No more than ten minutes later, Pietro was back. "Could you have hidden this any better, Lance?" he huffed. "I must've scraped though twenty boxes for it." He handed Lance a small velvet pouch, which he peeked inside in.
"Yeah, she'll definitely forgive us after seeing this."
"I still don' know why we had t' break int' Stormy's greenhouse t' get some roses. What're y' guys plannin'?"
"For dramatic effect," Fred called from the kitchen. Remy didn't want to even guess what he was doing in there.
"Go upstairs an' get her while we set up down here," Todd told him, pushing him in the direction of the steps. "We're gonna need-" he glanced around the dining room to see what could be done. "Five minutes." Remy walked up the steps slowly, not sure if he was willing to trust them to one of the more expensive rooms in the public part of the institute.
He reached the top of the steps and all but tiptoed to Rogue's room. For some reason he really didn't want to face her wrath right now. And no doubt she was plotting an evil scheme against all the males in the house with the exception of Hank. The fact that Tabitha was in the room didn't ease his nerves either. She was a practical joker when she was an X-Man and most likely hadn't changed a bit.
He leaned to the side of her door, trying to listen in. He caught random words and felt nothing but hostility out of Rogue. It thundered at him even through the door.
Suddenly, a light rolled from underneath the door and Remy recognized it immediately. He jumped away as it exploded, the door left swinging on only one hinge. Rogue peeked out with a set scowl on her face until she realized it'd been Remy on the other side. She kneeled down beside him. "Ya okay, Cajun?"
"Oui... fine. What was dat 'bout?"
"Ah'm not ready ta talk ta them yet," she said with a pout.
"Dey're ready t' talk t' y', dough."
She stood up and turned away from him. "Ah don't care when they're ready," she hmphed.
"But dey have somet'in' t' give y'."
She kept her face from showing any sign of surprise. "So?" she replied harshly. "Prob'ly some joke they fohgot ta play on me when Ah lived there." Her arms where crossed tightly across her chest.
"I'm sure it's not, chere." He stood up and walked next to her. With his mouth as close to her ear as he dared, he whispered something in French that Rogue had heard too often. Tabitha watched Remy work his magic from the door, almost ready to melt herself. Even more surprising to her was the blush that crept up Rogue's face.
"Fine. Let's go." Rogue reluctantly allowed herself to be pulled down the stairs by Remy.
"Come on, chere. Not like y're goin' t' yer own funeral."
"No, that would be more fun than this."
Remy gave her a look and pulled her into a dining room. There was a bouquet of crimson and white roses on the table and a huge plate piled with chocolates. Her expression became slightly less dark and she glanced at the Brotherhood who were standing there with winning grins. She hesitated, glancing at them before her eyes flicked once again to the roses, then lingered on the chocolates, clearly tempted.
Tabitha, from behind Remy and Rogue, stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening. "Those are Godivas!"
Rogue took a few steps forward to examine the chocolates before plucking one off the table and quickly placing it in her mouth. A small contented 'hmmm' escaped her lips as the delicious chocolate melted in her mouth and slid down her throat. As soon as it was gone, she sobered up and stared neutrally at the Brotherhood. The chocolate did help, but they didn't deserve a smile just yet.
"What's this about?" she asked, her hands placed on her hips. Remy nodded from behind her to the boys.
"Well, Roguey," Lance began, walking slowly up to her, a minute trace of fear in his steps. "We know what we did is completely unacceptable, and you're a hard person to ask forgiveness from, but we're going to try anyway..."
He only received an unchanged stare.
He tentatively took her arm and led her to the seat at the head of the table. Rogue just went along with it, knowing that if Remy was allowing this it couldn't be bad. If it actually was bad, Remy would just be in shit again. No skin off her nose.
Pietro appeared with a velvet pouch which he set in front of her with a flourish and a weak smile. Rogue eyed it suspiciously. "Ah swear ta Gawd if this is anothah one o' yoah jokes..."
"It's not!" Todd told her earnestly.
With another glare for good measure she pulled the drawstrings apart and dumped the contents into her palm. It was a small crystal orb clutched in a silver dragon's claw and hung on a delicate chain. Irene had given it to her. She gasped and an expression of surprise and delight crossed her face. "Mah necklace! Ah thought Ah lost it!" She looked up her eyes bright and anger forgotten. "Thank you."
From behind, Lance waved Remy in. He stepped next to Rogue. "May I, chere," motioning to the necklace in her trembling hands. She nodded and he took it from her. Deftly as he could, he clasped it as she held up her hair.
Her hand trailed the chain down to the pendant and twirled it. She had missed the weight of it sitting around her neck. Still smiling brightly, she got up from her chair and just took turns hugging all the boys. "Y'all're forgiven. But unless ya have another one o' mah treasured things, Ah suggest ya don't pull another dumbass move like befoh, all raht?" She said it sweetly and actually sincerely. The boys nodded eagerly, relieved everything had worked as planned.
Several hours later, everyone (except Beast who was still tinkering wih something or other down in the lab) was sprawled out in the rec room, wrapped in blankets, munching on goodies, and watching "A Nightmare Before Christmas."
Rogue was settled between Remy's legs and leaning back against his chest. He reached for another Godiva chocolate and offered it to her.
"Uh-uh. If Ah have anymore o' those things they're gonna go straight ta mah thighs, Ah just know it."
"Non, chere. Won' happen," he reassured, all too aware he was treading dangerous waters. He knew better than to tease a woman about her weight... especially HIS woman who had super strength and was more than capable of pulverizing him into little tiny Remy bits.
"Oh, yes, it will. As it is it's gonna take a week of Danger Room sessions ta work everythin' off. Ah can practically feel the fat cells growin'," she groused.
A shriek interrupted the movie as the Cajun grabbed her ass. "I don' feel dem, chere," he told her with a smirk.
Rogue glared at him. "If ya weren't so damned cute Ah'd-"
He nuzzled his nose into her hair. "But I am dat damned cute."
"Get a room," Tabitha groaned from between Fred and Pietro, which she had taken the liberty of sprawling across both.
Fred reached for Rogue's plate of chocolates. She glared at him. "What? You said you didn't want anymore!" he said, offended.
She sighed, pushing the plate towards him. "Help yoahself."
Todd, oblivious to the tiny quarrel between the four of them, was too busy singing along with the movie. He did a tiny dance as the words flowed actually on key from his green lips. "What's this? What's this? There's music everywhere! What's this? What's this? There's white things in the air!"
Lance just leaned his head against the arm of the couch. "This is one of those times Illinois isn't looking too bad."
"...I must be dreaming, wake up Jack, this isn't fair! What's this?..."
"Aww, I'm hurt you rather be with your Kitty-Kat than with us and the magical singing Toad!" Pietro snorted the last line. "Todd, where did you learn all the lines?"
Todd blinked and stopped singing. "Um..." There was a slightly nervous look on his face. "On cable?"
Tabitha sat up, interested. "Oooh! I smell dirt!"
"That would be you, Tabby. Take a bath why don't you?" Pietro interjected.
"Shuttup!" She tried to slap him repeatedly but he was too quick. Her feet fell to the ground with a thump without the support of Pietro.
"So where did y' learn it from?" Remy asked.
"I, uh, oh, man. I guess I'm caught."
"Damn straight ya are," Rogue grinned. "Spill."
He shrugged nonchalantly. "It was always my favorite in the orphanage. It was the only thing that really made me happy since I had no family."
Tabitha's smile faded and her shoulders slumped. "Aww, Toddy, I had no idea." Despite him and his physical state, she crawled over to him and wrapped him in a hug. Luckily, his blanket kept her from getting any kind of his residue on her.
Rogue looked at him astonished. He never opened up like that. "...the sights, the sounds, they're everywhere and all, around, I've never felt so good before..." she sang along lightly.
Todd looked at her like she'd grown two heads. "Wha?"
She grinned as if to say 'You're not the only one who knows the words,' and continued. He joined in to finish up the song. "Oh I want, I want it for my own! I've got to know, I've got to know what is this place that I have found!" Then both Fred and Pietro joined in. "What is this?!" Todd imitated Jack running into the pole on the TV. The four of them broke out into hysterics, while Tabitha, Lance and Remy just stared at them all wildly.
Rogue rolled her eyes. "Phhfft. Ya'll're no fun." Then suddenly she grinned. "If you thought that was bad you should have seen when we went to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Remember that, Pietro?"
Pietro grinned. "I made a great Dr. Frankenfurter." He stood up and swiveled his hips. "I'm a sweet transvestite... from Transexual... Transylvania!" he sang at the top of his lungs.
"And you wonder about the gay comments," Remy muttered under his breath.
"I heard that," the white-haired boy responded, miffed. "And you're certainly not one to talk."
"Oh, yeah? What's dat supposed t' mean?!"
"Oh, please." Pietro dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "Everything about you screams sex appeal. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you swung the other way here and there."
Remy stared at him hard with burning eyes. "What? Y' interested or somet'in', homme?" He stood up to stand over him, hands balled into fists by his sides. Everyone took notice of how they were brightly glowing.
"Remy..." Rogue warned.
"Y' 'bout t' defend him, chere?" he growled without looking at her, still staring down Pietro.
"No, but Ah'm thinkin' that 'no explosions rule' applies ta you too. Besides, ya WERE the one who started it."
He breathed through his nose and closed his eyes for a quick moment, pushing down his anger. Then he pointed a finger at Pietro. "Dis ain' over."
Pietro, feeling up for a challenge, puckered his lips and blew a kiss at the tip of Remy's finger.
"Hey!" Rogue said, standing up and putting herself between the two boys. "That's crossin' the line, Pietro. Cut it out." She stared at him, not bothering to disguise her ire. "Now. Back to Rocky Horror," she turned her head to Remy. "Without the jokes."
"So you all went?" Tabitha questioned curiously, though still a little disturbed.
"I didn't," Lance hastened to add.
Rogue pouted. "Nope. We never did manage ta get him to go. He's just a stick in the mud."
"I am not!"
"Ya are so. Ah even talked Kitty inta goin'."
Lance looked horrified. "KITTY?! No, Not my innocent little Kitty..."
Rogue smirked. "Oh, yes, fishnets an' all."
Lance suddenly had quite a different expression on his face. Pietro, too had a far away look in his eyes. "I have to admit... for an X-Girl she looked damn fine." He once again dashed away before Lance could grab him in a death lock. "Hey! How do you know I wasn't talking about Rogue?"
"Cuz' den I'd kick y' ass," snorted Remy.
"Now, Rem. This was long befoh Ah met ya." She poked his nose with her gloved index finger. Then she stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear, "Ah'll get ya the pictures later." He started to smirk. "But you have to behave."
He give her a pleading look. "Aw, come on, chere."
"No." She gave him The Look.
"Yo! Remember that one time we all came home from the theater and Mystique was there? I swear I thought she was gonna have a heart attack!" Todd crowed before busting up laughing. Rogue, Freddy and Pietro joined in.
"Ah, those were the days."
Lance sat down on the couch, feeling awfully left out. "So what happened at the show?"
"Oh, so now you wanna know?" Fred taunted.
"You just told me I missed seeing Kitty in fishnets. Have pity on me."
"It's a somewhat difficult to explain to the uninitiated," Pietro told him archly.
Lance was about to reply when Tabitha started snickering suddenly. They all turned to look at her. "Rocky's never been to Rocky!" Everyone moaned at the terrible pun.
"Man, that was bad. Even my rock puns weren't that bad."
"I dunno. Those were pretty awful..."
Lance just laughed harshly. "Whatever. So what happened?"
Rogue just smirked again. "We're just gonna hafta tell him so he can feel horrible about our bondin' experience." She did a tiny twirl in the air. "Ah was Magenta-"
"And you looked extremely hot in that French maid's outfit..." Pietro mumbled.
Remy threw a warning glare at him but Rogue mouthed, "Pictures..."
"He still got t' see y' in it," he whispered back harshly.
"Ah still have the damn thing. After they leave." She rubbed his arm as a small smile came to his face.
"Sounds good."
"Continuing?" Lance scoffed, annoyed.
"No need t' take yer 'lack of Kitty' syndrome out on us," Remy retorted.
"Let's see how you do without seeing Rogue for a couple weeks," the dark-haired boy shot back.
Rogue covered Remy ears. "Don't say such things! He'll start havin' heart palpitations!" she laughed. "Honestly, Lance. Me an' Remy don't hafta be with each other 24/7."
"I sense a challenge," Pietro piped up.
"Oh be quiet." Rogue spat back. "There's no reason foh us ta be separated, so we're not. And that's that."
"Is it? Is it really?" Fred inquired in a philosophical tone.
"Not that Ah can think of anyway." She looked at them quizzically, but with a hint of anger. "Y'all can't think of any, can ya?"
"No way."
"Nope."
"Hell, no."
"Better to die, yo." The boys stared at Todd for showing his fear. He shrugged it off. "I ain't gonna get hit by her because you guys have somethin' against her an' Remy!"
They other three male members of the Brotherhood looked at Todd and then slowly at Rogue with trapped expressions.
"Er... only we don't..." Lance said, opting for damage control.
"Of course not," Freddy backed him up.
"Well, no... exceptthatshecoulddosomuchbetterthanhim..."
"Dat's it!" Remy jumped on him, fists ready to fly. Todd screeched and jumped back on Tabitha, who had just been watching the entire scene with a grin.
"Remy! No!" Rogue looked to Fred. "Get Pietro offa him!"
TBC...
"Yeah, she'll definitely forgive us after seeing this."
"I still don' know why we had t' break int' Stormy's greenhouse t' get some roses. What're y' guys plannin'?"
"For dramatic effect," Fred called from the kitchen. Remy didn't want to even guess what he was doing in there.
"Go upstairs an' get her while we set up down here," Todd told him, pushing him in the direction of the steps. "We're gonna need-" he glanced around the dining room to see what could be done. "Five minutes." Remy walked up the steps slowly, not sure if he was willing to trust them to one of the more expensive rooms in the public part of the institute.
He reached the top of the steps and all but tiptoed to Rogue's room. For some reason he really didn't want to face her wrath right now. And no doubt she was plotting an evil scheme against all the males in the house with the exception of Hank. The fact that Tabitha was in the room didn't ease his nerves either. She was a practical joker when she was an X-Man and most likely hadn't changed a bit.
He leaned to the side of her door, trying to listen in. He caught random words and felt nothing but hostility out of Rogue. It thundered at him even through the door.
Suddenly, a light rolled from underneath the door and Remy recognized it immediately. He jumped away as it exploded, the door left swinging on only one hinge. Rogue peeked out with a set scowl on her face until she realized it'd been Remy on the other side. She kneeled down beside him. "Ya okay, Cajun?"
"Oui... fine. What was dat 'bout?"
"Ah'm not ready ta talk ta them yet," she said with a pout.
"Dey're ready t' talk t' y', dough."
She stood up and turned away from him. "Ah don't care when they're ready," she hmphed.
"But dey have somet'in' t' give y'."
She kept her face from showing any sign of surprise. "So?" she replied harshly. "Prob'ly some joke they fohgot ta play on me when Ah lived there." Her arms where crossed tightly across her chest.
"I'm sure it's not, chere." He stood up and walked next to her. With his mouth as close to her ear as he dared, he whispered something in French that Rogue had heard too often. Tabitha watched Remy work his magic from the door, almost ready to melt herself. Even more surprising to her was the blush that crept up Rogue's face.
"Fine. Let's go." Rogue reluctantly allowed herself to be pulled down the stairs by Remy.
"Come on, chere. Not like y're goin' t' yer own funeral."
"No, that would be more fun than this."
Remy gave her a look and pulled her into a dining room. There was a bouquet of crimson and white roses on the table and a huge plate piled with chocolates. Her expression became slightly less dark and she glanced at the Brotherhood who were standing there with winning grins. She hesitated, glancing at them before her eyes flicked once again to the roses, then lingered on the chocolates, clearly tempted.
Tabitha, from behind Remy and Rogue, stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening. "Those are Godivas!"
Rogue took a few steps forward to examine the chocolates before plucking one off the table and quickly placing it in her mouth. A small contented 'hmmm' escaped her lips as the delicious chocolate melted in her mouth and slid down her throat. As soon as it was gone, she sobered up and stared neutrally at the Brotherhood. The chocolate did help, but they didn't deserve a smile just yet.
"What's this about?" she asked, her hands placed on her hips. Remy nodded from behind her to the boys.
"Well, Roguey," Lance began, walking slowly up to her, a minute trace of fear in his steps. "We know what we did is completely unacceptable, and you're a hard person to ask forgiveness from, but we're going to try anyway..."
He only received an unchanged stare.
He tentatively took her arm and led her to the seat at the head of the table. Rogue just went along with it, knowing that if Remy was allowing this it couldn't be bad. If it actually was bad, Remy would just be in shit again. No skin off her nose.
Pietro appeared with a velvet pouch which he set in front of her with a flourish and a weak smile. Rogue eyed it suspiciously. "Ah swear ta Gawd if this is anothah one o' yoah jokes..."
"It's not!" Todd told her earnestly.
With another glare for good measure she pulled the drawstrings apart and dumped the contents into her palm. It was a small crystal orb clutched in a silver dragon's claw and hung on a delicate chain. Irene had given it to her. She gasped and an expression of surprise and delight crossed her face. "Mah necklace! Ah thought Ah lost it!" She looked up her eyes bright and anger forgotten. "Thank you."
From behind, Lance waved Remy in. He stepped next to Rogue. "May I, chere," motioning to the necklace in her trembling hands. She nodded and he took it from her. Deftly as he could, he clasped it as she held up her hair.
Her hand trailed the chain down to the pendant and twirled it. She had missed the weight of it sitting around her neck. Still smiling brightly, she got up from her chair and just took turns hugging all the boys. "Y'all're forgiven. But unless ya have another one o' mah treasured things, Ah suggest ya don't pull another dumbass move like befoh, all raht?" She said it sweetly and actually sincerely. The boys nodded eagerly, relieved everything had worked as planned.
Several hours later, everyone (except Beast who was still tinkering wih something or other down in the lab) was sprawled out in the rec room, wrapped in blankets, munching on goodies, and watching "A Nightmare Before Christmas."
Rogue was settled between Remy's legs and leaning back against his chest. He reached for another Godiva chocolate and offered it to her.
"Uh-uh. If Ah have anymore o' those things they're gonna go straight ta mah thighs, Ah just know it."
"Non, chere. Won' happen," he reassured, all too aware he was treading dangerous waters. He knew better than to tease a woman about her weight... especially HIS woman who had super strength and was more than capable of pulverizing him into little tiny Remy bits.
"Oh, yes, it will. As it is it's gonna take a week of Danger Room sessions ta work everythin' off. Ah can practically feel the fat cells growin'," she groused.
A shriek interrupted the movie as the Cajun grabbed her ass. "I don' feel dem, chere," he told her with a smirk.
Rogue glared at him. "If ya weren't so damned cute Ah'd-"
He nuzzled his nose into her hair. "But I am dat damned cute."
"Get a room," Tabitha groaned from between Fred and Pietro, which she had taken the liberty of sprawling across both.
Fred reached for Rogue's plate of chocolates. She glared at him. "What? You said you didn't want anymore!" he said, offended.
She sighed, pushing the plate towards him. "Help yoahself."
Todd, oblivious to the tiny quarrel between the four of them, was too busy singing along with the movie. He did a tiny dance as the words flowed actually on key from his green lips. "What's this? What's this? There's music everywhere! What's this? What's this? There's white things in the air!"
Lance just leaned his head against the arm of the couch. "This is one of those times Illinois isn't looking too bad."
"...I must be dreaming, wake up Jack, this isn't fair! What's this?..."
"Aww, I'm hurt you rather be with your Kitty-Kat than with us and the magical singing Toad!" Pietro snorted the last line. "Todd, where did you learn all the lines?"
Todd blinked and stopped singing. "Um..." There was a slightly nervous look on his face. "On cable?"
Tabitha sat up, interested. "Oooh! I smell dirt!"
"That would be you, Tabby. Take a bath why don't you?" Pietro interjected.
"Shuttup!" She tried to slap him repeatedly but he was too quick. Her feet fell to the ground with a thump without the support of Pietro.
"So where did y' learn it from?" Remy asked.
"I, uh, oh, man. I guess I'm caught."
"Damn straight ya are," Rogue grinned. "Spill."
He shrugged nonchalantly. "It was always my favorite in the orphanage. It was the only thing that really made me happy since I had no family."
Tabitha's smile faded and her shoulders slumped. "Aww, Toddy, I had no idea." Despite him and his physical state, she crawled over to him and wrapped him in a hug. Luckily, his blanket kept her from getting any kind of his residue on her.
Rogue looked at him astonished. He never opened up like that. "...the sights, the sounds, they're everywhere and all, around, I've never felt so good before..." she sang along lightly.
Todd looked at her like she'd grown two heads. "Wha?"
She grinned as if to say 'You're not the only one who knows the words,' and continued. He joined in to finish up the song. "Oh I want, I want it for my own! I've got to know, I've got to know what is this place that I have found!" Then both Fred and Pietro joined in. "What is this?!" Todd imitated Jack running into the pole on the TV. The four of them broke out into hysterics, while Tabitha, Lance and Remy just stared at them all wildly.
Rogue rolled her eyes. "Phhfft. Ya'll're no fun." Then suddenly she grinned. "If you thought that was bad you should have seen when we went to the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Remember that, Pietro?"
Pietro grinned. "I made a great Dr. Frankenfurter." He stood up and swiveled his hips. "I'm a sweet transvestite... from Transexual... Transylvania!" he sang at the top of his lungs.
"And you wonder about the gay comments," Remy muttered under his breath.
"I heard that," the white-haired boy responded, miffed. "And you're certainly not one to talk."
"Oh, yeah? What's dat supposed t' mean?!"
"Oh, please." Pietro dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "Everything about you screams sex appeal. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you swung the other way here and there."
Remy stared at him hard with burning eyes. "What? Y' interested or somet'in', homme?" He stood up to stand over him, hands balled into fists by his sides. Everyone took notice of how they were brightly glowing.
"Remy..." Rogue warned.
"Y' 'bout t' defend him, chere?" he growled without looking at her, still staring down Pietro.
"No, but Ah'm thinkin' that 'no explosions rule' applies ta you too. Besides, ya WERE the one who started it."
He breathed through his nose and closed his eyes for a quick moment, pushing down his anger. Then he pointed a finger at Pietro. "Dis ain' over."
Pietro, feeling up for a challenge, puckered his lips and blew a kiss at the tip of Remy's finger.
"Hey!" Rogue said, standing up and putting herself between the two boys. "That's crossin' the line, Pietro. Cut it out." She stared at him, not bothering to disguise her ire. "Now. Back to Rocky Horror," she turned her head to Remy. "Without the jokes."
"So you all went?" Tabitha questioned curiously, though still a little disturbed.
"I didn't," Lance hastened to add.
Rogue pouted. "Nope. We never did manage ta get him to go. He's just a stick in the mud."
"I am not!"
"Ya are so. Ah even talked Kitty inta goin'."
Lance looked horrified. "KITTY?! No, Not my innocent little Kitty..."
Rogue smirked. "Oh, yes, fishnets an' all."
Lance suddenly had quite a different expression on his face. Pietro, too had a far away look in his eyes. "I have to admit... for an X-Girl she looked damn fine." He once again dashed away before Lance could grab him in a death lock. "Hey! How do you know I wasn't talking about Rogue?"
"Cuz' den I'd kick y' ass," snorted Remy.
"Now, Rem. This was long befoh Ah met ya." She poked his nose with her gloved index finger. Then she stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear, "Ah'll get ya the pictures later." He started to smirk. "But you have to behave."
He give her a pleading look. "Aw, come on, chere."
"No." She gave him The Look.
"Yo! Remember that one time we all came home from the theater and Mystique was there? I swear I thought she was gonna have a heart attack!" Todd crowed before busting up laughing. Rogue, Freddy and Pietro joined in.
"Ah, those were the days."
Lance sat down on the couch, feeling awfully left out. "So what happened at the show?"
"Oh, so now you wanna know?" Fred taunted.
"You just told me I missed seeing Kitty in fishnets. Have pity on me."
"It's a somewhat difficult to explain to the uninitiated," Pietro told him archly.
Lance was about to reply when Tabitha started snickering suddenly. They all turned to look at her. "Rocky's never been to Rocky!" Everyone moaned at the terrible pun.
"Man, that was bad. Even my rock puns weren't that bad."
"I dunno. Those were pretty awful..."
Lance just laughed harshly. "Whatever. So what happened?"
Rogue just smirked again. "We're just gonna hafta tell him so he can feel horrible about our bondin' experience." She did a tiny twirl in the air. "Ah was Magenta-"
"And you looked extremely hot in that French maid's outfit..." Pietro mumbled.
Remy threw a warning glare at him but Rogue mouthed, "Pictures..."
"He still got t' see y' in it," he whispered back harshly.
"Ah still have the damn thing. After they leave." She rubbed his arm as a small smile came to his face.
"Sounds good."
"Continuing?" Lance scoffed, annoyed.
"No need t' take yer 'lack of Kitty' syndrome out on us," Remy retorted.
"Let's see how you do without seeing Rogue for a couple weeks," the dark-haired boy shot back.
Rogue covered Remy ears. "Don't say such things! He'll start havin' heart palpitations!" she laughed. "Honestly, Lance. Me an' Remy don't hafta be with each other 24/7."
"I sense a challenge," Pietro piped up.
"Oh be quiet." Rogue spat back. "There's no reason foh us ta be separated, so we're not. And that's that."
"Is it? Is it really?" Fred inquired in a philosophical tone.
"Not that Ah can think of anyway." She looked at them quizzically, but with a hint of anger. "Y'all can't think of any, can ya?"
"No way."
"Nope."
"Hell, no."
"Better to die, yo." The boys stared at Todd for showing his fear. He shrugged it off. "I ain't gonna get hit by her because you guys have somethin' against her an' Remy!"
They other three male members of the Brotherhood looked at Todd and then slowly at Rogue with trapped expressions.
"Er... only we don't..." Lance said, opting for damage control.
"Of course not," Freddy backed him up.
"Well, no... exceptthatshecoulddosomuchbetterthanhim..."
"Dat's it!" Remy jumped on him, fists ready to fly. Todd screeched and jumped back on Tabitha, who had just been watching the entire scene with a grin.
"Remy! No!" Rogue looked to Fred. "Get Pietro offa him!"
TBC...
