Kowalski felt slightly guilty but he suggested to Skipper resuming his evening sessions with Rico… this time to work on restoring the use of his damaged wing. Skipper agreed, pleased to do what he could to help Kowalski recover. Of course Kowalski wasn't actually lying to Skipper. He did train and they did try to increase his mobility in his damaged wing… but that wasn't why he'd really suggested it.

That evening sitting under the trees with Rico had confirmed what he already knew. Because despite the pain he'd felt, he'd also felt something else while Rico was close. He was aware of the comfort that radiated from the sturdy penguin and he knew it wasn't simply his efficiency as medic that caused the feeling.

So every evening they worked on utilising Kowalski's flipper, and at the end as Kowalski sat down, tired and aching, Rico would sit with a flipper about his shoulders. More often than not, Kowalski would let his head rest on his friend's shoulder. And gradually their actual training time grew shorter, as Kowalski got better. But they never went back to base earlier.

And every time Skipper asked about their progress Kowalski lied. In truth, the break was healing nicely and he didn't really need the extra sessions. But in another sense he did need them. That didn't make him feel any less guilty though. Skipper trusted him.

And then there was Private. He'd asked if he could go with them sometime. Kowalski had vaguely agreed and put it off and every time he could sense the little penguin's disappointment. He knew Private worried that the others simply didn't want him there. Which was unfortunately true but not for the reason he thought.

If Private joined them, there'd be no quiet time afterwards… and that was becoming the focus of Kowalski's days.

But most of all he felt guilty about Rico. He was betraying his trust in the most personal way imaginable. Rico was reserved with his friendship but he'd entrusted it to Kowalski. And what had he done? Basically violated it. He was drawing pleasure from the contact that Rico never meant to give.

He sighed and pulled himself away from the other penguin.

"I can't do this anymore Rico." Rico cocked his head to the side. "I've been lying to you. I haven't been doing this to improve your strategies or my endurance or even my wing. I haven't been doing this for you at all… I've been incredibly selfish. I just wanted your company. I'm sorry." He never looked at Rico once but Rico continued to watch him. Then he chuckled. Kowalski looked back at that.

"Didn't you hear me? I've been deceiving you to appease my own whims." Rico continued to smile and let out a low… purr?

"You don't mind?" Rico shook his head all the while with the same smile. Then he leant forward to rub his beak across Kowalski's shoulder. Kowalski risked a smile.

"You like my company too?" Rico nodded.

"Not… sel-fish."

"It is," Kowalski disagreed. "I deceived everyone… you, Skipper, Private… 'cause I wanted to be with you." Rico shrugged.

"All… sel-fish."

"You're not selfish Rico." Rico grinned widely.

"Am now." Before Kowalski could react, he'd leant forward and nuzzled into his feathers. Though surprised, Kowalski wasn't upset.

"I think I like it when you're selfish." Rico pulled back.

"Rico too." And Kowalski understood perfectly.