#thread: cooper

Jesse woke up feeling anxious. Today was the day that the two of them got to meet some kids who needed fostering. Being a parent was something that Jesse had always wanted to do but when Moriah arrived, he realised how difficult it was to raise a child. He had always imagined himself as a firm but fair father; his real skill came from the support that he would provide his child with. He wanted a child to have the best possible life and one thing was for certain, the kids he would see today, needed that more than anyone. 

He explored his morning routine and dressed himself in a white shirt and black tie, he wanted to wear a jacket but nothing felt right in the outfit ensemble he had prepared. Giving himself a quick look over in the mirror, he made his way into the kitchen and made himself a bagel with strawberry jam while he waited for Cooper. He was nervous, perhaps more nervous than he had been before any big show. 

@imcooperanderson​

Jesse didn’t know where his mind was. He can’t explain why he is the way he is or why he loves Cooper, but he needed to hear the truth. The last thing he wants right now is to bring another child into this world when he can barely look after himself. He could walk away from this; he could leave and start again. But there was no one like Cooper.

He flew back out to LA and started to feel slightly annoyed with air travel. This was perhaps the third flight of the month for him and they were only on the fourth day. He tried to push back the smells around him or the hard plastic of the cabin and try to focus on what mattered, fixing things.

When he received the text, he sighed and placed his phone back in his pocket. He had a lot of time to kill. Jesse called a cab and had it drive him to their home. He unlocked the front door and made his way straight into the shower.

The water ran down his body lazily and warmed his feet as he stood there, head in the clouds. Jesse enjoyed being clean. He enjoyed hot showers and most of the time, he enjoyed being alone with his thoughts. Not this time.

He got out of the shower and changed into a smart dress shirt, black blazer and his best shoes. He sat on the sofa and checked his watch against the clock in the house. He still had time. Blankly, he flicked on the TV and zoned out to whatever was playing. He wasn’t focused on that, he was focused on the time, every hand bringing him closer to Cooper.

When it was finally time, he called another cab and made his way to the pier. He ran a hand through his hair as he always did when he was nervous and checked his watch every few seconds in anticipation of Cooper’s arrival.

@imcooperanderson

Jesse leant over to the bedside table to shut off the gentle humming which was growing louder from his phone. He smiled looking over at the sleeping Cooper next to him and made his way to the bathroom. Jesse had a very strict ritual when he woke up.

First, he would wash his face in cold water, then moisturise and then, brush his teeth. Then, he would hop in the shower for roughly fifteen minutes, or however long it took him quietly sing along to his ‘Show Jams’ playlist. Lastly, Jesse would moisturise his face once again. He had a bad case of acne when he was fourteen and had never looked back on taking care of his face.

He walked out of the shower, water running down his chest as he made his way over to the dresser. He picked up his clothes which he had left on top from the night before and looked down once again at the sleeping Cooper. It was strange to watch someone when they were sleeping, yet Cooper seemed so peaceful and quiet. It was a rare treat.

He checked his watch. 09:30. If he was quick, he could still catch that early morning breeze that came with being an early bird. He fastened up his running shoes, placed his sweatband over his forehead and strapped his iPod to his arm as he set off out of the streets of New York City for his morning run.

New York surely seemed to never sleep as he already saw the streets moving with life, cars running down the street and school children on their way to school or a lack of intention to go to school. God, how he wished he grew up in this city. The crisp, cool, September air bit his nose and cheeks but he didn’t mind, it made him feel alive.

The run went smoothly only this time, something caught his eye. A new flashy poster had been put up on his favourite, quiet, café. He stopped outside to catch his breath and took his phone out of its holder and took a picture of the poster, his face lighting up. “Good morning Ronda…” Jesse said happily as he walked into the café for his morning porridge with jam and hot cup of tea.

                                                            *

At 10:30, Jesse returned to their apartment. He changed into his casual clothes; a black shirt, black denim unbutton shirt, a pair of black skinny jeans and even though he barely wore hats, a black hat which he borrowed from Cooper, turned backwards. Today didn’t feel like a great hair day.

He sat at his usual spot, turned on the TV to whatever was on and set to work replying to emails, playing the Sims and social media, his wait for Cooper to wake up starting. However, he knew if he wasn’t up before 12pm then he would have to wake him up. He checked the picture on his phone which he took earlier and grinned happily. He was going to win big boyfriend points for sure.

Jesse sat at the table, his Mac open and hand lazily moving the mouse next to him as he looked after his Sim characters. He enjoyed playing the Sims. It was a world he could control and play God with. If he wanted Harry Styles to start dating Katy Perry, he could make that happen, he had that power.

He watched as the small version of himself left for work and his attention drew over too little Cooper sleeping in bed. He clicked the character to check his status, he was nearly fully rested, and Jesse decided to leave him in bed for a little while longer.

A reminder popped up in the lower right-hand corner of his laptop. He clicked on it and then began to add his and Rachel’s lunch into his calendar. It was going to be nice to see her again, it had been far too long. Truth be told, he had missed her. She was one of the few people to actually challenge Jesse and if there was one thing Jesse loved, it was a challenge.

He pushed his ‘reading’ glasses up with his finger as he checked his emails, going over the cast notes from last nights run. The show was fast approaching and some of the lesser trained members of the ensemble still keep struggling with Turn it Off. The producer emailed to ask Jesse to work closely with the MD to go over it with them, which he was happy to. Well, not happy but he enjoyed bossing people around. God, he missed directing.

Jesse heard the door click and swing open, he glanced over at his boyfriend walking in, looking as cute as ever. It was his style, smile and charisma that made him fall for Cooper. “You’re done. How was Africa, Elder Price?” He asked with a small smile on his lips. Yes, he was frustrated that he wasn’t the lead, however Cooper did the character justice and he was Marius in Les Mis so he couldn’t have it all… Sadly.

@imcooperanderson

The news of the show closing before it was even officially open sucked. That was an understatement, it was the worst thing imaginable. They had all worked so hard in setting up, rehearsing and building this show all for it to fall at the very last hurdle.

Blaine locked his phone and looked out onto the cold New York City streets watching people walk by and traffic create an urban score. He wondered how many others had been affected by the virus. Were they too out of work? He went into his apartment and pulled open the liquor cabinets making himself a JD and coke to ease his nerves.

When the time came for Cooper’s arrival, Blaine waited by the gates in anticipation for his brother. A few straw curls breaking his stylised mould. He wore a red checkered shirt, with the top two buttons undone, dark blue jeans and no jacket despite the 14 degree temperature outside.

His eyes were red and he was a little shaky where he stood but when he saw Cooper walk towards him he grinned. “Heyyyy! Coop!” He pulled him into a tight hug and looked up at him, a wide, dopey grin on his face. “How was the flight? Did you get the plane food? ‘Cause you probably have Corona if you did.” He giggled wildly. “Come on! Let’s get a cab!” He said, setting off towards the lines up taxi’s outside the airport.

@imcooperanderson