Chapter Text
Before the Shadow War, as it had been named, the adults knew something was up with Lena. It wasn't so much that they expected her to be a living shadow made by Magica de Spell so much as they expected her to bring trouble. They were a family that could smell trouble a mile away, and Lena definitely had that smell.
The thing was, she never really caused any kind of trouble. Every now and then Beakley would catch Webby with a new bad habit, courtesy of Lena, and every now and then Lena would disagree on something. But none of that was outside the normal, even for a rebellious teenager.
At first, Beakley was certain things would go missing. They had full grown adults try to snatch things from time to time, and she would not have been surprised if any number of shiny trinkets or left out coins disappeared when Lena was around. The thing was, though, that they never did. Not a single penny went missing for months while Lena visited. Every now and then a few extra snacks would go missing, and one time half a loaf of bread disappeared, but Beakley didn't consider that theft. Food was free, as it should have been for a child.
There were even times when she wanted Lena to steal. Webby was small for her age, but Lena was sickly. She had bags under her eyes, a weird appetite, and she was so, so thin. She didn't know how to ask--Lena would probably run away faster than answer, and she couldn't risk that--but she knew something wasn't right at home. But without evidence or a plea for help directly, there wasn't much she could do.
So she waited and kept an ear out. She didn't think Webby knew much about Lena's home life, and from what Beakley had learned of their relationship that was intentional. Webby sometimes implied that Lena thought herself to be a burden, and the idea made Beakley's chest ache. No child deserved to think that.
Then, one day, Lena actually did steal. To Beakley's knowledge it was the only time she had ever attempted it, which made it almost morbidly funny that it was also the time she got caught.
It was cold outside, and Beakley had never seen Lena in anything other than her long sleeve shirts. Hardly any of them wore anything besides a basic outfit with environmental exceptions, so that wasn't too odd, but it had definitely begun to get too cold to be without a jacket.
She couldn't remember the exact date, and it didn't really matter. But she had walked into the kitchen right as she saw Lena's hand wrap around a ten dollar bill on the counter. It was so hesitant and guilty that Beakley instantly felt bad. It was obvious Lena didn't want to take it, and she watched as Lena picked it up slightly and then place it back down on the counter, dejected.
She couldn't do it.
"Lena," Her voice was as soft as she could make it, but Lena spun around quickly and moved backwards in fear. Her back hit the counter and she stared up at Beakley with wide, guilty eyes.
"I-I was-"
"It's okay." She kept her voice calm without sounding patronizing. "Take it, if you need it. I'm not going to be mad if you do." It wasn't even her money, it was probably Donald's or Launchpad's, but she would replace it and she knew they would feel the same. No one in the house wanted to see a child be cold or go hungry, and Lena seemed to be on a dangerous line of both.
"I don't. I'm sorry, I just... It was right there." Lena crossed her arms and looked anywhere but Beakley, obviously ashamed. Beakley was impressed that she had apologized, though, since normally getting an apology out of Lena was a long and painful process.
"Hm. Well, I'm sure it will be right there later, if you change your mind." Despite her better judgement telling her it wasn't a good idea, Beakley bent down to eye level to talk to Lena. "You don't have to tell me anything. But, if you need anything, anything, you are welcome to ask for it. Neither I nor Scrooge would turn away someone who needs help."
Lena was silent for a moment, and Beakley saw the tears that she quickly blinked away. "I don't need help." The familiar scowl was back in place on Lena's face, and Beakley smiled despite herself. At least Lena hadn't lost herself.
"Fine, fine." She stood and turned to walk back out of the kitchen, completely unaware of what she had entered for in the first place. "The offer stands, though."
She noticed later, after Lena had left, that the money was gone as well. The next time she saw Lena was two days later, and she wore a clearly new dark gray hoodie.
She felt oddly satisfied. But it was nowhere near enough.