Chapter 6- Acclimated: Part One
Kurt tapped his pen against the desk as the clock ticked.
Mr. Saltzman was talking about the Crimean War, something that Kurt had already studied in a similar syllabus at McKinley. He jotted down notes about some dates that he was prone to forget sometimes, but the rest of the class was simple. People looked his way, longing for explanation about why the new kid had been seen talking to the most popular boy and girl at the school and yet didn't speak to anybody else. He gave them nothing.
Perhaps the most interesting interaction without words was that of Alaric Saltzman. Tyler was not lying, the man was impossibly beautiful. Kurt ogled him when he turned around, and he truly did have a stellar ass. He wondered how everyone in Mystic Falls looked like that, he had not seen one less than flawless person so far. Even the sullen, unpleasant Damon Salvatore was blessed with mythic good looks. More's the pity, really.
He noticed Alaric's eyes flickering over to him, even when he wasn't looking. There's a feeling, a presence that lingered in the air that told Kurt that Alaric knew about him. He knew everything, just from Kurt being sat there. Or perhaps somebody had filled him in already without Caroline being aware of it. Whatever it is, he didn't necessarily like the vibe Alaric was giving him.
So, when the bell rang, he was hesitant to approach Mr. Saltzman as the teacher beckoned him over for a word.
"Mr. Saltzman, you wanted to see me?" Kurt clarified as politely as he could.
Alaric's eyes darkened immediately once the last student had passed the doorway. "Let's get something straight, Mr. Hummel. I know who you are, I know who you're working with, and I know what you're going to be capable of. The only thing I don't know, however, is why you're doing the things you're doing."
Kurt thought Alaric was being way too cagey about the whole affair, but he supposed it was necessary considering the setting that they were in.
"I'm glad we don't have the beat around the bush. Mr. Saltzman—," Kurt began.
"Alaric."
"Alaric. You know what I am, you don't know who I am. They're very different facets of my being. I am a witch, but I am not a witch. I'm just a person. And I'm not conspiring with Klaus because he's making me or because I have no choice. I'm choosing to help him because I can see him. The thing I don't understand is what this has to do with you."
Alaric shuffled some papers around idly. He knew that Kurt was going to be a force to be reckoned with, Klaus wouldn't have picked him if the converse were the case. "Kurt, I'm just looking out for you. As your teacher now, your best interests are my priority. And I'm not going to spout some poisonous diatribe about Klaus and his dark, dark past or whatever because that's not going to help anybody. I just want to make sure that you know what you're getting yourself involved in."
"Klaus told me."
"Everything?"
"He told me what I needed to know and continues to divulge information where it becomes necessary."
Alaric frowned. "And you don't see a problem with that level of control?"
"It works both ways, I'm not being completely forthright with him and he isn't asking me to be. I don't understand the universal concern with this. If Klaus breaks the curse, he'll probably leave Mystic Falls for good. Isn't that what you all want?"
Alaric shrugged. "We just don't want him hurting anybody else."
"I share that desire, Alaric. I'm doing everything I can to influence him otherwise. How about this? If I'm in any way being compromised or feel endangered in any way around Klaus, I'll come to you about it. Okay?"
"I guess that's only fair."
"Until then, I don't want you involved in my personal business, okay? We can discuss History and my academic performance, but nothing other than that under any circumstances."
At Alaric's dumbstruck nod, Kurt left the room, feeling rather fired up for the rest of the day.
Kurt shut the door to the Mikaelson house.
As it turned out, the rest of Kurt's day had been surprisingly normal.
He had sat through his classes, made an intellectual impression, sat with Caroline, Tyler, Matt, and Elena at lunch and grew slightly closer to them, and had had an overall good day.
Klaus was waiting patiently for him as he arrived home.
"Hello, love, how was school?"
Kurt blinked unsurely. "It was strange to be back at a different school, but I didn't hate it. Caroline was very welcoming."
"That girl loves a new student. Did you meet the rest of them properly?"
Kurt nodded. "I ran into Matt Donovan in the bathroom who was perfectly accommodating."
Klaus nodded in kind.
"Elena joined them for lunch."
Klaus narrowed his eyes. "There's something you're omitting. By any chance is he five-eleven and broods like there's no tomorrow?"
Kurt averted his gaze. "I was also introduced to Tyler Lockwood, yes. Caroline mentioned you two had a rough history, so I didn't want to press the issue."
"Let me take a guess, you feel absolutely charmed by him."
Kurt shook his head. "He seemed nice, but a little standoffish. Caroline mentioned he was going through a rough time, so I didn't think anything of it. God, you really hate him, don't you?"
"Tyler Lockwood is scum, Kurt. I don't want you speaking to him if you can avoid it."
"You don't want me speaking to him? How exactly is this your decision to make?"
Klaus shrugged. "I never made a decision, I expressed a desire, Kurt, there's supposed to be a difference. I don't like him and I'm not sure he's the best company for you."
"Is this because he likes guys?"
Klaus looked away but only for a fraction of a second. For Kurt's new senses, it was enough.
"Oh wow, Klaus. You think Tyler's going to seduce me and try to take me away from your quest. If you seriously think I'm that susceptible to being turned, you're out of your god damn mind."
"Kurt, you don't know this boy. I do. I know what he's like and what he's capable of. He's not good company to keep."
"If he's good enough for Caroline, he's good enough for me," Kurt retorted bitterly. Kurt's phone vibrated in his pocket. He quickly withdrew it.
Hey, Kurt! We're having game night at Elena's, thought it might be fun if you came? If you're up for it, I'll text you the address! – Caroline
He wasn't sure how Caroline had gotten his number, but he wasn't surprised that she had attained it.
"Who is it?"
Kurt glowered. "That's none of your concern, Klaus. I'm allowed my own life, you know."
"I know that," Klaus snapped. "But you're still new to this. Every second you're around people, you could give everything up."
"So you're saying you don't trust me not to betray you."
"Not until you give me reason to, no."
Kurt whistled. "Wow, you must have been very lonely before all of this to behave as you do." He grabbed his jacket. "I'm heading out. I'll be back later."
Klaus grasped his arm tightly. "Where are you going?"
"Stop it, Klaus."
"Kurt..."
Kurt clenched his jaw and a hissing sound ripped through the air. Klaus immediately let go, shaking his hand.
"You just...zapped me."
Kurt smirked. "It's about time I did something unexpected. We can finish talking about this later, once you've realised you're deeply in the wrong here."
Kurt walked out and shut the door, hard, with no regrets.
Katherine walked into the room, staring at Klaus with amusement on her face. "Serves you right, big brother. You can't keep a bad bitch like that chained down."
"Shut up, Katherine."
"I'm serious. It's fucked up that you think you can control him like that."
Klaus scowled. "I know, it's wrong. He should have his own life. But Lockwood really isn't a good spot for me. I can't be sure how Kurt is going to react to him."
"And that scares you. You think you might lose him."
Klaus just nodded and for those seconds, he was vulnerable. Vulnerable to losing Kurt, losing the best thing he had found in a very long time.
