Every Rose Has It's Thorns

Chapter 4: Beware the Thorns

The full moon floated high in the sky above the Bella Rosa Gardens, peering down at the couple sitting on one of the park benches, locked in a passionate embrace. Ivory fingers trailed through brown waves of hair, even as emerald arms pulled him closer. The professor's other hand began to trail up the younger man's legs, sliding out of view beneath his white dress, which was patterned with lovely red roses.

"Mmmm... Otto," Duck groaned, pulling his lover down, even as he leaned back against the arm of the bench.

"Yes, yes, mein sweet Duck," the vampire hunter sighed, their bodies flush against each other as the moon shone down upon them. He was reveling in the softness of the other bird's tongue mingling with his own, when a sharp burst of pain wrenched him from the passionate moment.

"Oh!" Goosewing chuckled as he pulled back to readjust his suit. A salty and metallic taste filled his mouth from the small cut on his tongue. "Getting a bit feisty, mein love." He reached for his companion, only to feel the smaller man's hands against his chest, shoving him back. Duck stumbled away from the bench, his hands now covering his eyes.

"Goodness, mein dear. Whatever is the matter?" the professor asked, stretching out a hand.

"Goosewing, run away! You can't..." The emerald duck froze, his body locked into a hunched over position.

"That voice..." the vampire hunter whispered, his eyes widening in horror.

A rich chuckle filled the night air as the young man straightened to his full height. With one hand, he ripped the brunette wig from his head, flinging it to the ground. Shafts of moonlight revealed shoulder-length black hair with purple highlights.

"Schinken und käse!" Goosewing swore.

Bloodshot eyes snapped up to meet his, the duck's yellow bill widening to reveal glistening fangs. "Dr. von Goosewing. What a delicious surprise," the vampire hissed, taking a menacing step forward.

"You monster!" the vampire hunter yelled, attempting to stand up from the bench. In a flash of smoke, the shorter duck was in front of him, pushing him back down. With little effort, Duckula straddled his lap, his rose-print dress hiked up so that his bare thighs were pressed against Goosewing's hips. Sharp nails nearly tore his bowtie in half, and Goosewing jumped as he felt the moistness of a devious tongue trailed up the side of his neck.

"I shall enjoy claiming you," the vampire purred, his fangs pearly white in the moonlight.

"Verschwinde!" ('Get off!' or 'Get along with you!') Goosewing shoved his nemesis to the ground, jumping back as he heard the vampire hiss angrily at him.

"You tricked me, you monster! I will not be fooled by your lies any longer! Try to suck mein blood, will you..." Goosewing searched his pockets, only to realize that he'd emptied his jacket of stakes after their dinner date on his dirigible. Duck... no, Count Duckula, had been so fearful of the wooden weapons the moment he'd seen them. Goosewing hadn't even thought about the consequences of leaving his vampire hunting equipment back at the airship. "Even without a stake, I can still defeat you!"

The vampire seemed to pause, his entire body - still dressed in that pretty rose-patterned dress, swaying in the breeze. His face was hidden in shadow as he hunched over again, covering his eyes.

Goosewing didn't let his guard down. Weaponless, he stepped farther back, eager to put some distance between himself and the dangerous creature.

"Stakes? Blood?" Duckula whispered. His dark eyes, no longer bloodshot, rose to see Goosewing's disheveled appearance. As the vampire hunter watched, the vampire wiped his bill with his white sleeve, leaving a streak of crimson on the fabric. "I-is that b-blood?"

"Yes, it is blood! Mein blood, you - you - wampire!" Goosewing shouted, stomping his foot. A strange look came over the vampire's face - a cross between abject horror and panic. No doubt he was upset that Goosewing had figured out his trick.

"Goosewing... Otto, I can explain," the count tried to say, only to flinch back when Goosewing took a menacing step forward.

"You-you have been tricking me this whole time! You horrible fiend - you monster - you, you...!"

At the accusing words, the vampire's chest began to heave, as if he was having trouble breathing. Another trick, Goosewing though. Vampires were dead, soulless beings. They no longer needed to breathe, so Duckula clearly wasn't having some kind of panic attack in the middle of the garden.

"I am never to be forgiving you for this, Count Duckula! You have toyed with mein feelings for too long!" In his anger, the vampire hunter surged forward - forgetting that he was weaponless. As he approached, the vampire spun around, racing off down the path.

"Yes, you had better run away, Count Duckula! You haven't seen the last of Dr. Otto von Goosewing!"

***

"Schinken und käse" apparently means 'ham and cheese' in German. It's one of Goosewing's curses from the show. I don't speak German, so I hope I've translated the words and phrases properly.

I decided to use Duckula's hair color and length from the Danger Mouse 2015 reboot. It's always gelled up in the series, but it likely flows down around his shoulders normally.