It had been Rachel’s idea actually. Since kicking James to the curb, Kurt desperately needed a distraction to keep himself from wallowing in his bitterness. A kitchen renovation would hopefully do the trick. Kurt had been putting off the project for years. Always citing it as too costly and the idea of letting a crew of strangers work inside his home, his very clean home, irked him just a little.

“You need this, Kurt,” Rachel persisted on the phone, “you’ve finally dropped that deadweight of a boyfriend and the money you will save on not paying his bills every month will more than cover the expenses.”

She was right. When James had lost his job at the newspaper over a year ago, Kurt stepped in like a knight in Marc Jacobs armour and offered to help him out until he was back on his feet. Only James never got back on his feet or even tried to for that matter.

“C’mon, I’ve heard you gush about it like a million times. Dark wood floors, light granite countertops, wine cooler under the-”

“Rach,” he interrupted, “I know what it looks like. I have the picture in my head perfectly, but I can’t imagine just handing over the reigns to my dream kitchen and trusting some schmuck contractor to get it right.”

“That’s why we research! Have some faith in me. I will call around, get some referrals and by Saturday I will have the absolute best designer and contractor picked out for you. Please just let me do this for you.” She sounded sincere and persistent, as if she needed this distraction as much as he did.

“Okay,” he sighed, “let’s do this.”

_____________________________________

The week went by quickly. For Kurt it was all a blur of interior design books, renovation magazines, and daydreams of drinking finely chilled wine while preparing gourmet dishes on his massive granite island. Oh the counter space!

Kurt woke up on Saturday morning to Rachel knocking at his door with a too-big, scheming smile plastered on.

“What are you doing with your face, why do you look like that?!” Kurt grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her into the house.

“Dear God, don’t tell me you’ve called HGTV because so help me Berry, if a TV crew arrives here before I look fabulous I will murder you!”

Rachel laughed, but Kurt kept his glare on her.

“No, no TV crews. I’m actually shocked I didn’t think of that to be honest. Damn.” Rachel paused and her crazy smile started creeping back, “But, there is surprise. A designer is meeting us here in an hour...” she brought her hands together into a prayer position.

Kurt just stared at her, the look on her face made him believe she was about to drop a bomb.

“Well...who is it?” he asked, growing impatient with her dramatics.

She closed her eyes and whispered, “Wait for it.....Cooper Anderson!”

Rachel flashed open her eyes just in time to see Kurt’s jaw drop. Cooper Anderson. It was a name he had read countless times in magazines. Always credited with having worked in some of the most beautiful homes in New York. Kurt was in disbelief. How the hell did Rachel get a meeting with the Cooper Anderson? How could he ever afford this?

“Before you even ask, I spoke with Gideon about who designed his loft and when he found out I was asking for you, well, he pulled some strings. Probably a lot of strings” she laughed.

Gideon had directed Rachel in her last show off Broadway. He always had an overt affection for Kurt which really gave him the creeps because Gideon was almost seventy. Kurt winced at the thought of having to take the old, flirty man to dinner to thank him for this. But then the name came back to him, Cooper Anderson.

“Rachel, this is- this is incredible! Cooper Anderson helping me design my dream kitchen, translating to the contractor everything I want, this is- OH MY GOD he will be here in an hour?”

He didn’t even wait for Rachel to respond before he was running up the stairs and into the shower. As the hot water sprayed his back, his mind was racing with cabinets, appliances, where exactly to put the breakfast bar and then he remembered, Cooper Anderson is beautiful. Kurt even recalled doing a double take when he first saw a picture of Cooper in the Style section of the New York Times.

Rachel pounded her fists on the bathroom and door brought Kurt back into focus. He quickly finished getting ready and headed downstairs to brew some coffee right when his doorbell sounded. He and Rachel exchanged here goes smiles and he reached for the door.

There stood Cooper Anderson, with a wide toothy smile, and a freshly pressed suit. Both Kurt and Rachel froze. An awkward moment passed with them just staring at the greek god in the doorway until Cooper finally broke the silence.
“You must be Kurt and Rachel, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Beautiful home, you two have excellent taste”

“WE’RE NOT TOGETHER,” they blurted in tandem.

Cooper chuckled, still standing in the doorway. He pointed to the sofas in the living room, “Shall we get started?”

Rachel ushered Cooper into the house while Kurt went to close the door. He turned around quickly to catch a glimpse of Cooper walking away. That ass.

__________________________________

After only 15 minutes of talking, Kurt knew that Cooper Anderson was perfect for this job. He loved all of Kurt’s ideas, made such helpful suggestions, and... was he flirting? Kurt chalked it up to wishful thinking and tried to focus on the paint samples he was being shown when Cooper’s cell phone rang. The designer picked it up,

“Talk to me bro.”

Kurt and Rachel exchanged excited grins.

“Oh it’s the brownstone on the corner, just walk inside. We’re in the living room.”

Cooper hung up his phone and sat back against the couch.

Kurt shot a confused look at Cooper and tilted his head just as another man walked into the room.

“So sorry I’m late Coop! But I thought I should stop for coffee,” he smiled and handed one to Rachel, “here you are, Mrs. Hummel.”

“WE’RE NOT TOGETHER” they answered again.

“Oh,” he looked to Kurt and smiled shyly while handing him a cup, “I’m Blaine.”

Kurt’s head was spinning. There he sat in his home with the most beautiful man, when in walks an even more beautiful man carrying caffeine. Remember to thank Rachel. Blaine sat down across from Kurt and stared into the kitchen. Cooper cleared his throat,

“Blaine Anderson is my brother and the only one I trust to pull this off. This is a big remodel Kurt, and Blaine is the only contractor in the city that won’t charge you an arm and a leg.”

Kurt trusted Cooper and his suggestions so he nodded in agreement to hiring Blaine. The rest of the meeting consisted of Cooper talking about cabinetry while Kurt stared and drank his coffee. Blaine stayed quiet and thoughtfully peered into the kitchen, but Kurt was certain he felt Blaine staring at him at times.

When the Anderson brothers left, Rachel seemed very pleased with herself.
“Aren’t they just great? You will be in such good hands, Kurt. I think you all clicked so well and this will be the smoothest renovation in the history of New York!”

Kurt couldn’t form words to reply, he just brought her in for a hug. One of the cities very best designers would be working with him for the next couple weeks in crafting his dream kitchen and even brought on his own trusted contractor. For the first time since the breakup, James was no where in Kurt’s mind.

“Let’s celebrate tonight. Stonewall.”

______________________________________

Stonewall was Kurt’s favorite gay bar in New York and he knew spending his Saturday night there would be the cherry on top of a perfect day. He ordered himself a Dirty Shirley from the bar and went to join Rachel.

“I have to thank you again, Berry. I can’t believe we spoke to the Cooper Anderson in my living room today. How do I ever repay you?”

“Well, you can start by showing me a fabulous time tonight” she replied and lifted her mixed drink.

Kurt waved at the bar to signal for another round, then lifted his glass to hers,

“Here is to you, Rachel Berry. OH, and to Gideon for pulling strings!”. They clinked their glasses and drank.

Hours went by with the pair dancing against random men, taking shots with the bartenders, and shouting songs at each other. Kurt excused himself from the dancefloor to head to the washroom where he was greeted with a long line. He rested his back against the wall and tilted his head back, fully exposing his long neck. He closed his eyes for a second, feeling just how drunk he was, when a hand came to grab his hip. Kurt opened his eyes, but it took him a second to register who was in front of him. Oh, oh, the builder brother...with the coffee...Blake. No, Blaine!

“Long time no see, man!” Blaine slurred. His glassy eyes looked down and he removed his hand from Kurt’s hip. Blaine took a step back, looked Kurt up and down, and took a drink from his beer bottle. Kurt watched as Blaine swallowed and for the first time appreciated just how strong Blaine looked. Earlier he had seemed so small in Kurt’s living room, but now his shirt was tight around his biceps and broad shoulders. He could probably lift me.

“It’s your turn,” Blaine yelled over the music. Kurt’s vodka-soaked brain didn’t compute and his face must have shown it, “...for the bathroom? You’re waiting for the bathroom, right? It’s your turn.” Blaine pointed to the open door and Kurt slipped inside.

When Kurt exited, Blaine was nowhere to be seen. He found Rachel on the dancefloor sloppily grinding with Reba or was that Ginger?  He motioned for her to meet him at their table.

“Rach. Raaaach, it’s the builder!” he could smell the alcohol on his breath.

“Kurt. My sweet, sweet Kurt. I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She nuzzled up to his chest. Rachel had always been a touchy feely drunk.

“I saw him here, he’s so strong Rach, so strong-”

“Strong?” Rachel disappeared into the crowd and returned with two clear shots, “Here, these are strong!” Kurt rolled his eyes, took a shot, and was dragged back to the dance floor.

___________________________________

Tuesday afternoon Kurt had an appointment at the Anderson Bro. office with Cooper to finalize the contracts and sign for some permits. On the elevator ride up he felt himself getting excited. Sure, conversation with Cooper was so easy last time, but damn he is so pretty. When he finally walked into the office, Cooper greeted him with the biggest smile and gestured for him to take a seat. Instead of sitting on the other side of the desk, Cooper sat in the chair next to Kurt, faced him and smiled,

“Let’s get to work, Kurt.”

The conversation was supposed to be about business, but the men kept it light with banter. This time Kurt was 100 percent sure that Cooper was flirting and he didn’t mind at all. When they agreed upon the schedule of the coming weeks, Kurt stood up to leave and Cooper put his arm around the top of Kurt’s back to lead him out. Just then Blaine came walking into the office with his face buried in paperwork,

“Well, shit Coop all your stuff keeps getting dropped off in my office and you know- “ he looked up as Cooper was lowering his arm from Kurt,

“Oh, hey there Kurt,” he smiled and plopped the pile of papers on the desk. “did you two get the schedule all worked out for the renovation?” His eyes shifting between staring at Kurt and staring at his brother.

“Yeah, If everything goes right you’ll be starting in the kitchen in two weeks. I’m really eager to get started!” Kurt added.

“Me too” was all Blaine said before he turned around and headed for the elevator.

Kurt said a quick thank you and goodbye to Cooper and reached the elevator just before the doors were closing. Blaine was the only other person inside and he smirked when Kurt entered.

“Going down?” Blaine asked.

“Uhm, yes.” Kurt said shakily.

Blaine reached around Kurt and pressed the button for them both. Kurt couldn’t explain it at all, why interactions with one brother were so light and flirty while interactions with the other brother were so different. Heavier...as if the sexual tension could be felt in air.

“My brother wants to fuck you.” Blaine stated so matter of factly staring at the door.

Kurt’s stomach jumped into his throat and he turned slightly to see Blaine’s face.

BING! The doors opened, Blaine shot Kurt a sly smile and walked out. Kurt was stuck frozen in the elevator watching him strut away. That ass.