Monday arrived and with it the first day of winter, air biting cold, though no sign of snow. Kurt loved the winter; he loved the bowed trees, branches hanging low from the white blanket that covered all of New York City, he loved the dark nights where he could rightfully with good conscience curl up with a big cup of cocoa and watch the snow fall outside his window. He loved the hot baths he would take when he had been outside in the cold, and he loved the children dragging each other around on sleighs in the park. Right now, however, the thing he loved most about winter was the bundle of freezing customers it brought to his shop, huddling together and seeking warmth among the books.

"Thanks sweetie, have a nice day." Kurt winked at a gorgeous redhead teenage girl, handing over her change and chuckling as she blushed and smiled brightly before taking her newly bought book and heading out, brushing past a handsome man as he entered the store.

"He was right, this is a lovely little shop you've got here." Cooper Anderson, wearing a dark coat and fitted slacks, looked around with a fairly impressed expression while making his way to the counter.

"Cooper! Hi!" Kurt said, surprised, as the strikingly good-looking man leaned against the desk with his hands in his pocket.

"Good day, Kurt," he grinned, "how are you today?" Kurt smoothed his hair with his hand, he couldn't help but feel self-conscious next the attractive Anderson, though decently less so than his brother whether Kurt was biased or not.

"Good! I'm good. How about you? You want something to drink? Coffee? Tea?"

"Coffee would be great, thanks." Cooper removed his coat and sat down in one of the plush love seats in a far corner of the shop while Kurt pulled out a cup (he couldn't serve his future brother in law beverages in a cheap paper cup like the other customers got, what would he think?) filled it with steaming black coffee and poured a cup of lemon tea for himself, before sitting down opposite him in another love seat. Though he might feel like a horrifyingly ugly beast in comparison, it was impossible to feel uncomfortable with Cooper. He had this sort of aura of warmth, much like Blaine, that just put him at ease.

Cooper took a sip of his cup, politely saying, "Excellent coffee," before setting the cup at the small table between them, placing his hands in his lap and leaning forward.

"I know you must be wondering why I'm here. I just wanted to have a little chat with you." Cooper smiled reassuringly as Kurt gulped.

"Oh, about anything in particular, or…?" Kurt was curious, during the dinner a couple of nights ago he hadn't really had the chance to talk much with Cooper, simply enjoying his stories and listening to the others talk.

"Well, yes… It's regarding Blaine. Do you like him?"

Kurt choked on his tea.

"I… what?" he spluttered, feeling a blush beginning to creep over his face. Cooper rubbed his eyes tiredly.

"Look, Kurt, I know this is very… well, forward, of me. But you have to understand; Blaine has never been with anyone before. I've seen a lot of shit happening to him because of his condition," his voice hardened and his mouth twitched, "Now, I don't know how you feel about him, I honestly don't know anything about you, though you seem like a really good guy. Blaine has a tendency to trust people who don't deserve it, which often put him in sucky situations, but I will not allow anyone or anything to hurt my brother. I'm not saying this to scare you or anything, you understand, though, right?"

Kurt was strangely touched by the sweetness of the gesture. Turns out Cooper Anderson was a big softie at heart.

"I understand that, and I would honestly never intentionally hurt Blaine. He is… well, probably the best guy I've ever met, and I wouldn't dream of abusing his trust. Seriously, though, you don't have to worry – I don't think Blaine will ever, you know, like me, so that's, like, not an issue…"

Cooper raised an eyebrow at him and smirked.

"Oh, Kurt. Sweet, sweet, delusional little Kurt," he leaned back in his chair, "Thank you, though. I hope I can trust you. I think I can; you seem sincere," Cooper mused and Kurt smiled and took another sip of his tea.

"You know," Cooper said after a while, "I can see why Blaine likes this place so much. Despite the obvious reason I mean, this place is practically overflowing with books. Dear little brother has always had his nose stuck in a book ever since he learned how to read, that little nerd." Kurt chuckled, imagining a tiny, curly haired little Blaine with glasses on his nose and a bowtie around his neck, reading a lexicon five times bigger than himself.

"Yes, that's how I met him, alright. He bought a fairytale book." Thinking about the memory of Blaine first walking into his bookshop made Kurt's stomach twist, and a smile spread over his face.

"Hah!" Cooper exclaimed, "I'm so not surprised, Blaine has always loved fairytales! Our granddad would always read them to us, even though I was like twelve," he rolled his eyes, but with an unmistakably nostalgic sad smile.

They chatted for another hour about their jobs, hobbies and other basic stuff you tell people you're just getting to know. Kurt found that he really liked Cooper, he was charming and funny, and actually really intelligent; he was a doctor after all, unemployed, yes, but still. Their conversation was cut to a short as Cooper got a text, and rose from his seat.

"I have to go. I have a date with this girl named Summer. Total babe," he winked and Kurt rolled his eyes.

"Yes, boobs and stuff… yum," he sniffed and Cooper laughed out loud, slapping his shoulder.

"Preferences, preferences."

"Well, it was great talking to you, Kurt, I hope we can do it again sometime," Cooper said as Kurt held the door open for him.

"Absolutely! Have fun on your date! And no funny business," Kurt playfully reprimanded and Cooper laughed again.

"You sound like my brother. Well, good night, Kurtsie!" He waved as he headed out on the street, pulling his coat closer around himself.

"You too! Say hi to Blaine from me if you see him." Kurt shut the door after him with a grin just as a message ticked in his phone. His heart jumped as he saw that it was from Blaine, and he quickly opened it.

"I'm in a pet store. Kurt, they have puppies! They are so cute!" Kurt grinned, quickly typing his response.

"Puppies generally are really cute creatures I have heard."

"Kurt, I want a dog. Should I get a dog? I should get a dog."

Kurt could practically feel Blaine's excitement.
"So get one! YOLO and all that!"
"Oh my god, you did not just YOLO me. Kurt. Seriously. Kurt. No."
Kurt laughed, throwing his head back as he walked back to the counter to empty the register and close up.

"Kurt, I don't have enough money on me. But I want a dog. Can I take one? Would you stop liking me if I steal a dog?"
"I will under no circumstances be associated with a dog-napper. No."

":(" A new text ticked in before Kurt had the chance to answer. "Their eyes, Kurt. They are looking at me with those eyes! This brown one just spoke to me, honestly, 'Blaine take me home, love me Blaine' "

Kurt giggled. Blaine was seriously the cutest thing ever.

"Step away from the puppies, Anderson."

"I am in misery."

"Step. Away."

"Fine, I'm leaving."

Kurt lightly dusted a few shelves, while whistling, as the last text ticked in.

"Fine, I'm outside now. In the cold. Alone and lonely. Just like the puppies. I blame this on you."

"On me? How is this my fault?"
"You told me you wouldn't hang out with a dog-napper. Kurt?"
"Yes?"
"I like you better than puppies."

Kurt squealed – coming from Blaine, that was pretty much the best compliment he could ever receive.

already started writing the next chapter, so it won't be long! thank you so much for the reviews YOU ARE THE BEST!