Chapter Seven
Roberto woke the next morning to find Remy staring at him intently. It appeared as if he had been doing it for some time. He stared back for a moment but Remy made no move to say anything.
"Uh, morning, what's going on?" Roberto said somewhat nervously.
"Why are you still here?" Remy said almost accusingly. He hadn't expected Roberto to actually stay the entire night.
"Because I care," Roberto repeated yet again. Remy seemed to search his eyes for a moment. His gaze dropped and, when he looked back up, he seemed unsure.
"Yesterday, y' said y' loved me, did y' mean dat?"
"Yeah, yeah I did." He dropped his gaze to the sheets surrounding him. He had been too afraid to discuss this yesterday. "Do you think you could… love me back?" he asked hesitantly, afraid to look up. What if Remy refused him?
"Don' know if I can say dat I love y' back mais I would like t' try… see if, maybe dere could be somet'ing dere. Would like t' be wit' y'." Remy could only hope that what he was offering Roberto would be enough. Maybe in time he could love Roberto but not now, not yet.
Roberto looked back up at him, unmasked happiness in his eyes. "I'd like that too." Roberto couldn't believe his luck. Remy wanted him, didn't love him yet but that was okay because they had all the time in the world. Remy reached forward to gently brush the tips of his fingers across Roberto's lips.
"Can I kiss y'?" Remy whispered, leaning oh so close to Roberto.
"Yeah," Roberto managed to force out, feeling Remy's breath across his cheeks. Remy let his hand slip into Roberto's hair and leaned forward that last little bit to let their lips brush together lightly, deepening it when Roberto didn't pull back. Roberto's hand stroked down to come to a rest on Remy's lower back, fingers curving against his spine. A knocking at the door jerked them both back to reality and they pulled apart.
"Remy, y' awake?"
"Uh, yeah, mom," Remy answered hoping she wouldn't walk into the room.
"I'm going to town for awhile, Jean-Luc is sleeping in his room so you've got de house t' yourself."
"'Kay, t'anks, mom," Remy called back, relieved when he heard steps retreating down the hall. He looked over at Roberto who was grinning and shook his head. "Going t' go shower," he mumbled, kicking the blankets off. "Make y'self at home, cher."
"Wait, what does 'cher' mean?" Roberto asked suspiciously. Remy laughed as he walked into the bathroom.
"Dat's for me t' know, cher," he called back.
"You had better not be insulting me!" All that answered him was more laughter.
#
Kitty turned over restlessly as she began to wake. With a huge yawn she sat up and stretched, wondering what could have woken her. She looked across the room and blinked her eyes, trying to clear the sleep from them. She was about to lay back down when her eyes finally became more focused and registered just what she was looking at.
"Ewwwwwwwww, KURT! That is, like, so not what I need to see in the morning!" she yelled waking Rogue in the process.
"What are ya yelling about?" she asked testily. Kitty pointed across the room at the wall. "Oh mah God, Ah knew it," Rogue muttered to herself. She pushed herself off her bed and stalked over to the wall, ripping off the large photo that showed Kurt and Bobby making out on the rec room couch. She couldn't quite suppress the huge smile at the thought of all the money she believed she had just won. Since she was awake now anyway she walked over to her dresser to gather some clothes. She opened the drawer and another picture of Kurt and Bobby stared back at her. She proceeded to destroy that picture as well and then gathered the clothes she would wear. She heard Kitty gasp behind her.
"There was one on my pillow," Kitty explained at Rogues questioning gaze.
"How many of them do ya think there are?" she asked as she found another taped to the dresser mirror.
"You'd think that they could just be normal and, like, tell people," kitty groused, a little perturbed that she had won nothing.
"Ya do know who y'all are talking about right? Ah don't think they know the meaning of the word." She found another picture tapped to the window and started muttering under her breath.
#
"Three down," Kurt said triumphantly. "Too bad Roberto's missing all the fun."
"He's with Remy," Bobby said. Kurt looked at him in confusion. "He called yesterday to say that he was staying there."
"How do you know this?"
"I answered the phone."
"Oh." They walked into the dinning room and took their usual seats across from each other, piling food onto their plates. A few moments later and Kitty and Rogue walked in, glaring at them. They put on their best innocent faces. The girls were about to say something when Xavier came in and cleared his throat, instantly commanding the attention of the room.
"I believe that Kurt and Bobby have something to tell us," he said looking directly at them. They shared a glance.
"Nope, can't think of anything," Bobby said. Kurt shook his head.
"It would be easier for you to simply tell us rather than playing pranks on people," the Professor said.
"Everybody knows anyway," Evan said.
"Dammit! You just took all the fun out of it!" Bobby groused.
"Bobby and I are gay and have been dating for a little over a month now," Kurt said a little angrily with a sigh.
"Yeah, we all knew," Jubilee said. Kurt and Bobby glared at her. "And that means I win the pool," she continued triumphantly.
"Ah don't think so," Rogue broke in. "They came out ta me and Kitty earlier. Ah won the pool." Jubilee glared at her and Bobby and Kurt stared on, confused.
"Actually," Scott spoke up. "They came out to me yesterday, Amara won the pool." Amara practically squealed with joy at the news.
"You guys were betting on us?" They all shrugged. "If everyone knew then why didn't you say anything?" Bobby demanded.
"We wanted to see how long it would take before you told us yourself," Scott answered.
"And it was fun watching you guys trying to be 'sneaky'," Ray chipped in. Bobby rolled his eyes and Kurt glared at his plate.
"So none of you have a problem with this?" Kurt asked finally.
"Why would we have a problem with it?" Jean asked.
"Yeah, it'd be pretty narrow minded of us to fight for tolerance and then hate you 'cause you're dating each other," Evan added. Kurt and Bobby smiled at everybody and the conversation moved on to other things.
#
Remy paused while washing his hair when he heard the door creak open and someone step in. He watched the shadow beyond the shower curtain.
"Hey, Rem?" Roberto asked and began routing through the cupboards.
"Yeah, cher?"
"You got an extra toothbrush?"
Remy returned to his washing. "Oui, look in de medicine cabinet."
"Oh, thanks." Roberto opened said cabinet and retrieved the toothbrush and toothpaste, beginning to quickly brush his teeth.
"No problem. Uh, cher, y' couldn't just wait until I was done t' come in here could y'?"
Roberto snickered. "Don't worry, I won't peak behind the curtain," Roberto joked. He finished with his teeth; finger combed his hair and turned back to the door. "I'll see you in a few minutes." The door shut a moment later, signaling that Roberto had left the room. Remy shook his head and quickly finished his shower.
Remy stood in front of the mirror and flinched when he saw the newly bandaged cut on his forehead, the bruise on his chest and the, thankfully, light bruises around his throat. Now he remembered exactly why Roberto had insisted on spending the night and his humor from only a few minutes before vanished. Roberto wanted to talk about his father and wouldn't give up until Remy told him everything.
Remy wandered out of the bathroom into his room and began to dress slowly. He cast a longing glance at his window, wishing that he could slip through it and sneak away. Then, he remembered Belle telling him not shut Roberto out, she had told him the same things many times before regarding different people but he had never found the courage to listen. Maybe it was time he listened now; he didn't want to lose Roberto because of his foolish fears. Roberto cared about him, only wanted to help, he had proven that to Remy yesterday by not letting Remy shut him out.
Remy shrugged into a shirt, buttoned the front and padded downstairs, assuming that since Roberto was not in his room he must be down there. He found Roberto sitting at the kitchen table, obviously waiting for him.
Roberto let out an inward sigh of relief when he saw Remy shuffle into the kitchen. He had been afraid that Remy would try to run as soon as he got out of sight. He was glad to see that Remy finally trusted him although he could see that Remy was nervous. Roberto didn't blame him, he was nervous as well. He had never gotten this close with anybody before and he was beginning to fall so fast it was scaring him. He hid that fear behind a mask of arrogant playfulness like he did everyday, that's what he had done this morning. But Remy was letting Roberto see what was behind that cocky 'don't fuck with me' mask that he usually wore so maybe it was time for Roberto to take down his mask as well.
When Remy walked up to the table, Roberto motioned for him to take a seat. Remy hesitated but did so, sitting across the table from Roberto. Remy knew that he was creating a distance between them but he couldn't overcome the fear that Roberto would decide that he had made a mistake and leave.
"We never finished our conversation yesterday," Roberto stated, realizing that he would have to be the one to get the conversation going.
Remy shrugged. "Not'ing much else t' say."
"Why don't you stand up to Jean-Luc? You said something about your mother?"
Remy sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He would open up to Roberto and see if this could truly go anywhere. Belle would be pleased that he was finally listening to her. "Can' fight back or leave 'cause Jean-Luc will t'reaten her."
"Why don't you both leave?" Why would anyone want to stay?
"She t'inks it's a sin t' leave your husband. Don' understand it myself."
"How long has this been going on for?" Roberto was afraid of the answer.
Again Remy shrugged, the gesture conveying his sadness. "Ever since I can remember," he whispered. Roberto nodded his head. It was no wonder that Remy was so unsure of himself and afraid of people. Roberto reached across the table and grasped one of Remy's hands. He smiled when Remy looked up at him. "Are y' sure y' want t' stay. Total head case, me. Not many people would want t' put up wit' dat."
Roberto looked at Remy, thinking that he had Remy pretty much figured out by now. Remy was testing him, pushing him away to see just how hard he could push before Roberto broke and left. What did he have to do to convince Remy that he would never leave? He got off the chair and walked over to Remy, kneeling in front of him. He grasped both of Remy's hands and waited until he had Remy's full attention.
"Listen to me, you thickheaded idiot." Remy smiled at the cheerful insult. "I'm not going anywhere, do you understand? I love you, Remy. When I first saw you I couldn't stand you but that wasn't really you, Remy, and I love who you really are when we're alone together, when you don't hide behind that mask. I fell so fast for you, Remy, and I'm falling deeper every day, I couldn't leave you if I wanted and I sure as hell don't want to. I love how you can be confident as hell one minute but shy and flustered the next, I love your accent and your eyes, I sure as hell love the way you can kick Scott's ass in the Danger Room. I love you, Remy, and I'm not going to leave you. And it doesn't matter if you can't say that back to me yet, Remy, because we have all the time in the world and I'm more than willing to wait." Once he had finished, he looked into Remy's eyes and saw the unshed tears there. For a moment, he thought that he had said something wrong and mentally started to go over his little speech.
"Oh cher, I want t' say it back t' y' an' I'm so sorry. I know y' love me, I'm just so scared," Remy confessed.
"I know, Rems, so am I. This has kinda never happened to me before, not like this." Remy pulled Roberto up until he was straddling Remy's hips, hands braced on Remy's shoulders. Remy buried his face into the crook of Roberto's neck, inhaling the slightly outdoorsy smell and letting his hands rest on Roberto's hips. Remy raised his head after a moment and brought his lips to Roberto's in a kiss filled with promise and hope. They indulged themselves for a few minutes, kissing and nipping at each other before finally drawing back for breath. Roberto let his forehead rest against Remy's.
"Won't Xavier be worried 'bout y'?" Remy asked.
"No, I called him yesterday and told him I would be here." Remy nodded. "Are you hungry?" Remy blinked at the sudden question. He realized he could hear Roberto's stomach grumbling.
"Oui, could stand to eat. Let's get outta here t'ough, no offence, cher, but y' need t' change your clothes." Roberto mock scowled at him.
"I'll have you know these clothes were perfectly clean! Yesterday." Roberto reluctantly got off Remy's lap and the two headed back to Xavier's, Remy grabbing his sunglasses as they passed the door.
#
The minute Remy and Roberto walked into the door they were met with a frantic Bobby. They looked at him as he bounced up to them vaguely thinking that they should probably run away while they had the chance.
"You'll never guess what happened," he exclaimed sounding slightly angry. Remy and Roberto exchanged looks. Bobby looked at them in surprise. "Oh my God, you guys hooked up didn't you? I was wondering when the heck you two were gonna get smart."
They blinked at him. "How-?" Roberto started but then decided that it was best not to question. "Are you going to tell us what happened?" he asked instead although he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer to that question either.
"Everybody knows that Kurt and I are together," Bobby replied sullenly.
"Ain't dat what y' wanted?" Remy asked, clueless.
"Well, yeah, but we had all these cool pranks to pull on everyone so they would find out. Now everyone knows so we can't do them." There was a definite whine to Bobby's voice and Remy and Roberto cringed. Nothing was worse than when Bobby started whining.
"I'm sure you'll think of something else to do, as long as it doesn't involve us," Roberto said, indicating him and Remy.
Bobby gave Roberto an odd look. "Um, weren't those the clothes you wore last night?" he asked slowly.
"Yeah."
"Well, no offense, but you should go and change." With that, Bobby took off running in the opposite direction, Roberto glaring daggers into his back. He turned to Remy with a sigh.
"I'm going to go and change my clothes now… And have a shower." Remy laughed at him and followed Roberto up the stairs. Once they reached his room, he grabbed a towel and shampoo and headed for the bathroom. There were so many students in the mansion he didn't understand why they didn't all get their own bathrooms; it would make life so much easier. He looked behind him to see that Remy was trailing him. "Can I help you?"
"Non, but just so y' know, in about ten minutes I'm gonna walk in dere."
Roberto blinked at him. Remy was trying to get back at him for walking into the shower this morning. "I'll just lock the door."
"I'll just pick de lock," Remy shot back.
"You can pick locks?!" Roberto asked. "Could you teach me to do that?" Remy looked at him odd but nodded. Roberto walked into the bathroom. "See ya in a few minutes," he called over his shoulder.
"Is dat an invitation to look behind de curtain?" Roberto didn't dignify him with an answer, slamming the door in his face. As stated Remy picked the lock and opened the door to let himself in roughly ten minutes later.
"Hey!" Roberto jumped. "I thought you were just joking!"
"I never joke," Remy replied. He walked over to the sink and eyed the taps. "Hmmmm," he mumbled to himself. Roberto heard him.
"What are you 'hmmming' about? I don't think I like the sound of that." Roberto was beginning to get worried. What was Remy going to do? He didn't imagine it would be something pleasurable and began to wish that he hadn't walked into the shower that morning. Suddenly, the water turned freezing cold and Roberto shrieked, trying to get out from under the cold spray but not wanting to jump out of the shower. He could hear Remy chuckling and the water temperature went back to normal. Only a second later it turned back to freezing cold. "Remy! Quit messing with the taps! I didn't do this to you!" Roberto yelled at him. Remy laughed again and turned the tap off.
"See ya later, cher."
#
Roberto found Remy relaxing back on his bed, talking with Kurt. He looked up at him, cocky grin plastered across his face. Roberto scowled at him.
"I outta kill you," Roberto growled low and menacing. It only caused both Remy and Kurt to start laughing. Remy sobered after a minute and turned to Kurt.
"Can I talk t' 'berto alone for a minute?" Kurt nodded, still smiling and teleported away leaving behind a cloud of sulfurous smoke. Remy waved his hand around trying to dissipate it, nose wrinkled in disgust.
"You get used to the smell," Roberto said, faintly amused. Remy looked at him skeptically as he sat next to Remy on the bed. "What did you want to talk about?" Remy's eyes became serious once again.
"Can' stay anymore after de training sessions," Remy said eyes downcast. "An' can' come dat often anymore, weekends maybe."
"Remy you really need to talk to somebody about Jean-Luc."
"Non, I can'"
"Why?" Why was Remy so stubborn?
"Don' want t' be taken away from my mother, she can' handle Jean-Luc on her own. I talk wit' de Professor an' he'll want me t' leave her. I can' do dat."
"I still think you're making the wrong decision Remy but I promised not to say anything so I won't. I hope you'll think about it, though."
"You're angry," Remy said dejected. Roberto lay down on the bed and pulled Remy to him so they lay cuddled together.
"I'm not angry, Remy, I'm just worried about you." He began stroking Remy's hair, as much to calm himself as Remy.
"Y' don' need t' worry, been dealing wit' dis my entire life, can deal wit' it a while longer."
"You shouldn't have to deal with it at all." He let Remy snuggle into him a little more but let the subject drop and remained quiet, indulging himself a little in the simple pleasure of holding Remy to him and trying not to get overly giddy that Remy was actually letting him.
A/N: Yeah, I couldn't really figure out how to end this chapter so this will have to do… Just felt like writing something cute and happy, besides these two deserve to relax a little with each other as it took them long enough, awww look at them aren't they cute!! You know I never thought that I would enjoy writing this as much as I have cause I don't really like Roberto but damn! I am loving this pairing now! And Roberto as well! Review mes amis!!!
