Birds of A Feather Chapter 7: On His Own, a darkwing duck fanfic

Birds of A Feather

Chapter Seven:
On His Own

There wasn't a single word in the dictionary to describe how Steelbeak felt, for he felt too many emotions all at once. Slowly, he returned the hug, protectively bringing Darkwing up against his chest. Could it be possible that enemies could become friends, or anything more than friends? As much as he despised the mallard for interfering with his schemes, Darkwing wasn't the worse individual he knew. Maybe he could put his differences aside, and come to love him the way he once knew Bushroot.

No way. 'E might be my "newfound companion" but . . . It doesn't go any further den dat. A friend, companions, whatever, is one t'ing. A lover is another!

Steelbeak's conflicted nature had come back to him. He yearned to be loved again, yet wanted to become St. Canard's most feared enemy at the same time. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to have both these desires. Putting this aside, Steelbeak knew he had to tell Darkwing how grateful he was for being with him through this time.

"I don't know 'ow to t'ank youse fer dis . . . Wonderful treatment yer givin' me."

The duck shook his head and cupped the rooster's iron chin in his hands. There was mutual trust in this; Darkwing had no fear of being bitten, and Steelbeak had no fear of being struck in the face. Due to his abusive past, hands being brought to the rooster's face meant two things; abuse, or having his "mask" torn away. The metal beak was the border between his ugly past, and his proud career.

"There is no need to thank me. All I ask of you is for you to let me try to fill in that void in your life. I know I cannot replace Bushroot, but . . . "

For a moment, Steelbeak's gaze averted Darkwing's. It sounded idealistic, but almost too good to be true. 'Ow would dis relationship woik if I gotta go out and do criminal duties, and 'ave dis guy go after me? I still can't let go of Bushroot . . . Darkwing means well, but . . . Us lovin' each other jus' wouldn't woik out. At least I don't t'ink it will.

"Steelbeak?" Darkwing asked in a concerned whisper. "Is there something wrong?" I really hope it wasn't something I said. I really hope he isn't hiding his feelings from me again.

To save himself from the trouble of explaining, Steelbeak lied. Perhaps in another life, he was an actor. The duck fell for it.

"Nah . . . Jus' been t'inkin'."

"About what?" The mallard asked softly, moving his hand through an opening in the Armani suit. Ever soothingly, he began to rub the rooster's chest.

For a moment, Steelbeak became uncomfortable about being touched in this manner. He tensed up, hackles raised, ready to fight. He soon relaxed, however, and a rumbling purr was a sure signal of this. This fondling reminded of his relationship with Bushroot, and he couldn't help but to smile and submit to it. He closed his eyes, pretending for the moment that Darkwing was his ex.

"Eh . . . A lot of t'ings . . . " He winked.

Darkwing looked up at Steelbeak's face, arrogantly admiring his reflection on the shiny metal beak. "What kinda t'ings?" He asked, winking back and giving his bowtie a flick. He smirked when the rooster gave him a dirty look for impersonating his speech. Sorry Steelie, I couldn't resist imitating that accent!

"Oh, jus' - " Steelbeak was interrupted by Darkwing's cell phone going off. With a playful smirk, he grabbed it out of the purple jacket. Like St. Canard's weather, his personality had a tendency to change at the drop of a hat. One moment he was sad, the next suave, the next as happy as a child with a new toy.

"'ello?" He crooned, striking a suave pose. Each time the duck made a grab for it, he held it out just out of reach. "Darkwing Doofus can't currently come to de phone right now, but if youse would like ta leave a message - "

Not amused by this, Darkwing quickly made another grab for the cell phone. Almost in the character of Negaduck, he grabbed hold of Steelbeak by the collar of his jacket. "HEY! Give that back to me or I'll eat you for dinner!"

"Catch!" Steelbeak smirked, casually tossing it into his direction. He grimaced apologetically when it landed in his aquarium and quickly he snatched it out. "Ehhh . . . Sorry 'bout dat. Just got dat itch o' youthfulness in me!"

Fuming, Darkwing grabbed the phone out of his hands and gave the rooster a scolding glare. Luckily, the phone was still in working condition and hitting redial he got back in touch with the caller.

"Ehh . . . Sorry about that. Who is this?"

"Chauncer DeMarius!" The voice on the other end replied. "J. Gander Hooter wants to speak with you A.S.A.P!"

"Oh . . . ? Okay, I'll be right there!" Darkwing's hardened expression softened as he noticed that Steelbeak looked genuinely apologetic. He felt bad for being angry at him when he was just goofing off, and felt bad for having to leave him now. Switching his phone off, he frowned.

"I hate to tell you this . . . But . . . I have to go. I'm very sorry . . . "

Foist, Bushroot left me, now when Darkwing t'inks I'm someone kinda cool, 'e leaves me, too! What is dis woild comin' to? Steelbeak's eyes widened as Darkwing quickly kissed him on the cheek.

"Okay, now DAT I didn't expect!" He explained, quickly looking around and hoping no one was looking. His shocked expression became one of sadness as he felt he was being abandoned. "So . . . I - I guess yer leavin' me, aren't youse?"

Darkwing chuckled, playfully messing up his comb. "Only temporarily, ya old teddy bear!" Deep down inside, however, he didn't know when he would be back. He couldn't bring himself to tell Steelbeak this, and kept it to himself.

Steelbeak let out a big sigh of relief. He patted Darkwing on the shoulder and grinned wryly. "T'ank goodness fer dat or I'd 'afta wring a soiten duck's scrawny little neck!"

As he watched the mallard march out the door, Steelbeak felt alone again. He reassured himself that Darkwing would be back and took this opportunity to go out for a nightly stroll. After all, he had the week off, he might as well do something to kill time. Placing on his black and white fedora, he headed out of the apartment complex. He kept on his alert, for his enemies were out and about.

Not long ago it had been raining. There was enough mist and fog in the abandoned city streets to create an eerily dreary atmosphere. In his white jacket, Steelbeak appeared like a ghost moving through his hauntings. The water caused the pavement of the roads and side walks to shine like the metal of his beak. He walked quietly, avoiding the many puddles that would leave water stains on his expensive shoes.

There was not a single soul on the streets, and he enjoyed this solitude. The only lights were from the moon and the streetlamps. Most of the city's businesses had long been closed for the night, and not a car passed through the streets.

Making his way through the park, he came upon a sight that caused him to stop in his tracks. Through the dense fog he saw Bushroot. For a moment, he remained hopeful, for the plant-duck appeared to be alone. A moment later, his heart sank when he saw Morgana was with him, walking arm and arm with him. Slowly, he approached the couple.

"C'mon, Bushroot, let's not talk to that . . . That thing!" Morgana hissed in disgust, turning to walk the other way. Obediently, her new boyfriend followed her, not uttering a single word. It seemed as if he hadn't even seen Steelbeak.

Not wanting to intrude, Steelbeak pulled himself back. With his heart weighed down with the grief of unrequited love, he watched the couple walk down through a path that led into a forest. It wasn't long until he lost sight of them, and when he did he too walked the opposite direction. His destination was the Audubon Bay, to where he would go to contemplate.

And now I'm all alone again
Nowhere to turn, no one to go to
Without a home, without a friend
Without a face to say hello to
And now the night is near, and I can make
Believe he's here.
Sometimes I walk alone at night when everybody else is sleeping.
I think of him and then I'm happy with the company I'm keeping
The city goes to bed
And I can live inside my head.
On my own
Pretending he's beside me.
All alone I walk with him till morning
Without him
I feel his arms around me
And when I lose my way I close my eyes
And he has found me.
In the rain the pavement shines like silver
All the lights are misty in the river
In the darkness the trees are full of starlight
And all I see is him and me for ever and forever.
And I know it's only in my mind
That I'm talking to myself and not to him
And although I know that he is blind
Still I say there's a way for us.
I love him
But when the night is over
He is gone, the river's just a river
Without him the world around me changes
The trees are bare and everywhere the streets are full of stangers.
I love him
But everyday I'm learning
All my life I've only been pretending
Without me his world will go on turning
A world that's full of happiness that I have
Never known.
I love him, I love him.
I love him, but only on my own.