Chapter Nineteen:
Good Luck
Outside in the crisp night, the sinister shadows revealed to be Javert and Bushroot vying for the best window side viewing. When the plant-duck tried to shove his minion away, a brief but noisy scuffle broke out between them. It attracted the attention of the nosy Muddlefoots, and Binkie peered through the blinds to see what the trouble was. Sensing they were being watched, they ran off like the cowards they were.
They were gone for good, slinking off to do some other dastardly deed. Or did they? Now that they knew the location of the house, it wouldn't be long until they'd come back for a second visit.
"Oh dear, that poor man almost got run over!" Binkie exclaimed, placing a hand to her beak as she watched Javert nearly get struck by a speeding S.U.V. It didn't occur to her that the "poor man" was in fact a deadly villain. When she saw he got across safely, she went to bed and didn't think twice about who he really was. Ignorance was bliss in her case, and it was best that it remained that way.
In the warmth of the mallard's residence, Steelbeak and Darkwing were drifting back to sleep. Worn out from the romantic action, Darkwing fell asleep with his bill resting on the slumbering scoundrel's hip. Just you and me, Steelbeak. Together, forever, birds of a feather.
Not a moment too soon, Javert and Bushroot had snuck back to the Avian Way. This time they returned with backup in the form of Eggmen. Two burly fellows came up and stood by the front door while another pair were stationed out in the backyard. One of them was also armed with heavy artillery, just in case a little slaughtering was needed -- or wanted.
"I'll make my entrance, you take hold of Steelbeak!" Javert ordered Bushroot, marching up to the house. "We have to act fast, to get zem by surprise . . . "
"Got it!" Bushroot saluted,
following practically every step he made. "I can't wait to get back
at that no-good cock!"
Steelbeak
was in the midst of a sensual dream when the front door was unfortunately
kicked open. He was so startled that he practically leapt into
his boyfriend's arms. After the initial shock of someone breaking
in, Darkwing Duck jumped off the blue couch and stood his ground.
Just who do they think they are, barging in like that? I'll show them
a thing or two . . .
"Funny, I never remembered inviting any of you in!" The mallard growled, the intensity of his voice startling himself. He gripped ahold of Steelbeak's arm just as it looked like he was going to get up and make a violent move towards the trespassing trio.
"You invite us in? Hah! Whatever made you think zat?" Javert laughed, purposely bushing up against a plant pot and knocking it over as he walked towards the two. He ignored Bushroot's whining about the "hurt and homeless plant" and looked down at the crimefighter with a very smug smile.
"I believe it was Steelbeak who led us right towards you! All along you thought he needed someone to love, and you fell for it. Well, now he had a change of heart and a change of plans. If you knew what was best for you I'd leave him."
"Don't listen to 'em!" Steelbeak snarled, angrily pointing a finger at Javert. "He's only going to try an' force youse to be on his side!"
Javert was more than offended by the accusation and acted as if he was taken aback. His act was all too real. "I am not! For once I thought I did some good in telling the crimefighter was being used. So I'm a villain, big deal. I'm not exactly the devil incarnate!"
"Hah, dat's bullshit if I've ever hoid it!" If it weren't for Darkwing keeping hold of him, Steelbeak would've surely killed him right there.
"Uh, children present!" Bushroot said with a stupid smile, pointing a leafy finger in the direction of were Goslayn's room was.
I've had it with villains! With a vicious snarl, Darkwing Duck grabbed hold of Steelbeak by the collar of his pajamas and brought his metallic and feathered face up to his. It had been quite some time since he felt this angry, and with his other hand he prepared to give the frightened felon the pummeling of his life. For someone of his statue, he was incredibly intimidating at this moment.
"Is this true? Tell me right now or I'll promptly cart you off to prison!" He demanded, roughly shaking him when he didn't get an answer straight away. It was only his self-control that prevented him from becoming doing more harm.
"N-no! Yas can't believe 'em!" Steelbeak yelped, pulling out of his pajama shirt as he struggled free. "It's a setup, I - - "
"You see, he admits it!" Bushroot exclaimed, holding Steelbeak down with a vine. The moment the rooster got a taste of freedom, he made a grab for Javert.
"I want you to now that I am very disappointed in you . . . " Darkwing's hurt glare practically cut right through Steelbeak's heart. He shooed Bushroot away with a can of weedkiller and stared directly into the eyes of his companion.
"I thought I did a good thing by opening my heart to you, but no! You just had to go and stab me in the back for it!"
"Dat's not true and youse know it! Lemme explain!" Horrified, Steelbeak came onto the defensive. He loved Darkwing, but if there was one thing he wouldn't stand for it would be to not let himself get accused of doing something he never did.
"Oh yeah? You're a villain! I wouldn't put it past you to do anything!" Darkwing argued back, sensing Steelbeak's defensiveness was an a giveaway of his guilt.
Once again feeling the world was against him, Steelbeak averted his stern glare. Javert had twisted the truth so much that the king of the crime fighters had fallen for his lie. He desperately wanted to patch the relationship back up, but was the damage already done?
"You were lied to, Darkbabe . . . " He quietly spoke, looking down at the floor. Steelbeak could feel the mallard disapproving look and felt it was better to just not look at him.
"Then what was this setup?" Darkwing growled, gripping hold of his boyfriend's wattles and forcing him to make eye contact. He had forgotten about the other villains in the room who had snuck off, having succeeded in doing what they came here for.
"Javert!" Steelbeak yelped at the sensation of the flap of skin being stretched. When the duck released him, he calmed down to explain the situation at hand.
"F.O.W.L bailed 'em out as quickly as 'e got locked away. Javert wanted revenge, and t'ought de best way to go about it would be to get as many people against me as possible. Youse see, he wanted youse to part wit' me. 'e likes seein' me in mis'ry."
Darkwing was a little slow at putting these facts together, even though he knew all too well about the bitter relation between Javert and the rooster. Steelbeak tried buttering him up with a shoulder massage, and he moved aside so his hands would slide off him. He didn't trust him at the moment, nor did he want any sort of affection. All Darkwing wanted was to get to the bottom of the matter and to catch up on the sleep he had missed.
"And just how do you know about this? Did you two team up together?" He asked, jumping on the top of the couch to stare down at the big baddie.
Just why, why won't 'e believe me? Steelbeak sensed Darkwing's suspicion and became increasingly uncomfortable. He felt as if he was in the courthouse for the millionth time, pleading guilty for a crime he did not commit. Just 'ow can I make 'em believe me, and keep dis relationship goin' strong? An angel of the rebellious kind would soon speak for him.
Just as he opened his beak to explain, Gosalyn shouted out at her father from atop the staircase. "Dad, listen to him. I know all about this about this."
"And how would youse know?" Steelbeak had a double take when he heard the teen defend him. His spirit had perked up a bit, and now he was rather thankful for the redhead's existence.
"I heard the two plotting this idea," Gosalyn replied, coming down the stairs. " I was going to tell you about it but you headed out off to do the grocery shopping. Just don't blame Steelbeak for the intrusion."
What have you got yourself into now, Drake? Upon hearing his daughter defend Steelbeak, a pang of guilt struck Darkwing hard. It has got to be the truth if she's sticking up for him like that. I hope he forgives me for my misjudgement, but its best not to keep my hopes up. I can't imagine how he feels right now. I'd deserve it if he punched me in my big fat bill.
"I'm sorry, Steelbeak . . . " He said rather feverishly, slowly getting up from the couch. "I don't deserve to have someone like you."
"Nonsense!" The rooster exclaimed, taking hold of his hand. He looked up at Gosalyn who touched him on his shoulder, then worriedly glanced back at the mallard. "Where are youse goin' at dis time of de day? Why are youse talkin' like dis for?"
"I . . . I have to go and find Javert and Bushroot before they go off and commit another crime," Darkwing gently explained, patting Steelbeak's hand. "You stay put until I get back, alright? I don't want you out and about with them on the loose. There's no telling what they'd do next!"
"Good luck!" The rooster watched Darkwing leave out the front door, unaware of the news that would be brought following his return.
Disclaimer: Steelbeak and Darkwing Duck, and other characters mentioned excluding Javert and a few minor chars' are © Disney.