Bonding

by Dangerous Bunny

It's one of those sleepless nights and some people find themselves on a certain roof of the mansion in the middle of the night. (warning: weed use.)

Rogue opened her eyes with a shriek.

Her mind was filled with descriptive images of blood, terror and pain –thanks to the memories of certain someone. She was panting heavily as she sat up and let her legs swing from the bed, grabbing the half empty glass on her nightstand to drink some water.

Her hands brushed her long hair, which was tied up in a messy bun, calming herself. Taking a deep breath, she got out from the bed and grabbed an oversize black sweatshirt with zippers and her knee high socks. Getting some fresh air always helped whenever she had to endure such situation, so she decided to go for the roof which had an amazing view of the great garden. Her window was facing the large plane tree, making it easy to climb up.

Her hands touched the roofing and pulled herself up, nearly jumped back when she saw the figure which she came across surprisingly in the middle of the night.

"Bonjour, chére."

Leaning against the brick wall behind him, Gambit cocked his head aside and offered a gloved hand to her, letting him pull her weight up to the roof. "Hey, yourself," she greeted, gesturing him to move a little. "Scooch."

He let a grin play on his lips and did as he was told, she sat next to him and leaned back. Both heads resting on the brick wall as they watched the stars in the sky. "Nightmare?" he asked, eyes still focused elsewhere.

"Yup," she sighed, tilting her head towards him. "You?"

"Moi aussi."

"What," she bit her lip. "Did you dream of government experiments and human genocide, too?"

His crimson red eyes fixated on her green ones, studying her face carefully. "Non," he began. "More like bloody weddings and sociopath surgeries."

"My god, Cajun," she rolled her eyes playfully. "Didn't think we had so much in common."

"I assure you, chére, we have plenty," he flashed a grin and moved a little closer, his leather trench coat brushing her cotton sweatshirt.

Her eyes caught a glimpse of his moving but didn't protest against it, instead she surprised them both and actually put her head on his shoulder, not looking in his way. "By the way, how did you find out my secret spot?"

He raised an eyebrow at that. "What makes you think it's your spot?" he asked, slowly inhaling the lavender and dark jasmine coming off from her hair.

"Because it is?"

"You have to work on your debating skills, chére," he said, smirking when she huffed in annoyance. She pulled back from his embrace, but still let her arm touch his, feeling the warmth of him through the cotton fabric.

A groan interrupted the two as both eyes turned towards the large figure. Logan grunted and mumbled something like fuck my luck, but both southerners didn't comment on it.

"Hey, sugah," Rogue said with a sigh, her hand petting the spot next to her left. "Come on, join the trauma club."

Both expected the Canadian man to go refuse, but he actually placed himself next to her and leaned back to the brick wall, mimicking their position. He was wearing his signature grey tank top and a pair of trousers, smoking a Cuban cigar. His arm reached out towards the Cajun in front of her, offering him the cigar which the other man took gladly. He was out of cigarettes and it was handed to him on a silver plate.

Remy took a deep breath and let a grey cloud of tobacco appear in the air and handed it back to the larger man, which he did the same. Rogue raised an eyebrow at their sudden friendliness, but chose to let it slip. "You two have a death wish, I swear," she commented, a frown appearing on her face as the intensity of the grey cloud increased.

"It's 'cause you never tried it, p'tite."

"Didn't think I'd agree with Gumbo," Logan said, tilting his head towards her. "Burns away the feelings."

She was intrigued to ask more, but didn't say anything. Instead, she looked at the Canadian and sighed, he exchanged the movement. "One of mines?" he asked, understanding the situation loud and clear. She had nightmares again and it was probably about his traumatic past.

"Doesn't matter," she shook her head, but deep down she knew he was aware of the truth. They all knew that he was here for the very same reason, whatsoever. Her stare shifted between the Cajun and the Canadian and suppressed a chuckle, they both were very alike, yet so far from each other.

"Oh, fuck me, it's actually a prison."

All heads turned towards the other side of the room as the Australian man dusted off his hands, giving him an annoyed look. Logan gave him a grunt and turned his attention back to the long trees, as if he was the security camera around the mansion.

John rolled his eyes and sat next to him, still keeping his distance. "What is this? Anonymously Depressed after party?" he mocked, leaning back. "If I'd known, I'd have joined the meetings."

"Shut it, fireboy," Logan said as the tip of his cigar was put off, giving Pyro another growl. He lifted it to his lips and gestured the younger man to light it up, the blonde handed him his favorite zippo and began playing with it when he was done.

"Do you really feel like that?" Rogue found herself asking, her head resting on Cajun's shoulder casually, as he was watching the stars. "Like its prison?"

John gave her a reckless shrug, his blue eyes fixated on the long trees that were embracing the school. "Sometimes. I mean look at this, I can't do anything without you guys being there for fuck's sake."

Rogue couldn't help but let a sassy huff escape from her lips as she lifted her head to look at him. John stared back, annoyed with her amusement. "You guys invaded my spot and now you're complainin'?" she asked, an eyebrow raised at his direction.

"Told you, it's not your spot," Remy gave her a grin as he lifted an arm behind his head, careful with not disturbing her comfortable position on his shoulder.

"What the fuck, I always come here," Pyro protested with a puzzled look.

"Darlin', it's not your spot," Logan looked at her with an amused expression. "Hell, even Kurt comes here every weekend."

"Yeah, it's literally a meeting point, mate," John said, nodding his head at her direction and accusing them. "But I've never seen any of you here, at three in the morning anyway."

"You three are delusional," Rogue folded her arms in a defensive position. "And for your information, I come here often. Especially at nights."

"To meet Gambit?"

Remy couldn't help but laugh at Pyro's blunt comment, as color went up to her cheeks. She gasped and sent him a deadly stare, shifting her stare between him and John. "No," she said, louder than intended. "I just have nightmares and he just happens to be here, often."

"Chére, Remy's flattered," he grinned faintly, his red on black eyes capturing hers in an intense stare. "If it's any consolation, I'm hopin' to catch you here, too."

"Damn, this reminds me why I don't like socializin'," Logan commented with a groan.

"Nah, Wolvie," Remy cheered, flashing him a smile. "I know you growin' to like me, otherwise you wouldn't be sharin' your cigar," he added proudly. "And it's Cuban, one o' your finest."

"I'm already regrettin'."

"About that," John cleared his throat, biting his inner cheek. "You probably smelled it miles away but I was hoping to enjoy this in peace," he said, taking a cigarette from his pocket holding it in his hand to show the others.

"John!" Rogue snapped, her eyes widened at the marijuana he was holding. "What the hell?"

"Amsterdam?" Remy asked, sniffing the smell and studying the color of the cigarette casually.

"Yeah," he answered, a grin appearing on his lips. "I have a friend who happens to give me some good stuff every once in a while."

Logan grabbed the cigarette from his hand, ignoring the blonde's protests and smelled it attentively. Nodding his head, he gestured for the zippo again, making the younger man's jaw drop.

"You're fucking kidding, right?" John asked in disbelief, sharing the same look as the white streaked woman, but handed the zippo anyway.

Logan lit the cigarette and inhaled deeply, handing it back to him. Bewildered as he was, he still took the cigarette and took a drag as well. Closing his eyes in pure relief, he mumbled some praising words and turned towards the Cajun to hand him the joint, who accepted the offer gladly.

Rogue was watching all three in amazement, like how the fuck? Just moments ago, she was having a panic attack and now she was witnessing drug use. She wasn't a prude, not really. She liked to drink on every occasion, but this wasn't her thing, she had never done this –let alone smoke a regular cigarette in her life.

But then, Remy handed her the cigarette with that look on his face. The one that could convince anyone to do anything, but she still held his gaze anyway. She bit her bottom lip, unsure of what to do or more like how to do it, but he gave her a reassuring smile before she took it carefully, avoiding to touch his bare skin with her bare hands.

She studied the cigarette for a moment, then did as what she had observed from the other three. She inhaled a deep breath and let a cough take over her, making the men laugh amusingly. Logan touched her back softly, giving her a little pet as he took the cigarette and smoke again, eventually handing it back to its owner.

"Now I can die in peace," John shook his head in amusement, closing his eyes in easiness. "I have witnessed Rogue to actually fucking smoke pot, I'm not tripping, am I?"

"Non," Remy shared his enthusiasm, grinning at the younger woman. "You're full of surprises, chére."

"It's not a big deal," she rolled her eyes, but deep down she was happy to try something new. "Just wanted to know what the fuss is all about."

"Ain't no fuss," Logan shrugged. "Just an experience, darlin'. Better do it with people that you trust first."

"He's right," the Australian intervened. "My first time? I woke up in a bathtub in an apartment and freaked out, got no one to help me. But we don't have that much weed right now anyway, so just relax."

"Je suis d'accord, don't really remember my first time. But it's better when you're safe and sound, non?"

"Good god," Rogue groaned. "Would you guys stop with the public announcement? It's like you're advertising. Are you beginnin' a career in selling?"

"I wasn't even planning on sharing," John rolled his eyes. "I was hoping to do it all by myself, then you guys literally jumped at it."

"Take it as a bribe," Logan gave him a cold grin, his eyes faintly shining with amusement. "I did smell that, there was no way you could avoid me, bub."

"Jesus, you're like a German Shepherd."

Rogue burst into laughing at the Australian's comment, hiding her face onto the Cajun's leather trench coat. "I'm sorry," she said, wiping a tear. "But he has a point, don't act like a retired narc dog."

"That's not nice," Remy observed, shaking his head at the younger two, but he couldn't hide the grin. "Not the dog part, but the retirement."

Logan gave them a grunt and grabbed the cigarette, taking his turn again. "Now I'm stealin' this."

"What the f-"

"Logan-"

"Non-"

His grin stunned them all, he took another drag and handed it back to Pyro once he was done. The Australian grabbed it gladly and inhaled, letting a thick smoke appear in the sky. He made a circle with the smoke, then handed it to his right, passing Logan and handing it to Rogue.

She lifted the cigarette up to her lips and took a deep breath as a pair of crimson eyes were watching her with interest. She blew out the air and locked eyes with him, as he accepted the drag and did the same, her emerald green eyes never leaving his. This time she didn't cough and she felt okay.

But instead of exhaling it in the air, he moved his face closer to her, stunning her still. His breath on her lips sent shivers to her spine, before he exhaled the smoke onto her mouth without making any direct contact. She breathed in and closed her eyes in pure bewilderment, the Cajun had the talent to make her feel like nobody else and she had to blink away the sudden shivering.

Satisfied with her reaction, he pulled back and cast a glance towards the Canadian, which seemed to be wandered off mentally, his eyes closed shut. But John was watching the two in awe, observing what the hell he had just seen. Remy reached out and handed the drag back to him and closed his eyes in peace as her head rested on his shoulder again –he found out that he was quite taken with the experience.

"When," John began in amazement. "Did that happen?" he asked, mentioning the sudden closeness of two southerners.

"I'll give you and advice, kid," Logan muttered, eyes still closed, but observing everything. "Keep your nose out of things that ain't your business and be damn happy."

"But, how?"

"When did you and Iceboy happen?"

John's eyes widened, flashing a look at the Canadian man's direction. Logan was still resting, his legs spreading casually on the bricks. How the fuck he was so observant even with his eyes closed? John frowned and cast a glance at the other two, Remy tilted his head towards him with a smirk as Rogue remained silent. What the fuck? Did they also know?

"It's obvious," the Cajun noted, giving him a short nod. Fucking hell.

Rogue lifted her head momentarily to speak, sighing as she explained. "It's obvious to people who know both of you well enough. I dated Bobby, I know a thing or two," she said, cocking her head. "And I know you, you act different around him."

"Good different?"

"Good different."

John nodded and let his body relax against the bricks. He didn't know why, but he did feel like a hundred pounds were lifted off of his chest. So that meant fucking sharing? Is this what normal people did with their friends? Oh, fucking hell, were this trio his friends?

"I don't know how he feels about me."

"He likes you," Logan nodded his head, eyes still closed. He grabbed the drag and took a breath, passing onto the next person as he was done.

"Jesus," the blonde shook his head. "You're like the Yoda."

Remy gave him a low chuckle as Rogue accepted the drag, looking at him with a look that was a combination of amusement and wonder. He cocked his head aside, studying her face and trying to understand what she was asking. And then it hit him, she wanted to do the same thing he had done earlier. Giving her a nod, he smirked and moved his head closer as she took her turn and slowly blew it onto his mouth. He closed his eyes in euphoria as he inhaled, the mixture of weed and lavender along with dark jasmine was just overwhelming.

Normally, Logan probably would have gutted the Cajun. But tonight, he chose to act better about the whole situation. No, he understood the situation with her inability to touch and their annoying sexual tension. This was their way of being intimate and he had no choice other than to respect that. Besides, he didn't want to be this strict father figure, but rather her close friend whom she could rely on whenever she needed. Also, it wasn't like they were making out in front of them, it was just their way of experimenting things without actually hurting each other.

Yeah, Logan became suddenly all wise and grinned faintly at himself.

Remy already sensed the look on the older man, although he was trying hard to be understanding. He didn't want to push any harder, so instead of doing some sexual numbers with the gorgeous woman next to him, he took a regular drag and handed it back to John again.

"Aussi," the Cajun said, breaking the silence. "It's quite the opposites attractin', non? You are fire, he's ice as if it's meant to be."

"Isn't that a little childish, Gambit?"

"Non," he shrugged recklessly and Rogue smirked at that. "It's a fairytale."

"Oh, good," the Australian sighed. "You're joking. I thought you were serious with the whole you-are-my-fate bullshit."

Logan took the drag from the blonde when he was done, and inhaled. It had a minor effect on him, seeing as he was incredibly resistant to intoxication. But still, it made his mind cloudy and he liked that. "Fate ain't real," he remarked, passing it on. "You create your own."

"It does exist, sugah" Rogue peeked an eye at the Canadian, suppressing a grin. "Ain't it what you have with Storm?"

Logan nearly choked on his breath, shooting daggers at the brunette with white streaks. "Stripes," he said firmly, it was a warning which she didn't seem to care. Her mind was just as blurry, she liked the heaviness as her head still rested on a muscular shoulder.

Remy also tilted his head towards the man, eyeing him carefully with an amused expression. "Oui, he's different 'round Stormy, too," he nodded his head, agreeing with her as he took a breath from the cigarette.

"You and Storm?" John glanced up at the larger man. "Oh, my eyes and my ears. What else? Jubilee and Magneto? Gross, mate."

Remy exhaled slowly, sharing his observation as he passed on the joint. "Non, Kitty and Piotr."

"Yup," Rogue nodded her head, wiggling herself in more as she breathed in the bourbon and rich tobacco off of him. "But it's old news, they ain't hidin' it as much, anymore."

"Why don't I notice these things?" John frowned, cigarette sulking from his lip.

"Gotta keep your head out of your ass, kid," Logan suppressed a chuckle. "You gotta observe."

"What's going on here?"

Four of them nearly jumped at the sudden intrusion, even the Canadian was shaken up a little. Rogue straightened her posture but seeing the looks in the other three made her laugh out loud. Remy was keeping a blank face, not even exhaling and hoping it wouldn't smell more. Logan looked at the white haired woman with an open mouth, unsure of what to say. And John was trying so hard to keep the joint behind his back that he dropped the cigarette and it rolled over to the weather goddess due to inclination of the roof.

It was in that moment that John knew they were fucked up.

Storm cocked her head and picked up the cigarette, giving it a short sniff before casting them all a disapproving look. Before the Canadian man came up with an excuse and he was probably going to blame it on John, the African beauty lifted it up to her lips and smoked the drag.

The Australian literally gaped at what he just witnessed, along with other three. Storm let a laugh escape from her lips, eventually letting a short cough out, too. They all looked so bewildered, as if they were witnessing a murder with their eyes wide open, their mouths in the shape of an 'o'.

"Ro?" Logan dared to ask, eyes blinking in confusion.

"What?" Storm shrugged, placing herself next to John in a sitting position. "I had my time."

"Oui, she did," Remy smirked, making the white haired woman shoot daggers in his way. "What? You did, let me tell you one thing, the fille used to know how to party."

The white goddess blushed and rolled her eyes, making the Canadian man glare at her in awe. "Ro and parties," he repeated, letting it sink in. "Must've been a sight to see."

John furrowed his brows and looked at the two, from his left to his right. "Storm used to party hard? Fucking hell, the things my poor eyes witnessed tonight is just beyond my imagination."

Storm sent him a look, making the younger man to grin sheepishly.

There was a peaceful silence that lasted about less than five minutes, before Rogue burst into laughing once again. The Cajun raised an eyebrow at her sudden amusement, as well as others. "It's just," she began, wiping a tear out of her eye with a grin. "John literally shoved the drag up in his ass when Storm came in."

They all echoed her chuckle, besides John who was rolling his eyes at the comment. "Well, kindly fuck off, I didn't know what she would do. None of you did, by the way."

"I did," Remy shrugged his shoulders. "Can't tame a wild soul, hein?"

Storm gave him a faint grin and her blue eyes rested on the Canadian that was watching her in interest. Maybe it was the high, but he looked much more relieved, calmer in ways that's she couldn't explain. "Tell me, Logan," she said, leaning back casually. "What's the wildest thing you've ever done?"

He brought a hand back to his head, fingers playing with his hair loosely. He was an old soul, the things he saw, the things he did was beyond telling. He didn't even remember his own birthday for god's sake. Also, every fun thing came up with tomorrow's hangover, so he basically didn't remember much of his party days.

So instead of a fun story, he just shrugged. Storm rolled her eyes, her chin up. "Okay, I'll begin," she sighed. "There was once a time when I was in London with a couple of friends, after a while, they wanted me to make it rain in a mutant friendly nightclub. So I did, everyone was wet from head to toe, and mind you, drunk. I don't know how they made me agree to it, but we made a runway parkour with me bolting random lightnings!" she looked horrified, but a soft curve appeared on her lips. "People were trying to reach to the final end without getting hit –we made it without any injuries, thank god, but it was still amazing."

John gaped at her once more. Not only the story was horribly and tragically kind of fun, but also it was coming from Ms. Munroe, the strict professor at the Xavier's. He was truly having an awakening tonight. Although he didn't find getting roasted by a lightning hilarious, he still had to give it to her.

Logan mimicked the Australian in a softer way, his brows furrowed as he tried to think of words to say. Realizing there were more to her than just being loyal, passionate, caring and brave. But she also knew how to have fun and he licked his lips at the thought. "You know, darlin'," he began, a grin on his lips. "You and me, we need to go out sometime."

Rogue sucked in her breath and glanced up at the Cajun with a shocked face, he gave her the same taken aback look in return. John gazed between the white haired woman and the angry Canadian, before casting a glance at the other duo –who looked back at him with questioning looks.

Logan was asking her out, but it had been so fucking smooth that it may have been a compliment on her fun-but-horrible experience.

The weather goddess blushed and tore her gaze away, looking at the landscape.

The other three was confused as hell when neither of them said anything, especially John whose joint was put off and nearly finished. He groaned out loud and sulked in, not that sharing had been bad, it was rather fun and he found himself getting confused about that too. Not in a million years would he think that he would be spending his precious alone time with these people.

And the worst part was, he did enjoy their company, ugh.

Remy cleared his throat softly, putting his head on top of the southern belle softly as she was leaning against his shoulder. "Stormy loves sushi," he said out of the blue, casting a brief glance at the bulkier man. "And this new sushi place just opened in town."

Storm nearly rolled her eyes at her friend's obvious indication, but remained polite as she bit her lip and looked at them. "Yeah, I do actually."

Logan wasn't too happy with the sushi idea, seeing as he was a simpler man with the likes of an old bar and some beers, but it was just a dinner and it had been a long while since he'd been in Tokyo, so why not. "Good," he said, giving her a grin. "Sushi place it is."

The Australian kept observing the scene, noticing Remy's apparent hint and Storm's acknowledging it. So, that was how it was done. Find the person's likes, talk about it and ask them on a date. Easy peasy. He decided that he might have to hang around the Cajun for more tactics.

Having realized the questioning looks on the blonde, Remy studied his face for a moment before speaking. "He likes ice skating," he said, putting an arm around the white streaked brunette in a careful way not to flinch her away and avoiding direct skin contact.

The other three shot him a puzzled look since they had no idea what he was saying, but John nodded his head and sighed. He hated ice, he hated the cold but it would be a start to found a good base if he wanted to form a relationship with Bobby fucking Drake. He nearly laughed out loud at the fact that he was thinking of making moves on him. Just until today, he was fighting against everything to justify his feelings for the guy and simply call it hate. Jesus Christ, the things he had to endure in the name of love.

Rogue looked at him for a long time and thought about the comment that was made. Ice skating was Bobby's thing and obviously Remy was hinting him to do something about that. But since the Australian was an easily frustrated person, especially when it came to emotions, she figured maybe she could do some help. "Remy, sugah," she smiled at him. "There's this place where I'd been dyin' to go, would you be a dear and be my date?"

The Cajun smirked and gave her a flirtatious look. "You know what my answer is, even if that place's hell itself, chére," he whispered huskily as color went up to her cheeks. He really had to fight against the urge to kiss her right there. "What did you have in mind?"

"Ice skatin'."

Remy shook his head amusingly and pulled her closer to his chest. "You never seize to amaze me, p'tite," he muttered before casting a glance at the Australian. "The more the merrier, non? Why not bring Bobby."

John looked confused and sighed. "I don't know, mate."

"Come on, kid," Logan gave him a brief pat on the shoulder. "Grow some balls."

Storm glared at the Canadian disapprovingly, Pyro was just a boy who was nervous about asking a guy out and they were kind of pressuring him into doing things. Apparently, he needed some more time to figure out things by himself before getting thrown into something bigger. But also, she didn't want to be the buzzkill everyone expected her to be, so she just sighed and changed her ways. "Logan," she said. "Sushi can wait, why not join them?"

Rogue flashed a grin at Wolverine. "Yeah, Logan, why not."

"Skatin' ain't my thing, Stripes."

"So what, it ain't mine either," she shrugged. "I hate anythin' that's cold, sugah, even ice cream itself. But I imagine it'd be fun if you guys are down."

"Besides, Remy's really wanna see Wolvie claw his way out on the ice floor," the Cajun gave the older man a smirk, earning a short growl in return. "Keep frownin' like that and I might just bring go pro with me to torment you from now on."

John shook his head with a sigh and looked at them, annoyed with the confession. "So, you're basically setting up a date just so I can bring somebody? Am I that desperate? Great, just great."

"Don't be so damn sensitive," Logan grunted, rolling his eyes. "They're helpin' your ass."

"Then I take it you're coming, Logan," the weather goddess smirked, her blue eyes piercing through his before he gave her a short nod. "Good, I'll take my leave now. Let me know when the date is," she added, getting herself up.

The others slowly mimicked her, dusting off the dirt off of their clothes as they all got up.

"Oh and," she began, turning around. "This night never happened."

"Nope," Rogue agreed, shivering against the cold breeze. "Nothin' happened."

"Never," Logan nodded, his voice firm and thick as if it was a warning, his eyes travelling between the Cajun and the Australian. "I'll gut you if I hear a single word."

"Cross my heart," Remy mocked, letting the southern woman climb off the roof first.

"I'd rather die than remember this," John rolled his eyes, waiting for his turn to hop off.

"Good," Storm nodded her head. "Goodnight to all of you."

A few minutes later, they were all down to the empty library which was the easiest way to climb onto the roof. The warmth embraced them quickly as they were on their feet, hoping to bury the memory of tonight's interesting meeting.

John studied their faces for a moment before he gave them a smirk on his way out. "So, see you next Saturday at the roof?" he suggested casually, leaning against the door sill.

The others remained blank and looked at each other carefully in an unnerving silence.

"Yeah," they all said in union after a moment, avoiding direct eye contact as they departed into their own rooms.

John grinned at himself as he made his way back to his room. He could surprise them with new goods from Amsterdam, yeah? He'd been dying to try these brownies after all, but he had to order a dozen and there was no way he could finish a tray… until now.

Maybe it wasn't so bad to make friends after all.