Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Rouge leaned against Remy grinning up at the big building. Remy wrapped his arm around her, leaning his head on hers. It was an old building. A little worn down from time. Loaded with history. Just like them.

“We’re really doin’ dis sugah?” She said breathlessly

He laughed, voice tinkling with mirth, “Of course ma cherie. Or should I say Mrs. Le Beau?”

Rouge rolled her eyes, “Sugah if anyone would be takin’ Ah name it would be you.”

She instantly regretted saying anything at his black and red eyes lit up with excitement.

“Mr. Reed. Mr. Rouge. Mr. Anna Marie,” He said eyes widening with each option

Rouge squeezed him with the arm she had around his waist, “How ‘bout we just say mine?”

He looked down at her smirking, leaning in for a kiss, “As you wish my wife. As you wish.”

“Shut up and kiss me Cajun,” She said

And he happily obliged.

Chapter Text

Rouge was tired. She laid down on the roof, feeling the cool breeze on her skin. It was a lotta work, she had to admit. But it wasn’t nothing she didn’t think they wouldn’t have to be doing already. The building needed a whole lotta love, and so did her muscles after todays work.

“Chere? You up here?” Remy’s voice said coming up from the stairs

“Yeah Sugah’,” She said, “Ah’ up here.”

She looked up at the stars as Remy laid down next to here, his hand intertwined with hers. It was nice. God it was perfect. The feeling of touching him. Touching anyone.

He smiled softly at her, “I figured you be up here. Just like da days at de mansion.”

She laughed, memories of stolen glances and gloved embraces flying through her head. Teenage romance. Teen fights. Training. Layers of fabric seperating skin.

She looked over at him, amazed at how far they had come.

Jesus, he’s her husband.

She’s a wife.

His wife.

Remy’s wife.

She grinned.

She liked-no-loved the sound of that.

“What’s got you smiling like dat chere?” He said

Rouge curled into his side, eyes up at the stars.

“Just happy, Dark eyes,” She whispered, “Just happy.”

Chapter Text

Rouge paused sweeping, brushing off the sweat and hair stuck to her forehead. Jesus. She needed to ask Remy when the air conditionin’ people were coming.

There was a knocking at the big front doors as they opened without invation. Rouge frowned. Did Remy schedule a handy man for today? She had thought that was tomorrow.

“Kid? Cajun?” An all too familiar voice said

Rouge brightened grinning, dropping the broom and barreling into the figure, “Logan what the hell are you doin’ here?”

He rolled his eyes squeezing her tightly before pulling away, “Slim mentioned your little project. Figured I’d stop by and make sure that Cajun hasn’t fucked any shit up yet.”

Rouge snorted, slapping his shoulder, “Be nice to ‘im. That’s ma husband now Wolvie.”

Logan grunted, “Where is the Cajun anyway?”

Rouge walked back to her broom, picking it up, “Ah that Swamp rat ran up to the store. We needed some food for back at the apartment.”

Logan picked up a broom that was leaning against one of the walls, “He been treating you good?”

Rouge laughed, “You know damn well he does Lo’.”

Logan grunted.

She fondly rolled her eyes, “One of these days he’s gonna take offense of your questionin’.”

Logan snorted, “That idiot takes pride in me not trusting him.”

He wasn’t wrong. Remy loved to mess with Logan. It was always the best part of his day if he found out Logan was worried about what Remy would do. Rouge blamed the guild for that attitude.

“Chere, is dat’ Scott’s bike out fro-” Remy said walking inside, “Logan!”

Rouge smiled as Remy sat down the paper bags from the store on one of the tables and hugged Logan, who was far less accepting hugging him than he hugged her.

Logan growled as Remy ruffled his hair, towering over him with his height. Remy laughed at the bare teeth, walking over to Rouge and pecking her on the cheek.

She grinned up at him as he wrapped his hand around her waist. God she never thought she could have such casual touch. She needed to thank Hank again. Maybe buy him some fancy tech again.

“Whatcha’ doin’ round de parts mon ami?” Remy asked Logan, “You come all dis way to see me? Ami, Gambit is honored.” 

Logan scowled, “Idjiot. I came to check up on Rouge.”

Remy nodded, clearly not believing him. He looked down at Rouge, smirking and she knew his dark eyes behind the sunglasses he wore in public were sparking with chaos as always.

“Aw chere, Wolvie here he came to see you, “ He said feigning hurt, “Gambit knows you’re Logan’s favorite, but I gotta admitt it hurt.”

Remy ducked a piece of scrap wood being thrown at his head, laughing doubling over.

“Shut up cajun.”

Rouge grinned at them as they bickered, smiling so happily it made her face hurt.

This place was gonna be amazing. She just knew it. It would be loved. Filled with memories. Filled with laughter and friends.

She couldn’t wait.

Chapter Text

Remy hummed some french song as he cooked dinner. Rouge smiled as she set the table for the two of them.

“Aw sugah, baby sugah wants somethin’ of whatcha cookin’,” Rouge said pointing to the orange furball circling her husbands feet

He sighed dramatically looking down at his cat, “Gambit just fed you Lucifer.”

Rouge whistled softly, clicking her tounge and tapping on the dining room table chair. Lucifer’s little head whipped towards her and jumped up on the chair, purring and wanting not only attention but more food.

She scooped him up, finger scratching under his chin. She had always wanted a cat. But her uncle back in Mississippi was allergic. And there weren’t animals allowed in the Brotherhood, and when she left shortly after joining, she had been too afraid to even be near an animal let alone have one. And with the mansion, she was too busy avoiding brushing against people in crowded hallways.

Rouge fake whispered to the kitty, “Ah’ll sneak you some after ah’ promise baby sugah.”

Remy snorted, placing the food on the table, “Some days I swear you like dat cat more den me, chere.”

Rouge clutched Lucifer closer to her chest, “Ah I refuse to listen to such slander Dark eyes. Oliver is mah favorite.”

As if understanding Rouge’s words, Lucifer meowed and pushed out of her arms, chasing after Oliver shaped blur running through the living room. 

 Remy laughed as Rouge pouted. He kissed her temple as he walked by her to slide out her chair for her.

“Ah love ya’ swamp rat,” She said

He smiled, cheeks pink, “Love you more Anna Marie.”

Chapter Text

It was late. Or maybe it was early. It was the moment where night and morning blend, stars outside shining, moonlight filtering through the floor to celling ornate windows. They had stayed all day working on the place, just the two of them.  

Music filtered out of the old record player they had found in one of the broom closets. The dusty records with it had made Remy squeal with excitement, and promptly get it working and drag Rouge to the middle of the future live music stage, spinning her around. 

It was an old song, Rouge could tell, and in french. But it was beauiful.  

Rouge had long ago started separating her life as, before her powers and after being on the run. She never had moments. Moments where everything was perfect, a moment where she knew she would remember it forever. That was until she met Remy.  

This was one of those moments.  

She laughed, voice echoing in the high ceilings as he spun her around in the moonlight.  

“Dis place is gonna be wonderful chere,” He said pulling her close swaying to the music  

She nodded, humming softky, resting her head against his chest.  

“We’ll have da live music here every night,” He said, “Playin’ real music.” 

Rouge chuckled, “Of course.”  

“We’ll have a few card tables,” He said nodding over to the small section of the main room that had a fancy wood carved portioning wall, “Gambit promises not to cheat.”  

Rouge smiled.  

“We’ll serve da best food. French, cajun, and southern style,” He says, “We can both cook. Make de menus. Serve em’ all fancy and with waiters.”  

She could see it all. The place wasn’t ready yet. But she could swear she could hear the sounds of their friends talking and eating, the music playing, and the sounds of cards being shuffled.  

“Maybe even Gambit can convince you to get up here and sing,” Remy said looking down at her  

“Maybe,” She teases in return, “And maybe ah’ can get you to wear one of ya’ fancy suits.”  

He grinned down at her, his dark eyes reflecting the moonlight perfectly. She wondered how anyone could think he had demon eyes.  

“You know dis thief would wear anyting’ for you ma belle.”  

She stopped swaying, kissing him. The music kept playing. The moon kept shining. The stars kept burning.   

There wasn’t any before. Nor an after.  

Not with him.  

There was just love. Perfect and untouchable, undeniable, love.  

Chapter Text

Rouge?” A voice said from up front

“Anna?” Another said

Her head popped up from behind the kitchen prep table, “Ah’m back here!”

Rouge stood up, slipping slightly on the freshly scrubbed floors. She sighed tiredly, she had a lotta more work to do on these floors. She peeled off her bright yellow cleaning gloves, wiping off the bubble suds from her tied up button shirt.

Two heads peaked into the kitchen, making Rouge grin.

“Scott! Jean!” She said stepping carefully over her bucket and sponge hugging them each briefly

They smiled at her.

“You two lovebirds lookin’ for Lo’?” Rouge asked walking past them to behind the bar, pulling a soda out of the small fridge that she had gotten working

Jean and Scott both sat on the old stools at the bar.

Jean shook her head, “We figured he would be around here, but we wanted to check up on you guys, see if we could help any.”

Rouge raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of the cold coke, “Ya’ sure you ain’t coming to check on ya’ favorite students?”

Scott laughed, easily catching the coke she slid towards him, “Please. If anything I’m glad you two are on your own. You know how many things your husband blew up in the mansion?”

Rouge snorted, handing a coke to a smiling Jean, “Oh trust me ah’ know.”

“You weren’t much better if I remember Miss Reed,” She said pointily, “I remember you blowing things up with his power just as much as him.”

She laughed, “Point. Point. But ah’ never did it on purpose. His and,” Rouge motioned towards Scott, “Yours, were a pain in mah ass to try an’ control.”

Jean and Scott both chuckled.

“We do miss you though kiddo,” Scott said, “Danger Room training isn’t the same without you and Remy.”

She preened, “What y’all miss the challenge?”

Jean rolled her eyes.

“We plan on vistin’ a whole lot more once we get this place up an’ runnin’,” She promised them, “We miss the trainin’ and missions a bit too.”

Scott nodded, “If you’re ever up for a mission, you know we would always love the help.”

Rouge smiled thankfully, “Thanks sugah. You know we both get without an’ outlet.”

Jean snorted, “Oh trust me we know. Remember when you were out of commission for a week to heal your arm?”

“Oh? Whats dis I hear?” Remy said walking out from behind the stage curtains covered in dust, “Gambit sensing a story.”

Rouge blushed, remembering damn well what had happened that week. Remy greeted Scott and Jean, stepping behind the bar next to her, and getting his own cold soda.  

Jean sighed dramatically, “I remember it so well. Remy had come back from a mission, fretting over you before the Professor sent him back out.”

Rouge sunk her face into her hands leaning against the bar.

“Please ah’ beg you,” She said knowing it would be useless

“S’il vous plait, continuez,” Remy said grinning asking them to continue

Scott had the audacity to laugh, “It was three am. Me and Jeanie were dead asleep.”

Jean nodded, “And all of a sudden our door bursts open.”

Remy leaned forward in anticipation. Rouge shook her head in her hands.

“Scott had his visor on and was ready to blast whatever the hell it was,” Jean said, “And it was just a very very frantic looking Rouge.”

Rouge wanted to die. Remy was supposed to never know about this.

“Jean tried to figure out what was wrong but all Rouge was doing mumbling and pacing,” Scott said taking a sip from his drink, “Both of us confused because if something was wrong most of the time she went to Logan.”

Jean shook her head chuckling, “Poor Scott was so confused. And when I finally got her to calm down, all she did was look me dead in the eyes and said ‘I like him. I like the idiot cajun. And he can never now.’”  

Remy gasped excitedly, “Chere! I remember dat day! You beat the crap outta Gambit de next day. And,” He said the next part excitedly, “You liked me.”

Rouge raised her head to glare at Jean and Scott, both of which had their lips pursed, eyes alight with mirth, shoulders shaking as they tried not to laugh.

Rouge then turned to glare at Remy who’s smile was stretching from one ear to another.

“You, Chere, ma belle, Rouge, Anna Marie, liked me?” He said in disbelief

Scott, the traitor, spoke up, “Wasn’t that like...almost a year before you two even tried dating?”

Jean, also a traitor, agreed, “It was my husband. It was indeed.”

Remy whispered, “You liked me.”

Rouge rolled her eyes, face flushed red, “Shut up Dark eyes.”

Remy grabbed her hip, kissing her red cheek.

“You like me.”

Rouge snorted, “Ah’ wouldna married you if ah didn’t.”

Remy smirked, “Well chere, a secret for a secret. That day in da danger room, dis thief realized he loved you.”

Rouge grinned, “You love me.”

He briefly kissed her and her heart bursted with absolute love and warmth. God she loved this man. Idiot.

Remy grinned, blowing her a kiss as he walked out of behind the bar, “I gotta get back to de work. Wonderful seein’ Jean, Scott. Merci for dat story.”

“Oh wait! Sugah, you know where Logan is?” Rouge asked as he paused in front in the door, turning around eyebrows furrowed

“Ouias,” He said, “He’s out pickin up us some lunch.”

Rouge nodded, “Alright. Thank ya’ sugah!”

He grinned, walking through the door to backstage, back to working.

The second he was gone, Rouge turned her glare on Jean and Scott.

“Really?” She demanded, “Really?”

Jean laughed around her soda, and as Scott chuckled, he still paled nervously.

“Ah’ have two more sponges, if ya gonna drink ma drinks and spill mah secrets, ya can help mah clean,” She said walking to the kitchen motioning

“Damn it,” Scott whispered dejectedly

Rouge smirked as she walked away and heard them follow.