Hey guys! In this chapter, we mostly focus on the fuzzy one and his issues with Logan…. And the Professor!! Prof X acts a little odd in this chapter, but then again, how many times do we really get to see what goes on in his head? Lots of people really avoid that. But yeah… Things are gettin' pretty spicy!!! Or they will soon, atleast. Hope you like it so far. Sketchy &Kchuu out 'till next time~
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Todd was having trouble keeping his nerves down. Yesterday had been great. Though when he got home he had needed to take another rinse-off to warm up his practically frozen body. (Who knew rain could cause chills like that?) But taking two rinse-offs in one day had actually taken down his smell considerably, and overall he was in a great mood. He had hopped to school early for once, hoping to catch Kurt before class, but when he got there in time to see the X-geeks get out of their fancy car, Kurt was no-where in sight.
Fuzzball? Where are yah? He strolled up to the nearest X-geek.
"Yo Pryde. Where's tall, blue, and furry? Get his tail in a knot and needed tah stay home?"
"Ugh, what are you doing here, Toad? If you wanna mess with Kurt you're, like, out of luck. He's not coming to school today. Now... There's the brotherhood boy I want to see!" Kitty literally walked through Todd, half-skipping over to where Lance leaned by the entrance.
Todd gave a visible shudder as the girl went through him, and tried to ignore the thousands of sex jokes that popped into his mind. He frowned and started walking in no particular direction. Why ain't Fuzzy comin'? It may've been cold wit' the rain, but I think his fur probably kept most of it off, that's how it works with dogs at least.
He stopped when he realized he had wandered to the tree that he and Kurt had kissed in only hours ago, staring up at the highest branch he could see, he wondered. Did I do somethin' wrong?
Kurt slumped against a cold metal wall in the Xavier institute. "Are you almost done in zere?!" He rolled against the wall until his face pressed up on a window. Looking through, into Beast's lab, he cupped his hands and said into the glass. "Are-you-almost-done?!" Beast sat hunched over his desk, tinkering with something.
Hank McCoy gave a frown. Normally he was extremely patient with the students, but Kurt was working on his last nerve right now. "I can only work on this thing so fast Kurt. This thing was practically submerged in water, it took an hour just to dry out the inside!" He turned to the window Kurt had smooshed his face against. "Why were you even out there in that rain? You knew it would make your inducer short-circuit." He gave a glare at the holo-watch. "Or in this case, twelve short-circuits."
Kurt 'ported inside the room, peering over Beast's shoulder. "How much longer do you think it's going to take? I mean, I do have school today, and I'm already late.... I mean, I guess I just got a little caught up yesterday, and didn't realize how hard it vas raining.. But do you think it'll be done in time for fourth period?"
Beast didn't bother mentioning how this room had to remain sterile for working on the delicate circuitry in the inducer, after all, Kurt wouldn't listen anyway.
"I doubt it. You'll be lucky if I have it ready by tomorrow." He gently picked up the watch, an unhappy expression on his face. "And that's only if the darn thing starts to co-operate. I swear, it either hates me or you, and since YOU'RE the one who drowned it yesterday-" He turned to Kurt, an ironic grin on his face, "I think it hates you."
"Auuuuu!" Kurt covered his face with his hands, and let out a little howl of frustration. "Vhy meeeee!" He paced in a circle, whipping his tail back and forth in impatience. "I-Is zere anything I can do to help it be ready faster?" I promised Todd I'd be at school today.... vhat if he thinks I'm blowing him off?! I already am treading on thin ice here... I need every opportunity to prove myself that I can get....
Hank raised an eyebrow, suddenly extremely concerned about Kurt and his obvious.... Emotional problem. "Why is it so important that you get it today? You've missed classes before. So unless this is about a girl or something then I don't see a reason to-" A look of awe came to Hanks face. "It's a girl isn't it! That's why you stayed out in the rain so long, and why you want to get to class so badly." Hank put on an understanding smile. "I'll get it ready as soon as I can, but right now the best thing you can do is let me finish this in peace, the fewer distractions the better."
Kurt threw his arms around Hank's neck from the back in an enthusiastic hug. "Thanks professor!!! I knew you'd understand!" He obeyed the older fuzzy-one, 'porting away, landing on one of the peaks of the mansion roof. Normally he loved days off, but swinging around in trees, or practicing acrobatics just didn't appeal to him today...
He had tried to read, but he couldn't focus. He had tried to watch cartoons, but he kept finding funny parts that he wanted to tell Todd about... He sighed as he crouched on the shingles, staring wistfully at the school. He wanted to be open and honest with Beast.... but he hadn't really said it wasn't a girl, had he? It was fine the way it was.... And he didn't want to get in a big discussion that would delay the inducer's repair... That is the reason, isn't it? I mean... It's not like I am...... ashamed.....
"Okay elf, what's with the mopey smell and sittin' on the roof?" Logan was sitting just a few meters behind Kurt, he had been there for a while. He had a lit cigar in his mouth and a somewhat annoyed expression on his face. He came to the roof to smoke and spend a few precious minutes in peace and silence, but of course, the blue fuzzy teen had to pop up. And from the smell of things, he had love issues to talk about.
Kurt nearly fell off the gable in surprise. "L-l-l-Logan!!" Geez, it's bad enough to have to vorry about two telepaths vithout WOLVERINE sniffing all up in my business! He smiled sheepishly at the other mutant. "I didn't know you vere up here, sorry.... Just vaiting for Professor McCoy to finish fixing my image inducer... It got wet last night and--" He stopped. Did he really want to spill all the details to Logan? He had been accepting so far, but Kurt didn't want to push his luck....
"And?" Logan kept an eye on the boy. Kurt's scent was pretty clean except for the stressed out and the normal brimstone smell. Probably because of the rain that had washed away any other scents that had been there before. But from Kurt's posture and the way he talked..."Somin' happen with the Tolensky kid?"
Kurt struggled to keep his face straight. "Y-yes... but nothing bad!" Nein... decidedly GOOD He was crouching sideways on a gable, grabbing a weathervane with his right hand for balance. He gingerly poked at his left eye with a stubby finger. Still tender, but it's almost healed...
When Kurt poked his eye a new smell was released into the air, a scent that injured animals (and people) gave off. Snarling, Logan got up and got close to Kurt, inspecting the bruise and suddenly noticing the other areas Kurt was favoring.
"Nothin' bad Elf? So when does it hit the bad scale, when he kills you?"
"Ach, no, this is healing! Ve got into a little fight before, but it's all good now! ...Don't vorry about it!" He leaned backwards, away from the intimidating man.
Sighing, Logan sank to a crouch, getting to eye level with the boy. How was he supposed to talk about this? Kurt was either ignoring the fact that Toad said no, or he was getting himself into an abusive relationship. Either way, it would be a very awkward talk, and he doubted Kurt would listen. He needed it to get through Kurt's head that this was not okay, unfortunately the only way Logan knew how to do that was by intimidating him into stopping the relationship. But if it worked, then hopefully Kurt could get far enough away from the situation to see it for what it was. Staring Kurt straight in the eyes, Logan said, with an almost growl in his voice,
"Give up on the Tolensky kid. He's bad news."
"N-n-no he's not!" Kurt looked into Logan's face with shock and horror. "ve have a lot of fun together, and... And I think he really likes me... Ve have our differences, but that's okay! I..." You vhat, Kurt? You love him? It's only been a few days! If anything, this is probably puppy love! ...Froggy love? Ach, vhy am I so stupid....
Logan scowled, Kurt was WAY too close to the situation. Logan was almost positive that this was abuse now, and he wouldn't be able to convince Kurt to back off with just a growl. And, as much as he hated to break his promise, it looked like he had to get help on this situation.
"If you're gonna keep doing this elf, I'm gonna hafta tell Chuck."
Kurt's eyes widened even further at this betrayal. "N-no.... Please don't tell the professor...." Vhat if he tells me that I can't see Todd anymore? Zis is the first person that I've found in America... In my life! Who really makes me feel like I belong.... And to lose it now.... Kurt bit his lower lip.
Logan tried to ignore the puppy eyes Kurt was giving him. "I'll hafta bub, but it'll sound better if it comes out of yer mouth. So yah have a choice, I do it now or you do it now. Either way, Chuck needs tah know NOW."
Kurt squirmed. He had been hoping it wouldn't come to this.... His mind flashed to what Todd had said the night before... 'It gets real lonely if you can't show who you are to anyone yo...' .....
"Alrighhht...." Kurt heaved a nervous sigh. "I'll tell the professor....." His tail slid between his legs, and his ears drooped. He knew it was the right thing to do.... but it was so hard...
Logan fidgeted slightly, he hated to do this to the kids, make them depressed. But this was for Kurt's own good, the boy had enough problems without an abusive partner in the mix. "You want me to go with yah kid?"
Kurt glanced up at Logan hopefully. "You'd do that? I... I think it vould help..." He almost bamfed instinctively, but he thought any surprise movements around the volatile mutant were a bad idea... And they should really go together, anyway. He looked around. "Er... I actually don't know how to get off this roof a normal vay..."
Logan was glad that the teen didn't seem to hold too much of this against him, he got up and pointed to an area higher up on the roof. "There's a door over there, leads into the attic." He looked over at the boy again, Kurt's posture was that of someone on death row, and it occurred to Logan that the walk to the Professor's office could be more harmful than anything else. "You can just 'port us there if yah want."
Kurt shrugged, a bit of a mischievous look surfacing under his worry. He had never 'ported Wolverine before... And first-time porters rarely took it well. "Oookay, Logan!" He hopped up, and grabbed Logan lightly around the waist. In another instant, they were outside Professor X's study. "Here ve are!" Kurt's stomach turned a bit at the double-port, but he was getting better.
Logan's stomach lurched, and his hands immediately flew to his mouth and abdomen. He forced his stomach to settle, ignoring the waves of nausea and dizziness. He made a mental note to never let Kurt 'port him unless it was life or death, and maybe not even then. Growling at the spots he was seeing, he let the hand on his stomach drop, and used his other to knock on the door in front of them.
Kurt grinned devilishly behind the older man's back. It felt good to get a little revenge for what Logan was making him do... Ugh. That thought was enough to start the butterflies flying vigorously in his stomach. As Logan shoved the door open, the butterflies felt like they turned into frogs, hopping and throwing themselves around in nervous anticipation in his abdomen.
"P-professor? I... I have something I have to tell you...." Kurt stuttered nervously as he walked slowly into the large study.
Charles Xavier didn't need the knock at the door to tell that Kurt and Logan were standing right outside, but it did tell him that they wanted to talk to him. The door opened at the knock, for it had been only slightly closed. He looked up from the book he had been reading, and both saw and felt the waves of discomfort coming from Logan and Kurt. Though they both had different kinds of discomfort. Xavier sensed that Kurt had something important on his mind, and he furrowed his brow as he asked softly, "Kurt? What is it?"
Kurt walked out in front of the Professor, ahead of Logan. The frogs in his stomach were dancing and writhing, and he was pretty sure he was about to hurl. He swallowed hard, and started to speak. "Err... I'm sorry to bother you, professor, but... I had to tell you.... I... I...." He had to say it... He had to! But he couldn't make the words come out of his mouth.
Xavier frowned, he gave a quick telepathic question to Logan, but Logan responded with a simple Let the kid say it. Xavier tried to give a reassuring smile, and used his telepathy to try and soothe the frantic waves of fear that were emanating from the blue teen. "It's alright Kurt, you can tell me whatever is troubling you, take your time."
Kurt took a deep breath, suddenly feeling calmer. "Professor... I'm gay." He let out a whooshing sigh. "And...." He gulped nervously, his tail twitching inbetween his legs. "my boyfriend is Todd Tolensky." Okay, that felt really weird to say, but it was necessary. He squinched his eyes closed, and laid his ears flat like a dog about to be hit.
Xavier had to admit, he hadn't seen that one coming. "I see, how long has this been happening?" He sent another question to Logan, asking why he had felt it so imperative that Kurt tell him this. Not to say that the Professor didn't want to know what was happening to his students, but normally Ororo or Hank would bring this kind of thing to him. Logan preferred to stay out of the student's romantic involvements.
Logan's reply was an image of Kurt's injuries, and the feelings of suspicion and dislike that were directed towards young Mr. Tolensky. Xavier kept his face calm, but inside he tried to piece it all together, noting that he needed to find out the true origins of the injuries. He didn't doubt Logan's judgment, but getting the facts was the most important thing right now.
Kurt's heart beat in his throat. "H-how long have I been gay, professor? S-since I vas 12..." He laughed nervously. "I'm surprised you didn't see that one coming..."
Xavier could feel the waves of fear and discomfort returning, and he tried again to coax them away. " I try not to make it a habit of searching my students heads to learn their sexual preferences." Xavier gave a reassuring smile to the boy, " Don't worry Kurt, I don't think any less of you for being homosexual, though I wish you had told me sooner." Xavier took the book that was still in his lap and put it on an end table nearby, then turned his wheelchair to face the boy, hands now folded as they did when he was in thought. "My question was referring to your relationship with Mr. Tolensky. How long have you two been together?"
Kurt made another nervous noise. "Not very long... Vell... Ve've only been on one real 'date,' but...." He cleared his throat, trying to gain some courage. He pricked up his ears. "I really have strong feelings for him, and... He has feelings for me, too.." He couldn't believe he was really saying this. He knew it was only a matter of time before Xavier brought up the obvious fact, though.... The two boys were on opposite sides.....
"I see..." Xavier let himself sink into his thoughts. Kurt and Todd were on opposite battle fields, and would most definitely have to fight one another at some point. Charles put that topic up for later discussion, he was more concerned with what Logan had noticed. Xavier did a slight scan of Kurt, using his telepathy to track what pain receptors were activating in the boys body. Bruises in the chest, a sore back from what may have been a fall, a still slightly swollen black eye, and the lingering sting of still more blows to the face. Xavier's brow furrowed in concentration. This had only been their first date, and Kurt had sustained this much damage? Logan's diagnosis was looking more and more accurate. He let his eyes shift over to Logan.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to speak to Kurt in private for a moment."
Kurt gave a frightened glance back at Logan. Pr-privately?! Vhy vould he.... "Err, is something wrong, professor?"
"I simply want to ask you some questions that may be a bit....sensitive, Kurt. If you'd rather Logan be here for them, then that's fine. But if not, then I'm sure he'll wait for you outside." Logan looked over at Kurt, giving a nod of agreement, and waited for the kids answer.
"O... okay... Uhm..." Kurt let out a small laugh. "Vell, if you vant to talk to me alone, Professor, that's alright..." although I'm sure Logan could hear vhat ve are saying, even from outside the door.
Logan nodded, and went through the door, closing it on the way out. At the click of the latch the room went deathly silent. Xavier cleared his throat, and began the talk.
"Now Kurt, I'm sure you realize the problems there are with being involved with our opposing...Team. After all, I'm sure Kitty has informed you numerous times about her difficulties with Mr. Alvers." Charles looked Kurt in the eyes, trying to keep the tension down as much as he could with his telepathy, but he could feel it building despite his efforts. "But unfortunately, I have more pressing concerns with you and Mr. Tolensky. Concerns which made me feel it was best if you and I discussed them in private."
Kurt looked off to the side. "Vell, I know he's a delinquent... And I know zere vill be issues vith his beliefs and mine in the future.... and his hygiene's not so great.... But I think vhat ve have is pretty special, and--"
"Kurt, please stop. You don't need to explain your feelings to me. Love comes in many forms, what concerns me-" He rolled his chair a little closer to the boy, trying to get a better look into his eyes. "Is if you're letting your feelings get in the way of your health."
Kurt looked at Xavier, slightly confused. "Vell sure, I got rained on yesterday... But it's nothing to vorry about..."
Xavier pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling exasperated that Kurt still hadn't gotten the clue. " You've missed the point Kurt." He looked up at the boy again, face serious. "I'll just be blunt. The reason Logan brought you here, and the reason I'm concerned for your safety, is because we have heavy suspicions that Mr. Tolensky has injured you on purpose, despite the involvement you two have." Charles retracted his telepathic waves he had been using to calm the boy, deciding that he needed to see the honest reaction the boy would give to the accusation. "So I'll ask in a more forward way. Has Todd been abusing you?"
Kurt was taken aback. "A-abusing me?! No, of course not!" He laughed a little. "Last night vas vone of the best nights of my life! I..." He paused as his eye twinged in pain again. "...Oh. This...." He put one finger over his left eye. "Before ve ... got together, there vas a fight. I confessed to him, and he thought I vas messing vith him, like a prank. I don't blame him for freaking out, really... But after he realized that I vasn't hitting back…" He gave something halfway between a grin and a grimace, showing his teeth. "He realized that I vas serious..."
Kurt's answer both relieved and concerned Xavier. So these injuries were Todd's way of protecting himself; that only re-affirmed his early impression of the boy. From the moment he had first felt Todd's presence of mind he had been wary of the young mutant. His mind was, to put it lightly, unstable. A swarm of repressed emotions and conflicting thoughts. Some thoughts harmful and, oddly enough, seeming to be directed at himself. Charles couldn't help but wonder what Todd's reaction would be if Kurt decided to ever end the relationship.
"I'm glad for that, it was my main concern that you had let your emotions take control over your judgment." Xavier gave Kurt another smile, one giving his acceptance. "Though, I have to wonder why you've been hiding this, I assume of course that you haven't told your teammates, and that Mr. Tolensky has also kept quiet about it?"
Kurt felt himself relax at the Professor's kind expression. So it vas just a misunderstanding... "Vell... It's hard enough fitting in vithout the others knowing I'm gay... It's really easy to make jokes and laugh about girls, and it's something that Scott and Evan and I could have in common... I guess... If they knew about me being... queer, they might not look at me the same way.... And if those jocks at school find out..." His mind was overwhelmed by an image of Duncan beating the crap out of his induced self "..It vouldn't end vell...." A look of sadness crossed Kurt's features. "And I don't think Todd's told anyvone about us... I mean, I think Quicksilver knows he's seeing someone, and ve almost got found out by Avalanche and Kitty the other night, but... I think he's keeping the secret, too...."
Xavier could tell he was treading on thin ice, he tried to talk as calmly as he could. "I think it would be in your best interests to tell your teammates about this, I won't force you to do anything you're not comfortable with. However I feel that it would help your mental and emotional health to know that they, to put it in simpler terms, know who you are." He gave Kurt an understanding look, "You don't need to tell them who you're with, but it may help avoid some difficult situations in the future." He frowned at the thought of Todd. He didn't hate the boy, on the contrary, he worried for him. But Kurt was his student, and it was his duty to protect him. " At the very least, I hope you can convince Mr. Tolensky to meet with me. I wish to discuss these things with him as well."
"T-Todd?! Come here?! Do you remember vhat happened the last time?! No w ay he vants to come here ever again after that.... And you should of seen him freak out after I told him what Logan knew.... I'm sorry, Professor... I'll tell the rest of the team, I'll do vhateveh's necessary... but.... If you vant to speak vith Todd.... I think it's going to have to be on his own terms....." Kurt squirmed for a moment, hating to stand up to the man who had done so much for him. "I mean, I can try, Professor, but.... I don't know if he'll react well...."
"I understand Kurt, but if you would extend the invitation to him, I'd be grateful. You're free to tell whomever you wish about your relationship, or preferences, and you're free to keep it to yourself as well." Xavier gave him one last smile, and asked. "Is that all you had to tell me? If so, then you're free to leave."
"So... You're not angry? You're not disappointed in me for lying all this time and... falling for my rival?" Kurt's face was perplexed. Charles Xavier was a very tolerant man, but Kurt thought that even this would be outside the limits of tolerance. And something in the Professor's expression when he had been talking about Todd had seemed... odd. Was it disappointment in Kurt's choice? Distaste?
"Not at all Kurt, I'm a bit surprised that I didn't figure it out on my own, but I'm not upset in the least." Charles could feel the questioning thoughts Kurt was forming, and in an unusual show of force, Xavier suppressed them. "I'm glad that you've trusted me with this, and I hope you continue to tell me how your relationship with Todd is going. Now I'm sure Logan is waiting for you, so if you're ready to leave, then you shouldn't keep him waiting."
Kurt smiled happily. "Okay, thanks professor!" With that, he was gone, skipping out the door and beaming his happy face at Logan.
As Kurt and Logan walked away, Charles pinched the bridge of his nose. This is going to get a lot harder before it gets easier. He sighed and wished he could just go back to his book, but he was too worried about his student to do anything other than think.