Chapter Text
If you’re out on the road. Feelin’ lonely and so cold. All you have to do is call my name. And I’ll be there. On the next train.
Where you lead, I will follow. Any-Anywhere that you tell me to. If you need-if you need me to be with you. I will follow. Where you lead.
There really is nothing better than taking a nice casual stroll in the morning to your favorite café. Walking through the small neighborhoods, seeing the many families preparing for the day, and the promise of hot coffee didn’t hurt Cooper’s mood either.
Cooper opens the door to the Lima Bean, appreciating the small chime of the bell at the door signaling to his favorite owner that he was here, and he was on a mission. Putting down his coat and bag at his signature table, Cooper takes out his favorite mug and puts on his most charming smile before walking up to the counter.
Well how is the most beautiful woman in Lima tod…”
How many cups Coop? Quinn asks without even looking up from her morning tasks.
Please Quinn…please please please, Cooper begs.
How many cups have you had this morning? Quinn asks again.
None! Cooper exclaims.
Quinn looks up briefly to scoff.
Ok, five, just five, but they were awful, the worst, nothing compared to your amazing coffee. Cooper adds a wink for good measure hoping Quinn will cave sooner rather than later this morning.
“You have a problem Cooper,” Quinn comments.
“Yes I do, but I have an angel like you to help me beat this, one day…but not today,” Cooper inhales deeply into his fresh cup.
Quinn rolls her eyes behind the counter before answering the phone.
Cooper walks back to his table and stares out at the street to watch the morning routine of his town again. He notices someone at the counter staring at him. Cooper slowly turns to acknowledge the stranger. “That looks good,” the woman comments, “The coffee, I mean.” It is, best coffee in town, Cooper says casually.
The woman walks over to Cooper’s table and takes a seat. “I’m on my way to Cincinnati. So what’s a guy like you doing in a small town like this?” Cooper tries his best not to laugh at the obvious way the woman is looking at him like something she can devour. “Oh just waiting on someone.” Cooper says casually. “I’m Julie” she says while reaching out her hand to Cooper. Cooper shakes her hand. “What you don’t have a name stranger?” she says to Cooper. Cooper turns and gives her a smile, “Oh I do, but I really am meeting someone, it was nice to meet you, enjoy Cincinnati.” “Hmm...well guess I better get going then” the woman says sadly. “It was nice meeting you Mystery Man, enjoy your coffee” the woman says with a wink.
The door bell chimes again.
“It is freezing out there” Blaine exclaims as he walks up to his older brother. Cooper just smiles as he looks up at Blaine, laughing to himself how only his brother would find 60 degrees freezing, but somehow he still managed to wear a bowtie matching his scarf. “Aww what do you need? Tea? Coffee?” “Chapstick,” Blaine quickly comments. Cooper looks into his bag and says “I have vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and toasted marshmallow.” Blaine affectionately scoffs at this brother and says, “Anything in there not resembling a flavor of ice-cream?” “YES!” Cooper says excitedly as he pulls out some chapstick, “It has no smell or taste, but can change colors based on your mood, a perfect tool for an aspiring actor,” Cooper says confidently. Blaine just stares blankly at this brother. “Well you’re crabby today” Cooper comments. “I’m sorry; I just woke up late and need caffeine!” Blaine says while giving his patented pouty look to his brother. “Ok fine squirt, I’ll get you a coffee.” “Don’t call me that,” Blaine huffs but settles down smiling with the prospect of coffee soon on the way.
Cooper walks back up the counter and receives an unimpressed look from Quinn. “What? I swear it’s not for me, it’s for Blaine.” “You’re shameless, you know that” Quinn comments before pouring coffee into a mug. Cooper turns around to walk back to Blaine and see’s Julie leaning over the table, and gliding a finger up Blaine’s arm. Well this woman is determined I’ll give her that, Cooper thinks to himself. Cooper walks to the table and overhears Julie using the same pick-up lines on Blaine, who is smiling, sometimes he is too polite for his own good.
“Oh hi Julie, you really like me table don’t you.” Cooper comments while going up behind Blaine’s chair. “Oh hey you!” Julie says, “I was just getting to know…” “My son, Blaine,” Cooper says while putting an arm around Blaine. “You…r,” Julie stutters. “Are you my new mommy?” Blaine says wide eyed and smiling. Julie pauses gathering herself then says, “Oh you do not look like a son…and you definitely do not look like a dad. You know I am traveling with a friend.” Cooper squares his shoulders to Julie and her friend who starts walking over, “He’s sixteen…drive safe.” Julie and her friend take the hint and quickly leave the café.
“You know one of these days someone is going to know that I am your younger brother and not your son, and that little skit won’t work” Blaine says. “Not a chance squirt, our height difference guarantees that, plus I’m an amazing actor, I need to keep my skills sharp” Cooper comments with a smile. Blaine scoffs and starts drinking his coffee, smiling at his older brother.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Kurt when are you going to stop changing when we walk to school, I’m sure your parents know you don’t wear a flannel and jeans all day.” Blaine says while reading his English essay over again. Kurt just rolls his eyes before he stops them so he can change into his designer jacket and pants.
“Blaine, you don’t know what it’s like, Cooper lets you do anything you want, my dad is so controlling. Sometimes I wish he would just give me space.” Blaine’s head drops down slightly frowning. Kurt mentally punches himself for being so abrupt. “Oh..crap Blaine, I’m sorry,” that was insensitive of me, I know you miss your parents, Kurt comments apologetically trying to make eye contact with Blaine. Blaine quickly squares his shoulders and smile’s quickly changing the topic to the French test that have that day, really any topic but his parents will do.
It’s been four years and Blaine did miss his parents, but did his best to not put his grief on other people. He always felt that he was better at cheering people up and listening to their problems then having them focus on his. He knew at the end of the day he was lucky and tried his best to remind himself of that. He had Cooper, his older brother who moved home from LA to be his legal guardian after their parents passes away. A great best friend, Kurt. And he lived in what he would describe as the perfect small town. He always enjoyed being able to walk around town and know every face and he always felt the town had been cheering him on since his family moved there when he was born. Blaine truly loved Lima, but he sometimes found himself liking the idea of escaping and finding something, someplace, or even someone that was just his. The trouble with a small town is that there are no secrets and the drama can sometimes get too intense, Kurt finds it fascinating and exciting like he is living in his own small tv show, but Blaine finds it exhausting, especially when the drama focuses on him and Cooper.
Since Cooper became his legal guardian Blaine noticed many people in town not thinking Cooper was up for the challenge and how he was going to need to take on adult responsibilities so quickly. No one seemed to care about the fact that Cooper has never blamed Blaine for having to put a pause on his acting career, he even took a job at an Inn near the town to manage it so they could live together in their old house. He was definitely lucky.
“Good Afternoon class, for those of you who have not finished the final chapters of Huckleberry Finn, you may use this time to do so. For those of you that have you can start on your essay now. Whatever task you choose please do it silently,” the teacher mutters sitting behind her desk. Blaine as always already finished the book and his essay so took the extra time to read his weekly novel. Around him other students were casually talking, he often ignored this until he heard his name being said. “I’m sure Anderson has already finished the assignment,” one football player scoffed. “That kid is such a tool, he just get special treatment because he’s gay,” another student joins in. Blaine just smiles to himself, allowing himself to escape into his novel.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Santana...how many times do I have to tell you to please be nice to the guest?” Cooper says to his coworker who is busy putting customers on hold or just hanging up on them. “I can’t deal with this today Cooper. People are just too stupid and if I keep talking to them it’s going to rub off on me,” Santana mutters while starting to file her nails. Cooper smiles to himself while going through the mail. “OH MY GOD!” Cooper yells, making Santana jump up. “OH MY GOD, RACHEL! SANTANA!” Rachel comes running out of the kitchen looking panicked, while Santana continues to just look annoyed.
“What is it Cooper?” Rachel asks, cleaning her hands off from the lunch she is preparing. Cooper jumps up, “He did it, Dalton, Blaine got accepted as a transfer to Dalton Academy!” Rachel and Santana join Cooper jumping all so excited! “This is amazing, Dalton never takes transfer students, they must have been impressed by Blaine,” Rachel says trying to catch her breath from jumping so much. “This is it! Blaine can finally go to a school where he is challenged and it’s a direct way to Columbia where he can get a great education, and the perfect job, and he’ll be safe to be who he is” Cooper says letting out a deep breath. Santana grabs the letter and starts going through it muttering out sentences and words, “Impressive academic credentials, moving essay, immediate start, full semester tuition due ASAP....Cooper did you look at the total?”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“There has to be something I haven’t thought of?” Cooper says pacing on the porch in front of Rachel and Santana. “You could sell my car, or Santana’s wardrobe?” Rachel suggests opening another bottle of wine. Santana just smirks at Rachel then comments, “Cooper..you know..you could always call…” “Nope,” not going to happen Cooper says abruptly. Rachel catching on, “Oh! That’s actually a great idea Santana.” “No guys, I just can’t, things haven’t been the same with them since I became Blaine’s guardian,” Cooper adds.
“Hey everybody,” Blaine smiles as he walks up the driveway. “What’s everyone so excited about?” Cooper just smiles and grabs a gift bag to hand to Blaine. “You did it buddy, mom and dad would be so proud of you” Cooper says fondly. Blaine opens the bag to pull out a navy and red striped tie with a matching blazer with an embroidered D on the chest pocket that Blaine runs his fingers over. Blaine whispers to himself, “Dalton.” He looks up at his brother with wet eyes and yells, “DALTON, I GOT IN!” “Cooper, this is amazing, I can’t believe they accepted me. Rachel! Santana! I’m going to Dalton.” “Thank you Cooper for helping me apply,” Blaine says while hugging his brother. “I need to go call Kurt!” Blaine says before running inside. Cooper looks at Santana and Rachel and starts to swallow his pride. He needs to do this, he needs to do anything he can for Blaine.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cooper is sitting outside drinking a cup of coffee. It’s now or never he thinks to himself. Cooper walks through the tall iron gates and up the long driveway. He pauses again in front of the solid oak door, remembering how intimidating this house was as a child. Cooper takes a deep breath and puts on his most charming smile before knocking. The door opens and Cooper is face to face with his grandmother. “Hi grandma,” Cooper says. “Cooper, so nice to see you, is it Easter already?” Emily Anderson says in a dignified tone. “I was in the neighborhood and wanted to stop by and see you guys,” Cooper says smiling big, maybe a little too forced. “Well come on in then,” Emily says opening the door. “Richard, Cooper is here, he apparently was in the neighborhood and wanted to see us,” Emily adds with her continued flat tone. Cooper follows his grandmother into the living room, taking in the mansion and all of the little details that he knows have been individually selected to show the money and influence the Anderson’s have. Cooper sits down in the living room across from his grandmother still smiling. He had to give his grandmother credit, even in this awkward situation she was the epitome of proper, in her perfectly pressed dress and cardigan with expensive jewelry. They sit in silence until Cooper’s grandfather, Richard, walks in dressed in an expensive suit with a matching tie to his pocket square. “Cooper, is it Christmas already?” Richard Anderson says sharing the same tone as his wife. Cooper just keeps smiling, “Oh, no I was just in the area and…” “You need money,” Richard says cutting Cooper’s sentence off. “I have a sit...u..ation,” Cooper stutters out. “You need money,” Richard says again, now sitting next to his wife drinking a scotch. “Just...ugh...let me get this out.” Cooper takes a deep breath and runs his fingers through the his hair, “Blaine has been accepted to Dalton Academy.” Emily and Richard look at eachother. “Dalton, Oh that’s a wonderful school, they are very selective, and only five minutes from here Emily comments smiling. You know your grandfather went there.”“Of course he was accepted, he’s an Anderson. Dalton is a birthright...well to some,” Richard said giving Cooper a pointed look. Cooper did his best not to let his grandparents disappointment in him effect Blaine’s future and just moved the conversation forward “Yes it’s a great opportunity for Blaine, but you see, I can’t afford to pay for him to go there,” Cooper says lowering his head. Richard and Emily exchange another look before both nodding. “Ok, we will help,” Emily starts. Cooper brings his head up smiling wide at this grandparents. Emily holds up one of her perfectly manicured fingers, “On one condition, since we will now be financially involved in your life, I want a weekly dinner with both you and Blaine. You must also call us once a week to update us on his schooling and other activities in both of your lives.” Cooper takes another long deep breath, “Ok, but I don’t want him to know I borrowed money from you, can that stay between us?” Emily smiles, “See you at 7pm.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“And we get to wear uniforms. No more having people check you out to see what jeans you're wearing. Everyone's dressed alike in boring clothes and are just there to learn.” Kurt scoffs, “Okay, there’s academic minded and then there's just unfashionable.” Blaine smiles at Kurt and then closes his locker. “Ok I have to go, need to go meet my dad at the shop, call me later and we can plan a way for you to show your sassy side in this uniform,” Kurt comments before giving a delicate wave to Blaine as he walks down the hallway.
Blaine bends down to pick up some trash that spilled out of his locker. When he gets back up a mysterious boy is standing in front of him.
Startled Blaine says, “God, You’re like Ruther Gorden in Rosemary’s Baby. Just standing there with the tannis root. Make some noise.”
The stranger comments, “Sorry, are you cleaning out your locker?”
Blaine looks up and makes eye contact with the beautiful stranger. He has broad shoulders, blond hair that slightly falls on his face, a large smile, and mouth. He’s speechless. This is a very new thing for him.
“It looks like you’re going somewhere, are you moving?” the stranger adds.
“Oh, right. I am. New school. I’m not moving, just my books are, ” Blaine says.
“My family just moved here. From Kentucky, I’m Sam.”
“Chicago. Windy, Oprah...OH! Hi, Blaine. Me. That's...me.” Blaine stutters out.
“Blaine, I like that.” Sam says smiling. “I better get going, need to look for a job in town.” Sam takes a pen and scrap of paper from his pocket and writes something down. He holds out the paper to Blaine. “If you hear of anyone hiring around here maybe you could give me a call?”
“Oh sure. If I hear of anything.” Blaine says. Suddenly gaining back some confidence Blaine walks up to Sam and says, “Hey since you’re new, do you need a tour of Lima?” Sam smiles and takes the box from Blaine, “Lead the way.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cooper and Blaine are sitting inside the Lima Bean eating salads. Neither with a lot of excitement over the meal.
Cooper looks up from his salad, “You were late getting home today.”
“Yeah. I went to the library,” Blaine lies.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you, we’re having dinner with the grandparents tomorrow night.”
“We are? But it’s September? What holiday is in September?”
Cooper says exasperated, “Look it’s not a holiday thing, okay? It’s just dinner.”
Blaine looks down at this plate, “Fine. Sorry. God.”
Quinn walks over to their table, “Here’s your burgers, rare meat can kill you. Enjoy.” The brothers smile and nod at her before she walks away.
“I don’t understand why we’re going to dinner tomorrow night. It’s a friday, what if I had plans? You didn’t even ask me,” Blaine says crossing his arms.
“If you had plans I would’ve known, you would’ve told me.”
“I don’t tell you everything. I have my own things,” Blaine huffs.
“Fine. You have things.”
That’s right. I have things!”
“Hey, I had dibs on being the douche tonight.” Cooper says with a smirk
“Just tonight?” Blaine mutters.
“What the hell is your issue squirt?”
“Don’t call me that….I’m not sure if I want to go to Dalton.” Blaine says making sure to avoid eye contact with Cooper. “The timing is just really bad, and the bus ride to and from Westerville is forty minute each way. That’s time I could be studying, or helping you out at the inn.” Blaine takes a breath realizing he’s been ranting. “PLUS! I don’t think we should be spending the money right now and I know Dalton’s gotta be costing us a lot. All of our money should be going to getting you back into acting.”
Cooper starts rubbing his temples, “What about New York Blaine? College? Columbia?! Ok end of your crazy talk. I appreciate your concern about money and my future, but I have that covered.” Cooper stands up and throws some money on the table, “I need to go for a walk and so do you.”
The two brothers are walking in silence. Cooper is still in shock. After everything he went through today, how hard it was for him to face his grandparents, and Blaine says he doesn’t want to go. They are walking by some shops in Lima when they are stopped by Mr. Schuester who is teaching a dance class. “Blaine, good. I think I found a job for your male friend.” Blaine looks up startled and Cooper stops dead in his tracks and looks at Blaine, “What male friend?” Mr. Schuester oblivious to the awkward stance between the brothers just continues, “Yes the supermarket is looking for a bag boy, tell him to go by tomorrow. Cute boy. You have good taste.” Blaine says, “Thanks” before walking away quickly. “Oh, you’re going to have to walk a lot faster then that Squirt. I can keep us easily with those tiny legs,” Cooper says taking off after Blaine.
Blaine gets to the house first and slams the front door. Cooper is right behind him and slams the door as well. “Of course this is about a boy! All this talk about money and bus rides...you’ve got a thing going with a guy and you don’t want to leave school,” Cooper says trying to be understanding.
“I’m going to bed.”
“Who is he Blaine? Dark hair? Romantic eyes? Looks a little dangerous?” Look I get this is your first crush since...last year.. But you cannot determine your life based on a guy.” Cooper says following Blaine.
Blaine now getting very annoyed, “Cooper, please just let me go to bed.”
“I need you to be the sensible one here Squirt, you’ve always been. You’re going to Dalton, I don’t care whether you want to or not. Monday morning you will be there, and you will be safe,” Cooper says with a tear running down his cheek as he leaves Blaine’s room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cooper and Blaine stare up at the mansion in front of them, both in unison taking a deep breath before stepping out of the car. They both check their ties and suit jackets to make sure they are in good order before they knock. Cooper and Blaine both stand at the door drinking their coffee for what seems like hours.
“So are we just going to stand here,” Blaine comments sarcastically.
“Okay, look, I know you hate me. I’m the worst brother in the world, but I need you to be civil for dinner, then hate me afterwards. Deal? Cooper says sticking his hand out to Blaine.
Blaine shakes Cooper’s hand and mutters, “Fine.”
Cooper rings the bell. The door slowly opens and they are greeted by Emily, looking incredibly regal and dressed up for a dinner.
Emily smiles ushering the boys in, “Oh it is such a treat having both of you here. Blaine you just look so handsome. Good looks really do run in the family. Now I want to hear all about Dalton.” Emily grabs Blaine for a long hug. “It’s good to see you too Grandma, but I actually don’t start at Dalton until Monday.”
Emily and Blaine walk to the living room with Cooper behind them. Emily looks at her husband, “Richard the boys are here, stop reading the paper. Champagne anyone?” “Champagne? So fancy,” Cooper comments. Emily simply smirks, “Well, it's not every day that I have my boys here for dinner on a day the banks are open...A toast.” Emily starts passing around glasses of champagne. “To Blaine entering Dalton. And an exciting new positive phase in his life.” The room falls into an awkward silence with Cooper and Blaine avoiding each others eyes.
The dinner goes by mostly in silence. Emily constantly trying to start different subjects, “So Blaine, what are you going to get involved in at Dalton?” Oh, I’m not sure, I’ve haven’t had the chance to look in detail. I’m not sure what they have, Blaine says taking a deep breath, lying to his grandmother.” Cooper shoots an intimidating glare to his grandmother to change the subject. “Well Blaine you know that Dalton is a tradition for Anderson males, I’m sure you will be scouted for some prestigious clubs before you know it, like the Warblers.” Richard comments not taking his eyes away from the newspaper. Emily chimes in excited, “Oh yes the Warblers! We have missed seeing you perform, it always made your parents and us proud.” Cooper then sends a glare to his grandfather and stands up, “Blaine already makes the family proud, without performing.” Cooper leaves the dining room and heads toward the kitchen. Blaine gets up to follow but is stopped by Emily, “No keep your grandfather company, I’ll go.”
“Cooper, come back to the table, you’re being so dramatic” Emily says once she gets into the kitchen. “You’re both a piece of work. Is this what it’s going to be like every Friday night? I come here and let the two of you make Blaine feel bad about himself? You both have no idea what he has been through, and how amazing of a kid he is,”Cooper says gripping the counter tightly.
Blaine just stares down at this plate, tears starting to gather.
“Of course we don’t!” Emily says clearly having no more patience for Cooper’s drama this evening. “You took that boy and completely shut us out of both of your lives. You moved back here, and wouldn’t accept our help, our money, and we just wanted to support you both after your parents…” Emily started getting choked up, but continues. “If it weren’t for your ridiculous pride your life could’ve been better. But no. You were too proud to let us take Blaine in, especially after the incident last year. You were always too proud to accept anything from anyone.” “I wasn’t too proud to come here to you two, begging for money so Blaine could go to a safe school, was I?” Cooper says now setting his jaw and staring directly at his grandmother. “He needs to be safe, I couldn’t live with myself if anything like last year happens again, and he needed his brother, he didn’t need to be brought into your world and showered with money and things, and guilted for not wanting to perform ever since mom and dad’s accident. “He just needs me.”
Blaine looks up, stunned at Cooper’s confession, tears falling down his cheeks.
Emily collects herself, “Well, fine. You have your precious pride. And I have my weekly dinners. Isn’t that nice? Emily begins to walk out of the kitchen, smoothing her dress before she turns around and says, “You’re just afraid Cooper. Afraid that Blaine will truly find himself at Dalton and won’t need you as much. He was meant to be in this world, you both were. Dalton will give him opportunities you never gave yourself.” Emily takes a breath, “And your grandfather and I intend to make sure he takes advantage of every single one, and that he is safe, we both win. Good night Cooper.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cooper is driving silently. Blaine takes a look at his brother, “So...you want a cup of coffee?” Cooper smiles at Blaine, “Desperately.”
The brothers walk into the Lima Bean and sit at their usual table. Blaine starts, “So, nice dinner at the grandparents house.” “You heard everything didn’t you Squirt?” Cooper says exhausted. Blaine grabs his brother’s hand, “I think it was very brave of you to ask them for the money. How many meals until we’re off the hook?”
Cooper smiles, “I think my funeral will be the last one...Oh. Wait. Does this mean?”
Blaine, “It really would be a shame to let that blazer go to waste.”
Quinn walks over dressed up nicely. Cooper looks up and smiles, “Wow...you look...nice. Really nice”
Quinn looks confused then realizes she is still dressed up, “Oh thanks. Had a meeting at the bank. So what you’ll have?”
“Coffee. In a bowl!” Cooper says with a wink to Quinn.
“I’ll have coffee also. And a plate of biscotti.”
Quinn comments, “What refined palate’s you both have.” Quinn then walks off to place their order.
Cooper staring after Quinn, “Behold the power of a dress. So...Tell me about the guy”
Blaine smirks at Cooper, “You know what’s really special about our relationship? The total understanding about the need for one’s privacy. I mean, you really get boundaries.”
“So..he’s dreamy?” Cooper says wagging his eyebrows.
Quinn comes back with their order, “Fries and coffee. I can’t stand it. This is so unhealthy. Blaine, please, put down that cup of coffee. You do not want to grow up like Cooper.”
Blaine just smiles, “Sorry. We may be too late on that one.”
Cooper smiles at this brother. Reaches over to grab his hand and gives it a squeeze. Cooper thinks silently to himself. No Squirt, you’re going to be much better than me.