Rogue and Kurt

[x-traction.livejournal.com]

In which Rogue bumps into Kurt, and finds him to be comforting

There was something to the smell of the winter she liked. Or maybe that was something her inner Logan liked. Since exploring her mind with Adrienne, Rogue hadn't really wanted to let anyone else out of their 'cave'. That being said, her inner Erik wasn't talking to her and refused to come out or explain why, which was strange. It wasn't like he was one of her loudest voices, but he wasn't usually so quiet. In fact, they were all quiet, even Logan when she pulled him out. It was like there was a mental block that couldn’t be affected. She wondered if the subtle suggestion she’d received to not ‘poke’ this universe was also in place for her voices.

Working for Adri meant busy days, but the downtime was still unpleasant as she tried to think of ways to get her memories back. That being said, the weekend was a nice break. Spending time with Logan was one of her more preferred things to do, and from what he had explained to her, it was the same for her adult self. Resolving not to push away from people anymore, she continued to think about her actions the last few weeks, and how to be more positive. She was so into her thoughts that she missed the blue man in the woods entirely.

To be fair, he was hanging upside down from a tree, not in her eyeline. After a moment of watching her, he spoke up quietly with a simple "Hello, Marie."

She jumped. "Holy crap! Ah did not see ya there!". Rogue peered at him curiously, her head twisting to see his face right side up. "An' how do ya know mah name?". She straightened up and sighed. "Never mind. Ya obviously know me, and Ah have no clue who you are."

"Kurt." He swung himself back up onto the branch with ridiculous ease. "Kurt Sefton, and we have met many times but do not worry about it."

She watched him awe, envious at his gracefulness. "Ah wished Ah remembered ya....but Ah'm pleased ta meetcha again, Kurt. Ah'd shake your hand but you're kinda far away."

"Easily corrected." Rather than jumping, he teleported down, to a spot several feet away and downwind to try and spare her the smell of sulphur, then walked over, offering his hand.

"Wow." Rogue was impressed, and it showed in her face as she shook his hand. "That's cool. Y'all have a fun mutation! And you're furry.....wait, that was kinda rude, huh?"

Kurt laughed. "Not from you, I promise. I never take such comments badly unless they are meant badly."

"Okay good." It seemed she hadn't outgrown saying the first thing that came to mind, if he was taking it in stride. Or maybe they were just close. She had no idea. The smell of sulfur was vaguely familiar though. She wished again for the millionth time that Logan's memories would open up and let her know more about herself. "Ah guess y'all don't feel the cold then, if you're hangin' up in trees....what do you do heah? Ah'm re-learnin' everythin' these days..."

"I teach dance", he said easily. "Mostly, although Jennie Stavros also does now. Also gymnastics and the two languages I learned before English, for those who are interested."

"Dance?" She had to giggle at that. "Gymnastics, Ah can believe, but dance? Really? Ah guess ya'd be pretty light on your feet." Rogue attempted a twirl, and almost tripped on a tree root. "That's about as fancy as Ah can get. Got no grace at all."

"You just have yet to find the right dance for you", Kurt countered. "Everyone has at least one that suits them."

"Ah was pretty good at the Macarena," she piped up. "But that probably didn't last long."

"...perhaps something similar", he said diplomatically. "But the Macarena is banned from this house."

Rogue gave a sigh. "Jus' mah luck. Ah guess Ah got no moves in me here than." She perked up a little. "But Ah can fly! Apparently..." She gave him a sheepish look. "Ah ain't very good at it though."

"Well, that only takes practice." He grinned. "One day, I expect you to take me flying."

"Ya mean ta say that Ah haven't already?". She put her hands on her hips and shook her head. "Well ain't that a cryin' shame. An' we been friends for how long? Goodness sakes."

"Oh, many years. But you spent quite some time away from the mansion, for various reasons - somehow, the chance just never arose."

"Huh. If that don't beat all," she mused, biting lightly on the corner of her lip. " Well. We jus' gotta remedy that then. When Ah get better control of it." Rogue shrugged. "Now, ain't ya cold? Ya might have fur all over ya, but Ah sure don't." She motioned her head towards the house. "How bout we go in, an' ya can tell me more about us?"

"Of course." He offered her his arm, the gesture unconsciously brotherly. "We cannot have you getting ill, and I will tell you everything you wish to hear."

Rogue smiled widely, and took his arm. "Well, ain't you a proper gentleman. Ah bet ya get lots of pretty girls to smile with that attitude."

"Getting pretty girls to smile is a hobby of mine", he said with a grin. "Even if my heart belongs to one."

There was this inherent sense of comfort with him, like she'd known him for a long time. It was a nice feeling.

Rogue cocked an eyebrow. "Well then. Ah'd love ta hear all 'bout it. Start at the beginning and don't skip nothin'!"