Hank tried not to be too eager when he noticed Richard out near the coop. He wouldn't want him to get the idea that he'd been waiting for him, even if it was true. After leaving him up at the stables, Hank had returned to finish his morning rounds with Connor. The sheep were settled, safe and content under Sixty's watchful eye, the pigs were fed and mucked, the donkeys were out to pasture, and he'd even checked on the eggs in his own coop. Tina and the other hens were in the coop warming their eggs, eagerly waiting for them to hatch. A few were still laying even now, adding more fertile eggs to the clutch. Gavin was antsy as ever, skulking and hopping along the fence, looking for Nines. He'd run up to greet Hank, clawing the ground hopefully as he entered, but was ultimately disappointed when he left after topping up the feed. That was all part of the plan.

After returning to the house, Hank tidied up a little, keeping a constant eye out through the front window. It felt like it took a long time, and maybe it did. Richard probably had his share of work to do around the stables, feeding and grooming the mare before turning her loose to graze with the others. Seeing him return, Hank waited around and watched as he headed into the house. He changed out of his riding gear, swapping the tight pants for worn jeans and the quilted jacket for a loose white top. The outfit didn't hug his figure as well, but that just drew Hank's eye more. It would be so easy to just slide a hand up the back of that shirt and trace the pale skin beneath, or steal a glance at his pecs along the loose neckline.

Since he didn't want to seem too eager, Hank waited until Richard had already entered the coop before leaving the house. Sumo barely raised his head as he left, content to stay on the cool kitchen tiles. Connor, on the other hand, bounded out on his heels, as always. Dark eyes looked up curiously as he made his way across the yard, and it didn't take him long to spot Richard in the coop. Hank huffed fondly as Connor shot off across the yard, panting and barking in greeting as he jumped at the fence. His ears drooped slightly as Richard balked, the bucket almost slipping as he flinched and turned to face him. As ever, his eyes were filled with fear until he noticed Hank not too far behind.

"Connor! Down, boy." Connor followed the guiding hand on his head and returned to all fours, tail wagging as he turned in a circle and sat. "You have good timing. I was just about to bring Gavin over," Hank said, keeping a placating hand on the top of Connor's head. It wasn't exactly a lie. He'd planned to give him a playdate with Nines. He'd just been waiting for Richard to arrive first. It was almost like Nines heard him as he flapped and hopped at the mesh between them, crowing mournfully. Richard eyed him with more than a hint of apprehension. He wasn't scared of him, but picking him up and handling him never seemed to end well.

"Uh...Sure, I guess that wouldn't hurt." Nines had pretty much done his job at this point. The hens had laid and were currently nursing their eggs. With the hens spending more time inside the coop, Nines had more time to dwell on Gavin as he crowed at the mesh and pecked the ground. He hesitated to say he looked more depressed than usual, but there was a definite droop in his tail and a drag in his scraping feet. Hank chuckled softly as he signalled Connor to zip across the yard.

"Don't worry, I'll help you wrangle Nines when I get back." Richard could do it himself. It was just a little more challenging for him. Unlike Hank, he'd only been working with chickens for a few short months. Hank probably had years of chicken farming under his belt. Considering his experience, it was really no surprise when he returned a few minutes later with Gavin securely tucked under his arm. The scruffy brown rooster didn't even put up a fight, happily cooing and bobbing his head until Hank placed him on the ground.

"How do you do that? He doesn't even kick!" Gavin's feet were kept tucked against his chest until he was set down, and even then he didn't flap his wings until Hank's hands were clear. It was almost like he'd been trained, but Richard had never heard of anyone training chickens. Seeing Nines, Gavin skipped his way to the mesh and bobbed his head, clucking and cooing as he fluffed and ruffled his feathers.

"There's not really a trick to it, just practice. The more you handle them, the more relaxed you'll be, and the more relaxed they'll be. Chickens are like most animals; they can tell when you're nervous. If you're going to handle them, you have to do it with confidence." Apparently, confidence was in short supply. Not that Hank could blame him after last time. "We could probably work on your technique, too." We? Something stirred in the pit of Richard's stomach as Hank climbed over the fence and entered his pen. It wasn't exactly small, but it certainly felt a lot tighter with both of them standing in it. His cheeks felt a little hotter as Hank took the empty bucket and set it aside. "Can't do anything holding onto that."

Hank couldn't believe his luck as Richard allowed the bucket to be tugged from his grasp, something unspoken passing between them as their fingers brushed. Putting the bucket down, Hank stepped behind him, noting the stiffness in his shoulders as their bodies touched. Richard didn't step away or look over his shoulder. That was promising. There was still a little space between them, but Hank soon solved that problem as he sidled closer and rested his hands on the smaller man's hips. He swore he heard a little intake of breath as he leaned over his shoulder.

"The key to chickens, as with anything, is confidence." Richard swallowed, heart thudding as Hank's gruff voice rumbled in his ear, warm breath coiling around his lobe. He stiffened a little as Hank's belly settled against his back and burly hands squeezed his hips. "If you don't handle him with confidence, he'll get away from you...You need to grab him with a firm hand." Are we still talking about chickens? Richard certainly felt hot under the collar as Hank's hands moved to grip his elbows and hold them against his sides. "First, you need to make sure you have him secure. Make sure his wings are nice and snug. You don't want to hurt him." Bird wings were delicate. He definitely wouldn't want to cause a lasting injury.

"And how do I do that?" His mouth felt impossibly dry as he asked, barely daring to glance at Hank as he leaned in. Rough bristles tickled his ear, making him shiver as Hank's fingers teased circles on his elbows.

"Don't worry, I'll show you." Richard swallowed hard, nodding for him to continue. "Once you have those wings good and tight, you need to lift. Keep him close to your body. It's easier to control him that way." Richard almost stumbled as Hank pulled him flush against his chest and slowly moved to slip an arm around his shoulders, keeping his arms snug at his sides. "The tricky part is getting him under your arm. You don't want to give him room to get those wings free. It's probably best to support his chest with one hand, then tuck him under." A firm hand touched his pecs, settling right in the middle of his chest. "With a little practice, you should be able to scoop his feet up, too. As long as you're confident, Nines will be comfortable." It was hard to focus as Hank's thumb rubbed circles on his upper arm, making his cock twitch with interest.

"Will you show me?" Richard almost balked at how dry and scratchy his voice sounded. Hank's lips curled as he drew back, almost like he knew what was happening. Richard swore there was heat in those soft blue eyes as he turned his head, sending prickles across the back of his neck.

"Sure, I'll show you." He swore Hank leaned in as he spoke, but it was probably his imagination as he stepped away a moment later. It was a good thing he was wearing looser pants than usual as Hank marched over to where Nines was pecking at the fence. He made it look so easy as he crouched and snagged the rooster in one fell swoop, picking him up as easily as he had Gavin. Nines barely even squawked as Hank tucked him under his arm, head bobbing contentedly as he was carried over to Richard.

"You always make it look so easy," Richard complained as he ran a finger over Nines' comb, almost getting pecked for his trouble. It wasn't that Nines disliked him, but he didn't seem to be overly fond of him, either.

"That's because it is. Like I said, approach it with confidence and you'll be fine." Easy for you to say...He'd already been pecked once, and had the scab to prove it. Bending down, Hank placed Nines on his feet and watched him skitter off back to Gavin. Once his back was turned, Hank tugged Richard a little closer and gently nudged him on his way. Richard followed the urging with a sigh and slowly crept up behind the black rooster. He wasn't sure if Nines noticed him or not as he clucked and ducked his head at Gavin, but he made no move to stop him as he slipped in behind. "That's good. Now bend over." Reaching out, Richard did as asked, stopping as a gentle chuckle sounded behind him. "Not like that! You've got to bend your knees. It's good for balance."

Richard froze, heart leaping in his throat as an aged hand settled on his hip and another pressed down on his back, guiding him. He swore his cheeks must have darkened three shades as Hank's pelvis nudged his ass. Licking his lips, Richard tried to keep the focus on his current task. Nines raised his head, making Hank pull him back until his ass was flush against him. He grumbled something about waiting for the right angle, but it was hard to focus when he could feel his cock filling out. Fuck, what if Hank noticed? That would be embarrassing.

"Alright, go!" Hank was a little reluctant to let him go. It felt pretty good having Richard's ass resting on his thighs and he was honestly surprised he'd let him go that far. That he'd let him get in so close had to be a good sign, right? The flush in his cheeks was also quite promising. Following his former advice, Richard bent his knees and made a grab for Nines. By the way Nines hopped and flapped, it seemed he'd grabbed a little too hard and fast. The black rooster seemed indignant as he crowed and hopped away, feathers fluffing in agitation. "Not bad, but be a touch softer..." Richard stumbled as firm hands grabbed his arms and dragged him back against a burly chest.

"Agh! What are you-"

"Uncomfortable, isn't it?" Hank's fingers had an almost bruising grip on his upper arms as a large thigh slipped between his legs to support his ass and stop him from falling. "He's a lot smaller than you, and easily hurt." Richard nodded stiffly, fighting the urge to grind as Hank's knee rocked. Helping him get his balance, Hank's hands softened. "You want to slide in nice and slow, make it a smooth motion..." Firm hands pressed in on either side to guide him back against Hank's larger body, fingers soothing the earlier roughness in apology. Hank was right. As soon as he got in close, he'd made a grab for Nines to stop him from running, but taking him by surprise wasn't part of the plan. If I'm confident, maybe he won't run away...

As Hank's hands relaxed, Richard pushed himself up and took a breath. He had to be confident. Nines wouldn't run or try to peck him if he at least acted like he knew what he was doing. Richard's dark eyes thinned slightly as he watched Nines scratching and pecking at the ground, occasionally digging out a worm to toss Gavin's way. His feathers had relaxed again, free of their earlier indignant fluff. That was a good sign. It suggested he felt at ease in the coop, and with those around him. He didn't appreciate the rough handling, but if he was more careful, maybe he wouldn't mind.

"Go ahead. Get in behind, trap his wings, lift, and tuck." Richard nodded, dark eyes fixed on Nines as he set his jaw. Lift and tuck. It sounded so simple when he said it in his head, but actually doing it was a lot harder. As he stepped closer, Nines raised his head and looked at him, but he didn't attack or run away. Richard paused, trying not to feel nervous as he locked eyes with the sleek black rooster. "Take your time...Don't rush it." Sage advice. Richard nodded, staying quiet as Nines finally lost interest and returned to pecking the ground.

He moved slowly so as not to spook him, but didn't mask his approach otherwise. His boots scuffed the ground softly as he walked, but Nines made no move to run. If anything, he made his job easier by fully turning his back to dig out a worm for Gavin. Richard licked his lips, assessing the way Nines held his wings. They were down, flush against his sides, the perfect position for grabbing. Move slowly and be gentle...Leaning down, he held his hands on either side and brought them together at Nines' sides, trapping his wings. Dark eyes widened as he stood with the rooster in his hands, staring in disbelief as Nines turned his head to look up at him.

"That's good, now support his chest and gently tuck him under your arm." Seeing that Richard didn't have the move down just yet, Hank stepped in to help. He supported Nines' feet as Richard tentatively shuffled him under one arm. Holding him with two arms would be a lot easier, but if he was ever alone, he'd need one arm free to open and close the pen doors and climb over the fence.

"I did it!" He still couldn't believe it. Nines was safely tucked under his arm and showed no sign of struggling. He was relaxed, wings resting leisurely at his sides, head bobbing idly back and forth. Even after Hank released his feet and stepped back, Nines didn't try to escape. No scratching, no pecking, no flapping. He seemed perfectly content. Hank savoured the sight of Richard's bright smile as he stared at Nines in gleeful disbelief. The dimples in his cheeks deepened as he grinned, showing off his perfectly aligned teeth.

"You did good." He seemed to glow more at the praise. A soft pink colour bloomed across his cheeks as those dark eyes rose to look at him. Hank couldn't help feeling proud as he ruffled his dark hair and headed for the pen door. "Let's get him over to Gavin." It seemed Richard had forgotten that part of the plan as he followed to climb the fence. He went carefully, wobbling a little as he heaved himself up and swung his leg over. Luckily, Hank was there to all but lift him down on the other side. Connor wisely kept his distance, tail wagging as he watched Hank's arms slip around Richard's waist to guide him down. Richard took his time once they were in the second pen, tentatively stroking Nines' chest before crouching to let him go.

"Catching him was a lot easier that time...Thanks." It was said a little awkwardly, but with genuine sincerity. Hank softened as Richard straightened up, joining him to watch Gavin and Nines frolicking across the pen. He slowly sidled closer, making it seem accidental as their arms brushed.

"Don't thank me yet...You still have to get him back again."