“Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!” Kitty smiled as Rogue rubbed her excess mascara below her eyes.
“How’s that supposed to get me ready for a date exactly?” Rogue muttered, pushing her dangling bracelets down her arm.
“I’m just saying he’s a southern guy so he might have different beauty standards!” She crossed her arms for emphasis.
“Kitty, we’re both southern.” The brunette checked herself over in the mirror one last time.
“Oh.” Kitty paused for a moment, before the doorbell rings
“See, there is he.” Rogue smiled, walking from her bedroom to the front door. Kitty gave her two encouraging thumbs up from the hallway.
She opened the door, looking at him. He stood there, a bouquet of dark red roses in one hand.
“Hello, cher.” He greeted, smiling widely
“Remy!” She swung her gloved arms around him, “I’ve missed you.”
Gambit nodded, “Get in love,” He gestured to the convertible parked outside the mansion.
She walked out towards the car, her platform heels clicking on the sidewalk. Remy, being rather a gentleman, opened the car door for her.
Rogue places a hand to her chest, “You’re sweet, darlin’.” She said, sliding into her seat.
Remy sits in the driver's seat a moment later, turning to Rogue.
“Thank you for agreeing to come, cher.”
“‘Course dear, you’re amazing.”
Remy smiled, “I was thinkin’ we could go down to that buffet downtown.”
She nodded, “Sounds perfect.” she leans over to kiss his cheek.
“Careful, cher.” He reminded her
“Ah, sorry.”
“Don’t worry, you know I’d kiss you if I could.”
Rogue smiled, “Well, Logan and I have been practicing on me bein’ able to touch people.”
“Oh? And how’s it going, cher?” Gambit asked, putting the key in the ignition.
“Good!” She beamed, “It’s been a while since I put him on the floor.”
Remy kissed her gloved knuckle, “That’s good, I’m proud of you, cher.”
Her face blushed a subtle pink, “Thank you, sugar.”
Gambit smiled, driving out of the mansion’s driveway. The backroads were winding but scenic. The cool air brushes through Rogue’s hair as she leaned her arm out the window. It was rather warm for a January night.
Within a matter of minutes, Gambit pulled the car into a parking space outside of the restaurant. The atmosphere inside was rather romantic, despite being a buffet. Gambit snagged them a seat and insisted Rogue pick out food for both of them.
She did her best to pick out the most stereotypical ‘romantic’ foods. By the time she was done, she’d filled two plates with spaghetti, some kind of dumpling, salmon, and bread. Remy seemed content with Rogue’s choices and the two sat down.
“Thank you for paying.” She smiled, “I can pay you back.”
Remy shook his head, “No need to, cher,” He stuffed a piece of bread into his mouth, “I’ve got plenty.”
Rogue laughed, “Whatever you say.”
The pair ate and talked, so far the date was going well. Rogue loved being with Remy, she felt like he actually understood her. And she knew he cared for her immensely. She hoped that, one day, she’d be able to touch him without the gloves. She hoped that she wouldn’t be scared anymore.
Remy knew her fears, he knew she could hurt him. He simply didn’t care. He loved her, though he’d never say it. Remy would never let them get that close. He couldn’t risk it, he couldn’t lose her. He made it clear, though, that he loved her. He thought if he wouldn’t do it verbally then he’d do it through actions. And Rogue knew this.
The two finished up their meal with a cup of ice cream for two.
“Sugar, ya got some on your face.” Rogue laughed, smudging the chocolate off Remy’s face with her glove.
He chuckled, “Thanks, cher.”
She smiled at him, forgetting herself for a moment.
Remy turned bright pink, “Cher-..”
Rogue noticed that her gloved hand was still on his face, she quickly pulled away, “Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it..” He smiled as Rogue finished the ice cream, “I have something else planned for tonight.”
Rogue raised an eyebrow as Remy led her to the car, “Oh? What is it?”
“It’s a surprise, so I can’t say.” He said as they got into the car.
She rolled her eyes playfully, “Oh, c’mon sugar.”
He shook his head, “I told you, I can’t say.”
As they drove, it became clear that they weren’t going into town as the rolling hills of farmland became more prominent. Rogue gazed up at the night sky, it was littered with stars. She’d always thought that night time was better than day. The darkness was so pretty. She watched as an owl swooped over the car, disappearing into the thick woods. They quickly approached a piece of land that was more well-lit than the rest of the land. Remy pulled over.
Before Rogue laid a picnic blanket covered with several candles. A radio was set off to the side, placing some kind of romantic music. In the middle of the blanket were two nice glasses of wine. Remy opened her door as Rogue stared in shock.
“Do you like it, cher?” He asked, hopeful.
“I-.. I love it..” She stepped out of the car and onto the ground, “How’d you set this all up..?”
“Pyro helped.” He beamed, picking up the glasses of wine and handing one to Rogue.
Rogue smiled back, stepping closer to Gambit.
Remy raised his glass, “To us?”
She clinked their glasses together, “To us.”
Both of them took a sip, a comfortable silence falling between them. Remy grabbed Rogue’s hands. She looked at him, puzzled.
“Take the gloves off, cher.” He said, smiling softly
Rogue looked shocked, “Sug- No, no I- can’t,” She shook her head, “I don’t wanna hurt you.”
“Couldn’t hurt me if ya tried, You can do it.” He encouraged
She took a deep breath, pulling the gloves off and letting them fall to the ground. Carefully, she reached and grabbed onto Remy’s shoulder. She squeezed her eyes shut, concentrating hard. When she opened them again, Remy was smiling at her.
“You did it.”
She smiled back, “I-.. I did.”
Remy grabbed onto her waist, “Should we dance?”
Rogue nodded as they began swaying to the music. The cool night air blew around them as the stars lit up their surroundings. It was beautiful. They stayed like that, swaying and smiling at one another, for some time. It felt euphoric to touch someone without hurting them. It was all so perfect.
Rogue checked her watch after a while, noticing that it was 9:30. The curfew at the institute was 10, she had to get back.
Remy laughed, noticing her facial expression, “Should we leave, cher?”
She nodded, “Sorry, sugar, the curfew is strict.”
He shrugged, “‘S alright, I’ll get ya back.” Remy got in the car, along with Rogue, “Pyro’ll clean up.”
The drive back was quiet, but comfortable. Rogue had put her gloves back on and was holding hands with Remy as he drove. She looked out the window for most of the ride, watching the stillness of Bayville. She barely noticed when Remy pulled into the institute’s driveway. But, she got out. Remy kissed her hand and said goodnight to her.
Rogue, gleefully, went inside. When she entered, she saw Jean sitting in a chair, reading a book. The redhead checked her watch.
“Two minutes past curfew.” She chuckled
Rogue put her shoes by the door, “Whoops, sorry Jeannie.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell.” Jean gave Rogue a bright smile, “How was your date?”
“It was perfect, Remy’s an amazing guy.” She smiled
Jean nodded, though she seemed stiff, “That’s great.”
“Somethin’ wrong Jeannie?” Rogue asked
“No, no, just thinking.” She sighed
Rogue could tell, she could tell something was wrong. She didn’t know why Jean wouldn’t say, it wasn’t like Jean to keep important stuff inside.
Nonetheless, Rogue nodded, “I’m headin’ up to my room. G’night Jeannie.”
Jean smiled, “Goodnight, Rogue.”