high_seas | La passion, la passion, how I love la passion

"Rogue!"

Namur had been wandering among the booths near the docks after catching himself some dinner, but the people had been a bit more aggressive than usual about kicking him out quickly, and for once he didn't feel inclined to fight them. He'd call it indifference, really, if indifference was a word that generally thrived in Namur's lexicon. In any case, Rogue's smell is a welcome change from the trails and scents of total strangers. He'd wanted a chance to meander the stalls and shops with her anyway, since her birthday had taken him by surprise and he hadn't been able to get her a present. Hell, he didn't even know what kinds of things she even liked. So this was perfect.

"What y' up to, sweetheart?"

"Nothin' much. Took your advice an' got some money for m'self."

She smiled a bit, easily falling into step with him. It was, actually, really simple to smile these days. Even Gambit had noticed it. But, well, the Spades made it easy. She felt at ease among them. Like what she could do wasn't anything that mattered. She had to be careful, but she didn't have to be afraid.

"Been kinda avoidin' the locals though. They don' seem t' know much 'bout keepin' their hands t' themselves."

Nothing offensive, not really. They'd all just been too friendly for her liking.

"Sheheheh! Ain't none a 'em darin' t' touch me with a ten-foot pole!" Namur laughed. "'S all good though. I hate fishin' poles. Poke me with one a them things, I'll snap the shitty rod in half."

He shuddered. Hooks, ugh. Hooks were evil.

"Keep sayin' some shit 'bout sunset an' smellin' all nervous. Anyway, wanted t' take y' 'round, see if there's somethin' y' like for yer birthday since I didn't grab y' nothin' at Deesuko. How 'bout it?"

"You don' gotta," she murmured, but she knew the Spades. He'd insist. So, she grinned all the same. "But I ain' sayin' no if y' wanna."

More stuff? She couldn't argue with that. Maybe a second pair of the gloves she'd tried on earlier. They weren't good for work on a ship -- too thin of material. But they'd be great if she ever needed to be dressed up for something.

His other remark, though... She shrugged her shoulders as they walked. "Maybe local superstition 'bout the dark? Seen 'em shooin' their kids inside."

"Oh they're doin' that shit t' y', too?" Namur was genuinely surprised. "But y' look 'zactly the same as any other human. Kelp for brains, all a 'em. Do the most weirdass shit an' pretend we're the ones that don't make sense. Dumbasses."

He rolled his eyes.

"Anyway, if we're gonna get y' somethin', guess we oughta get a move on. Wouldn't a offered if I didn't wanna." Namur smiled, then draped an arm over her shoulders, casual and brotherly. She needed to learn that she didn't need to flinch anytime someone touched her, and it was on them if they mucked it up.

"Maybe it's th' hair," Rogue offered, giving a grin. Okay, it might not have been a great joke, but it was an attempt at one. After all, it really was only her hair that made her look any different.

Not that these people seemed to need much encouragement.

Still, she didn't pull away from his arm. She might have tensed just a bit under it, but she let it remain. The casual affection was something she'd have to get herself used to, and she was trying. It wasn't so bad. Just... still kind of new.

"Saw some real nice white gloves. Ain' too much, either."

"Well, shit, let's go get 'em!"

And maybe another collar necklace besides, since she seemed to like those. He let her lead the way, made the purchase quickly. Namur overheard the shop owner trying to discretely ask Rogue if she was sure she wanted to be walking around after dark with a monster, but figured it would be better to tune out her response. A few minutes later he turns, a different necklace in each hand.

"Either a these suit yer fancy? Or is it all leather an' metal for y'?"

Rogue didn't bat an eye, instead offering the woman a wide-eyed look. "I think, ma'am, if I'm safe with anyone, it's with my brother." And, yes, she said it with a completely straight face, almost scandalized that anything would be said like that.

It wasn't that much of a lie. After all, her brother was blue and fuzzy and probably looked as much like a monster as Namur did to people.

But when he talks to her, her attention focuses entirely on him, and she flits over quickly. "They're both great." He had an eye, that was for sure. "Think I like this one best," she decided, tapping the hand holding one of the necklaces.

That response only made the woman scrutinize Rogue even more, and for a moment it looked like she might say something, but she only closed her mouth long enough for the subject to drop, then offer to help Rogue find anything if she needed.

Namur smirked, setting the quarter-moon necklace aside and unclasping the knotted lace one, holding it out for her to fit around her neck. "Got a elegant side t' y', huh? Sheheheheh!" His smile gets a little distant for a moment, but then he shakes his head and all of his attention is on Rogue again. "C'mon, gave that lady 'nuff for the gloves t' cover the necklace an' then some, so let's get outta here, huh?"

"Sounds great. Let's get goin'."

Anything to get away from the looks they were getting here. But she smiled easily enough, walking alongside him out of the store. A few steps more, and she smiled just a little.

"Hey, look." She nodded to a plant not far from the roadside. The flower -- a strange mix of orange and pink -- was beginning to open. "I've heard about plants that bloom at night. Ain' ever seen one."

The smell, though. It was divine. And, well.

Rogue reached up to undo the choker around her neck, taking off the leather. She used one hand to fold it up and shove it into her pocket while the other held up her hair.

"Careful 'bout it, but help me put that new one on."

The flower was definitely a nice change of pace. It didn't look anything at all like a naughty bit, male or female. At least not overtly. But indeed, the smell. Few things gave Namur the kind of high he was getting from the smell of that flower. It was like... Like the smell of a satisfied, exhausted girl curling up afterward.

Potential stared him in the face.

The way that little piece of hair fell over her nose was seriously hot, how had he never noticed that before? And the curve of her neck, usually covered up. He could totally make those little bumps rise up if he wanted to.

Namur blinked and blew out a quick breath of air, trying to clear his mind. "Uhhh."

Smooth as a damn sea urchin.

"Yeah, okay. I got it."

He crouched down next to her and managed, somehow, to not choke her as he slipped the stiffened lace around her throat and snapped the clasp. Namur couldn't help looking into her eyes as he did, then curiosity took hold, and no small measure of stupidity. She was so damn scared of people touching her. It wasn't like it'd kill him instantaneously, right? So as he pulled his hands away, he let his fingertips on one hand brush the line of her jaw, sliding down to her chin.

No one looked at her like that. Well, okay. Cody had. Sort of. Never with that same kind of confidence, though. He'd been so uncertain of himself the one time he'd actually talked to her. Which had been cute, actually. It'd convinced her to dance with him.

Scott sure didn't. He looked at Jean like that, though. Like he actually saw her. She wasn't a kid or a teammate. She actually mattered. And Gambit... He was just confusing.

So was Namur, in a way. Looking at her like that. No one looked at her like that. She was the little sister, the sulking misanthrope, the outsider. She was 'other,' even among her team. And to Gambit, well, she was the forbidden. He couldn't touch her on a good day, and she was on the opposite team. He was flirt, nothing more.

Rogue let out a slow, shuddering breath at the feel of his fingers on her face. The touch itself was small, yes, but anything was more than she was used to. Feeling the warmth of skin against skin, someone touching her. Feeling power and lifeforce flow from him into her. Trace memories, too, but under everything. The present was so alive in her mind and his, that stayed the focus of her thoughts, even as his joined them.

"Y' shouldn'..." she muttered under her breath, but there wasn't much conviction there.

"Shit!" Namur pulled his hand back quickly. "Sheheheh! That..." Tickled? Jolted? In any case he felt it through is whole body, the shock of it made him laugh.

"Surprised me, 's all. I'mma try it 'gain."

And he did, this time cupping her face in both of his hands, and moving in close to nudge their noses together. It's over too quickly, but this time he could feel his energy seeping away, his power... his Will. Namur leaned back, taking a deep breath. He closed his eyes, focusing on the inner voices of those around him, seeing the aura of every living thing even before he opened his eyes. It wasn't lost, exactly. But Rogue's looked enhanced. Shared, maybe? Was that a thing you could do with haki?

"Huh."

Namur picked the flower Rogue pointed out earlier, and slid it into her hair, grinning as he felt a little bit more energy flow as he brushed behind her ear.

"See? No need t' get yer fins in a fix. Ain't dead yet, an' I touched y', what, three times now? Sheheheheheh!"

"Y' ain't the smartest, are y'?"

The tone is light enough, playfully poking. Her smile, too, isn't quite hers. It's from something bigger than her, much more certain in its power and strength. A predator that couldn't be matched. A shark.

She laughed, a bit boisterous at first then slipping back into her own sound.

"Ain' got control of it," she murmured, almost bashfully. Because she really, really wanted to make sure he knew she wasn't making fun of how he talked. It just came through, the same as the energy and power flowing through her, accepting the hum of everything around her, new voices she hadn't heard before, different than the ones always muttering in her head. "I jus'..."

She smiled, reaching down to undo one of her gloves and slip it off. It felt foolish, but, well, he'd already done it, hadn't he? Why shouldn't she? Which might be his influence in her head talking. But she felt good. The smell of the flowers was so warm, inviting. It urged her not to worry about anything.

Rogue moved to run her fingers against the skin under his ear and above his gills.

"Most people're scared. 'Specially after they feel it once."

Namur leaned into her touch, oddly cat like. He was starting to get used to the feel, too. The way things sort of pulled towards her touch. Better than ever, he had an idea of the danger she could pose if she lost herself and ran him dry.

Namur always did like a little bit of danger, though. He's pretty dangerous, himself.

He grinned, and rushed forward, scooping her up in his arms.

"Figure it's best leavin' the smart shit t' the smartasses. 'S more fun bein' a dumbass anyway. Yer touch's somethin' differnt, that's for damn sure, but that don't mean it's bad. Let's go get lost for awhile, huh? Find some more a them flowers..." He leaned in close, breath flitting past her ear, and ran the hand not supporting her down her side to pinch at her hip. "Try a li'l more touchin'."

The yelp Rogue gave at being suddenly picked up was definitely undignified. She would later deny any such sound came out of her. But it gave way to laughter all the same.

"Long as you know any damage I do? Is your fault for suggestin' it." She's never really been playful about what her powers can do. The team treats it like a big deal, so she does. But she hadn't hurt him yet, and none of the Spades seemed to really act like it was something to be afraid of. Plus... Hell, with that scent in the air? And the cool night? She just felt good. Great, even. Like nothing else mattered.

"Then I think we can manage jus' fine."

Namur nipped at her ear with the ridge of his mouth, careful not to let his teeth snag her skin, then leaned his head back and tugged at a strand of her hair. Shit, he just wanted her to kiss him. It didn't even matter that they were in the middle of Nosytown and people in masks that looked like deep sea fish were starting to pass with more and more frequency, even stop and stare at them with big, bulbous glass eyes.

"Anyone ever told y' yer seriously hot?"

And he knocked himself out of it a little, just enough to blush profusely and set her back down on the ground.

"Shit, sweetheart, I dunno what's goin' on here, but the sharks is circlin' like they're gonna see some action. Y' okay with that or are y' more shy?"

"Closest I ever got t' a guy sayin' that t' me is somebody askin' me t' dance," Rogue said with a laugh as he put her down. She felt good. Like everything was right in the air and it was just that easy. Nothing else mattered, and even the people around them didn't matter. "An'... y'know... kinda put him in a coma for a couple days."

Though, well, guys...

"Other guy? I really like him. I mean, like. He's hot, he's sweet, he's funny. Great guy, right? Not only into another girl, but he looks right through me. Which just... Bad enough I can' even hope t' ever kiss him, but then I gotta watch another girl get t' do it? Sucks."

...And complaining about a guy probably wasn't the most attractive thing. But it wasn't like she normally got to say it. After all, she lived with the team. She couldn't whine about Scott and Jean to any of them. So, to make up for it, she sidled up close to him and smiled.

"Anyway. Let 'em stare. I don' much mind. An' sorry 'bout the complainin'."

"Naw sweetheart, I know the feelin'," Namur knelt on one knee beside her, pulling her close so he could run his fingers down her spine. "Someone else's turn t' watch y' gettin' all the attention t'night."

He slid his finger under her chin again, tilting it up so he could bite against the corner of her jaw and her throat. The hand that he'd slid down her spine didn't stop at the base, but dropped down to her butt and squeezed, drawing her closer against him so she could feel the way his hips rocked forward, just a little. Just testing the waters. To find out if she likes anything that he's doing. That damn flower smell sort of mucked things up but all he needed was a little reaction and he'd have her taste singled out.

And if she did like it?

Then the real fun could begin.

She wasn't hurting him. There was no reason to be worried. The warm scent of the flowers against the cool night air. It made her smile, wider than she usually did. Because for once in her life? She felt normal.

Like she could talk to a guy, have him touch her. No one got this close. She didn't let anyone get this close to her.

Eighteen, now, and no guy had ever really even made a pass at her. So this? This was new. And she felt it. Not only her own emotions and senses but his. His flowing through his skin, into hers, and wrapping her in them all.

Her reaction was hesitant. A slow rock forward as she ran her bare palm against the side of his face. She wasn't sure what to do, how exactly she should respond. It was new and entirely unfamiliar. But it wasn't unwelcome. As the quiet sound she made said clearly.

Namur felt his whole body go both warm and cold in turns as she pressed against him. He wrapped both of his arms around her middle, squeezing her tight for a moment. Then he caressed her back, ran his fingers over her hair and her lips, traced his thumb over her collarbone just below the necklace, all while continuing to nuzzle against the corner of her jaw.

Rogue shut her eyes. Memories and power and strength flowed through her. It was, really, difficult to tell where she ended and he began. And that wasn't a bad thing, not right now. It felt natural. It was, after all, what she could do. What she was. If he wasn't afraid of it, why should she be? Her lips passed over his skin, adding a point of contact, another way to draw the sensation into her more.

It was Namur's turn to voice his pleasure with a rumbling chuckle from deep in his chest. He leaned into her kiss, letting it hit his nerves that she was kissing him back. He didn't force it, didn't ask for it, even if the air was nearly buzzing around him because the smell was that thick. Humans didn't smell shit the same, right? So she probably didn't even notice.

Namur slid his hands down her body, one in front and one in back, pushing against curves, glancing over tight muscle, until both came to rest just above her waistband where he gathered up folds of sheer cloth to pull it loose and let his fingers creep in. He traced fingertips up her spine and over her waist, then like a slow wave sweeps across the beach, he ran them down over her bottom, squeezing a little so she'd curl against him again.

"How y' feelin' 'bout this, sweetheart?" He spoke softly, mouth close to her ear. "Wouldn't mind divin' in all the way myself but 's up t' y' what y' wanna do." He bit at her shoulder, not hard enough to break the skin but enough to pinch. "Do everythin' I can t' take yer breath away if y' want me to. Jus' say the word."

La passion, la passion, how I love la passion

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