Rejuvenation

by Roaming Tigress Chapter Four

The Good Doctor

Bushroot watched Steelbeak with half-open eyelids as they laid sprawled out on the floor. Specifically, a dirt floor - the last place one would ever expect to find a rooster of Steelbeak s calibre. But there he was, comfortable as if he had been lying on a canopy bed in the ritziest of bedrooms. Perhaps the rooster s inner chicken was coming through, something

The plant duck loved how the dying light reflected on his metal beak and he touched it. He found this moment to be deeply intimate, for only the plant duck was allowed to touch his namesake. With a soft smile he leaned over and kissed him on the spot he touched.

Mmm, hey babe . . .Steelbeak purred, stirring as he awoke. Been a real long time since I slept - His sentence was interrupted by a burning sensation to from his inner thigh, lower back and wrists, and he itched furiously. His manicured nails did little to ease his itching and only literally ruffled his feathers.

Bushroot was alarmed. Had he caused a allergic reaction to his rediscovered boyfriend? As he cast his eyes downward, he saw that the answer was yes, in the form of raised hives in between the quills of his feathers. He blushed and became flustered, squeezing Steelbeak s hand gently. He hoped that he wasn t going to be too angry with him. They had only got back together, after all.

Oh, don t worry - I got something for that.

Before he was able to turn to leave, the rooster gave a kiss to his fingertips, letting him know through just that, that he was far from upset with Bushroot. Indeed, he missed being looked after. He could easily get used to it again. He laid where he was as gestured for him to lie; up in a giant hosta leaf. Yes, he could get used to this, he told himself.

Bushroot came on back to him with a flask of what looked like pale green foam. Now this is a concoction of aloe, lavender and camomile. It ll sting for a moment, but you ll feel so much better afterwards.

Steelbeak inwardly cringed at the mention of it stinging. This coming from a rooster who had been through it all. He nonetheless put a brave face on and closed his eyes as he Bushroot stirred the salve and onto his palm. Maybe it wouldn t be so bad after all. He knew that aloe stung initially but thought the lavender and camomile would counteract it.

As warned, there was indeed a sting - the second it was applied just slightly above the ankle after the feathers were parted. He grit his teeth and shrank back, his eyes tightly shut. A flash of metallic sheen was sent slashing at Bushroot as he snapped at him out of reflexes. He missed him by a mere inch and blinked at the realization.

It s okay, it s okay . . .

Knowing he didn t snap at him out of maliciousness, Bushroot kept his calm. He patted him on the beak that had almost pruned his hand of his leafy fingers and gently he held it shut as he gave the area another dabbing. The rooster winced once more before calming as the stinging sensation was replaced with one that was cooling - and a very pleased smile to Steelbeak s face.

Dat feels . . . Dat feels nice. Steelbeak let out a heavy sigh as the salve was applied up his calves, and another as Bushroot massaged it in deeper. This attention alone was giving him reason to believe that allergies weren t always a bad thing.

Bushroot leaned in, giving the rooster a kiss on the tummy, unable to resist as he laid sprawled out. He delighted in hearing that clucking laugh, the slight squirm, the feel of those downy feathers on his bill. At this moment he was at once vulnerable and submissive, letting Bushroot do whatever he desired. It was a side of Steelbeak s that very few were allowed to see.

You re adorable, you know that?

Steelbeak let out a half hearted scoff as thoughts of being called that c word. De Steelbeak? Who once turned de tides, literally?

No, Quackerjack. Bushroot winked, lightly touching underneath one of his knees. This elicited a curling of the toes by the rooster from the almost arousing, tickling sensation.

Got one more leg to do, too. He grinned at the reaction, and felt his cheeks flush. And, erm - if we do this again -

Steelbeak gave his hand a squeeze, shaking his head. It was as if he knew what he was going to say, sensing the words that were to come out from Bushroot s bill.

Same vines, babe. Why punish em?

Reginald sent him a wink, delighted that the rooster took an interest in their well-being. You just like getting all this attention.

Might be part of it. Steelbeak returned the wink, flashing him that smile.

After a good lather, Bushroot started at the ankle and slowly worked upwards his shin. He took his time, not wanting the moment to end anytime soon - and the rooster would now agree to that. He gently turned him aside as it was time for his downy backside to be given the same treatment. He was being a stellar patient.

Steelbeak smiled, looking over his shoulder as he watched, felt Bushroot s treatment. Youse ave a way wit dose ands. When we re done ere, I d like at just . . . Explore each otha t rough touch.

It didn t take much for Bushroot to agree with him. He had always liked the rooster s touch, and likewise, he loved to touch him. He loved the feel of those finely conditioned feathers between his fingers, the raw strength he possessed in those muscles. He loved that were just as capable of giving soft touches as much as violent ones towards their foes.

We could do that.

Long before his death , and before the rooster came into his life, the plant duck knew only the familiarity of loneliness. Steelbeak had given Bushroot what he had needed, and then some. He had also been giving him confidence. He felt safer in his presence, even with his superpowers.

The plant duck placed his hands on his lower back, sifting his fingers through to the skin as he worked his way downward. It was every much a massage as it was an allergy treatment; Bushroot wouldn t have it any other way. As expected, he would hear no argument from Steelbeak on that. He shook his head, his gentle smile widening. Such an unlikely duo they are, he thought, but somehow . . .They just worked.

With a cheeky smirk, Steelbeak pressed up into his hands as he felt his fingers move to his feathered behind, squirming up slightly so that his iridescent teal tail feathers could be given attention to as well. He hadn t thought much of having them stroked before, and being as he had always been so proud of them, this surprised him. He closed his eyes as Bushroot gave them a scratch.

Typical rooster. Loving being the center of attention, eh? Bushroot chuckled, admiring their color. They reminded him of several flowers that he had planted in the garden, and he loved how they shone in the sunlight.

You re such a ham.

Youse know me well.

Bushroot smiled, leaning in to give Steelbeak a kiss on the tip of his beak. I can t help but to not know you well.

There was trust as they looked into each other s eyes. Hands were held, caressed and softly kissed. Feathers were stroked, anthers were given a delicate nibble and a leafy tail was stroked. Cheeks were touched., and a fluffy belly was given another scratching. Not a further word was said during this moment. None simply needed to be spoken, for they were said through tender touches alone.

It was when the fading light of day gave away to night that Steelbeak decided to break the silence. There was hesitation as he did so, as if he was afraid of wrecking the moment.

It s been an amazing day, youse know. He smiled, pressing his forehead against Bushroot s. We s found each otha again, in more ways den one.

Bushroot curled up on Steelbeak s upper torso, the warmth therapeutic of it as it absorbing into his still healing body. He lightly scratched his companion s cheek feathers as he felt his powerful arms embracing him, feeling himself drift off to sleep.

We have, my love, we have.