Hello everyone, I'm so sorry for the time it took for me to write the third chapter to this fic... But anyways, here it is! I thank SailorMoonFanForever again, who fixed my story.

I realized that not everyone speaks french, so I will include a little translation.

Je te remercie: I thank you.

Pas vraiment: Not really.

Quelle surprise!: What a surprise!

Diorama

Third Chapter: Tonight, death is of a rare beauty

Rémy and Rogue were still walking towards a convenience store, but they were so busy talking that they did not realize that the stores were about to close. Rogue had let go of Rémy's hand, and she was now walking slowly next to him, not daring to look up at him. She was instead looking at the street lights, wondering when they would light up. After a moment, she looked at him.

"Do you like... being in that school?" she asked.

Rémy, surprised by this question, turned his head to look at her. She had already turned her head to look away, embarrassed. He thought about it, looking up to the darkening sky.

"Honestly... Pas vraiment..."

She could not help but let a soft gasp escape her throat. Fortunately, because of the usual sounds of the city, he had not heard. She looked at him, shocked. She felt some fear deep down, like a creature in her stomach trying to get out. She did not want him to leave. She felt she would follow him if he did. Seeing her expression, Gambit chuckled.

"I was kidding!"

Rogue's eyes grew wide as she stopped in her tracks, staring at the young man. He also stopped and turned to look at her.

"How can you say such things?" she said, maybe a little louder than she wanted.

She could not help but hit him in the chest. She was strong, so Rémy staggered and backed away. He suddenly felt worried. He also hated the fact that if she was unhappy, it was his fault. He scratched the back of his head.

"I'm sorry, Rogue... I didn't know you'd react like that..."

Was Rogue overreacting? Probably. She was not even his girlfriend. She had no reason to want to keep him by her side so badly. She opened her eyes wide, realizing that it felt like such a bad situation. She was so strong and independent. Why did she need Rémy's presence so badly? She finally sighed softly and resumed walking towards the store. There was no way he would return her feelings.

"Let's go get the milk..."

Rémy nodded. She looked a bit down, and he felt bad because of this. He felt like he needed to justify himself.

"I like being at the institute, really. I mean, it's a comfortable life." He looked up and saw the store, which was really close now. "I don't have to steal and all, and the people are nice."

He opened the door for Rogue, and then followed her inside. She made a beeline for the milk, while Rémy was thinking about the life he now led. He sometimes missed the thrill of stealing from moneybags, and he often thought about Louisiana. He had fond memories of the Guild, even if it was far from the ideal life of most people. Life in the institute was much different. There was respect instead of violence, and for some reason, the fights seemed much less dangerous. Rogue pulled him out of his thoughts by putting a bottle of milk in his hands.

"Okay, let's go, Rémy!"

She already seemed to be in a better mood, which reassured Rémy and made him smile. He went to the counter and paid for two bottles of milk before he went back on the street. Rogue followed and stretched.

"I can't wait to get back to the institute."

She started walking and noticed that the streetlights had lit up while they were inside. The shops were also closing.

"I can't wait to resume the class" Rémy said with a laugh.

As they were starting to walk towards the Xavier Institute, a voice rang out from behind them.

"Lebeau!"

Rémy felt his heart stop as he slowly turned to look behind him. A young woman with long blond hair was waving to him. Dressed in simple blue jeans and a pale pink t-shirt, she looked like a really normal, common young woman. In her other hand, she was holding a few bags. She started walking towards Rémy, still smiling. The boy turned to Rogue and gave her the milk.

"You have to leave now" he whispered.

Rogue, who kept staring at the other girl, answered in an equally low voice.

"Why?"

"Because she's big trouble..."

He gently pushed Rogue in the general direction of the institute, before putting on his best smile and approaching the blonde.

"Bella! Quelle surprise!"

Rogue remained at a distance feeling her heart sink as she saw Bella embrace Rémy tightly. But when Bella kissed Rémy on the lips, Rogue turned her head and walked away, feeling deeply hurt. She bit her lip, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. But she was proud and strong, she would not give in and cry. She should be angry. Yes, it was actually an occasion to be angry. Who was that girl, and how could she act so familiar with Rémy? She clenched her fists, but careful not to spill the milk. She walked towards the school, convincing herself that it was alright, and that if Rémy was in love with another woman, it was fine. After all, she was not his girlfriend, she had no reason to be jealous. As she was forcing a smile to appear on her lips, she entered the institute's property. As soon as she entered the school, a vision made her sad again: Jean and Scott were discussing something, both sitting closely on a bench.

"Jean... There's something I've wanted to tell you for a while..." said Scott.

Rogue, completely still, watched as Jean turned her head to look at Scott.

"Do you want to apologize for the shower incident?"

Scott blushed slightly and shook his head.

"No... I mean, yes! But..."

Jean laughed sweetly, pushing her long, red hair back. She then brought a finger to Scott's lips.

"Shh... I think I know what you want to tell me..." she said as her face moved over so slowly until their lips met.

This was too much for Rogue. She bit her lip and dropped the milk, before hurrying to her room. It made Scott and Jean jump, surprised by the sudden noise.

"Was that Rogue?" Jean asked as she got up.

Scott wanted to tell her that Rogue was probably fine, but he knew that Jean's compassionate nature would force her to make sure everything was alright before continuing the really interesting conversation they were having. He replaced his ruby glasses, clearing his throat.

"I think so, yeah..."

As he went to get the milk, Jean quickly went up the stairs and approached the room Kitty and Rogue were sharing. She lightly knocked on the door.

"Rogue? Is everything alright? Can I come in?"

Thankfully, Kitty was not there to see Rogue sitting on her bed trying to choke back tears. Hearing Jean, she raised her voice.

"No! Leave me alone... you wouldn't understand anyway!"

How could Jean understand the pain of being unable to touch the man she loved? How could she begin to imagine the loneliness that Rogue felt when she saw couples holding hands, caressing and kissing each other?

"Well, maybe I would if you calmly explained to me what's wrong?"

"No! Just... leave me alone!"

At this moment, Kitty approached the door. She looked at Jean, curious, wondering what she was doing there. Jean did not need to use her telepathic powers to know what Kitty wanted to ask.

"Rogue is in there and she doesn't want to see anyone..."

Kitty raised an eyebrow.

"Really? So like, where will I sleep?"

"I don't know, Kitty."

Kitty raised her voice so Rogue could hear her from the other side of the door.

"Rogue? Did something, like, happen with Rémy?"

Rogue bit her lip again, at the thought of the boy being kissed by this blonde girl. She felt like punching, killing, maiming and hacking, while she could have curled up in a corner and cried for hours at the same time. They could not understand, and she did not really want to let them know that she was actually in love with Rémy, and that she had difficulty assuming the fact that he might be in love with another woman, a woman that he actually could touch. How could she even compete?