He found Skipper sitting in the middle of the HQ.

“Private, there you are!” he said without standing.

“Sorry ‘bout that, Skippa! Just had to feed Rico…”

He tilted his head, “I admire your tenderness, Private, but keep in mind that he’s being punished.”

“Yes, Skippa…”

Silence…

“So…how did the mission go?” Private made an attempt to make conversation.

Skipper chuckled and rolled his eyes with a smile.

“Ringtail isn’t doing anything important, and Kowalski’s probably writing down his every action. I hate to say it, but the mission was a bust.”

“Oh…”

More silence…

“What’s the matter, Private? You look a little shaken up…”

Private trembled, “Well, I’m just not sure why Rico is being punished in the first place is all…”

“I…never told you?”

“Fraid not, Skippa…”

That was when Skipper eventually realized that Private was completely oblivious to what Rico had tried to do with Kowalski.

“Well…that’s…that’s classified information!”

“But, Skippa!”

“I don’t want to hear another word about it, soldier!”

Private suddenly took a few steps forward with narrowed eyes, “It’s not fair, Skippa! He wants to come home!”

Silence…

Skipper’s eyes widened a bit, “Private?”

Private shut his eyes, feeling so many emotions at once. He didn’t know which one to portray. One mistake would most likely induce the team’s eventual separation.

“Why don’t you take a seat and just…calm down?” Skipper suggested hesitantly.

It wasn’t long until Private did so. However, he retained his stressed posture.

“Now…how’s about you tell me what’s really bothering you?”

Private quickly stood to his feet with opened eyes and gave Skipper the harshest glare he had ever given the leader.

“Don’t act like that, Skippa!”

The other penguin blinked in confusion, but said nothing.

“I didn’t forget! I remember everything!”


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kowalski dragged himself across the Zoo in a melancholy manner. The rain, that night, was beginning to annoy him.

His first day without Rico had been anything but normal. He simply wanted to prove to himself that he was being stupid about this entire situation. Of course, it would appear as though he had succeeded in that, nonetheless.

Kowalski had earlier realized that he truly doesn’t love Rico in a lustful manner. In fact, he was still unable to feel that way, despite how much he tried. He no longer desired a male’s touch. The thought of it nearly sickened him. How could he have wanted such a thing from Rico? Maybe he was simply going through a phase. After all, those feelings had only lasted for a couple of days.

It was certainly something that he would need to look into. But, first, Kowalski needed to realize that he did miss Rico’s company.

Sure, he had written it down, last night; but he felt as though he were only lying to himself for comfort.

Kowalski released a sigh and smiled as the rain began to cease.

He needed to sort things out.

Kowalski finally reached his habitat, but hesitated before he entered through the fishbowl hatch.

He heard conversation…

“Calm down, Private! I already told you, it’s for the best!”

“But…but K’walski said it wasn’t right!”

Kowalski quickly hopped down the hatch and was immediately greeted by two wide-eyed penguins who were standing in front of one another. Private quickly stiffened and rubbed his eyes of the tears as he sniffled. The intellectual had captured their attention, and nothing was said for a few moments; until…

“I was just…going to bed…” Kowalski said as he reluctantly turned away from the awkward scene in order to roll into his bunk.

That night, Private and Skipper didn’t retreat to their bunks for quite some time…