Happy Wednesday!

Thank you so much for the comments on the last chapter. I'm so glad you guys love Cooper, and particularly Cooper and Kurt's moments, as much as I do!

Thanks to Christine for her help on this and every other chapter of this little story of mine :)

Enjoy!

The next morning, Kurt walked back into the hospital after another horrible night at his apartment. He wouldn't have gone home at all if it hadn't been because Nick promised they could talk more calmly there, and Kurt really wanted to know what the hell had crawled up his boyfriend's ass lately. He had no time nor the patience to deal with anything that wasn't his father, and he wanted to solve whatever was wrong as soon as possible, so Nick could finally go back to being the good partner he had been so far, so he would be by Kurt's side during the worst time of his life.

It wasn't so much to ask for, wasn't it? Kurt just wanted to feel like he had someone in his corner through this whole ordeal.

However, the night hadn't gone as planned. Kurt had decided to take a shower and clear his head before he said something he would regret, and gave Nick time to do the same, but when he stepped out of the bathroom, Nick was in bed, already asleep and snorting softly. He hadn't even waited up for Kurt.

So although there were many questions buzzing in Kurt's head like a swarm of crazy bees, he let it go. Just this once, he let it go. He went into the kitchen and baked cookies for Cooper instead.

Nick hadn't even woken up by the time Kurt left the next morning. Kurt thought about leaving him a note, but realized he didn't even know what to say to him at this point. When had Nick stopped caring about him? How could he be so cold and distant right when Kurt needed him the most?

It was still too early to go see Cooper, so he went into his father's room, kissed his forehead and squeezed his hand, as usual waiting for a reaction that never happened. He was overwhelmed that everything that had happened lately and needed someone to talk to, and he thought of his best friend, Rachel. Even though she could be self-absorbed most of the time, Kurt had always felt better with her by his side. It just sucked that she wasn't available right now. Only three weeks ago she had started a job as the main entertainment on a cruise line, and she was currently in the middle of the ocean, where she rarely had phone signal, so Kurt usually got a call or a text from her when she reached land at one of her destinations.

It wasn't the kind of job she had always craved; it wasn't the spotlight of a Broadway stage. Kurt looked at his father, unmoving in the bed. Sometimes their lives didn't go exactly as they planned them.

He sent her a text, telling her about what had happened, asking her to call him as soon as she could, and then decided to spend the rest of his morning working, keeping his head as busy as possible as not to think about the million things that were competing to tear him into pieces.

His life had been so different less than a week ago. How come everything was so upside down now?

He poured himself into his work – answering emails, working on some of his clients' requests – until he realized it was almost noon and he had been working non-stop, not even fueled by caffeine, since before eight. He stretched his arms over his head and decided it was a good time as any to take a little break and see what the Anderson brothers were up to.

Cooper was scanning through a magazine when Kurt walked in. He immediately noticed the plastic container and dropped the magazine, pointing at it. "More muffins?" He asked in greeting.

Kurt chuckled and handed the container over. "Oatmeal cookies this time."

"Don't tell Blaine, but you're my favorite person in this whole universe," Cooper said, already stuffing a couple of cookies into his mouth. He moaned as he chewed them. "Oh my god, are you some kind of gourmet baker? What is this sorcery?"

"More like stress baker," Kurt said, taking a seat next to the bed. He looked around. "Where's Blaine?"

"He isn't here yet. He had to stay a little longer at the flowershop today." Cooper's phone buzzed just as he said that. He read the message and then told Kurt: "That's him. He's on his way and he's bringing lunch."

"Save the cookies for later, then," Kurt retorted, and Cooper glared at him but allowed him to put the lid on the container again. "Are you feeling better today? You looked very tired yesterday."

Cooper waved away his words, like it wasn't a big deal. "I'm fine. I just get so sick of being here all the time." He looked at Kurt intently. "Are you going to tell Blaine?"

"No, I promised and I won't," Kurt replied. "But you know you need to be more careful."

Cooper rolled his eyes. "I'm not a kid, Kurt. You don't have to worry about me."

"I worry because I care," Kurt said. Cooper seemed surprised. "Look, I know we don't really know each other, but you and Blaine have been so good to me these past few days, and we're becoming friends. Of course I care." The air seemed to grow a bit heavier as Cooper watched him intently, so Kurt decided to change the subject. He pointed at the magazine Cooper had been flipping through when he arrived. "Is that the new Vogue?"

Cooper snorted. "No. It's like five years old. One of the nurses brought it for me from the waiting room when I complained about being bored this morning. I don't know why she thought this would help."

"Au contraire," Kurt said, sliding his chair closer to the bed so he could take a look, too. "Judging clothes from five years ago? That sounds like my kind of fun."

They spent the next few minutes going through the magazine together, until Blaine arrived, carrying a large paper bag and new flowers for Cooper's window.

"Hey you two," he said, depositing the bag on the side table. "What are you up to?"

"Just judging people's fashion choices," Kurt replied, smiling up at Blaine. "Now tell us about your date last night so I can go and leave you guys to eat in peace."

"Are you kidding? I brought enough for the three of us," Blaine said, as if it was obvious, as he moved towards the bathroom to put the flowers in water. "Hope you like Chinese!"

They gathered around Cooper's bed, the little white take out boxes spread amongst them, and they passed them around.

"So, spill already," Cooper said, picking an egg roll and taking a big bite out of it. "Wasn't he super cute?"

"He was definitely dreamy," Blaine admitted. He peered into the box he was holding and fished some chicken out to pop it into his mouth. "I don't know where you get these guys. Most of them look like underwear models."

"Only the best for my little brother," Cooper grinned, and then leaned to steal some chow mien from Kurt.

"What did you do, what did you talk about?" Kurt asked, as he tilted his container to give Cooper better access.

"We had drinks in a bar a couple blocks from here," Blaine explained. "We talked a lot about work, where he grew up, where I grew up... basic first date stuff. Do you want some of this?" He asked Kurt, offering his moo shu chicken.

Kurt hummed in agreement and picked a few pieces of chicken, offering Blaine from his own box. "I hate first dates. I'm always a nervous-wreck, scared to say the wrong thing and scare him away. I especially hate those super awkward silences when neither knows what to say."

"Ugh, we had like a million of those," Blaine replied. "Honestly, there was no instant chemistry. He was really attractive, but I can't date someone just because he's hot. And I'm pretty sure he's still hung up on his ex, or at the very least looking for a rebound."

"Blaine can't have sex for the sake of having sex," Cooper told Kurt, rolling his eyes. "He's lame like that. He doesn't know how to have fun."

Kurt smiled at Blaine. "I think that's nice. Most guys I dated couldn't look past the physical. Sometimes that's fun, but... isn't it better when there's something more?"

"It definitely is," Blaine agreed, smiling back at him. They just stared at each other in silent camaraderie, before Blaine returned his attention to his food. "Anyway, he asked if I wanted to move things to his apartment and I said I was tired. He got a bit moody and left."

"What an asshole," Kurt commented, switching boxes with Cooper.

"I'll find a better one next time," Cooper said, nudging his brother with his foot. "I'm sorry I keep getting it wrong."

Blaine shrugged. "It's fine, really. I don't think you can find any more guys for me at this point. You must have introduced me to all of the gay guys in New York."

Cooper's smirk was bright, mischievous. He glanced at Kurt and then at Blaine, and said: "I'm sure there's one or two you haven't dated yet. Just give it a little time."

Blaine seemed to be bored of discussing his love life. "We'll see. Who has the shrimp? I want some."

They moved on to other topics, and as the brothers started to bicker about one thing or the other, Kurt spaced out, thinking that among all the desolation he had been feeling lately, he was actually very, very lucky to have found people like Cooper and Blaine, who kept him sane through it all. He had no idea what was going to happen, but he knew one thing: he would be indebted to them for the rest of his days.

Nick only texted him once to ask how he was doing – no mention of their failed attempt to have a real conversation whatsoever – and then once more to let him know he was stopping by his sister's house for a quick visit, if Kurt needed him. Kurt wanted to ask him why he had time to visit his sister but not to come sit with him at the hospital when he needed him most, but refrained from doing so. He would deal with this when he had the time. He was prioritizing other things, just like Nick was.

Kurt didn't go home that night. He stayed in his father's room and fell asleep on the armchair. One of the nurses took pity of him and got him a pillow and an extra blanket, but didn't stop him from waking up on Sunday morning with his whole body aching.

He went to the cafeteria to get a cup of coffee and a bagel, and then spent the rest of the morning trying to catch up on some work. He was still hunched over his sketchbook when Blaine knocked on the door a little before noon, to let him know he had to go back to the flowershop so he wouldn't be around for lunch.

"Cooper's napping, but go see him later if you want some company," Blaine encouraged him. "I'm sure he'd love to see you."

After that, Kurt was alone again, the beeping of the machines the only other sound in the room aside from his own intermittent typing. He finished up a design and sent it to his client for approval, then began work on a new dress for a different client, who had an event the following month. Work was the best distraction – he could get lost in it so easily that hours went by before he noticed. Kurt could have sworn Blaine had stopped by only ten minutes ago, but when he looked up from his sketches, it was near five o'clock and he hadn't moved an inch.

He tapped his computer to bring it back to life and found an email from Rachel, which made his heart clench a bit in his chest – finally someone familiar, someone he loved. He wished she was here to hold him through the worst of the waiting.

Kurt,

I got your text today and I tried to reply a million times but it wouldn't go through. I can't stop thinking about you sitting next to your dad in a hospital room. I wish I could swim all the way back to New York to be with you. I'm so, so sorry. Please keep me updated on any news you have. I think I might be able to call you soon, but we can keep in touch via email the easiest, so if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to write. Close your eyes and picture me hugging you right now.

The only thing that comforts me is knowing Nick's there with you.

I'm sending all my positive energies for you and Burt. Stay strong.

I love you,

Rachel.

Kurt went back and reread one of her lines: The only thing that comforts me is knowing Nick's there with you. He almost snorted bitterly. If she only knew...

He got up and stretched, feeling his whole body pop as he moved, and walked towards the bed to check on his dad, squeeze his hand and, for the millionth time, hope for a response that didn't occur. He was considering going for another cup of coffee, when there was a knock on his door for the second time that day.

This time, it was Cooper.

"What are you doing out of bed?" Kurt asked severely. "I covered for you last time, but I won't do it again."

Cooper quirked an eyebrow at him. "Calm down, dad. I'm not walking around, I just needed to ask you a favor."

Kurt's face softened. "Oh, okay. What is it?"

"Blaine forgot his phone," Cooper explained, taking a cellphone out of his sweatpants' pocket. "He had to go to work and can't come back until tomorrow, but I know he really needs it for work and he'll probably freak out once he realizes he doesn't have it on him. Would you mind taking it to him?"

Kurt glanced back at the bed and hesitated. "Uhm, well. Are you sure this can't wait?"

"No. I'm really sorry that I have to ask you this, but I don't want him to worry," Cooper replied, looking down at the phone in concern. "He looked very tired today, and I don't want him to have to come back here to get it after work, if he even realizes he didn't actually lose it. He always calls me before he goes to bed, too."

Kurt bit his lip, but then nodded. "Okay, sure. I can run by the shop quickly and drop it. What's the address?"

Cooper should have come with a warning taped to his chest, something that said it was quite impossible saying no to him. One quick look at his pleading blue eyes, and Kurt would have jumped into a volcano for him.

The subway wasn't crowded at all, a small mercy, when Kurt jumped into one of the cars right before the doors closed, about fifteen minutes later. He took a seat and checked the address Cooper had given him once more – it was near Times Square, so hopefully it wouldn't take too long.

It hadn't even been a week since Burt had fallen into a coma, but as Kurt walked down the streets of Manhattan, he felt like he was in a world he hadn't seen in a very, very long time. Groups of friends laughed and teased each other, couples walked hand in hand, parents pushed kids on strollers. The world didn't look as gray as it did when he looked at it through the hospital's window. There weren't any worried people sitting in waiting rooms, hoping to hear good news. If these people had any concern, they didn't show it. They just lived. And Kurt was beginning to worry he had forgotten how to do exactly that.

It wasn't hard to spot the flowershop once he turned into the right street. Amongst the concrete and glass buildings, the minimalists coffee shops and the monotones of all the other businesses, Flora was a bright beacon, splotches of color lighting up the whole street. Even before Kurt got close enough, he could see the roses, the lilies, the daisies, the ready-to-go bouquets wrapped in brown paper with white ribbons. It was a small, unexpected paradise.

When Kurt pushed the door open, he was instantly hit by the fragrance of the flowers, and he stood in the middle of the store, lost in that, before he noticed there was a purple-haired girl standing behind the counter and watching him with a quirked eyebrow.

He was about to say hello, but she beat him to it, turning her head to scream over her shoulder: "Oh boss, you might want to take this one yourself! He's really handsome and I think there's a chance he's on your team?"

Kurt spluttered, trying to figure out if he was supposed to be offended or flattered, but couldn't come up with anything to say before Blaine was walking out of a door in the back, his arms full of white hydrangeas. His face was red, and he looked half mortified, half angry.

"Annie!" He exclaimed. "I told you a million times, you can't announce customers like that! It's so incredibly… oh, Kurt! Hi!"

"Hi," Kurt said sheepishly, wondering if his cheeks looked as on fire as they felt.

"I'm so sorry about her," Blaine said, as he passed the flowers to the girl and glared at her at the same time. "I don't know why I keep her around."

"Because you love me," Annie replied with a grin and moved to the other side of the shop.

Blaine rolled his eyes as he watched her go, and then turned to Kurt. "This is a surprise. What are you doing here?"

"Cooper asked me to come," Kurt explained, fishing Blaine's phone out of his pocket. "You forgot this at the hospital and he was worried you'd need it."

"Oh, you shouldn't have come all this way! Thank you, Kurt," Blaine said as he accepted the phone. "I hadn't even noticed it was missing. I could have sworn I put it in my jacket's pocket before I left."

Kurt shrugged. "I don't know. He seemed to think it was important, so..."

"Well, thank you, anyway," Blaine smiled.

"This place is fabulous," Kurt commented, as he turned around to take a better look at the flowers displayed at the front.

"Really, you think so?" Blaine asked, clearly pleased. "Would you like a tour?"

Kurt smiled back. "I would love that!"

Blaine showed him the displays, the rows and rows of bouquets in different colors and varieties. Lots of customers stopped by and picked something up from the arrangements they had available, so Blaine always made sure to have enough options ready to go. The smell inside the store was sweet and dense, it made Kurt feel like he was floating a little.

Behind the counter, there was a white and black portrait of a young woman sitting amongst several buckets of flowers, and then another one right next to it, where a younger Blaine and a younger Cooper hugged an old woman.

"Your Grandma?" Kurt guessed, getting closer to take a better look.

"Yeah," Blaine nodded, looking at the pictures fondly. He pointed at the oldest one. "That's her on her opening day. She loved this place so much, it was her home."

"How old were you in this picture?" Kurt asked, smiling. Blaine looked adorable, with his hair gelled to his skull and a charming smile. He was a little chubbier, his cheeks fuller. He still looked like a little kid.

"About sixteen," Blaine replied. "Coop was in his early twenties, about twenty three, I think."

"He looks so handsome," Kurt reached and touched Cooper's face. He looked very little like the man he knew from the hospital. There was unbridled joy on his face, a man with a world to conquer.

"I used to be so jealous of him," Blaine chuckled. "He was so confident, so attractive. Every guy I've ever met has always looked at him and immediately forgotten about me. We got into so many fights about that – whenever he took me out to a gay bar, no one would pay attention to me. It was so frustrating..." He stopped and sighed. "How I miss those days now."

"I bet you got a lot of looks yourself," Kurt retorted, eyes still fixed on the younger Anderson brothers.

Blaine rolled his eyes, clearly not believing him. "Come on, I'll show you the backroom."

As Kurt followed Blaine into the other room, he felt as if he had stepped into a whole different world. Manhattan seemed to fade away and in its place rose a small, private, colorful jungle, fragrant and beautiful. If he had thought there were a lot of flowers at the front, he hadn't been prepared to see this.

There were two long tables filled with buckets and buckets with flowers in every color of the rainbow. Metallic shelves against the wall held even more buckets, as well as rolls of different kinds of paper and ribbons to put the bouquet together. Two large refrigerators held the most delicate specimens, keeping them cool and preserved.

Everywhere he looked, Kurt saw beauty.

He stood right in the middle of the room and closed his eyes, letting the pleasant scent wash over him. He could stay here forever.

When he opened his eyes, Blaine was standing there, watching him as if in awe.

"Sorry," Kurt muttered shyly. "This is the most beautiful place I've ever been in."

"You really think so?" Blaine asked softly.

"I feel like... like I've stepped into some sort of dream," Kurt explained, as he took another look around. "As if as long as I'm here... nothing could ever go wrong."

"Unfortunately," Blaine began to say, his voice quiet, "we have to leave eventually."

Kurt gave him a little smile. "I guess we do, huh?"

For the next few minutes, Blaine let him wander through his tiny piece of paradise. The sounds of the city didn't reach them there, so it was silent except for Kurt's own steps. Blaine stood, watching him watching his flowers, against one of the tables. There was something in his hazel eyes as they followed Kurt – something that felt aching and open, and that Kurt couldn't quite understand, although he too felt aching and open deep inside himself, like being here was tearing down every single barrier he had ever built.

"Any favorites?" Blaine asked after a while, his voice low as if he didn't want to disturb Kurt's newfound peace.

"I've always loved daisies," Kurt said, running his finger through the white petal of a daisy near to him. "They're lovely and so friendly."

Blaine's smile was bright and happy, like it had been in the picture behind the counter when he was sixteen years old. "Meg Ryan. You've got mail."

Kurt laughed, feeling free and light like he hadn't felt in almost a week. "I love that movie. How come they don't make rom-coms as good as back in the 90s?"

"Because romance is dead?" Blaine offered, moving towards him amongst the sea of flowers.

"Well, that's a comforting thought coming from the man who goes on dates more than anyone I've ever met before," Kurt commented, quirking an eyebrow at him, and making Blaine chuckle.

"That's exactly how I know romance is dead," Blaine retorted, pointing a finger at him. "All this online dating, dating apps, hook up apps... everything moves so much quicker. You fill out a profile and give out details of your life right away, and people aren't interested in sitting down and getting to know each other. No one compliments anyone on anything significant – it's all you're so hot or you look good. They just don't care."

Kurt buried his face in a bundle of yellow roses, taking in their scent. "I beg to differ."

"I'm sorry?" Blaine said, confused.

"I don't think romance is dead," Kurt told him, straightening up to look Blaine right in the eyes. "As long as there are people like you... well, Blaine Anderson, you make this helpless romantic feel hopeful again, almost like in one of those rom-coms. But I get to play Meg Ryan."

It shocked them how close they were, like neither of them had noticed until now. The air seemed suddenly heavy, and time stopped as they looked at each other, Kurt's blue eyes searching in Blaine's whiskey ones, although he wasn't sure what he was trying to find, exactly.

He could have sworn he could feel his heartbeat, pounding away on his ears, against his ribcage. His mouth was dry. Had Blaine just glanced quickly at his lips? He began to feel dizzy. He couldn't breathe. But at the same time, he felt marvelously, more alive than he had felt in a long time, like suddenly his body was jumping back into motion, blood pumping through his veins, oxygen coursing through his lungs.

And Blaine was so close, he could almost smell his cologne. It was a scent lovelier than that of the flowers, richer. Kurt could have become drunk from it.

Kurt's hand twitched at his side, somehow eager to reach for Blaine, grab him, pull him closer...

"Kurt..." Blaine whispered, his voice so thick it sent a shiver down Kurt's spine.

Kurt swallowed, bit his lip, struggled to breathe, and allowed himself to move forward an inch.

The door to the backroom was thrown open, and the spell was broken. Annie barged in, bringing with her the sounds from the outside, reminding Kurt that he was still in Manhattan, and that whatever had been about to happen could have ended terribly.

"Hey boss, it's closing time, so I'm getting ready to leave, if that's okay with you!" She exclaimed, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning against the doorframe. She watched them with interest, as if realizing she had walked in at a very awkward moment.

Blaine cleared his throat. His pupils were blown, and he looked bewildered. "Uhm, okay! Thanks, Annie. Remember I won't be coming tomorrow, so I'll see you on Tuesday, if everything with Cooper's chemo goes alright."

"Okay. Good luck tomorrow. Tell Cooper I say hi," she waved over her shoulder and walked out as quickly as she had arrived. The girl was a whirlwind.

Kurt took a step back, consciously putting some distance between them. He, too, cleared his throat. "Well, I should let you get back to work. I have to go back to the hospital anyway."

"Are you not going home tonight?" Blaine asked, and guided Kurt back to the front of the store.

"No, I want to be with my dad," Kurt replied. He stood there awkwardly as he watched Blaine tidy up for a moment, getting ready to leave as well. "So I guess..."

"I'll walk you to the subway station, hang on," Blaine interrupted.

Kurt busied himself looking at the bouquets by the window once again, or pretending he was at least, when what he was actually attempting to do was getting his heart to beat at a regular pace once again. He could still feel it going at it like a drum.

A few minutes later, they walked out of the flowershop together. Kurt was horribly aware of how their hands swung between them, missing each other by mere inches. He pushed his own into his pocket. This was insane. He couldn't have those kind of thoughts about Blaine. He was just exhausted, stressed and lonely.

No good decisions could be made when he felt like that.

"Big day tomorrow, huh?" He muttered as they got to the station.

Blaine nodded slowly, concern etching his features. "Yeah."

This time Kurt did allow himself to place his hand on Blaine's arm and squeezed comfortingly. "It'll be alright. I'm going to be there all day so if you or Cooper need anything..."

"Thank you, Kurt."

"You're welcome. I'll stop by to check on him," he promised. "Will you be alright?"

"Of course," Blaine said, and it sounded like an empty promise, but Kurt let it go. "See you tomorrow?"

Kurt let his hand fall and turned to the stairs. "See you tomorrow."

Kurt resisted the urge to look over his shoulder as he went down into the station, but somehow knew that Blaine was watching him go.

I hope you enjoyed this slightly longer chapter, and that moment of tension between Kurt and Blaine! :)

Please let me know what you thought! Your reviews/messages keep me motivated to write more.

I'll see you again on Saturday!

Love,

L.-