Disclaimer: I own nothing about X-Men in any shape or form, that is Disney's/Marvels and any current copyright holder.
A/N: This is just a random idea that came into my head while at the gym. As mentioned in the last chapter, this one will be from Rogues perspective, not much character interaction in this one.
The institute sat calm and quiet this memorial day weekend, a large portion of the student body had decided to go camping this weekend to celebrate. Though, it was mostly the male portion of the students that had gone, with several of the more outdoorsy girls joining them.
The remaining students that had opted out of the trip, either due to existing commitments, i.e. homework/school projects, part time jobs, dates, or they simply did not find the appeal in sleeping in the woods surrounded by ticks, spiders, mosquitos, or worms. Of course there was always the risk of wolves or bears as well, but with Wolverine leading the trip, the chances of that were slim.
Hank had also decided to join them, from an educational standpoint, leaving Storm and the Professor at the institute. The students that remained were Jean, Betsy, Amara, Jubilee, Kitty and the other part of the alt culture duo Rogue.
It had started to rain earlier that day, and it didn't look to be letting up. Rogue had found a nice quiet place to enjoy the sound of the rain against the glass of the conservatory, with a low light from a nearby lamp. She sat with her back on the arm of the couch and her legs stretched out in front of her over the couch, her boots tucked behind the side. She had been engrossed in her latest gothic horror novel, it was nice to have some peace and quiet, as she turned the page, she looked over at the empty space opposite her on the couch. She let out a soft sigh, looking out to the rain, she thought she was being stupid, missing Gambit when he had only been away since Friday when he was dragged along camping with the others. It's ok to miss a friend isn't it? She tried to reassure herself that she wasn't misunderstanding her own feelings.
To be honest, it wasn't that she missed their conversation, since they would often just read different books, in a welcomed and comfortable silence. A silence only broken up by occasional interruption of another resident of the institute, though that was often less when they read together than if she read on her own, if they were both reading it was usually only Betsy who approached them or when one of them needing something to drink or eat and offering the other if they wanted anything. Looking to the opposite end of the couch, she wiggled her feet slightly, realising she missed her legs being draped over Remy's lap, and how at times she would feel his hand rest on her calf, sometimes when he was engrossed in a book, she would feel his hand move and caress her leg, it was something that took her by surprise originally, this caused her to withdraw her legs and make an excuse to politely leave.
SInce that initial contact, she found herself becoming more aware of Remy and his hands, specifically that Remy had what she would describe as a tick or a quirk when he was in thought, or processing something. She had noticed it when he was doing his homework, reading whether on his own or with her, when studying the blueprints of a building the team was to infiltrate. The exact quirk was his hands would be fidgeting or tinkering with something. Often this was his playing cards, or several small toys that kept in his pocket, or a small reaction ball that he would bounce or throw against a wall. The exception of course was when he was reading a book, if he was reading by himself he would roll a coin across his knuckles or twirl a pen between his fingers.
These tricks helped him build and maintain the dexterity in his hand and fingers which he swore helped him when it came to picking locks, or carrying out lifts when they needed to carry out switches, plants or steal keycards or keys for missions. Rogue had picked up some of that know-how, but not the physical abilities to carry it out to the same degree, though he had offered to teach her.
She remembered she complained that movement distracted her as she would catch the movement in her peripheral vision when she tried to focus. This led to him abandoning those tricks when they read together, however, without doing something Remy found himself unable to concentrate, so instead, he put his hand on his leg, he would tap his fingers on his thigh, often to the rhythm of a song that he knew the beat to.
When she started to lay her legs out on the couch and over the top of his lap, it had started as a means to an end, namely to keep other people from sitting next to her and making her feel uncomfortable. Now, since she had gotten more accustomed to it, his fidgeting has begun to include her lower legs. He didn't tap his fingers on them like he did with his thigh, instead he delicately rubbed them. His hand kneaded her muscles, running his thumb over the shape and curve under the knee as well as delicately tracing non-descript patterns through the thin material of her tights or her leggings.
She had to admit, it felt nice, almost comforting to have him do that, her mutation meant she couldn't touch anyone, or else they end up drained and tired for a while, or worse unconscious if she held on too long.
As a result, the majority of the other students, and members of the faculty would often give her a wide berth. It probably didn't help that she would now often push others away, her reasoning being that if they stayed away from her, it was because it was what she wanted, not that they were scared of her.
She had originally tried to do the same thing with Remy, push him away like everyone else. The stupid cajun took it as a challenge when she joined. He would also position himself close to her, not too close to invade her personal space, but definitely closer than the others at the institute, though he had started out slow, allowing her to get accustomed to his presence.
It led to some awkward moments and heated arguments between the two of them. She remembered a few of their previous exchanges. They had both said some hurtful things to each other, but a friendship had developed.
As their relationship developed, she began to learn the reason he didn't want her to be alone.
In his own life, he was made to feel the same way among the others of thieves guild. His eyes being an indication of his difference, while not as overt as Kurts or Dr McCoys, it still marked him as unusual or as some of the guild called him, less than human. Then there was his mutant ability, similar yet also opposite to her own, based on touch. While hers drained and affected living beings, his own allowed him to charge and affected non-organic things.
Through talking they shared when their powers first manifested, her putting Cody in the hospital, while he caused a pressured can to explode. The result left scars on his hands, which is why he wore gloves even in the middle of Summer. He had trusted her enough to show the scars in question. They had faded, but were still visible on close inspection, she remembered tracing her finger along some of the scar tissue. She smiled, remembering how something that the others at the institute would take for granted was something special and surprisingly intimate for them.
She got up to stretch out, seeing a pair of headlights coming up the driveway, she set her book to the side, and watched the lights get closer and closer. Her face lit up as she saw it was the minibus that they had taken for the trip. Maybe they got sick of the rain? She grabbed her book and began to read again, waiting for her friend to join her back on the couch.
A/N: OK done, couldn't think of a good place to end this, feel free to review if you feel it is warranted, feedback and suggestions are greatly appreciated.