Dismal Angel 2010 - Episode 16

Chapter 1: Close

          The bedroom was silent as they lay together on the bed, his arms were enveloped around her and her head was against his chest.  It felt so right and so comfortable, and yet the silence didn't.  There seemed to be nothing to say at all.  Outside, thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed.

          It had been hours lying there together, not saying a word, peaceful, relaxed, just enjoying the embrace.  Rogue still could breathe in the scent of him, a comfort, old familiarity that she'd missed all these years.  Missed the contours of his chest against her cheek, missed the feel of those strong arms around her. 

          Rogue closed her eyes, letting herself drown in him, listening to his heart beating through his t-shirt.  It seemed almost too good to be true that they were lying there together, on the bed, peaceful, listening to the thunder and the rain.

          She thought perhaps Remy would say something meaningful, something spectacular, but instead, he came out with the comment, "I have to pee."

          Rogue raised her head and let out a soft laugh, "you sure know how to ruin a moment," she said.

          "Can't help it," Remy moved her carefully from him trying hard not to hurt her – he still fretted over the bruises she wouldn't let Logan heal for her by giving her a temporary use of his powers, "listenin' to all that rain…is it any wonder I gotta pee?" he got up heading off to the bathroom.  "There's somethin' to be said for the power of suggestion."

          Rogue sighed, glancing to the window, he still seemed a little distant.  She supposed it wasn't his fault.  He had problems and there had been more than a few times during their relationship she had been the same way towards him.  This would pass, she hoped.  And if not, she'd need to help him do something about it.

          She closed her eyes, resting her head on her arm, and she waited for his return, he'd left the bathroom door open and she could hear the tinkling of water hitting water.  Maybe it's too soon to hear him pee, she thought, trying to block out the sound.

          She heard the flush and then running water from the sink faucet, he called out to her from the bathroom, "I can't believe you have your own bathroom – I remember the days when we'd all be fighting over the bathrooms…like my second day here…remember?"

          "I know," Rogue smirked a little, she sat up slowly, "usually it was Jean who always got to the girls bathrooms first.  Little miss perfect always woke up precisely two minutes before everyone else, so she always had first shower."

          Remy came back into the bedroom, he sat on the edge of the bed, looking around her room, "things changed for you," he said, "everything so…bright…and cheerful…and…just not how I remember it at all."

          "Does it bother you?" Rogue asked, hugging her knees.

          "No, but it sure is weird…" he looked at her, "but…if its any consolation…you look more beautiful than you ever did with all that gothic make up and black draping you…you don't look like Elvira anymore," he smirked.

          Rogue chewed her lip, really?" She looked down, blushing.

          "Really," he answered.  They remained in silence for some moments.  Remy sat, looking around her bedroom, taking it all in.  She supposed he had a lot to adjust to now.  Her life would barely change, but his would change dramatically.

          As hurt and tired as he still was, he looked fantastic to her.  His hair had settled since his hair cut earlier that day, and now dry it hung just below his ears in soft layers, ever so slightly mussed, but incredibly attractive. 

          She studied his face as he sat in silence, she loved him so much it hurt, and she couldn't help herself from crawling over to the end of the bed and wrapping her arms around him from behind, resting her cheek against his back.  Seven years had gone without ever holding him, now she didn't want to miss any opportunity to ever do so again.

          Remy took hold of her arms tenderly, "you okay?" he asked.

          "Yeah," she murmured, "just glad to have you back."

          "I'm glad to be back," he said softly.

          Rogue closed her eyes, "why'd you come back?"

          "Piotr stopped me on the road, and said if I didn't turn back…I'd regret it the rest of my life…" he rubbed her sleeved arm, she was wearing powder blue cotton pyjamas now, she'd been so soaked by the rain earlier that evening.  "Spent seven years regretting leaving in the first place…and seven years trying to convince myself that…it would never work even if we happened to be both in the same place at the same time…"

          "You did try to push me away…" Rogue confessed.

          "I know…but…I just…Rogue…" he pulled her arms away from him so he could turn and face her, "the last time I left…I felt like…my life was completely over…" he brushed her hair away from her face being careful not to let his fingers brush against her skin, "my life…has been dedicated to nothing but…well…you…ever since…"

          "I don't understand…" Rogue frowned a little, confused by what he was saying.

          "Everything I've done up until now – being thrown in Genosha's mutant containment facility…trying to stop Magneto and Chantal and S—" he paused, "Well…it was all for you…at least it started out that way…and…in the back of my mind…I knew…what they were doing would affect the X-Men…and would affect you…and…" he continued.

          Rogue kissed the tips of her gloved fingers and pressed them to his lips to quieten him, she could see the stress on his face as he tried to explain himself.   

He smiled, and then stood up slowly, he still had several bruises, burns and cuts himself that still throbbed when he moved, "Well…I think I'm gonna go back to the guest bedroom for the night," he said, "I'm tired…and so are you…"

          Rogue raised an eyebrow, "aren't you going to stay with me?"

          "Not…not just yet," he said, "believe me, its all I can do to control myself from jumping into that bed with you and snuggling down besides you, but I need some space right now…to get used to the fact that…we're back together…besides…I sleep commando," he winked. 

          "Becoming quite the nudist," Rogue commented.

          "You know it," Remy laughed softly, "night, Rogue…"

          Rogue nodded.  "Night."

          "I'm so happy Rogue and Remy are back together," Kitty admitted, she was sitting on the floor of her room gazing through the photos from Rogue's seventeenth birthday party, Piotr was lying across the floor on his side, flicking through them also.   "It's been a total struggle with them all the while…it's nice to know they're at least going to try…they love each other after all."

          "When were these photos taken?" Piotr asked, glancing a photo.

          "Rogue's seventeenth birthday party.  We were in Scotland, we all went over and surprised Rogue…it was awesome…" Kitty admitted.  "That was probably the night things started going REALLY wrong for Remy and Rogue though…that was with the whole Jared fiasco, remember I told you?"

          "Yes," Piotr nodded, he held the photo out to her, "you and Kurt were together then as well?"

          Kitty felt her cheeks flush a little, she looked at the photo, Kurt and herself were embracing in it.  She'd almost forgotten about her relationship with Kurt dating as far as back then.  "Yeah," she answered, "but…you know, it was a long time ago."

          Piotr sat up folded legged, "when we were outside earlier today – before the rain – I did notice Kurt was giving you some strange looks…"

          "Yeah, I think he's a little…uhm…pissed off at me, actually…" Kitty confessed, she picked up a handful of the photos that were scattered on the floor and began sorting through them.

          "Why?" Piotr raised an eyebrow.

          "Because he basically more or less told me he loved me and I kind of just…blew him off," Kitty confessed, "I told him we'd talk about it but…I haven't had the chance yet…and now there's even more to throw into the mix.  He doesn't know about us…" she said pointedly.

          "Us?" Piotr gave a tiny smirk, "we just decided three hours ago to give a relationship a try.  It's not exactly a deeply committed relationship, yet."

          "I know," Kitty chewed her lip, "But…y'know, he's gonna be hurt…"

          Piotr nodded.

          "Can I ask a question?" Kitty queried lightly as she piled the rest of the photos up and stood up to put them away on her dresser.

          "Of course," Piotr answered.

          Kitty rested her backside against the dresser, and folded her arms over her stomach.  "How…did you suddenly know how I felt…I mean…I got the impression from the way you were acting just before you kissed me that…you knew how I felt but…I don't get it, I mean I was like…practically throwing hints at you like bricks to a window and you were just blind to it all.  Suddenly you were like all in the know…I don't get it…?"  

          Piotr stood up too, Kitty tilted her head back to look up at him as he did so, reminded how of tall he was compared to herself.  "You're right, of course, I was blind to it…but…I had it pointed out for me, by Gambit."

          "Remy…Remy told you?" Kitty gaped, "I told him that in the strictest confidence…" she stammered.

          "If he had not said anything I probably would have left tomorrow never having known…" Piotr responded.  "I have…always had a soft spot for you but…I didn't ever imagine there was anything in your heart besides friendship towards me…"

          Kitty dropped her arms, "How could there not be…you're so perfect.  And sweet…and kind…and dumb as an ox," she cracked, "but you're perfect."

          Piotr put his hand under her chin, tilted her head up a little more, leaned down and pecked her lips, "so are you.  But I must go to bed now, it is late."

          "Sure you don't wanna stay?" Kitty said in a slightly suggestive tone.

          "Not just yet," he smiled, "take it slow…that's what we agreed."

          "Okay," Kitty made a face, "she nudged him, go on, get out of my room, beat it," she grinned.