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The kitchen was warm that late Saturday evening. The scent of coffee and cheesecake lingered in the air as Ororo stood by the island, serene as ever, slicing fruit with elegant precision. Jean cut some slices of cheesecake, and across the room, Jubilee sat at the table with her chin in her hands while watching her favorite television show.
Then, they heard the front door click shut and echoes of heavy footsteps carried down the hall.
Rogue shuffled into the kitchen, boots heavy, jacket half off one shoulder. Her hair was a bit windswept, her eyeshadow a bit smudged like her lipstick, and she released a dramatic sigh.
Ororo arched a graceful brow, a warm smile curving her elegant features. “Our Southern Belle has returned tonight.”
Jean smiled gently with amusement. “Welcome back. How did the date with Remy go?”
Jubilee shot upright in her seat so fast her chair squeaked. “Don’t leave us hanging! You gotta tell us everything.”
Rogue dropped into a chair like she had just lost a battle instead of a restaurant. She dragged a hand down her face, shoulders slumping. Every line of her posture screamed defeat.
“It was a disaster.” She muttured, her accent thick with irritation. “Ah don’t even know why Ah bother with him.”
Jubilee winced. “Yikes! That bad? What did he do?”
“Dinner was fine.” Rogue admitted, waving a hand dismissively. “Charming, sweet-talkin', holdin’ doors open like he’s auditionin’ for Gentleman of the Year. Ah should’ve knwon it was too smooth.” She leaned back and crossed her arms. “It’s when he asked me to come over to his place that everythin’ went downhill.”
Ororo and Jean exchanged a look. The kind of look that required no words. Ororo’s brow lifted ever so slightly. Jean’s lips pressed into a thin, understanding line. Knowing where this story might go, they were quick in serving tea for everyone.
Jubilee, on the other hand, looked between them. “What? What kind of ‘come over’ are we talking about?”
Rogue groaned and dropped her head onto the table with a soft thunk. “The kind where he tries to sound casual about it. ‘No pressure, chere.’” She mimicked in a low Cajun drawl. “‘Just thought we could talk somewhere more...private.’”
Jean folded her arms. “And how did you respond?”
Rogue lifted her head, her cheeks faintly pink but eyes blazing red. “Ah told him Ah don’t do ‘private’ like that. Ah’m not that time of gal. He got this look like he thought he could charm his way around it.”
“And you were right to set your boundary.” Ororo’s voice was calm but firm, offering her friend a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“Yeah! I mean if he or any guy can’t hand that, that’s on him.” Jubilee chimed in, her tone more serious.
Rogue sighed, some of the fire draining out of her. “Ah just... Ah just wanted one normal date. One. But with Remy, it’s always a gamble.”
“Then what happened after you told him no?” Jean asked gently, pulling up a chair and sat beside her.
Rogue let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Oh! Like all men, he wasn’t all too happy he got rejected.” She threw her hands up in disbelief. “You know what that stupid Cajun said? He said, “Then I’m not going to pay for dinner.’”
Jubilee gasped upon hearing this. “He did not.”
“He did. Said it all smooth too. Like he thought he was makin’ some grand point.” She sat up straight, her eyes flashing. “All of this was his idea. He picked the place, he ordered the wine, he insisted Ah try that overpriced dessert and then he had the audacity to say we were goin’ fifty-fifty.”
Ororo's expression cooled several degrees, though her tone remained composed. “So, he attempted to punish you for declining his invitation. Humph! Audacity indeed.”
“Exactly!” She snapped her fingers. “Like dinner was some kinda down payment.”
Jean's eyes hardened. “That’s not how consent works.”
“Thank you!” Rogue muttered, slumping again. “Ah don’t mind payin’ my way. That ain’t the issue. It's the principle of it.” She crossed her arms tightly. “Don’t treat me to a nice evenin’ out and then turn it into a transaction.”
“Wow. Romantic.” Jubilee shook her head.
“Oh, and it gets better. When the waiter came back, Remy just leaned back in his chair and smiled at me like he was waitin’ for me to cave in.”
“And I assume you did not.” Ororo’s eyes flashed faintly.
“Ah didn’t pay.” She saw her girlfriends sighing in relief and nodding their heads in approving agreement. Until she threw a surprise at them. “Because the waiter said someone paid for my portion of the bill.”
There was a moment of silence in the kitchen. Ororo blinked. Jean frowned. Jubilee's mouth fell open.
“What?!” Jubilee nearly shrieked, finding the story has now become very interesting.
Jean straightened in her chair. “Who would---?”
“That’s what Ah asked.” Rogue continued, leaning forward as the memory replayed in her mind. “The waiter smiled and said that the gentleman from a table not far from us just covered my check.”
“Not far from you?” Jean’s eyes widened slightly.
“Yeah.” Rogue nodded. “Couple tables over. Said he’d been there most of the evenin’.”
“So, he was watching the whole time?!” Jubilee gasped.
“Apparently. The waiter said he told him, and Ah quote, ‘The lady shouldn’t have to pay for a boy’s poor manners.’”
Ororo's lips curved, approval shining in her eyes. “How gallant.”
“But did you see him?” Jean asked, her head tilted.
Rogue hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Ah did when Ah turned around. He seemed quite tall. Dressed in a well-tailored suit. Didn't look smug about it either.”
Ororo folded her hands neatly on the counter, amused by the story. “And how did Remy react to this intervention?”
Rogue smirked despite herself. “Like someone had just called his bluff in the middle of a poker game. He tried to laugh it off, but Ah could tell it got under his skin.”
Jean smiled knowingly. “Perhaps he needed the reminder of how not to treat his date.”
Rogue leaned back in her chair with her arms crossed again but not defensively. “Well, Ah’d had enough of Remy, so Ah just got up and left the table...” She paused, letting the suspense hang for a beat before spilling the beans. “Only for me to then walk right up to the guy’s table.”
“Rogue!” The women gasped and already they scooted closer to her, surprised and curious altogether.
“Then what happened?” Jubilee asked, chin resting on her hands, and her eyes wide with curiosity.
Rogue’s fingers rubbed together idly, but her pulse betrayed her calm. This part of the story had her feeling every bit of it.
“Well, Ah thanked him for payin’ my portion of the bill. Somethin’ he didn’t need to do. He brushed it off kindly, like he didn’t mind.” She shrugged, but the heat on her cheeks betrayed her. “Then, as a joke, Ah told him if he was gonna keep starin’ at me all night, he might as well buy me a drink.”
“Oh Rogue! I can’t believe you said that to him.” Jean gasped, her eyes widening in shock. “Why do something like that? Now he probably thinks you’re teasing him or worse, encouraging him.”
Rogue hesitated, her fingers twisting a loose strand of hair. “Well... he didn’t laugh it off like Ah expected. He just... looked at me. And then he raised an eyebrow and suddenly gave me this unexpectedly charming smile and asked me what’s my favorite drink so he could order it for me.”
“O.M.G! Rogue!” Jubilee gasped and nearly squealed upon hearing this, a smile widening her youthful features. “Ohhh, this is so cute! Did you tell him your favorite drink?”
Rogue hesitated until she released a defeated sigh. “Ah did...”
Jubilee’s eyes practically sparkled with glee. “And?”
Rogue’s cheeks warmed as she looked down, twisting the strand of hair in her fingers again. “Ah told him and... he smiled, and he said he’d order it for me.”
Jubilee practically jumped out of her seat, her excitement spilling over. “He said he’d order it for you?! Rogue, that’s like straight out of a movie! Sounds like he’s totally into you!”
“Now, Jubilee, we do not know that.” Ororo intervened in the conversation. Her eyes were soft when she looked between Jubilee and Rogue, her voice calm but firm. “We must be careful not to jump to conclusions. Courtesy does not always hide intent, but it also does not confirm it.”
Rogue leaned back slightly, her arms folded over her chest as a small smile tugged at her lips. “Ah’ll just say this to end the speculation. He was a perfect gentleman. Never crossed a line, never made me feel uncomfortable. Polite, attentive, and respectful.”
“So, definitely not a Remy LeBeau type then.” Jean teased, her grin warm and friendly. The light teasing drew a soft laugh from Jubilee, and even Rogue couldn’t help the smirk that followed.
“No. No, definitely not the Remy sort of guy.” Rogue said, shaking her head. “He seemed so far from it. Polite, steady, and most definitely mature. He gave me the impression of the kind of man who doesn’t need flashy charm to get attention. The kind that doesn’t have to try.”
“Ohhh. So, he’s like a man man.” Jubilee smirked once she leaned forward against the table.
Rogue’s smile deepened despite herself before softly admitting to them and to herself above all else. “Yeah... somethin’ like that.”
“So, that meant he bought you a drink then.” Ororo observed, a knowing warmth in her smile.
Rogue huffed softly through her nose, trying and failing to appear unaffected. “He did... and dessert.” She admitted, feeling the warmth creeping up towards her neck. “He kindly offered and... well, Ah couldn’t exactly say no to that. Or his... enjoyable company.”
“Dessert? Now that’s advanced-level gentleman behavior right there.” Jubilee’s smile widened at the subtle hesitation and her eyes lit up like fireworks. “What kind of dessert?”
Rogue glanced at her, biting her lower lips gently before a sheepish grin broke through. “Chocolate soufflé.”
Jubilee gasped and grinned. “Ohhhh, that’s serious. That was not just dessert. That was an investment.”
Ororo’s laughter was soft but approving. “It seems that he understands the art of patience. A soufflé requires care. Thirty to forty-five minutes to prepare properly before it even reaches the oven. One must not rush it. And it seems he was in no rush at all.”
Jean tilted her head thoughtfully. “So, this man was willing to sit there and wait with you?”
Rogue's expression softened at the memory. She could still see him sitting across from her so calmly, a glass of merlot resting loosely in his hand. Those intense blue eyes had been striking, yes. But it was the gentleness in them that lingered. Steady. Attentive. Present.
“He didn’t even glance at his watch the entire time. Just kept talkin’ and asked questions. Actually waited for the answers and listened.” A small smile touched her lips. “Like there wasn’t anywhere else he’d rather be.”
Jubilee pressed a hand dramatically to her chest. “Okay. That’s it. He's officially a man man.”
Rogue rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t stop the warmth creeping into her voice. “It was just dessert.”
Ororo's knowing smile lingered. “Sometimes it is never just dessert. It’s possible he might have been interested.”
“Sounds like it.” Jubilee chimed in. “Especially since your date with Remy flopped big time.”
Jean winced softly and glanced at the eighteen-year-old girl. “Jubilee...”
“What?” Jubilee shrugged unapologetically. “It’s true.”
Rogue let out a long breath through her nose, somewhere between a sigh and a laugh. “That was one bad date.” She muttered, though there was a distance in her tone. Almost as though realization was settling in. “Remy’s... just Remy.”
Ororo tilted her head slightly. “And this man?”
“He wasn’t tryin’ to impress me.” She admitted, her expression less defensive now and more contemplative. “Didn’t flirt just to hear himself talk. Didn't make everything a performance. He was normal. Natural, even. Like Ah could actually have a real, mature conversation with someone.”
“Okay, yeah. That’s way better.” Jubilee sincerely grinned.
“Wait!” Jean straightened slightly, concern ringing through her voice. “I just realized. You left here with Remy. How did you get back home without a car?”
“Oh, he offered me a ride.” She simply said with such obviousness.
“He drove you home?” Jean’s eyes widened.
Ororo’s brows lifted slightly, not disapproving but attentive. “You accepted?”
Rogue shifted in her seat as she became aware of how this sounded before admitting the truth. “Ah did. We chatted some more on the way here. He even walked me to the door too. Didn't try nothin’. Just wanted to make sure Ah got inside safely... and we kept on chatting.”
“Wait. You mean this entire time you were at the door with him?” Jubilee gasped before reaching for her phone. “I have got to check the security footage.”
“Jubilee, please.” Ororo softly but firmly called her out.
“And you felt comfortable?” Jean asked, her worry easing a bit.
“Yeah. Ah did.” Rogue nodded without hesitation. Then a softer note slipped into her tone. “He didn’t make it weird like how Remy often does. Just... steady. He even asked if Ah’d like to do it again sometime.”
Jubilee ignored her phone when she heard this and leaned forward eagerly. “And?”
Rogue’s lips curved into a smile despite herself, feeling a bit giddy beneath her usual composure. “Ah said yes. Gave him my phone to stay in touch.”
Ororo's smile returned. “Then perhaps it truly was more than just dessert.”
“Ah guess so.” Rogue drummed her fingers against the table until she rose from her seat and crossed toward the refrigerator. “Well, just to let y’all know Ah’m turnin’ in. Goin' out for brunch with him tomorrow.”
“Already? Wow!” Jubilee giggled, glancing back at her phone as she tapped through the security cameras with exaggerated curiosity. She just had to know what the guy looked like.
“Tomorrow?” Jean blinked in surprise. “That’s quite soon. Then he really did win over your attention and interest.”
Rogue pulled out a water bottle from the fridge and shut the door behind her. A smile tugged at her lips, betraying the lightness in her chest. “He didn’t try to. He just did.”
Ororo’s gaze softened and she nodded. “Then we will let you rest so you may be at your best for tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Ororo.” Rogue nodded, the smile still lingering as she makes her way of the kitchen. “Ah’ll see ya’ll in the mornin’.”
The three women watched Rogue until she disappeared from view, exchanging quiet smiles before returning to their own conversation. But Jubilee lingered, her curiosity getting the better of her. She tapped through the screen of her phone, checking the footage on the security camera at the front door, her eyes narrowing at the figure.
“Wait. I don’t get it.” She muttered, frowning at what she was watching.
“What is it?” Jean looked towards the girl, a brow raised.
Jubilee pointed at the screen. “Okay, so like Rogue said her date escorted her to the door and they chatted... but all I’m seeing is some old guy with her.”
Ororo and Jean exchanged a glance, then stepped closer to look over Jubilee’s shoulder. The image confirmed it: an older gentleman stood beside Rogue, his posture relaxed, a polite smile on her face as he engaged with her and Rogue appeared calm and comfortable around him, freely smiling and giggling at whatever he might have said to amuse her.
“Oh, Ah also forgot to mention two other details about him.”
Ororo, Jean, and Jubilee nearly jumped, spinning around at the familiar voice. Rogue leaned against the doorway, a playful glint in her eyes, completely unfazed by the startle she had caused.
“His name is Erik,” she tilted her head slightly with a sheepish grin. “And my date is actually older than me. Like... decades older.”
The three women just stood there, blank-faced, their minds reeling as they processed this unexpected information.
“That’s it.” Rogue said, her tone was final and tinged with amusement. “That’s all you ladies needed to know. Night, ya’ll.”
Before anyone could even think to ask a follow-up question, she turned on her heel and strode down the hallway, her steps light with anticipation as she ascended the stairs to her bedroom, her thoughts already half consumed by Erik and the brunch that awaited her in the morning.