Nobody's picture perfect.

Sebastian Smythe:

From the moment Sebastian had gotten the phone call from Nightbird, to the run over to the rendezvous location, he was absolutely thrumming with excitement. His whole being was all abuzz from this destined meeting. When he, as the Flash, initially gave Nightbird his name on a list of a dozen others  he knew it was a longshot that he'd get chosen. Because he gave Nightbird the list while in his Flash get-up, he couldn't even reveal that much to his boyfriend. But when that phone call came and Sebastian confirmed that it truly was Nightbird by quizzing him, he knew everything was set into motion.

That evening, Sebastian left his workplace and texted Blaine that he was on his way to the rendezvous location. They had settled on a secluded alleyway behind an abandoned building, near the outskirts of Hell's Kitchen. He knew it was probably dangerous but even if he wasn't the Flash, Nightbird was going to be with him. Thinking that perhaps the cloaked crusader was watching over him, Sebastian slummed it in his civilian clothes and even took a taxi over there for safe measure. The last thing he needed was blowing his identity at this crucial moment.

Blaine Anderson: 

Blaine had a bit of a hard time keeping his composure as he listened to his precious boyfriend go on and on about how excited he was to finally get the chance to sit down and speak to his hero face-to-face, but he knew that not being at least a little bit skeptical would be out of character for him and the last thing he needed was for Sebastian to catch wind of Nightbird’s real identity. 

Watching the time slowly click by as he finished up his classes for the day, Blaine morphed into his alter ego in one of the dark shadows the setting sun had begun to create as the night drew closer. He would be lying if he said he weren’t nervous- he was extremely nervous to actually sit down and be interviewed. He wouldn’t trust this to anyone else in the world, however, and for that reason he felt safe. As the dark blanket of night covered the city, Nightbird flew into his loyal ally’s neighborhood to meet Sebastian. He’d chosen Hell’s Kitchen knowing that he could let his guard down a bit to focus on the interview. Having Daredevil in the area would mean not having to constantly watch his back.

Always one for dramatic entrances, he flew over the top of the abandoned building quickly and landed on his feet as his cape fluttered around him in a majestic manner. “Sebastian, I presume?” He said quirking an eyebrow as his eyes landed on the familiar man in front of him.

Sebastian Smythe:

Sebastian hadn’t even heard Nightbird approaching until he was the target of the masked man’s question. The hero was so swift and quiet— as if the night was his natural element. With such an entrance, Sebastian had to take a step back and realize that he himself was not in his usual speedster get-up and here Nightbird was, actually addressing him.

“Oh, um, yes— I’m Sebastian Smythe,” he introduced himself. “I’m honestly surprised you’re here; I had half-expected you might not show.” He opened up his messenger bag to pull out a digital recorder, showing it to the hero. “Is it alright if I record this? I don’t want to miss anything or misquote you.” While he was rummaging through his bag, he also pulled out his best camera. He hadn’t yet discussed the possibility of a photograph but if anything else, Sebastian figured he could get a shot of the guy flying away.

Blaine Anderson:

Nightbird made sure to keep himself at a safe distance, still a bit hidden in the shadows. He wanted to make sure that there was no possible way Sebastian could get close enough to study his face. “I gave you my word I’d be here, I don’t go back on my word.” He said matter of factly as he smiled a little. He was nervous because he had never spoken to a reporter before for any sort of interview but at the same time he felt at ease because it was Sebastian. He knew he could trust Sebastian with his entire life, even as Nightbird. “Of course,” he responded about the tape recorder. “I would hate to be misquoted.” He let out a deep chuckle.

Nightbird eyed the camera and he raised his eyebrows. “My only condition with the camera is that no facial picture be taken. The last thing I need is someone to study my face long enough to figure me out.” He said, biting the inside of his cheek gently. “Also I would like to be able to speak off record if a question is inappropriate for the public.” He said, implying that he’d answer most any question the journalist threw his way but some he may not want out. “I’ve never done this before, I don’t really know how all of this works.” He chuckled again a little nervously.

Sebastian Smythe:

Even with Nightbird standing a bit of distance away from him, this was technically the closest Sebastian had ever been to the hero when he wasn’t masquerading as the Flash. Nightbird sounded a little more serious and heroic than when they both conversed as superheroes and Sebastian wondered if it was because he was a civilian. It was possible Nightbird let down his guard just a bit around the Flash because they were both two masked superbeings that had their own share of risks. But right here and now, Sebastian had nothing to lose and everything to gain. If the roles were reversed, Sebastian knew he’d be masking his own face and voice to protect his identity.

“Yeah, I figured no shots of your face but I thought maybe I could get one from behind with your cape and signature logo,” Sebastian replied, adjusting the settings on his camera. “No one’s gotten a crystal clear shot of your cape before, let alone with you actually posing.” He held the camera up towards Nightbird’s direction, checking the lighting for a moment. It was awfully dark in this alleyway but this photo would be better than anyone had taken of him before. “I’ve never done anything like this before either but I won’t screw you over. I’ll only publish whatever you’re okay with.”

Blaine Anderson:

Nightbird smiled to himself a little when Sebastian asked for a photo of his cape. Even as Nightbird, he would do anything for Sebastian with the exception of something that could potentially put him in danger and photos of his cape were harmless. “Of course, as many as you want of the cape. You will be the only person who’s ever photographed it and the only one that ever will, so feel special.” He chuckled once more.

Glancing around at what lighting they had to work with, and knowing how Sebastian’s camera worked, he wanted to be sure that they got the best shots possible-- he wanted to make this special for Seb and he thought maybe relocating would be for the best. They would also have more privacy. “Listen, I know that I requested we do this here but I wasn’t thinking about photos so maybe we should take it up to the roof?” He said, pointing towards a fire escape on the side of the building. “How are you with ladders? Or I could just, fly you up there.” Nightbird said with an unintentional flirtatious tone, smirking a little.

Sebastian Smythe:

“Oh, I definitely feel special,” Sebastian chuckled along with Nightbird. “I mean, even without the photo, an interview with the Nightbird is unheard of.”

Sebastian’s eyebrows lifted at the suggestion, his line of sight following over to the nearby fire escape. Scaling the side of a building was an easy feat for him even without the ladder considering his abilities. It had almost sounded like Nightbird was hitting on him and he wasn’t sure if he should accept the offer to be carried. With another chuckle, he slipped his things back into his bag and walked towards the fire escape. “I can manage a ladder; if I fall, you can always catch me, right?” he joked.

He climbed the ladder without any problems, dusting his hands off on his jacket when he reached the rooftop. It felt much more open than that alleyway and the cool breeze swirling around them felt nice. He watched as Nightbird more or less levitated up and landed on the rooftop with ease. “So, flying… I take it that’s something you didn’t just pick up from WikiHow?”

Blaine Anderson:

Nightbird smiled as Sebastian joked, nodding his head. “Absolutely, I’d save you. That’s kind of my thing.” He chuckled one last time before pushing off of the ground and making his way up to the rooftop, landing softly and waiting for Sebastian to meet him. Once the taller was on the roof with him, he looked around for good lighting for their photos, thinking that the single light on the rooftop and the moon shining above would work well enough.

“Flying,” he began, taking a moment to think about his answer. He needed to give Sebastian as much as he could without completely revealing his family. “I suppose it just came naturally to me.” He gave a little shrug. “I don’t know if this next statement should be on record or not because I know sometimes the world can be divided when it comes to this but-- I was born this way.” He admitted.

Sebastian Smythe:

Born with powers; that would mean it was a strong likelihood that Nightbird was a mutant or some sort of alien lifeform. It wouldn’t be completely off-the-wall considering lightning strikes out of the sky to grant people powers. “Wow, I imagine flying around in high school got you lots of tail,” Sebastian joked. He hadn’t yet turned on the tape recorder but made a mental note to include that Nightbird was no novice when it came to his abilities; Sebastian himself only had a few months to learn how to use his own abilities.

He pulled his camera out of his bag again and motioned for Nightbird to get into his desired pose, knowing that the hero would want to obstruct or hide his face as much as possible. It would open up a whole can of worms if a clear-shot photo of the masked man’s face were published; it would take only moments before his secret was completely expunged. “I’ll take your photo now and then I’ll turn on my recorder.”

Blaine Anderson:

Nightbird chuckled softly, shaking his head at Sebastian’s statement. “Eh, you would think-- but only less than a handful of people know my real identity. I wasn’t exactly a playboy in high school, anyway. I’m more of a gentleman.” He offered before leading Sebastian closer to the lighting he’d mentally chosen moments earlier.

“Here,” he backed up and turned his back towards Sebastian. He let him take a couple of shots before he smiled to himself, wanting to flex his abilities a little more up close, he let himself levitate off the ground a little. The wind caught his cape ever so gently, making for a mild yet action shot.

Sebastian Smythe:

Sebastian figured that it would obviously be the case that only a select few would know of the hero’s true identity. Maybe his loved ones or other superheroes he worked with; maybe one day Sebastian could find himself on that very short roster. The journalist wondered to himself if Nightbird had a significant other that knew his identity, or if he hid it from them too. Sebastian could relate in that way-- sometimes it was difficult to lie to Blaine about his abilities.

He put his camera to good use, pointing it in Nightbird’s direction and snapping a few photos. The hero was working the camera really well and Sebastian let out a little chuckle when the hero started levitating off the ground. “Gee, for a guy who’s sure camera-shy most of the time, you sure know how to show off,” he joked. “You look even more badass than usual.”

Without making any obvious movements, Sebastian zoomed the shot into Nightbird’s face, taking a quick, focused shot of his profile. He wouldn’t dare publish that picture in the newspaper but Sebastian was as curious as a cat, and he really wanted to know the man’s real identity.

“So,” he cleared his throat and let his camera hang from its strap around his neck as he pulled out his digital recorder. “Ready to do this thing?” He hit a button and a red light lit up at the top. He also took out his phone, it having the list of questions he knew he wanted to ask.

Blaine Anderson:

Nightbird chuckled softly when Sebastian joked with him, doing his best to keep his Blaine smile to himself-- just the edges of his mouth curling ever so gently. He showed off just a little more for Sebastian’s camera, making sure he got the shots he needed of Nightbird-- even the back of his famous cape. When the taller cleared his throat and signaled that he was finished with his photos, Nightbird let his feet touch the ground once more.

“Ready whenever you are, sir.” He said, making a point not to say the other’s name again. He had to be very conscious of his voice and the words he used. Sebastian knew Blaine better than anyone in the world, the tiniest of things could expose him and put them both- especially Sebastian, in grave danger. “I trust that if I’m not comfortable with a question I can respectfully decline without you reporting that I’m some snob?” He half-joked, with another muted chuckle.

Sebastian Smythe:

Sebastian didn’t think much of Nightbird calling him “sir”, more or less focused on the interview and the questions he wanted answered. When Nightbird once again expressed his concern about how he was portrayed or being forced to answer invasive questions, Sebastian was quick to reassure him. If all went well, maybe a second interview would be a possibility; he could be Nightbird’s connect to the masses. “No, of course. Anything you don’t want to answer I’ll just omit from the interview altogether.”

He pointed the digital recorder in the superhero’s direction. “So, you’re gifted with these pretty amazing powers,” Sebastian started, careful with his wording as to not reveal that Nightbird had been born with his abilities. “What made you decide to take up the role of superhero instead of using them to your own advantage? Was there something in your life that happened that made you assume the mantle, so to speak?”

Blaine Anderson:

Nightbird felt comfortable with Sebastian and he knew that the other loved him enough that he wouldn’t jeopardize any type of friendship by doing him wrong. He trusted him just as much as Nightbird as he did as Blaine. He braced himself for the first question, thinking it over for a brief moment while doing his best to give Sebastian an honest answer without going into too much detail.

“When I was younger, I was put in danger. I grew up in a small town and I’m-” He paused for moment, contemplating the next bit of information. He knew coming out publicly might be a bad idea for safety reasons but he also vowed to do so if he ever had the moment. He wanted all of the people in the city-- country, world-- who weren’t straight to know that they had someone out there like them fighting for their safety. It was a huge step, though, and he was a bit nervous.

“I’m gay. And I was a victim of assault because I’m gay and when it happened to me, I was lying there in that hospital bed fighting to survive. I made the choice then to stop hiding and running from these special gifts I’d been given. I wasn’t ‘normal’, so to speak.” He explained, finger quotes around normal. “And I wanted to be someone out there in the world helping kids like me. I wanted to protect them from my same fate, and then I just migrated to New York and it became more than just that, I began feeling the need to do more and more, just fighting for one specific purpose felt selfish in a way. So now, here I am, protecting a small island.” He chuckled, giving a shrug. “Helping the defenseless has felt like my duty since I became the defenseless that day.”

Nightbird quirked a half-smile, thankful his face was hidden by a slight shadow as he looked at the other. “You really are getting exclusives here.” He shook his head, biting on his lip. “Outside of my team, I’ve never told anyone that story. Ever.”

Sebastian Smythe:

Sebastian did his best to keep his reactions silent for the recording, not wanting to obscure a single word as Nightbird shared a very close and personal story about his past. He knew all too well of kids and teens that got bullied and beaten for being different. Sebastian himself was a bully, even if not a homophobic one. He pressed a button on his digital recorder and the little red light turned off.

“Wow,” Sebastian blew out a breath of air as he processed the story. “I, uh--” he chuckled a little as he scratched the back of his neck. “I don't even know what to say. That's a really amazing backstory there, Nightbird. I had no idea you were gay and just this bit of info alone is going to… inspire kids with or without powers, gay or straight.” In the moment he thought less about the fame he'd garner from the article and more about the impact it would have on the individuals reading it. It was kind of amazing that one guy could have that sort of effect on people. “Man, if I had a gay superhero like you to look up when I was a kid, I would've turned out really different.”

Blaine Anderson:

When Sebastian turned off the recorder, Nightbird was a little surprised but Blaine, however, was not. He knew that deep down Sebastian was soft for people he cared about and he cared about Nightbird and wouldn’t use anything to further himself if he thought it would hurt Nightbird in anyway. He watched the taller carefully, he could sense that Sebastian was caught off-guard with this bit of information. No one had ever known that Nightbird was gay and he knew that Sebastian would do him justice in the papers. He was also ready to handle the wrath that would be thrown at him from the conservative side of the city-- Blaine would have Sebastian to go home to every night and Nightbird might even have Sebastian to confide in if needed as well.

He grinned a little bit to himself when Sebastian praised him and went on to speak of how his story would inspire people. He thought of himself as a teen and a child, having other heroes to look up to like himself definitely shaped him into who he was. Nightbird shook his head when Sebastian suggested he would’ve turned out different. The Blaine inside of him wanted to reach out to Sebastian and chastise him for suggesting he didn’t turn out perfectly. “I’m sure that you turned out really great. You seem like a good guy, Sebastian.” He said honestly, nibbling on his lip. “I mean, you already have one superhero out there on your side, and now you have me.” Nightbird shrugged. “We don’t really like bad guys.”

Sebastian Smythe:

Sebastian chuckled softly at Nightbird’s suggestion that he had not only the Flash on his side but now Nightbird himself was there. There must’ve been at least some amount of trust from the superhero in agreeing to do this exclusive. Still, Nightbird’s compliment in an attempt to make him feel better didn’t go unnoticed. “Mm, I think I would’ve avoided making more mistakes than I’ve made if I’d had a better role model. Someone like you.” After a pause he shook his head and chuckled, realizing he’d gotten a bit off-track.

“A-anyway, let’s move on,” he cleared his throat and checked his phone for the next question. “I mean, don’t get me wrong; the story about you being gay is beyond amazing but I don’t want you to just be labeled ‘The Gay Avenger’ for the rest of your life.” He started recording once again and pressed on with his next question. “What would you say is the most difficult part about being Nightbird?”

Blaine Anderson:

“Thankfully our mistakes don’t define us, it’s how we redeem ourselves and grow from them. I’m sure you’re doing very well for yourself.” Nightbird assured him. When Sebastian suggested it was time to move on, Nightbird thought it cute the way the taller had gotten off-track. “Yes, let’s.” He listened carefully to Sebastian’s next statement and held back a laugh at the mention of The Gay Avenger, a little inside joke between Blaine and Sebastian. “The Gay Avenger, huh? Sounds like a great hero.” He teased, shaking his head before they moved on to the next question.

“The most difficult part about being Nightbird.” He parroted the question as he mulled over the automatic answer in his head. Being away from you every night. It was the truth; these days the hardest part about being Nightbird was lying to Sebastian all of the time and leaving him so often. They were still relatively new to their relationship and he hated spending as much time apart as they had. “Being away from family-- having to keep them in the dark for their own safety. I know I’m not technically lying to them because I’m literally trying to keep them alive and safe. A lot of people hate me and if they even had a hint of who I was or who my loved ones are or how many I have or don’t have, they’d use them. I would rather die in place of them than have one of them hurt.” Nightbird said with complete honesty-- well, almost. His entire family knew about Nightbird except for Sebastian and he hated so much that he had to keep it hidden. “I hate hiding this part of my life from them.”  

Sebastian Smythe:

Sebastian once again listened intently, nodding along. He, too, was very familiar with keeping secrets. Only Professor Garrick and Doctor Snow knew about his abilities and he was planning on holding onto that secret for as long as he could. If Blaine found out… Sebastian didn’t even want to open that can of worms. Sharing Nightbird’s sentiments, he would rather die than let anything happen to Blaine or any of his family back in Ohio. “That makes sense,” he responded, “having an alter ego puts a lot of pressure on your shoulders. Not just protecting your city but also your family-- in a different way. Arguably, a much more dangerous way.

“So, does anyone know your true identity? Like, maybe some other superheroes? Do you guys just get together sometimes without any masks and drink a beer together?” Sebastian followed up with a more light-hearted question, looking more or less to make the superhero laugh than looking for a real answer.   

Blaine Anderson:

Nightbird nodded his head as Sebastian agreed with his sentiments, even going as far to add on to show how he understood. It made him feel a little better to know that Sebastian could at least sympathize with his situation, he knew that he would never hold it against him if by the unfortunate chance he ever found out the truth. “Exactly. And my… My family is the most important thing to me.”

The shorter smiled gently as Sebastian went on to his next question, chuckling. “Well, there are a few people who know, yes. I have a team just as any hero would and maybe less than a handful of people know, other heroes included. I learned to harness and use my powers from some of the greatest people ever known.” He paused, thinking of his mother and their shared mentor Jay Garrick. They were both legends and he felt extremely lucky that they were on his side. “I think their names I’ll keep to myself.” He teased, chuckling. “And yes, sometimes we do take a break without the masks and have a few normal hours together...until someone is mugged or hurt or a bank is being robbed and then we have to throw the mask back on and get out there.”   

Sebastian Smythe:

Hearing Nightbird being so open and honest with his answers made the superhero seem so much more… human. Sebastian was beginning to see the shape of the article he would be writing with these answers. Aside from the whole masked vigilante business, he was sure the man behind the mask was just a regular guy trying to figure out how to live his life. He juggled a regular, boring 9 to 5 job while fighting crime at night. Having the public know that Nightbird had a family to take care of would help him become more relatable.

“Snapping a pic at that get-together would be beyond amazing,” Sebastian commented, half-jokingly. He knew that superheroes had their secrecy for a reason. With even just these very few questions answered, Sebastian had more than enough to work with; this truly would be the story of the century.

He scrolled through the list on his phone, so many questions unasked. Who supplied his gadgets? What were all of his powers? Was he human, mutant, or an alien? So many questions that had burned in Sebastian’s mind for all the years Nightbird had been doing this dance and suddenly in that moment, all of those questions didn’t matter. He had his story.

Shoving his phone back into his pocket, Sebastian smiled to himself. “I think this interview is going really well; one last question to give you a chance to end it on your terms: if you could relay a message to the citizens of New York-- both your fans and enemies-- what would it be?”

Blaine Anderson:

Nightbird chuckled at Sebastian’s comment of loving to have a picture of that get-together. He found it amusing that technically Sebastian had been at such a gathering before without realizing it. On his mother’s side, Blaine had quite a few mutants in his family. Sebastian had that picture and it was on instagram somewhere.

When Sebastian put his phone away and announced this would be his last question, Nightbird raised his eyebrows, feeling a little surprised. “Oh wow, already finished? That was quicker and less painless than I expected.” He joked, shaking his head as he mulled over the final question. It was definitely a good one and he wanted to make Sebastian proud so he have it some good thought before he opened his mouth. “I-I think I would like to say...just...be kind to one another. The world is a really scary place and if everyone could just be kinder to one another it wouldn’t be so bad. So many people are so quick to resort to name-calling, bullying, and even violence and it just isn’t who we are supposed to be as a species. We’re all people with our own struggles in life and we quickly forget that when we’re desperate for something-- money, food, validation. Be kind to people, and even help people out if you have the means. A little kindness goes a really long way with most.” He said, shrugging. “That probably is the cheesiest and the least eloquent thing I could’ve said, but it’s true. If people were kinder to one another I wouldn’t have to lie to my loved ones, people wouldn’t be in danger, people could sleep soundly at night. People wouldn’t get hurt. That’s where it starts.”

Sebastian Smythe:

Sebastian pointed the digital recorder in Nightbird’s direction until the hero was finished with his statement. It was then that he turned it off and smiled at the hero. “Super gross and touching final words,” he told him. “I’m sure a lot of people will really love reading your message to everyone. It’s cheesy but like you said-- it’s true.”

He slipped the digital recorder back into his messenger bag and turned to look at Nightbird, knowing that now that they were finished, they would have to part ways. Sebastian hoped that this meeting wouldn’t be their last and another interview could be in store for the future. “But hey, since this interview is a success, maybe you’d--” He interrupted himself then, blinking as he felt a wave of dizziness overcome him. Shaking his head, he chuckled as his verbal flub. “Sorry, I probably just--” he cleared his throat and gently slapped the side of his face to shake himself out of it. “Anyway, I was saying maybe you and I could do this again? If that’s cool?” He asked, as he rummaged blindly into his bag to look for the emergency medicine he kept on him. When was the last time he’d taken those pills, anyway?

Blaine Anderson:

Nightbird tried his best not to grin when the taller called his statement gross, it amusing him as it was typical Sebastian. As he watched him put away his recorder, Nightbird didn’t make any quick movements to leave, planning on staying near Sebastian as long as possible considering he wouldn’t be home until a little later that evening.

When Sebastian began his next statement he knew what was coming next, and he would definitely didn’t have it in him to deny Sebastian anything. He was about to stop him and tell him that of course he could have another interview when the time came but immediately he knew something was wrong when the other sputter briefly mid-sentence. “Hey, you okay?” Instinctively he took a step forward, watching Sebastian’s actions carefully. He worried immediately and his heart started to pound a little harder. The other seemed dizzy and the way he slapped his face, it didn’t take but a split moment for Blaine to realize what might be happening.

His brain worked quickly as he tried his best not to lose his Nightbird persona as he rushed to Sebastian’s side. “Here, come here, sit down.” He said, taking Sebastian’s bag from him to gently place it on the ground. He knew that if Sebastian was about to have another seizure that he needed to be sitting so Blaine could help make sure he was safe.

Sebastian Smythe:

Sebastian’s mind was a scramble of thoughts in the moment as his dizziness increased and he felt a tickle in his nose. “No, no, no,” he mumbled to himself as Nightbird was suddenly approaching him and taking his bag away. Sebastian really needed to get out of there but they were all the way up on a New York City rooftop and he couldn’t exactly speed away right in front of the superhero; it’d give away his own secret identity. “I-I’m fine,” he insisted, wiping the blood from his nose with the sleeve of his shirt before it’d had a chance to trickle down his lip. “I promi--” his breathless voice caught in his throat then as his jaw started to lock up. This felt just like the last time, with just a bit more time for a warning.

He locked eyes with the superhero for a split-second, knowing that a seizure was less than moments away from happening. In his last moments of consciousness, he attempted to pull the camera hanging around his neck off to the superhero for safe-keeping but it slipped and dropped to the ground with a resounding clatter the same time Sebastian’s knees buckled under him. He blacked out then, his body beginning its convulsions.

Blaine Anderson:

“Oh no,” Nightbird said when he noticed the blood in Sebastian’s nose. And before he could say anything else, Sebastian spoke up once more only to have his word sharply cut short. When they locked eyes, Nightbird glanced away quickly seeing the fear in Sebastian’s eyes. He hated this. He hated that this was happening again. Blaine needed to pull himself together; he wasn’t Blaine right now, he was Nightbird and he needed to take care of Sebastian. He could freak out later.

Nightbird reached for the camera automatically when Sebastian reached out but that wasn’t what he was concerned with; he needed to make sure Sebastian was safe. The camera was replaceable, Sebastian wasn’t. He moved carefully and quickly as Sebastian’s knees buckled and he caught him mid-fall, gently easing him to the ground as he began to convulse.

Blaine’s heart beat faster and faster as the seconds ticked by at a snail’s pace. He knew there was nothing he could do but time it-- thank goodness for Nightbird’s watch-- and make sure Sebastian’s head was safe and none of him was constricted. His heart rate was so high in that moment that Sam and Santana were alerted; he heard a beep in his ear and Santana’s voice coming through asking if he was okay.

“I don’t know, Sebastian’s having a seizure, we were done with the interview and it just happened. Please call the nearest hospital and alert them that I might be coming in.” He said, cradling his boyfriend’s head as he watched helplessly as the taller shook, his teeth clenched, eyes blank. It was a jarring picture that he remembered all too vividly from the first time and he hated that it was happening again. “Baby, you’re okay, I’ve got you.” He whispered, knowing that his words wouldn’t be heard. “I’ve got you.”

Sebastian Smythe:

Like last time, Sebastian remained unconscious as his entire body shook violently. His arms flailed at their own accord and he struggled to breathe with his mouth clenched shut. Time seemed to tick by longer than the last time he'd had a seizure and that was because it was. Minutes had passed and still Sebastian convulsed as he lay helpless in Blaine's hold. His boyfriend's comforting words fell on deaf ears.

Sebastian's lips began to turn blue and the whites of his eyes slowly grew redder as his body physically strained to sustain itself amidst this episode. The veins along the temple of his head bulged. Even if Sebastian wanted to, he couldn't cry out for help. He couldn't fix this. He and Blaine alike were completely helpless.

Blaine Anderson:

Blaine’s forehead wrinkled as his eyes glanced from his boyfriend to his watch, shaking his head. It had been much longer than the last time this had happened and Sebastian’s body seemingly wasn’t close to finishing.

Longer than five minutes

Brain damage

Even death

Every bit of information he’d read, all the research he’d done flashed before his eyes and he started to panic. “Seb?” he said, his voice shaking. “Oh my god, hang on.” He moved as carefully as he could to cradle Sebastian’s convulsing body as he tapped his ear piece. “San! Tell them I’m on my way now and that it’s an emergency— he’s still seizing. It’s bad, ‘Tana.” He spoke as he carried his boyfriend to the edge of the building, taking a running start before jumping off and taking flight as fast as he could towards the nearest hospital.

Nightbird ignored the gasps as he landed at the emergency room doors, all of the whispers of his name. He ran right past them towards the waiting team of doctors. He wasn’t in boyfriend mode anymore on the outside— he was in superhero mode. He was Nightbird. “He’s been seizing for six minutes- we were talking and he suddenly felt dizzy, his speech slurred a little, bloody nose. I caught him as he fell and protected his head.” He explained as he stepped back quickly to let the doctors and nurses get to him. “His husband is on his way, his name is Blaine Anderson.” He lied to them then, hoping that when he returned in civilian clothes they wouldn’t be difficult.

“Thank you, Nightbird,” one of the nurses said to him as they wheeled Sebastian away on a gurney. “We will take good care of him, you might’ve saved his life today,” she said, giving him a smile before turning to follow the others.

“Nightbird!”

“Oh my god, it’s really him!”

People called after him and clapped for him as he turned to leave the hospital. He gave them all a wave and a friendly smile as he disappeared out of the doors and lunged off the ground. He was fighting back tears as he flew as fast as he could to the rooftop they’d been on previously to grab Sebastian’s things. He bent down to pick up the camera and it was damaged beyond use which made him frown. “Hey, ‘Tana?” He said, the girl’s voice coming through frantically as he pressed his ear piece. “Yeah, no, I don’t know; I just dropped him off. I came back to get his things and I’m going back in civilians.” He explained. “Listen, can Sam get Nightbird from the hospital? I’ll leave it on the roof in about five minutes.”

When Santana assured him that they would take care of it, he hung up the phone and took off again towards the hospital. Flying high above the buildings, he scoped it out before landing. He discarded his Nightbird get-up in the spot he and Sam had agreed on before racing down to the lower level of the hospital. He had only been gone a few minutes but he was really hoping that Sebastian was okay and awake.