Every Rose Has It's Thorns

Chapter 3: A Private Tryst

"So... this is your airship?" Duck asked, as Goosewing helped him into the gondola. The young man had chosen to wear a shoulder-length red wig that evening, along with an ivory blouse that tucked neatly into his flower-patterned skirt.

"Actually, it's a dirigible, mein dear. This area below the balloon is known as the gondola," the professor told him. "Let me show you around."

"Thank you for inviting me to dinner. I'm sure it's... YIKES! What are those?" The emerald duck huddled behind Goosewing, pointing into the first room they'd been about to walk past.

"Ah, yes, mein vampire hunting equipment." Goosewing stepped into the room, gesturing to the contents. "Mein stakes, guns, blueprints, inventions..."

"I-I need to leave. This was a mistake. I shouldn't have come..." the younger man said, spinning around to take several hurried steps toward the main door.

"But wait! Whatever is the matter, mein sweet Duck?" Goosewing asked, returning to the hallway.

"I-I just..." The emerald duck sighed, his body sagging as he hesitantly turned around. His dark gaze darted to Goosewing, and then flickered away. "I know you're a vampire hunter, but I don't want to think of hurting anyone - ever."

"Oh, mein lovely one..." the professor sighed, quickly shutting the door to his study. "You are so sweet and sensitive. We don't have to talk about any of that dangerous stuff tonight." He extended his arms pleadingly. "Won't you stay for dinner? I made a delicious vegetarian borscht."

Duck glanced over his shoulder at the closed main door, and then strode forward, sinking into Goosewing's tender embrace. "You're lucky that I think you're cute."

"You do?" Goosewing felt his feathers perk up at the compliment. "Well, I think you are the most radiant beauty in all of Transylvania." He cupped the duck's cheek, and tilted his face upwards. "No matter how many different wigs you choose to wear, I would recognize those lovely eyes anywhere."

The emerald duck's bill rose into a smirk. "Oh, you would, would you?"

"I would. Now, let's eat. I'm famished." Goosewing released his companion, and took his hand, leading him down the hall. "On your right is the reading room, where we will abscond to after dinner. I have a lovely book of poetry I'd like to show you."

"Poetry, huh? Why you charming romantic, you," Duck laughed, his voice slipping back into a southern belle accent.

"Yah, you think so?" the vampire hunter chuckled, his mind already casting ahead to snuggling on the couch with his dark-eyed beauty at his side. Goosewing's eyes caught sight of the antique mirror hanging on the wall ahead of them. It had been a gift from his great uncle who had helped raise him.

'Always, always keep a mirror on the wall when you bring someone new into your home, young Otto. You never know if they are a creature of the night, attempting to seduce their way into your heart," his uncle had told him, placing the ornate mirror in his hands as a parting gift.

"You look so pretty in the mirror..." Goosewing began to say as they approached the mirror, his head slowly turning with the intention of gazing upon their figures in the reflective surface. Oh, how he would love a picture of them both to frame on the wall - once he knew his companion's true identity, of course.

"Goosewing!" Duck wrapped his arms around the vampire hunter's neck, dragging him down into a passionate kiss.

Goosewing's arms flailed, momentarily stunned by the unexpected embrace. Then he pulled the petite man closer, their combined bodies hitting the wall, jostling the mirror from it's hook. Down it fell, the glass shattering into pieces as it hit the floor at their feet.