"Hey!" Cooper rose and swooped forward, pulling Everett into a warm hug before withdrawing to take in the younger man's puffy eyes and red nose. "What's up?"

"Nothing... it's fine. Just a long day." His smile wavering, Ev sank down into a chair and sighed. "Blaine'll be here soon. He promised."

Cooper beamed at the revelation. "Yeah? That's great!" He was relieved to hear that Blaine had consented to join them despite the bad blood of the past. "Thank you. I'm guessing you used up all your birthday presents from now till around fifty."

"Make that eighty," Blaine corrected without a hint of humor. Arriving on the scene, he was immaculately dressed in an Armani suit and wore an expression that belied his feelings over the reunion with his siblings. He took a seat before steeling his shoulders, and gave Cooper a terse greeting. "You're looking well." His attention turned to Everett, and Blaine instinctively knew that something wasn't quite right with his twin. "Ev, what's going on? I thought you'd be deliriously happy we're all here together." he asked, fixing him with a knowing gaze. "And don't say 'nothing.' It's written all over your face."

Ev's shoulders sagged, and he sighed as they all settled into their chairs. "I... my boyfriend... well, okay, not mine... The guy I've been seeing, I found out... I found out he's... he's with somebody. Apparently I was the other guy. I just...." Tears threatened again, and Ev tried to blink them away. Finn didn't deserve the tears, not after what he'd done. But it was no use, and he mumbled, "Sorry... be... be right back."

Cooper watched his brother flee the table for the bathroom. It killed him to see Everett so broken up. "Would you maybe order us some wine? I'll get Ev." He hesitated for a moment as if afraid that Blaine might escape himself if given the change. Still he couldn't just leave his brother alone and in pain, and Cooper excused himself a beat later. He opened the bathroom door and saw Everett standing against the sink, splashing his face. "Hey... you okay?"

Grabbing some paper towels, Ev mopped the water up and sighed. "No. I really thought it was something. He... shit, this morning, he told me he loved me."

"And you loved him," Cooper concluded with a sigh in return. He reached out and pulled the slighter man into a warm hug. "I'm so sorry, Evvy. If he didn't know how lucky he was, he's an asshole."

The words brought a choking laugh from Ev, and he shifted slightly. "Yeah, well... don't know about that. But he is an asshole."

Cooper could feel his brother's breath warm against his neck and suddenly realized the position they were in. "We should get back to the table."

"Mmph," Ev murmured. He hadn't meant to do anything, but finding himself so close to Cooper and needing reassurance so badly, he let his lips brush against the smooth skin of the older man's neck. "Just... just for a minute... please?" Grabbing Cooper by the back of the neck, Everett shifted quickly and kissed him. He didn't let himself think about the fact that the door was unlocked and anyone could walk in. Instead he inched back until the wall was pressed against his back. Cooper's hesitation seemed to have disappeared, and Ev found himself being crushed against the tile and kissed hungrily. It was perfect. Ev gasped let his hands move over his brother's body, over the muscles that hadn't been there the last time he touched the older man.

Things were well out of hand. Cooper had meant to check on Ev, and that was all. Instead he was drinking in the familiar yet unfamiliar taste of his brother's tongue and shoving his thigh between Everett's legs to create just a little more friction.

Blaine had almost finished his glass of wine when he checked his Rolex again, then exhaled in frustration. He resented the fact that Everett had nagged him into having dinner with Cooper. And he took exception to Cooper insisting on lending Ev a shoulder when he and his twin had always been much closer. //Bastard...// Turning his thoughts away from his older brother, Blaine could not help but wonder who had hurt Ev so much. Although they did not talk and share as much as they'd used to, Ev had never been shy about announcing new relationships. It seemed more than a little odd to be kept out of the loop. And it only reinforced Blaine's intense dislike for Cooper. If Cooper had joined their father in business, then there might never have been a rift between the brothers to start with.

Time ticked by, and Blaine checked his texts. Numerous reminders about meetings scheduled for the week, but sadly, nothing from Kurt. He'd hoped to hear from the alluring dancer, who was far more addictive than any drug could hope to be. The message he'd hastily left for Kurt's angelic slumbering figure hadn't been what Blaine had really wanted to say. But then, he'd never been very good at expressing romantic feelings. //I'll call him when this is over,// he decided, finally getting fed up with waiting and straightening from the table.

He padded across the restaurant towards the washrooms. There was no sign of his siblings outside, so the logical course of action was heading inside to see if Ev was alright. It was a move Blaine wished he could take back. As he opened the door, before him mirrored a scene he'd once secretly walked in on years ago at home. Ev and Cooper... locked in a heated embrace... kissing as if to eat each other alive. Blaine stood there gaping at the pair as a whirlpool of emotions--everything from shock, anger, betrayal, and even jealousy--threatened to drown him.

The sound of the door made Ev jerk his head back, and his eyes widened at the sight of Blaine standing in the doorway and glaring at them. "Shit!" He felt Cooper tense and pull away and heard his brother curse under his breath as well. "Blaine... shit..."

Cooper jumped back from his younger brother. His eyes were wild, and he wished that he'd been able to think through the potential consequences a few seconds before. All he'd been able to think of was the desperation in Everett's voice and the pleading in the other man's eyes and how badly he wanted to find out if his brother still tasted the same. "God... Blaine, I- this... it just..."

"It was my fault," Ev broke in hurriedly, taking a step toward his twin and feeling like his heart was breaking. He and Blaine had never been as close after Blaine transferred to Dalton as they'd been before, but things had gotten smoother as they matured. This could break them. It could ruin things with Blaine once and for all, and he couldn't stand the thought of that. "I just... after everything this morning... I just needed... I needed somebody who..." He shook his head, embarrassed and ashamed for doing something so wrong and being so impulsive.

Unable to look his twin in the eye, Blaine's vision hazed over as he stared at the floor and fairly trembled all over with hurt and rage. "Bullshit!" he spat bitterly. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that? This isn't the first time I've seen you two like this." Finally glancing up, Blaine's eyes pricked with hot tears even as he refused to let them fall in front of his brothers. Of all the people in the world Everett had to turn to for comfort, why did it have to be Cooper? "I knew coming here was a mistake." Unable to stand being in the same room with his siblings, Blaine stormed over to the door... only to pause and whisper loud enough for Ev and Cooper to hear. "I never want to see either one of you again." Without looking back, he left the restaurant a shattered wreck.

"He... he knew?" Everett whispered. It felt like the air had rushed out of the room, and he felt sick with the thought that Blaine had been holding that back for so long. The distance, the wedge between them made so much more sense when he realized just how hurt and disgusted Blaine had probably been. And now he'd made it worse. "Oh, god..." Before his knees could buckle, Ev felt Cooper's arm around his shoulders.

"I'm going to get you home, okay? Don't worry about this right now. Blaine... he'll forgive you." Cooper knew better than to think he had any chance of that, not now. He'd taken a horrible situation and made it a million times worse by having no self control at all. Now the best he could do was try to make sure that Everett was okay. "Just give him a little time to cool off." Cooper led his younger brother back out into the dining room and made their apologies to the waiter before paying the small tab they'd accrued in the scant time they'd actually managed to sit at the table. That Ev was completely silent the entire time worried him more than a full breakdown might have.

Rather than leave his brother alone, Cooper brought Ev to his place and set the younger man up in his bedroom before he made camp on the couch. The last thing either one of them needed was to cross anymore lines, not when things were already so fragile.

*****

After Everett left the next morning still looking like a zombie but wanting nothing more than to be alone, Cooper threw himself into working on the play. He worked for four hours without stopping for anything and finally found himself actually smiling. The scene was perfect. It had seemed wrong to him before, off somehow, but now it was perfect. Without even thinking, Cooper grabbed his phone and selected Cameron from his contact list. "Cameron? It's Cooper Anderson. I've been working on some rewrites. Nothing drastic, but... well, I more casting tonight, then we start with rehearsals tomorrow and... would you like to meet up? Work through it so you're up to speed? You could come over here - to my place that is. If that's okay." The offer being at all inappropriate was lost on Cooper in his enthusiasm to show Cameron the reworked scene and hear him speak the words.

Cameron thrilled over hearing Cooper's voice on the other end of the phone. It made him flustered to think someone could have the power to get to him so easily. But Cooper Anderson was unlike any man he'd ever met before. Of course Cam hadn't seriously dated anyone for quite some time, which could also have something to do with it. Now this painfully gorgeous, insanely talented man was not only interested in him, but also inviting him over... even if it only meant running lines. With his eidetic memory he knew the play from back to front, and learning the new pages would take no effort at all. "I'd love to," he enthused, hoping he didn't sound too desperate to share Cooper's company again. "I'm actually free right now, if it's a good time for you?"

For the first time since the night before, Cooper found himself fairly beaming. "Yes! Yes, that would be perfect." He rattled off his address. "I'll pay for the cab or whatever, I just can't wait to show you." He glanced up at the clock, already mentally calculating how long it might take for Cameron to arrive on his doorstep and thrilling at the realization that if traffic behaved, it wouldn't take long. "Head on over and I'll make sure we have a fresh pot of coffee when you get here." Cooper couldn't stop smiling as he put the phone down and made a quick sweep of the apartment. He stashed the bedding from the couch back in the bedroom and started some coffee while he waited anxiously for a knock at the door.

Cameron, having only been dressed in a T-shirt and sweats--which would have scandalized his twin brother, Kurt--showered and changed, then grabbed his script and notebook before heading out. In all of the productions he'd taken part in, he'd never known someone to take as much interest as Cooper did. The play was personal and clearly a labor of love for the older man. And Cameron hoped he could instil every ounce of love and respect into the role that Cooper had written. He more actually more nervous about the meeting than he cared to admit. Being in Cooper's presence was nothing short of exhilarating, and worried that he might become too distracted to perform the play with any justice.

Stepping out of the cab when it stopped in front of the apartment complex, Cam took a calming breath to steady his nerves. His heart fluttered as he entered the building. It wasn't long before the elevator door chimed open onto Cooper's floor, and Cam hoped he didn't look quite as nervous as he felt. //Okay, Hummel. Get it together.// The little pep talk helped as he reached out and knocked softly on the door.

Cooper opened the door almost immediately only to realize that it probably looked a little desperate waiting around for Cameron to arrive. He blushed and offered the younger man a sheepish smile as he held the door wide. "Come on in. Sorry. I promise I'm not always this much of an eager puppy. I leave that to my brother." The words brought a sudden lump to his throat, and Cooper closed the door carefully behind Cameron. Not a moment later, he was shoving a stack of loose paper into Cam's hands. "I think you'll like it. I hope you'll like it. I... if it isn't asking too much, I'd love to do a read through. After you, y'know, get a chance to read it read it. Coffee?"

No one had any right to look that adorable and sexy at the same time. Cameron could feel himself warming, and by the lovely flush coloring Cooper's handsome features, he was relieved to find that he wasn't the only one feeling flustered. "Yes, thank you," he replied, a little out of breath. "Your apartment is lovely." Tearing his eyes away from Cooper--which, as it turned out, was quite a feat in itself--he drank in the furnishings and decor. It suited Cooper's personality, being warm and inviting with style and sophistication. As Cameron ticked his attention back to the older man, Cooper was disappearing into the kitchen and affording him a luxurious view of his backside. His heart somersaulting inside his chest, he vaguely wondered if Cooper's pants had been spray painted on. They left very little to the imagination, and Cameron was grateful he had the new script pages to distract him.

"I put cinnamon and hot cocoa in it," Cooper explained as he set the coffee cups down. "Cheater Mexican mocha." He forced himself to fall silent again as Cameron's eyes moved over the pages in front of him. He wanted Cameron to be able to focus. Soon enough Cooper was so absorbed in staring that he forgot to worry about Cameron's reaction to the words. He simply drank in the sight of those bright eyes scanning the page and the firm line of Cameron's lips as he focused with intensity that might've been funny if it hadn't been equally flattering.

"This is wonderful," Cameron gushed, looking up to find Cooper gazing at him. His heart thudded and lurched against his ribs, and he felt another rush of heat as he realized how close he and the other man were. "I..." he faltered, glancing back down at the new script pages. "I've never had a kissing scene on stage before." It seemed like such a ridiculous confession, especially when coupled with a shy, boyish grin. "You really have a gift," he went on, focusing his attention on Cooper's play. The words were powerful and heartfelt, and Cam could not remember the last time he'd read anything so touching.

"Thank you," Cooper answered earnestly, trying to ignore the way his heart leapt at Cameron's easy smile. "I understand if you're not comfortable with doing a reading given the content, but... well, I'd love to hear it. Putting the words on a page is one thing, but hearing them spoken is what it's all about." He picked up another stack from the table, his own copy of the new scene, and waved it in the air. "I'd like to do a full run through, but I don't want you to be uncomfortable or feel awkward, either. Hearing you perform any of this would make me happy, so just say the word if you'd like to stop, okay?"

"Okay," Cameron agreed, his eyes dancing with ardent vivacity. It hit home that he and Cooper were about to read a scene together. And, not just any scene, but a honest-to-goodness love scene. But Cooper was sweet and accommodating, putting no demands on him whatsoever. It only served to endear the other man to him that much more. "Now don't hold back..." Cameron paused, blushing hotter than before. "I mean, please... be honest about my reading." Never having felt so nervous in his life, he calmed himself and started to perform. The new lines, already imprinted on his brain, spilled from his lips with deep sincerity.

"I've never felt anything like this before. Everyone keeps telling me it's wrong. But, how can that be true? Nothing's ever felt so right before."

Then came the moment of truth. Cooper had a line before the kiss, and Cameron's pulse quickened as he wondered if they would both stay in character and see it through.

"It isn't wrong," Cooper answered, knowing the words without even looking down at the sheet. He had gutted the whole scene and reworked it not an hour before, and the works were still rattling around in his head. He set the pages aside and leaned in closer to Cameron. It took an effort to remind himself that he was playing a part, that he was looking at those soft pink lips because his character would do that. "There's nothing wrong with falling in love." Cooper paused, allowing a beat to pass where his eyes locked with Cameron's before he leaned in and sealed their lips together. The kiss was soft at first, almost shy - a hesitant, beautiful first kiss. //For the characters,// he reminded himself. The effort was fruitless because Cameron tasted faintly of the sweet, spicy coffee and Cooper couldn't resist licking at the seam of his lips to steal away more of the flavor of the man beneath.

Achingly tender and fabulously sweet, the kiss was everything Cameron dreamed it would be... and more. Cooper's lips were uncommonly soft and warm, luscious and delectable, melding against his own with such perfection that a ragged whimper escaped Cameron. His pulse roared in his ears, while one trembling hand released its hold on the script pages, moving up and disappearing into Cooper's hair. He trembled with desire as he felt the slick slide of the other man's tongue on his mouth. And Cam parted his lips instinctively, welcoming Cooper inside.

He didn't intend to accept the invitation, not consciously, but the moment Cameron's lips parted, Cooper met the silent plea with enthusiasm. His hands fell to Cameron's waist, pulling him in closer as they kissed with unreserved passion. Common sense crept in slowly. It was slowed by how good the kiss felt and how right it seemed to have Cameron clutched against his chest. //This is not part of being professional,// Cooper reminded himself harshly before pulling away. He couldn't help but such in a breath at the sight of Cameron's kiss-swollen lips and the dazed look on his face. "Perfect," Cooper breathed only to amend hurriedly as he scooted back, "the scene was... it's perfect."

Dazed and trembling from the intensity of the feverish kiss, the script pages fluttered from his hand and scattered on the floor. "Perfect," Cameron agreed, his lips still tingling, his heart racing, and his skin flushed. Having never experienced anything quite like being kissed by Cooper Anderson before, it took him what felt like several minutes to regain his short-wired senses. Then, he retrieved the pages in a flustered scramble. "H-Have you found my co-star yet?" Cam wondered aloud with a stammer. He found it a shame that Cooper hadn't cast himself in that role. And not just because it meant having the opportunity to feel those wonderful lips pressed against his on a weekly basis.

The question brought the smile back to Cooper's face and seemed to ease its way through the last of the tension. "Yes. There was a guy this morning... and, okay, he's a little much out of character, but on stage... he's amazing. His voice alone makes him worth the trouble," Cooper assured earnestly. "You'll get to meet him first thing tomorrow. I think you're gonna be pleased. I hope. I really... I want you to be happy with all this. I want you to be as thrilled with all of it as I am. I'm selfish like that. I kind of need everybody to be happy. It's the one trait I think I got from my parents, actually."

Cameron did not think it was possible, but Cooper's enthusiasm made even more attractive. "That's very sweet," he complimented, mirroring infectious Cooper's smile. "And something I can definitely understand." Reaching out, he brushed his hand over the older man's, adding softly, "You don't have anything to worry about. I love the play, and I'm couldn't be more proud and excited to be a part of it." Trying very hard not to dwell on the electrifying kiss and what it might mean, Cam took another sip of coffee. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning." What would his co-star be like? Already the possibilities were ticking over in his head. And Cam hoped that they would have half the chemistry he and Cooper shared.

Cooper's smile broadened at the words. "Me too. I just... I think you'll click." He'd agonized over who might be the right fit. Whoever he paired with Cameron had to be magnetic enough to be a match for the young man and yet not overwhelming. As it turned out, he'd found someone who shone on stage and happened to be kind of an ass offstage. Cooper hadn't planned it that way, but part of him was happy to think that Cameron and his new costar weren't likely to start a torrid affair anytime soon. Though he'd certainly meant what he said about Cam having fun and enjoying his youth and soon-to-be fame, Cooper couldn't help hoping that at the end of the show's run, they'd still have a shot at that date. "I think it's going to be a perfect fit, actually. I can see it all," he tapped the side of his head, "up here already."

Cameron laughed softly, "Well, I think being inside of your head would be a wonderful place to be." It hadn't meant to sound quite as flirtatious as that. After all, he was long out of practice in that area. "You have all of these amazing ideas, and you're able to translate them onto the page with ease. I actually makes me a little jealous. I tried my hand at writing back in high school, but I never did get very far." If Broadway hadn't worked out, then Cam had seriously considered pursuing a career in journalism. Lucky for him, however, one role had led to another. And he was so close to fulfilling his dream. "You have no idea how thankful I am to have this experience, Cooper."

"You deserve it. Honestly, you've earned it. You've worked hard - and don't tell me that I don't know that. I can see it when I watch you read those lines or saw you sing on stage. You've got a special gift with your voice, yes, but a lot of people are blessed with a lot of talent and they don't have the balls to do anything with it." Cooper found those who squandered their god given talent frustrating to say the least. So many people wound up waiting tables and folding shirts when they should have been singing or dancing or designing clothing. The world needed practical workers, but there were plenty of workhorses for that so far as Cooper was concerned. What the world always lacked was real talent and passion. "I expect you first thing in the morning because, in case you haven't noticed, I'm keyed up about all this. If you don't show, I will be at your place, pounding on your door, possibly throwing pebbles at your window or holding a boombox blasting Peter Gabriel or something. Let's save me the embarrassment."

Cameron had no doubt in his mind that Cooper would do exactly that. The image brought a smile to his face, and he cheekily replied, "Well, I might be a little tempted to be late if it meant you serenading me." Another warm flush colored his features. It seemed that flirting with Cooper was becoming a habit, and a deceptively easy one to get addicted to. He bit his bottom lip, which continued to tingle from the kiss. If nothing else ever happened between them, that one blissful moment would remain with Cameron forever. "If I need to be at the theatre bright and early, then I guess I'd better go," he decided with a barely concealed hint of reluctance. Cam hated the idea of ending the evening so soon, because he was enjoying Cooper's company far too much. But them, he thought, it was probably for the best. Cooper presented a major distraction, and he wasn't sure he could afford that when he wanted to put his all into the play.

The revelation seemed to deflate Cooper slightly too. "Yeah, guess so... but, hey," he decided, brightening, "we'll be seeing each other in another few hours. You'll hardly have time to miss me." Cooper saw the younger man out and resisted with an effort the urge to kiss him again. They'd just had a meeting, not a date, and he needed to be careful about crossing anymore lines than he already had. "Sleep tight." He couldn't resist watching Cameron walk away and sighed as the door closed again. More and more, Cooper couldn't quite decide if he was hoping his play ran forever or petered out after a few weeks.

*****

Being alone had been too much, and Everett was just stepping into Cooper's hall from the stairwell when he spotted a familiar figure exiting the door. His blood ran cold, and for a minute Ev was sure that he was just hallucinating. There was no mistaking it when the slight, lovely young man turned his way for a fraction of a second. Ev ducked back out of sight but couldn't help staring. He couldn't for the life of him imagine why Finn's boyfriend was leaving his brother's apartment, but he felt sick all over again. Disheartened and feeling more alone than ever, Ev turned and rushed for the stairs. After everything, being alone was a lot better than finding out the truth.