Blaine stared in absolute shock at the phantom in front of him.  His first instinct was to run away. There was just no way that he could handle this. Not now. Maybe not ever. He squashed that impulse, burying the first hints of an impending panic attack. What the hell was his brother doing here? Blaine had let go of his past long ago. To all intents and purposes his life began the day he was dropped off at the training center.

And now, when against all odd hed finally found peace and impossibly enough, love, that long buried past appears out of nowhere to smack him in the face. Or more literally, punch his boyfriend in the stomach. Blaine slowly rose to his feet, helping Kurt up along with him. Kurt was looking between him and Cooper in confusion, clearly registering that there was something up, if not what. Blaine clutched his boyfriends hand in what was no doubt a painfully tight grip, but Kurt didnt object.

"What...what are you doing here, Cooper?"  Blaine had to swallow several times, but managed to get the words out calmly enough.  The years had been kind to his brother. The faint signs of his age were only beginning to set in; his hairline was just hinting at receding, and faint creases outlined what Blaine recalled to be a perfectly smooth, youthful face. But he was still on the 11 side of beautiful. It was his eyes that showed real evidence of change. Their intent, relentless blue showed none of the goofy spark that had ever been Coopers trademark expression.

"I came here looking for you, Squirt.  Ive been looking for the last 7 years," Cooper answered softly.

Blaine simply stared, trying to absorb what his brother had just told him.  What was he supposed to do with that? Blaine took a deep breath; he just needed to maintain some distance, emotional and physical and figure this out.

A part of Blaine, the angry, bitter, jaded little piece was tempted to just let go and wail on this physical manifestation of his destroyed life.  He certainly had the skill for it.  But Coopers simple words ricocheted through his skull, burning away his resolve.  And just like that, how, and why, and what the hell, suddenly seemed completely unimportant. The lost fifteen year old in Blaine just wanted his big brother.

He didnt even consciously think about it.  Two quick steps and Blaine found himself wrapped in his Coopers welcoming arms. Blaine couldnt help himself. His brother had missed him; hed been looking for him. Cooper hadnt abandoned him.

Cooper gratefully hugged him with all his strength; he couldnt believe that after all his searching, he had him. Finally, Finally. Thank God.  He didnt care that he was crying; the rapid soaking of his shirt told him Blaine was as well.  "Ive got you, Ive got you, Blaine.  Youre safe now."

Blaine finally came back to himself and pulled away, smiling softly when he felt Coopers obvious reluctance to let go.  "That you even tried looking for me means more than I think youll ever understand."  Blaine glanced behind him briefly to where his very confused boyfriend looked on.  "But I am safe. I have been for a long time."  Blaine turned back and wrapped an arm around Kurts waist.

"Cooper, this is my boyfriend, owner, and the love of my life, Kurt Hummel. Kurt, this is Cooper Anderson, my older brother." 

*******************
The senior Anderson brother wandered down the Hall O Glamour Shots while he waited for Blaine to join him.  Kurt was arranging to have his day cleared and then he, Blaine, and Cooper were all going to their house.  Cooper noticed that it was Blaine who had done the inviting, without asking Kurts permission first, and hed called it home.

To suggest that he was confused was an understatement.  Cooper simply couldnt wrap his head around the notion that the man hed been demonizing since hed first heard his name; that had said and done those awful things hed witnessed, could be the same person his brother described.  There had to be more too it; like some kind of twisted Stockholms.

Logically, he had to admit that was unlikely. There was simply no need for Kurt to bother. He owned Blaine; anything Kurt wanted he could have with a command.  Psychological games were completely unnecessary.  And much as he tried, Cooper couldnt dismiss what hed just seen. Cooper knew love when he saw it; he and Jessi looked at each other the same way.

Maybe this Hummel really could be a good guy. Coopers initial instinct had been to like the man. He hadnt so much as raised a hand when Cooper lost it on him.  No, that had been Blaine; whod clearly possessed the ability to physically protect himself and his owner.  Why would Kurt even give Blaine access to those types of lessons? Cooper wasnt even sure if it was strictly legal to teach slaves to fight.  Cooper decided hed treat the situation like this was actually real. At least until he had some answers.

Kurt had accepted Coopers apology for hitting him with a casual wave.  Hed taken worse blows being tossed into dumpsters; he shared dismissively. The sad look on Blaines face told him Kurt was being literal.

The couple readily addressed Coopers most immediate concerns right then.  Blaine explained that the arm injury that had been Coopers proverbial last straw actually came from a kitten.  Cooper suggested that maybe they should get the thing declawed if it caused damage like that; which for some reason made Kurt crack up.

That discussion was followed by a serious blush session while Cooper explained what hed heard in Kurts office during his first visit.  Blaine had assured Cooper that, despite how it had appeared, he and Kurt had a healthy relationship firmly based on mutual respect.  Cooper was seriously concerned about his brothers ability to consent to that type of sex, or any sex really, but the way Blaines cheeks warmed and how hed hidden his face in Kurts shoulder during the discussion relieved some of his concerns.

Kurt had teased Blaine about finally being the one to blush about sex for the first time ever, and Blaine dared Kurt to even mention the word sex around his own brother. Who apparently sometimes lived at their house, with or without his fiancè, as well as the Satan girl dating Kurts receptionist.  And the baby cat.  Cooper was more then a little intrigued to see this place.

Cooper looked more closely at the images of his brother on the wall, seeing the same relaxed, confident, and happy look present in every shot. The more he looked though, the more he sensed something was...off. It wasnt something a younger, less jaded Cooper would have noticed.  Then he saw it; the shadow behind the sun in those lovely eyes; like theyd seen something horrible, something they could never un-see. Blaine had the eyes of a survivor.

Cooper walked further down to a new picture.  This one featured two men, both resplendent in tuxes.  Kurt beamed at the camera with a sweet smile on his face, looking for all the world like a debonair cupid.  He was also inexplicably wearing a tiara. Blaine pressed up against his side, eyes closed, pressing a kiss to the designers rosy cheek.  Cooper could tell from the fabrics neckline that his brother wasnt wearing his collar in this shot.

"Thats from Prom," a soft voice said behind him. Cooper jumped and spun around, seeing his brother fight not to laugh.

"Bit jumpy, arent ya Coop? Dont worry; Ive got your back."  Blaine grinned.  He reached up to tap the image.  "Kurt and I were talking one day. I was sold before I had the chance to attend a school dance, and he went to junior prom, but skipped senior. Hed been beaten up just before then and didnt want to show up with raccoon eyes."

Cooper nodded, noticing Blaine was perfectly comfortable with talking about being sold. Much more so than Cooper was with hearing the word.  Talking about it just reinforced that this was real, it had really happened. The sweet boy in Coopers memory who ran about the house in a cape and mask singing Phantom of the Opera really was gone.  Cooper decided it was high time that he get to know this new Blaine; he had a feeling hed like him.

"Thats some serious muscle, youre sporting," he commented.

Blaine smiled easily.  "Im a professional model, Cooper. Keeping my body looking attractive is pretty much my job." 

"Lucky for Kurt."

"Hes very appreciative of my efforts." 

Cooper decided now was not the time to ask how Blaine tolerated sex given his history.  Hed talk to him about it later, in private. "Have you met any of Kurts family?"  Cooper asked instead.

"I have, actually. Burt, hes Kurts father, and his stepmother Carol stay with us for most holidays.  Burt said that since both his sons live around here, he might as well come this way. And a free stay at L.A. is never a bad idea.  Carole just likes the excuse to go shopping with Kurt." 

"Is everything...okay between you and them? I mean they probably didnt really expect..."

"Their son to fall in love with his slave?"  Blaine asked in amusement. "Im sure they didnt. But they accepted me without reservation.  Theyre really good people."

"Kurts dad is really okay with having a slave as his, too all intents and purposes, son-in-law?"  Cooper pressed.

"Burt loves me," Blaine replied honestly.  "I met him during our first thanksgiving together.  This giant guy walks in the front door and out of the blue a thwacks Kurt in the shoulder twice with his baseball cap.  He said the first one was for buying a slave; the second was for getting into a serious relationship without letting him meet his boyfriend.  Then he told me that if I had a clue about what a field goal is, wed get along just fine." 

It had been more that that, of course. Blaine had been trying hard not to be afraid during Burts stay.  Anyone whod raised Kurt to be the amazing person he is couldnt be bad.  But hed still been nervous.   And while Blaine never admitted it out loud, Burt had been about the right age and physique to be any one of the closet-cases that had severely used him in the past.  That comparison faded quickly as he got to know the man. Burt really was awesome, and it was startling how much the man figured out about what Blaine was going through. It was a little disquieting.

Right before the senior Hummel left after that first holiday, Burt had pulled Blaine aside for a chat. Hed told Blaine that he was welcome to stay with him and Carole at any time. If Kurt was busy, or Blaine just wanted a change of scenery, theyd be happy fly up and get him, or have Finn play escort. Burt could always use the help at the shop, hed told him.

It had taken Blaine some thought to really appreciate what that offer represented.  If Kurt and Blaine fought, which did happen on occasion, Blaine literally had nowhere else he could go. He hadnt even realized that was a pressure on him until it was gone.

He and Kurt had fought less after that.  And when they did, the general tone was different. Blaines behaviour during arguments had been based more on fear than he realized.  He seldom initiated a fight but once the couple started going at it he tended to come on strong and defensive: instinctively trying to avoid being backed into a corner.  Just knowing he had somewhere he could retreat to really helped.

That had been one of the many ways Burt had been there for Blaine.  More that once, the slave had called him for fatherly advice, or to complain about his sons latest audacity.  Burt offered sound advice, and had some seriously valuable insight for handling his son.  Blaines favorite had been when Burt seriously told him to go to Kurt and tell him in his exact words that he was being a a self-involved ass and needed to take a step back.  Strangely enough, it had worked and Kurt had mellowed out considerably.

"Anyway, back to Prom," Blaine refocused his thoughts to the present.  "Kurt got it into his head that if wed been in school at the same time wed have gone to Prom together.  So he hosted a big party and called it The Anti-Prom.  Im actually friends with several of his old high school buddies so I had a blast. Right up until this bullish wanna-be security guard picked me up and dumped me into the pool."  And Puck and spent two months in charge of pool cleaning to pay for Blaines ruined clothes.

Blaine grinned at the memory.  It had been one of the best nights of his life.  Second, of course, to his first fashion show, when Blaine had landed himself the hottest, most desirable, sexiest guy at the event. Kurt had blushed when Blaine had said that to him as they danced.  Blaine loved making Kurt blush.

"Whats with the tiara?"  Cooper asked, pointing his thumb at the odd accessory.

"Hmmm? Oh.  Like I said, Kurt went to Junior Prom. The kids decided it would be a fun idea to write him in for prom queen. And hed gone wearing a kilt.  The icing to that was that the first song for the crowned couple was Dancing Queen."

Cooper whistled.  "So he was wearing a kilt, and a tiara, presumably about to dance with a boy, to Dancing Queen.  Hes sure had his own share of shit, hasnt he?"

Blaine nodded, eyes shining as he stared at the poster across from them.  "Hes the bravest person I know."

Cooper laughed.  "Wow, you have it bad, Squirt.  I only hope he loves you as much as you clearly love him" 
"He really does."  Blaine smiled at his brother, knowing to his bones that it was true.

Cooper watched his brother in cautious relief; every smile and laugh took years of stress off Coopers life.  He wasnt quite ready to believe that everything was as good as it seemed. But no matter what, Blaine was at least in a decent place. And now he had Cooper on his side.

"Hey, guys. Ready to go?"  Kurt chirped, joining them.

************************

Cooper stopped and stared at the gigantic, water-filled monstrosity taking up the majority of Kurt and Blaines backyard.  "Now, thats a pool."  

They were currently in the back while Kurt was inside the house, ordering food for everyone.  It was obvious that he was trying to give the brothers some space, but no one commented on it.

Blaine blinked. "Uhmm, yes. Yes it is. Gold star for Cooper?"  

"Its a giant private pool, behind a giant privacy fence, and it has a water slide."

Blaine nodded, still confused.  "It has one of those mini waterfall things on the other side, too.  This is L.A., pools really arent that unusual."

Cooper pulled out his phone and hit autodial.  "Blaine, be a dear and ask that boyfriend of yours double the food order," he commented as the phone rang.

The phone picked up and Cooper started talking before Blaine could respond.  "Hey baby, wanna go to a pool party? Yeah, right now. Yes, everyone. Im texting you the address.  Bring any and all wine in the fridge will you? Thanks, love you."  He set his phone down on one of the poolside tables before toeing off his shoe and dipping a foot in crystal blue water experimentally.

"Cooper, what are you doing?"  Blaine asked warily.

"Planning a pool party."

"Right now?" Blaine asked, annoyed.

His brother nodded gleefully. Cooper hadnt changed all that much, Blaine decided. And he could still drive him crazy within minutes.  A part of him was relieved that he hadnt completely cost his brother that spark of joy that made the actor so adorably charismatic.  Blaine knew Kurt wouldnt mind the impromptu gathering; he knew better than anyone the importance of family. But Cooper was just being obnoxious.

His brother lowered his sunglasses and eyed Blaine over the tops.  "Yes, indeed. No time like the present."  He laughed at Blaines scowl.  "Oh come on, little brother. Id like to think that you have at least a passing interest in meeting your twin niece and nephew, not to mention your gorgeous sister-in-law."  Cooper grinned,  "Youre not the only one who scored himself a hottie, you know."

Niece and nephew?  Blaine carefully set his phone aside before tackling his brother, hugging him tight as he deliberately sent them both careening into the pool fully clothed.

"Damn it, Blaine!"  Cooper sputtered after hed dragged himself to the surface and began treading water.  "Do you have any idea how much this outfit cost?!"

Blaine laughed as he hauled his soaked body up and out of the water.  "Oh, you dont need to worry about that, Coop. I know a guy."

************************