Disclaimer: X-Men Evolution is not mine.
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Pietro hated waiting. Everything around him always moved so slowly, at least in his eyes. It was hard to be patient when in his world, time went faster, so he rarely was. And this time, there was cause for him to be even more anxious. "C'mon C'mon C'mon, Roguey, where are you?" He had been waiting, hidden, outside of the mansion since school ended, his super speed aiding him to get there before anybody else. He had to talk to her as soon as possible, alone. But when the X-Men returned from school, Rogue was not among them. So here he was. He tapped his foot impatiently, beginning to pace back and forth, becoming an agitated blur in his vantage point behind a tree. Where was she? He knew Gambit was behind her disappearance. He should have approached her at school, even though there would be little chance for privacy there. Especially when Gambit would most likely be lurking around. He glared at the bouquet of roses he had purchased for her. He had been afraid that she would reject him and did not want anybody, least of all Gambit, to witness his embarrassment. It would have been a fatal blow to his pride. But what did that matter now, when he could not find her in the first place? Damnit.
A laugh trilled in the air, accompanied by a motorcycle engine, and Pietro froze. It couldn't be. No, it couldn't be Rogue. It wasn't her voice, it just wasn't! He darted towards the tree, scooping up his flowers as he peeked at the scene at the gates. His heart caught in his throat; he couldn't deny it, it was Rogue. She was dismounting Remy's motorcycle, smiling too happily, and even a giggle made its way faintly to Pietro's ear. Her hand rested familiarly on the cajun's back, the act merely friendly, but still it drove him mad, his hand tightening around the stems of the roses. He wanted to run, wanted to deny that this was happening, but he remained fixated, shocked, as he saw Remy take her hand and kiss it, murmuring undoubtedly sensual words to bring a soft blush to tint her cheeks. When she finally drew away, Pietro let out a tortured breath that he had not realized he was holding.
Rogue.
She turned to enter the gates, Remy having disappeared down the street, only to come face to face with Pietro, his expression pained. "Pietro!" She flinched backwards, automatically, lifting a hand to her chest in her surprise. "Ah didn' know ya were there..."
His voice was low and strained. "Why were you with him?"
"What?"
"Gambit. Why were you with him? I thought you knew better than that."
"No, Pietro, he ain' that bad, he jus'-"
"No, Rogue, he's using you, manipulating you! You can't trust him!"
Rogue stared at him, her anger beginning to flare. "What do you know? Ya don' know him, have ya evah even talked ta him, really?"
"Rogue, you've just met him! I've seen-"
"Ya've seen nothin'! It's all an act for Magneto, for yer father! He's jus' hired, bound by contract!"
"No, Rogue, LISTEN to me! He's lyin-"
"No, Pietro, ya listen to meh." She strode up to him, poking him forcefully in the chest, causing him to fall back slightly. "Ya don' know nothin'! Ya don' even know him! An' besahdes, Ah know what Ah'm doin', an' Ah don' need Magneto's own beck 'n call boy, aka his son, ta tell me what ta do!" Her voice was full of venom, her green eyes furious.
Pietro shook his head weakly, the words taking their toll. "But Rogue-"
"It's none o' ya business, anyways! Ah don' know whay all o' a sudden ya care so much, ya nevah seemed ta give a damn before."
"Gambit is trouble, Rogue. Don't get involved with him, please!" he pleaded, almost begging. "He's just going to hurt you." Rogue glared at him, but the look in his stormy blue eyes quieted the barb she had planned to return.
"Pietro, Ah can tahke care o' mahself." He sighed, turning away and avoiding her angrily defiant eyes.
"I know, Rogue. I know, but I just... I just don't want him to hurt you." Hesitantly, he lifted the hand that held his bouquet, and Rogue became speechless, her jaw slack. "This wasn't how I wanted it to go, and I didn't want to tell you in the first place because I knew it would hurt you more than help." He ducked his head, turning his eyes to his feet. "I love you, Rogue." He lifted his eyes again, and she saw the sincerity in the startling blue. "I have for the longest time. It feels like I've loved you forever, but I could never tell you, because of who I am, and who you are." He paused, but when she did not say anything he continued, "And the reason I'm telling you now is because I can't let Gambit hurt you."
They stood there, silent, Pietro finished with his confession. A soft wind ruffled their hair and the roses that rested between them in Pietro's hand, the only movement in the seconds that felt like hours, especially for the speed demon. Rogue broke first, stumbling backwards and shaking her head in disbelief.
"Ah... Pietro, Ah.." She swallowed, averting her gaze. He loved her. But, what did she feel? She was confused, unsure, and stunned, all at the same time. It had never occurred to her before, never in her wildest dreams did Pietro ever confess his love for her. It couldn't be real. A whiff of his cologne, mingled with the subtle scent of the roses, made its way to her; so different than that cologne and cigar combination that Remy emanated. Pietro seemed to be so safe, while Remy was dangerous. And now Pietro was here, offering his love, his own pride on the line, for her. But could she give it a chance, with Pietro? Could it even work? She couldn't touch, and they were on different sides. But did that matter? She raised her eyes to his, but there was a question in his striking blue eyes that she did not feel ready to answer. She turned to the gates, to flee, but he caught her wrist.
"Rogue, please," he cried, his voice anguished. "I... I understand if you don't feel the same..." He trailed off, swallowing the growing lump in his throat. "But, please, listen to my warning about Gambit. I don't want you to get hurt."
Rogue did not turn to face him, her shoulders slumping in resignation. "Don' worry, Pietro." Her voice was soft and barely audible. "There's nothin' happ'nin' between Remy and Ah. We're simply friends, if that." She turned her head slightly towards him, though it still remained bowed, her eyes hidden by her strands of hair. "Please let meh go now, Pietro." He nodded, releasing her hand, standing there a moment longer as she escaped into the mansion grounds. Dropping his eyes to the bouquet in his hand, he took several shuddering breaths, his expression becoming stony to allay any tears.
"Rogue..." He clenched his fists. He had told her, and she fled. It hurt, more than he had ever dreamed it would. Grunting, he threw the bouquet to the side as he turned away from the gates, lifting his face to the sky and breathing heavily. He wanted to scream. He wanted to run.
Instead, he made a vow. "I'll be here for you, Rogue," he stated out loud, though he knew she would not hear him. "If you need anything, I'll be here waiting. When he disappoints you, I'll be here. I will never let you down."
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Dunno how I feel about this chapter. I stumbled at parts, admittedly. It can be rather difficult, you know, to get the flow right. Cause I don't want to be too choppy, though that is how though processes tend to be.
I don't have too much to comment on this chapter. Poor Pietro. She didn't reject him, but she didn't welcome him with open arms either. This chapter took longer than I expected because I almost chose a different path than how it ended up going. And I ended up deleting the half a page I typed, starting over.
Are you getting impatient? I can see how. This is going to be another set back for Rogue. Or rather for Remy, since he wants to get with her. This fic is promising to be fairly long, or so it seems. The time seems to go by so fast, and yet so slowly when I read/write it. I dunno.
Sheesh, Ishandahalf, be patient. Remy is going to fall for Rogue, you know that and I promise you that he will, but it's going to take time. It drives me crazy when they meet and boom they're like, 'wow, i felt a connection.' I think it'd make the love much deeper, and more genuine, when it's something worked at. Or not exactly worked at, but as they get to know eachother better... you know what I mean? So sue me, I'm a hopeless romantic, with a flair for drama (which is why Pietro is there).
Thank you for your continuing support, everyone, really. I feel so appreciated. :)
:)
Rielyn