He literally had no idea what to say. All he could do was stare at his brother while Cooper stood there, flashing his patented charming smile.

Of all the ways Blaine had imagined coming out to his brother over the years, this was not the way he’d ever seen it going down. Of course, Cooper would have had to remember that he existed in the first place, so Blaine had pretty much considered it a moot point.

“Cooper Anderson,” Cooper said, stepping inside to shake Kurt’s hand. Blaine turned then and inhaled sharply.

“Kurt Hummel.” Kurt was staring at Cooper like he was the sun or something and Kurt himself was actually a wreck – hair mussed, lips swollen, and a red mark on the side of his jaw (when had Blaine done that?).

There was no way that they could have been doing anything other than making out. He could see that that fact had registered for Cooper when he glanced at Blaine. Blaine crossed his arms over his chest and glanced away reflexively.

“So, squirt,” Cooper began. “You wanna tell me what’s going on here?”

“How about we start with you?” Blaine practically snapped, anger in his voice. “What the hell are you doing here, Coop?”

“I’m here to see you!” Cooper exclaimed, pointing at Blaine. “And apparently your… boyfriend?” The last word held some uncertainty, as if he wasn’t sure.

“Husband,” Blaine whispered.

“What?” Cooper replied, glancing from him to Kurt and back.

“Husband,” Kurt repeated for him, moving to stand with Blaine and putting an arm around Blaine’s shoulder. Blaine felt himself relax just a smidge. “Blaine and I are married.”

“Well, I’ll be,” Cooper said after a moment, his tone flat. “This is great!” He rushed forward and wrapped his arm around Blaine, clapping him hard on the back.

Relief shot through Blaine and he kind of sagged against Cooper for a moment. “You’re not upset?” he asked softly.

“Upset?” Cooper pulled back. “Maybe that you didn’t ask me to the wedding – I’ve had an epic best man speech in my back pocket ever since I shot that champagne commercial and I was a member of the wedding party.” He grinned at Blaine and Blaine had no idea what to do or say next.

He wanted to be mad at his brother, at Cooper, who’d spent the last ten years ignoring Blaine while trying to make it big in Hollywood, but found it hard to reconcile that with the man before him, who was so excited to see Blaine married to another guy.

Blaine took a deep breath and stepped back from his brother.

“You might have had an invitation if I’d known how to reach you,” he muttered. “And don’t call me squirt,” Blaine added as an afterthought.

“Whatever you say, B,” Cooper agreed easily. He rubbed his hands together, smiling again. “So what do you say we go out and celebrate? The Anderson brothers take New York.”

Kurt looked at him hopefully. Blaine could feel his anger slipping away as he sighed.

“Sure,” he said, not even bothering to argue, ignoring the fact that Blaine had just given Kurt a wedding ring and they’d kissed, truly kissed, for the first time and they really should explore what that meant for them but Kurt looked so damn happy at the prospect of going out again that Blaine couldn’t say no. Kurt bounced excitedly and then pulled Blaine down the hall so they could change.

*

“Blaine,” Kurt breathed out as they went down the hallway. “Your brother is the most handsome man in America.”

Blaine flashed him a small grimace and then disappeared into his room. Kurt stared after him for a second and then went into his own bedroom. He grabbed an outfit from his closet, nearly gasping out loud as he caught sight of himself in the mirror. He looked thoroughly kissed.

So much had happened in the last ten minutes that Kurt couldn’t even begin to process it all. Blaine had given him a ring, an honest to goodness wedding ring, slipped it right on Kurt’s finger. It wasn’t even just any ring – it was a ring with an entire legend and meaning behind it. He stopped what he was doing and just looked down at his hand. Kurt traced the right with his right index finger, following along the design etched into the metal.

Between the ring, the kiss and Cooper Anderson standing in the living room, this was possibly the best night of Kurt’s life.

That thought spurred him into action, as he slipped into his change of clothes. He wasn’t really hungry since he and Blaine had just come from dinner, but he figured he could pick at something while Blaine and Cooper caught up.

He squealed quietly and went out to join his brother-in-law.

*

When Blaine came out of his room, he found Kurt and Cooper talking quietly. Something like jealousy flared up in his gut even though he tried to keep it pushed down. His annoyance with Cooper grew as he stared at them. Why had Cooper chosen now to suddenly pop back into his life? Where had he been with Blaine had had no one else and could have used an older brother? Why was Kurt staring at Cooper like he hung the moon?

“You ready to go, little brother?” Cooper asked, getting his attention. Kurt turned to look at him, worry in his eyes. Blaine wondered what his face must look like. He sighed again.

“We’ve already eaten,” Blaine muttered, suddenly having second thoughts.

“A drink, then,” Cooper insisted.

“Whatever.” Blaine gave in. “Fine.”

“Excellent!” Cooper exclaimed. “Where’s the best place to get a drink around here?”

They stumbled on an eighteen and up club advertising karaoke. Blaine had been resistant but Cooper wanted to try it and Kurt backed him up, so he agreed. It wasn’t bad, just a little small. He and Kurt had their hands stamped as they were underage and then went to go find a table.

Cooper found them after a few minutes, settled down near the stage where someone was butchering a Carrie Underwood song, drinks in hand.

“A Shirley Temple with extra cherries for Kurt and a non-alcoholic Long Island Iced Tea for Blaine.” Cooper handed off the drinks before sitting down next to Blaine, beer in hand.

They sat in awkward silence as the person on stage finished singing, the last note off pitch. Kurt and Blaine both winced but clapped politely.

“Why are you here, Coop?” Blaine asked. He really wanted to know the answer to that. He couldn’t fathom what could have possibly changed so much that Cooper figured out where he was and came to see him. “And how did you know where I was?”

Cooper’s face fell and it was the first time all night that he’d let his smile slip. “I stopped home.”

“So you talked to Mom and Dad,” Blaine guessed. Cooper nodded, taking a sip of his beer. “And I’m sure they gave you an earful.”

“They told me that you’d moved out and you were living with a friend,” Cooper replied. Blaine snorted. Of course they had. “So I did some digging and got them to admit you had plans of going to NYU, found you in the registry for the school, had my agent pull some strings and make some calls and here I am.”

Blaine didn’t know what to say. He felt Kurt take his hand under the table and squeeze it gently, the cool metal of his ring pressing into Blaine’s skin. A feeling of comfort washed through him and Blaine took a deep breath.

“You should know that I didn’t just move out, Coop,” Blaine told him. “Mom and Dad kicked me out and cut me off because I’m gay.”

Cooper stared at him for a long moment and then shook his head. Awkward silence fell and Blaine found himself extremely captivated by the wood grain table top.

“Blaine, I didn’t know,” Cooper began.

“Of course you didn’t,” Blaine agreed, trying not to snap. “Because that means the Great Cooper Anderson would have to acknowledge that someone other than himself exists.”

“Blaine,” Cooper started to say.

“Forget it, Coop,” Blaine interrupted. “It’s done, I’m on my own now and I’m fine.”
He could feel Kurt’s worried eyes on him. Blaine squeezed his hand, letting Kurt know he was okay.

“Who’s up for karaoke?” Cooper finally broke the silence, uncomfortable now. “Kurt?”

“Oh, no, I’m woefully underprepared,” Kurt refused.

“Blaine?” Cooper offered. “We should sing something.” He winked at Kurt who flushed. “We were kind of known around the neighborhood for our dueling Simon LeBon impressions.”

“I don’t think so, Coop,” Blaine tried to refuse.

“Come on, Blainey,” Cooper cajoled. “It’ll be just like old times.”

“Blaine, you have too,” Kurt gushed. “You’re both so handsome and good.”

Blaine sighed, taking in the hopeful look on Kurt’s face.

“Fine,” he agreed.

“Yes!” Cooper exclaimed, tugging Blaine out of his chair and toward the stage. Blaine paused a moment, unbuttoning his cardigan and handing it back to Kurt. “Ooh, the cardigan’s coming off!” Cooper teased.

Blaine blushed and glanced at Kurt who was holding the cardigan in his arms and giving him an embarrassed smile.

The song started and Blaine let himself slip into the music and the thrill of performing.

*

Of all the ways Kurt had seen this evening going, this was not anything he’d ever pictured. That he would be in a karaoke bar with Blaine and his older brother (a guy Kurt had had a celebrity crush on for at least a year, no less), was kind of mind blowing. Watching the brothers perform had been fun as they’d really gotten into it – dancing around and everything.

He’d blushed pretty hardcore when Cooper had come over to their table and sang while standing on the chair next to him.

Cooper had insisted he was better after the performance and Blaine, who’d been smiling, had suddenly frowned and become sullen and withdrawn. In fact, Kurt had noticed that’s how he’d been since Cooper had shown up earlier. He didn’t know what to think about it, but it was obvious Blaine had issues with his brother not being around a lot.

Currently, Cooper was telling him about him and Blaine as kids and the things they used to do together. Blaine was just nodding along, his arms crossed over his chest. To Kurt, it seemed like he was trying to disappear into himself. He laughed at Cooper’s joke and then heard Blaine sigh.

“Aww, cheer up, Blainers,” Cooper said, noticing too. “With some practice, I’m sure you’ll be as good as I am.”

“Why do you always have to criticize me?” Blaine snapped. He stood up suddenly. “Nothing I do is good enough for you, is it?” Blaine turned to Kurt and held out his hand. “Can we go?”

“Sure,” Kurt agreed, glancing at Cooper. Cooper nodded and Kurt let Blaine lead him out of the bar.

*

Blaine was cursing his stupidity the entire walk back to the apartment. He’d just walked away from Cooper, left his brother sitting there after being out of contact for almost ten years. He didn’t even know where Cooper was staying or if he had a place to stay – not that Blaine was entirely sure he’d wanted to speak to Cooper again. He’d forgotten how critical his brother could be. Constantly criticizing every little thing Blaine did while they were growing up – nothing had ever been good enough.

Even now, nothing was good enough. Kurt walked beside him, quiet. He wondered what his husband thought of the whole mess. They went into the building and up to the apartment without talking, heading for the bedroom and beginning the process of going to bed by an unspoken agreement.
Blaine wanted nothing more than to fall into bed and wrap himself around Kurt. He didn’t want to think, anymore.

He ducked into the bathroom and changed quickly before joining Kurt at his vanity. Kurt had been insisting all summer that Blaine start a moisturizing regime and he’d finally let Kurt talk him into it. They went through the various creams, still silent, before finally heading over to the bed and crawling under the sheets.

Blaine was surprised when Kurt turned to face him, instead of lying with his back to Blaine as usual. They locked eyes and Kurt gave him a shy smile.

“Are you okay?” he asked quietly.

Blaine shook his head, not really wanting to talk about it. “I just… I wasn’t expecting my brother to show up.”

“I gathered that,” Kurt replied. “When’s the last time you saw him?”

“Ten years ago,” Blaine answered softly. He was surprised to find it still hurt just as much as the day he’d realized Cooper was never coming back. Kurt’s eyes widened and sympathy filled his features.

“Oh,” he breathed out. “I’m so sorry.” Kurt reached out and stroke Blaine’s cheek lightly. Blaine felt his breath catch in his throat, suddenly very aware that he and Kurt were lying close together in bed.

He inhaled, steeling his courage. “Can I kiss you?” Blaine asked.

Kurt’s cheeks turned pink and his mouth fell open.

“Okay,” Kurt agreed. Blaine wasted no time clearing the distance between them, pressing his lips to Kurt. Everything else washed away in that moment and there was nothing else but them. Nothing mattered – not his parents, not Cooper.

Blaine needed more, craved more and deepened the kissed. His tongue begged for entrance against Kurt’s lips, which Kurt gave with a startled noise, followed by a throaty moan. That sound was a like shockwave through Blaine’s body, moving so that Kurt was rolled onto his back, Blaine draping himself on top of Kurt. He could feel Kurt’s fingernails digging in where they gripped his arms as Blaine moved his mouth away from Kurt’s, brushing his lips against the skin of Kurt’s neck and making him shiver.

“Blaine,” Kurt uttered, his voice low and deep. “Blaine, wait.”

“What?” Blaine asked, breathless. He pulled back a little to look Kurt in the face.

“I…” Kurt looked like he was struggling for words. “Can we… slow down a little?”

“Of course,” Blaine agreed after a second. “Whatever you want.”

“I just…” Kurt murmured. “I’d never really been kissed until today,” he continued. “At least, not one that mattered.”

“Oh,” Blaine replied, startled. He had assumed Kurt had at least had a boyfriend or something before. It wasn’t something they’d really discussed, for all they’d discussed other things. It hadn’t occurred to him that Kurt had never mentioned anyone else until now. “We’ll go as slow or as fast as you want,” he promised.

Kurt’s bright smile was his reward and Blaine couldn’t help smiling back. He moved, rolling off Kurt and onto his back, pulling Kurt with him, so that Kurt’s head ended up on his chest.

“New sleeping position?” Kurt asked, tilting his head to look at Blaine. Blaine shrugged, wrapping his arms around Kurt and holding him close. Kurt let out a low laugh and snuggled against him. “Good night, Blaine.”

“Good night, Kurt.”