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Drake Mallard adjusted his purple mask for the hundredth time that evening, peering through his binoculars at the St. Canard Museum of Antiquities. The tip he'd received about a potential heist had brought him here on this chilly autumn night, but so far, nothing seemed amiss.
"Keen gear! Is this where the action's gonna be, DW?"
Drake nearly jumped out of his feathers at the sudden voice behind him. "Launchpad! What are you doing here?" he hissed, whirling around to face his pilot friend who had somehow managed to climb onto the rooftop without making a sound – until now, that is.
"Well, I was worried about you going solo tonight," Launchpad replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "And you know what they say – two heads are better than one! Or was it two beaks? I can never remember..."
Drake sighed, but couldn't help the small smile tugging at his bill. "LP, I appreciate the thought, but this is supposed to be a stealth mission. You know, the kind where we don't announce our presence to every criminal in St. Canard?"
"Oh, right! Sorry, DW." Launchpad attempted to whisper, though it came out more like a stage voice. "I'll be quiet as a mouse. Or maybe a really quiet crash?"
Before Drake could reply, a flash of movement caught his eye. "There!" He pointed toward a shadowy figure scaling the museum wall. "Come on, LP – but remember, stealth is key!"
They made their way down the fire escape, Drake moving with practiced ease while Launchpad tried his best not to cause too much clanging. As they approached the museum's side entrance, Drake held up a hand to stop his partner.
"I'll go high, you go low," Drake whispered. "On three – one, two–"
Suddenly, Launchpad grabbed Drake's arm and pulled him behind a nearby statue. Before Drake could protest, he heard the unmistakable sound of security guards passing by, their flashlight beams sweeping right where they had been standing moments before.
Drake's heart was racing, partly from the close call, but mostly because of how close Launchpad was holding him. Their faces were inches apart in the shadow of the statue, and he could feel Launchpad's warm breath against his feathers.
"Quick thinking, LP," Drake whispered, looking up at his friend's face. The moonlight caught Launchpad's profile just so, and something shifted in Drake's chest – something he'd been trying to ignore for months now.
"Aw, it was nothing, DW. I just didn't want you to–"
Drake didn't let him finish. Rising up on his tiptoes, he pressed a quick kiss to Launchpad's bill, surprising them both. When he pulled back, Launchpad's eyes were wide with wonder.
"I, uh..." Drake started, suddenly feeling very foolish. "Sorry, I don't know what came over me. We should focus on the mission and–"
This time it was Launchpad who interrupted, pulling Drake close and returning the kiss with enthusiasm, nearly knocking them both over in the process. When they finally broke apart, they were both a little breathless.
"Gee, DW," Launchpad said with a goofy grin, "if I'd known crime-fighting could be like this, I would've volunteered to be your sidekick way sooner."
Drake felt his face heat up beneath his mask. "Partner," he corrected softly. "You're my partner, LP."
A crash from inside the museum brought them both back to reality. "Right! The burglary!" Drake straightened his cape. "Ready to catch some criminals, partner?"
Launchpad's smile could have lit up all of St. Canard. "Ready when you are, DW!"
As they rushed toward the museum entrance, Drake couldn't help but think that sometimes the best surprises came on the most ordinary nights – even for Darkwing Duck.