Disclaimer: None of the characters from X-Men Evolution are my own.
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When Rogue got to her first class of the day, Pietro was already in his seat next to hers. She approached, readying herself for an inevitable quip from him, but he did not say anything, apparently preoccupied with glaring at her desk. Furrowing her brow, she came nearer, placing her hands on her hips.
"Ah'll have ya know, I want that pillow back unscathed by tonight, ya hear?" When she did not get a response, she frowned. "Hey, earth ta Pietro. What's up with you?"
He raised his chin slightly to her, looking as if he had just noticed her, but then dropped his eyes just as suddenly. He shrugged, huffily turning his head away slightly. "Looks like you got an admirer." He gestured indifferently towards the top of her desk where, sure enough, there rested a rose, complete with a ribbon and small tag. Pietro glared darkly across the room, and Remy met his stare, winking at the speed demon haughtily. "Though it's no secret as to who it is," muttered Pietro venomously. A small tinge of regret stung in his chest; he should have told her yesterday when he had the chance. Gambit was going to mess everything up.
God, he couldn't stand the Acolyte. Things were almost perfect as they were; yes, Rogue was one of the X-Men and he was the appointed leader of the Brotherhood. The idea of them together was preposterous, but not moreso than the idea of her and Gambit. They were enemies. But he was alright with that, with knowing she was alright, and being taken care of. To tell the truth, he was not sure the Brotherhood could offer the same kind of family that the X-Men did, but he was not about to admit that out loud. The X-Men really watched out for each other. He was not so sure that his own companions would be as caring. But he was happy enough, it was enough for him. He loved Rogue, he loved her enough to not try to complicate her life anymore. He knew that it would just make things worse; for him, if she did not return his feelings, and for her, if she did. One, he was an 'enemy;' he could never join the X-Men, because of his father and because he would never want to side with his rival, Evan. Though the latter was a minor reason and he could easily just suck up his pride for her. Two, even if the relationship was accepted, she could not touch. He could deal with it, he was sure, but it would tear her up with guilt, thinking that there was so much she could not provide him, though that was far from the truth.
She did not know it, but she was everything to him. She was so strong, so independent. She could do anything. Her power was a torture to her, everyday life was like a hell to her, and finding out that Mystique, the woman who destroyed her home, was the foster mother who raised her was no piece of cake either. Yet she took it. She survived, and was still a lively young woman. She fought for what she believed was right, though her own mother was on the opposing team. He, himself, could not oppose his own father, and he had a power that was a welcome advantage. Yet she remained firm in the face of her issues, and he had yet to see her cry. At the same time, though, he also saw in her a gentleness, a softness that was well-disguised by her harsh gothic look. There was something tender in her eyes whenever she gazed at her fellow X-Men. And he had discovered, one time, that he wanted to receive that look. He wanted to be the cause of every laugh she laughed, every smile she donned. He wanted to make her eyes light up. She was so beautiful and so deserving of happiness. What was once simple admiration became a love so profound that he had never felt before in his life. It pained him to realize that instead of bringing her happiness, it would most likely just hurt her.
So he kept it an open question for himself. She would never know about it, and neither would he know if it could have ever worked out. But apparently the cajun did not have the same considerations. And so his hand was forced. He knew Gambit from his dealings with his father, Magneto. Gambit was a player, a love 'em and leave 'em type of guy. He could see what Gambit was up to the moment he walked into the classroom and saw him conversing with Rogue. He knew the untouchable challenge would be too much for him to turn down. So, he had to put everything on the line; his heart, his spirit, his life. He could not let Gambit hurt her.
Rogue stepped over to her desk, gently lifting the rose from its surface, and Pietro could not help but watch her from the corner of his eye, wary about her reaction, fearing for the worst: a smile. But her face was unreadable, her eyes flashed, but from excitement or distaste, he was not sure. He swallowed, wanting to speak but restraining himself; he did not know what would emerge from his lips and he did not want to upset her.
At that moment, the teacher entered, promptly beginning the class session, and Rogue quickly got into her seat, dropping the rose hastily, and carelessly, onto the floor beside her bag. Pietro was slightly comforted, although the feeling was shattered as he caught her taking glances towards the cajun. He slumped sullenly into his seat. She wanted Gambit, he was sure of it. He was too late. He was not enough.
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Short-ish chapter, yes. Got more into Pietro's head in this one. Isn't he angsty? Kinda explains why all of a sudden he's getting more involved in Rogue's life. He didn't seem to give much of a damn before. Doesn't explain why he loves her though, I can't figure out a way to get into that. When Gambit really falls in love with her, there'll be obvious ways of bringing his reasons out. But I don't quite see an outlet for Pietro. Hmmm.
(update: I ranted this before I added the little bit about Rogue being everything to him. Again, not sure if satisfied, but I think it works.)
I got my first anti-Romy 'lecture.' :) Ok, it wasn't a lecture, and only sort of an argument against Romy. Plus, I got some cool comic background on Rogue pairings and X-Men characters that I was previously ignorant of.
But okay, so maybe Remy and Rogue aren't exactly too good for each other. What with all the mindgames and hesitations. And the other reasons Teleute spoke of. But I don't know. I love the pairing. Remy is so sexy, and I can't see him with anyone else. I just am determined that they could work things out so that things could work out with them together. Maybe it would take longer, but... See, thing is, love does not ever have to be logical or reasonable, in my opinion. It can cause problems, but love is love. I don't think it should ever be thrown away.
At the same time, I'm falling more for Rietro. Pietro attracts me. As I said somewhere in one of my prior rants, it's looking like Pietro could be better for her. Pietro is forward-ish, I guess. Though in Rogue's eyes, Pietro's feelings are sort of unclear. Remy is definitely after her, but Pietro? I don't think she'd jump to the conclusion that he loves her based on what has happened so far in my fic. I think right now, she thinks it's all platonic, and he's just being the cocky little flirt that he is, even though he's been strangely sociable with her since the first time he saw her and Remy talking, which was that class. She doesn't really think he's interested in her. Then again, she's not sure. She never is, silly girl.
This is still a Romy fic, as of now. I can't tell if I'll change my mind along the way. I've been submitting myself to reading a hell of a lot of Rietro, so that could be the cause of my new interest in it. Maybe a good Romy is all I need to get me back as initially planned. Or maybe I've been converted... No, I don't think that's it. I'm still a Romy-fan. :)
Rielyn
(btw, remy is most surely gonna be in the next chapter)