My Funny Friend and Me
by Roaming Tigress

Chapter Four:
The First Kiss





It was getting late at night and Bushroot knew he had to set back to his greenhouse to check on his beloved botanical collection and to go to bed. Yet, he wasn't ready to say goodnight to Steelbeak yet, but at the same time, he didn't want to overstay his visit. So many questions, so many things to say. So many conflicting feelings. I could save it for the next day, or the day after, but I want to know now. I wish I wasn't so impatient!

Steelbeak was comfortably, and somewhat seductfully, stretched out on his couch, taking another look through his vacation guide and not paying attention to the fact that it was getting close to midnight. "I'm plannin' on takin' a vacation somewhere. A secluded, quiet sorta place. Got any ideas, Reggie?"

Bushroot took a quick glance at Steelbeak's relaxed form and couldn't help to notice how attractive he really was. He stripped him with his eyes and whistled inwardly. Wow. No wonder all the girls go crazy over for him! He's...Cute!

"I've head Bali's pretty nice at this time of the year. Not too many people from what I understand...Nice plants, too!"

"Eh, I prefer places dat I don't need ta get shots for. I'm not big on sweltering climates, either. De sun reflects on dis beak and even wit' sunglasses it gives me a 'eadache. I'd go to Italy and France, but I jus' came back dere. Plus it's tourist season over dere. Crazy!"

"Well, then...How about Canada? British Columbia's supposed to be really nice."

Steelbeak remembered the time High Command sent him out on a mission to Vancouver Island. It was on of his most successful missions, but he also recalled getting a slew of black fly bites. Hmmm...Nah. Maybe I'll just go to ToonTown and chill out dere for a while. Or I could jus' stay 'ere and relax, maybe get to know Bushroot a little more. He seems pretty sweet, a little shy, but sweet.

"Eh...Canada's kinda boring. I could go to Toon Town or stay 'ere and take it easy."

"Toon Town's far from secluded and quiet!" Bushroot laughed.

"Hmm...In dat case, I'll stay put. Dere's a lotta t'ings I could do around 'ere. I could go out and get myself a well-desoived massage, hang out by de pool, maybe even go yachting!"

Ya gotta tell 'im, old Steelbeak ol' boy. I know yer a little scared, but so is Bushie. Just take it slowly, fella. With a certain degree of shyness, Steelbeak decided to let the cat out of the bag.

"Youse see, Bushroot, I dunno 'ow to say dis, but...I wanna be more den jus' friends wit' youse!"

More than just friends. This is what Bushroot wanted to hear. Deep down inside, he was delighted and taken aback at the same time.

"I...I don't know what to say," he stammered, placing a hand over his heart. "I mean..."

"Dere's no need ta say anyt'ing," Steelbeak smiled, motioning Bushroot to sit down next to him. "We 'ave much to talk about."

There's nothing to be afraid of, Reggie. Well, not at the moment, anyways. Just go sit with him. He wanted to sit down next to Steelbeak, and maybe give him a cuddle, but once again, it was his timidity that held him back. I wish I wasn't such a wuss! I

"I...I feel the same way, Steelbeak...About you..."

"Dat's alright, little buddy. C'mere, sit down!" Steelbeak coaxed, patting the cushion next to him. "I don't bite too much!"

Bushroot slunk over and sat down next to him as close as possible. "So...All along...Y-You were wooing me?"

Steelbeak placed an arm around Bushroot's shoulder and gave him a gentle hug. "Oooooh maybe. Maybe not."

"Glad to hear it," Bushroot cooed, resting his head against Steelbeak's masculine, barrel-shaped chest. He was soothed by the rhythmic beating of the rooster's heart and the ever so soft purr as he stroked his soft feathers. This is nice.

"I got a little surprise for youse!" Steelbeak suddenly beamed, jumping up off the couch and running to his bedroom.

What's up with him!?

Bushroot's heart jumped. Surprise?! First of all he was flirting with me, and now he surely wants to kill me! I gotta get out of here! He quietly headed out to the door, but it was too late. Steelbeak had spotted him. Okay, Bushroot, settle down. If he tries anything funny, turn your arms into vines and strangle him. Stand your ground!

"Leaving so soon?" Steelbeak asked with disappointment, hiding something behind his back. Did I scare 'im? I 'ope not.

Bushroot's sudden bravery shrunk back into cowardice. Oh no. I made him mad. Think up something to say, Reggie! Quickly! "Uuuuh...Well, yeah. It's getting pretty late and, well -- I don't wanna overstay my welcome! Plus I gotta check to see how my plants are doing..."

Steelbeak sighed. Plants mean de whole woild to 'im. Dey're practically de only ones dat care about 'im, as sad as it sounds. I mean, de Fearsome Five ain't exactly a family.

"Aw, Bushie. Why don'tcha stay over fer de night?"

"Because I can't..."

Awww...Bushie...Please, stay. Just fer one night.

"Dese are for youse," Steelbeak grinned broadly, holding out a pot of flowers to Bushroot. They were the orchids that were stolen from the zoo. "I managed ta save one for ya. I figured dat 'Igh Command wouldn't notice a missin' flower too much. Dis is de one I nearly dropped!"

Bushroot was so happy he cried and hugged Steelbeak tightly around the waist. "Oh, thank you, Steelbeak! Thank you very much! You didn't have to!"

Yes, I did, Bushroot. Steelbeak swooned slightly, giving him a tight hug in return. Man I love being hugged dere. Just a little lower would be poifect, ehehe. "Not a prob, babe. T'ink of it as a sort of favor fer a friend!" He sat the plant down on the coffee table and adjusted his robe cuffs.

Babe...He called me babe! No one's ever called me that before.

"I've reconsidered my decision, Steelbeak. I guess it wouldn't hurt to stay over for the night, considering that it's one in the morning," he chuckled half-heartedly. "If...That's alright with you."

Good decision, Reggie. Good decision!

"Sure it's alright wit' me!" Steelbeak grinned broadly, chumly placing an arm around Bushroot's shoulder as he led him towards the bedroom. "Now, ya can sleep in de bedroom or on de couch. I gotta tell ya, de bed's a bit more comfortable!" He added with a wink.

Man he's suave! "Uuuh...No need to give up your bed for me. I'll just curl up in a corner somewhere. I'm pretty used to it."

"Youse sure 'bout dat?" The twinkle in Steelbeak's eyes returned -- and Bushroot saw it.

"Yeah. No need to go to extra lengths just for little ol' me," Bushroot replied modestly, curling up on the couch and making himself comfy. "I'll do fine just here."

"Fine den, be dat way!" Steelbeak said in jest, looking down at Bushroot from behind the couch. "Want a blanket or anyt'ing?"

"No, no..." He muttered, trying to get to sleep. "I'll be OK!"

"What about a goodnight kiss?"

Bushroot's eyes widened in surprise. He wants to kiss ME?! Oh well. It's only a kiss, Reggie. No big deal!

"Alright, but be careful with that beak!"

"Not ta worry, Bushie. I'll be gentle..." He whispered, reaching over and giving Bushroot a kiss on the top of his bill. "See? Not so bad!"

Nice! Not quite what I expected from someone of his calibre. Oh, stop analyzing him, Reginald. It was "just" a goodnight kiss! He sat up and gave Steelbeak a little kiss on the chin. "No, not bad at all, Steelie. A little metalic, but not bad!"

"Yer too cute, Reggie!" Steelbeak chuckled.

Same to you!

"Welp, I t'ink it's time dat dis big, bad rooster gets ta bed!" Steelbeak yawned. "Let's say we 'ave a real villain ta villain conversation sometime tomorrow. I wanted ta 'ave one tonight, but I kept gettin' sidetracked."

"Sounds fine with me..." Bushroot mummered softly, finally drifting off to sleep.

Steelbeak looked over his shoulder just as he walked into his bedroom. "Goodnight, Reginald...I love ya."



Disclaimer:
Darkwing Duck, Bushroot, Steelbeak and other characters mentioned are © Disney.