Kurt barely has time to acknowledge Gary being hit before he's trying to avoid similar, the chilling wooden form of Black Tom calling his bluff and springing with surprising speed. Surprising enough to catch Kurt cleanly, piercing his shoulder and sending blood spraying. He gives a strangled cry and awkwardly tries to bludgeon his assailant with the branch in his arms, but strength seeps out of him with every drop of blood.

But he'll use every last bit of strength to struggle, at least, trying to keep Tom's attention on him.

Three-fingered hands scrabble at Tom's back, the young mutant staying near instead of bolting like he wants. He won't leave Gary, even if any fear of teleportation is long gone. It's the Danger Room training - the X-Men training - that kicks in instead. Protect the team. Protect each other.