Impulse

Chapter 1: Struck by You

It started with an impulse. Kowalski was hard at work on the TV, trying to find a way to upgrade it to high definition. Needless to say, without their daily entertainment, the others were a little bored. Skipper and Private took the time to go train. Rico seemed to have other ideas on his mind. He hung about, watching curiously and spitting up whatever tools Kowalski happened to need at the moment.

Rico cocked his head to the side curiously, watching as the taller penguin worked. He was fascinated by his teammate's clear concentration. He was always like that when working, of course. The cogs of Kowalski's mind never stopped turning. At least, not until he was the last remaining penguin, faced with possible death, but that had been another story. Rico chuckled a little at the thought, though it didn't earn so much as a glance from the other penguin.

It was such a simple action. He just leaned closer to Kowalski, sniffing very lightly. He recognized it, the crisp scent of salt water. Appealing to any penguin.

"Uh, Rico?"

The manic penguin blinked, raising his eyes to meet his teammate's. Kowalski's eyes were blue. He'd never been close enough to notice.

"You're, uh, in the radius of my personal bubble."

Rico smiled, stepping even closer. Kowalski was surprised, taking a little step back when the shorter penguin took in his scent again. He'd always known Rico to do strange things, but never like this. For a moment he wondered if it was supposed to be a hint to go bathe, but Rico actually seemed to be enjoying it.

Skipper always told us to use all our senses, Kowalski remembered uncertainly. Perhaps he's just practicing. It seemed pretty unlikely. Rico gave another chuckle before waddling away toward the ladder.

Kowalski stared after him, not knowing what to make of what had just happened.

-

It happened again only a couple days later. Kowalski and Rico were sparring with one another on Skipper's instruction. They already knew who would win, of course. When it came to strength, Rico won by a long shot, but it was only practice.

Kowalski was caught of guard again when he was pushed back, stumbling into one of the walls. Rico had him pinned against it by the flippers. He leaned closer, taking in the taller penguin's scent again.

The smooth, black feathers on the back of Kowalski's neck stood up, and he shivered, hearing Rico's soft, rumbling chuckle.

"Good work, men!" Skipper praised as he approached, and Rico immediately released him. "You managed to last five more seconds than usual, Kowalski."

Kowalski gave an awkward smile, trying to keep his eyes away from his crazed teammate. "Thank you, Skipper."

"Private, your turn!"

"Righto, Skippa'!"

Kowalski stepped back, watching the sparring match closely. He couldn't help but notice that Rico did not try and lean close to Private as he had to him. Did it mean something? The tallest penguin slipped away for a moment to find his clipboard, beginning to scribble down his theories.

-

Kowalski kept a close eye on Rico, studying him. He didn't show the same strange behavior around the others. For a moment Kowalski thought of trying to talk to the manic penguin, but the idea was quickly wiped away. Rico's words were always useful, but rare. How often did he say more than a single word?

"Time to hit the sack, boys."

Kowalski looked up, hearing their leader speak. Realizing what he'd said, he began to put his things away. When he turned around, he came face to face with his current subject of analysis.

Rico smiled widely and Kowalski took a step back, already knowing what was going to happen. Just as he guessed, the shorter penguin leaned in, smelling him. To Kowalski's surprise, though, this time he stepped even closer, nuzzling his beak into the smooth feathers. He was absolutely stunned, even as Rico stepped away again to find his bed.

A gesture of affection? It didn't make any sense at all. Didn't Rico have sensitivity to those kinds of things? Last he remembered, it had been what made him throw up that live bomb. Is that what all this is?

"Kowalski!"

The intellectual penguin nearly jumped out of his skin, scurrying into his bed. He did not fall asleep as quickly as the others, his mind working furiously.

-

Kowalski could feel Rico's eyes on him and he blushed dark red, though it was hard to tell beneath the feathers. Clearing his throat, he stood up straight as Skipper addressed him. "All things are in order, sir. Although the chimps seem to have developed a new sort of code."

All eyes turned toward the chimp cages in time to see Phil scratch his rear. A short pause later, Mason did the same.

"Those fiends. They're planning something..." Skipper rubbed the bottom of his beak in thought before pointing to his strategies expert. "Kowalski, Rico. Recon!"

Kowalski saluted, but couldn't help but glance nervously at Rico. He shook his head at himself. You could compromise the mission if you don't trust your teammates, Kowalski, he reminded himself, reluctantly speaking. "This way, Rico."

The pair jumped, landing on their bellies outside of the exhibit, sliding across the concrete. They jumped up again, pressing their backs to a 'bathrooms this way' sign. They carefully leaned out from behind it to peer out at the chimps. Kowalski pulled out his clipboards, scribbling something down each time one of the chimps so much as twitched.

Rico smiled slowly. Never one to miss an opportunity, he leaned closer to the taller penguin, nuzzling the back of his neck. He could feel the other tense up in surprise.

"Rico, we're on a mission..."

Another low chuckle from his teammate. Rico pushed Kowalski into a nearby wall, burying his face into his feathers and surrounding himself in the fresh, salt-water scent.

Kowalski wasn't sure what to do. They were supposed to be on a mission, after all, and here Rico was completely disregarding for this. He'd never known one of his teammates to do something like that. He carefully moved to nudge the shorter penguin away, but it only caused Rico to wrap his flippers around him, nuzzling closer.

He was utterly confused, unsure of what to make of this hug. Does he want retaliated affection? The question stirred in Kowalski's head for a moment and finally he decided it was the only thing he could think of. He raised his flippers, carefully returning the embrace.

Rico gave something comparable to a purr - although with his deep voice, it sounded a little more like a growl - and Kowalski smiled.