They appeared outside the professor's study. Kurt pushed against the already slightly open door, entering the room "Professor? Todd agreed to come speak vith you..."

"Yes, please come in Todd." The amphibian boy blanched at the sight of the man, he was waaaaaaaaaayyyy too calm, it was creepy in fact. He grasped Kurt's hand tighter. "Err, can Fuzzy stick around, yo?" He looked over at the taller boy, "I-if yer ok wit' that, dawg."

"Of course I'm fine with it.... I'm here for you." Kurt gave Todd's hand a gentle squeeze. "If that's okay vith the professor, of course..."

Xavier gave a smile, "Of course it's fine, please come in, both of you." Todd moved hesitantly inside the room, looking around at the huge bookshelves packed with books of all sizes. Seeing a couch nearby, he plopped down on it, still tightly holding Kurt's hand.

Kurt sat next to him, tail wrapping loosely around the younger boy's waist reassuringly. "So vhy did you... vant to see us, Professor?"

Xavier looked over at Kurt, but his mind was scoping out Todd's own mental state. Compared to his first mental look at the boy, Todd seemed a good deal more collected. His thoughts seemed focused on one thing, and the waves of self-hatred had ebbed to a mere ripple. However, compared to most other people's minds, Todd's was still chaotic. Threads of repressed emotions and thoughts were tangled up with his normal brain patterns; it was, to put it simply, a mess. " I simply wished to speak with him, with both of you actually, on the possible difficulties of your relationship. I'm sure you know most of them Kurt, since you and Kitty are close."

Kurt averted his eyes. "Ja, I know it won't be easy... but ve can work through those issues if we try!" He was glad Professor X had let him stay in the room, and he was really proud of how well Todd was doing under pressure. But he couldn't help this feeling of nervousness creeping at the edge of his consciousness. The professor looked like he was focusing, but Kurt couldn't fathom what...

Todd squirmed, something was wrong, Baldy was looking at Kurt, but it felt like HE was being stared at. There's no way he'd be getting in my brain right? I mean, isn't he all about free will and crap? " I can handle whateveh my team throws at me, I'm not gonna give up on this if they make fun of me. And-" He looked over to Kurt, "If you guys get in a fight with us, then we can just pick someone else to fight, right?" If life's nice enough to be that simple.

Xavier furrowed his eyebrows, in that one moment Todd had talked to Kurt, a thread of some kind of negative thought had appeared out of the tangled mess, but it had apparently been pushed back as another thread forced its way ahead of the other. Mr. Tolensky hadn't even noticed it apparently, but what was that stray thought?

Todd's words warmed Kurt's heart. "You're right! And maybe now that ve've got two connections... the X-Men and the Brotherhood could try to get along better..." He felt Todd squirm. He nudged the boy gently with his tail in a comforting way. He looked at the professor beseechingly, thinking at him, Are you doing something to Todd?

Xavier felt Kurt directing a question at him, and he opened the thought to 'read' it. He responded quickly I'm simply observing his thought patterns Kurt, I'm not being invasive in the least. "Mr. Tolensky, I'm sure you remember that I offered you a place here at the institute, and if you feel it would be beneficial, then you should know that the offer is still open."

Todd looked back at the professor, a bit surprised that he had said that. "N-nah yo, I mean, I'm sure this place is great but." He gulped and looked down at the floor. "I'm not ready to take yah up on that. The B'hood may be rough and tumble, but it's home yanno?" Besides, I doubt you actually WANT me here, it's just for Fuzzy's sake. No one wants the smelly frog in the nice clean mansion.

Xavier blinked at the mental 'sight' of Todd's rogue thread once again coming out, but instead of fading back to where it originated, it merged with the thread that tried to move ahead of it, causing an ugly clash of feelings and thoughts How...Troubling.

Kurt had to admit that his heart sank a little when Todd refused the professor's offer. But he hadn't expected anything different... Heck, he wouldn't join the brotherhood, even if Mystique asked... So why should Todd feel any differently? Besides the better food, clean clothes, nice living conditions.... But maybe he doesn't like that at all.... Kurt's mind wandered..

Xavier kept his calm expression in place, but inside he was extremely worried. Todd's thoughts were...Unlike any others he'd been in contact with. The closest match he could bring to mind was his stepbrother's. Violent threads that fluxed with topics, but Todd's was much more complex. It was like comparing a tangled yoyo string to a weaverbird's nest. One very important thing had yet to be asked, though. "I'm confident that you both can regulate your relationship as needed, but Mr. Tolensky, if you don't mind me asking-" Charles turned to look the boy in the eyes. "What is your opinion of Kurt?"

Kurt was shocked that the Professor would ask something like that, but his mood quickly became curious. He turned to look at Todd, his face a mix of worry and hopefulness. His ears pricked up. I wonder vhat he'll say.... Handsome? Cute? Smart? Funny? Amazing?

Todd squirmed as if he had just realized he was covered in slugs. "Jeez, you don't ask easy questions dawg." He blushed and looked to the floor again. What did he think of Fuzzy? He's smart, funny, a damn good kisser, hot as hell when he wants tah be, and...and... I think I lo-LIKE! I think that I LIKE him! "Fuzzy's amazing yo, he's hot, fun tah be around, and he puts up with me an' my quirks." He turned to look at Kurt again, "I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend my time wit'."

Xavier raised a brow. This was the first time that negative thread of thought hadn't shown up when Todd talked. Granted, the thought that did show itself was shaky and uncertain, but it carried genuine, positive feelings. Todd had only the best opinion of Kurt, and that told volumes about how these two would work out. Xavier gave a real smile, and said. "I see. I appreciate your openness. Rest assured that you're welcome to come here as much as you like. As long as you follow the same rules Lance and Kitty do. No phone calls past midnight, and Kurt is to be home by ten on school nights."

"Of course, professor!" Kurt turned to the younger boy and grinned widely. His heart felt like it would burst! Not only was that the most encouraging thing anyone had ever said to him... It had come from Todd! And now... they could be out in the open! They could even see each other at the mansion! This felt too good to be true! There was still the matter of coming out to the team... But Kurt was on cloud nine! He felt like nothing could bring him down, no matter what his teammates thought!

Todd frowned, something was off. Things were going TOO right, sure Baldy was weirdly accepting of everyone, but something about the way he looked at him... Oh well, at least he didn't think Shiny Dome had gotten into his head (not that he would know either way). He turned to Kurt, who looked....Really really happy. That in itself brought a smile to Todd's face. Until Xavier had to drop the bomb.

"That is, AFTER Kurt is finished with his probation." The telepath moved his gaze to Kurt. "Evan seems to have just told me something about you 'Messing with the football team?"

Kurt's blood turned to ice. H-how did Evan find out about that?! I didn't think the football guys hung out with the basketball kids too much. He heaved a sigh, and uncurled his tail from Todd, slumping his shoulders. "Sorry professor... I just..."

"Hey yo, he was just stickin' up fo' me! You can't blame him for that!" Todd gave an angry glare to the older man.

Xavier was surprised, Todd's rogue thought thread hadn't reacted then either. Charles wondered if any thoughts dealing with Kurt kept the stray thought at bay. "For whatever reason, Kurt still destroyed school property, abused his powers, and risked his identity all in order to frighten a group of teenagers he had something against." Charles turned to Kurt, a sad look in his eyes. "I don't have to tell you, Kurt, that I'm disappointed. You know better than this."

Kurt's stomach turned. He felt awful. He had played pranks before, but the professor was right... this one was pretty stupid. It just made me so mad, what they did to Todd.... He ground his teeth. That could've ended really badly... He decided to back down. His face still tilted downwards, he looked up at the professor, reluctant to meet his teacher's gaze. "H-how long is it this time?"

Xavier sighed, he felt almost cheap at giving them his blessing, then taking away their chances of seeing each other. But rules were rules. Though, in some cases, they could be bent. "Normally, for something like this, it would be at least two weeks. However-" He looked over at Todd, whose face was a mix of anger and, at Xavier's look, cautious. "If Mr. Tolensky can be persuaded to help you while you do your extra chores, I'll allow him to be here until said chores are finished each day. Of course, it's up to you to accept the terms or not, Todd."

Kurt's face brightened. Professor Xavier was rarely one to change the rules, or skimp out on a punishment. And this was great! Now he could see Todd every day, and-- His smile stopped short. Vhat if Todd doesn't want to spend his after school hours over here cleaning house? He does anything to get out of cleaning duty at school... I guess I can see vhy he wouldn't vant to, but.... He glanced at Todd with a melancholy look, dreading the response.

Todd blanched, chores? Chances where that nine out of ten of those chores involved soap. Horrible, painful, skin killing soap. He was about to say 'No way baldy, no deal!', when he saw Kurt's face. That sad look that seemed oddly familiar, the one that made it hard-difficult-impossible to refuse him. Swallowing his pride (and deciding to risk endangering his health) He gave a nod. "Fuzzy, you better get me one damn good set of rubba' gloves fo' this."

Kurt enveloped the younger boy in an enormous hug. "Thank you soooo much, Todd!" He rubbed his fuzzy cheek against Todd's neck as the other boy struggled reflexively. He smothered the teen for a few more moments before looking back at his mentor. "And thank you, Professor!" Sure, he'd have to do chores for all of the foreseeable future.. but if he was with Todd, even chores could be fun! Even waxing the X-jet with a little company of the slimy kind was better than sitting alone around the house!

Xavier gave a pleased smile, and Todd grumbled under his breath about death-grip teddy bears. Looking at the clock, Charles said, "It's still relatively early, and I'm sure Logan can find something for the two of you to do. Kurt, you and Todd can report to him." His face took on a more serious expression. "But you should both know that the other students are home now, and should you meet them then it may cause some....Confusion."

Kurt smiled widely at the professor. "I understand.... Thanks professor!" With that, he stood, pulling at the younger boy's hand. "Let's go, I think I know where Logan might be..."

Todd let himself be pulled out of the room, silently wondering if Logan was going to kill him, or just maim him.