Indentations (VII)

Anderson Brothers fic by the lovely Emma, written for me for my birthday.

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Cooper Anderson is twenty-four years old when he realizes his brother is an oblivious idiot.

Blaine’s been going to Dalton for about two years now, and it’s done wonders for his self-esteem and his confidence. He’s the epitome of a Dalton gentleman, pulling off the blazer and striped tie with an ease that Cooper could never accomplish. Blaine is a little more comfortable in his own skin now; the uniform is a nice shield, so he walks a little taller. Coop knows that the kid can’t exactly go around proclaiming to the world that he’s gay by wearing a rainbow flag as a cape, but Blaine doesn’t seem ashamed anymore, and that helps Cooper sleep a little better at night.

Cooper is insanely proud of Blaine. He’s on the fencing and soccer teams, and Cooper won’t admit to staying up late to read the boxscores online and beaming every time he reads Blaine’s name, but he does it. The Dalton Athletics schedule is tacked up on the bulletin board beside his desk, and he follows it religiously.

But Blaine’s also branched out into something Coop never had the confidence for: glee club. The Warblers are legendary at Dalton, but Cooper was always a little too rock and roll for the precise eight-part harmonies and sidestepping dance moves. But Blaine… God, Blaine was born to lead the Warblers. He’s only a sophomore, but the entire group just idolizes him. Coop is always checking their YouTube account and watching in awe as Blaine’s silky baritone leads the way. The best part is when they tackle a particularly tricky arrangement or Blaine gets to sing that song that he’s been dying to sing, and Cooper can practically hear Blaine’s grin through the phone.

Lately, however, the conversation has started to shift. It’s been so long since Cooper’s heard Blaine talk about a boy like that. And Cooper doesn’t think he’ll ever tire of hearing that lilt in his baby brother’s voice as he talks about someone that he so obviously has feelings for.

From what Cooper has gathered through numerous conversations with Blaine (and a few Google searches), Kurt Hummel is more than worthy of Blaine’s affections. He can’t decide who seems to need the other in their life more, but he’s incredibly thankful that they have found each other. Blaine is mentoring Kurt in the way that Coop has tried so desperately to advise Blaine, and Kurt is bringing his shy and dapper little brother out of his shell in ways Cooper couldn’t even imagine. These two kids are clearly head over heels for each other.

Or maybe it’s not so clear. Blaine keeps insisting that Kurt is just a friend, and that their relationship is strictly platonic. Now Cooper may not know Kurt’s side of the story, but he can definitely see the hearts in Blaine’s eyes when he talks about Kurt during their Skype chats. He watches as Blaine blinks rapidly and he grins a stupid little grin, the apples of his cheeks turning pink as he looks down and tells Coop how amazing it was to sing a duet with Kurt at Christmas (“‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside?’ Really, bro?” he teases), or how he and Kurt take turns buying each other coffee at The Lima Bean after school (“Wait, you know his coffee order?” Cooper questions, and Blaine shrugs, “Of course I do” as if it means nothing).

So his baby brother is a dense idiot who doesn’t realize that complete and utter bliss is just within his grasp. Blaine is so clearly in love with Kurt, but Cooper thinks that he may need to fly to Ohio and punch some sense into his brother so that he will actually acknowledge it.

And just when he’s thinking about booking a plane ticket (after all, Regionals are coming up), he gets a text message:

I think he’s the one, Coop.

Cooper has to resist fist-pumping and shouting, “FINALLY!” in the middle of the impossibly boring firm meeting, and instead types out a quick response under the table:

About time, you idiot. Go get him, tiger.

And two nights later, Blaine calls. Cooper can just imagine him laying on his bed, grinning up at the ceiling and blushing bright red as Blaine tells him all about their first kiss. Because his baby brother finally manned up and made a ridiculously sappy confession of love to Kurt, and then he just kissed the hell out of him. Coop wishes he was there to slap Blaine on the back and congratulate him, but instead, he settles for some gentle teasing.

“So,” he begins, propping his feet up on the desk as his computer finally shuts down for the night. “When are the two of you… ahem- practicing again?”

“Uggh, Cooper!” Blaine groans, rolling over and shoving his face into a pillow as Cooper’s laughter echoes in his ears.

After all these years, Cooper’s pretty much an expert at this big brother thing.