by Roaming Tigress
Chapter Three:
On Easy Terms
It has been two weeks since Steelbeak had completed the mission. For a reward, High Command gave the Cheif Agent a vacation leave; the first time in nearly twenty years. It was a gift from heaven, even if it did last a mere three weeks.
"Egh...All dese places are packed wit' tourists..." Steelbeak muttered to himself, skimming through a glossy vacation guide in his small, upscale apartment. Stretched out on his red leather easy chair and sipping a glass of sherry, it appeared that he didn't have a care in the world. "Fer dis price I could go on vacation fer de rest of de life!" He chuckled, reading a advertisement for a ridiculously overpriced motel in Jamaica. Steelbeak may be rich, but he was careful of how he used his money. He spent a little more time looking through the guide before he placed it down on the coffee table.
A knock on the door disturbed the well-to-do agent's moment of peace. "What is it now?" He snarled, scrambling to the door. "If it's dat damn eggman who keeps knockin' on my door and running I'm gonna rip 'is fucking head off!"
It was Bushroot, timidly poking his head from behind the corner of the hallway and half expecting Steelbeak to tear him to shreds. Please don't kill me, Steelbeak. I'm too young to die!
"I...Hope I didn't disturb you, Mr. Steelbeak. I just gotta tell ya something..."
"What is it?" Steelbeak asked, raising an eyebrow. "And how did ya find out were I lived? I mean I don't advertise my pad as being Steelbeak's Place!"
"It's something that I think is really important to the both of us!" Bushroot whispered, motioning his leafy hands to keep his voice down. "I can't talk about it in the hallway. It's a little something between you and me."
Steelbeak suavely escorted Bushroot into his apartment, his anger gone and replaced with a certain flirtative friendlyness. "Now, Reginald Bushroot....What is it dat ya gotta tell me?"
Bushroot took immediate notice of the way Steelbeak allowed him in. I can't believe it. He's treating me like I'm one of his girls. Does he actually have feelings for me, or is he just being suave? I'll go with the latter.
"I...Came out of the closet," Bushroot hesitantly replied, looking down at his feet. "I know you don't really wanna know...Or care about me."
Steelbeak was unsure of how he could react to this. What can I say? What should I tell him? I've got some t'ings to say to him of dis nature, but I just can't put it in woids. Only in feelings. "Actually, I do care..." He finally spoke up. "Youse see, Reginald, it might come as a surprise to youse, but I'm bisexual."
Bushroot was speechless. He had long since associated Steelbeak as a strictly lady's man. Surely he can't be serious! He said it like he meant it, but it's just so....Surreal.
"Yes, Bushie, I fancy de gentlemen sometimes just as much as I fancy de goils!" Steelbeak grinned with a playful twinkle in his eyes. "I really only 'ad one relationship wit' anot'er guy. Jack from de Polo Club. Dat was about eight years ago, and when he moved away, we sorta just broke contact. I've tried to get in touch wit' 'im, but I gave up after a little while."
Bushroot gingerly reached his hand out and touched Steelbeak on the shoulder. "I'm...Sorry..."
"No need ta be," Steelbeak whispered, giving Bushroot's hand a gentle pat . "I learnt from F.O.W.L dat youse are supposed to focus on yer future, not yer past."
There was a certain sadness in Steelbeak's eyes that he tried to hide from his newfound friend. It was too late; Bushroot saw it. He felt deeply sorry for Bushroot and the cruelty and misunderstand-ment that he underwent. Poor guy. All he needs is a friend. I wish I could be dat friend, maybe even more den a friend, but I dunno...I just don't t'ink dat it would woik out. I'm not 'is type. I can really relate to 'im. De abuse, de misunderstandment, de persecution...
"Steelbeak?" Bushroot asked shyly.
"Hmm?"
"Do you think we can be friends?"
It didn't take too long for Steelbeak to answer this question.
"Yes. "
Disclaimer:
Darkwing Duck, Bushroot, Steelbeak and other characters mentioned are © Disney.
