5Notes: This story was inspired by Natssketches on Tumblr. They have been posting Donald/Launchpad comics and I got hooked on the pairing. If you like this then check them out. They have a really good short story with some drawings about Launchpad and Donald in a plane crash. Also based on Maraskywalkers Ducktales Family Fic challenge prompt "I'll give you the moon." This quote will appear in the second part of the story.
Donald was angry. He couldn't sleep at all last night due to the cold he contracted from their latest adventure. He was still peeved at being pushed into the way of pirates on a ship in a storm in order to create a distraction. He was pissed that he was given a half-hearted apology from his Uncle. All in all, just another day in the life of Donald Duck.
Donald growled at the ceiling in his boathouse. He was too angry at Scrooge to sleep in his room in the mansion. He yanked his blankets off him, only to trip on them while trying to get up.
"Waaak!" Donald threw the blankets on the floor and stomped on them. Today is going to be a GREAT day, isn't it? Donald thought sarcastically. He went into his bathroom to get ready for the day. He sighed as he saw himself in the mirror. He had dark bags around his eyes, his feathers were a bit dull, and he looked a little green.
"Knowing Scrooge, even if he sees me he won't give me a sick day. Today is going to be awful." He sighed. Well, I guess I'll just take some cold medicine and try to get by. Donald took a bottle of pills out of his medicine cabinet and swallowed a pill. He put the bottle in his pocket for later. With that done, he headed to the Money Bin to go about his day as Scrooge's secretary.
"Nephew! Aye need ye to run some errands for me today!" Scrooge yelled as he slammed Donald's office door open. The loud bang made Donald wince in pain.
"What is it, Scrooge?"
"Aye have some supplies aye want to get for our next adventure. Here's the list and have it ready for me by tomorrow. Don't forget to fill out that conference invitation for Gyro. He has a new invention he wants to showcase." Donald sighed. Looked like he wasn't going to get much paperwork done today after all.
"I already answered the invite and sent the information to Gyro. I'll head out right now." Scrooge gave a satisfied harrumph and tossed the long list to Donald before walking out of the office. Donald picked up the phone at his desk and dialed Launchpad's number.
"Hey, Donny! How are you?" Launchpad's cheery nickname made him smile.
"Good. Scrooge wants me to pick up some supplies for some adventure of his so I'll need a ride. Could you get a car ready for me please?"
Donald heard something fall over and crash on the other end. He covered the microphone end of the phone and chuckled.
"Sure thing! I'll be out front of the Money Bin by the time you get down. See ya soon!" Launchpad assured.
Donald thanked him and hung up. He grabbed his wallet and headed down to the first floor. When he stepped out of the building, Launchpad had already pulled up and was waiting. Donald waved and got into the front passenger seat. Launchpad's smile dropped when he saw Donald's face.
"Hey man, are you alright?" Donald was surprised.
"Doing well enough Launchpad. Just a small cold." Launchpad put one hand on his forehead and the other on Donald's.
"I don't know Donny, you feel pretty warm. I can take you home if you want and then you can just call in sick." Donald shook his head at that.
"We both know that Scrooge only gives sick days when you're in the hospital. I'll be fine so let's go ahead and take care of the errands." Launchpad gave him an unsure look before sighing.
"Okay, Dee but if you get worse I'm taking you home." Donald turned his face away and blushed. He wasn't used to anyone but the kids taking notice of him.
"Alright fine. Now let's go." Launchpad patted Donald's shoulder and drove off.
"Where to first Donny?"
Donald and Launchpad had been running around for a couple hours and it seemed like Donald was getting worse as the day went on. Launchpad kept a close eye on Donald until he felt enough was enough. He couldn't stand by and watch him suffer any longer. Once they had loaded the last of their purchases in the car, Launchpad decided to head back to the mansion. Donald was too out of it to notice until Launchpad was driving up the hill to the mansion's gate.
"Launchpad? Why are you driving us here?" Donald tiredly asked. Launchpad glanced at Donald before he pulled up to the gate.
"I'll tell you in a second Donny." Launchpad pressed the call button on the intercom.
"Mrs. Beakley? It's Launchpad, can you over the gate please?" The gate opened up instantly and Launchpad pulled up to the steps.
"Hey Launchpad, why are we at the mansion?" Launchpad turned the car off and got out.
"I just need to drop something off with Mrs. Beakley real quick. Can you come down with me? I'll need your help." Donald sighed and stepped out of the car.
"Let's hurry okay? I still have a lot of paperwork to take care of in the office."
Honestly, Donald had no desire to return to work. He knew his cold had gotten worse. He was aching all over and really just wanted to lay down. He was so out of it, he didn't even realize that Launchpad wasn't carrying anything. Mrs. Beakley opened the door to let them in. She took one look at Donald and raised an eyebrow at Launchpad. Launchpad responded with a nod and a sheepish grin. Mrs. Beakley smiled, rolled her eyes, and walked off towards the kitchen to make a bowl of soup for Donald. Launchpad guided Donald to the couch in the living room.
"Hey?! Where are were going now?!" Donald half-heartedly growled. Launchpad chuckled at that. He gently pushed Donald onto the couch and covered him with the throw that was folded on it.
"I told you I was dropping something off with Mrs. Beakley. I could tell you were getting worse while we were out so I brought you home. You need to stay here and rest okay?" Donald tried to get up but Launchpad easily held him down on the couch.
"I'll take care of Mr. McDuck alright? You just stay here and rest. Mrs. Beakley is making you some soup right now and she's gonna make sure you don't try to come into work anyway." Donald let out a sigh and stopped trying to get up.
"Fine."
Launchpad smiled at Donald. He brushed his wing through the feathers on Donald's head.
"I'm gonna head back to the Money Bin now. I'll drop off the supplies and let Mr. McDuck know that if you're feeling better tomorrow, you'll come in. Otherwise, I'll see you when I'm off." Donald closed his eyes.
"You don't have to come check on me. I'll be fine. I've gotten over many illnesses by myself." Launchpad smiled sadly.
"Thing is Donny, you don't have to anymore. See ya later."
Launchpad knew Donald would be fine in Mrs. Beakley's care. Besides, Launchpad needed to inform Scrooge about his employee.
