Work Text:
Donald reluctantly went up to the attic to finally clean it out. He had been putting off this task for a very long time, but he finally had to do it. Today is the day, his nephews aren’t home anyway, since they’re at a Junior Woodchucks. - What a terrible mess in here.
The work has been dragging on for quite some time. Every now and then, Donald complains that there’s a lot of cleaning to do, which he must handle on his own. While cleaning, he comes across an old trunk, and inside it, an old, unwrapped gift. - What’s this?
Donald looked curiously at the package he had just found. He couldn’t remember where he got it from. - I know! It’s an old gift from my uncle. But why haven’t I unwrapped it yet?
Flashback:
One day, Hortense McDuck came to Scrooge with a request. - Brother, could you watch my son today? I’m busy. I’ll come pick him up this afternoon.
Scrooge frowned. - I don’t know. I’m busy, too. - When little Donald looked at him with those sweet eyes, Scrooge sighed. - All right, I’ll look after my nephew. Just be on time.
- Thank you, brother. You’ll see, Donald is a charming kid, you’ll hit it off right away.
When Hortense left, leaving them alone, Scrooge walked over to Donald. He crouched down in front of the boy. - Listen, kid, I’m busy right now, but if you’re good, maybe I’ll take you somewhere later. - Donald nodded in agreement.
An hour later, when Scrooge finished working, he went to check on his nephew. Donald was busy coloring a picture. - I’m done working, kid. Where would you like me to take you?
- For ice cream, uncle. - The little duck replied enthusiastically.
A frown appeared on Scrooge’s beak. - I’m sorry, Donald, but...
Donald looks sad. - Why don’t you ever want to buy me anything, uncle?
- I’m sorry, Donald, but you know how it is with money… - Donald pouts. There’s no point in explaining, the kid doesn’t understand saving anyway. Why does his sister teach her kids to be so wasteful?
Donald is still sad. - Too bad. I bet you won’t even buy me that teddy bear I saw in the store.
Scrooge rubs his neck. - Well…
- I hate you, uncle.
Scrooge looks like he’s swallowed a lemon. He stares at the little duck in front of him. Is he serious? If so, what should he do? - Maybe we should go for a walk in the park.
Donald didn’t say anything back. He stayed silent for the rest of the day. The rest of the day didn’t go very well for them. Scrooge felt terrible, not knowing what to do. He doesn’t really know anything about taking care of children.
The next day, his mom gave him a present from his uncle. Donald thanked her, but didn’t open the present, he just put it aside. - Why won’t you open it, son?
Donald looks at the present with bitterness. - I just don’t want to, mom.
End of flashback
And so, the present lay there the whole time, unopened.
- I was so mad at uncle Scrooge back then that I didn't even open it. I wonder what's inside?
Donald went downstairs and settled comfortably into an armchair. Well, let's see what uncle Scrooge bought me all those years ago.
He opened the gift, and what he saw inside exceeded his wildest expectations. Inside was a teddy bear. And it was the one he’d told his uncle he wanted. The next day, his uncle bought it for him. Probably because Donald had said he hated his uncle. - Ha, that old miser.
The next day, Donald decided to go to the vault.
Scrooge looks up from his papers just for a moment. - What brings you here, nephew?
- I was cleaning out the attic and found an unwrapped gift from you in an old trunk. - Scrooge sets his papers aside. - It was a teddy bear, the one I’d wanted. I didn’t think you’d buy it for me.
- I thought you’d unwrapped it a long time ago.
- No. I was mad at you back then. And then I forgot about it.
- I see.
Donald walked over to Scrooge and gave him a big hug. – Thanks, uncle.
Scrooge replies hesitantly, not knowing how to react. - You’re welcome.
Donald held Scrooge in his arms like that for a long time.
- Um! Could you let me go, Donald? I still have a lot of work to do.
- Oh, right, sorry. - Donald stepped back from his uncle and looked at him with a smile on his beak. - Do you have a minute?
Scrooge looks at his desk. - I might be able to find a little free time.
- Would you like to go get some ice cream with me?
Scrooge rolls his eyes but smiles. - As long as you’re paying.
- On me.
They went for ice cream together, and then to the park, spending a pleasant afternoon together.