1988, Denmark.

Mrs.Kvint never taked about Alan's father.He was completely out of their life since he was born.Only at times she would trash talk to her son about how their dad was the worst person she ever met.How meeting him made her lose her job and her former life.No matter how much she sacrificed, he ended up abandoning her.That's why Alan never even got to know his name, nor where he could possibly be.

Kvint didn't had a good relationship with his mom.Having to take care of his immoral mother that drank like a sailor on a shore didn't leave him a good impression of her.At times, he would sneak out just to escape her awful presence, her disgusting booze breath that even latched onto him, her yellowish fingers that were stained from years of chain-smoking, her dry and cracked lips with that atrocious smirk she always held.Alan slid the window open slowly, taking a deep breath of fresh air.He swug his one leg over the sill, then the other one.

"Hvor skal du hen?" she speaks in their native tongue.Alan was taken aback hearing her voice behind his back.

"Why the fuck you care?" His jaw tightened with each word, like they were holding something even more sharp.Mrs.Kvint looked at him up and down, taking a glance at his annoyed state.She knew the truth.She grabs him by the ear and drags him back inside the house, as his boots scraped harshly against the gravel.

What followed was a heated argument, sharp and unrelenting.

"You can't just fucking sneak off you fucking, luder!" she screams, as spit comes out of her mouth, followed by a sticky scent of cheap liquor."I'm still your mother, even if u don't like it!".

He was going through teenage rebelliousness.Of course he would try to do that, especially with this kind of a mother.But at that moment the only thing he was thinking was keeping a distance from her.Something rushed in his blood, an unfamilliar feeling of rage.Sweat clung to his forehead, trickling down to his cheek.A faint glow shimmered in his eyes, as the air around them thickened.She needed to be gone.It was barely noticeable at first — just a flicker, but the longer they stared, the more it pulsed.

"I want you to leave from this house and never come back".These were just words that slipped before he could stop them.But he didn't back down, keeping a glare, his eyes burning with barely restrained fury.

However, his mother suddenly fell into a trance.She was trembling but some unusual power made her leave.She walked out of the house, stomping loudly on the grass.Alan's rage fade out and he ran after his mother.No matter how much he held her she didn't stop to even look at him.He was crawling after her — holding her legs, while his knees dug into floor, muscles aching.Their grip was desperate, shaking, and it hurt.Mrs. Kvint walked on a road, which made Alan back away, to not get hurt himself.He screamed her name, a name that he never though would come out of him.And the last thing Alan heard that night was a sharp truck horn that blared into the distance...

"Alan!Alan!"

"Alan!Earth to Alan!" she gently shakes him trying to snap him out of it.The blurry redheaded woman's face gets closer to Alan.He shakes his head and glances at Jean.

"You're dozing off once again.Are you okay?"Jean gives him a stern look, lightly slapping his face to bring him back to consciousness.Alan blinks rapidly, his eyes widen.

"Sorry, i...yeah, right.What were you talking about?" he says giving her reasurring smile — convincing her that he is fine.

"I just need you to lead our new guest to his room." she smirks giving Logan a playful glance.Were they flirting before he dozed off?Alan rolls his eyes trying not to say anything stupid.He walks towards the man letting out annoyed huff, his arms automatically crossing on his chest.He starts to study Logan's appearance.His face is like a map of everything he's been through — rugged, worn, and tough, yet somehow incredibly captivating.The way his hair falls around his head, the spike making it look like they were his "ears".His sideburns and beard aren't neatly groomed, but it suited his tough exterior.But there's something about those eyes...dark, intense.

"Maybe i should stop staring at him this long and finally say something" he thinks to himself.

Howlett tilted his head, one brow raised, the other lowered, creating an assymetrical look.Logan's gaze narrows slightly as he studies the younger man in return.There's something oddly compelling about Alan something that doesn't match his age.A kind of depth in his eyes that doesn't belong to someone who should still be figuring life out.Like he's already seen too much, and buried most of it beneath sharp looks and silence.Alan's face is striking —sharp cheekbones, expressive lips, and piercing eyes.His dark hair, only adds that slightly haunting intensity.

Logan flashes him a mischievous grin, standing there, hands buried in his pockets.He looks over at Jean as she slowly leaves the room.

"Well she's one hell of a woman." he laughs out lightly.Alan shakes his head looking at him with disgusted grimace.He didn't like the way he showed interest at Jean Grey.

"Cut it out, she's with Scott.Don't you got anything...or anyone better to do?"he mutters, leaving a pause mid sentence.Logan's brows stood up, not expecting that answer.

"Scott?That prick with laser beams?Or how do you call him...Cyclops?" he mockingly laughs at his nickname.Surpisingly, Alan giggles back, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"You're right on this one, furball.I told him he should've change it."

Logan stops laughing, his eyes sharpening with irritation. "Furball?"

Alan starts walking through the hallway, he was expecting Logan to follow.Logan quickly catches up to him.They continue walking through halls towards the guest room.

"What's so funny to you?You got anything better than Cyclops?"Logan brings up.A guy like Alan?Captain snark,Princess Mind Controller,Sasshole...He could continue like that forever, but he wouldn't.

"It's Skygge.Means Shadow in danish.I was just going for something more...edgy?"

"Skygge?Sounds very snobby to me.As if you are some weatherman."

Alan arches one of his eyebrows.He flares his nose finally speaking.

"Wouldn't be that snobby when i'll make you say all your secrets...Wolverine." his gaze smoldered, a glint of spark surfacing for the briefest moments.Logan pulls his head back, lips parting slightly, searching for words.Alan smirks, feeling the taste of «win»."Can even force you to say what you jerk off to."

Logan lets out annoyed noise and thinks for an answer.Meanwhile, Alan finally opens the door.

He turns on the light and says "This'll be your home for now.Mi casa is you casa or whatever."

Logan raises his eyebrow once again turning on the light "It's su casa."

Alan's smile drops and he stands with his hands on his hips, eyes narrowing. "Maybe you should teach spanish here then, Don Quixote." as he leaves he whispers to himself "Smartass...".

As Kvint walks away, he feels slight pang of...envy?He kept going back to that moment with him and Jean.Was Logan actually serious about Jean?How can someone fall in love so easily without knowing a single thing about them?He was never an expert in relationships.He had few flings, but none of them were serious.He has never felt the connection with anyone.But inside, the thoughts were louder than his dry jokes.Why is it so easy for him?Logan gave his affection like it cost nothing.Like it didn't burn.

Alan sighs and enters his room.The walls, still cluttered with old posters and things of his teenage years, greeted him like ghosts refusing to leave.

"I should remove all this stuff." he mutters to himself, knowing that it didn't matter anyways.He opens up his wardrobe, a dim light from hallway casting a shadow over the clothes.He keeps going through it, remembering the moments he gone through in these clothes.

"What am i doing wrong?I am 26.I will be turning 30 in a few years."

The puzzles of his past, he believed there was something much more before his birth.There were pieces of him that were still caught in the years he spent trying to escape something, someone and failing every time.Eventually, he sank onto the bed with a heaviness that didn't belong to the day alone. The ceiling stared blankly back at him.Maybe it's time to grow up, he thought.

But the room stayed the same.And so did he for now.

Buzz-buzz...

Alan reaches his hand out trying to turn off the alarm clock.He slaps his hands, fingers fumbling until he finally drops it.Sigh.Alan forces himself to get up.With a loud groan, he stretches, his eyes half-lidded staring at bathroom.After finally showering, he feels slightly less shitty.He looks at himself in the mirror.He gazes at his large, slightly hooded pale green eyes.His straight but slightly narrow nose, his well defined lips.

"Good morning to you too, beauty." he chuckles and leaves the bathroom.

He yawns, fixing his dishelved hair.Alan sips the coffee from his cup, and walks through halls.The mansion was as loud and chaotic as always.He wasn't good with students names, so he usually came up with nicknames.He was incredibly close to them — like the sibling he never had.But at the same time, there was something gentler in the way he looked after them, something almost fatherly, as if he was trying to fill a role no one ever filled for him.It wasn't just friendship, or protectiveness—it was a quiet, constant care that he couldn't wrap his mind around.He grew a fond of them overtime.They didn't quiet get along at first since Alan was never good with kids, but who doesn't end up liking the cool teacher?

As he enters the class the first one to caught his eyes was...Logan.Logan was talking to the kid from yesterday.Rogue?Alan didn't know her story yet, but he didn't need the details.He recognized it.That quiet, heavy way of carrying yourself when you're not sure if you belong — or if you even want to belong.They were nothing alike on the surface, but still... something about her reminded him of a version of himself he didn't like thinking about.Not pity.Just understanding.His glance goes back to Logan.

"What the fuck is he doing here?" he utters quietely to himself.

Before he could ask him, Storm taps him by the shoulder, interrupting his inner thoughs.

"Hey, Alan.Professor insisted on having Logan watch our work in school.He was supposed to be in my class but i'm really busy with my stuff."

"Hey!You know i'm not a community service.And i don't get along with him.What «other stuff» do you have?"

"Doesn't matter." she says patting his back."You're good with people.I'm sure you'll find something in com-..."

They both look back at the sounds of piano.A kid's finger hover over the keys as she plays «Mary had a little lamb» next to Logan.Logan taps his claw hard on a single key and breaks it.Alan's brows knit together, and he looks back to Ororo, but she already disappeared.

"Another day babysitting."

"So today class, mister...Hamlet?Howly?Howlett?...will be observing our lesson.Since uh...the piano is broken for now –" he pats on a shaterred piano, which makes it fall to pieces.He quickly pulls his hand back."– we are gonna have a choir practice."

Logan let out a sharp, cruel chuckle, eyes gleaming with amusement.

"A fucking choir session?"

Alan arches his eyebrow, and crosses his arms on chest stepping closer to Logan.

"Is something funny, Wolverine?" he says tilting his head studying Logan's face from afar.Logan's eyes flicked to students, and then back to Alan.

"It's just...seriously?Kind of sounds ridiculous.You need to teach them to fight, not fucking harmonizing «Silent Night, Holy Night»."he responds looking him up and down.

"We do teach them to use their powers.And i can assure you they'll kick your ass at anytime." he awkwardly bites his lips looking back to his students and back at Logan.His eyes narrow.

"You don't want to be here." Alan said, his voice smooth as ever, though now tinged with something sharp."That's fine.But while you are, maybe try remembering not every mutant kid wants to be a damn soldier."

"It's not like we have a choice." Logan said, finally pushing off the wall. "Out there?We won't have a choice when those guys from yesterday will try to attack us, bub."

Alan turned fully toward him now. "Out there isn't going anywhere.But in here, maybe they get to be kids a little longer."

The class was dead quiet. Alan didn't blink.Logan in the other hand was stepping up closer to him, invading his privacy.

"Maybe if you had a bit of choir practice–" he said lightly, "you wouldn't sound like a truck driver who's been yelling on a traffic for last ten years."

A ripple of snickering moved through the room.Logan didn't flinch.If anything, his grin slowly widened.

"You don't like how I talk, sugar?" he drawled. "Lucky for you, I'm not here to serenade you.Mark my words."

Alan tilted his head, shaking his head.He finally turns to his students.

"Alright, guys.Since Mr.Howlett thinks he's an «expert» at teaching, he's gonna take this over.Maybe he will teach you guys something." he warmly smiles at them.

A small boy raises his hand and tilts his head."Mr.Kvint?What does «fuck» mean?"

Alan awkwardly looks back at Logan, a bit of sweat dripping from his forehead as he smiles at him.

After few minutes, students put the tables and everything away to leave a room for a "fighting ring".

"Rule number one.If you're in a fight you're already losing.So finish it as fast as you can.You!" he points at John.

"Yeah?" he says giving him a confused look.

"Yeah, you.Punch me."

A hesitant punch lunges forward, but Logan easily catches it, and twists it into a tight roll.

"Ouch?!" Allerdyce complains pulling his hand back.

"Too slow.Too predictable." he huffs."Try kicking me now, i promise i won't do anything."

John swung his leg in a sharp kick, but before it could land, Logan easily catches it and makes him fall down.

"Ouch again!You said you wouldn't do anything!"

"RULE NUMBER TWO!You don't trust your enemy." he says as he chuckles.

Kitty raises her hands chiming in."Isn't this...too harsh?I mean he c–..."

Logan immediately stops her, raising his finger."So you think in the real battle your opponent will treat you like a princess?Rule number three you are not gon–..." before he could finish, a punch flies to his nose.

Jubilee closes her mouth not expecting herself to do it."You said you should not be predictable!" she says putting her hands back into pocket, innerly laughing at it.

"G-good...You're getting hang of it."Logan groans out holding his nose, as he clings onto the wall with a tight grip.Meanwhile, Alan attentively watches, just enjoying seeing him in pain.Deep down, he was impressed by Logan's way of taking the class.

"You and you.Fight."Logan points at Rogue and Bobby, still holding onto his now-healed nose.The swelling had gone down, and the rearranged position of his nose had healed quickly.Alan raised an eyebrow, studying Logan's healing factor with a skeptical look.

Bobby's eyes grow round as John pushes him to step up into center."Uh what?I can't hit a...girl." Rogue looked annoyed, the slightest twitch of irritation fiickered across their brow.

"Are you afraid to get your ass kicked by a girl?You can use your powers if you're wimp." Logan turns to Rogue, his voice softening. "You're ready for this?"

Rogue nods and stands her ground, fists clenched at her sides.She quickly fixes her gloves to not accidentally hurt him.Bobby, still hesitant, takes a step back, eyes going nervously between her and Logan.

"Rogue, i don't really wanna hurt you." he says in a soft spoken tone.

"Hurt me?You've got a quite an ego, Drake." Rogue responds, eyes glowing with determination.

Bobby hesitatingly throws a punch, aimed at Rogue's chest.She shifts her weight and, with a quick twist pulls him toward her.With one single motion, she rolls his body over hers, using his arm as to flip him onto the ground with a thud.Logan approvingly grins.

Alan carefully pulls Logan away from them, as the students continued to train, even starting to use their powers.Logan mockingly tilts his head. "What?"

Alan delightfully smiles but doesn't say anything.He giggles to himself, while Logan couldn't understand him.

"What the hell is going on?" a voice breaks their peaceful moment.They turn to the sound, looking at Scott and Jean.

"Oh, we just decided to spice up our lesson" Alan says playfully pushing Logan by side.Scott and Jean keep their judgy look.

"Spice up?There's literally even fire..." Scott says slowly pointing behind Alan and Logan.Both men look back, shocked at the mess behind them.

The day was almost over.

Alan stayed behind in the class as he was cleaning up the mess from the whole day.He still had a smug from the victory of surviving Logan's presence without committing physical violence.

He stepped out onto the balcony just as the sun began to dip behind the trees, the light turning gold.There was already a familiar click of a lighter before he looked up.

Logan was leaning against the railing, one boot hitched on the bottom bar, cigarette between his teeth.He didn't look at Alan when he walked in — just flicked ash over the side and grunted like the balcony itself had personally insulted him.

Alan leaned next to him with a sigh and pulled out his own cigarette. "Gee, I thought you have sulked all the way to your room."

Logan didn't look up when he answered."I don't sulk."

"No," Alan said, lighting his cigarette "You moon over dramatically.Very different."

They stood in silence for a moment, the kind that was almost companionable if not for Logan's permanent scowl and the occasional puff.Alan glanced over."You're welcome, by the way."

"Huh?For what?" Logan says.

"For the free circus.For not making you sing.For not throwing that broken piano at you, but it was tempting."

Logan finally looked at him, unimpressed."You call that a circus?They looked like a pack of dying squirrels in there."

"Dying squirrels with heart.That's what matters." Alan blew the smoke.

Logan made a noise that was part grunt, part laugh — then went back to staring at the trees.Alan let the silence stretch again, this time intentionally,.

"So," he said, tapping the ash over the railing."We are checking in to find out what Brotherhood is about now."

"Who?" He answers.

"Brotherhood.The dudes from yesterday?The one that almost killed you?" Logan raises his eyebrow from the last sentence, like he was about to deny.

"Well, there were some witnesses and we wanted to check out with the team where they've been.Wanna find out what that mess was all about yesterday?"

Logan didn't answer.

Alan smirked, knowing that was his cue to keep talking.

"I'm going. Would be nice to have someone with...experience."

"You trying to flatter me?" Logan said, furrowing his brows.

Alan shrugged. "Just saying you'd be more useful there than here, judging us."

Logan flicked the cigarette butt off the balcony and watched it fall.

"I'm not staying.I'm just here for the Wheel's powers.I help him, he'll help me."

"You don't have to stay.Just show up tomorrow.Beat the bad guys up.Be the terrifying thing in the shadows.You're good at that."

Logan didn't respond right away. The light caught the edges of his face — tired and unreadable.

Then finally, low "We leave at dawn?"

"Leave at dawn?Is that a movie cliche?" he chuckles. "I'll inform you everything tomorrow.I mean...we will."

Logan just grunted again, but Alan took it as a yes.They stood together a little longer, smoke curling between them.