Cooper groaned and threw his pillow over his head as his alarm went off. His flight to Chicago had been fine, and he'd managed to get a room at a decent hotel too.

And then he'd barely slept, courtesy of a nightmare about his mother.

He wondered if Blaine had had the same problem...after they'd moved in with their grandparents, his little brother had nightmares for two weeks. Cooper had to sleep in the same room to alleviate his fears.

He shut off his phone after checking the time -- eight forty-five a.m. -- and dragged himself out of bed, intending to take a long, hot shower. Screw waiting until the competition to see Blaine -- he was going to try to catch his brother at rehearsals.

---

"Coo?"

Cooper looked up from his Social Studies notes to see his little brother standing in the doorway of his bedroom.

"Hey B." he greeted, setting his notebook aside, "What's up?"

Blaine bit his lip, his hazel eyes bright with tears. Something was wrong.

"Blainey?" he said cautiously. "What's wrong, kiddo?"

The three year old broke, sobbing as he ran across his big brother's room and practically tackled him.

"Mommy," he choked out, burying his face in the thirteen-year-old's t-shirt. "Mommy t-tried to --"

Cooper pulled back, staring at the toddler alarmed.

"What did Mom try, B?" he asked softly. "Tell me."

Blaine lifted one of his little arms and made a swinging motion. Cooper felt sick as he realized what the little boy meant. Their mother had -- wait -- had she actually...?

"Did she hit you, buddy?" he asked, trying to hide his fear. "Did Mom hit you?"

Blaine shook his head, his uncontrollable curls flying everywhere.

"No,s-stopped here." Blaine put his hand about two inches from Cooper's face. "and she l-left."

Cooper pulled Blaine securely against his chest, ignoring the pain that shot through his ribs and shoulders.

After a few moments of silence, the two boys could hear the unmistakable sound of the approaching ice cream truck.

Cooper grinned.

"Want some ice cream, Blaine?"

Blaine wiped at his eyes and nodded, giving his big brother a tiny smile.

"Yes please." he whispered.

"Come on then!" Cooper set him on his feet and then ran downstairs with him to grab some spare change before they ran out to catch the ice cream truck.

Blaine didn't participate in Mr. Schuester's booty-camp session. It was mandatory, as they were working out the choreography for the numbers they'd chosen to perform for Nationals, but he didn't seem to care.

"Aw come on Blainers, you're not gonna help them win Nationals with that attitude!"

Blaine's head shot straight up, and the rest of New Directions erupted in excitement at seeing none other than Cooper Anderson walking into the room.

"Coop!" Blaine literally launched himself across the floor and threw himself into his brother's arms.

Cooper's eyes widened, but his expression softened and he wrapped both arms around Blaine's small frame and held him tightly.

"Hey Blaine." he murmured. "It's okay. I'm here."

"I told you not to fly out." Blaine mumbled into his chest.

"And did you expect me to listen?" Cooper grinned softly and pressed a kiss to his curls. "If she's here I'm not letting her near you." he raised his voice a little. "Mr. Schuester would you mind if I borrow Blaine?"

Mr. Schuester looked like he wanted to protest, but Mike stepped forward.

"I can help him with choreography later, Mr. Schue. So can Kurt." he said, and Kurt nodded.

"Alright, then Blaine I want you back by dinner, okay?" he instructed.

Blaine nodded and let Cooper lead him outside to the rental car waiting in the parking lot.

---

"I told you I'd be fine. She didn't try to hurt me."

"Yeah because her past track record is so damn clean." Cooper said sarcastically.

The two brothers were curled up on Cooper's bed in his hotel room, the TV on a low volume. Blaine sighed and snuggled into the brunette man's chest.

"'M sorry."

"Don't be." Cooper closed his eyes for a moment. "Did you sleep okay? After it happened, I mean."

Blaine shook his head, breath hitching. Cooper rubbed his back soothingly.

"N-Nightmare." he mumbled. "You?"

"Same." The elder brother sighed. "I'm so sorry, Blaine. I wish we'd gotten better parents."

Blaine lifted his head and Cooper had to stifle a laugh -- one side of his brother's slicked back hair had come free from the gel, and stuck out haphazardly.

"Dad's not so bad -- when he's around and isn't trying to turn me straight. I mean he's civil, but we both know he's not interested in trying to build a relationship with either of us." he pointed out. "and Grandma and Grandpa have been great." he paused. "and there's you."

Cooper choked back a sob and hugged his brother tightly.

"I love you, squirt."

"I told you not to call me that!" Blaine's eyes widened in horror at catching sight of his hair. "My hair --"His brother laughed.

"Old habits die hard, baby brother." he teased. "Now c'mon, it's better that we just wash it out and style it because we're not regellin' it."

Blaine groaned in frustration and followed Cooper into the bathroom.