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[richestduck]

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[richestduck]

[Scrooge is just as clingy in his hug back. He'd never realized just how much he'd come to depend on the hugs of his niece and nephew until they were gone. Some part of him needed the tactile affection of a good squeeze, a part of him he hadn't even realized existed until it had suddenly been cut off.]

[He wasn't...hadn't been...huggy with his three great-nephews. He'd become dependent on the hugs of the twins; he hadn't wanted to form such a strong attachment to the triplets that a hug would create. He'd learned that a hug was an easy way to get in range to stab someone in the back. His personal history could be charted by the betrayals, and deep down he'd known that things with the triplets wouldn't last. He'd gotten too attached anyway, foolish old man.]

[After a long moment, he clears his throat and pulls back but doesn't let go of her just yet, maintaining a grip on her wrist. If he lets go, she'll disappear. She always disappears, and he wakes up remembering that he killed her.] O'course, lass. Let's fix up a pot of tea, and you can tell me all about your trip.

[He's reluctant to release his hold on her wrist, and he stands there awkwardly for a moment, trying to muster the willpower to release her.]

[noimpulsecontrol]

[She notices he's still holding on, so she wriggles her arm - not to escape that hold, just to adjust it so their hands are clasped. She smiles softly.]

Don't worry about the tea, Uncle Scrooge. [And while there's certainly a lot to tell him about what happened back in Duckburg, even that can wait. It may be his home, but she's going to lead him inside. Her free hand removes his hat and sets it aside, then starts picking through the feathers on his head, gently.] Let's get you cleaned up a bit. [She doesn't ask permission. Of course she doesn't, it's her.]

[richestduck]

[Her mothering him catches him off-guard. So off-guard that he doesn't move.]

[Then he gives an awkward smile.]

I...I was trying to keep myself busy.

[noimpulsecontrol]

[She slows down at his words, though she doesn't stop.]

I told you I'd be back.

[It's said in a tone that's a little defensive, but mostly just guilty.]

[richestduck]

I believed you! I believed you'd do everything you could to come back!

[But that's the problem: Everything she could do wasn't a guarantee. What if she couldn't find her way back again? TRANSMISSION LOST TRANSMISSION LOST TRANSMISSION LOST]

[noimpulsecontrol]

No, I-I know!

[She takes a deep breath in, and sighs it out.]

I'm here now, okay? [She gives his hand that she's holding a squeeze.] Let's just focus on that.

[richestduck]

[He tightly squeezes back.] Yes, you are.

[It's amazing, really. She came back not just to Index but to see him. He's not her Scrooge but she still came back.]

[He realizes his eyes are watering and hastily starts wiping them.] Sorry.

[noimpulsecontrol]

[She shakes her head at the apology. It's hard to see him cry, and it's got her tearing up a bit herself, but-]

It's okay, Uncle Scrooge.