's room. Donald and Gladstone had both been rather shaken, they had only gotten over the death of their parents four years ago and since their grandmothers passing, they have not left each other's sides. They were reluctant to see Abner and Fethry go but once they had their relative's phone number, they called each other every now and again to make sure each other was well. The two had taken to sleeping in each other's beds, often holding hands as they fought off each other's nightmares. Her mind was made up, these boys needed a mother and she was happy to do that. These poor boys would not be hurt by Scrooge’s ever again.
“Come on boys, time to get up. We’re leaving now.”
“Ok Maa.” A chorused reply from the two as they stood up not realizing what they had said as they set about packing their bags. Next to the pit that was grown a warm spot started to grow as her love for Donald and Gladstone grew. These two were her boys, her sons and she was not about to let them get hurt by anyone. Let alone let Scrooge corrupt them. That night the new family left in Goldie’s plane that was stowed in the barn outback. The pets were sold to the nearest farm and the property was to be maintained by the village til something was sorted through the courts. A certain something that would be more than beneficial to the new growing family in the future.
Back in the house, the postcard was flipped over by the wind. A simple message on the back that decided the young duck's future for the better.
‘Glad I bought Della back to the manor aye?
Be safe lads, always here if ya need me.
Peace be with ya cousin.’
-Scrooge McDuck