Modern AU. Mostly UST.

[Some time passes between "—".]

Read parts 1-2 first.

Originally posted on Tumblr (FlipSideofC)

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Since they live together and are very close, Sting is aware a lot of people believe them to be secretly dating. It's a rumor he's happy to discreetly enforce. Hopefully it will keep some girls - and boys - from hitting on Rogue. And himself for that matter. Maybe it's selfish of him, but when Rogue dated last time he found himself turning several shades of green.

Sting sleeps in the nude and lounges around in the flat in loose pajama pants or briefs, which is very distracting. Rogue wears more clothes but is more relaxed at home so Sting gets to see some skin at least.

—

Rogue is reading on his bed. Sting is on the phone with a classmate, just outside the room. Based on Sting's comments Rogue knows she's trying to hit on him and wants him to join her out in town. Rogue feels the very familiar wrenching in his chest and steels himself. Sting hasn't dated for ages and Rogue's been happy about that. He tunes the call out, not wanting to hear it. Sting finishes the call and comes into his room.

"Hey Rogue, what are you reading?"

Rogue silently holds up the book. Sting flops down beside him and pulls the book from his hands to read the cover.

"Hey!"

Rogue is not in a very good mood so his voice is a bit more annoyed than the gestures warrants.

Sting raises an eyebrow. "You ok?"

"I am fine. Now give me my book back."

"Wanna watch a movie?"

"You're not going out?"

"No?"

"Oh…I thought…" Sting shrugs when Rogue is not forthcoming with any more conversation. "I thought you were going out with Millianna", Rogue manages to say after a while.

"Oh… Nha, not interested", Sting says dismissively.

Rogue says nothing, not trusting himself not to sound too pleased about it.

"I think I'll just skip dating alltogether. I can just stay with you, right Rogue? Seriously it's a drag" Sting babbles on. "Let's just live together for the rest of our lives." Sting turns his bright grin on Rogue. "So, movie?"

"Uh…sure", Rogue manages to get out, not really knowing which question he's replying to, but the answer is the same either way. Gods, Sting can just blurt out the most endearing things without thinking. He has no idea how they make Rogue feel.

Sting brings up Rogue's laptop from the floor and starts to flip through movies, while Rogue calms down. They agree on a movie and apparantly they're watching it in bed. Sting babbles on about the story, fluffing up a pillow and leans back. Rogue is not complaining about the setting, even though the screen in the living room is much better. Watching on the laptop means they have to lie very close. Torture, but so wonderful, just like living with Sting in general.

About halfway through the movie during a scene where the main characters argue about changing names, Sting suddenly grins.

"So are you taking my name?"

"Huh?"

"Since we are living together you're taking my name, right?"

"We're not married and I am so not taking your name. You can switch."

"No way, it sounds weird that way. Sting Cheney… Won't work. Just..no."

"Well Rogue Eucliffe won't fly either, so I guess we'll just have to skip getting married."

Sting frowns at that. "Wrong answer, try again."

"You can marry someone with a more suitable last name", Rogue suggests.

"Nope, I am marrying you. I am going to figure out the name thing."

Sting looks so semi-serious saying this that Rogue lets out a small laugh.

"Ok then".

Sting turns his piercing blue eyes on Rogue.

"I'll hold you to that", Sting says, smirking.

Rogue's insides twist around, while Sting turns his gaze back to the movie. "See! They agreed too."

Rogue can't concentrate on the movie anymore. Sting casually tosses out affectionate things on a regular basis and they always makes him feel warm, happy or hot depending on the situation, but this time it's so many at once that he has a hard time keeping himself together, especially in combination with being curled up in bed. The warm feeling is just too much, clawing at his chest and he struggles with himself as the movie drones on in the background. Just as he thinks he has reached some equilibrum, Sting moves closer and breathes close to his ear.

"Look Rogue, there's the dragon!"

Rogue nods automatically and closes his eyes, just resigning himself. Maybe he can pretend to sleep until he can handle this.

"Rogue? Hey?"

Sting shrugs and watches the end of the movie, not wanting to move anyway. Once it's over he closes Rogue's laptop and puts it down on the floor. Since Rogue is sleeping he can just pretend to have fallen asleep as well. A bit transparent perhaps, but Sting knows he can pull it off. Now let's see… Sting Cheney… no. Rogue Eucliffe… no. Maybe combine them into a new name? Eucne…no. Checl… just…no, urgh. Brows furrowed Sting indulged in watching Rogue instead. Damn did he look cute when sleeping.

"I love you Rogue."

He didn't realize he'd said it outloud until Rogue's eyes snapped open in chock. Apparantly he hadn't had time to wipe the sappy lovesick expression from his face either, as Rogue looked at him with a completely stunned face, red eyes wide.

Sting's agile mind tried to think of anything to say which would explain the situation but his brain decided not to cooperate.

"I love you too."

Maybe I can pretend I was dreaming about… wait what?

Sting's gaze locked onto Rogue's flushed face.

"What did you say?"

"I said…"

—

"I think I know how to solve the name situation", Sting suddenly says. "We just add the others' name at the end."

Rogue smiles. "That works."

"You know Rogue, engagements are usually celebrated with this cool custom…"

Rogue leans in and kisses him.