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Talking to his wife generally made Cooper feel better, and this instance proved no exception.  He sat in the car; head pressed against the steering wheel, listening to his wife after explaining in excruciating detail what hed just witnessed.  Jessi firmly agreed with Cooper that waiting until he had a valid excuse to discuss this with Hummel was the right move. He closed his eyes, just listening to her voice in his ear.  It was warm and comforting, reassuring him that hed done the right thing.  Once he felt calm enough to drive, Cooper pulled away quickly without looking back.

Every hour that Cooper didnt have his brother safe with him was an ever-increasing weight upon his chest.  He barely slept at night, and when he did, a 10-foot, monstrous caricature of Kurt Hummel tormented his little brother while Cooper stood by, helpless to intercede.

Cooper was heartily relieved when he got a call from a Hummel Designs receptionist just a few days later, asking if he could come in some time for a few more measurements and color compatibility checks.  He jumped at the opportunity.  Cancelling anything he had planned for the day, Cooper drove over to the main office.

He was constantly playing out scenarios in his head during the brief drive. What should he do if he saw Blaine? He couldnt just drag him out of there; that would be theft.  What if Blaine saw him and did something to get punished?   God, Cooper couldnt handle being responsible for his brother being beaten.  What if Blaine was there but didnt recognize him?   Maybe hed been abused so badly there was nothing left of him?  Maybe his brother was there, but Hummel wasnt willing to sell? What if, what if, what if...

Taking a deep breath, Cooper made his way to the front desk. A different young lady was working today then one hed met on his initial visit.  "Cooper Anderson? Oh my gosh, Ive seen so many of your movies!"  She must be new.   Hummel Designs had much bigger names then his walking in the front door, and this type of staff was typically taught not to gush.  But he didnt know if the girl might prove helpful so turned on the charm. He flirted pleasantly until she got the call to escort him to a fitting room.

As they walked, Cooper took in the elegantly framed posters lining the walls of the long hallway.  Each depicted beautiful people posing in Hummel outfits.  He saw a pair of lovely blondes in a wide easy chair; the big man reclined in calculated ease, legs draped over one chair arm while the young lady perched elegantly on the other.  Her beautiful, alert eyes and Mona Lisa smile gave the impression she knew a secret, and had no intention of sharing. Or maybe Cooper was just projecting.

In the next photo, a tiny brunette with long, dark curls stood at the end of a catwalk striking a dynamic pose, her eyes gleaming in the bright lights as the crowd below was frozen in wild adoration.

He saw the same girl a few pictures over in a gorgeous dress, posed to emphasize the simple but elegant ring on her finger.  A large man in a jacket-less suit stood over her, beaming proudly.  He held a sign in one hand with simple lettering that read, "She said yes." Cooper hadnt realized that Hummel did wedding clothes. He was so glad that he hadnt given that asshole any money to do his.

Cooper continued to look curiously before freezing at the next one.  The poster featured a dark, curly haired man with bright golden eyes, casually reclining against a baby grand piano, smiling warmly.  He leaned back, elbows and forearms resting on the instrument. His sleeves were rolled up to show off toned biceps. The eggplant colored shirt he wore was tight enough to suggest firm abs beneath the fabric and it was partially unbuttoned, exposing a leather collar at the open throat with the KH symbol perfectly centered. The shirt was tucked into a pair of immaculately tailored slacks, showing off the models trim waist. His legs were stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles. Cooper had never seen his little brother looking so good.

In the next poster, a gorgeous Latina smiled arrogantly, her eyes flashing with amusement.  She wore an old school, 50s pink and white poodle skirt, with a low cut, distressed, black and white striped retro top.  Something clearly had her on the verge of laughter. She had one arm popped against her hip.  The other arm was gripping the man kneeling at her feet.  Blaine again.  She had two fingers wrapped through the D-ring of his brothers collar, tugging him to a high kneel against her side, his fingers clutching at the frilly skirt. He was shirtless this time, as well as barefoot, clad only in a pair of high quality jeans. And yes, that had definitely been muscle under the shirt in the last image. He could give Cooper a run for his money for tone and definition.

Cooper would have been infuriated by the humiliating pose if it hadnt been for the look in his brothers eyes. Blaines expression was just as close to laughter as the girl above him. He grinned with wry amusement, eyes sparkling with resigned affection as he stared up at her.  Both models wore identical collars with KH blatantly visible at the center.

There were more pictures further down the hall, but his escort turned away before Cooper got a chance to see the rest.  He decided that hed ask for a tour later.  He was shown to a private room, and a designer who wasnt Kurt Hummel greeted him and began handing him a selection of colored shirts.  Cooper was slipping on an indigo tee when a polite knock at the door signaled the lead designers arrival.

"Hello, Cooper, its great to see you again. Thanks so much for coming in," Kurt greeted warmly. The woman whod been working with Cooper quietly slipped out the door with a murmured, "thanks, Tracy" from Hummel.  Kurt paused, taking a good look at Cooper. "That color is perfect for you. Do you like it?"

Cooper used every scrap of compartmentalization that he was capable of spending the next hour being Cooper Anderson-upcoming actor, and not Cooper Anderson- pissed-off, worried brother.  Finally, they were done.   He hadnt found a way to bring up Blaine, or slaves at all; but he hadnt given in and beaten the crap out of Hummel either, so he figured that it evened out.  Cooper was pulling his own shirt over his head as Kurt packed up his notes.

"So, Kurt.  Do you mind if I take a quick tour of your studio? I couldnt help but see the posters and I was intrigued."

"The Hall O Glamour Shots?"  Kurt laughed.  "Absolutely, go ahead.  Those are some of the models Ive worked with closely, past and present. I let them pick what images they wanted to have framed when I opened this office two years ago.  Apparently, they conspired against me and instead of making selections from the perfect, professional shots I gave them, they chose to create their own poses.  But I think it turned out well enough.  And it cheers me up on a bad day to see all my friends like that."

If Kurt wasnt the horrible person fucking his poor baby brother, Cooper would definitely like him. Coopers head disappeared briefly as he pulled his shirt down when a soft knock sounded at the door followed by someone entering.

"Mr. Hummel, sorry to bother you. I just have a quick question..." Blaines unmistakable voice sounded at the door as he closed it softly behind him.  Cooper quickly pulled the shirt the rest of the way down and turned his body to hide his face.  He was frantically trying to figure out the best move here.  That plan lasted right up until he saw his brothers arm.  Blaine wore a fresh bandage from wrist to elbow that hadnt been there on his last visit.  What the hell had Hummel done to him?

Kurt reached out as he spoke with the slave, casually resting a hand on Blaines arm.  And that was the exact point when Coopers control finally broke.

Seeing red, Cooper lunged toward the designer. "Son of a bitch, get the hell away from him!"  Cooper grabbed Hummel, swinging him away as hard as he could from his brother before slamming a roundhouse into Kurts stomach with as much force as he could put behind the punch.  Kurt didnt fight back, looking absolutely stunned at the unexpected attack as he bent double, fighting for breath.

When Cooper pulled back to hit him again, a hand caught his wrist, twisting his punching arm sharply behind his back. A partial leg swipe knocked him off balance and Cooper folded over to stay upright. He felt an arm go around his neck in a firm but non-constricting throat hold. The angle his arm was bent at behind his back was sharp enough that any movement on his part risked dislocation.

"Im sorry, Sir, but Ill have to ask you to stop immediately."  Blaines voice in his ear was firm and dead-serious, completely in control.  As soon as Cooper sagged in the restraining hold, all the fight draining out of him, Blaine let go and darted over to where Kurt was curled on the ground, clutching his stomach and attempting to breathe with the wind knocked out of him.

Coopers brother slid to his knees next his owner, taking the man in his arms protectively.

"Kurt? Baby? Are you okay, love? Should I call an ambulance?"  Blaine hiked up Kurts shirt, gently palpating around the forming bruise.

"Ow, Owie! Im fine, Blaine.  No ambulance, just please stop prodding that," Kurt protested in a breathless voice, ineffectively trying to bat Blaines hands off him.

"Stop that," Blaine ordered when Kurt shakily tried to stand up.  "Just sit there for a minute and catch your breath."  He kept one arm protectively over the designers shoulders, curling him gently against his body.

Kurt managed a weak laugh as his breath gradually returned. "I...I guess Kitten is good for something, after all," he wheezed.  "Those were some serious moves.  Is it weird that Im totally turned on by you right now?"

Blaine laughed, sounding relieved.  "Well, its not as if I train with her three times a week just to spend more time in her shiny company," her replied lightly. He leaned forward to place a quick peck on Kurts lips.  "And no, thats never a bad thing."

Kurt huffed.  "If I recall, you are the one who invited that damn cat to come stay with us.  I warned you about feeding strays."

Blaine shrugged. "I wanted a running buddy and Santana and I both like the in-house karate lessons." 

"When Santana is actually at home and not shacking up with Dani, you mean.  Im just counting the days until Satan decides she wants me to sell her over."

"Whats your asking price?"  Blaine asked in good humor.

"Have you even met Santana? Ill happily pay Dani to take her," Kurt declared stoutly.

Blaine grinned. "You know shes youre favorite model after Rachel." 

"Favorite female model, anyway."  Kurt traced a finger suggestively along Blaines arm and the slave nuzzled briefly into his neck in response.

"Just what the hell is going on?"  Cooper had been staring the whole time, taking in the two men on the ground making goo-goo eyes at each other, looking every bit like a couple in love.

Twin glares landed on him at his outburst. Then Blaines eyes widened in recognition and disbelief.  "Cooper?" he whispered.

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