Brick by Brick 4/8+Epilogue
Title: Brick By Brick ( LJ I FF.net I S&C)
Author: bowtiedarling (Tumblr | LJ)
Artist: voices-echo (Tumblr)
Word Count: ~25,279
Rating: R
Characters/Pairings: Kurt/Blaine, Mike Chang, Rachel Berry, OC
Warnings: Language
Summary: After a decade together, Kurt and Blaine are more distant than they’ve ever been. Between late nights at the office and weekends working, Kurt is never home and Blaine is at his wit’s end. As everything comes to a head, Blaine will take one last shot at saving their relationship.
Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters. Or the show. God, I wish I did, but I don’t.
Author’s Notes: I want to thank my amazing betas, twobirdsonesong and voices-echo. Voices-echo was also my artist for this BBB and did half the artwork for it as well as a playlist. This story would not have gotten written if it wasn’t for those two pushing me to keep going and forcing me to rewrite half of it to make it better. You two are phenomenal! This story was inspired by the song ‘Brick by Brick’, sung by Train and I suggest you go check it out here. Also, I don’t write long stories that don’t end happily. Keep that in mind please. The artwork includes some photos of locations to relevant places in the story so make sure to check that out too. Enjoy!
Artwork
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Epilogue
*~*~*
Blaine ran the blade across his face one last time before he inspected his work in the mirror and was finally pleased with the result. He put his shaving kit away and walked to the small closet. He yanked his favorite mustard yellow pants out along with a black v-neck short sleeve shirt and a gray cardigan. His favorite pants weren’t the original pair from high school; Blaine had worn a hole into those years ago in college. Kurt had seen how upset he had been and made an exact copy for him and then had made two extra pairs just in case. He was currently on the second pair Kurt had made, with the last pair wrapped in tissue inside of a box at the top of their closet. He paused and fingered the twill material gently in his hands. His heart ached to have that Kurt back in his life.
He quickly dressed and ran some product through his dark curls; Kurt convinced him to get rid of the gel back in college for far more favorable products. He sprayed his cologne on and glanced one last time in the mirror before he switched off the light in the bathroom. He padded out to the desk and fired up his laptop, waiting for a minute or two as it warmed up. A loud knock rang through the room and he froze; only two people knew where he was and he debated not answering it.
“Come on, Squirt, I know you’re in there. Open up.”
Blaine relaxed immediately, but his mind reeled with questions. He ran hurriedly over to the door and smoothed his shirt down before he opened the door. “Hi, Coop.”
“Hi, Blainey.”
Blaine let Cooper into the tiny space, and he could tell by the Hollywood smile plastered on his face that he was holding something back. “What are you doing here? I thought you were filming in Chicago.”
“Funny story about that actually,” Cooper started, and he placed his overnight and messenger bags on the bed. "I was heading back to the apartment a week ago after filming and decided I would call my little brother. You know, catch up on life, find out how everything was going. His phone was off, or dead, because it went straight to voicemail. So I called his landline, knowing someone always picked up if they were home. You can imagine my surprise when my brother’s boyfriend picked up and stated in an exasperated tone that he had moved into a hotel and had left a note that he was leaving."
"Well, it wasn't quite that dramatic," Blaine mumbled in protest as he walked to the other side of the bed and sunk down into the mattress. He swung his feet up on the bed and stretched his legs out in front of him.
Cooper exhaled and Blaine watched as his brother crawled onto the bed next to him and he prepared himself for one of their famous talks. "What's going on, Blainers?"
"Don't call me that."
"Hey, come on." Cooper nudged Blaine's shoulder until he was forced to look at him. "It's me, Blaine. Just me."
Blaine stared down at his fingers and fiddled with them for a long minute, and watched them wring and twist together as he tried to form the right words. “He’s, just, I don’t know Coop. He’s constantly at work, we never talk, all we do now is fight about stupid inconsequential things. I just didn’t know what to do anymore. I love him, God, so much it hurts, but I just couldn’t live in a house like that anymore.” Blaine paused and shut his eyes in hopes that the tears that were forming would go away. “I’ve already lived in one house that was full of screaming and fighting every night because of me. I don’t want to go through that again. I can’t, especially not with him.”
Cooper’s face fell and he quickly gathered his brother up in a tight hug. “No, Blaine, don’t think that. They didn’t fight because of you. They had been fighting for years, they just hid it better back then.”
Blaine felt the tears start to slide down his cheeks and all too quickly they were trickling at a steady pace. He had tried to stay strong, not only for himself but because he didn’t want anyone prying into his life, even his friends; he was private in that respect. But he knew as soon as his brother had walked through the door though that it was only a matter of time before the dam broke. He was safe with Cooper.
Blaine cried as Cooper held him, stroked his hair, and whispered calming words in his ear. It felt like it took forever, but eventually his tears slowly began to subside and he quietly sniffled through the last of them. He gratefully accepted the tissues that Cooper pulled from the nightstand and gently dabbed the wetness on his face. It one of the many little quirks Kurt had instilled in him years ago. “I’m sorry, Coop. I didn’t mean to cry like that.”
“Hey, don’t apologize. Have you cried at all since this happened? Wait, don’t answer that, I already know the answer. You can’t keep your emotions bottled up like this, Blaine. It’s not good for you.”
Blaine nodded and rolled his eyes. “I know, I know, I remember the talk we had, believe me. No need to repeat that.”
“Good.” Cooper released Blaine and sat up for a second to readjust the pillows behind him. He curled up on his side to face his brother and propped his elbow on the pillow and rested his head in his hand. “Okay, so I know you told just a little of what happened to Rachel and Mike, but I know nothing and I need to know everything. So let’s start from the beginning.”
Blaine chuckled and groaned as he flopped back onto the pillows stacked on the other side. “I don’t think we have enough time for everything, Coop.”
“Try me.”
Blaine bit his lip before he started speaking. Cooper listened for an hour as Blaine as he attempted to put everything about his and Kurt’s problems into words - the lonely nights, the growing distance, and the moment he’d had enough with everything. When he was finally finished, Blaine took a deep breath, rolled onto his back, and allowed Cooper to process all the information he had thrown at his brother.
Cooper breathed deeply and ran his fingers through his straight brown locks. "Wow, Squirt, I can't believe it. I'm sorry. You should've called me way earlier."
Blaine scoffed and stared at the ceiling. "Why, what could you have done? It's my problem. Well, mine and Kurt's, there isn't anything you can do."
Cooper turned toward him and poked him in the side. "Blaine, I'm your big brother. No matter how old either of us get, it's my job to protect you and try to do what I can to help. Even if it's just sitting here doing nothing. You better get used to that fact because it's not changing. Ever."
Blaine bit his lip trying to hide his grin. "Thanks, Coop. I know it took a lot to be able to fly out. I never thanked you for that."
"Not necessary, Squirt. And, no, I won't stop calling you that." Blaine groaned and Cooper grinned before turning back to stare at the ceiling. "I'm actually trying to figure out why Kurt would ever act like that. He's snarky, sure, but he's never mean to family or his friends. Are you sure he hasn't said anything to you? Hinted at anything that could have been bothering him or stressing him out?"
Blaine shook his head as he thought about Kurt. "The only thing he's ever referenced is his job, which has always stressed him out on a daily basis. For some reason after three years that stupid company still makes him work himself to the bone regardless of the fact that he's always gone above and beyond."
"Well, maybe there's something going on that he doesn't know about or hasn't told you. Don't give me that look, Blainers, I'm just saying humans are complicated. And your human is especially complicated."
Blaine huffed and kicked his brother’s leg. "Don't start with the 'we are not alone' shit. I'm not getting into that with you right now."
"I'm just saying there has to-"
"Cooper!"
"Fine. Ignore my brilliant theories. Have you talked to Kurt since you left?"
"Didn't you he tell you when you called?"
Cooper shrugged and folded his hands behind his head. "Not really. He said that he's seen you once but that was it."
"He came over last week and said I was being dramatic. Me. Has he met himself?"
"Well-"
"No don't answer that; your opinion is biased. I just want him to understand where I'm coming from and have a calm, rational discussion." Blaine glanced at the clock on the bedside table and groaned. "Shit, I'm going to be late for work."
"Want me to write you a note?"
"Want me to throw you out the window?"
Cooper gasped and threw a hand on his chest. "Blaine Anderson, is that any way to treat a welcomed guest?"
Blaine rolled his eyes and stood up from the mattress. "Who said my guest was welcome? As I remember it, he showed up at the front door unannounced."
"You know, I think those manners you used to have are leaving you."
Blaine smiled and threw the strap of his bag over his shoulder before sighing at Cooper who was spread out across the large bed. "Are you staying with me?"
"Well, I could get a room if you want, but I have to leave tomorrow morning."
Blaine shook his head and began walking toward the front door. "No, crash here. I have classes until six so I'll probably be back a little before seven."
"You know, I can come help you teach as a guest instructor or something. Kind of like what I did at your glee club-"
"Hell no. I am not reliving that. It was hard enough the first time."
"Okay fine. I’m offering you industry secrets and you're turning them down. I'll just go stroll around the city, maybe go down to Broadway. I might be able to convince someone to give me a role on the Great White Way."
"Well, whatever you do make sure it's legal please. I don't have the extra money to bail you out of jail. " He waved behind him as he opened the front door while his brother babbled behind him. "Bye, Cooper!" He shut the door and was engulfed in sudden silence and he grinned wider than he had in a long, long time as he walked toward the elevator. He was so thankful to have Cooper as a brother.
*~*
Blaine walked through his open office door and came face to face with Izzie sitting behind his desk in his chair. He glanced back at the front door then around the space. "Am I in the wrong office?” He asked with a bit more sarcasm than usual. “I could have sworn this was mine."
"Blaine Anderson, you are an hour late. No call, no text, no nothing to indicate you’re still alive."
He saw the playful smirk on her face and he relaxed as he walked into the office and shut the door behind him. "I know. I'm sorry. I had to change trains twice and the station was closed."
Izzie eyed him curiously. "There's only one station closed for the day. Why the hell were you all the way over there?"
Blaine froze and shut his eyes silently cursing himself and his inability to think before he ever spoke. He turned, slightly tugged his lip between his teeth, and sank down into the chair across from Izzie. "What? I don't know-"
"Blaine," Izzie spoke softly, "why were you coming from over there?"
He gazed across the desk at her before he sighed and ran his hands over his face. "I moved out last week. I'm staying at a hotel over there."
"Oh, Blaine, why didn't you say anything?"
He shrugged and tilted his head back and shut his eyes. He was not going to cry here too. "I don't know. I guess I didn't want to admit it. If I'm being really honest, I don't think I wanted anyone to know that I failed at the one relationship I had. I don't want us to end. I want him to fight for us. I want to fight for us. I guess it isn't that simple though."
Izzie moved to speak, but a loud knock on the door interrupted them and one of the new interns came in. "Sorry to disturb you, but they're calling a meeting."
"Thanks." Blaine glanced at Izzie and shrugged his shoulders. "Come on, the theater is calling."
Izzie snorted and rolled her eyes before she latched onto his arm as they walked out. "You'll tell me if you need anything?"
He nodded and together they walked in silence toward the conference room.
*~*
"Mr. Anderson!"
Both men whipped around toward the front desk where the attendant was waving them over. Cooper had his Hollywood smile on and Blaine took a deep breath and prepared himself for the typical fan reaction to his brother. "Yes?"
The older attendant reached to his left side and pulled an envelope out of the row of metal cubbies. "This arrived from a young man while you were out. I assured him that I would deliver it to you directly."
Blaine furrowed his eyebrows as he took the envelope from the attendant. "Thank you so much." The man nodded and turned back toward his work. Blaine stared at the handwriting on the envelope as he and Cooper meandered through the lobby on their way back from dinner out. "It's Kurt's handwriting." He’d know that script anywhere.
"Hmmmm. I wonder why he didn't just call or email." Cooper pressed the 'up' button for the elevator and glanced over at his brother.
Blaine shrugged and carefully flipped the envelope over and over in his hands as he debated whether or not to open it. The elevator doors opened and both men stepped in and Blaine felt his brother’s eyes on him as he continued to stare at the object. "What?"
"Well, are you going to open it or do I have to do it for you?"
"I don't know Coop. Why would he send me anything?"
"You have refused his calls and ignored his texts the past few days. He's most likely resorted to snail mail."
Blaine scoffed and walked out onto his floor and down the hall with Cooper trailing behind him. "That's because I don't know what to say, and I don't want to say anything I'll regret later." Blaine unlocked the front door and stepped inside. He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it over the desk chair as he made his way to the table in the corner. "I mean, for all I know it could be the final nail in the coffin."
"Oh for Christ’s sake, Blaine, would you just open the damn thing? You have too much of an imagination sometimes."
Blaine glared at him, but he slowly slid his finger under the flap and forced the pieces to separate and slid the folded piece of paper out.
Blaine,
Not sure where you are but please talk to me. I know it's late, but if you can, please meet me at our spot in the park. I'd like to talk to you. Text me and let me know.
I miss you.
-Kurt
Blaine groaned and threw the piece of paper onto the table before he flopped back in his chair. "I swear that man is going to make me lose my mind."
"You did that a long time ago, Squirt. What's it say?"
"He wants me to meet him at our spot tonight to talk."
"So go."
Blaine's head snapped up at his brother. Cooper said it so blithely, as if it were that easy. "It's nine at night, Cooper. It's late."
Cooper rolled his eyes. "So what, are you going to turn into a pumpkin? You wanted him to fight for you. Maybe he is. You won't know unless you go."
Blaine bit his lip and glanced at his phone before he reached for it. He quickly shot off a text before he could back out.
Be there at 9:30. -B
The response came almost instantaneously, as though Kurt had his phone in hand and was waiting for a message.
Thank you. Meet you there. -K
Blaine ran a hand over his face before he walked over to the chair and threw his jacket back on. "Okay, I'm going before I can change my mind. I'll be back in a bit."
"All right. Just text me if you decide to not come back here at all."
Blaine glared at Cooper before reaching for his key. "Not an option, Coop."
His brother just waved him off and reached for the remote. "Good luck, Blainey. I'm rooting for you guys."
"Me too, Coop." He stepped into the hallway and shut the door. He leaned back against it as his eyes closed and he spoke softly into the empty hallway.
"Me too."