>> I definitely don't want to give him a fright, poor guy. And grabbing birds normally doesn't end well for anyone, especially the bird. (And the grabber too, if the bird is the sort to bite, or foot, or barf.) <<

Or break your arm with a wing buffet. Swans and geese can do that. So can Pinion.

>> I'm glad he has people who will respect his 'no' and not get handsy with him. <<

Sooth.

>> (but wiiiiiings~ i begin to suspect there is not enough preening fic in my life) <<

You can prompt for more. Pinion has some problems with his wings that he could use more help with. Also, Fledgling Grace is wall-to-wall wingfic.