As the night went on, he found himself continuing to toss and turn, finding it difficult to fall asleep. It didn't matter what he did he couldn't get comfortable enough- at least not with the many thoughts constantly plaguing his head by the girl peacefully sleeping away in the other bed next to him. It became even worse when he could hear the ongoing noises she was making while asleep which only piqued his curiosity as he stole curious glances at her, dying to know what on earth she could be dreaming about.
It didn't help that anytime he'd try to get a little shut eye he found himself jolting awake when flashes of memories threatened to bury him whole. 'At least ma Chérie be sleepin' fine.'
He softly smiled as he stared at the ceiling. This trip turned out to be more troublesome than was necessary and yet…turning his head he briefly stared at the way Rogue's breathing rose and fell which seemed to calm him.
He still wasn't sure whether it was a good idea to bring her along but couldn't find it in himself to try and get rid of her like he normally would.
This wasn't obviously the first time he'd seen her sleeping since she'd fallen asleep in the car, but nonetheless he enjoyed it. He knew anyone else- especially her would consider it weird or creepy but he didn't care. He didn't care because unlike the unsure, withdrawn, hurt and isolated girl he always saw around school, when she slept, she seemed more relaxed and more at peace with herself.
He knew there was a fire inside those pure emeralds she kept hidden just bursting to come out, one he couldn't help but want to drag out of her. Wanting to get to know the real her, all of her. Everything that he knew made her…Rogue.
Perhaps the others had seen it too. Seen the pain she tried to keep hidden for God knows how long or maybe they didn't…which would explain why he felt the need to help her. Knowing firsthand what it felt like to hold on to so much pain with no way of letting it out.
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes trying to force himself to sleep by maybe counting sheep's or something until he heard a soft moan coming from her which was when he made the decision to get up and throw the covers off. Silently groaning he knew there was no way he'd get any sleep like this.
After getting dressed he quietly walked over to pick up his coat that still lay resting on the chair before silently sneaking out.
-X-
The rain outside raged on like an angry beast as it pounded against the windows startling her awake. She cracked an eye open to check the time on the clock on the nightstand in between their beds before trying to bury herself deeper under the blanket which was when she realized he wasn't even there. Despite her exhaustion she decided it would be best to go look for him unless she wanted to run the risk of possibly being left behind again.
Hating to have to leave the warm cocoon of the bed she decided it was best to first locate Cajun, kill the Cajun, then rush back to bed. That sounded like a good enough plan.
Carefully walking over to the bathroom, she checked to see if her jeans had dried up before gritting her teeth together and forcefully putting them on as the damp material grazed against her bare legs. She'd just have to suck it up for the time being.
The moment she stepped outside of the room she involuntarily shivered from the cold and was startled to see him standing there alone, leaning against the railing as he idly played with a cigarette in hand. The rain continued to pour down as the roof gave away to some cover as he kept his gaze forward. She saw him light the tip of his cigarette with his index finger before raising it to his lips and inhaling deeply, successfully drawing the smoke into his lungs before releasing a cloud of smoke into the crisp cool night.
His already had a few and told himself that this would be the last one for the night, but he couldn't close his eyes without Creeds face grinning back, which was why after every cigarette he reached for another.
"Should go back inside Chere." He absently said before raising it to his lips once more without bothering to turn since he knew it was her the minute she left the room.
"So should you." There was a brief pause as she tried to hide her shiver and walk up to the railing. "What are you doin' here?"
"Couldn't sleep." He lightly tapped the end of his cigarette before taking another long drag.
"Really? Ah couldn't either thinkin' that a no-good Swamp Rat was goin' to drive off again."
"Would be kinda hard considerin' dis one don't have a car an' all." He lowly chuckled.
"Wouldn't stop ya from tryin'." She quickly snapped back which made his eyes briefly flick to her for the first time since she came out here.
"T'ink you got dis one all figured out now huh?" he drawled as he raised the cigarette to his lips, aware that her brows scrunched together anytime he did.
"Why do you smoke?" She found herself asking, always wondering what made people like him and Logan constantly feel the need to do it. She won't lie and say she hadn't tried it at least once back when she was younger and didn't find the appeal to it. So she was curious to know why people still did it.
"Takes de edge off." He looked down at the cigarette in his hand. "I s'pose…"
"Well, if it doesn't you should stop." At his questioning gaze she nodded her head towards the cigarette. "Should stop smoking Ah mean."
"Suddenly care for my health now, are we?" he scoffed.
"Yes." That answer caught him by surprise when he snapped his head in her direction. "But only because Ah wouldn't have anyone to constantly annoy me."
Nodding he gave a faint smile before refocusing on the pitter patter sound of the rain as it eased up a little. "Désolée de vous décevoir Chere, but some things be easier said den done."
"Ah don't think so. Ah think if someone really wanted to they could. It's all about the choices we make."
"Maybe I like to live dangerously Chere, ever t'ink of dat?" He broke into a smile then and it unnerved her that she still couldn't figure him out or what he was thinking if she tried. "'sides, what's de fun in livin' if you're gonna do it too cautiously Chere?"
"Guess we have different views on fun." She let her eyes wander out towards the parking lot.
"Sides my mutation helps a bit…"
"Doesn't mean you should risk it." She didn't hesitate to say. Regardless of whatever helped him heal faster than most- besides Logan, didn't mean he should try his luck with everything around him.
He silently regards her for a moment, his eyes speculative before he answers. 'Sometimes things be worth de risk. Like you decidin' to come with."
"Ah guess." She quietly said before shrugging and outstretching her hand. "Guess we'll just have to make the best out of this situation and try to get along. Deal?"
"Not usually how I close deals Chere." He secretly grinned making her cheeks flush. "But I s'pose dere be a first time for everythin'." He agreeably nods.
Rolling her eyes she decides it best to get back to bed since they still had a long drive ahead of them.
After he was about halfway done with his smoke, he curiously eyed the stick in his hand before turning to look back at their room where she had disappeared not too long ago. He stayed there studying the cigarette with unsure eyes. He had been smoking for as long as he could remember, since the first time he and his cousins had stolen one of Henri's hidden packs behind his dresser until his Père had caught them. After that it just became a soothing habit, something that helped him momentarily forget the stress and obligations of his everyday life. The same way drinking, gambling and women had been. It was an excuse to indulge in something that could make him forget all his responsibilities and expectations while giving him the much-needed distraction he'd seek…at least for the time being.
It also gave him an excuse to keep his hands busy if he didn't have a pack of cards in hand while at the same time avoiding people's judgmental stares he'd seen too often to count. The hurt, pain, hate, distrust was something he was used to seeing from people which also gave him another reason to hide his demonic eyes from the world. Another way to shield away and pretend he didn't care what they thought. And after so long he did manage to convince himself that he didn't. Their opinions didn't matter. That as long as he got the job done nothing else mattered.
Second Rule of being a thief.
Knowing there was no way he'd get any shut eye; he decided now would be the best time to see what this night had to offer since the rain seemed to calm down to a slight drizzle. Putting the cigarette out he briskly jogged down the steps before disappearing into the night the way he always did.
-X-
Morning came too soon in his opinion, but from the morning sun now peeking through his close lids it told him he managed to at least get a good couple of hours sleep.
"Gambit. Gambit wake up!" she continued to shake him with the cover of her gloved hand as well as the blanket he managed to stubbornly tug towards himself like a small child refusing to get up for school. They had already lost plenty of hours because he decided to stay out half the night knowing they still had to go and fix Scott's car. "Fine." Pursing her lips in irritation she did the first thing that came to mind when he wouldn't budge.
Raising his lips into a small smile he allowed himself a few more minutes of sleep before he felt the cold splash of reality yank him from his sleep as he jolted upright with a loud gasp as the water froze him stiff.
"Well, what do you know, it worked." She proudly grinned clearly pleased with herself, which was more than she could say for him.
"Woman you did not just do dat!" he shouted as he angrily tried to remove the water from his face. He glared between her and the out of place bucket she held in her hand that she must've found when she decided to play this risky move.
"Ah believe Ah did." She put the bucket down and smugly folded her arms over her chest. At first she thought about just sprinkling him with water, perhaps a cup full… but after half an hour of no progress in shaking him awake she opted for another way, Which was more than what he deserved after not telling her where they were going in the first place.
When he meant it took everything…everything not to make a go for her, he really meant it as his eyes dangerously narrowed in on his prey. "Rogue…" he calmly said as he took a deep breath with his hands hovering over the now cold drenched sheets.
"Hurry up Cajun. We've still got plenty of drivin' to do and we're already runnin' behind no thanks to you." She threw over her shoulder as if she hadn't just dumped a whole bucket of freezing water on him.
-X-
"Good afternoon, Xavier Institute for Higher Learning." Ororo answered after a couple of rings.
"Stormy!" Remy happily grinned on the other end once he heard that familiar tone. He had called her cell phone but after realizing she must've been in class, decided to call the mansion instead.
The deep accented voice over the line had her calmly closing her eyes and pressing her lips together to keep herself from screaming both out of anger and happiness. "Remy?!" She carefully glanced around to ensure that she was still alone. Lowering her voice, by now she knew that he was well aware of how much trouble he was already in. "Where are you?!"
"Now Stormy I know what you're gonna say, but before you do I just want you to know dat dis dashin' cajun be back before you know it, so no need to worry."
"Remy how could you? I-we trusted you. And now you go and pull something like this? We had a deal remember?"
"Oui dat we did, an' I so happen to hold onto my end of deal." He briefly paused working on Scott's car under the hood as he leaned against it. "I couldn't wait anymore Stormy…"
"And Rogue? Where does she fit into all this?"
"Rogue?" he discreetly looked back over his shoulder to see her talking to the cashier at the gas station they had stopped by after getting the car towed. "She be alright."
"How could you just take her from here?"
"Oh hold on now, ain't nobody made her do somethin' she ain't wantin' to do."
"You're saying she wanted to leave?"
"Oui, dat I am." He could hear Storms reluctance to believe him which he wasn't sure whether he should be insulted about or quite proud at the fact Rogue was still here with him despite what everyone might think. Not that he wasn't still sour about this morning. "Look Stormy de fille needed to get away so I offered her a chance to come with d'accord?"
"Must I remind you that you're both under our care and still students at our school?" She firmly said as she raised a hand to her forehead.
"Den consider dis one of our sick days." He cheekily grinned but quickly added. "Ok look Stormy we won't be gone long."
"That's not what I'm worried about Remy. You're still kids."
"Last I checked dis one's eighteen an' so is she."
"That's not the point." She whisper shouted trying to keep her voice as quiet and calmly as she could knowing there was a bloodhound currently storming the mansion grounds, but her attempt turned to be futile once she caught sight of the very man rushing down the hall until he spotted her. "Oh no…"
"Storm!"
"You know as well as I do dat de fille can take care of herself, hell she was pretty close of throwin' me out of de car a few times already -through no fault of my own of course." Remy quickly added.
"Yet somehow I find that hard to believe." Her eyes never left the way Logan stomped his way over and angrily glared at the phone in her hand.
"Is that him?"
"No...?" She cringed when he unconvincingly raised his brows before snatching the phone out of her hand.
Remy glanced back at Rogue just as she was about done paying. "Alright look Stomy if it'll make you feel any better… I ain't touch de girl alright."
"And make sure it stays that way bub." Logan snarled as his grip on the phone tightened at the thought of Rogue being anywhere near this kid.
Cursing under his breath Remy quickly ducked as if Logan himself was standing right next to him before making sure Rogue was still a safe distance away. "Logan hey!"
"Don't Hey me you good for nothing piece of-"
"Logan." Storm quickly hushed him as some of the younger students ran by.
"For a moment there I thought Stormy's voice suddenly sounded more masculine."
"Alright listen here Joker when I find out where the hell you are they won't bother dragging what's left of your sorry ass after I'm done with you, you hear me Gambit!" He seethed gripping the phone in his hand and at this point Ororo grew worried that they'd have to replace yet another phone. "And another thing, if I find out that anything-ANYTHING has happened to Rogue I will see to it personally that I will take pleasure in cutting you up bit by bit starting with the place you hold dear."
Flinching, Remy nervously gulped, not wanting to find out firsthand what Logan meant by that. "You know what mon ami I'd love to keep chattin with you but…. seems… I'm gettin' bad reception." He smirked as he ended the call right as she walked back to the car.
Glaring at the phone it took all of his patience not to throw the damn thing against the wall while imagining it was Remy's smug face. "Signal my ass, that punk hung up on me!" He gaped back at Storm.
"At least we know they're ok." Ororo tried to give him a hopeful smile which only irritated him more. "For now…"
"Got what you needed?" Remy quickly tugged the phone into his pocket. "By de way, Logan sends his love."
She only nodded, thankful that she was able to find a cheap affordable charger for her own phone, that way she could contact him and Bobby who no doubt already got wind of where she was. "How's the car?"
"You do realize we could've been long gone right?"
"What's the sudden hurry? You have somewhere to be?" she sassily threw his way finding the amusement leave his eyes when his own question was thrown back at him.
"Fine. Have it your way." He scoffed as he double checked to make sure the battery as well as everything else was good to go.
"You some kind of repair guy too?" she narrowed her eyes as she watched him from behind as he closed the hood.
And just like that the cocky smile of his was instantly back. "Let's just say I'm real good with my hands."
Rolling her eyes she quickly slid into the passenger's side and began charging up her phone. The quicker they were on the road the quicker they could get back home. Rubbing her throbbing head she almost jumped when the missed messages began popping up on her phone.
Bobby: Rogue seriously, where are you?
Bobby: Please call me as soon as you can
Jubilee: Hey girl just checking to make sure you're ok!
Jubilee: How's the vacation with tall, dark and handsome?
Kitty: Hey Rogue forget anything Jubilee just said since I know she's been trying to pry any information out of Logan. Anyways we hope you're alright and please give us a call as soon as you can!
Logan: You've got some explaining to do Stripes!
Bobby: Rogue call me!
Bobby: Are you seriously ignoring me?
Piotr: Hi Rogue, this is Pete just wanted to make sure you're ok and give you the heads up that both Bobby and Logan are on a rampage.
Jubilee: Just an FYI Logans pissed
Kitty: Logans and Bobby are mad. I'd call them if I were you.
Bobby: Alright Rogue I'm pissed
Nightcrawler: Hallo Rogue, this is Kurt I got your number from Jubilee and wanted to make sure you were ok. Herr Logan is really really scary right now
Jubilee: I gave Kurt your number
Inhaling deeply, she quickly shot off a message right as Remy entered the car.
Rogue: I'm fine Bobby. I'm sorry I just left, and I promise I'll call you as soon as I can
Not a minute later she heard the constant incoming of messages from her boyfriend. Of course.
"Dat boyfriend of yours?" Remy suddenly broke the silence after they'd been on the road already for a few hours and the annoying sound of her phone continued to blare in his ear.
Snapping her head up she saw him casually eyeing the road but there was a slight frown on his face making her think he must still be upset with her. "He's just worried."
Nodding, he continued driving when all he wanted was to go back to sleep. But nooo, the reason for his foul mood was comfortably sitting in the seat next to him without a care in the world. He had debated about just pulling over and leaving her out here for a while as a payback, but then thought better of it because for one…he wasn't that much of a jerk despite what she thought of him and two because when she decided to let her guard down…when she least expected it, he would get back at her for her discretions.
"Why are you smiling?" she warily eyed him.
"No reason Chere. No reason at all…"
-X-
Stomping down the hall Logan knew exactly who's office he was aiming for and didn't bother knocking until he was face to face with one Emma Frost.
"Took you a while to come see me." She grinned as she remained reclining on a small couch next to the window, glass of wine in hand.
"You drink?" he raised an intrigued brow as she took another sip.
"Apple juice darling. This is a school after all." She frowned down at her drink wishing that it was in fact wine.
"And yet something tells me that it wouldn't stop someone like you."
"Shall we discuss the reason why you're here Logan, or the stash of beer you keep hidden in your bedroom?" she raised a perfect eyebrow as she got to her feet.
'Great now I've got two people to hide my good stuff from.' He inwardly groaned at the memory of the smug look on the Cajuns face when Logan found out he knew about it, and it took Piotr to try and calm him down enough not to kill the other boy in front of another student. How Gambit knew, Logan could only guess since he made it a point to lock his door after ever departure.
"Cut the grab Frost, I know you can track them."
"I could." She faintly nodded, staring at her drink as if she could will herself to think it being anything other than juice she had to pry out of a juice box that didn't have a straw attached to it. "But what makes you think I'd want to?"
"You're a telepath. Just point me in the right direction that's all I need to drag him back here."
"Careful Logan, it almost sounds like you miss him."
"I just want him back so I can make Shish Kabob out of his ass." He snapped, balling his hands in anger.
"Well as much as I hate to say it, I've been told not to interfere." She pouted as she took a leisurely sip of her drink. "Not that I'd want to either way of course." When she saw him scoff and turn to leave she couldn't help but add. "I do however have a meeting later with Xavier, perhaps he might change his mind?"
Shaking his head Logan knew it was pointless coming here since Emma only seemed to care about meddling in people's lives when it suited her the most. Add that to the fact that he still didn't trust her and you had a recipe for disaster.
-X-
Parking up close to the entrance she continued to warily eye Remy as he held the door open with a flourishing bow motioning for her to lead the way.
"After you Chere."
She couldn't put her finger on it, but she constantly felt like a clueless chicken being eyed by a waiting coyote who was bidding his time to strike.
Remy slowly scanned the diner until he saw a vacant booth before collapsing backwards with an effortless grace that had her rolling her eyes as she slid in the seat opposite him. "What's de matter Chere?" he smirked before raising the menu to see what they had.
Looking down at the menu had her mouth watering since they had skipped breakfast in order to get the car fixed and instead only managed to munch on the bare minimum that consisted of gas station snacks.
"Gambit-" she was about to protest about ordering here when she was stopped short when he waved his index finger. "Ah ain't havin' you pay for my food."
"You're hungry right? So it'll be my treat." He shrugged. He wasn't going to let her in on the fact that he had already swiped a man's wallet back at the gas station-not that he needed to anyways considering he had saved up his well-earned money from his life as a thief back in his day. Come to find out none of his money had been touched or messed with since his departure.
Hell if he wanted to he could buy a plane ticket to get back home to New Orleans but that would only raise suspicions to his presence which he was taught to never do. If he had to fly it would be on his own plane.
"With dirty money." She pointedly said as he watched the people walk by though his shades.
"All money's dirty when you t'ink 'bout it." He pressed his lips together as his eyes rose to hers. "Bien, den you're more den welcome to watch me eat. But I don't s'pose you'd have any bright ideas on how we'd even make it back to New York without dis dirty money you speak of now do you?"
She knew he had a point. And as much as she hated to admit it, she was ashamed to say that after she had ran away from home after her powers manifested, she had no choice but to fend for herself any way she could, even if it meant stealing a wallet once. She was lucky enough to even make it as far as she did before meeting Logan.
"Hey, folks. What can I get ya?" A young blond woman appeared dressed in a form fitting pair of black shorts and baby blue shirt. She wore heavy dark eyeliner that curved almost out to her ears as she smiled at them while hovering her pen over her notepad. Her gaze lingering a little longer on Remy than it needed to, and it only forced Rogue to look down at the menu.
"Well, what would you recommend in dis fine establishment?" he gestured around with one hand as he charmingly smiled in the way Rogue was only too familiar with. Back at the mansion that smile would always have the girls flaunting themselves all over him.
"Well if I do say so myself I believe our waffles and biscuits are pretty good, not to mention our special of the day." She tapped on the notepad before smiling and pivoting to fully face him as if Rogue wasn't even there. "Haven't seen you here before."
"My gawd…" Rogue muttered only loud enough for her own ears.
"Just passin' by petite." He nodded towards Rogue who was just about done with this stupid conversation.
"Ah'll have the pancakes, bacon, eggs and hash browns please." She cut in after a good five minutes of the girl's annoying voice ruining her appetite. What did it take to get some good food around here? She irritably thought just as her stomach decided to make an embarrassing statement of their own, making both sets of eyes turn to her. "…and a cup of coffee…please."
"Oh I'm sorry." The waitress smiled but Rogue could tell it was forced.
"It's alright, been a long drive an' my soeur's pretty hungry. You know how dey can be." He winked and suppressed a small smile when Rogue shot him a murderous glare. "But I'll have what she's havin'." He handed the waitress their menus while she looked reluctant to leave. "Meci beaucoup."
Deciding this was the best time to look around Rogue forced herself to look anywhere but him. It wasn't as if she was mad or anything, she was just hungry plain and simple. There was no need to prolong her lunch than it already had.
"You alright Chere?"
"Peachy." She grumbled. "But do you think you could shop for your next victim when Ah'm not about to pass out from hunger?"
"An' here I thought you weren't hungry." He chuckled as he began scanning the dinner again.
Why did he have to be so hot and infuriating at the same time?!
"Not that hungry." She stubbornly mumbled.
"Kinda hard to take your word for it when a second ago your stomach seemed to t'ink otherwise." He raised his brows in amusement when she opened her mouth to retort only to have the waitress stop right next to him.
"Here we are." She grinned widely as she put down their plates of food right before retrieving their cups of coffee. "And if you need anything else I'll be right over there." She eagerly pointed towards the other side of the counter.
"I bet." Rogue snorted before taking a much-needed sip of her coffee.
"Many thanks." Remy eyed Rogue just as the waitress began walking away.
"Could you stop looking at me like that?" She found herself saying after she was already halfway done with her food.
"Pardon?" he stopped midair as the food hover over his mouth.
"Like Ah'm mad or somethin' because Ah'm not."
"Never claimed you to be." The slow growing smile on his face as he chewed told her otherwise.
"Is everything to your liking?" The waitress walked over and asked when they were almost done.
"Very much Petite." Remy satisfyingly grinned when he could see the girl was trying to find a reason to stick around so he decided to entertain her. "You from around here?"
"Well…" Without hesitation the girl energetically began to talk about how long she'd been here while Rogue's annoyance grew.
She wasn't sure why she felt like his eyes were on her every few seconds as if pleased with himself, but nonetheless found herself getting even more irritated by the minute.
So the moment she saw his lips raise into a small smile she took this chance to playfully raise her foot and place it on the edge of his seat between his legs -not enough to touch him of course since she had no intention of doing any of that sort with him. But close enough to make him jolt upwards, successfully knocking his water over.
If he wanted to be a pain in the ass, then guess what so could she.
She took satisfaction in seeing that he hadn't expected her to pull something like that as the waitress quickly began tapping her napkin against the table all the while giving him an apologetic smile.
"I'm so sorry. Are you alright?" she asked him as he carefully sat himself back down, keeping a warning glare between Rogue and where her foot still remained. "I could get you another glass."
Keeping that carefree smile on his face he only shook his head. "No need to worry 'bout me petite."
"Are you sure?"
He was about to tell her not to bother when he felt Rogue tap her foot against the seat. If she wanted to get a reaction out him then she was surely mistaken that he'd give her what she wanted. Sure, he could admit that that stunt she just pulled caught him as well as his slowly awakened member in his pants by surprise. But that didn't mean that he'd let her get the last laugh here.
"Oui, everything's fine." Shooting her a challenging smile he carefully raised his coffee to his lips a second before he felt her other foot doing the same as he jolted back and choked. He literally began coughing on his coffee.
"Oh my god, are you ok?" The waitress began to panic as she tried to help him as he raised his hand to stop her.
"I t'ink dat'll be all Petite?" he managed to cough out.
"What's the matter Sugah? Not hungry?" Rogue slyly teased as he dangerously narrowed his eyes.
"Hungry ain't de word I'd use Chere." His accent suddenly thickened as his eyes remained fixated on hers.
"Alright well let me get you some more water." The waitress said as another rushed over with another glass before she too began to smile at him.
"Great service wouldn't you say." Rogue knowingly grinned when she saw him swallow nervously and began lightly tapping his knuckles against the table.
How the hell did she manage to make him forget how to talk without even touching him?!
"Great."
She took delight when she heard his hoarse reply and had to remind herself that it didn't matter what kind of crap he tried to pull, she would always finish on top.
"Mon Dieu…" he breathed out when he saw her crossing her legs now only inches from him. He could see what she was doing and the way she batted her long lashes which she never did.
It was a smart play, a way to make him understand that he needed to be careful around her. But little did she know that if she didn't stop and didn't stop now…then she would be the one to beg for help.
She could have sworn he clenched his knuckles so tight she was worried he was going to lose control of his power if she didn't stop.
"Careful Chere…you're threatin' on mighty thin ice." He lowly warned right as she got up and stomped out of the diner leaving a relieved yet stunt Remy behind.
-X-
She should've known. She should've known that she still had to wait until he decided to finally come out with the car keys before she could hide inside. So much for her upper hand.
So, when she finally saw him briskly walk out looking none too pleased, she had to fight the smile wanting to cross her face.
"Saw what you did dere." He gave her a brief glance before he walked over to her side. It took him a bit to manage to leave the place since he wasn't particularly looking forward to walking around with an obvious bulge in his pants like a damn animal. He was just thankful that she did stop, otherwise he didn't know what he would have done to her.
"Don't know what you're talkin' about." She impatiently waited until he opened her door all for him to slam it close again.
"Rogue."
"Alright fine!" she huffed as she raised her hands. "But could you perhaps try not to flirt with anythin' in sight?"
"Why?"
"Because it's rude." She enunciated.
"To who?" He frowned, unsure of why she was acting like this. "Chere if I didn't know any better I'd say you were jealous."
"Oh please." She scoffed as she looked back at the dinner. "Doesn't it ever bother you that woman look at you for how you look?"
He frowned, not entirely sure where this was going. "Does it bother me dat women stare at me without knowin' a thing 'bout me other den my looks?" he wanted to clarify. "Non."
"Seriously? Just like that?" she confusingly asked as he finally opened her door.
"Oui Chere." He says once he's inside. "Why get worked up over somethin' like dat?" When she remained silent, he flexed his jaw thinking about the many times those kinds of situations actually always worked in his favor, whether professionally speaking or pleasure. It usually didn't take him long to charm his way into a woman's bed without ever needing to use his empathy. "I ain't goin' to waste my life worryin' 'bout what other people t'ink of me. Dere are maybe only a handful of people whose opinions dat matter. And if anythin'… dere may be only who makes me care if they t'ink I'm attractive."
"Well Ah feel sorry for that poor soul." She scoffed as she looked out the window.
Secretly smiling, he began getting out of the parking lot. "'Sides…de femmes love a little mystery every now an' den."
"If ya say so." She muttered before frowning. "Why are you even telling me this? You don't even know me."
"Maybe dats de whole point. Maybe dat's why we keep findin' ourselves in dese situations together." He raised a questioning brow as he looked at her. "An' just maybe…dat's de point of dis trip. To get to know each other."
No matter how much she tried to deny it, that thought had occurred to her once before. "No thanks Swamp Rat, because Ah already know Ah don't like you." She smiled as she shook her head. "Ah don't need a whole trip to know that."