AN: Phuh, my March-exam is finally done, and I'm back in full swing updating both of my stories! Thank you for your patience, it's really appreciated! It's an honour and pleasure to see the numbers of reviews, favourites and followers constantly increasing - thank you! As usual, I answer every single reviewer (who isn't anon), and I can't believe I've soon reached 300 reviews on this!
I know some of you are getting anxious to see Blaine and Kurt happen, and they will happen - and I know in which chapter, I have a lot of plot planned out. Please trust me on this.
Remember: Don't spoil anything from season 4, as I'm not up to date on watching the episodes.
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee, but I have a lot of wicked time playing with them.
Blaine shuffles his feet carefully in the dark, trying to remember the safest path to Cooper's kitchen. He hasn't been here that often, but doesn't want to stump his toes. He doesn't want to switch on the lights and risk waking his father on the couch either. Blaine tucks the grey cardigan firmer across his chest.
He barely opens the refrigerator door, and positions himself so he can block most of the light escaping, shielding his father as he reaches for a bottle of water.
"You don't have to act like a burglar; I'm awake," a voice from the living room startles Blaine, and he drops the bottle, it landing heavily on his left instep. Instinctively, he clutches his foot, jumping on the other and cursing like a homeless sailor.
"Language," his father softly scolds from behind him, and places his hands on Blaine's shoulders to support his balance. "Couldn't sleep?"
Blaine nods, wiggling his toes on the injured foot.
"How about grilled cheese?" his father suggests.
They work together in silence, moving effortlessly around each other to get things done. Blaine's father makes the sandwiches, while Blaine brews his special hot chocolate; one of the few things he's capable of making successfully without a recipe.
In the living room, Blaine automatically curls up under the covers, feet tucked under his thighs to thaw them. His father sits down next to him, looking relaxed, comfortable and out of character with his ankle crossed over his knee, in plaid pajamas and a marine robe. The gigantic widescreen is muted, and it looks as if his father was watching 60 Minutes.
"How are you?" he asks, and takes a big sip of the hot chocolate Blaine made.
Blaine's chewing slows down, and he swallows the food carefully.
"I don't think my wellbeing is the biggest concern at the moment," he says hesitantly, and gulps down half the water bottle to moist his raw throat and as an excuse for not saying anything else.
"I simply assumed this would be difficult for you. It's brought back a lot of memories for me; I suspected it'd be the same for you."
Blaine twirls the half full water bottle in his hands, watching the transparent liquid dance up along the sides.
"It's awful," he admits. "I hate hospitals. But I can't run away again, I need to be here for Coop." He replaces the water bottle with the mug.
"A father shouldn't have to go through these things. It physically hurts to see your son in a hospital bed."
Oh. Blaine hadn't thought about how this was for his father, he'd been so focused on Cooper, his own needs, being comforted by Kurt, and following the advice to let the elder Anderson sort out all the practical issue.
"Seeing Coop in that bed reminds me so, so much about what happened to you, Blaine. I don't think I can ever get over it."
His voice sounds thick, but from what Blaine can see in the dark his eyes are clear and dry.
"I'm sorry I've caused you so much pain," Blaine murmurs, looking down in his mug, following the movements as he swirls the liquid around in the porcelain.
"What?" '
His outburst startles Blaine, and he almost spills the drink in his lap. Hesitantly he looks up to meet his father's eyes.
"I'm sorry for… everything," Blaine whispers, gesturing randomly around him as if it can include his mom leaving them, the trouble he caused with his need for recovery and therapy after the attack, the pain and frustration his father must have dealt with, not to mention the money spent; basically all the hassle with having a gay son.
His father sets his mug and plate safely on the table, and grabs his son by the shoulders, swiftly turning him so they're facing each other.
"You are not to apologize or feel guilty about anything that has ever happened this family, okay? Not now, not later, and I feel awful if that's how you've felt up to today."
He looks questioningly at Blaine, as if he's waiting for a confirmation.
"It would have been easier if I waited to come out," Blaine shrugs.
"God Blaine, and when do you think would have been a perfect moment to come out? And what would you have done in the meantime?" He almost sounds angry.
"Maybe in college, in New York?" he says, and this is the first time he's actually voiced anything resembling post-high school plans for his father, and yeah, maybe they should have that conversation some other time. "I could have sucked it up," he continues.
"Son," he says, and his voice is firm, but the pat on his arm seems hesitant and clumsy, as if it's a foreign gesture. Which it is. They've never been very physical with each other.
"I just want you to be happy. And I'm not thrilled knowing about all the hard times you've already gone through and still have to face, whether you want it or not. I think it's bloody unfair, and yes, I would have felt better if you… If you weren't gay," he rushes out the words as if they taste bad in his mouth. "Because I want you to have a good life. But I also want you to be you. No hiding, no faking, no pretending, no regrets."
Blaine tries to look at his father, but it's difficult to see him through the clouded fog covering his eyes. His cheeks are wet. He wants to crawl into his father's lap just like the little boy he once was, but there are still too many questions and too much resentment lingering in the front of his mind.
"I heard you fight." The words slip out before it's a conscious decision. "You were so angry with mom, blaming her for turning me gay. You tried to man me up, until you ignored me completely. You don't like that I'm gay," Blaine says harshly. He's been holding this in for so long, and now it's all slipping out through the little crack he dared to open.
"No, I didn't like it when you came out," his father readily admits. "I didn't know much, and understood even less. A lot of my hopes and dreams burst that day, and I felt like a failure as a father. But at the same time I felt confident I had treated Cooper and you the same, so it was easy to take the anger out on your mom, because you were so close, while Cooper was independent and ran off on his own as soon as he could walk."
Blaine swallows heavily, several times, until taking a large gulp of the water. He wonders if it's his role to educate his father, and if this is the right moment to do so? And how can he explain he's born this way without doing a Lady Gaga-number?
"I'm sorry for disappointing you," Blaine says instead, and his father instantly cups his cheek with his big hand.
"Hey, what did I say? No more apologies or guilt-trips. I'm disappointed in how I dealt with this back then, but that's my cross to carry. Your role is to be you, and I should have supported you sooner. But I'm really trying here now, Blaine."
He swallows heavily, loudly, and Blaine has to look up after studying the pattern of the covers. His father's eyes are moist.
"Father…" Blaine whispers.
"I've educated myself. I've been reading, and Coop's been helping. He's introduced me to people whenever I've had business meetings in LA. He even took me to a gay bar before Christmas. That was interesting," he chuckles, and Blaine stares wide eyed at him. He cannot imagine his father in a bar, and most certainly not in a gay bar.
"You know how competitive Coop is?"
Blaine nods in confirmation.
"You should have seen how pissed he was when I got more free drinks than he did."
Blaine chokes on his disbelief, and his father hands him the mug of lukewarm chocolate.
"Apparently I still have my mojo…" his father muses.
"So what did you learn?" Blaine asks hesitantly, trying to suppress images of his father being propositioned in the bathrooms.
"I learned how wrong and prejudiced I've been," he says solemnly. "I got my stereotypic beliefs challenged. I got confirmed that you can still have a happy life. I learned that it's nothing neither your mom nor I did wrong. And I learned that some of my dreams may come true anyway, and if they don't it's because they aren't your dreams – not because society won't let you."
Blaine isn't sure he understands everything his father is saying, but he gets the gist of it. His father has had some revelations, changed his opinions on his son – and been close to scoring in an LA gay bar.
"But why now?" Blaine asks, realizing his father has made conscious and planned efforts to educate and update himself.
"I was afraid of losing you," his father says seriously. "I though I had lost you back then, watching you lifeless in the ambulance and listening to the doctors' pessimistic prognosis' in the hospital… But you conquered it all. I was still afraid of losing you, I worried it might happen again. I spent a lot of time disentangling myself emotionally from you, to be honest. Because it hurt so much, and I didn't want to go through that again."
He looks sadly at his son, and Blaine tries not to feel hurt or abandoned.
"Everything changed a year ago."
Blaine quickly scans his mental calendar, trying to remember what happened then.
"Grandpa died…"
"Yeah," he exhales sadly. "And I felt so lonely. No parents, no siblings, no wife. Cooper in LA. And you in Ohio, but still far, far gone, and probably not staying for long after graduation."
"I don't think I have a future in Ohio," Blaine mumbles, hoping above anything that his father won't forbid him this.
"I know. And I can deal with geographic distance, as long as we are on speaking terms. You know how much I travel with work; it doesn't matter where any of us live, as long as we have phones. Or so I hoped it would be. You're probably leaving in not much more than a year. I was hoping we could spend that year getting to know each other again."
"I'd like that too," Blaine murmurs, leaning in to hug his father.
"I love you, son. I'm working hard to earn your love too."
Blaine doesn't comment on that, it's still a bit soon and he needs to reevaluate almost everything to figure out how he feels.
"Father? Don't take me to a gay bar, though, okay?"
His father laughs, and tightens the embrace.
"Of course not, son," he says, and leans back. "You're still underage," he winks.
Blaine can't help but laugh, shaking his head in amusement.
"Now, go on, I need some more sleep so I can face the lawyers later, and you have a phone call to make."
Blaine looks at him with confusion written all over his face.
"I may still need to get to know you all over again, years have passed since we really talked and I knew anything profound about you. But I've been paying attention for the last months. You turn to Kurt whenever you need a friend."
Blaine is dumbfounded, gaping for air and words like a fish on dry land.
"And don't you dare not calling your friend just to prove some stupid point; I know how stubborn you can be just to prove me wrong. It's okay to be predictable sometimes, and it's okay to need someone." He takes a moment to glance at the gold wristwatch on the table. "It's close to 7 AM back home, if you're lucky you won't even wake him up."
"It… It was nice talking with you. Again."
"It was. It is. And I don't feel hurt that you need to decompress this with a friend," he says sadly, and Blaine briefly wonders if his father has any close friends he can turn to, to talk about life.
Blaine is dozing uncomfortably in the chair, clutching Cooper's hand. He slips in and out of consciousness, and is easily disturbed by noises from the hallway, but also too tired to stay awake in the otherwise silent and passive room. The door whines muffled as someone steps in. Probably just a nurse to check the machines. Blaine should sit up straighter and address the staff, get updates, but his eyes are too heavy.
The scratching noise of a chair being pulled up next to him rips him finally out of the slumber, and he squints blearily at the person sitting down next to him.
"Father?" he croaks. He hasn't seen him much by Cooper's bedside these days.
A hand runs down the back of his head and neck, and rests on the back of his chair. Blaine instinctively leans in closer, without letting go of his brother.
"You were gone when I got up," Blaine mumbles tiredly.
"Our lawyer and I had an early meeting with the film crew's lawyer. I thought you could need the sleep."
"Oh, okay. Thank you. How did the meeting go?"
"Good. They seem adamant to keep this out of court and get it over with before anyone notices, so we'll just have to decide how to settle. It's not about money, they just can't… They can't run their business like that; they have to learn their lesson."
Blaine nods against his father's arm. Money is never an Anderson issue. This is about stating a claim, setting an example, possibly some revenge and payback. Blaine still remembers how furious his father had been when Blaine couldn't remember who was behind the attack, couldn't even remember any details to give an idea of who could have done it. He initially thought his father was disappointed in his lack of perceptiveness or futile attempt at helping the police. But he's beginning to think it was about justice being served when someone had hurt an Anderson. Someone he cared about, maybe even loved?
He swallows with difficulty. He has a lot of moments and episodes to reevaluate after last nights conversation. Talking with Kurt on the phone had helped. He'd caught the boy a couple of minutes after his alarm clock woke him up, but Kurt had still been in bed, sounding warm and comfortable, and in a good mood. Blaine had really wanted a hug from his friend at that moment, to be in his arms again. But just listening to his voice had helped a lot. Kurt had talked him through his tears of relief, happiness, confusion and bewilderment. He had soothed him, he had listened to his ramblings about episodes with his father from the last years, and he had been honestly happy for him. They had to end the conversation before Blaine felt ready, but regrettably Kurt had classes.
"Mr. Anderson?"
The youngest and the elder Anderson turn in their chairs towards the door. It's Cooper's doctor, Dr. Parker. His father gets up from the chair and shakes hand with the man, even though they've met before. The doctor smiles and nods at Blaine. They've talked several times each and every single day. They should probably be on first names' basis soon.
"We have news about Cooper," Dr. Harper says, seriously. "It's probably good news."
Blaine can feel how he almost sinks through the chair with relief, and his father seems much more relaxed next to him.
"As you know, we chose to put Cooper in a drug induced coma, to lower the brain activity and blood flow. It decreased the amount of space the blood vessels occupy in the brain, giving more room for his swellings after the accident, and hopefully avoid intracranial pressure. It's clear now that Cooper's brain is almost reduced to its normal size, and we would like to slowly take him off the drugs and let him wake up from the coma to better assess what damages he's received from the fall. It's a good sign that his brain not only stopped swelling, but has retreated towards normal size this quickly," the doctor reassures them.
"So what happens now?" Mr. Anderson asks.
"We'll gradually take him off the drugs, and he should be able to wake up around this time tomorrow. After that, we'll have to do more tests to know his state."
"But what are we talking about here? What are worst case scenarios?"
"The swelling may have inflicted severe permanent brain injury," the doctor says calmly. "He could be a vegetable, to put it in layman terms. But he could also be perfectly fine, going back to normal. No matter the outcome, this has been a serious trauma for his brain, and anything that happens now, will take time. Just being in an induced coma will give us an aftermath to deal with. But let's cross that bridge when we come to it."
The doctor double checks his charts and the machines, before adjusting the drip to Cooper's IV.
"We'll check in on him throughout. We don't expect anything to happen for the next 12 hours. It might be a good idea to get some food and sleep now."
The doctor leaves and Mr. Anderson looks at his son.
"You haven't even seen anything of LA while we're here."
"I really don't think sightseeing is appropriate considering the circumstances."
"No, but you haven't seen anything but this hospital. Let's grab a late lunch, catch up on some sleep, and come back tonight, well rested to deal with whatever Coop throws at us."
"He can be quite a handful, can't he?"
"He sure can. Come on," he says, gently prodding Blaine by the shoulder to get up.
Blaine's stomach decides that's the right moment to growl and reveal he skipped breakfast to get to Coop quicker. He sighs, but gathers his things. He takes his brother hand one last time, holding it firmly, and leans in to whisper in his ear.
"It's time to wake up, big brother."
Mr. Anderson wraps an arm around Blaine's shoulders as they walk down the hallway towards the elevator. Blaine looks at him with big eyes.
"That was a little weird wasn't it?" he asks, and drops his hand.
"Yeah, it was. A little weird. Maybe… Maybe later?" Blaine offers, worrying his lower lip with his teeth.
"So, do you still like pizza?"
Blaine rolls his eyes, but smiles teasingly at his father.
"No, when I came out I was given a gift basket, which among other things consisted of a new set of gay taste buds. I now only eat Japanese sushi, Norwegian goat cheese, French escargot, Rocky Mountain oysters and Belgian chocolate."
Blaine knows he's taking a chance by speaking like this to his father, joking about his sexuality and not offer a serious answer to the question. But if his father really wants to get to know him, he should be able to be himself, make lame jokes, talk about being gay, play with stereotypes and bare himself for his father.
"I've been wondering what that pink flamingo on our roof was all about," he chuckles, and winks at his son. "Well, I'm more familiar with the gay bars than the gay restaurants, so I suggest you lead the way," he smiles, and Blaine's stomach calms down. He takes them to the nearest KFC.
"Blaine, hi, how are you?"
Kurt drops everything in his hands to answer the incoming call, it's not like he hasn't seen this movie several times before. Nick pauses it anyway.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Blaine murmurs softly, and Kurt can imagine him drowsy in bed after a long day in the hospital.
"Never," Kurt assures him.
"I miss you; I wish you were here."
The butterfly farm in Kurt's stomach makes a synchronized take off.
"There's just so much going on, and I need my best friend to talk through it," Blaine continues.
"I know," Kurt says, "but I'm here for you like this, at least."
Blaine sounds tired, but there's also an edge to his voice Kurt hasn't heard since he left. It's as if some of the dread and worry have lifted.
"How is Cooper?" he dares to ask.
"He's making progress," Blaine sighs, sounding relieved. He goes on telling Kurt about the conversation with his doctor. "I don't know what'll happen, but after doing nothing but watch his still body for days, it's nice to be guaranteed a change."
"I know what you mean," Kurt says softly.
"I'm sorry you had to go through everything with your dad, but I have to admit it's good to have someone who understands."
Kurt simply smiles and hums.
"Dad and I had a long talk last night."
Kurt's lips curl into a fond smile.
"It must have been a good talk," he murmurs.
"How'd you know?"
"The tone of your voice. You usually sound more mockingly when you call him 'dad', or you call him 'father' as if it's less personal."
"I do?" Blaine asks surprised. "Huh. Well, it was an enlightening talk. There are still things we need to work and talk through, and I don't trust him completely. But I understand him better, and… I think I can get my dad back eventually," Blaine whispers, sounding choked.
"Oh, Blaine, honey, I'm so, so happy for you. Give me a summary, and we can talk more about it when you come back."
"Okay, some key words: Gay bar, pink flamingo, testicles, an awkward hug and a few revelations."
"Well, colour me intrigued," Kurt grins. "You're quite the tease, I'll say."
Nick and Jeff giggle behind his back, and Kurt gestures for them to drop it. Or slice their throats.
"Well, it's getting late in Ohio, so I'll get off your back."
"You could never be a bother, Blaine."
"Thank you for listening, though."
"Let me know whenever anything changes with Coop, okay?"
They end the conversation, and Kurt turns around to face his friends.
"I love you, Blaine," Nick says in a high pitched voice, talking into his phone and fluttering his eyelashes.
"I love you too, Kurt," Jeff swoons into his own phone.
"Really mature, guys," Kurt rolls his eyes.
"Hey, don't mock love, it's nothing to fool around with, it's serious business," Jeff scolds.
"Uhuh, I'm sure."
"It hurts me you take love so lightly," Nick sighs, his hand clutching over his heart.
"Okay, I'm officially kicking you out of my room. Go nurture all your loving feelings somewhere else," Kurt insist, shooing them out.
Dr. Parker told them the drugs should be out of Cooper's system by now, and they just have to wait for him to wake up. Blaine and his father have spent the last 24 hours in the hospital, when a night nurse comes by.
"Why don't you go home and get some sleep? He's currently not considered to be in critical condition, and as soon as he wakes up you'll be shooed out of here so we can run tests and examinations anyway. We promise to call you immediately, when anything changes. Spend this night in beds, won't you?"
Father and son finally relent, and go back to Cooper's apartment. Blaine texts Kurt until he falls asleep.
Blaine wakes up to the smell of egg and bacon, and his mouth waters before his eyes are even focused.
"Food?" he mumbles as he stumbles into the kitchen.
"Grab two plates, and find something for us to drink in the fridge, will you?"
Blaine nods, still looking for his voice, and pulls out plates, glasses and orange juice. He sits down by the kitchen nook, yawning behind his hands. The older Anderson serves them their food, and sits down opposite his son.
"How did you sleep, son?"
"M'fine, I just had a lot on my mind," Blaine mumbles, trying to clear his voice.
"Do you think you need sleeping pills again?" his father asks worriedly, and takes Blaine back to the time after the attack where he couldn't sleep with all the pain and nightmares.
"No, it's far from that bad. But how are you?" he asks, looking honestly at his father.
"I'm optimistic. I'm looking forward to see my other son. He's woken up, and we can see him in one hour." Mr. Anderson smiles fondly, his eyes twinkling.
Blaine's fork is hovering midair in front of his mouth, the boy completely frozen.
"Do you think you can be ready to leave in forty minutes?"
Blaine nods dumbly.
"Yeah. Yes. Of course. Is he…?"
"I don't know much more than that, so I hold back the panic and the euphoria 'till I've seen him and talked with Dr. Parker."
Blaine nods and shakes all table manners away, stuffing his face to finish breakfast as fast as possible.
When they arrive at the hospital, they're brought to Dr. Parker's office.
"Mr. Anderson," he greets, shaking both men's hands. "Cooper is awake, and his prognosis' looks good. His responses to our cognitive tests are excellent, we're quite satisfied with his EEG-measures, and there are no positive results from his blood tests."
"But?" Blaine asks, not believing things are this easy.
"Well, so far we've mostly talked about his brain issues, but a fall like that wouldn't leave his body physically unharmed. He's still bruised and sore, and very much beaten up. Nothing is broken, but it'll probably be some time before he can walk properly again."
The question marks radiate from father and son.
"We can't know for sure about other injuries; pulled muscles and tendons. His body will be weak after spending this much time in bed. And we already know he's suffering from delirium."
"Delirium? Like dizziness?" Blaine wonders.
"Delirium is a generic term for various side effects Cooper may have to deal with, as his brain reacts to the drugs we used to keep him in a coma."
"Could you tell us about these side effects?" Blaine asks carefully, afraid of what he'll hear. The heavy, but comforting feeling, of his dad's hand on his shoulder reminds him he's not alone.
"Let me assure you it's merely a short term state, we're not speaking about permanent reactions. But for a while he may be suffering from hallucinations and delusions, slipping in and out of present reality. You may experience mood swings, violent reactions, or he may seem drunk or high on drugs."
"How do we deal with that?" Mr. Anderson asks.
"Cooper doesn't remember what happened, and we'll break it to him gently. It would be for the best if you play along to avoid confusing him, but comfort him if he's upset or sad. Don't encourage his misrepresentations, but don't dismiss them or try to explain how wrong he is. It'll eventually pass on its own."
"How is he currently?"
"He was high as a kite the lat time I saw him, but that's 45 minutes ago, so he may very well have changed."
"May we see him?"
"Of course."
Dr. Parker gets up, and takes father and son to Cooper's room.
"Dad!" Cooper beams! "You brought Lenny Kravitz!"
Blaine self-consciously touches his hair and face. He didn't take his time to shave or style his hair this morning, not with the knowledge about his awoken brother. He quickly removes his dark sunglasses, while Blaine sings.
"Oh I want to get away, I want to fly away, Yeah yeah yeah!"
"May I hug you?" Blaine asks, laughing with relief. His brother may be all loopy, but he looks so good, and it's such a drastic change from last night.
"I'd be honoured," Cooper blushes.
The three Anderson guys spend the day together, listening to Cooper's hilarious imagination. He slips in and out of slumber, and sometimes he wakes up perfectly clear and lucid. Surprisingly he doesn't wonder about the hospital bed and equipment, but chats easily about dates, Dalton and their dad's business.
Late in the afternoon Mr. Anderson insists on taking Blaine out for dinner, as they haven't eaten a proper meal since breakfast, only light snacks from a vending machine. They end up in a generic Italian place, the first and closest eating establishment, to get quickly back to Cooper.
"I think you should go back to Ohio, Blaine," his father announces without preamble.
"Why?" Blaine blurts out.
"You've missed a week of school, and Cooper is awake. I'll take him back to Columbus as soon as Dr. Parker discharges him, and you can see him every evening if you want."
"But…" Blaine objects.
"But right now there's nothing you can do for him," his father interrupts. "You have classes to attend, papers to write, tests to ace – and don't you have Regionals to prepare for too?"
Blaine sighs. He doesn't care about missing school to stay with Cooper. But he feels responsible for the Warblers, and they've already had several rehearsals without him. Wes reassured him he's still their chosen lead when Blaine offered to withdraw in favour of someone actually being at Dalton. It's about time he goes back to his commitments.
"You're right," Blaine says calmly. "But I expect frequent updates, and you have to take notes of anything he says we can blackmail him with later."
"Blaine, wait up, where are you going?" Kurt jogs to catch up with the boy leaving his dorm room.
"Hey," he beams. "I'm headed out for a run, I need to move after sitting hauled by Cooper's bed for a week," he says, tucking on the finger gloves firmer.
"Is your hip troubling you?"
"Yeah, it's acting up, it always does if I don't exercise frequently."
"Do you mind if I join you?" Kurt asks carefully.
"Of course not, Kurt. It would be nice to have company."
"Give me a minute, and I'll get into suitable clothes."
"That was one kick ass concert," Blaine gushes. "I don't where to begin to pick a favourite." He waves his hands enthusiastically, almost hitting Kurt who slides up next to him after locking the car.
"I think my top choice has to be the girl covering Janis Joplin. I've never heard her songs performed like that."
"Mmm, I can agree. But don't forget about the Joni Mitchell-tribute. Oh, and the duo having fun with Christina Aguilera's songs," Blaine insists eagerly.
"It's been a fun night," Kurt concludes, hoisting his bag further up on his shoulder.
"I'm glad Tina invited us to join."
She had found a concert in Columbus making tribute to female artists as a part of the International Women's Day. Most of the girls from New Directions were there, along with Blaine and Kurt. Feminist happenings were also quite LGBT friendly, so the boys had a lot of fun dancing and shaking loose all night. Kurt doesn't say it, but he's glad Blaine decided to go with them. He's been distracted since he came back, as if his mind was still in LA. It's only been three days, and Cooper and Mr. Anderson would be back today. Cooper needed rest, which he could get in the Anderson home. And their father had already made arrangements with a specialist in Columbus to check up on Cooper regularly. So they left LA for an undetermined amount of time.
Kurt had been very much prepared to go back to Dalton, but Blaine insisted he go with him. They could spend the rest of the weekend working on Kurt's swimming, and of course catching up with Cooper. But not now, though. It's really late, so Kurt will go straight to the guest room, and Blaine will take the couch in his own room, as Cooper is occupying his bed.
Blaine wakes up the next morning when Ella enters to give Cooper his food and medicine.
"Ella!" he greets fondly, bushy head sticking out from under the covers.
"Blaine, darling, how are you?" she smiles warmly.
"I'm really good. And you?"
"I've got all my boys under the same roof again. I can hardly complain," she beams. "I brought you breakfast too, your father said you'd be here."
"Did he mention… uh…"
"That young man in the guest room?" she asks knowingly.
Blaine nods bashfully.
"Kurt's already had breakfast with Mr. Anderson. He'll come up with coffee when it's done; he should be here soon."
"He's…? With dad? Already? But?" Blaine fumbles on the table to find his pocket watch and check the time. It's almost noon.
"This is so embarrassing," he groans.
"Don't be silly, you probably needed to catch up on your sleep," Kurt chimes from the door. He's carrying a tray with three coffee mugs, milk and sugar. "I don't know how Cooper takes his coffee, but I guessed you might have picked up your medium drip-habit from him."
"I didn't, actually, but I probably would have copied his coffee order if he began drinking it before he left Ohio."
"Leighton!" a voice calls from the bedroom.
"He thinks I'm Leighton Meester, and we're married," Ella whispers conspiratorially, before bringing Cooper his tray.
"They look nothing alike at all," Kurt whispers to Blaine.
"He's having these hallucinations and weird ideas," Blaine explains in a whisper. "The doctor called it deliriums. I experienced it a lot in LA too, and we don't know how long it'll last. In advance, I apology for anything he might say or do," Blaine rushes out, looking worried.
"Dad was the same when he woke up. He petted and talked with the dog constantly the first week."
"And you don't have a dog?" Blaine asks to make sure, although he can't remember Kurt ever mentioning a dog.
"I didn't think so, but according to dad we had a Yorkie called Buckeye. You should have seen how he made a nest for the poor pup with one of my scarves." Kurt rolls his eyes.
"Well, at least the dog didn't shed all over your clothes," Blaine shrugs, making Kurt laugh. "Come on, let me introduce you to my brother."
"Kurt! It's so good to see you again, it's been too long! When was it last, when we celebrated my Oscar, wasn't it?"
Kurt smiles and takes both of Cooper's hands in his.
"I'm so sorry, but it's been really hectic. I'm glad we finally have a chance to catch up, though," he says to the man he's never met before.
Blaine looks thankful and relieved next to him, as if he didn't trust Kurt's improvising acting skills.
"Let me see your ring," Cooper grins smugly.
"Ring?"
"Dad told me Blaine finally popped the big question. I need to see the ring. I do know bling."
Blaine groans behind Kurt's back, and hides his face in his hands.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about, Squirt. Some believe in freedom to embrace everything life has to offer, and some believe in sticking with only one for the rest of their life. Now, ring?" he asks, wiggling his fingers.
"We haven't got any rings," Blaine sighs, and Cooper's face falls.
"…yet," Kurt adds, quickly glancing at Blaine as they sit down on two chairs next to the bed. "I've designed our rings, so they're still being made."
"Aww," Cooper coos, wiping off a tear from his dry eye.
"I've always dreamed about designing the rings for my future husband and me. Our marriage would without doubt be special, and I wanted to make sure the rings were unique too…"
"It's such a beautiful thought," Blaine whispers tenderly.
"Aren't you going to kiss your fiancé now?" Cooper insists, looking pointedly at his brother.
"Not when you're in the same bedroom," Kurt winks.
Cooper is still focused on his blushing little brother, so Blaine wraps an arm around Kurt's waist, pulling him somewhat closer, and takes Kurt's hand with his other.
"It's so good to see you happy, Squirt. You deserve it after everything. So, are you getting kids? And which one of you will carry it?"
"Umm, we don't have uteruses, we can't get pregnant," Kurt says hesitantly, not knowing if he should play along with Cooper's idea.
"I'm not an idiot; I know that," Copper shakes his head. "I was subtly snooping in your sex life, to find out who tops and who bottoms."
Kurt chokes on air, and Blaine has to thump him on the back to end his coughing.
"We're waiting until we're married," he quickly explains his nosy brother.
"You know, that would be so much easier to believe if I didn't already know what fine specimen you are after I walked in on you in a very naked and very compromising position."
Blaine and Kurt look hopeless at each other. How do you explain someone who believes they've seen you have sex, about your sex life when you haven't had sex?
"Don't be shy!" Cooper teases.
"Well," Kurt begins. "The good thing about being gay is there are a lot more options and versatility than for straight couples."
"I knew it!" Cooper grins triumphantly. "You both have irresistible asses!"
"Okay, enough about us, what's new in your life, Coop?"
Cooper easily embraces the possibility to talk about his own life and move the spotlight away from the teenagers, but Blaine doesn't move his hands away from Kurt. Kurt doesn't mind, but has to concentrate to avoid curling up further in the embrace. It's only play pretend.
Blaine makes the 30 minutes drive to Columbus as often as possible, to see how his brother is doing, help his dad take care of Cooper, give Ella some time off, and bond more with his dad. It's still tense and a bit awkward, and they are both stumbling to find a new connection and communication. But they are both trying, and last time Blaine was home his dad had wanted to know everything about Sectionals, to be prepared for Regionals.
It digs severely into the time he usually spends with Kurt, and they've hardly seen each other outside of class and Warblers the last days. That's why he asks Kurt to accompany him back to Columbus as soon as the Council dismisses them. They both have a math test the next day, so he uses it as a ruse to needing Kurt that night, he can't admit that he just needs to be with him.
"We could even spend the night?" he suggests. "We wouldn't have to get up that much earlier to drive back tomorrow."
"Okay," Kurt agrees pretty easily. "It would be nice to see how Coop's doing."
They quickly return to their rooms to pack overnight bags, and Blaine finishes the ride in just 23 minutes.
"Someone's eager to get home," Kurt raises his eyebrows, clearly not approving of Blaine's speeding.
"There was hardly any traffic," Blaine smiles bashfully and takes out both of their bags from the car.
"That's right," Kurt snorts. "Everybody was mesmerized by the aggressive trail of dust you left them."
"Spoilsport," Blaine teases.
"Daredevil," Kurt parries.
"Blaine, is that you?" Mr. Anderson asks before he's even turned the corner to see who entered his home.
"Hey Dad, is the guest bed still made from the last time Kurt was here?"
"You know how efficient Ella is; the sheets were washed before you were back at Dalton," his dad answers, and joins them in the hallway. "Oh, good evening Kurt," he says when he spots the other boy, sounding surprised, but as in a good surprise. "Will you join us for dinner, Kurt?"
"I'm sorry to intrude, Mr. Anderson," Kurt apologizes, "but Blaine wanted me to come so we can finish the preparations for a test tomorrow."
"No need to be sorry, it isn't the first time Blaine's forgotten to inform me he's filling the house with his friends," Mr. Anderson smiles at Kurt, but playfully scoffs at his youngest son. "Let's go and tell Ella she needs to set the table for one more."
Cooper is already seated by the dining table, and his face lights up when he sees the three men joining him.
"Squirt, come hug your big brother!" Blaine laughs and skips over to his brother, giving him a warm hug. Cooper seems happy today. Two days ago he'd been mostly sad, thinking he'd never be able to go back to acting, and then slipping into sulking delirium states where he thought he was a little kid who was grounded for stealing chocolate.
"It's good to see you out of bed, Cooper," Kurt greets friendly.
"Likewise, I guess. I'm sorry, but have we met?" Cooper looks confused, although his charming demeanor doesn't falter.
Kurt and Blaine quickly exchange looks. Coop wasn't himself when Kurt stayed last and they had to talk about engagement and sex. As far as Cooper knows, he's never met Kurt before.
"I'm sorry, that was rude of me. Blaine has told me so much about you it feels as if we've already met," Kurt smoothly covers. "I'm Kurt Hummel," he says, reaching out a hand to shake with Cooper's.
"He's my best friend and goes to Dalton," Blaine quickly explains.
"Oh, so you're the enigmatic Kurt. I've heard everything about you," Cooper grins, and Blaine groans. He thinks he prefers a loopy Cooper, at least then he can excuse him.
"Nothing bad, I hope," Kurt smiles disarmingly, and sits down in the chair Mr. Anderson dedicates his.
"You know, I don't think Blainers here is able to say anything bad about you," Cooper winks. "But enough about you, poor soul. What has be been telling you about me?"
He grins broadly, and Kurt laughs, shaking his head in amusement.
"All bad things, I assure you."
"I expected nothing less," Cooper playfully smacks the back of Blaine's head. "Afraid of older, smarter, hotter, more successful competition, are we?"
"Oh, give Blaine eight years to reach your age, and I feel pretty confident he'll have achieved a whole new level of success. Then we can start comparing, if it'll even be a fair competition," Kurt automatically responds in his usual snarky style.
The table drops dead silent. Mr. Anderson stares wide-eyed at him, Cooper's mouth hangs open in disbelief, and Blaine's head hangs down towards his lap and he's chewing on his bottom lip to keep silent.
"That was all kinds of rude!" Cooper scolds.
Kurt forces himself to sit calm and meet the older brother's eyes, but really he wants to dart out of the house and never come back.
"Kurt," Mr. Anderson says sternly. "I think I like you," he grins. "I've been telling Cooper for years to stop these unfair comparisons. Blaine, pass the salad, will you?"
Cooper mutters something unintelligible under his breath, but stops when his father gives him a warning look. Kurt resumes eating the chicken pot, feeling his heart settle down to a normal pace. Next to him, Blaine doesn't say anything, but he has this secretive smile on his lips. And he's wrapped his foot around Kurt's.
Ella and Mr. Anderson help Cooper back up to Blaine's room. His body is still fighting against him, and he hasn't properly regained his balance and strength yet. Kurt and Blaine settle down in the lounge with their math books and notes. Their upcoming test wasn't just a ruse.
"I'll be in my office if you need me for anything, boys," Mr. Anderson says, and enters the room adjoining the lounge. It's an incentive to study properly for the test, and the two teenagers quiz each other on formulas and mathematical rules.
"If I study anymore now, I think my head is going to burst and all my knowledge just pour out," Kurt eventually groans, violently shoving his books and notes back into his satchel.
Blaine doesn't say anything, and when Kurt looks up the boy is pale and still.
"Blaine?"
Kurt quickly makes a rerun of anything happening the last two minutes, and mentally decapitates himself.
"Oh my God, that was a really poor choice of words, I didn't think, I'm so, so sorry, Blaine," Kurt rushes out, and kneels next to the boy, begging for him to see him.
"It's fine," Blaine says distantly. "I think I'd like to go see Cooper now."
Blaine silently gets up from the couch and leaves. When he reaches the door, he turns around.
"You can join, if you want to," he smiles, but his eyes are dull.
Kurt battles with himself for a moment, before deciding to follow Blaine. He takes his overnight bag. If things get awkward, he can merely excuse himself and go to bed in the guest room.
He's not far after Blaine, and slips in to his room in time to hear Blaine call softly for his brother, wondering if he's awake. There's some rustling from the bedroom, and then a thump.
The boys leap into the room to see what's going on. They find Cooper leaning uncomfortably against the wall, a cane on the floor by his feet.
"I dropped it," he explains unnecessarily, and Kurt wonders who they are talking to now. Which version of Cooper is this?
Kurt crouches down to pick up the black, smooth cane with a silver handle delicately engraved with an intricate pattern. He snorts inwardly. Of course Cooper would go for a classy, stylish cane like this. Then again, Kurt probably would have done so too. For a fleeting moment he wonders if Blaine's crutches back then were ordinary or customized.
Cooper gratefully accepts the cane, and leans heavily on his much shorter brother as they slowly shuffle out of the bedroom.
"It's so good to see you, boys," Cooper sighs pleased. "I have something I want to run with you, a suggestion for your wedding."
Okay, so that's the Cooper they're dealing with now.
Cooper seems to regain some strength and mobility as they walk, and eventually brushes off Blaine's supporting hand. He shambles over to the stereo bench, flicking through the box of gramophone records.
"Ah, here it is," he beams, and flips open the lid of Blaine's gramophone player. He delicately takes the vinyl out of the carton wrapping, and barely touches it as he lowers it on the plateu, winds the player up with the handle, and gently places the needle on the record.
He steps away from the bench, positions his feet pointing in opposite direction as if making a broader platform to keep his balance, and leans on the cane on both hands right in front of him.
"Smiiile…" he sings, but quickly aborts the song. "I thought you could have your first dance as husbands to this. It would be much easier to decide if you fit the song if you'd dance for me," he says, looking pointedly at them.
Blaine blushes, studying his feet.
"I guess we better…" Kurt suggests hesitantly, taking half a step closer to Blaine.
"Oh, I get it," Cooper interrupts. "You haven't figured out who leads yet. Okay, Kurt is taller. Anyone's taller, Blaine. You'll never get to lead," he tuts, but grins at his brother.
Somehow the boys close the distance. They've danced before, they've been physically close so many times, and have more or less erased their usual personal spaces when they're with the other. But still this is something else entirely.
Kurt decides to be bold.
"Hello husband," he smiles flirtatiously, and wraps his arms around Blaine's waist.
"Hello to you too, my groom," Blaine flirts back, and rests his hands firmly, but yet softly on Kurt's shoulders. They wait for Cooper to start singing again.
"No need to be all shy or prudish now, I've seen it all before," Cooper winks, and limps over to restart the gramophone player.
"Smile though your heart is aching. Smile even though it's breaking. When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by."
When the boys don't act on his teasing, he smacks Blaine's calves with his cane. Blaine yelps, and jumps closer to Kurt, leaving them chest to chest. It's more than awkward having their faces this close, so Blaine rests his chin on Kurt's shoulder as they sway to the music. They're not making any actual dance steps, but Kurt is moving them slowly to Cooper's crooning. He almost hugs Blaine when he leans his head closer to whisper in Blaine's ear.
"New Directions sang this song for Mr. Schue when he decided to divorce his psychotic wife. I never thought I'd dance to the same lyrics in preparations of my fake wedding."
"If you smile through your fear and sorrow, Smile and maybe tomorrow, You'll see the sun come shining through, For you."
Blaine laughs silently, but his chest rumbles and moves against Kurt's. Kurt slides his arm further up along Blaine's shoulder blade, holding him closer. He doesn't know how much Blaine will ever be able to give him, so he takes whatever he can, instigated by Cooper's delirious brain or not.
"Light up your face with gladness, Hide every trace of sadness. Although a tear may be ever so near. That's the time you must keep on trying. Smile, what's the use of crying? You'll find that life is still worthwhile - If you just smile."
One of Blaine's hand snakes from Kurt's shoulder to his neck, comfortable tickles across his bare skin. His fingers settle down by the nape of Kurt's neck to play with his hair.
Kurt has to suppress violent shivers, as he closes his eyes to be able to focus on the feelings. He'll take whatever Blaine can give him, and treasure it.
Lyrics from:
Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away
Charlie Chaplin – Smile (lyrics by John Turner & Geoffrey Parsons)