John and Kurt: Photo Found

[x-wolfcub.livejournal.com]

John visits Kurt after class for information on a picture he found. It's also revealed that some of Nick's memories may be rattling around in his head after all.



John found himself pressed up against a wall opposite a wooden door. Since coming to the mansion, he had done his best to keep out of this wing. He had enough difficulty just walking around the residential half, and didn't want to confuse himself. But as he heard books rustling around inside, he stood up at attention awaiting the teacher inside to finish dismissing his students.


The students processed out, a couple of them giving him curious looks but most not paying any attention to his presence, and the door was left standing half-open when the last of them had left.


John pushed his way in the door, and slowly proceeded forward, nervously thumbing a picture in his hand. As he looked forward he swallowed hard at one of the people in the mansion he had been trying to avoid. "Mr. Sefton?" He took in another breath as he awaited a response, already hoping he wasn't going to disappoint the man that found him.


The man at the teacher's desk glanced up with a surprised but clearly pleased smile. "John! Hello. Can I help you with something?"


"I hope so." The boy pushed a clump of his hair out of his eyes as he took a step forward. He extended the picture in his hand forward towards the desk as he got close. "I hope you don't mind, but I went through some of Nick's things in his room, and I found this picture." He turned the photo around to face the teacher as he pushed it across the desk. Taking a few steps back he continued. "Can you tell me who she is?"


Kurt looked down at the picture and his smile turned a little sad. "Her name is Sharon, but most people here call her Catseye. She was a student here for some years and she and Nick were... very close. Romantically, in fact."


"The boy shook his head for a bit before continuing on. "It's weird to see your face looking back at you and not remembering the picture." He continued to shake for a while. He didn't want to admit it, but that girl. Something about her seemed... familiar. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it was enough to get him to come down here. "But at least Nick knew her and my mind isn't playing more tricks on me."


Kurt shot him a quick look at that. "That picture is ringing a bell for you, then?" He tried to keep the hope out of his voice, not wanting to make the boy feel pressured.


"I uh..." The boy didn't know what to say in response to the tone. He simply did his best to shrug his shoulders a bit as he continued. "I don' know, it just seems like... like she's familiar is all."


Kurt nodded. "Well, she would be. I know where she is, if... if you would like to meet her...?"


John shook his head from side to side. "No, no..." He swallowed another large lump in his throat. "I don't think I'd be ready for that." He found his eyes moving down towards the photo once again, and a question was left on his tongue. But the boy took several seconds before he could bring it to his lips, not sure if he wanted to know the answer. "Does she know about..." He forced his eyes up. "About me?"


"She knows we found you, and that you have come to live in the mansion", Kurt said quietly. "She left to look for you, it hardly seemed fair not to tell her you were safe and mostly well. Her brother and I agreed it was best she stay with him for a while."


John couldn't help but snort. "Looks like another person I'm disappointing while I can't remember." He shook his head from side to side as he shoved the picture back into his pocket. "I guess there's always a chance that I could wake up and remember everything tomorrow, right?"


"There is always a chance", Kurt agreed. "But even if you do not, John, even if you never remember, please do not think I think less of you. You are still a fine young man, memories or no memories, and I am proud of you."


The boy smirked. "Thanks... Mr. Sefton." He had tried to say dad, but it still seemed weird to call a man that almost felt like a stranger that word. Slowly he turned and began making his way towards the door, but stopped just short, cocking his head to the side. "You taught literature around at this place right?"


"I did", Kurt told him. "And do, in fact, along with other subjects to those who choose them."


"I found a whole bunch of old Shakespeare books in Nick's room. I thought that maybe if I go through them, it might jog my memory." He shook his head again. "If you aren't too busy, I was wondering if you could help me out with some of the more dense parts." It was an olive branch he hoped would be accepted.


Kurt smiled at that, with warmth in his eyes. "I would be very glad to. As long as it is not in class hours, I will make the time whenever you like."


"Sounds like a plan." As John made his way towards the door, he wasn't sure if he could regain Nick's memories, or even if he was Nick for that matter. But he knew one thing, a lot of people were close with this guy, and he needed to at least give it his effort to remember. For their sakes as well as his.