So, after a fic that I've just started writing and love writing, "Night's Shadow" got basically zero reviews for a couple of chapters, it dawned on me that the main reason that I should be writing is that it makes me happy. I hope to get feedback and reviews, but this chapter definitely made me happy and opened up something very important about the Klaine relationship so I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter Seven
Blackbird

Blaine stared at all the different birds as he spent time with Kurt. He wasn't sure why his new friend (he had a friend!) wanted to show him this place, but it was very calming and a lot of the birds quite beautiful. The air was peaceful and quiet and the sounds were able to be lived with, calming in a way. No anger, no yelling, no pain. Something very very simple.

Blaine watched a canary as it hopped onto a branch, he blinked as it lost one of its feathers. He looked towards Kurt who was staring at a cockatoo and started to reach out for his arm before dropping his hand. Some people didn't like to be touched and what if Kurt didn't want to be his friend anymore because Blaine was invading his personal space. He nervously touched his gel covered hair, Kurt was right it really was like a safety helmet from the world, but he hadn't applied it as well as Kurt had the first time.

He opened his mouth, but was scared of saying the wrong thing so just continued to watch the canary as it chirped happily. It seemed so free and so lively, Blaine couldn't even remember the last time he felt that alive. He watched as it flew over to a water bottle and started to drink like a hamster might.

It wasn't until he felt a warm body next to him that he even realized that Kurt had moved over to be right next to him, "I saw you try and reach out," Kurt explained as Blaine nodded, closing his eyes quickly as if there was something wrong. Kurt took another breath and then placed his hand over Blaine's, seeing the surprise in the younger teenager's eyes he smiled and saw Blaine smile too. "Is there something wrong?"

"Th-The bir-rd lo-lo-lost it-its fe-fe-feath-er" Blaine stuttered out.

Kurt smiled, he was noticing that although Blaine still couldn't speak without stuttering, it was getting easier for them to talk to one another. Blaine was starting to feel comfortable with him and Kurt really wished that they felt more comfortable with one another, but he had to play this slowly. He had to understand what the boy who was once his fiancee (hopefully they could still get that back) was comfortable with.

He's just molting

Kurt had texted Blaine about that in a panic when they were at Dalton, he had been concerned for Pavarotti as he lost his feathers, he had no idea that the bird would die before the next round of glee competitions. Kurt looked ahead as he saw the feather on the ground, he chuckled.

"He's molting," he tried to explain to Blaine gently, "It's what birds do when they're growing a new coat of feathers underneath, it's nothing to be worried about," he smiled as he watched the canary. "Canaries are actually my favorite types of bird," he tried to explain to Blaine.

Blaine nodded, "Th-They're c-c-cute," he said as he watched it before turning to look Kurt in the eyes, "I-I-I thought y-you like-liked the p-pea-cock."

Kurt chuckled again, "I didn't dislike the peacock," he attempted to explain, "but I wouldn't consider it a favorite, see I'm really into fashion design and more…avant-garde pieces as well so the peacock's colorful feathers inspire me in a more artistic fashion, but I really love canaries. They just…remind me of happiness, remind me of friendship, remind me of what's important in life."

Blaine smiled softly as he looked towards the small bird, "It's sweet,"

Kurt looked at him in shock, Blaine had actually started watching the bird and he hadn't stuttered, he had just said that so easily and carefree in a younger version of the voice he still loved to hear. Kurt was reluctant to point it out, if Blaine noticed that he hadn't stuttered he might feel even more insecure and they might not be able to talk as easily.

"I..I..th-think it's ad-adorable," Blaine said and Kurt smiled, even when expressing a personal thought Blaine seemed to find it easier to talk to him, didn't that mean that Kurt was starting to make progress with their friendship. Kurt nodded as he turned back to watch the little bird. "D-Don't you?"

I think it's adorable, I think you're adorable, and the only people who will be dying tonight are the audience because you and me we're going to kill this.

Kurt grinned as he remembered the words Blaine had said to him when they had started to go out together, when Blaine had become his boyfriend. He wanted to repeat the words back to Blaine but that was probably stepping over the line as far as their friendship was concerned. Instead he nodded and gave a simple, "Of course."

"K-Kurt," Blaine said facing him and Kurt gave a single nod and a hum to indicate that he was listening to the other boy, "Is th-there a ra-ra-raven here?" he asked nervously.

Kurt nodded, losing himself in thought. Was there a specific reason that Blaine wanted to see a raven? They weren't exactly the most attractive of birds, they weren't as cute as the canary, or have the beautiful feathers that a peacock had, or were even that rare. It seemed an odd request. He nodded again.

"I believe there is, why?" he had to ask and Blaine started to tremble a little.

"I-I-I ne-nev-ver sa-saw on-one and th-there's a P-P-Poe po-po-em" he stuttered as Kurt felt his stomach sink, had he really looked that judgmental to Blaine, he didn't want to think that he had been, but the way that Blaine was reacting to him now made him question if Blaine had taken that doubt as a personal attack.

"Oh, nevermore," Kurt tried to joke as Blaine nodded quickly, "I think we should be able to find one," he replied

After looking on the map, Kurt took Blaine to where it was said there was a raven and the two looked for it, sadly the raven had a small bandage over its right wing and wasn't flying, it didn't look the most happy bird and there was a sign on the cage asking for visitors to the sanctuary to be respectful.

Blaine watched in wonder at the bird and then looked towards Kurt, "I…I fe-feel I ha-have br-br-broken m-my wing s-s-sometimes," he said a tear rolling down his cheek.

Kurt wanted more than anything to comfort him, he wanted to make him feel better and show that he still cared and loved Blaine. Okay, maybe love was a bit too strong for this scenario, but there was one thing that he felt comfortable doing.

"Blaine," Kurt said as he gestured to a bench, "No matter how painful it gets, no matter the hurt you feel, I want to be your friend and I want you to know how important you are to me already." He saw Blaine look at him curiously and Kurt smiled kindly back at him, "Do you mind if I sing you something?" he asked as Blaine nodded.

Kurt took a moment to prepare himself as a memory entered his mind.

Watching you do blackbird this week, was a moment for me, about you.

He cleared his throat and then softly started to sing.

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night.
Take these broken wings and learn to fly.

All your life,

You were only waiting for this moment to arrive."

Kurt continued to sing, seeing more of a sense of peace and happiness on his friend's face, he really felt that he was getting through to Blaine, really helping him see how important he was. Somewhere deep inside of Kurt, he somehow realized that this was the first time that someone had taken this much interest in Blaine and it definitely showed on the honey-hazel eyed boy's face.

Kurt would do anything to make sure Blaine knew he was loved.