The glow of the morning sun peaked lazily over the city of New Orleans. The soft colors illuminating everything in sight in a warm haze and the rays of early light shone through the age-old, wrought iron work that was evidently consistent throughout the historic French Quarter and into the conventional sash windows of the apartments, houses and such situated within.
Remy LeBeau watched silently as the light crept into the room through the open balcony doors, the wrought iron work causing intricate shadows on the floor and walls of the room inside. He was mesmerized by it, captivated by the morning light that he had never stopped to observe before. Oh, he had seen many sunrises but had never truly watched one for the sheer purpose of it - and he wasn't disappointed. It was beautiful, one of those rare natural phenomenon's that were taken for granted on a regular basis, something that could enthrall you for hours if it lasted and stop the typical train of thoughts that normally never cease.
A slight movement beside him knocked him from his reverie, causing him to look away from the natural wonder happening outside to the source of the disturbance beside him. She stirred a little more and turned her head from the imminent light. He watched her softly, not wanting to disturb her. Her head lying against his arm, which was stretched, out behind her.
He had been here for hours, contently watching her as she had finally sobbed herself to sleep. This was a different side to the Rogue that he had not been witness to before and he highly doubted that many others had either. Not that he had found out much, only the discovery that a brother he had never knew existed had tried to do away with himself, that Rogue believed it was her fault and that she had spent the last couple of weeks with him in a juvenile rehabilitation center in Westchester, New York.
As if that wasn't enough to tip someone ordinarily so strong over the edge. He had no idea about her past, but whatever it was it was obviously something she wanted to forget and leave far behind her - he respected that, but whatever Rogue's past was - it wasn't going to let go of her, she needed to face up to it. Remy thought back to his past, not the most happiest of histories he had to admit - and now - now was strange. Here he was, lying on a bed with his arm wrapped around a girl he cared more about than he wanted to acknowledge and he was getting married in less than four days.
A frown now etched his previously relaxed guise as he remembered his duty to his family and he sighed despairingly. He didn't want to get married, sure perhaps in the future to somebody he loved more than life itself, he smiled at that 'It would hav' t' be dat t' get me t' go down de aisle on m' own accord' he thought ruefully to himself.
But right now, to a woman he barely knew, had nothing in common with, was the daughter of a Godfather like figure and a woman who he had to admit couldn't stand being in the same room with for too long was not exactly a good start to a lifetime meant to be filled with happiness and prosperity.
Looking back to the sleeping Rogue, his heart eased a little as he watched her slow, deep breaths and the aberrant serenity of her face as she slept. He idly thought how it was that people looked so tranquil in their sleep, how the troubles of the day could be brushed away by just relaxing the mind and drifting off to dream land.
A slight breeze drifted through the open balcony doors, making some distant wind chimes from across the street clang back and forth. Rogue opened her eyes gradually, twisting her head a little more from the sunlight, she opened her eyes wider and was startled when she realized where she was.
"Hey, feelin' better chérie?" Remy asked softly. Rogue visibly relaxed and sat up a little more as Remy removed his arm and sat up more himself. Rogue gave a small smile and nodded gently.
"Yeah. Ah must of fell asleep. Sorry" She apologized sheepishly.
"Pas un problème" They shared a smile before Rogue made to get up off the bed. Walking past Remy, she came to a halt and turned around and faced him again.
"Thank you" She said tentatively. Remy knew what she meant and smiled warmly as she turned to leave once more. On a whim he stood up suddenly and called out to her.
"So, y' wanna get some breakfast or somethin'?" Rogue looked back at him and nodded.
"Yeah, thaht would be nahce."
An hour later found them sitting in the outdoor seating area of a café facing onto Jackson Square. A fair-haired waitress placed their order of croissants and coffee on the table and smiled flirtatiously at Remy who in return smirked at her in the same manner, before she sauntered away, hips swaying. Rogue choked back a laugh as she watched Remy who then diverted his attention from the retreating waitress at the strange half laugh coming from his companion.
"Que?" He asked, unsure at whatever was amusing her. At this Rogue let out a laugh and tried not to choke on her croissant.
"Nothin'. Jus' you an' that waitress" She choked back another chortle and took a sip of her coffee. Remy smirked and leaned back in his chair.
"Jealous chére?" He questioned slyly. Rogue looked at him incredulously and took another mouthful of her drink.
"Tell meh Remy, doesn't it bother ya havin' women throw themselves at ya left, rahte and centah?" Remy smirked even more at her question and inclined forward dramatically, as if to tell her a secret.
"Here's da t'ing, hommes enjoy de attention" Rogue shook her head disbelievingly.
"It must do wondahs for yoah ego's huh?" She joked back. Remy chuckled at her comment, he didn't have a comeback ready for that one so instead took a sip of his cooling coffee.
"Come on Rogue. I' bet y' got em queuing up round de block" He replied, slightly curious as to how she would reply.
"Please! Besides yoah gettin' married remembah, yoah not meant ta be flirtin' with othah women" She snorted response, but was taken aback by Remy's sudden change of disposition and observed him quietly as he began stirring his coffee slowly, a grim line marring his handsome features. Though she could not see his eyes because of the dark sunglasses he was wearing, she was sure they would have displayed more of what he was thinking at that moment. Remy remained silent, continuing to stir his coffee aimlessly.
"Yoah not havin' second thought's already? Thaht ain't a good thing Rem" She asked carefully, trying to keep some humor in her voice. He didn't budge. Rogue sighed and fell back into her chair and began eating the rest of her croissant, watching people walk back and forth going about their business before her attention was drawn back to her cohort.
"Never got chance t' hav' second t'oughts" Remy began slowly, concentrating on the swirl of his coffee as he continued to stir. Receiving no reply, though knowing he had her full attention he continued.
"Me an' Belle hav' been engaged since we were kids" He finished. Hoping that he wouldn't have to reveal anymore, he had already said too much, 'Merde, why couldn't y' hav jus' kept y' big mouth shut LeBeau' he cursed himself silently. Rogue looked away from him, not knowing how to reply to what he had said. Several minutes passed, neither looking nor saying a thing to the other until Rogue decided she needed to know more.
"Gahd, thahts awful. Cain't ya jus' say ya don't want ta get married?" She asked, looking at him and lingering for a reply.
"It's . . . complicated" Was all he said. Remy tensed a little waiting for the 'Why?' but was relieved that she didn't ask.
"Well, ah guess Belle seem's . . . nahce, in a sadistic kinda way" She finished uncertainly, with a small, mischievous smile.
"Which Belle did y' meet exactly?" Remy joked back, noticing the distinct sound of impishness in the way she spoke. They shared a smile.
"Whens th' weddin'?" She asked inquisitively.
"Saturday" He answered despondently, the brief smile he had shared, now completely vanished. Rogue nodded silently. Remy looked away and watched the forming crowds, Rogue looked at him regretfully - it didn't seem fair that someone should have to get married to someone they didn't love, really Rogue strangely enough was intrigued as to why Remy was going through with this. To her, he didn't seem like the sort of person who followed rules and did as they were told.
Her thoughts immediately drifted back to that night weeks ago and to the conversation she had heard between Remy and his brother. 'Jus' as well ah didn't ask anythin' to personal, he probably would o' had ta kill meh' she thought sarcastically. Whatever his reasons for going through with this marriage, Rogue concluded that it went a lot deeper than what little information he had given her. At that, Remy unexpectedly looked around to her and Rogue abruptly averted her eyes from him. Remy smirked in amusement at her standoffish behavior.
"Y' seem more interested in dis marriage than I am" He quipped.
"Well it's kind of a big thing ta not talk about. But be mah guest ta change th' subject" She retorted, pretending to be completely oblivious to his witticism.
"I t'ink someone feels left out. Y' wanna go t' de weddin' Rogue?" He continued jibing. Rogue raised her eyes to him and tried to look as unenthusiastic as possible.
"Yeah, thaht would be a great ideah considerin' how well me an' Belle hit it off yestahday". She said unblinkingly. He snickered at the concept of Belle and Rogue being best buddies.
"She's like dat wit' everyone. Besides would be entertainin' fo' y' to watch me goin' t' my fate" He replied somewhat forlornly.
"Yeah ah guess thaht would make mah day, watchin' Louisiana's most populah ladies man walk down th' aisle and put his lahfe in th' hands o' fate. Ah think ah should be theah jus' ta make sure y' go through with it" Rogue countered drolly. Remy smirked at her humorous take on his impending marriage and thought 'How close t' de truth y'are chérie". Not a second after that thought did his cell phone begin to vibrate in his pocket. Pulling it out, he grimaced at the name he saw flashing on the screen.
"Speakin' o' de devil" He related jadedly before answering with a rehearsed 'hello'. Rogue assumed that it was Belle and kept quiet as he conversed on the cell, still unable to shake the feeling of how wrong this all seemed. Barely a minute had passed when she noticed Remy putting the phone back into his pocket.
"I hav' t' go petite," He sounded subdued. Rogue watched him soundlessly as he asked a passing waitress for their bill.
"It's gonna b' okay Remy" Rogue tried to sound confident, but found herself faltering a little. Remy gave a half smile, but said nothing as he pulled out his wallet.
"M' call" Was all he managed as he put a few notes down on the tray and stood up. Rogue followed suit and both walked out of the seating area and out towards one of the gateways into Jackson Square.
"Well ah suppose ah'll see ya latah" She attempted a goodbye but for some reason neither moved an inch. Remy looked up at her first and smiled as warmly as he could under the circumstances. He suddenly felt as though he wanted to run away, from Belle, from his family, even New Orleans - but not her. He watched her as she shuffled her feet and looked around, conceiving that she didn't know what to say.
Reaching up a hand tentatively, he gently pushed away a few strands of hair that had fallen in front of her face. Rogue froze, not out of fear or surprise - more like she wanted to savor the moment. The sweet sound of classic New Orleans jazz filled the air and for just a moment both felt as though they were the only two people in the world. Though the end of the song transported them directly back to reality immediately.
"Oui, y' will chérie" He replied with as much certainty as he could muster before slowly backing away, not turning around until her face had disappeared completely behind the sea of people surrounding Jackson Square.