Kurt insisted on including their family members in their scrapbook. They didn't have many pictures with their families but, since a few of them were very nice, Kurt made an honorary page for them. Blaine looked at the photo of him and his brother, hugging at the airport when Cooper was leaving after his short trip to NYC. Things with Cooper were always tough, but since Kurt came into his life, they got a bit better. Everything got better with Kurt…

When Cooper first visited Blaine in New York, Blaine was almost finished with his second year at NYADA. Blaine couldn't wait for his big brother to come, he even booked a gig at Callbacks so his brother could see him play. It wasn't a big venue, and Blaine did perform at much more important events but, still, a family member was coming and he finally had a chance to showcase himself. Who cares if it was in the karaoke bar.

Kurt and Blaine picked Cooper up at the airport Thursday evening. Cooper, true to himself, started to talk about his life and job in LA and he didn't stop until he went to sleep. It didn't surprise Blaine, as he was used to his brother's I need to be a center of the universe antics, but his boyfriend wasn't very pleased with it. Regardless, Kurt was the epitome of a polite and very friendly person, even though Blaine could tell Cooper was driving him crazy.

They went sightseeing on Friday, which wasn't as fun as Blaine expected initially. Cooper found a fault on every single thing they showed him, comparing it to things that could be seen in LA (that were better, nicer, bigger…). By the lunch time, it was obvious that Kurt was annoyed but he still kept his demeanor neutral. They called it a day around four in the afternoon so they could relax and Blaine had enough time to prepare for his performance.

For Kurt's sanity, Sam and couple of Kurt's friends were invited to join them at Callbacks. They had fun and everything went seemingly smoothly, partially because Cooper was more acceptable after two drinks and partially because Kurt was more accepting after two drinks.

They slept in on Saturday and met for coffee after lunch, deciding on making dinner together in Blaine's apartment. Cooper tried to lecture Kurt about new LA trends in healthy diet but Kurt shut him down very quickly and he was banished into the living room.

"Don't take this the wrong way, Baby, but your brother is real pain in the ass," Kurt told Blaine after Cooper made his dramatic exit from the kitchen. Blaine just laughed and shrugged his shoulders.

"He is a bit eccentric. That's why he always pulls the full focus and I'm left behind. I got used to it. It's not like he can help it."

"He could use a clash with reality." Kurt noted, half joking, half serious.

"He's too charming for that. No one is ever going to confront him."

"Why haven't you confronted him yet?"

"Because no matter what I say, he always takes something else from it. I don't like fighting. He's my brother and I think it's better this way. He wouldn't understand what I'm saying. He never did…"

"But he's hurting you, Blaine. With every stupid comment, he makes you sad. And I don't think it's his intention to be a douchebag, he just needs to be told that he should choose his words wisely because they can hurt others."

"The last time I saw him was Thanksgiving, Kurt. It's April now. The next time I'm gonna see him is probably Thanksgiving. We spend very little time together and I'd rather spend it without any conflict."

"I understand that, Blaine. I really do. It's just that you don't deserve that kind of treatment. He has found faults in everything and it's ridiculous. You put so much into making this trip enjoyable for him and he is acting like a brat."

"He'll be gone tomorrow and all will be forgotten. It's always like this."

"Doesn't make it right." Kurt mumbled and kissed Blaine's cheek. "So did you say he hates peas?"

"Kurt!" Blaine giggled and shook his head in disbelief. "You wouldn't!"

"No," Kurt assured him. "Of course I wouldn't. I mean, I definitely would but I know it would be just another thing he could pester you about and it's not worth it."

They finished the dinner, grilled chicken breasts with rice and salad, without peas, and sat behind the beautifully set table, but of course, it wouldn't be Cooper if he didn't find something wrong about it.

"Blaine, I'm pretty sure the napkin is supposed to be on the left side, not right. Didn't Dalton provide you with the proper table etiquette?"

"Just put the napkin on your lap, Coop." Blaine said, rolling his eyes.

"Well, don't give me that attitude, Squirt. You don't know where you gonna need this knowledge."

"I think I can manage."

"You should come to LA, little brother. There is so much to learn there. New York is not the right place for growth. People tend to blend in the crowd and become invisible. That's probably why you haven't made a name for yourself here yet. If you were in LA, you would at least make a debut in commercials or something."

"Can we just eat?" Blaine asked.

"We are eating, Blaine. Having a light conversation over the table is part of the proper etiquette. Again, didn't they teach you anything at Dalton? While I was there, we had to roleplay proper conversations! Anyway, what was I saying? Oh, yeah, big break. I saw the play you were part of this year. Mom gave me a DVD. I didn't know students record their poor attempts in being professional. Isn't it, like, a bit pathetic? No one is gonna believe that student production can equal to Broadway, right? You were good in it but you could do better. Sometimes you lacked the dramatic expression of your feelings. We've been through this, Blaine, if you want to be intense, you need to POINT! And there wasn't nearly enough screaming. You can't convince people you are in a rage if you don't yell...There are a few more notes I have. We can talk about them later, I don't wanna bore Kurt to death."

"Sure," Blaine said submissively, his eyes cast down. He wasn't eating, he just shifted his food on a plate. Even Kurt's hand on his knee didn't make him feel better. He wished he had the courage to say something to Cooper, to stand up for himself but it was hopeless in his case. What bothered Blaine the most was, that now he wasn't criticizing Blaine's choice of landmark or his too uncomfortable couch. This time it was his acting skills, something Blaine was working on hard and it hit home painfully.

"Blaine? Are you even listening to me?" Cooper's voice brought him back to reality.

"Huh?"

"Are you okay, baby?" Kurt asked, concerned.

"Yeah. I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

"How often do you play piano? Do you practise regularly?"

"I don't know. I play when I feel like it. Why?"

"You were flat on some notes yesterday at Callbacks. You won't be the best if you neglect practising…"

"Excuse me," Blaine stood up. "I need to use the restroom..." He was out of there in an instant, needing some time to breathe..

"What the hell are you doing?" He heard Kurt hiss as soon as he was around the corner.

"What?" Cooper asked and Blaine could sense the surprise and astonishment in his voice.

"Are you seriously that dumb? You are his guests and you behave like a jerk! Didn't they teach you how to be polite at Dalton?"

"What's gotten into you? Have I done something wrong?"

"Yes, you have! Since you got here, all you do is criticize him! Let me tell you something, Cooper. Blaine is the most amazing, most talented person I know. He works hard on his goals and the only reason he's not all over Broadway yet is that he wants to get his education first. He has managed to perform on several important occasions, which you blatantly ignored for one reason or another. Who are you to lecture him about his performing? I don't see any degree attached to your name and, excuse me if I'm wrong but besides a few national commercials, you aren't very successful in your acting career either. By the time Blaine is your age, he'll have a Tony. You might have money and your face might appear daily in American households but you are nothing in comparison to your brother. He is the sweetest, most humble and diligent man. You don't get to come here and talk bullshit. He's been looking forward to spending time with his brother for weeks! You are supposed to support him, not bring him down! Can't you see how sad he is? How his smile is mostly forced? How his eyes miss the glow? What kind of brother are you?"

"Wow!" Cooper raised his hand to stop Kurt's rant. "Dad told me not to get on your bad side and I didn't know what he meant at the time but I guess I just found out…"

"Everyone who hurts Blaine is on my bad side." Kurt stated and folded his arms on his chest.

"Well, I'm sorry. I didn't know I was doing something bad. I just want Blaine to be the best he can. He is very talented and he is gonna make it. I'm just trying to help, give him some advice I gained over the years…"

"There's a big difference between giving advice and picking holes in everything."

"Why didn't he tell me anything?"

"Really?" Kurt asked with a raised eyebrow. "It's Blaine we're talking about! He would do anything to avoid a conflict!"

"Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry. I'm gonna talk to him and apologize. Please, don't look at me like that. You are really scary when you're mad…"

"Be a good boy when Blaine comes back and you got yourself a deal!" Blaine forced himself to go back, hoping Kurt's words left some effect on his brother. He didn't anticipate anything big, just a little decrease in judging. What he got was much more. Cooper was overly friendly, praising everything to the point it started to be absurd and Blaine wondered how Kurt managed to do that. It was a welcome change, though.

Kurt said goodbye shortly after dinner, leaving Blaine and Cooper to enjoy their brother time and for the first time in years, Blaine did just that.

The hug at the airport was tight and long, and Cooper promised to make time for Blaine over the summer. Blaine didn't dare to hope it would be true but it was the thought that counted. He waved his brother off with tears shining in his eyes and sincere smile, holding Kurt's hand firmly. As soon as he got to hold on to Kurt, everything seemed to be brighter.