A/N: Okay, it's a bit belated but this idea has been bouncing around in my head for a few days and was just begging to be written down. It will be a two parter (I was originally just going to have one huge part but I thought I may as well split them). So yes, Happy Belated Valentine's Day to all the lovers out there and Happy Belated Un-Valentine's Day to all us singles. This is our year ;)

Blaine stared down at his knees, shifting in his position on the white leather sofa and feeling a blush creeping into his cheeks.

"Hey, buddy, what is it?"

Cooper stared at his younger brother, taking in the small thin form of the boy he'd fiercely protected all of his life. He could always tell when something was wrong. The two brothers had been close their entire lives, despite there being nearly 10 years between them. There was no other way to be when your parents were so strict. It had always been them against the world, even when Cooper had left for College 6 years ago. Only five minutes beforehand they'd been laughing and joking as normal but Blaine was preoccupied. His face had been laughing but his mind had been racing. Cooper had noticed that something hadn't been right for a while now, but Blaine was only 14 and Cooper had just put it down to the heightened emotions that all teenagers go through. However, now that Blaine was sat in front of him, his body stiff and anxious and his face pale and taught, Cooper knew something was definitely wrong.

"Do – do you have a date for Mom's Valentine's Day party tonight?" Blaine blurted out the question, still staring resolutely at his knees.

Cooper furrowed his brow in confusion, knitting the thick triangular eyebrows together before slowly answering: "yeah. Norah's flying in from Washington, remember?"

Blaine nodded, wringing his hands together in his lap. Cooper knew something was wrong; that wasn't the question Blaine had wanted to ask.

"Why, bud? You jealous?" Cooper flashed a wide, teasing smile. Banter had always been part of he and his brother's relationship, but immediately Cooper knew he'd said something wrong. Blaine had frozen in position, and then slowly wrapped his arms around his chest, as if hugging himself for comfort and support.

"Hey, Blaine, what's the matter?"

Cooper moved across the living room and sat down on the wide sofa next to Blaine, concern oozing from every pore. As he approached his 14-year-old brother it became more and more apparent that Blaine was close to tears. His hazel-green eyes were downcast but they were red-rimmed. What on earth had happened? Cooper felt his stomach sink as he realized the full extent of Blaine's distress.

"Blaine, I'm your big brother. You can tell me anything, remember?"

Blaine shook his head and, after a deep breath, he murmured 'you might not want to know what I have to tell you."

Cooper's blood ran cold at the hopelessness in his brother's voice. Quickly, he wrapped one arm around Blaine's shoulders, feeling the body tense even further beneath his touch.

"Blaine, buddy, you've got to tell me. If something is bothering you this much you have to let it out. What's up?"

Cooper's mind was racing now. He couldn't imagine what awful things his usually caring brother may have done that he didn't want to know. Had he got a girl pregnant at such a young age? It had happened to others, but surely Blaine was far more responsible than that? Had he failed the year at school; something their father - as a Doctor - would be furious about?

"Tonight – the Valentine's party – Mum said I could bring someone . . ." Blaine's quiet voice cut into his brother's thoughts.

"Okay . . ." Cooper said, slowly, still watching his brother intently even though Blaine's black curls were now covering his face.

"I don't . . . want to bring anyone."

Cooper let out a wry smile, even though confusion still tugged at his stomach; 'you don't have to bring anyone. I know Mom can be a bit scary about that sort of stuff but, don't worry, you're only 14, you'll be fine without a date. Just come and sit with me and Norah –"

"No, Coop, you don't understand!" Blaine was looking up now for the very first time. His eyes were covered in a sheen of tears and his mouth was pulled down into a distressed frown, "I don't want to bring . . .a-a girl."

Blaine obviously thought this admission was a huge statement. He was staring at Cooper with reluctant and unhappy eyes, as if waiting to gage his reaction. Cooper knew there was something big he was missing.

"Right . . ." Cooper said, desperately trying to figure out what Blaine was saying to him, "so . . . don't bring a girl."

"Cooper, you're not listening!" Blaine's voice was thick with unshed tears but was also now laced with an anger that Cooper couldn't quite understand, "I don't want to bring a girl . . . I'll never want to bring a girl . . . to any party . . . I want to bring a –"

"Boy."

Cooper finished the sentence for him, realization hitting him right between the eyes. The word hung between them, silence stretching on for what felt like hours. Cooper didn't know what to do. He thought immediately of their conservative family, of the way his father talked about gay marriage being ridiculous, and how his mother had scoffed at the thought of gay parents. Then he glanced back at his baby brother, his strong, clever, talented and handsome baby brother. He saw the way Blaine's face twisted in shame and the tears trickled silently down his cheeks. Before Cooper knew it he was pulling his little brother into a hug, wrapping both arms around the younger boy's body and holding him tightly as he felt the bones tremble beneath him.

"Don't worry, buddy," whispered Cooper, "You'll always be my baby brother, no matter who's your Valentine."