Welcome to XG: Decimation!

[Gambit]

It was summer, and the heat beat down on Remy as he headed for the Boathouse, a happy smile on his face. Rogue had asked him to meet her there. Had told him that she had a surprise for him, something she wanted to give him away from all of the others. Who was he to complain or go against his lady’s request? He relished spending time with her, especially when it was just the two of them, and the mansion was on down time after a few hectic weeks. They more than deserved it.

He ignored the slight chill of memory that always came with thoughts of Rogue, of her leaving him there with his heart in his outstretched hand in that theatre in Chicago. That was the past. They’d moved on since then, even if they’d been brittle and sharp for a time. He’d forgiven her for leaving him, she’d forgiven him for pushing and they’d agreed to try again. Xavier’s was a place for second chances after all.

He found her staring out over the lake and crept up behind her, wrapping leather covered arms around her and dropping a kiss on the top of her head. “Did y’ miss me, chere?” he asked, smiling and enjoying the sensation of her in his arms. That feeling never got old.

“So, what did y’ want to surprise me with?”

[Rogue]

[Remy] found [Rogue] staring out over the lake and crept up behind her, wrapping leather covered arms around her and dropping a kiss on the top of her head. “Did y’ miss me, chere?” he asked, smiling and enjoying the sensation of her in his arms. That feeling never got old.

Rogue shivered, pleasant chills chasing along her spine at the brush of Remy’s bourbon and honey voice along her hair, and leaned back into the leather and orange-blossom scented embrace, lifting her own slender arms to link around and through his more muscular ones, tightening the hold with a delicate precision in a long habit developed to deal with her stolen super strength.

“Always,” she replied softly, purely happy to be cradled against his lean strength and the warmth of his body, and feeling only the faintest ghost of her usual nerves at being held so closely. Remy was always so careful with her, even when he’d been determinedly breaking down her resistance to him and to touch, and even the naked hand he’d offered her in Chicago… it had been an unfair short-cut to telling her truth, and hardly reliable as to what would surface and what wouldn’t, and that was why she hadn’t taken it. Still, it had hardly been an accidental offer.

That was the past, though, and this was their present. And, she hoped, a stepping stone to a future for which she longed with all of her heart.

“So, what did y’ want to surprise me with?”

Rogue chuckled warmly. “Bet y’ shook all y’ presents Christmas Eve,” she teased. “Even opened ‘em and then re-wrapped just because y’ couldn’t stand not knowin’ as soon as possible.”

Gracefully, she turned within the circle of his arms, her bare arms resting on the safe area of the leather shoulders of his trench coat, and her gloved fingers toying with the ends of his hair. She loved his hair, the scent of it, the coppery highlights that came out in the summer sun, and the fine strands slipping through her hands. At her wrist, a steel bangle perhaps as thick as her pinkie clinked lightly against the snap of an epaulet, and Rogue went on tiptoe to whisper, her cheeks going pink, “Got somethin’ y’ might be interested in unwrappin’ my own self, darlin’.”

There were butterflies flapping madly in her belly, and her breath came more quickly than usual, light and thready, just as her pulse quickened, visible beneath the fine skin of her throat. And his mouth was less than a whisper from her. She swallowed, all afire with nerves and more.

[Gambit]

“Bet y’ shook all y’ presents Christmas Eve,” she teased. “Even opened ‘em and then re-wrapped just because y’ couldn’t stand not knowin’ as soon as possible.”

“You know me so well, chere. Papa used to have to hide them so well from me, an’ even then.” He laughed, even as she turned round in the circle of his arms, resting her bare flesh on the leather covering his arms. Her gloved fingers started toying with his hair and he grinned down at her.

Something went *clink* lightly against his coat and he let his eyes slip from her for a moment, just enough time to take in the bracelet around her wrist, before roaming back to her face. It was a pretty piece of jewelry, and he wondered where she’d gotten it from. It suited her. Silver had always looked best on her, in his opinion. That or white gold. It brought out the stripe in her hair and the glow in her eyes.

She went up on tiptoe, closing the distance between them and he held his breath, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

“Got somethin’ y’ might be interested in unwrappin’ my own self, darlin’.”

The blush across her cheeks was adorable, his Southern Belle getting all flustered at her own words, nerves making her pulse race in her throat. He’d never seen anything quite so beautiful in his whole life, especially this close up.

He leant in, closing the distance between them, brushing his lips over hers for a second, and expecting to feel that slight tingling pull before he drew away. It wasn’t there. Not even when he lingered for a moment longer than he normally would.

Pulling away he looked down at her in confusion, and maybe a little awe. “Rogue, chere. You’ve got control?” Could it really be? Was this what they’d been hoping for all this time?

[Rogue]

[Remy] leant in, closing the distance between them, brushing his lips over hers for a second, and expecting to feel that slight tingling pull before he drew away. It wasn’t there. Not even when he lingered for a moment longer than he normally would.

Rogue’s pulse skipped a beat as Remy swooped in to steal a sweet and fleeting kiss; even if she half-expected, half-hoped for it, she never could tell exactly when he would choose to throw her off balance. Fact was, the lightning quick kisses always threw her off balance, that sensual warmth there and gone again almost before she could register it, his risk-taking, line-walking dare deviltry one of the things she loved the most about him. He respected what her skin could do, but he’d never been scared of it. At least, she didn’t think he had. He’d never showed her any fear, that was certain sure.

But this kiss… it went on just that little bit longer, sending the blood roaring in her ears, giving her a taste of his mouth instead of his psyche, and teasing her with heat and flavor she’d only been able to imagine, before. Damned if his mouth didn’t feel better than anything she could have imagined! Then again… she hardly had a lot of experience to draw upon, either.

Pulling away he looked down at her in confusion, and maybe a little awe. “Rogue, chere. You’ve got control?” Could it really be? Was this what they’d been hoping for all this time?

Rogue’s cheeks went pinker, and she licked her lower lip before replying, greedy for more of his flavor. “I wish,” she confessed, the simple, stark truth, and she'd never been sorrier to have to say no about anything in her life. “But it ain’t me as is doin’ it. I—“ Rogue looked down a moment, and then up into his eyes again. “I know y’ don’t care if we ever… ever—you know? But I’d like t’ be able to hold y’ hand, or kiss you, or give y’ a backrub or play with y’ hair without worryin’ that something’ll go wrong. Sleep in y’ arms in a hammock on a hot summer’s day. Chicken fight in th’ pool. All those things are part of love, too, I think, or they oughtta be able to be. And so… I talked t’ Forge.”

She swallowed hard, not having realized it would be so hard to admit these things, even to her beloved Remy. How desperately she craved touch, simple, day-to-day touch, without fear. Then again, he likely already knew it. “And he made me this lil’ ol’ inhibitor, based on those ones in Genosha.” She displayed the steely bangle on her left wrist. “That’s what I wanted t’ show y’.”

[Gambit]

She blushed harder as he spoke, the color spreading over her cheeks and across her nose. It made him smile even more. There was nothing more beautiful than his Rogue blushing, because it meant that she wasn’t being the invulnerable powerhouse that she normally had to be for the team. She was just being herself, in all her glory.

“I wish,” she confessed, the simple, stark truth, and she'd never been sorrier to have to say no about anything in her life.

There was sorrow in her eyes, and he longed to kiss it away, but he held his ground, giving her the chance to finish talking.

“But it ain’t me as is doin’ it. I—“ Rogue looked down a moment, and then up into his eyes again. “I know y’ don’t care if we ever… ever—you know? But I’d like t’ be able to hold y’ hand, or kiss you, or give y’ a backrub or play with y’ hair without worryin’ that something’ll go wrong. Sleep in y’ arms in a hammock on a hot summer’s day. Chicken fight in th’ pool. All those things are part of love, too, I think, or they oughtta be able to be. And so… I talked t’ Forge.”

He’d always told her that there was more to love than just the physical aspect, and it seemed that she’d taken it to heart. Even if she couldn’t say it, sex was just one thing and he would stay as celibate as a monk for her if she asked it, just because he loved her so. Still, he could understand the desire for unguarded contact and sensation. It made him glad that the rest of the mansion didn’t mind him being tactile, and that Rogue let him touch her despite everything. He could only imagine what it was like for her, caged by her own skin.

He nodded, encouraging her to go on, not daring to say anything for fear of making her stop. It wasn’t difficult to tell that she was finding this hard, especially as she swallowed and looked away from him again.

And he made me this lil’ ol’ inhibitor, based on those ones in Genosha.” She displayed the steely bangle on her left wrist. “That’s what I wanted t’ show y’.”

Every time he thought she couldn’t surprise him Rogue did something that made his heart strain fit to burst with hope. Despite it all, she managed to overcome. Despite it all, they still managed to overcome.

Unwrapping one arm from around her he used his fingers, gloved and non-gloved to lift her face up so that he could look her in the eyes. “You are amazing, ma coeur.” With that he leaned in to kiss her properly, gently pressing his lips to hers in a celebration of new found sensation.

[Rogue]

Remy was so silent, for what seemed so long, that Rogue started to feel a sinking sensation in her stomach. Had she assumed too much? Was she the one pushing too hard this time, by challenging his ideas about love, and daring to call something that –oh, horrible thought— might have been a bluff all along, designed to make her feel better about her untenable situation? And now that it had changed… would he still want to be around her? Or, without the obstacles to overcome, without the tragedy lacing through their romance… would he, perhaps, become bored with her? If the unobtainable became easily available… did it lose its value?

Had she just made an even greater mistake than turning away from him in Chicago?

She didn’t dare raise her eyes again, terrified of what she might see in his ruby and jet eyes: pity or contempt or God help her even… indifference. She loved him so much, maybe too much, so much so that everything seemed to take on added weight and meaning when the two of them were together, and every gesture or word had the emotional significance of the climactic moment in a world-shaking drama. Then, he half-released her from the hug, and Rogue was painfully sure that everything she feared was about to unfold.

Unwrapping one arm from around her he used his fingers, gloved and non-gloved to lift her face up so that he could look her in the eyes.

Rogue made herself meet his eyes, determined that if he should decide they were done –again— that she wouldn’t let him see the pieces of her heart falling at his feet. Even through her trepidation, though, the sensation of all of his fingers, and not only the ones protected by his gloves, against the skin of her face was… astonishing. Warm and gentle, strong and capable. Clever, clever hands, equally adept at picking a lock or cracking the code to her heart. Gloves barely brushing her skin, fingertips resting almost caressingly against her jaw. It almost felt as though she could have drawn every whorl of his fingertips, so intensely did the touch brand her formerly untouchable skin.

“You are amazing, ma coeur.” With that he leaned in to kiss her properly, gently pressing his lips to hers in a celebration of new found sensation.

The breath she hadn’t realized she was holding came out in a half-sob, half-laugh, and Rogue fell upward into the kiss, one still-gloved hand sliding deeper into his hair as she rested the other against his jaw and cheek to mirror his touch at her face. She leaned against him, overwhelmed by the touch of his mouth and the heat of his body, and her lips were slightly parted, soft and eager, if rather uneducated.

[Gambit]

The half-sob, half-laugh worried him a little, but the fact that she met his lips for the kiss reassured him that she was alright. Or at least that she would be. It would take more than one kiss, no matter how precious it was, to mend everything that was broken in her. It was a start though, one he intended to follow to its conclusion.

One of her hands slid deeper into his hair, and he rested his head against it slightly, welcoming it’s presence without breaking the kiss. The other mirrored his, resting against his jaw. He wrapped his free hand around her waist and pulled her closer, enjoying the warmth that was always between them.

He let his tongue flicker out, over her lips, tasting her but not invading. Remy wanted to take this slowly, for both their sakes. She deserved his time and attention. She wouldn’t ever be one of the quick fucks he’d had before he met her, and while he was mourning their broken hearts. Not his Rogue.

Eventually he pulled back, breaking the kiss, and smiled down at her, still holding her and being held. It was like they were in a perfect bubble of time and nothing else existed apart from the two of them. He couldn’t be happier.

“I love you Rogue,” he whispered, and then spoke a little louder. “So, what do y’ wanna do first, chere? Sleep in my arms in a hammock on this gloriously hot summer’s day? Or maybe I should give you a back rub?” He winked at her, letting her know that he wasn’t going to pressure her into anything she didn’t want to do.

They might be able to touch now, but that didn’t mean that they had to have sex right away. Or ever. Their love was so much more than that.

[Rogue]

[Remy] let his tongue flicker out, over her lips, tasting her but not invading.

Rogue couldn’t help but moan, the touch was so sweet and still so heated, and dared to brush his tongue with the tip of her own before retreating a little, unsure, and following his lead in this tender mutual exploration, gentle and tentative. He tasted so… incredible. Hot, spicy-sweet man. And the feel of him was enough to make her nearly drunk, between soft lips, slick tongue, and the faint hint of bristles on his chin, rasping her skin in a very pleasant way, adding contrast and heightening the wonder of being able to kiss Remy without fear, to taste him without her touch harming him, to embrace him without worry. She had never, ever imagined that such a moment would come, not truly, and the awareness that this was real and not a dream was utterly intoxicating.

Eventually he pulled back, breaking the kiss, and smiled down at her, still holding her and being held. It was like they were in a perfect bubble of time and nothing else existed apart from the two of them. He couldn’t be happier. “I love you Rogue,” he whispered…

She smiled up at him, tremulous and utterly open. “I love y’, Rem.”

[Then, he] spoke a little louder. “So, what do y’ wanna do first, chere? Sleep in my arms in a hammock on this gloriously hot summer’s day? Or maybe I should give you a back rub?” He winked at her, letting her know that he wasn’t going to pressure her into anything she didn’t want to do.

Rogue giggled, the giddiness bubbling forth and making her sound sixteen all over again. “Any and all,” she told him, delighted, and then added, “But maybe… would y’—“ It was probably silly. But he loved her. He would understand what it meant. How much it meant to her, that he should do it, instead of she, this once.

“—Would y’… take my gloves off?”

[Gambit]

She giggled at him, and it was one of the most beautiful noises that he’d ever heard. She didn’t ever laugh enough, at least not that openly, and it warmed his heart to be the one coaxing that out of her.

“Any and all,” she told him, delighted, and then added, “But maybe… would y’—”

“Go on chere,” he smiled at her again in encouragement, waiting for her to continue. She was blushing harder again, so it was probably something that meant a lot to her. His Rogue always blushed hardest when it was something important to her.

“—Would y’… take my gloves off?”

His breath caught in his throat. Rogue wasn’t just asking him to take her gloves off, although anyone who didn’t know her would think it just a simple request. She was telling him that she trusted him, wholly, completely, without question. He didn’t know if he’d ever be worthy of that trust, but he’d try, even if it killed him.

“Oui, chere, of course. I’d be honored.”

Stripping his own hands of their coverings quickly, he wanted to feel her without any barrier between them, he gently took one of her hands in his. Rubbing and stroking gently, he drew her glove off, making sure to touch every part of her hand. He then repeated it with the other hand, making it an act of worship.

When he had her hands uncovered he brought them both up to his mouth and dropped a kiss on the back of both of them, holding on firmly. Then he leaned in to kiss her again, still clasping her hands in his between them, looking for all the world like a nervous schoolboy.

“What now, mon coeur, since I was thinkin’ it might be nice to enjoy the water for a while?” He nodded towards the lake with a grin. It would be so much easier to swim with her now that they could touch. Then he had a thought. “That is if y’ bracelet there is waterproof?”

[Rogue]

“—Would y’… take my gloves off?”

Remy paused infinitesimally, almost as though she’d surprised him, and when he answered in the affirmative, Rogue was hard pressed not to sigh happily, like someone discovering love for the first time.

“Oui, chere, of course. I’d be honored.”

Of course, in many ways, despite their years of history and their ongoing relationship, she was exactly that. They could discover this new aspect of their ongoing love together, and that was like a miracle. The happy sigh escaped her anyway, as Remy took off his own gloves first, and she gave him a little space with which to move. Letting go of him was not something she wanted to do.

Rubbing and stroking gently, he drew her glove off, making sure to touch every part of her hand. He then repeated it with the other hand, making it an act of worship.

Her heart sped, and she watched him with a hungry sort of wonder, her fingers trembling beneath his touch and her lips parted.

When he had her hands uncovered he brought them both up to his mouth and dropped a kiss on the back of both of them, holding on firmly.

Rogue curled her fingers around his, her breath coming short and her eyes locked on his as she smiled, and blushed, and quietly whispered, “Ohh.”

Then he leaned in to kiss her again, still clasping her hands in his between them, looking for all the world like a nervous schoolboy.

She smiled against his mouth, and kissed him back tenderly, then whispered, “Could get used t’ that real easy,” a confession from the heart.

“What now, mon coeur, since I was thinkin’ it might be nice to enjoy the water for a while?” He nodded towards the lake with a grin. It would be so much easier to swim with her now that they could touch. Then he had a thought. “That is if y’ bracelet there is waterproof?”

Rogue returned the grin joyfully. “It is, and swimmin’ sounds just about perfect t’ me.” She wished she’d thought to bring her bag to the lakehouse, but she could retrieve it quickly enough… assuming Remy thought that staying here, together, just the two of them, might be a good idea. “We could walk back up t’ the mansion, get some things together. Maybe enough for a few days. Just stay down here, th’ two of us?” Her cheeks pinkened, and she went on tiptoe to whisper into his ear as though telling a great secret. “Want y’ all t’ myself for a space.”

Almost shyly, she shifted to press her mouth to his, as invitingly as she knew how, and her thumbs stroked the edges of his where he still clasped her hands.

[Gambit]

“It is, and swimmin’ sounds just about perfect t’ me.”

Her grin was infectious, and he grinned back wider than before. There was something to be said about that giddy, giggly feeling that was running through him at that point. It made anything and everything that had gone before it fade out and cease to matter. All that mattered was that they were together now, and there was so much they could do. Not that they couldn’t do things before, but Rogue seemed so much happier now and that was worth more than anything he’d ever stolen.

“We could walk back up t’ the mansion, get some things together. Maybe enough for a few days. Just stay down here, th’ two of us?”

That sounded like more than a good idea and he nodded enthusiastically. They deserved some time to themselves and there weren’t any threats to be contended with at that moment in time. Why shouldn’t they indulge in the fact that they could spend time together?

Rogue blushed again and he resisted the urge to kiss her, knowing that he had to let her speak as she went up on tiptoe to whisper to him. There was something about her lips that was calling to him, something that made them taste so sweet and addictive. He never wanted to stop kissing her.

“Want y’ all t’ myself for a space.”

And then she kissed him. It was slightly tentative and gentle, but it was wonderful. He squeezed her hands as she stroked her thumbs along his and then pulled back, smiling again.

“As y’ wish, mon coeur. I think us spendin’ some time together, just the two of us, is more than deserved. Not like we got any pressin’ concerns elsewhere is it now.” He winked at her and disentangled one hand from hers. The other he kept a tight grip on, relishing the contact and hoping she was doing the same. There was something to be said about skin on skin contact with someone you loved. There was nothing quite like it.

Tugging on her hand to start them walking, he continued to speak. “Doubt anyone’ll have a problem with it, chere. They’ll probably be glad t’ have us out here an’ happy f’ once.” He made a mental note of everything that he needed to pack. “Should pick up some food from the kitchen as well, an’ I’ll cook us a meal or two while we’re out there.”

Nothing could make his life any better there and then. He had more than he’d have ever though he’d deserve, all contained in the woman next to him. If there was a heaven, then he’d finally found it.

[Rogue]

“As y’ wish, mon coeur. I think us spendin’ some time together, just the two of us, is more than deserved. Not like we got any pressin’ concerns elsewhere is it now.” He winked at her and disentangled one hand from hers. The other he kept a tight grip on.

Rogue smiled shyly up at him, her green eyes earnest. "Nothin' more important than you, any time." Her words were simple, her emotions complex, and the confession one of a rare moment of baring her soul. It had taken so long to get to this point, and so often she'd come close to faltering, giving up forever, turning away or seeking an easier road. It had been worth it, though. Every pain, every heartbreak, every misunderstanding had been worth it, when this was the reward. Remy filled her heart to the exclusion of anyone else, or even the consideration that there could be anyone else. She laced her fingers through his, marveling at the sensation of skin on skin, and the sweet heat of his hand wrapping hers.

Tugging on her hand to start them walking, [Remy] continued to speak. “Doubt anyone’ll have a problem with it, chere. They’ll probably be glad t’ have us out here an’ happy f’ once.”

Rogue couldn't help but snicker a little at that. She and Remy certainly had been more than star-crossed in their time... intense and fiery love without any reliable outlet of expression had made for some serious words between them, time and again, and serious conflicts too. Now, though... starting over with more wisdom and patience had already taken them further into happiness than she'd ever imagined possible. The added bonus of Forge's inhibitor was like a blessing from Heaven.

"Prob'ly be just as glad not t' have t' see us mopin', nor yet billin' and cooin'," she teased in return. One of two of the younger X-men had taken to making the ocassional gagging noise when either she or Remy said something that might seem... overly sickly-sweet to someone not actually saying it, or having it said to them. But she knew, all too well, that words had been just about all they had had for so long that it only made sense they used them, perhaps to excess.

He made a mental note of everything that he needed to pack. “Should pick up some food from the kitchen as well, an’ I’ll cook us a meal or two while we’re out there.”

Rogue's eyes twinkled. "Trade y' home-cooked for Cajun," she offered. "Meal for meal, if y' like?" What should she take with her? A swimsuit, obviously. Maybe more than one. Bedding? She couldn't recall the last time the lakehouse had been freshened, so possibly so. Toiletries, clothes. What else? Well, it wasn't as though they were going into space with the Shi'iar. If she forgot something, she could come back and get it, easy as thinking it.

Consumed with joy at the prospect of a few days with Remy, alone, and able to hold hands, kiss, or hug without fear, she took an exuberant skipping step, swinging their joined hands between them. Maybe she was acting idiotically for someone pushing the lower side of thirty, but she didn't care. Pure happiness was a rare and precious treasure, and doubly so when she could share it with the love of her life.

[Gambit]

Rogue was being so open with him that once again he felt honoured, and loved. He even felt needed, as they bantered back and forth, talking about how the other occupants of the mansion viewed them and the like.

"Trade y' home-cooked for Cajun," she offered. "Meal for meal, if y' like?"

“Sounds perfect, chere. Nothin’ quite like your home cookin’.” She swung his hand in hers as she took a skipping step and he grinned at her. Then, tugging on her hand he pulled her into a run. “Come on, chere, don’t want to be spendin’ all out time walkin’ there. Besides, nothin’ like a little run t’ get you in the mood for a dip.”

They ran gently, laughing the whole way there, and stopped when they reached the mansion. “Tell you what chere, meet me back here in ten, an’ don’t forget y’ swim suit. I’ll have everythin’ else for us.” He kissed her again, deeply, and then disentangled their hands. With a wave he bounded inside, ignoring the looks from anybody else, and set about gathering the things they’d need.

He grabbed a duffle from his wardrobe, shoved some clothes in it, and headed at a run down to the kitchen. There he gathered up food, swiping a bottle of red wine and making his mind up to get more at a later point, and scribbled a note for the fridge.

Remy and Rogue are on vacation. If you really need us, we’ll be in the boat house, but it had better be life or death. You’ve been warned.

RL

He checked his watch and smiled. With one minute to spare he got back to the meeting spot.

“Did y’ miss me, chere?”

[OOC: Short but sweet, hopefully. Poke me for edits.]

[Rogue]

Tugging on [Rogue’s] hand, [Remy] pulled her into a run. “Come on, chere, don’t want to be spendin’ all our time walkin’ there. Besides, nothin’ like a little run t’ get you in the mood for a dip.” Rogue laughed louder, and pushed to match her strides to his longer ones. It felt good, to be laughing and running in the sun with her love. No, she decided. Good didn’t come close to covering it, even if spread thin. This was… great. Grand. Amazing!

[They] stopped when they reached the mansion. “Tell you what chere, meet me back here in ten, an’ don’t forget y’ swim suit. I’ll have everythin’ else for us.” He kissed her again, deeply, and then disentangled their hands. With a wave he bounded inside.[/b] Rogue stared after him for a moment, breathless and bemused, her lips tingling and her mouth still catching up to the wonderfulness of tasting Remy again, even more thoroughly than before.

Then, she hauled ass. Her room was on the third floor, after all… and she couldn’t fly to get to it faster with the inhibitor on. It seemed like a more-than-easy sacrifice to make, for the chance to touch! As she ran up the stairs, a silly childhood song with a bouncy rhythm ran through her head, about a kid who wanted everything and figured out a way to have it all at once. Was it any wonder that her mind had fastened on that song for its internal sound track! Giggling, she ran up the stairs, muscles trained by hours upon hours of Danger Room sessions and missions handling them just fine even without super-strength, though three flights at once did make her heart rate speed a trifle.

Upstairs, she snatched up her weekender bag, already packed in hopes that Remy would have been as willing to spend time with her alone as she was with him, and pulled a sweetly scented set of silk sheets and pillowcases from the large, long chest at the intricately carved footboard of her California-king bed, and tossed them on top of her things. She wasn’t altogether sanguine about sharing a bed –she’d never done that before—but was shyly eager to do it, to sleep the night through snuggled against her love.

The happy song crept its way from her mind to her mouth, and she sang in a sweetly husky voice, quietly on-key but nothing spectacular to hear except perhaps for its smoky quality, as she ran back down the stairs. When other residents gave her startled looks in the halls and on the stairs, she simply grinned more widely, waved, and continued onward, the little melody winding happily around and around.

"And if I had a boat,
I’d go out on the ocean.
And if I had a pony,
I’d ride him in my boat.
And we would all go out,
Out upon the ocean,
Me upon my pony in my boat!"

With one minute to spare, [Remy] got back to the meeting spot. Rogue came skipping down the stairs singing, her bag slung over one shoulder, and gave a foolishly delighted grin to see him waiting for her, duffle in one hand and what she assumed was a bag of food in the other.

“Did y’ miss me, chere?”

Gleefully, Rogue leaped over the last three steps to join him in the foyer. “Surely did,” she told him, scooting over to meet him and taking advantage of his full arms to go on tiptoe and steal a quick kiss, unutterably delighted that she could. Going flat-footed again, she gave him a saucy wink. “Come on, you. Time’s a wastin’!” Giggling, she pushed him toward the door, her bag gently bumping her hip as she used both hands more for the pleasure of resting again his back, even through the trench coat and shirt, and less for actual shoving. “Y’ do realize y’all’re woeful overdressed,” she teased, as they made their way side by side across the grounds and to the lakehouse at a good clip.

Once there, she gestured with her bag. “Gonna go an’ change,” she told him, suddenly shy for no good reason at all. “Be right back.”

[Gambit]

She was singing when she came back out to meet him, and he smiled at the sound of her voice. It might not be much, but he couldn’t help but love the smoky depths of it. He wondered if he should suggest they sing a duet at some point, although the other occupants of the mansion would probably make retching noises if they knew what he was thinking.

“Surely did,”

Taking advantage of the fact that his arms were full she kissed him again, quickly, even if he did try to prolong it. She was like a drug, one that he just couldn’t get enough of. He’d never felt happier.

“Come on, you. Time’s a wastin’!”

“From now on, chere, we got all the time in the world.” He smiled at her, and let her push him towards the doors, hands firm on his back through the trench.

Remy laughed as she teased him about being overdressed on their way back to the boathouse. It was true. Even in the summer heat he was still wearing his trench and jeans, although he had opted for a wife beater instead of a t-shirt. They didn’t quite run this time, but they were still moving faster than normal. It looked like they were both in a hurry to get to the water.

Course that’s all it is. It ain’t a hurry to be able t’ feel skin on skin for the first time since you been together properly. Who’d y’ think you’re kiddin’ LeBeau, since it certainly ain’t yourself?

“Gonna go an’ change,” she told him, suddenly shy for no good reason at all. “Be right back.”

“I’ll be waitin’, chere.”He nodded and let her go, understanding more than most that they would need to take everything slowly. That’s how it had always been between them, ever since the day he’d started courting her, pushing gently against her boundaries day by day.

Following her inside a moment later, he stashed the food and wine, and then pulled his swim stuff out of his bag. It didn’t take him long to shed his clothes into a neat pile, all stacked on top of the bag, or to pull on the swim shorts.

Done, he sat in one of the kitchen chairs and waited. It was definitely going to be a learning experience for them, this being able to touch and feel properly. He was looking forward to it immensely.

[Rogue]

“I’ll be waitin’, chere.” He nodded and let her go, understanding more than most that they would need to take everything slowly.

Rogue nodded, tongue speechless in her mouth and her blush rising even hotter into her cheeks, and retreated to a bathroom. With a door. And a lock, not that she used it. It was mostly trust --Remy would never take more than she wanted to give, though he might try to influence her with flirting and compliments and boundary-testing touches to change her mind-- but at least partly practical knowledge, that there likely wasn't a lock in the place that would stop her love if he really wanted to get somewhere! Humming to herself still about a boat and a pony, she contemplated how the persuasions Remy used were always downright interesting, and would likely become more so now that they could touch.

Such a small thing, really. Taken for granted by all humans in all cultures all the world over. Stroke the baby to soothe it to sleep, take the child's hand, slide an arm around the waist of a teenaged love... kiss, hug, caress... and more. An interwoven part of everyone's life but hers... until now. Rogue imagined she'd never, ever take the sweet freedom to touch someone for granted, or become completely accustomed to it, either.

She changed as swiftly as she could into one of the bikinis she'd brought along, and then wasted whatever time she'd saved trying to decide. Cover-up? No cover-up? Cover-up? Cover-up. For comfort, even if it was no longer strictly necessary to protect herself and those around her. Baby steps would have to do.

Done, [Remy] sat in one of the kitchen chairs and waited. It was definitely going to be a learning experience for them, this being able to touch and feel properly. He was looking forward to it immensely.

Rogue came out, padding nearly silently on delicate bare feet, her hands still naked and a green bikini peeking between the panels of a white and gauzy cover-up. She had a couple of folded beach towels dangling from one hand, and the other rose to push her silver and brown locks behind one ear. "Ready when you are, darlin'," she said, admiring the slouched grace of his lean and muscular form in the kitchen chair and nothing but his swim trunks.

"And, in case I ain't mentioned it lately?" She gave him another shy smile, coupled with a wink, and held out her free hand for him to take, already eagerly anticipating the touch of his skin against hers. "Love y' for y' insides, darlin'... but I surely can appreciate y' outsides as well."

[Gambit]

"Ready when you are, darlin',"

He turned to face Rogue, not so much surprised that she’d managed to get behind him without really noticing as happy to see her. She looked beautiful, a green bikini barely showing amid the fabric of the white, gauzy cover-up. The two colors certainly suited her, but then he’d thought that ever since he first saw her.

"And, in case I ain't mentioned it lately?" She gave him another shy smile, coupled with a wink, and held out her free hand for him to take, already eagerly anticipating the touch of his skin against hers. "Love y' for y' insides, darlin'... but I surely can appreciate y' outsides as well."

He stood gracefully but instead of simply taking her hand, he used it to fold her arm over his, putting more of their skin in contact. “Same goes for me, chere. You’re beautiful, truly beautiful, an’ that don’t just come from the outside.” It was true. The inability to touch had blessed them with the time to get to know each other properly, without the added complications of sex, and he found her one of the most beautiful people he’d ever known.

With a smile he took the towels from her. “Shall we, milady?” He said with a slight bow and a wave of his free hand towards the water.

They walked slowly out to the end of the pier and he set the towels down before finally letting her go to dive into the water. Surfacing a few moments later he shook his head to clear the wet hair from his eyes and smiled up at her. “Come on in, chere, the water’s lovely.”

[ooc: short, sorry. poke me for edits]

[Rogue]

[Remy] stood gracefully but instead of simply taking her hand, he used it to fold her arm over his, putting more of their skin in contact. “Same goes for me, chere. You’re beautiful, truly beautiful, an’ that don’t just come from the outside.”

Blushing, Rogue let her fingertips enjoy the feel of his skin, and her soul bask in the warmth of his gorgeous gemstone eyes. “Thank y’,” she whispered, not sure that she could handle so much happiness, but more than willing to try, every day for the rest of her life.

With a smile he took the towels from her. “Shall we, milady.” He said with a slight bow and a wave of his free hand towards the water.

“Nothin’ I’d rather do,” she agreed, and they walked slowly out to the end of the pier, [where] he set the towels down before finally letting her go to dive into the water. Surfacing a few moments later he shook his head to clear the wet hair from his eyes and smiled up at her. “Come on in, chere, the water’s lovely.”

Rogue slipped the cover-up from her shoulders and let it fall to the wood, feeling oddly vulnerable without poison infusing her skin and the armor of her strength. She might hate the former, but it was familiar territory just the same. This was a whole new world. Taking a deep breath, she told him, “Not nearly so fine as th’ company, I’m thinkin’,” breathed deeply once more, and dove into the water to emerge perhaps five feet from Remy, hair streaming straight as rainwater rather than curling wildly. She dipped below again, long enough to slick it back from her face, and then drifted closer.

“Hey there,” she whispered, a small smile curving her lips, more felt than seen. “Did I mention how much I love y’, Remy?” Eyes earnest and alight, she smiled more widely.

And then she splashed a great gout of water at him, giggling as she trod water.

[Gambit]

He watched, treading water gently, as Rogue slipped off her cover-up to reveal perfect, beautiful skin. He shot her an encouraging smile, just about managing to resist splashing her, and probably the towels as well. One step at a time, slow and steady, that was the key.

“Not nearly so fine as th’ company, I’m thinkin’,”

He let out a laugh as she dived in, flattered by the compliment, and watched as she surfaced not that far from him. Her hair was slick against her face, as his was, and she dunked herself again to clear it off, giving him an idea.

“Hey there,” she whispered, a small smile curving her lips, more felt than seen. “Did I mention how much I love y’, Remy?”

“You might have, once or twice, oui. Never stops me lovin’ to hear it.” He smiled at her and moved a little closer. He’d need to be in perfect position for this. “Love you too, chere.”

And then she splashed him, giggling all the while and he decided the war was on. Splashing her back, he swam forward a little and winked to give her some warning. Then, placing his hands firmly on her shoulders he ducked her under the water, letting go just after she went down.

“Tag, you’re it, chere.” He said with a laugh.

[Rogue]

“You might have, once or twice, oui. Never stops me lovin’ to hear it.” He smiled at her and moved a little closer. Rogue’s heart did a slow turn in her chest at that smile, and her own widened and softened in reply. How many other men in the world would have troubled themselves to get to know the untouchable girl as he had, learned her moods and ways, and loved her in spite of all of the obstacles and misunderstandings, the hurts they’d dealt each other over the years, and her own terrible insecurities? None but her Rem. She felt like a cup filled to overflowing with joy, surface tension all that kept her from spilling over into tears of unutterable happiness. “Love you too, chere.”

And then she splashed him, giggling all the while and he decided the war was on. Splashing her back, he swam forward a little and winked to give her some warning. Rogue, unsuspecting, though she should have been wiser after splashing him, stroked the water gently with her hands, treading in place as he came closer, and closer. Her lips parted, anticipating his touch, and then, placing his hands firmly on her shoulders, he ducked her under the water, letting go just after she went down.

Caught off guard, she shrieked as she went under, getting a mouthful of water and spitting it out below the surface, short of air and keenly aware of exactly where his fingers had landed on her bared shoulders. Then, Rogue scissored her legs strongly beneath the surface, half-choking on water, and emerged spluttering, laughing, and with her features partly masked by a wild tangle of wet hair, which she scraped from her face in order to give him a mock glare.

“Tag, you’re it, chere.” He said with a laugh.

“I noticed,” she returned, white teeth bared in a blinding, grinning snarl, and swam toward him, splashing his gorgeous face in order to temporarily blind his beautiful eyes as she went on the attack, diving down –with enough breath this time, thank you very much!—below the surface again, and snagging one of his ankles with her delicate fingers, then pulling harder than she ever would have, with super-strength. Safe, safe, safe t’ touch, her mind chanted gleefully, euphoric.

[Gambit]

She was laughing when she came up for air. That was good. He’d worried a little that it might have been too much, but by the time his thoughts had caught up with him she was already under.

“I noticed,”

Oh boy. The look on her face, as mock as it was, said that he was in trouble. He started to turn, to swim away from her, laughing all the while, but it was too late. A splash of water caught him in the face, temporarily blinding him much as he’d done to her. When he managed to see again, she was gone, and he had just enough time to take a breath before she grabbed one of his ankles and heaved him down.

He twisted away from her and headed for the surface. He’d wanted to do this with her for so long, just play and touch and have what every other couple had. It was bliss. And this was just the start of what they could share now.

“Oh, so y’ want to play it that way do y’?” He asked with a grin when she surfaced. Swimming in fast he pulled her close and kissed her, deeply, tasting the cool lake water mixed with her own unique taste. Then he closed his eyes and splashed her, pulling back slightly.

He swam a way away and smiled a ‘come and get me smile’, before starting to circle her lazily. He’d wait until she was closer, and then he’d dive, taking her with him like she had. Or at least that was the plan.

[Rogue]

[Remy] twisted away from her and headed for the surface. Laughing beneath the water, clear bubbles from her mouth catching the light and rising to the surface in a shimmer of dreams come true, Rogue followed with sure strokes. Touching so easily was exhilirating, strange and wonderful, and had her on edge with nerves. Forge's inhibitor shouldn't fail. But if it did... No. It wouldn't. She could touch and be touched. There was no need for wary fear. Not anymore.

“Oh, so y’ want to play it that way do y’?” He asked with a grin when she surfaced. Swimming in fast he pulled her close and kissed her, deeply, tasting the cool lake water mixed with her own unique taste.

Rogue returned both embrace and kiss with fervor as their cool wet skins slipped together beneath the water, touching more completely than ever. The strength of his arms, that she knew. But the taste of his mouth, and the feel of him all along her body… those were new treasures, of more value than any other physical thing she could ever remember experiencing. Even in the cool lake water, she felt warmer just to be held by him. Breathless, she said, “If this is playin’, b’lieve I could really learn t’ like th’ game.”

Then he closed his eyes and splashed her, pulling back slightly. Natural reflex had her letting go, shaking her head to clear her eyes, as he swam a way away and smiled a ‘come and get me smile’, before starting to circle her lazily.

Rogue turned in place in the water, considering, the taste of Remy still warm and sensual in her mouth, all heated spices and the sharp tang of man, good enough to make her feel as though she’d been starving all of her life just for him.

And slowly, slowly enough to make her feel rather stupid, the idea that mere touch was not all they could share, now, seeped into her brain and other, more visceral parts of her awareness. She supposed she could be forgiven for being oblivious to that possibility, newborn and a little frightening, since it had never been anything other than a tantalizing impossible idea for as long as she could remember. But now… everything was possible. It was liberating… terrifying… beautiful. Like being born into a whole new world.

She gave him a smile in return, slow and sweet and just a little bit wicked, and took the bait, surging through the water to intercept his lazy circles, her naked hands reaching for him as she took another deep breath, prepared to take him under again and to go with him this time. "Gonna getcha," she threatened, deliriously happy. To twine, to touch… to hold. Hers, as she was his, every day from now onward into forever.

Life had never been so fine.

[Gambit]

She turned in time with him, watching him, a slightly far away look in her eyes. Rogue was thinking, that much was certain. And she was blushing ever so slightly again. He wondered just what was going through her mind, and if it was anything like what was going through his. Touch brought them a whole new level of intimacy, and it was theirs to explore at their leisure.

Eventually she smiled at him, slow and sweet and full of promise, and then surged towards him, hands outstretched. Perfect. She’d taken the bait, hook, like and soon to be submerged.

"Gonna getcha,"

“Not if I get y’ first,” he took a breath and dove, this time letting his hands go to her waist to pull her down to his depth. She’s taken a breath, ready to do the same to him, so he wasn’t too worried that she’d have any problems. Eyes just about able to distinguish her face in the water he kissed her again, and then pulled them both to the surface, hands brushing over her.

“So, do I win?” He asked it with a wink, aware of their closeness and her heat, a stark contrast against the cool water. Slowly he let his hand reach out and touch her skin, brushing down across her front in a gentle caress. She was so beautiful and he wanted nothing more than to treasure her for the rest of his life. This amazing woman had stolen his heart, and it left him breathless.

He was tempted to take her back inside now, to dry off and cuddle up to her with skin pressed to skin, to love her the way he’d always wanted to. It wouldn’t do to rush her though. Wouldn’t do to push her too hard or to waste the gift they’d been given, the gift of being able to touch in ways that most people took for granted. Instead he trod water close to her and waited for her. He’d always wait for her.

[Rogue]

“Not if I get y’ first,” he took a breath and dove, this time letting his hands go to her waist to pull her down to his depth [and] he kissed her again, sweet and fleeting beneath the water, his arms around her like a taste of the only home she’d ever need again, and then [he] pulled them both to the surface, hands brushing over her.

“So, do I win?” He asked it with a wink, still close enough to touch, his hands the very feel of love at her waist, tantalizing and wonderful.

“Guess maybe this round,” Rogue allowed, her skin pricklingly aware of every brush of his hands, no matter how light or how easy. “But there’s always a rematch comin’. Y’ been warned.” She fell silent as he moved again, her eyes fixed on him like the needle of a compass, pointing always, inexorably north. If everything else were gone, if the world fell apart, so long as she had this remarkable man to love, and his love in return… still there would be happiness. Always.

Slowly he let his hand reach out and touch her skin, brushing down across her front in a gentle caress. Rogue’s awareness of him shivered, and shattered, and reformed with new pieces, fresh discoveries of things within herself that she’d tamped down for years, refused to allow freedom because to let them loose was to break her heart or to harm the person she loved most in all the world.

“Rem—“ she breathed, his simple touch searing heat into her from the hollow of her throat down her body’s center line, trailing like fire from his fingers along her skin, and sending things low in her belly hot and tight with need. Her cheeks flushed, and her breasts… yearned. “Love— Do… do that again?” Hesitantly, she mimicked the caress down his front, from the cleft between his collarbones down nearly to his navel, letting her fingers touch his skin with delicate wonder.

[Gambit]

“Rem—“

Now that was how he wanted to hear her say his name, with lust and need and desire all wrapped in that smoky tone of hers. Of course he wanted to hear her say his name like that while they were pressed skin to skin, moving with each other, loving each other the way he’d wanted to love her for so long.

He might be willing to wait for her, but it would take a man far more holy and virtuous than him to say that he didn’t want her physically. If he did say it, it would be a bald faced lie, and a disservice to the both of them. There was no shame in wanting to love someone physically.

“Love— Do… do that again?”

She blushed again, and hesitantly ran her hand down his front, mimicking his touch with one of her own. The heat from her fingers made him shiver slightly, there in the water, and he wished he could get her onto land and into bed.

Slowly, LeBeau, f’ fucks sake, slowly. Don’t neither of y’ want to rush into this, an’ she deserves so much more than one of y’ one nighters.

“Whatever y’ want, chere,” he said with a smile, reaching out and brushing his fingers down her front again, this time slightly to one side and closer to a breast. He was going to take this slowly. He was going to tease and torment her with touch, to show her how good it could be so she’d never want to give it up.

He tried to shake the thought as soon as it had come. One day she was going to have to turn the inhibitor off, even if only for a while, and they’d be back to square one. Without it she was vulnerable, soft and delicate and touchable. With it she was everything she needed to be to survive, and nothing she needed to be to live. It wasn’t a fair deal, but life was rarely fair.

Easy enough. You protect her, y’ keep her safe an’ you go back to bein’ careful when she’s powered up. Work with what y’ got after all an’ don’t let it get in the way of things.

He smiled at her again, brushing his hand across her face gently this time, even though it pushed him slightly under the water. “So, y’ want to keep swimmin’, chere, or have y’ had enough?”