Title: Accidental Rendezvous
Characters: Rogue/Gambit, Kitty, Jubilee
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3880
Disclaimer: Marvel and 20th Century Fox own.
AN: For
_parttimeninja's birthday! Prompt: fuzzy slippers. I know I’m really late with this, but it kind of kept growing and growing and well, here it is! Takes place sometime after X3.
AN2: for
10_themes, prompt #10- wet
If Jubilee ever says “Trust me,” run away. Fast. And don’t look back. It’s what Ah should’ve done. Instead, Ah let her convince me to buy a sheer, long-sleeve bodystocking, which Ah don’t plan on ever using! But she said “This way you can go in the pool with us, Rogue!” And she pleaded and argued and pleaded some more, so, Ah caved and paid for it just to get her to shut it.
Thing is…Ah’ve been thinking about it a lot. A lot, a lot. It could be practical. Why couldn’t Ah just wear it under a one-piece? It covers everything, except my face and hands. Throw on a pair of gloves and Ah would look pretty damn foolish, that’s why.
They’d all say, “Poor girl.”
Again.
Can’t touch no one ever? Poor girl.
Cure didn’t take? Poor girl.
Her boyfriends left her from someone he could touch? Poor girl, my ass! Everyone here knows about my powers anyway. So what if Ah did look a little silly? It’d protect them and me. And with the long, hot summer days just around the corner…
Screw it, Ah’m doing it! Just gotta make sure the door’s locked and the blinds are closed…and that Ah don’t rip this as Ah put it on…
…
Rogue looked at herself in the mirror and decided she didn’t look half as ridiculous or foolish as she expected she would. She actually looked pretty damn normal. The halter top one-piece was a little low cut, but the bodystocking blended in near flawless with her skin and only the gloves gave the illusion away. She looked at the time and although 12 am seemed a little late to go for a swim, she wanted to test the feel of it on her own before trying it around others.
She slipped into her robe and slippers just in case she ran into anyone before making it out to the pool. Down in the student lounge, only one of the usual two was still up watching tv, which meant she probably couldn’t go out through the kitchen either. From the front and back doors someone might spot her more easily and she didn’t want to advertise what she was doing. Not yet anyway.
Maybe she could try the laundry room. She would have to walk up to the pool, but it was better than trying to sneak out a window and risk tearing her stocking before she got a chance to use it.
…
A washer was running, but the lights weren’t on. Rogue fumbled with her gloves in the dark hallway unsure if she should proceed.
Hell, she’d already come this far… She decided to head out before whoever was doing laundry returned. She reached the door quickly and as she stepped out on the dew covered lawn, she smiled at her success.
“Where you off to, girl?”
Startled, Rogue turned around to see the newest addition to the team leaning against the wall, his ever-present shades in place and a lit cigarette in hand.
“Going for a walk is all,” she lied.
He inhaled and studied her, “In a robe and fuzzy slippers?” he grinned, dropping his cigarette to the cement and stumping it out with his boot, “Not likely.”
She crossed her arms indignantly about to inform him that she could go out for a walk if she wanted. In whatever clothing she wanted! Sure fuzzy slippers weren’t the usual footwear required for a walk, but still. She was about tell him to mind his own business when he spoke again.
“What’s in the bag?”
Damn. She’d forgotten she had it. Carrying her towel would’ve given away her intent since she wasn’t heading towards the showers, so she’d stuck it in a small messenger bag.
“Nothin’,” she lied again.
He cocked his head to the side, “Didn’t figure you for the sneakin’ type, chere.”
What? Did he think she was sneaking out? Ha! It’d be funny if it weren’t so sad. In the roughly three weeks he’d been there, one would think he’d noticed-as much as he stared-that she hardly went anywhere that wasn’t a mission. However, she didn’t flatter herself that he looked at her for any reason other than he obviously felt sorry for her, but she didn’t care. She knew they all did.
“That’s ‘cause Ah ain’t,” she stated flatly. She still wanted to go for a swim, except now he would know. But why was he out here, anyway? Didn’t Jubilee and the other girls trail after him, giggling and gossiping about his exploits. All the late nights, all the “lucky” women, they said. Why was he here? He couldn’t be doing laundry at this time, could he? “Is that your clothes washing?”
He nodded, admitting it, like it was the most natural thing in the world to do laundry in the middle of the night.
“Isn’t it too early or something for you to be home?” Rogue asked, wondering if maybe Jubilee and the others had been unable to find any real information about him and had substituted their own made up ideas. At least she hoped they had it wrong. For some reason the thought of him with so many other women kinda really bothered her.
He pushed himself off the wall, not hiding the fact that he was giving her a slow once over, “Why, chere, didn’t know you cared.”
“Ah don’t,” she scoffed. And she didn’t. She hardly knew him. Had only exchanged a handful of words with him, mostly involving her rolling her eyes and ignoring his flirting with her. And why would she care? Yeah, he was attractive. More than attractive, really, especially when he finished training and took off his shirt and that trench coat he always wore, leaving him in only a beater and his jeans. Exposing his toned shoulders and arms… Then there was that scruffy chin and a devilish grin that made her wonder about doing all sorts of dark deeds in dark corners. A devilish grin with which he was looking at her now and how long had she been staring at him?
“‘Course you don’t,” he whispered in her ear as he brushed past her, sending a delicious tingle down her spine.
Rogue cursed to herself. Cursed herself. Hell if she was going to start wishing for impossible things again. She’d had enough of wanting things that couldn’t be. She hugged the bag tight against her chest and headed back towards the laundry room, her desire to carry out her plans could wait ‘til tomorrow.
“Ain’t you gonna try out your new…attire?” he asked, his voice casual. He wasn’t even looking at her while he said it, but out at the trees lining the side of the school’s property. Inwardly, though, he worried she had already given up. She’d simply pretend she didn’t care what he said or did, head up to her room, and leave him out there alone.
Rogue’s head whipped around so fast and she stared at him through narrowed, murderous eyes. He knew? All this time he knew? Who else knew? She was going to kill Jubilee or at least kick shut that big mouth of hers! His grin was still in place, but she couldn’t fathom what he found so damn amusing. “What do you care?” she practically growled.
“Just curious as to why you wouldn’t with you being all dressed up and all?” he ignored her seething reply. He was so close. He didn’t want to lose such a golden opportunity.
“Why?” she repeated incredulously. Couldn't he see she preferred to be alone? Wanted to be while she tried this. She didn't want him seeing her in that ridiculous bodystocking, not to mention a swimsuit.
“You go on, chere. Won’t tell no one,” he took out another cigarette, lit it, and took a long, slow drag watching her all the while.
She was sorely tempted to do just that. She chewed on her bottom lip as she studied her slippers, then his shades, then her slippers again. Years of being afraid of her skin made the decision for her. Damn it, she was going to do it!
“Was going to. Don’t need your permission,” she replied and walked off. She cast a sideways glance at his face as she passed by him in time to see his grin take a wolfish turn. That tingle ran down her spine again.
…
Rogue got to the pool and looked back over her shoulder, sure that he would be right behind her. He wasn’t. She thought she could see him leaning back against the wall, but it was too dark and she couldn’t be sure.
Her slippers came off and she placed them up on a chair so they wouldn’t get wet accidentally. Her toes tested the water and despite its cold temperature, she slipped out of her robe and quickly into the pool. She was mildly proud of herself when she managed not to shriek.
Once she started swimming to the other end, the cold was nearly forgotten. The water felt gloriously real against her skin; it was as though she really only had her swimsuit on. She dove towards the pool floor marveling at the feeling all around her. It had been years since she had gone swimming. The last time was back in her old life along the Mississippi. Being the middle of summer, that water had been much warmer, but the gentle caress all along her body felt the same.
She surfaced at the other end of the pool and was surprised to find a pair of shades and a cocky grin waiting for her.
“Lose something?” Rogue asked, but though she meant to bark the words at him for intruding on such a private moment, she was far too relaxed to add the right amount of emotion to them.
“Had to make sure you didn’t drown out here all by yourself. Sudden leg cramp or something.” He didn’t add that he wanted the privilege of seeing her like no one else in the school had as far as he’d been informed.
Suddenly very aware that she had very little clothing on, she considered swimming to the end opposite to where he sat. But, oh, hell, she was nearly twenty for Christ’s sake, she should be able to let a boy see her in a one-piece, shouldn‘t she?
She swam towards him, letting her arms rest on the edge of the pool, “And why would you care if Ah drowned?”
“We’re teammates, ain’t we?”
She laughed, feeling quite carefree at the moment, “Y’know Gambit-”
“Remy, chere,” he corrected and smiled at her, “We ain’t fightin’ no one.”
He smiled. It wasn’t the devil-may-care grin he offered everyone, but an actual, genuine smile. There was no hint of flirtation and he looked so sincere that she felt bad asking him to leave, which had been her intention since he first appeared poolside. Instead, she only smiled in return and floated away to swim back and forth again.
…
As long as Rogue kept moving, she didn’t feel the biting cold, but when she stood still for too long, her lips trembled. She didn’t stay still for too long.
“You part fish, now?” Remy asked when she emerged on the shallow side.
She giggled, “Maybe. Might be a latent mutant power Ah have.”
“How ‘bout we test the power we know you do have?”
Her face dropped.
“Wasn’t dat the point of your outfit?” he asked, feeling almost sorry he’d brought it up since her lovely smile had been replaced by a little frown, “Don’t look so worried. I ain’t gonna hurt you, chere.”
But as he said it, he knew how it must have sounded to her. How many times had he heard those very same words? They didn’t mean nothing. All they were were words. He knew he’d have to do something to gain her trust, so he slid off the chair and sat on the cement. She looked at him curiously and he did something he had never done at Xavier’s before. Or anywhere else in a long time. He removed his shades.
She raised an eyebrow thinking he wanted to trade his shades for a touch. She was wrong. He folded the shades and slipped them in the front pocket of his coat. When she looked back at his face, she froze.
Rogue moved towards him as if hypnotized. She couldn’t look away. Didn’t want to. He had the most startling eyes, fire against a moonless sky. He looked so mysterious and dangerous with the shades, but it was nothing compared to how he looked without them. Her mouth went dry and she continued moving closer to him in a trance until the pool wall stopped her from going further.
It was Remy’s turn to look at her expectantly and Rogue knew she had to say something. But her thoughts were all jumbled in her head and she couldn’t seem to think straight. Besides, she wasn’t about to tell the cocky Cajun how beautiful he looked either.
“Have they always been that color?” she asked after a small eternity passed between them and though he heard no judgment or fear in her voice his fingers tingled wanting to put the shades back on.
“As far as I know,” he replied forcing a grin. What did he expect from his stupid stunt? When had anyone ever not been scared by his eyes? He was used to the startled reaction by now. Secretly, though, he had hoped she would be different. And, he supposed she was. She didn’t so much as flinch when she saw them. Her lips only parted ever so slightly and she moved in for a closer look. He had to admit, that had been different. Usually people moved away.
She felt light-headed just looking at him. Those eyes. That grin. His entire being. No one should be allowed to look so damn good. She knew she was smiling stupidly at him, but she couldn’t help it. If he would have asked anything of her in that moment, she would have done it. No questions asked.
That’s when she remembered he had asked something of her.
“Alright, Cajun, let’s do this. Lie down,” she ordered.
…
How many times had he dreamt of such lovely words from Rogue’s pretty lips since he first met her? And now she’d actually said them out loud? Remy forgot about his shades and his eyes and he would’ve laughed maniacally if they hadn’t been trying to keep everyone from hearing them. He moved closer to the edge of the pool, his eyes glued to her glistening arms, shoulders, and breasts. It really was as though she wasn’t wearing anything save that low-cut one-piece. The bad thoughts running through his head increased ten-fold.
“As the lady wishes,” he said, his voice calm, not betraying what he was feeling or thinking. He took his coat off, threw it on top of her robe, and laid down on the cement. He wouldn’t mind one bit being in his current position with her on top. The twitch in his pants made him smile, wide and predatory.
“Get your mind outta the gutter, Cajun!” she snapped after seeing his lustful expression, “You’re lying down ‘cause if the stocking’s useless and you pass out, you won’t crack open that pretty head of yours, got it?”
He caught every word she said and chuckled, “Mebbe my mind ain’t alone, hein?”
She was ready to argue when his right index finger fell softly against her forearm. She flinched but didn’t move away. Her eyes were wide as she waited for that ugly, familiar pull of her mutation. When nothing happened and he didn’t tear his hand away, she let out the breath that had been trapped in her throat.
She could feel him against the thin material of the stocking and she smiled thinking this summer might be different than all the others she’d spent stuck in the house while everyone had endless amounts of fun. She looked up into his eyes feeling she should thank him for risking a touch, but before she could say anything, he pressed another finger against her arm. She closed her eyes involuntarily as two of his fingers slid up her arm, passed her elbow, and down again.
Red eyes sought brown ones, but to no avail. Her eyes were still closed. She looked peaceful, a small smile playing on her lips.
Because she hadn’t moved away since the initial contact, he continued. Two fingers turned to three and they moved passed her shoulder and the thicker material of her swimsuit to her collar bone.
Her breathing came more rapidly.
“So soft, so pretty,” he murmured, fingers moving skillfully along the other collar bone.
He turned onto his side, propped up by his elbow. Nearly his whole hand ran down her other shoulder, his forearm brushing against her breast. His eyes sought hers again and this time she was watching him, studying his face for some hidden secret.
“Remy,” she breathe, amazed that he’d managed to touch her more in those few minutes than everyone in the school combined had for the past few years.
That’s when she heard the familiar roar of a motorcycle coming up the driveway.
“Oh, shit!” she yelled, running out of the pool and grabbing her robe and his coat with one hand and his hand with the other, “We gotta get out of here!”
Rogue didn’t say anything else as they made their way quickly down to the laundry room. She was nervous and she didn’t know why. Well, she knew why. It had to do with the gorgeous man next to her and the bad-tempered one with adamantium claws just getting home.
“Somethin’ wrong?” he asked when she finally stopped dragging him.
“Logan’s home,” she replied quickly, “He catches us, we’re in big trouble.”
“Don’t worry, chere,” he offered a lazy grin, “This Cajun never gets caught.”
And true to his word, he got her up her room without incident or anyone knowing, then left her to make his way up to the roof.
…
Kitty walked into the student lounge holding a pair of slippers at arm’s length. Apparently, it had been her Saturday morning to help clean outside.
Remy noticed her the moment she walked through the door and instantly recognized what she carried.
“Who left these by the pool yesterday?” she asked with her other hand at her waist.
Bobby looked around at the others in the room who either shrugged or returned to what they had been doing prior to the interruption.
Remy looked around the room, too. As far as he could tell, Rogue wasn’t there to claim them. He figured she didn’t want anyone knowing she’d been anywhere near the pool last night nor would she be pleased about the questions that would inevitably follow, so he did the opposite of what he normally would have. He got involved. All because he couldn’t sleep after what happened and whenever he closed his eyes, he could still see the look on her face when he touched her.
“Those are mine, p’tite.”
“Yeah, sure, Remy,” Jubilee mocked. He hadn’t realized there was someone on the couch, which looked to be empty from behind.
He sauntered over and took the slippers from Kitty with a grin and slight bow as thanks. When he turned to Jubilee ready with an elaborate explanation on the benefits of comfortable footwear he’d just made up, he noticed Rogue sitting at the other end of the couch. She was playing with her gloves and trying not to look directly at him.
“Those are too small to be yours,” Jubilee insisted. She looked at Remy and it suddenly hit her, “You were out there with a girl, weren’t you?” Remy laughed and shook his head, but Jubilee continued, “You were! And you like her, too! Look at that smile! Hooboy, you’ve got it bad! Have you ever seen him smile like that, Rogue?!”
Rogue finally looked up at him. His gaze was on her instantly and she felt warm all over. He was smiling, just like he had the night before, all genuine like. Before she could say anything, Kitty chimed in.
“I haven’t! You do like her, huh? Who is it? Did you bring someone over because we’re not allowed to do that? Or is it someone from school? Oh my god, it is someone from the school!”
Jubilee and Kitty were hunched together trying to figure out who the fuzzy slippers belonged to. Knowing they were far too engaged in their conversation to pay attention to anyone else in the room, Remy walked around, stopping next to Rogue. He squatted, so they were at eye level, and leaned against the armrest, “What do you think, Rogue? Think I got it bad?”
Rogue fought back the blush that threatened to rise. She stared at his shades and after wondering for a few seconds how his unusually rare eyes might look in the daytime, she replied, “Ah wouldn’t know, Gambit,” loud enough for all to hear.
His smile slipped away, but he forced a grin to take its place.
Rogue couldn’t help feeling triumph and alarm by his reaction. She didn't want to make him feel bad, but knowing she had the power to do so, it gave her hope. But could she really do this? Try again and with someone like him? Someone she hardly knew? She glanced at the girls huddled together to make sure they were still oblivious to the existence of anyone else around them. When she turned back towards Remy, she leaned closer to him and whispered, “But maybe…that can change tonight by the pool?”
He grinned, sending that delicious tingle down her spine again, “D’accord, ma chere.”
Her eyes were bright and hopeful and she looked happy; he knew then he would do anything to have her look like that everyday.
“Remy, leave her alone. She’s supposed to be helping us figure it out who you’re all in love with since you won’t just tell us,” Jubilee stuck her tongue out at him and grabbed Rogue’s sleeve, “C’mon, girl, you were right about Bobby and Lorna. Kitty and Pete. Who do you think it is?”
“Ah, man,” Kitty groaned watching one of this kids coming in to get her, “I have to finish cleaning outside. Okay, no more talk until I get back, all right?”
“Fine, we'll talk later,” Jubilee said as she followed Remy out through the side entrance, “Hey, you bring those fuzzy slippers back, Gambit! We need them as evidence!”
Rogue remained seated as everyone else cleared the lounge. Her stomach was in knots and her palms were sweaty, but she couldn't stop smiling. It had been a long time since she had anything to look forward to, so she tried to savor the anticipation.
In the meantime, all she had to do was close her eyes and she could see that mischievous grin that sent wonderful shivers down her spine, those unique eyes that had enraptured her, that body that made her think naughty, naughty thoughts and oh Lord, why couldn't it be nighttime already!