It was like a ritual. The whole institute was familiar with it, and especially the X-Men. No matter how minute, catastrophic, or potentially dangerous a mission was, Jean and Scott always made it to each others arms before the elevators. They would gaze at each other, sometimes without breaking a sweat, others covered in soot and their uniforms torn. But they would meet, lean their forehead on each others, and just hold each others faces.

And be thankful. So glad that made it back to each other, relatively unharmed. They would grin, stupidly, no matter how lame it looked or how much others joked. They'd made it, made it another day. They didn't care how goofy it sounded, tomorrow for them, was never promised.

It had been Rogue's first mission back. First mission since the labs. Though she looked calm, even cold. Stone-faced. She was terrified. Terrified she would choke. Or accidentally hurt someone with the strength of a galactic champion in her hands. But she did great. She carried the team like a giant gust of wind. She was stronger than them all combined, besides maybe Jean.

Rogue had stopped a train and lifted one over her head to save civilians. When they boarded the X-Jet back, Logan told her good job, and they all knew how hard those were to come by. Scott, even Jean lended her praise. When the jet docked in the hangar, Rogue hovered past everyone. There was an uncharacteristically cheery, dopey grin on her face.

Remy was waiting for her, shrouded in his trench coat. He was grinning, too. Before Jean and Scott could even react, the two flew into each others arms. Remy leaned his forehead to the other southerner, his black skin suit protecting their flesh from meeting. And for a moment, without a word passing between the two, they just gazed into each others eyes.

Rogue traced her fingers across the black fabric, unafraid of the cajun's unconventional eyes.

"Y'back." He breathed, watching as her cheeks burned red.

"Y'waited." She responded, forgetting that her team was standing around, watching. Their mouths agape, cheeks red.

"Told'ja I would." He moved a hand up to Rogue's tousled hair. Logan growled, and then Scott chose to speak.

"H-Hey," Rogue giggled, finally pulling apart from the thief before disappearing together down the corridor, not even sparing a look back. Because for a for a minute, they'd been the only two there. At least, the only two they could see.

Jean placed her hands on her hips, an amused smirk on her face. "That's our thing."