In which Finn and Cooper get into a bit of a best man competition, but luckily Kurt and Blaine still manage to have the best wedding ever. UGH, MY FACE. MY EYES. MY HEART! DON'T. I JUST. Baaawwwwwwww. WEDDING FIC!!!!! SOTTOVOICE!!!!!!! *shakes fist full of damp tissues*

In which Cooper tries to be the best brother he can be. Non-canon Cooper characterization, but one that was interesting to read. All of these stories are lovely, but some of them, like 17 at the airport, are really, really something.

In which Cooper and Blaine continue to talk it out, when that's necessary, and cuddle it out, when that's necessary, too. Continuation of lookninja's Anderson brothers bonding in LA series. This was quieter and lovelier than ever, and I really loved it for that.

In which Cooper grew up before his time trying to make sure Blaine had the chance to grow up well. LORD ABOVE, DON'T DO THIS TO ME, WRITERS. ALL OF MY CO-DEPENDENT SIBLING FEELS, HELP. That being said, this fic is really gorgeous. The canon's not quite there, but I rather love the Cooper this author speculated on. You get a sense of him being an effervescent and outgoing guy while constantly being blindsided by his feelings as a terrified and only-too-loving brother. That contrast of his inside and outside, and how it's juxtaposed with his witnessing of Blaine's growth--his retreat into and eventual emergence from his shell--really worked. I honestly just loved these two boys, and how connected they were across so many kinds of distances except the most important one-- the way no matter what they kept hold of each other's hands. Really, it was beautiful. But you know, maybe I'm just an only child creying about what she'll never have, what do I know.

In which the story of Blaine's life isn't really his to tell, and isn't that the most fucked up thing you ever heard. Wow, I loved this. As usual, rm packs so much heart and pain and significance into such small moments.

In which Blaine's father is cursed with a quietness that comes between him and his son for years. This was so hard to get through because horrible things coming from a good place makes me want to put my face in the ground and not come up for a while, but it was worth it for the breakthrough. Those Hummels, man. They work magic. But apart from them, this was a terrifically compelling POV voice that illuminated so much in such touchingly intimate ways, which only added to how horrifically poignant his self-imposed silence in the narrative was. Don't do this to my heart, fanfic writers! (Except please, please, always do this to my heart.)

In which Blaine and Kurt broke up and lost track of each other a long time ago, but they start to get back on track when Kurt moves back to Lima widowed with a kid in tow. I wasn't sure what to expect with this fic, how much melodrama I was signing myself up for, but really, this fic was great. Realistic depictions of grown-up problems--kids, exes, meddling parents, feelings of stagnation, loss, long-term grief, depression--that yield to grown-up solutions--family, therapy, communication, willingness to grasp for new things and to reaffirm ones grip on old things too, and of course love in all its many strange and difficult forms. Definitely a tear-jerker, but both sad and happy tears, and I always felt that my tears were earned.

In which Kurt meets Cooper when he and Blaine are in an extremely compromising position. Extremely hot and extremely hilarious. I can't stop grinning.

In which Blaine and Cooper grew up in very different households, really, but that would never mean they weren't brothers. God, this was perfect. Really, really perfect.

In which Blaine and his dad have been running from their past (from the Island) for almost a decade, but no one can run forever. Glee/Lost fusion/crossover. Despite the fact that I've never seen an episode of Lost, this fic has me 100% hooked and opening wiki- and lostpedia pages left and right. Not because I can't follow what's happening, but just because I'm so fascinated I want to know EVERYTHING. What is a dharma initiative? lolol Can't wait to see more of this.

In which Kurt and Blaine continue to navigate their relationship with each other and their parents, but this time with the added complications of beginning to seriously think about sex. Yesssss, loved this, too. But noooo, it ended in an EVEN MORE awkward place. WHY. MORE. (There isn't more.) (FOR NOW. GLARE.)

In which Kurt and Blaine navigate their budding relationship, between themselves and their parents, it's a lot to wade through. I loved this. Blaine's parents were the exact right amount of frustrating for me to believe it. I ached for him, but watching how he was with Kurt (and Kurt was with him) made it all better. That being said, what a terribly abrupt ending. Luckily this seems to be an ongoing verse.

In which Blaine makes breakfast for people, and then someone makes breakfast for him. Oooh, feels.

In which Blaine and Kurt weather an uncomfortable Anderson family party. VERKLEMPT OVER BLAINE'S RANDOM OC COUSIN, WHY IS THIS MY LIFE. FOUR FOR YOU, OC COUSIN. YOU GO, OC COUSIN. Also, the endingggg.

In which we see the aftermath of the Sadie Hawkins dance. This fic hit me right in the nostalgia gut. I remember being a young teen and overhearing hard stuff from my parents and feeling the weight of their words like a death sentence. Even if this fic is sort of indulgently angsty, it's pretty damn age appropriate.

In which Kurt and Blaine return to Lima for the first time in a long time since Burt died, and they prove that grieving and healing are both long processes, but the love that goes along with them are always, always worth it. This fic had me so, so verklempt, it's not even funny. It's so hard--between all the hardships of growing up and of processing conflict and loss, I suspect there's going to be parts of it that will hit too close to home for every single person that reads it--but so lovely and so full of all the best of humanity and its intentions, you forgive it wholeheartedly. It ends with home, and with love, as all things should.

In which Blaine gets sick, and people care for him.

In which we see what a typical day is like in the life of Blaine Anderson. ;_________; My heart.

In which we see Blaine's history with cotillions and his heritage and his life as they relate to one another other. This was fascinatingly evocative and frequently heartbreaking, but I'm glad I read the meta that spawned it (linked in the ANs), because I felt like there wasn't a clear throughline, especially in the way it leads to the final part with Kurt. Ultimately, this fic could have stood to have been about 2000 words longer, but I can't really fault what there was of it, because it was all good.

Oh hey, the Ben!verse series tag. I go back and forth on this series. On the one hand, I think it's really nice to read a series where Blaine's dad really loves Blaine and it's just Blaine being defensive and misunderstanding him and really they just need to talk more and everything will be shiny again. But on the other hand, wow, naive. But on the OTHER other hand, why naive? Why not take this more complex road? But on the other(cubed) hand, I feel that this series handwaves Blaine's characterization of his father on the show to pursue its own characterization instead. I'll give it to the author, this version is lovely and much more interesting than what the show suggests. I just don't think the ease with which it sets canon aside is quite kosher. That being said, a lot of fic in this series is flawless, especially the latest story (for some reason not tagged?), The Man Behind the Curtain. So uh, overall, recommended? But with a reservation, I guess.

In which we see Blaine and his father's visit to Arizona from Blaine's point of view. Part of this author's Ben!verse. This, oh, this. So perfectly sad and perfectly lovely and perfectly important.

In which Blaine spends a week with his dad at his grandparents, and both Blaine and his father are forced to acknowledge that family is hard, and what they have is more special than they think. Continuation of the Ben verse. I always feel on the fence about this series because it's just not my Anderson headcanon, but this fic is very, very strong. Depressing and hard topics are covered, but there are sweet moments, and important ones, too.

In which LotR was Blaine's childhood passion, and he continues to measure his life by this books. Wish I'd seen this sooner. Secret personal canon!!!!

In which Blaine and his two brothers have been supporting each other for a long time, and despite difficulties, they refuse to let that change. GOD, I LOVED THIS. The writing was a little stilted at moments, but that kind of works for the Andersons, and the thought and the feeling behind this fic are so palpably good that I forgive its faults easily, wholeheartedly.

In which we see Blaine's many years at Asian Camp before Junior year of high school. This was really, really lovely.

In which there is the story of Blaine's mother, and why Blaine doesn't call himself Pinoy. This was absolutely heartbreaking and really, deftly, beautifully, carefully well-done.

In which we see Prom from Blaine's dad's perspective. Oh, oh, owww, but jesus this fic was really good. Bleak, but really good.