Thank you for the continued kind words, messages, and reviews. I really attribute my motivation to all of your encouragement and interest.

H.T. Elia - I would love it if you drew winged Kurt. Hell, Id love it if anyone drew any of this.

For those reading on , there is coverart to this fic available on my tumblr, and also on the S&C and A03 (Chap 1) versions. I have it as a cover for this story too on , but its so small that its hard to make out. Kudos to i-wanna-be-a-klaine-ship-ranger for her amazing art skills on that. She designed Kurts costume and I gave her some details on what Blaines costume (not Nightbird one, but the one thatll come later) would be.

As always, if theres something youd like addressed or clarified, or even have an idea for the fic, drop me a line and Ill do my best to include it.

Im a teacher and school begins tomorrow (though Ive been in meetings for the past week). September is crazy and while I want to say that Ill get two chapters up a week, I make no promises because I, of all people, know that life happens when youre making other plans (Thanks John Lennon!). Im also working part time on my masters degree, being a mom, a wife, and am dealing with my garden harvest (pickling, jellies, preserves, etc.).

Kurt stared out the window, much as he had a couple days earlier, waiting in earnest for the return of Isabelle and Elliott from their second trip to his house. He was eager to find out what his dad had to say, if he was okay, and what he thought about Kurt staying at the acreridge or moving to the city.

He also longed to hear his dads steady voice, to feel his embrace as he hugged him tightly, the feeling that no matter what happened - that everything would be alright.

But Kurt knew that wouldnt be returning with Isabelle and Elliott. Surprisingly, to Kurt at least, with everything that had happened he was managing fairly well. He had always envisioned he would have had a complete breakdown or shut himself off mentally if he was ever found out, but given how things had turned out better than he had ever imagined, he really couldnt complain - even if it was a lot to take in at once. Between being saved by a cute boy who was secretly a superhero nerd, discovering how much the public didnt know about metahumans, finding out there was so much more to him than the things on his back, and stumbling upon the knowledge that they were sensitive in the most blush inducing way possible - Kurt was proud of himself for being able to hold his own in conversation and keep his cool.

Blaine was at school on this particular day, so it was just Kurt in the house, waiting and idly stroking his own wings in the privacy of the living room. Since he had let Blaine touch his wings, and discovered that the meatier part of them were essentially erogenous zones, Kurt had been touching them when in private, curious as to how something so far removed from the usual male zone of sexuality could stimulate him like that.

It also just felt damned good to do.

Isabelle and Elliott had submitted their findings to faceless league members over messaging, and the response was what they had expected after they had done their tests and explained the level system. He was a level three, considered more difficult to control because of his ability to fly, his enhanced vision, his healing factor, and his increased stamina due to his lung capacity and muscle mass. If he was caught by the authorities they might ship him to meta island so he wasnt a threat to any "normal" humans, but more than likely theyd imprison him in a government facility because there was the possibility that he could fly off the island. The governments choices that way were all based off assumptions, and their major assumption was that if someone had abilities, they would use them to hurt others even though Kurt wouldnt hurt a fly. Blaine, Isabelle, and Elliott had also demonstrated that metas were far from dangerous, yet a few incorrigible metas in the past had cemented the fate for the rest of them. There was a boy who could make fire and used it to destroy the homes of those that bullied him in school. A girl who could make skin melt on touch and had accidentally killed several people before she understood her ability. Then there was the earth shaker, a man who tried to commit a genocide against a group of people that he saw as evil and split the earth apart under their settlements, sending many to their immediate death.

Metahumans had been judged based on the actions of a few, and now his freedom would always be in question because of those ones. It was hardly fair, but it was something done throughout the world for various things. How many teachers had banned gum chewing in their class because of one student that would stick it under desks after all?

Kurt had promised Isabelle he would work on the costume in her absence, but was finding it difficult to dredge up the motivation to work on the clingy thing without her there to motivate him. He didnt even know if he wanted to save the world with Blaine, and was even less convinced with Isabelles choice in fabric, which made him seriously question her role as a fashion icon. It was tighter than anything hed ever worn publically, was composed of a bold red, white, and gold color scheme, and left absolutely nothing to the imagination. He had tried it on the day before and any doubts he might have had about Blaine and Elliott playing for his team had been alleviated when he caught them both staring at him and damn near salivating. Kurt now knew exactly what women were complaining about when they said they were being objectified.

He had to admit though, it was a nice change to be looked at that way instead of looked over back at school.

Finally deciding that he couldnt take the waiting anymore, Kurt stood up and slipped on a pair of shoes Isabelle had bought for him yesterday (along with a new wardrobe since he couldnt go on wearing Blaines clothing) and ducked out of the house, making his way to the barn.

Every day now since he had discovered that he could, Kurt had gone to relive the thrill of flying. He would climb up to the second level of the barn and jump, gliding for a few short, but brilliant, moments before landing with his wings stretched out. Each time he did it he became more assured, and was able to drift for a longer time.

Today he was going to go higher.

Inside the second level of the barn there was a ladder that led up through a door on the barn roof. Once Kurt had made his way up there he stood, spread out his wings, and looked down. It was a much higher height, with so much more room for trying out things like turning and seeing how long he could stay afloat, but it also didnt have hay or mats below hims for safety.

He jumped anyhow.

An hour later, thats where the rest of the group found him, on his upteemth jump in which he was trying to figure out how to catch the air currents which seemed to keep him aloft for longer and, in some cases, even allow him to arch back up into the sky. It was an extremely addictive feeling - the adrenaline racing through him, the air whipping back his hair, and the chill that ran down his spine each time he did it. Kurt wasnt surprised he had lost track of time.

"You should try flapping your wings to see if you can take flight from the ground." Elliott suggested when Kurt came in for a landing by them, casually trying to land with more grace given that he was now being watched.

"We should work some ear covers into your costume. The tips of your ears are completely red sweetpea!" Isabelle noted, reaching up to touch Kurts affected ears and try to give her warmth to him.

"Wow." was the contribution of the usually over chatty Blaine, still in his prep school outfit with his hands shoved into his pockets at he looked over Kurt in a way that Kurt was admittedly becoming used to though it initially irked him.

"Yeah man. Kurts here the real bird. Youre just some knockoff." Elliott joked with a smack to Blaines back; the smaller boy forced to make a surprised cough.

"Nightbird is an homage to Nightwing -" Blaine began.

"Its a stupid name for you." Elliott interrupted, garnering a nod from Isabelle and a few nods from Kurt.

"Well what else am I supposed to call myself?"

Kurt grinned, drawing his wings in against his back. "How about… Mentalist?"

"Thats a TV show."

Elliott bounced on his toes, "Oh! Oh! Mr. Emotion!"

"Youre joking right?"

"Youll come up with something sweetie." Isabelle said with a smile, reaching over with one hand removed from the tops of Kurts ears to pat Blaine gently on the shoulder. "Its hardly the most important thing in life."

"Says the woman who doesnt even know the difference between the Justice League and The Avengers."

They laughed, returning to the house to share a meal. In a matter of days the amount of familiarity Kurt had developed with these people was amazing. He hadnt realized how much he had needed other people like him around, people to share with, people he didnt have to hide from.

Though the person he still wanted the most wasnt there.

"Did my dad reply?"

Isabelle nodded, fetching her purse as soon as they entered the house and handing a letter wrapped in a Jehovahs Witness brochure to Kurt.

For a minute Kurt didnt open it. He didnt know when the next time hed be able to hear from his dad would be, and wanted to savour the anticipation of opening the letter. He could only wait for that minute though, since the past few days had been the longest he had ever been without his dad before and needed to hear his voice, if even in his own head.

Dear Kurt,

You cant imagine how good it is to know that not only are you alright, but that youre in, what I hope, is good company. I have to say it stinks that this is the only way that we can communicate, but given what I hear on TV and in the news, its probably better than a lot of parents get when their kids are discovered.

The house is so empty without you. Carole showed up as soon as she heard the news and Im not too tough to admit that I cried into her shirt for a long time before I could even talked. She understood why I had to end things before, and despite that shes been coming by every day to help me out with cooking and making sure things like cleaning get done. Now that she knows, I hope its okay with you if I ask her out again. A man gets mighty lonely after all.

Finns been helping out too, mostly at the garage since Ive been spending a lot of time fending off the damned reporters and investigators. He has questions, but, you know, hes pretty good about it. I have to wonder if we missed out by not telling Carole and Finn because theyve been completely okay with it all, even if Finn did ask if your mom was a pigeon at one point. The guy means well though.

On that note, both of them are grateful to you for getting Finn out of that fire. Im damn proud of you too for that kiddo. You had everything to lose and those videos I saw showed that you didnt even hesitate. Youve grown into a good man son, and should never doubt that you are.

Im having a tough time writing this. Theres so much to say yet so much that cant be expressed on a page. I was never good at this stuff. It was a good thing your mom never expected love letters otherwise you might have never come along. Just know that your old man loves you, will do whatever it takes to help you if you need it, and that Im always, ALWAYS proud of you kid. Youve always been the light of my life and even if you cant be around, and no matter if that means a farm somewhere or a big city or even across the world, just know that youve always got a place here to be home.

Now Im going to end this before I lose the whole damn thing because I tear up all over it.

Love you kiddo,

Dad

With the letter was a picture taken years ago, when his mother had still been alive. His dad and his mom each had a hand on a much smaller, much happier version of himself as they all looked at the camera. Kurt pressed the letter to his chest, exhaling slowly and realizing then that everyone had been quietly watching his reaction, though Blaines face was less stressed than Isabelles or Elliotts, probably because he could tell exactly how the letter had gone from watching Kurts colors… or however it worked for him.

He still kept in his own tears regardless.

"Thank you guys… for doing this for me." Kurt uttered to them, forcing up a small smile.

"Oh sweetpea! Isabelle cooed, stepping over and embracing Kurt in just the kind of hug he needed in order to remember that he had to breath. The hug wasnt as firm or as comforting as his fathers, but it was a decent substitute for the time being as Kurt reminded himself that it was just a letter, as if that could settle his heart.

"Its okay man." Elliott offered, patting Kurt on the back. "The family thing. Thats the hardest part of all this I think. My folks are always worrying Ill be outed, and I always worry about what they think of me, even though they say they dont care and Im still their kid no matter what. Its a normal kind of stress for us."

Kurt nodded, hugging Isabelle back for a few more seconds before pulling away and glancing back down at the note. "If its okay… Im going to go and reread this downstairs… by myself."

There was no argument, and Kurt let himself glance over the words again and again, picture set beside the paper, as he laid in the bed, eventually letting the tears fall out of him silently. He was relieved that his dad had someone there to take care of him, but sad that it wasnt him. He was choked up by his dad emphasizing just how proud he was of Kurt, but wondering if hed still be there with him had he not gone into the flames. He was jealous of Finn, who would get to play the son in his place no matter how much his dad might argue that Kurt could never be replaced. All of it created a jumble in his heart and his head and eventually, after his tear sockets dried up, Kurt drifted off, emotionally exhausted.

The next day was difficult. Or it should have been, Kurt imagined, for anyone else. The choice had to be made. Stay or go. He had already decided what he had wanted, now he just needed to make sure it was alright with the people it would affect.

With Isabelle and Elliott going to town to take advantage of what they called "Out-of-New-York Sales like pricing" before leaving, Kurt was alone with Blaine who was thoroughly engrossed in a massive history textbook, highlighting every second line as he studied for a test.

"You must get good marks."

Blaine looked up from the book, head tipping slightly off center as he looked at Kurt in that way that said he was looking more around Kurt than right at him. "I do alright."

"I feel like I should be more upset by my impromptu dropping out of school… but Im actually okay with the idea…"

"Did you struggle in school?"

Kurt shook his head, eyes drifting to the stack of texts that Blaine had at his desk. "No. I did really well actually… I just… The teachers always talk about preparing you for real life and I always wondered, if this isnt real life right now, then what is it? I dont know that all the calculus in the world could help me right now."

"Hey now! Dont be underestimating the value of calculus!" Blaine tutted playfully, pointing his highlighter towards Kurt with a grin.

Kurt just returned the smile, though keep his teeth hidden with his lips whereas Blaines grins were all tooth. "What do you want to do when youre done school?"

Blaine made a little shrug upwards of his shoulders, and it always piqued Kurts curiosity as to how that motion felt without having wings on their backs. Was it lighter? Easier? Harder? Were the same muscles used?

"I really dont know. Im just doing the best I can to keep my options open. At school I say Im deciding between law and medicine just to fit in with all the other guys there, but I honestly dont feel drawn towards either of those things."

"Youd probably do well as a counsellor." Kurt mused.

Blaine smiled, though this one was tight lipped and he shot a glance down and away before looking back up and speaking again. "Maybe… but even though I can see what people are feeling, I dont always know what to do with that information."

"Does anyone ever ask how youre feeling?"

The question seemed to catch Blaine off guard, and he looked with big, round, caramel eyes at Kurt straight on to see if he was serious before uttering, "Not really.. not in a long time anyhow."

"Well then, how are you?"

"Do you really want to know or are you just playing friendly?"

To that, Kurt let an eyebrow shoot up. "Look around me Blaine. Youre supposed to be able to see if Im lying or not."

Another meek smile followed by drifting eyes which settled back on Kurt after a moment. "Im nervous I guess."

"Why?"

"Well… I dont know what you want to do… and while I like you… I mean… you as a person, a friend, a -" He cleared his throat, cheeks burning at his verbal stumbling while Kurt just smirked and stayed silent until he had the sense to continue. "Its been a long time since Ive lived with anyone else."

"You dont have to harbor me Blaine. You should have a choice in that too."

"But I do want you to stay too! God…" Blaine shook his head. "I just… its a damned if you do, damned if you dont situation. Im sure Ill feel better when I know what youre going to do so that I can deal with it… yknow?"

"Id like to stay."

Blaine must have not believed Kurt because his eyes darted up to check the edges of Kurts body before settling back on his face. "Really?"

"Yeah… I mean… its close to my dad. Its off the beaten path and theres lots of space so I can move freely without worrying about being seen. Even though I always dreamed of the big cities when I was a kid, I think it would be a hard transition for me since Ive been pretty private the past few years… and despite the weird obsession with comic books, I feel alright around you."

"You do?"

Kurt shrugged, his wings moving with his shoulders so they rustled. He still wasnt quite used to them being out all the time, but he did like how he didnt constantly have the ache that ran up through them when they were bound. "Whats not to like about you?"

"The comic books. You just said -"

"I said it was weird, not bad. In fact, your childlike interest in them is kind of endearing."

"Maybe I can get you to actually read some if you stick around."

Kurt laughed at that and purposely batted his lashes flirtatiously at Blaine. "Dont get your hopes up."

"Well have to set you up with a room of your own… theres that room off beside mine. Its filled with boxes but we can clear that out. Set you up." Blaine quickly said, changing the topic as the red made a reappearance on his cheekbones.

"What are in all those boxes anyhow?"

"Things I really dont need but keep anyhow."

"Blaine Anderson, are you a candidate for Hoarders?"

Another sweet laugh, and while Kurt couldnt see any auras, he could tell that the tension was melting off of Blaine since he had made his decision known. "No… I… Come on. Lets deal with that room."

The textbook was slammed shut with the highlighter poking out of the page where Blaine had been reading, and the pair went to deal with the jampacked room. Boxes on top of boxes were there, some with labels, but most without. Kurt helped move them one by one into the hall while Blaine cracked them open to see what was in them, writing GARBAGE in big, bold letters on the side of each of them after inspecting the contents.

"Ill drive it all out to the dump tomorrow and order you some furniture." Blaine said as Kurt wondered what was in all those boxes, though knew it wasnt his place to ask.

As the room cleared out, Kurt uncovered a few items that couldnt be boxed; a violin, a keyboard piano, an acoustic guitar, and a flute. He didnt bring those things out, but when Blaine wandered into the more spacious room, he collected the violin and flute and added them to the garbage pile.

"Why are you getting rid of those?"

Blaine shook his head as he looked away from Kurt, going to retrieve the keyboard next, "Dont need them."

"Why do you have them then?"

"Used to play them."

Kurt looked back at the instruments, so carelessly tossed into the pile of what Blaine had decided was junk. "You can play all those?"

"I used to." Blaines voice became gruff as he lifted the keyboard and placed it with the violin and flute. "I dont anymore."

"Why not…?"

Blaine exhaled with the drop of the keyboard. "Because I dont."

The response was curt and Kurt could see the tension rise back up again in Blaine. He set a hand on the other boys shoulder, stopping him from going in for the guitar, "Hey… I didnt mean to upset you…"

"You didnt… I just…." Blaine looked down to the ground. It was these kind of moments that Kurt could see the child in him. He was upset, not sure of how to deal with whatever he was feeling at the moment, and petulant because of it. Kurt knew how his dad had dealt with him when he got in these kinds of funks, but wasnt sure if it would be so easy to help Blaine in the same way. Still, he had to try.

So Kurt wrapped his arms around Blaines shoulders and pulled him in for the best Burt-like hug he could manage. He knew he wasnt as strong or as broad as his father, nor did he smell like him, but Kurt tried to mimic the action that had brought him relief so many times throughout his life.

Blaine seemed surprised at first, and then, so carefully, melted into the hug and just let out the longest of breaths - as if he had been holding one for years. The pressure in his muscles dissipated after a moment, and though he didnt meet Kurts eyes, keeping his head over Kurts shoulder instead, Kurt knew he had done well.

"Maybe… Ill find a place for the instruments." Blaine said softly before pulling away, cheeks red and eyes still avoiding Kurts.

"Okay." Kurt uttered, smiling at Blaine before resuming the emptying of the room - which ended up being much larger than Kurt had anticipated once all the boxes were out. They had put as many could fit into the back and trunk of Blaines Prius, but it would probably take him a few runs to the dump in order to be able to get rid of it all.

Isabelle and Elliott seemed nonplussed by the news that Kurt was staying, letting him know that they thought it was a great idea and that Blaine could show him how to connect to other people in the league. There were no conventions, no big gatherings, nothing that would draw suspicion - just a network of individuals who had the ability to contact others for help or guidance.

"Why are there metas now? Has anyone figured that out?" Kurt asked over their last group dinner.

"There have always been metahumans Kurt." Isabelle said plainly. "What has changed is the frequency of incidences. It used to be the very odd person, people in mythology or history regarded as gods or great leaders a lot of the time in fact. Now theres so many more. Some are attributing it to the rapid increase in global population, some think the increase in synthetic chemicals and pollutants has triggered more occurrences, but were really not one hundred percent on any specific reason for it."

"How do you know… people in history have been metas…?"

"The same way psychologists have diagnosed people long dead with different mental health ailments or attributes - anecdotes and case studies. So its not a perfect science, but its one that makes sense to most of the scientific types we know. Its commonly believed, among some of the people we know that consider themselves metahuman scholars, that Alexander the Great was able to manipulate water, that the prophet Muhammad had the ability to coerce others by speaking, that Maria Theresa had foresight, that Galileo Galilei was -"

"Okay, gotcha." Kurt said, shaking his head. More new information. More things to process in his already swarmed mind. "Its like being gay. Always existed, but more spoken about now."

"Exactly man." Elliott said, glancing from Blaine to Kurt, "And we three get to be both. Talk about lucky!"

Kurt snickered and Blaine just groaned, spinning the spaghetti on his plate with his fork and looking at it intently. Isabelle just smiled, as always.

"Anyhow. Theres lots of things we can send you to read Kurt… and if you find yourself bored by sticking at home all day, there are some roles you can take on in an online capacity, but well let you get settled first."

"Thanks. I was wondering what I was going to do with my time - aside from ensuring Blaine doesnt get ill from his idea of cleanliness."

"Hey!"

Elliott laughed and nodded, "Oh yeah. I got that vibe from him. Its a good thing youre here to help him out man."

With that, Elliotts eyebrows waggled suggestively and Blaine again looked down at his food with an embarrassed moan.

Things were looking up, and for the first time in a long time, Kurt was excited for what would come next.