clever as the devil and twice as pretty

A slow smile takes over her lips, shaking her head. “Ya not wrong, sugah.” Messing with her hair again, she wished she had a hair tie or something to at least put it up. But looking to him, she catches the serene calm of his expression. It was a nice morning, and he was more than nice company. What did it matter if she looked like she didn’t know what a brush is. Taking her coffee with her, she slides from her own chair to his lap and tucks her head beneath his chin. Before he can say anything about her going soft, she mutters, “Shut up.”

Remy opened his mouth but was cut off by Erik over the loud speaker: The school will have an immediate Lock Down... He raised an eyebrow and thinking over what had just been said. “Should we?” Remy asked, straightening up and taking their plates to toss in the sink. 

Remy should have known he’d see Dante when he slipped into their room to grab his things and yet he still jumped back a bit when he saw him; completely forgetting about his new roommate. “Sorry, mon ami, forgot you’ be here.” His eyes glided over to the draw his kittens so happily napped in most mornings. Two of the three seemed to be nuzzled into his dress shirts but... He checked under his bed. Nothing. “Y’haven’ seen, hm, da little black one have ya?”

Anna narrows her eyes at him playfully, shoving a forkful of eggs into her mouth in response. She could tell he was enjoying this, doting on her and caring for her. And she couldn’t lie to herself, she was enjoying it too. Pushing her hair behind her ears, she hums and leans forward to catch a better look at the students. “Hmm, look at ‘em. Worried about somethin’ as simple as school,” she says quietly, picking up her coffee and cupping it in both hands. 

Remy looked over the balcony to see the kids hurriedly scratching out what was left of their homework. “S’good think ta be worried ‘bout.” He told her. Remy knew what she meant of course: no danger, no attack, no mutant whatever, just Monday. The school was actually a school today. “’Though I don’ know that dere asa worried as y’think.” He joked. 

@rlebeau

“Ya shoulda let me brush mah hair,” Anna grumbles, nibbling on a piece of toast as they ate on the balcony off to the side of the kitchen. It overlooked the gardens, where kids with free period were scrambling to finish their homework for second block. She feels like they can see her, in Remy’s shirt too big for her body and her pink shorts with her hair a goddamn mess. But he’d insisted she actually eat breakfast this morning, and here she was abiding at least somewhat. Her eggs grew cold on her plate but she took another bite of toast and chewed slowly. “Ya want me ta look raggedy, don’t ya? Scare off tha competition?”

Anna is no sooner grinning than she is being covered by him. Absolutely, completely covered. She barely has room to gasp, body arching up into his long before she realizes she’s doing him no damage. Then all at once she’s well aware that his touch doesn’t activate the tell tale pull of her power, and she’s kissing him back. Lips brushing his ear and temple, knocking against his chin and the skating the space between his entrancing eyes. The addiction comes on fast and strong, like she can’t imagine pulling away or she’ll starve to death.

“Don’ go apologizin’ for nothin’, sugah,” her voice laced with a wanting moan, tilting her head back to accommodate his mouth on her neck. She shouldn’t feel this touch starved but the taste of him has her ravenous. Fingers running through his hair, sinking into the neckline of his t-shirt to feel the warm skin beneath, her knees gripping his thighs tight and dragging up until her legs are seated firmly on his hips. 

God is she regretting putting her robe on now, needing more of his touch and fast. The way he touched her, with reverence and overwhelming desire, it told her everything she needed to know. Much better than looking into his head could. No man kissed a woman like this unless he was looking to eventually share last names. Tearing a hand away from him, she works on her robe ties as she whines at his attention, entirely unladylike in the way she moves her hips up to press against him. 

“Who knows, I might end up taking your class.” She said with a smile as she walked toward him. “I’m looking…. For….A place where I can hide…” She spoke the true tired of trying to lie.

Remy furrowed his brow in concern. He rose from his chair and moved around his desk so as to have nothing between them. He refrained from moving any closer however, hoping she would do that on her own. “Hide? From?”

Wade looked around like this was a joke, like someone was about to hop from behind a bookshelf and shout ‘syke’ at him and throw spaghetti in his face. Was he actually invited to spend breakfast with Rogue’s future? He wanted to throw confetti and blow thirty whistles he was so internally excited. “Interrogations would normally cost you, but I guess I can just say I don’t guarantee answers. Gotta keep the mystery going.” Wade winked and turned to make his way toward the kitchen.

“Right.” He said thinking over how to word the question. Remy didn’t really care what he actually looked like but the whole charade confused him to no end. “So if this ain’ what y’look like, but it was, but it ain’ anymore, ‘cept dat it is. How’s that? I mean, I assume after an’ before this is were yo’ outlandish costume comes in but I jus’ can’ put my finger on why. It ain’ really jus’ vanity is it?”

When Remy stops her, she stutters til her mouth closes in a firm line. She hates the expression she’s making, because she knows she looks like her God awful Aunt. Pursed lips, and a stare that went right through you. When he laughs at the thought of her sleeping with Wade, it felt like a slap in the face. So did he think less of her then? She looks away from him abruptly and means to pace away from him but she’s run out of room and she’s stuck between him and the nightstand. 

She’s about to rear on him when she realizes he’s stopped talking like he’s at a loss for words now. Her eyes search his, and despite her guarded expression, she’s already letting him in all the corners of her heart she’s closed off. How long had that been happening? When he advances on her, she stands her ground. Not everything has to be a battle, Anna. Ah don’t know anythin’ else. His scent is enveloping her, and though she fights it, tries to keep her heart from speeding up, a flush spreads across her cheeks and down her neck.

Instead of stepping away, she brings herself closer and she has to crane her neck to look up at him. Her tongue buzzes with the scent of him, and she’s not sure how a kiss will go. Would she be able to keep her skin in control for long? Will he be able to handle her if she couldn’t? She was dying to find out. Her voice is as low as his, her twang thick like honey. “Ah’m not sure,” she murmurs, bare hand raising to rest against his chest. “Willin’ ta take a gamble, Cajun?”

“Chérie, I never gamble...” There was no hesitation in his voice. Neither in his movement toward her. He grabbed her and pulled her close. Somehow in that moment his fear of touching her was over come by his desperation to do just that. For all he knew this kiss would be the death of him but he needed her kiss so badly that he couldn’t even remember why that would matter. He closed his eyes and was consumed by the warmth of her body. He felt himself wrapping around her, one hand running through her hair and the other resting gently on the side of her jaw. He could taste her. He could feel her. Maybe he was dying. He’d never died before, how would he know?

An eternity existed in only a few seconds for Remy before he realized nothing was happening. Well, a lot was happening but none if it was bad. For a moment his lips left hers to speak. He didn’t dare let go fearing that once he did he wouldn’t be able to again. “I’m goin’. Ta keep. Doin’. That.” 

No sooner did he say it than it was true. He was kissing her again. Her forehead, her nose, her lips, her checks. It was like he needed to test each spot he could think of. His hands moved slowly from her head to her shoulders to her back to her waste. Swiftly, he lifted her on to the nightstand behind her. Something knocked into the wall “Pardon.” He said, unapologetically. He was kissing her neck now. He was touching her and it meant he could tell her everything he couldn’t. Everything he had wanted to. Tell her things that had no words. 

Ella was walking around the school, but after a while she had no idea where she was, the place was huge, this place should had those small maps like the malls did indicating where you were, that would sure make things easier, as she walked she saw a open door and decided to look, the guy seemed busy but before she could leave he said something that she assumed it was French and than something she actually understood. “right… Hi… Sorry…” She said with a smile a bit embarrassed. “i’m just… so lost.”

“It’s me who should be sorry, petit, figured y’be one of my students. Where y’lookin’ for?”

“I don’t need your help.“

Tom slouched against the door frame, crossing his arms as he pushed, “What I do need–is access to the danger room. After my little fiasco last week? I’m banned unless I’m accompanied by one of you. I’m doing you a favor. You could use the practice.”

“Ha!” Remy laughed. “Then you are lookin’ fo’ my help. No reason ta be proud, Tommy.” He reached over and grabbed his ID and keys from the desk drawer. He walked over and clapped him on the back. “C’mon now.”

“Maybe I don’t always look like this, but I used to.” This was dangerous territory they were both walking now. It’s not like he needed permission from Remy to do what he did, and he definitely did not regret what happened one bit. Still, it was a bad way to start a friendship. Best friendship. Either way, it wasn’t his news to tell Remy, so if Anna wanted to that was on her. Wade put his hand against the wall and smirked at Remy, “So where ya headed today, Gambit?”

“It’s jus’ a different kinda mask then. Sometimes y’look like dis, sometimes you don’. The mystery continues.” Remy said more comfortably, though he couldn’t help but continue to wonder what that meant. “I was gonna get breakfast but now somethin’s tellin’ me so are you. So,” He hesitated. “let’s go. I want ta ask y’more questions anyhow.”

Anna fights it with all her might and Remy’s words still leave her breathless. She was nothing but trouble, and it didn’t matter what he’d done in the past. Nothing would negate the fact that she brought ruin to everything she touched. Raven had taught her well, love would only bring her pain. Attachments would only drag her down. And her teachings had proven true. A rush of emotion fills her chest cavity and she has to look away from him again, try to hide the way her bottom lip trembles until she has it safely tucked between her teeth.

She covers her face with her hands when she turns away completely, trying to gather herself before it becomes too much. Whatever he’d done, no one deserved a curse like her. “Remy…” her voice sounds choked, hoarse like she’d already been crying for hours. She uncovers her face to curl a fist at her mouth, staring at a blank space on the wall for too long, she’s sure. Her walls are cracking, and she doesn’t want him to see her this way. Despite her petite frame, she’s always presented herself as formidable. And now she just felt so small.

“Ah…” she hesitates, wondering if he really had to know. If she was going to commit to this, she should tell him. “Wade and ah…” She can’t make herself say the words, peering over her shoulder at him. “It was nothin’ and it’s over, but ah thought ya were done with me.” 

“I... Y’ain’ gotta tell me anythin’.” He put his hands up to stop her. The sentence felt weird in his mouth; heavy and awkward. “I ain’ done wit you, Cher. But I’m not tryin’ ta rule over yo’ life. I--Wade? Really?” Remy laughed uncomfortably. “Dat’s not the point. What I wanted ta, mmm...” He scrunched up his face trying to focus back to his point but his mind kept wandering off to what she had indirectly told him. What was the rest of it? Did he want the rest of it? Did it matter? No, it doesn’t matter! Sure about that? Of course, she’s Anna Marie! Exactly. 

What he wanted to say was whatever you want is what I want. It was a very difficult thing for anyone to say let alone someone as selfish as Remy. It was true. At the core of what he wanted was to see her happy but he also wanted to be the one making her happy. He wanted her all to himself, his alone to enjoy fully. Ugh!

Remy took a step toward her. Whatever conversation should have continued then didn’t. The one Remy had been rehearsing in his head the last few nights vanished too. Instead, close enough to feel her breathing, Remy whispered, “If I was ta kiss y’right now, what would happen?”

The look on Remy’s face was almost enough for Wade to turn around and call it a day. Surprising his rival, nemesis, no his best friend was getting more and more fun each time it happened. Today, he would get to show off the beautiful face he wished was behind the mask everyday. Maybe Remy would think of it more often than he cared to. Raising an eyebrow, he offered, “Sweeter than a grandma making cookies for her grand kids after soccer practice? Yeah, I agree. Like what you see, sugar plum?" 

“S’pose, sure.” Remy narrowed his eyes, trying to decide if this was some kind of trick. He might have asked him earlier what was under the mask, but he never really put much thought to what was under the mask. Maybe he was just disappointed that he was just some guy under it.  Who wears a mask constantly for months and of that nonexistent population who of them just take it off afterward like it was just for kicks? “I see y’changed. Somethin’ happened ta the ol’ look?” He said suspiciously.

“I have no idea at all of what you are saying.” He stated and shook his head. But he still entered the room and looked at the man with a clueless expression. “So, what exactly did you say, so I don’t think that I have something on my face or in my hair.” He looked at the other crossing his arms, which had become a signature move for him lately. “But you do have some really cool eyes.” he laughed to show that he wasn’t offended. 

"I's jus' sayin' you ain' gotta wait in the doorframe. I don' bite. Come, sit." Remy explained, gesturing to the chair beside the desk. "I've been told they're hypnotizing, but I like ta think dat's jus' me. Don’ think we’ve had the pleasure of meetin’ jus’ yet, Remy LeBeau." He said offering his hand.

Dom was at a loss for words, but he didn’t want to stare dumbly at a teacher, especially not with as much reputation as Mr. LeBeau. “Yeah?” he said curiously, walking in slowly. He gripped the straps of his backpack nervously and stopped just in front of the other’s desk. “I’m here to ask a favor, I guess?” He cleared his throat. Why was he so nervous? “Maybe you could teach me how to cook some food, some time? I know Cajun food is… full of spices, so I don’t need that, but something to… impress someone? You’re known as a ladies man, right?” He felt stupid asking the teacher so abruptly. Fuck. If only he could rescind that last phrase. “I can help you grade,” he blurted out. “I mean, if its in English and has a key, like a test… we can split it. I’ll work for it?”

“Oh, Y’ain’ gotta worry ‘bout this lot.” He beamed at the boy, gesturing to the papers. Remy had practically forgotten about the grading by the time the offer came. “S’all essays anyhow.” That was, maybe, the best thing he heard all week. It was for sure the best distraction to wander in. The grin was still frozen on his face in delight. He didn’t even try to hide it. “So,” He continued, leaning in. Oh he really shouldn’t be so nosy, but... “Who you tryin’ ta impress?”

Anna lets him rail at her because she is positive she deserves it. Every word is like a cut deep inside of her, but she doesn’t let it show. She made a promise to herself a long time ago that she wouldn’t let a man know the control he had over her. Ever. Her face is like stone as he yells, standing her ground with her fists curled at her sides. “Ya finished?” she asks, voice level, as he ties up his tirade.

Kiss him. Touch him. Hug him. Tell him you’re falling in love with him and you don’t know how to handle it. Instead she shakes her head at him, taking a step back as if the last thing she wants is for him to invade her space. “Let’s get one thin’ straight, sugah,” she begins, eyes boring deep into his. “Ah don’t owe ya anythin’, ya hear?” Her instinct to dig into him, make him regret ever falling for her in the first place, is winning her over. It’s about survival, she tells herself. Look what Wade did to you, look how quickly Logan got over you. Don’t let him control you, Marie. She turns away from him to pick up her robe from the edge of her bed, shrugging it on as if emotionally closing herself off to him wasn’t enough.

“Ya have no idea who ah am, Remy LeBeau,” she mutters as she ties her robe tightly. “And if ya did, ya wouldn’t be stressin’ ya pretty head over me so much.” And though she’s the one saying it, the words create a dull ache in her chest. Would he still look at her like she’s the sweetest cherry on the stem if he knew how many people she’s killed? Would he still find her beautiful if he knew how deadly she was? When she turns, it’s only to give him a sidelong glance. “Ah ain’t mad at ya Remy, ah know what you saw wasn’t who you were fallin’ for. And ah don’t blame ya, okay?” 

It all comes back to her so suddenly, the dismissive tone of his voice when she stressed over the little girl. The difference in his demeanor after she snapped that other mutant’s neck in one clean swoop without a second thought. And to make matters worse, she wasn’t sure if he knew what’d transpired between her and Wade. Suddenly the darling image of a sweet Southern girl that she’d made him believe in was crumbling, and she didn’t want him to see her when it finally did.

“No idea? Mon Dieu, Anna, dat’s da problem!” He signed, grabbing the bridge of his nose. He wanted to shake her--No, he wanted to grab her and kiss her. He wanted to hold her tight and caress her cheek. He wanted to rest his nose on hers and hold her hair in his hands. He wanted to tell her that he liked her, that she fascinated him, that he didn’t care about whatever she thought he would be worried about but he didn’t know how to say that without toughing her. He couldn’t welcome her in his arms. He couldn’t press his lips lightly to her forehead. Couldn’t take her hands in his. It was the language he new best and he couldn’t use it with her; he was too afraid of what she didn’t know about him. If he toughed her, he might not be able to hide what he wanted to most from her. Whatever horrors she carried with her they couldn’t be worse than his.

“I wanna know you, Cher.” His voice was calmer than it had been before. “I’d like ta get ta know you. It don’ have ta involve whatever it’s in yo pas’ dat’s got y’runnin’ away from me an’ I don’ even need ta be yo’s. Jus’ let me in ta who y’are now cus dat person is da person who’s been takin’ all my time from thinkin’ properly. Vous êtes belle à l'intérieur et à l'extérieur, Anna Marie. Permettez-moi de vous regarder.

“I’ve done” Remy continued painfully. “some a’ da mos’ horrendous thin’s a person can do an’ dey hurt me every time I think ‘bout dem. Whatever bags ya got ain’ gonna scare me near as much as my own memories.”

“Ah don’ regret it,” Anna tells herself, sitting with her legs folded beneath her in bed. She talks out loud to no one but herself, staring at herself in the mirror above her dresser. And she doesn’t regret it. How could she when it put her heart at ease and mended wounds she didn’t even realize were still open and festering? Wade had once been her world and he’d been torn away from her, and what happened a few nights prior finally brought them full circle. Then why do ya feel so guilty, ya hussy?

The sharp rap against her door, followed by Remy LeBeau’s angry voice reminded her exactly why. She stares harder at herself, noting how she hadn’t managed to scrub off all her makeup and that her pajama top had a new stain on it. He wouldn’t care about these things, on some level she knows this but her mind is finding any excuse not to let him in. All these days trying to ready herself for this discussion, or fight, and she felt nowhere near prepared. 

Vaulting off the bed, she stands in front of the door  like a statue as he pounds away at it again. “God damn it, Cajun!” she yells back, throwing it open to finally face him. And when she does, she reads the anger and frustration in his body like a challenge. “What in tha hell are ya thinkin’?” she reprimands in a fierce whisper, yanking him inside her room and shutting the door.

One second he was in the hall and the next he was on the other side of the door, face to face with everything he dreaded and wanted. “What’m I thinkin’?” Remy yelled back, not lowering his voice to match hers. “Ain’ a short lis’! Y’sure y’wanna hear it, Chérie?”

His black and red eyes were electric; wide with energy that he’d been holding in for the last week. “I think yo’ mad at me, but I don’ know since y’ain’ sai’ nothin’. I don’ know why yo’ mad at me, ‘cus ya ain’ talkin’ ta me, but I t’ink an’ t’ink an’ think about why y’could be cross wit me. An’ everythin’ I can come up wit--” He grabbed his long hair in frustration. “Enculer! I can’ brin’ myself ta think ‘bout comment répondre yo’... An’ den I ne peux pas penser, I can’t think ‘cus fo’ all I know I ain’ even make y’sore et...” Remy pause catching his breath. He looked at her and saw her after a week of missing every opportunity. And some how that is so much worse. He thought. 

“Ha! Jus’ say somethin’ ta me, Anna! Me crier dessus! Cri! Frappez-Moi! Envoyez-moi! Anythin’!” Remy finished. He felt defeated. He’d never yelled at anyone like that. There was no good response to being yelled but whatever she would say couldn’t be worse than what he’d been imagining her saying.