Chapter Text
"So... what's it like...?"
Scott Summers looked over at Rogue, eyebrows lifting slightly above his red shades. "What's... what like?"
Rogue sighed. "...Being able to control it." She tapped her own temple with two fingers.
Scott chuckled wryly. "I... can't really control my powers yet... That's why I have to wear these shades. They control my powers, not me. Just like your gloves do for you."
Rogue's shoulders lifted slightly in a delicate shrug as she looked away, staring blankly into the distance. "...Least you can still see things. Me? I haven't been able to feel anything... anyone, ever since... before." She sighed. "Not like when I take someone's abilities. That doesn't really count. I can't really feel them, just the flood of memories and powers..." Her gaze shifted down slightly. "...Never thought I'd miss it so much. I wasn't ever really social, ya might say." Gray eyes closed, Rogue's purple-shadowed eyelids blocking her somber gaze. "What I wouldn't give to... go back. Try it again. I'd do so much different."
Scott turned slightly away, but his eyes kept focused on Rogue. "I... know what you mean..." His mouth turned up at the side. "But I've gotten really good at showering without even once opening my eyes."
"Okay, I so didn't need to hear that, Scott," Rogue said with a slight laugh.
Scott smiled more. "Really, it's not that hard. Once your eyes are closed for a while, you can feel, hear, smell, even sense things around you a lot better."
"Oh, really? Ya sure it ain't just you, Laze Gaze?"
"Try it. Close your eyes."
"Why? What're ya gonna do?"
"Don't worry. You trust me, right?"
"Well, yeah, but that's..."
"Then just close your eyes. No pressure. You can open them back up whenever you want."
Rogue's cheeks warmed slightly. "...Fine." Her eyes closed slowly.
"Now, just relax."
She nodded slightly, taking deep breaths, and jumped a little when something touched the middle of her back through her shirts.
"Whoa, easy." Scott moved his knuckles against her back, massaging softly. "Relax. Just focus on the sensation."
Rogue nodded again, feeling his hands massage her back, starting near the middle by her spine and working outward slowly until his fingers were on her sides, under her arms.
"Gettin' mighty close ta somethin' there, Scott," she whispered breathily as his fingertips lightly brushed the outer curves of her breasts.
"Oh. Sorry."
Rogue sighed slightly as his fingers retreated to her back once again.
"...You're tense again," he stated softly after a few moments.
"So? I'm thinkin' a lot, so sue me," Rogue retorted defensively.
"About what?"
"You, if you must know," she said with a slight snap to her voice.
"You want me to stop?"
"I never said that," she said immediately.
A slight chuckle escaped Scott. "Then what would you like?"
Rogue's heart pounded. "I wasn't mindin'... what y'all were doin' just there."
Scott's hands moved to Rogue's sides again. "...This?"
"Y...yeah. That..."
"And... here...?" Scott asked as his fingertips brushed Rogue's breasts again. Even through the layers of clothing, his touch was like a soft shock of electricity.
"Y...yeah... That's real... relaxing..."
"Should I... continue?" he asked as his fingers followed her ribs under her breasts, cupping slightly as his thumbs moved in.
"If... ya want..."
Scott continued stroking, caressing slowly as Rogue's breaths started to become shallow and uneven.
"Scott..." Rogue whispered softly.
"Yes?"
"D...don't stop..." Gloved hands reached up and back to run through the soft brown locks of Scott's hair, strands whispering over the backs of Rogue's hands through the openings in the backs of her gloves. Her hands trailed lower gradually, her back arching slightly as her gloved fingers stroked the sides of his neck.
Scott's hands gripped both of her breasts solidly, drawing a breathy gasp from her. Her fingers curled into the collar of his shirt as she whispered his name again.
All at once, his hands were still and loose. "...I'm sorry, Rogue..." he whispered sadly as he drew his hands away.
Rogue's eyes snapped open and she released his shirt. "...What? Why?" she asked as she turned to look at him, their faces only a few breaths apart, yet separated by much, much more.
"This won't work..."
"What won't?" Rogue demanded softly, gloved hand touching his cheek.
"...Us. I'm sorry."
"What? But... but, why? Scott, we could... find a way...!"
Scott looked away, brows furrowed. "No... There is no way. I'm sorry..." He took hold of her wrist gently and lowered it away from his face.
"Scott... Please, wait," Rogue begged as he stood and turned away. "Scott, don't go... Please... I love you!"
Scott turned back around slowly, expression unreadable as he lowered down on his haunches. "Rogue..." He sighed and took her hand and brushed his thumb against the back of her hand.
A flood of Scott's memories filled Rogue's mind, all images of Jean. Jean from his perspective. It was how he saw her, and how he felt about her. Rogue couldn't breathe under the flood of emotions, all directed to Jean. Not to her.
"I'm sorry, but... I don't..."