Prompt: Tell Me
Characters: Blaine & Unique
Words: 430
"What's up, Nightbird?" Unique wonders as Blaine sits down beside her.
It's more than a little disconcerting to be in the choir room without lights, for the second time in two weeks. This time, even though it's not a lockdown, that's where Blaine's mind keeps going. This time, he's determined to do more. To take care of people. To do what's right instead of shutting down.
With a cape, and a costume, it's a little easier to feel that he's capable of these things. The truth is, though, he's as vulnerable as he ever was. The truth is, the cape is just a cape.
"Hello? Nightbird?" Unique presses.
She is proficient and never uses his civilian identity when he's dressed this way. But then again, Blaine guesses, she would be. Unique completely understands presenting oneself in another manner, and how much it can mean to a person to be called by the name of someone they want to be rather than who they are. Sam gave up on Blonde Chameleon because he didn't find much funny in light of what happened earlier this month, but he created Evan. Someone to always be with him, so he would never have to feel alone again. Nightbird made Blaine brave. Evan gave Sam comfort. It made sense.
"Sorry," Blaine drops his voice to a whisper. "I'm just thinking," he says, tilting his head toward her.
"Tell me," she says in a hush. "What is this? The Nightbird I know doesn't act all skittish like this. Last I checked you liked the dark. Nocturnal Avenger and all…" she smiles.
Blaine does, too, but it's tense. "I'm worried about Becky," he admits, casting a glance at her. "I think she may know something about why Sue quit." He's quiet, watching the wheels turn, and realization dawn in Unique's eyes.
"You think she's got somethin' to do with…"
"I don't know…and I'm not about to accuse anybody without proof."
"Still, if you think she did something. That she's involved and you don't speak up? Forget superhero…that's just plain irresponsible. Besides, hasn't she been a little…?" Here, Unique trails off and gestures vaguely with her hands.
"She did knock over a xylophone and threw someone's papers all over the ground when I tried to confront her…" Blaine mused softly, to be sure no one overheard them.
"You've got to keep trying, Nightbird. This is too important not to try."
"Right. Thanks, Unique," Blaine gave her his bravest Nightbird smile and wrapped an arm around her, covering her with his cape before taking off to talk to Becky.
The End.
