A/N: So this fic is set in an AU/canon divergent universe where Kai was born around the same time as the Mystic Falls gang, and the Parker family lives there instead of Portland. He and Jo are also teenagers, so they haven't merged as of yet/ gotten close to the age they're supposed to merge. It's kind of based around the idea of Kai being incorporated into the MF group before major plot points in the show.

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"Kai, honey, you've got to focus," Sheila Bennett chastises before taking a sip out of her herbal tea. "We're gonna be here all night if you don't."

Malachai Parker knows they will be. He knows he's bad at magic, and he's even worse at impulse control. His father never lets him forget it. That's why he's here now, coming to Sheila's house after school every day- so he can learn to 'control' his siphoning ability and resist the urge to do it around his siblings.

He'd almost killed his brother, after all.

The witch squeezes the Bennett talisman in his hand, trying to resist siphoning it as he does. He knows Sheila can see the reddish aura emanating from his fingers if he starts to suck any of the magic out, so if he slips up even a little he'll fail the exercise. His brow twitches- it feels like he's an addict in severe need of a hit and his drug of choice is right in front of his face. He feels the familiar pull of the magic, and it begins to suction into his skin, sending a jolt of power through his fingertips-

"Well," Kai announces, dropping the talisman onto the coffee table. "I screwed that one up. Just like I, y'know, screw everything up. Just by being born." His temper is flaring and he knows it, but it's hard to keep his cool when he can't accomplish the one thing that would get his father to remove him from these god-forsaken therapy sessions. He knows that's what they are, really- therapy to try and dull the Parkers' fears that Kai will snap again. That he'll actually take a life.

"Just leave the talisman alone for a minute, child. You need to cool down. You're using an accusatory tone and you need to fight it. You don't want that ugly attitude coming in between you and your progress." Sheila's eyes are dark and wise, and he can almost imagine the warmth she might have in them for the people she loves. The Bennetts have always been known for their fierce loyalty, and Kai knows how much she adores her granddaughter. He's only seen her a few times now, but he doesn't really blame her. She looks more like a goddess than a teenage girl.

"Shouldn't you be watching The Price is Right or something?" Kai asks, sitting back in her comfortable plush couch and propping his feet up on the coffee table haphazardly. "Why are you doing this? Dad pay you a hefty sum?"

Sheila rolls her eyes, placing her teacup down on her reading desk. "You've got a mouth on you, don't you? I'm doing this out of the goodness of my heart, so I suggest you keep your sass to yourself before I change my damn mind." The older witch stands, making her way across the living room and towards the corridor. "Now take a few deep breaths and try to calm yourself before we get back to work- I'm taking a bathroom break."

Kai huffs, doing his best to scuff up the coffee table with the heels of his Converse. If he's going to keep attending Sheila's therapy sessions, he's damn sure going to make it known he doesn't think they're going to work.

xxxx

Bonnie distinctly recalls her Grams's warnings about Kai Parker, but can't help but continue to wonder just how legitimate they are.

He's in Ric's History class that day, occupying his usual seat to the left of Bonnie and behind Elena. He doesn't look like he's written one word of notes down on his spiral notebook so far, but he's definitely fixated on shoving a ring-adorned hand into the depths of his desk to retrieve pringles to pop into his mouth.

He's always eating. Bonnie remembers the first day they shared a class together when he covered the floor with pork rind dust and it smelled like the gross chips for almost a week.

"Kai," Ric says abruptly, jolting Bonnie out of her thoughts. She can tell he's about to make a target out of the Parker witch, but his eyes are amused and kind nonetheless. Bonnie finds herself wondering what it would have been like if Tanner was still alive. "Can you tell me the name of the English art historian in 1979 that was exposed as a Soviet spy and stripped of his knighthood? Since you're so busy crunching up a storm over there."

There are a few chuckles at this, but Kai, as usual, doesn't look fazed at all. "Oh, you mean Anthony Lettuce?" He makes a scoffing noise, grinning. "Devil's lettuce. Get it? 'Cuz his last name is actually Blunt-"

Bonnie snorts involuntarily and he shoots a glance at her.

"Wow," Ric concedes, pacing back to the chalkboard. "That was, uh, more than I needed, but still correct, so... Thank you, Kai. Back on topic-"

Bonnie zones out for most of the lecture, occasionally stealing a look at the other witch across from her. She thinks he's maybe the first witch her age she's actually been around and the thought intrigues her. When the class bell rings and he stands to leave, she finally decides to say something. Elena has already waved her goodbye and started filing out with the other students, so she finds the courage to speak.

"So, uh..," she starts, swallowing. "How are the, uh, lessons?" It's a lame conversation starter and she immediately realizes it. If whatever he's dealing with is bad enough to warrant personal lessons with Sheila Bennett, she doubts it's anything pretty.

"The lessons?" Kai asks dryly. She notices him straightening a leather band on his wrist and her eyes flick to it. He has a weird way of dressing- it's almost reminiscent of the 90s. "Oh, they're grand," he continues, looking off and declining to meet her gaze as he speaks. "There's nothing like camping out in the metaphorical Gingerbread House of the Bennett witches. Sheila's gonna eat me up at any minute." He swallows, his throat bobbing.

"She's not that bad," Bonnie says in defense, immediately put off by his flippant attitude. "Grams is incredible, and she's the best witch I know. If you don't learn something then that's probably on you." Somewhere deep in the back of her brain, she winces. Way to go, Bonnie. Start a conversation with a guy and then throw him under the bus.

"You're right," Kai says abruptly, to her surprise. His eyes look a little unsteady, though, and it occurs to her he's still being sarcastic. "Whatever would I do without my own personal Gandalf the White?" Just as she opens her mouth in indignation, he speaks again. "Kidding- I think. I'll see you tomorrow, Bonnie." He offers her a weak smile.

She watches him go, only a little intrigued.

xxxx

"So Pringle Guy is going to your house on the daily?" Elena asks, clearly flabbergasted. She's digging into her locker, changing out her binder for their next class. "And he's a witch? Mystic Falls is just getting more supernatural by the minute."

"Yep," Bonnie confirms, giving a tight nod. "Grams is teaching him 'control', apparently. Control over what, I don't really know." She leans against the lockers, feeling wistful. She's realizing just how much her time with her grandmother is going to be cut down by this predicament.

"Well, that's no good," Elena sighs, slamming the door shut. "We don't need any more lack of control around here- look at what Damon the resident vampire psychopath pulled on Tanner."

Bonnie swallows, trying not to think about the older Salvatore brother. She still didn't quite understand Elena's fixation on Stefan but decided to keep the thought to herself. She knew things had been rocky between the two ever since Emily had destroyed the talisman crystal and Damon had tried to rip Bonnie's head off.

"Anyways, are you going to the bonfire tonight? Caroline's going to kill me if I don't show up, so," Elena is rambling as the two start to walk towards class. Bonnie falls easily into step next to her, clutching her books to her chest.

She gives a sigh. "I guess so. I don't really want to invoke the wrath of Caroline right about now either." She knows as soon as the words are out of her mouth that it's probably a bad decision. Mystic Falls bonfires were almost never just bonfires anymore.

The rest of the day drags on, though, and some part of her is almost looking forward to it.