captain cold (leonardsnark) wrote in madisonvalley, @ 2018-01-26 21:42:00 |
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Entry tags: | !closed, !completed gdoc, ~2018 january, ~25 points, ~~leonard snart (37seconds), ~~~rogue (risky_touch) |
Who: Leonard Snart and Rogue
When: Last Week (sometime before the Free For All plot!)
Where: Rogue's place
What: Talk of Rogue's powers and delicious food!
Warnings: Not really!
Status: Closed/Completed GDoc
Rogue was nervous. Which meant she moved around the house like her proverbial mother was coming over. The house she shared with Johanna was decorated in a uniquely them - one part weaponry, one part awesome kitchen. It was simple, but there was an ax, at least one, in every room. She gotten Johanna a few for Christmas.
She was dressed in a plaid long sleeved shirt, jeans, the earrings he gave her and a pair of gloves tucked in her pocket. Her hair was down and she risked bare feet, a decision she'd actually spent twenty minutes on.
She laid out a good, southern meal - which was one sign she was nervous, she might brag about her southern food but she rarely cooked it. A homemade thing of chicken and dumplings (everything from scratch) with a pecan pie for dessert was ready to be pulled from the oven and laid out the moment he got there.
Rogue paced from kitchen to living room and back again until Logan's borrowed senses told her he was at the door before he knocked. Despite Lisa telling her it'd be fine, she couldn't help herself. It was a sign of trust. He trusted her with his sister, she owed him this.
No, not really owed, She wanted to tell him. Show him. So he knew exactly what being around her, as friends or otherwise, generally entailed. She took a deep breath and opened the door, gloves off but careful, the scent of chicken escaping from behind her. “Hey, come in.”
***
When it came to discussions such as the one Snart was going into, it was possible that nothing good would come from them. He had been hoping that it wouldn’t be the case with this talk. Snart was an observant man. He knew that there was something else when it came to the southern belle, but Snart didn’t press. He only did so when it came to ensuring his safety. Snart didn’t have any reason to believe himself in danger when he was with Rogue.
The smell was delicious and his mouth was already watering. Snart would always appreciate a homemade meal and Rogue could cook better than anyone he had ever known.
“Looks like someone’s been busy. Smells like it, too.” He grinned and made is way inside. The spread was definitely impressive and even Snart took a minute to take it all in. Wide eyes and a slack jaw, Snart had to collect himself and regain his otherwise cool nature.
“I’m hoping the news is good considering how good this looks.”
***
Rogue was hoping he'd be like his sister said he would. Generally speaking, she took as many precautions as possible, she liked him too much to put him in the path of her losing control. It wasn't easy, but she tried her best.
She only cooked because she found it comforting, though, she'd stolen a few good chefs’ memories before and that only served to make her enjoy it more so now. It's why she found herself at the Red Pepper.
“Oh this is nothing, you should see me do a proper Thanksgiving.” She smiled at him, “this is comfort food. Though I suppose if I was to be more stereotypical I would have made cornbread too and fried chicken.”
She took his wide eyed, slack jawed look as a compliment, she liked making those she chose feel spoiled. If that meant appealing to their stomachs, well, who was she to argue? Rogue rubbed the back of her neck, a bit of a nervous gesture.
“I'm afraid that will all depend on you and your reactions.” She gestured for him to come sit, then busied herself fixing herself a plate. Then never one to bear around the bush, “I'm sure you've noticed I have some quirks - there's a very good reason for them.” A pause, this was harder than she thought it would be, she wanted to see his reaction, her face careful, a touch wary.
***
Snart took the offered seat, watching her closely as Rogue busied herself with the plate and such. Inclining his chin a bit, he raised a brow. He was definitely more curious if she was going to open up about those little things.
“I’ve taken note of them. Do I get to find out why you can freeze a glass?” Super powers and abilities weren’t anything new to Snart. He knew people with them. He didn’t have them, but he had used a freezing gun quite a number of times.
“If you’re worried I’m going to be offended, then you may not know me as well as you think.” Snart kept a casual tone as he spoke, leaning over to spoon a few items onto his plate as well. “I’m far from the judging sort. Most of the time.”
***
“I'm not worried you'll be offended.” She straightened to look at him, her lips pursed a bit. “I've been burned a lot by revealing things. It has made me wary. Cautious. A little scared.” She gave him a smile, warm but still this side of cautious. “I like to be confident, sure of myself. Vulnerability is a little unsettling.”
“Freezing a glass is only one so many things I can do.” She paused then sighed and drew on Logan, flexed her left hand and popped the bone claws out, wincing as she did so. “Some skills are more handy than others, some hurt more than others.” she turned her hand over, looking at the bone with a faint, but sad, smile.
“Every person I have ever touched stays with me. In my head. I can call upon their knowledge, skills, powers if they have them, but they're also always there, some louder than others. Some bring good memories. Others? Not so much. Most? Are accidental touches from crowds.” She sipped from her tea, lips pursed around the edge of the glass.
“My skin is rather deadly. I leech powers, memories, thoughts, life, energy, skills, with no discrimination. I am, technically, untouchable.” She waved a hand lightly, resheathing the claws with a cringe. That hurt. But the wounds healed over immediately, leaving only the faint blood that had dripped out. Which she dabbed away with a napkin.
“Ice is a good barrier, as is using magnetic fields - though I am not adept at it. So is clothing. A few other things work. However, I have minimal control. For example, if I'm focused I could lay my hand on your arm and you'd be fine for maybe a minute before I lost my control. If I'm distracted it's even less.” It came tumbling out of her like a rush, as if she wouldn't say it all if she didn't just spit it out. “But, the safest, is layers. Or avoiding crowds.”
“But, I found I like your company. I enjoy our outings, our appearances at things. But I don't want to hurt you, so before this becomes anything more, or continues as is, you deserve to know it..” She looked up at him, head tilting just a little, watching, green eyes a hue darker than usual, and her back felt like steel - it was something she was used to, this waiting for the rejection. She didn’t, personally, think it was coming but some of the voices in her head were telling her otherwise.
***
Snart had never met anyone in his life that was truly untouchable. Not in the way that Rogue was explaining. Having to live your life behind barriers, walls, and layers? He would have gone insane. It was why he did what he did and was good at it. Being locked away was not the sort of place Leonard Snart ever wanted to be.
He considered everything she said, though. Took in every word and watched as bone punctured flesh and returned just as quickly. She could, it seemed, do many things. Not just cool a drink.
The idea of voices constantly talking in her head? Snart could understand that. He would always hear his father’s voice. Even after all this time, it would sneak it’s way into his consciousness and wreck it’s own havoc when he was least expecting it. It was helpful, though. It was what kept Snart sharp and alert. There was never room for failure.
Food could wait for a few moments. Right now, this conversation was necessary. Getting up from his chair, Snart came around to Rogue. There wasn’t much he could say. What could he say? It was rare that Leonard Snart was at a loss for words.
It was probably unsafe and not the smartest thing he would do, though it wasn’t quite as extreme as Mick. Leaning down, Snart tipped her chin up with his hand and kissed her firmly.
***
It was one of many reasons Rogue did what she did, too, she couldn’t stand her circumstances. So she lashed out, did things her own way, but it didn’t change the fact she was trapped in her own skin. The knowledge ate at her, made her somewhat volatile at times. Snart would have seen it, that itching desire to do something, to stay busy. It kept the voices in her head quiet.
The voices were both helpful and troublesome, they were a gift and a curse.the knowledge and insight made her who she was. Tough, strong, flexible. They guided her, but in the worst circumstances, they haunted her. It was a delicate balance, a line she walked carefully.
Rogue watched him get up, and with a flash of insight, steeled her focus. He wasn't running. Nor was he of mind to strike her from fear. It left very few choices. It didn't stop her from not breathing for a second as his fingers tilted her chin up.
Or her one hand from setting her glass down harder than she meant to. She leaned up and pressed her lips back to his, her other hand coming up to rest her fingertips on his jaw. She pulled back when she felt her control slip, a faint tug of her power against him. It was cold.
She didn't know what to say to that either, and smiled as her brain kicked into gear. “That was the best reaction to that I've ever gotten. Mmm.”
***
He could feel the tug and pull from her lips and her touch. It was a strange sensation. One that wasn’t quite painful, but wasn’t all that nice either. Now he could understand why she was so hesitant; why she was so careful.
Clearing his throat and blinking a few times, it was almost akin to a headrush. The kind you got when you flipped around and upside. The one that made your stomach turn. It took him a minute to collect himself and regain his composure. If that was just a minute or so, Snart could see even more clearly why Rogue was so adamant about personal space and layers.
Despite the feelings, Snart grinned and placed his hands on her shoulders. He would keep the layers between them. Just enough to not give her worry but where he could still feel the warmth of her skin through the material.
“Did you expect anything less?”
***
Rogue hoped he'd never experience a full dose, as it were. It became painful, rather than just unpleasant. She'd broken contact fast enough she didn't get anything from him, and he only got the strange sensation, but she was kind of glad he'd gotten a tiny taste of it. It made things easier to understand.
She guessed he'd truly understand how much she trusted him - she didn't flinch when he laid his hand on her back these days - it indicated how comfortable she was with him to allow him that. Even knowing she was covered.
Her fingers raked through her hair, before pulling her gloves out of her pocket. She slipped them on without even looking, she'd chosen a nearly sheer pair. They might not look amazing but it allowed her a sense of touch her leather ones didn't.
Once they were in place, she reached one hand up to rest over one of his. Lightly. She still had her head tilted up, looking at him. A smirk replacing the smile as she watched him compose himself. Rogue was already relaxing, a little, the current outcome was much more favorable and less nerve wracking.
“If we're being honest, I wasn't sure what to expect. Though I'll admit to enjoying it far more than other reactions.” A slight teasing lilt to her voice this time.
***
It was good to get a taste. Snart now knew boundaries and limits, though there was still plenty of room for adjusting and learning even more about her powers. Snart, of course, was no stranger to pushing those limits, but he wasn’t reckless. Not terribly so. Not to the point of being crazy enough to put himself or her in any sort of danger or distress. Her ability was quite something, though. He could understand why people were afraid and why people were most likely wanting to use it for their own gain.
Taking one gloved hand in his own, he brought it to his lips to press a kiss against her knuckles. Even with the sheer material, he could still get just the slightest feeling of her skin. Certainly nothing to cause for alarm, but perhaps enough to give her just a hint of enjoyment.
“I’m a man who knows how to surprise a crowd,” he boasted with a smirk. “What can I say? It’s my natural way of being.” Among other things of course.
***
There was plenty of wiggle room if you knew how to look for it and were willing to put in the time for it. Rogue was worth it, or so she thought sometimes. No one had to worry about her limits and barriers, she did it for all of them, mindful at almost all times. It was part of her nature to mind herself. No one was going to get hurt unless she wanted to hurt them. She was used to being used as a weapon - mostly by the Brotherhood and sometimes even by her own Team.
She let him pick up her hand, the material was enough to keep him from any harm. She knew already what worked and what did not for protecting people from her. And her from them. She smiled at the kiss to her knuckles, watching him with a hint of amusement in her eyes.
“It is good I enjoy such a thing, then, isn’t it?” she teased before kissing the back of his hand lightly. “Now, you’re missing out on my stress-cooking, it grows cold and I would be terribly disappointed if you didn’t get to taste what I can make.” she curled her lips into a wicked smile. She didn’t exactly want to relinquish the touch right now, he wasn’t scared and it was pleasant for her.
But she also did not want her hard cooked meal to go to waste, either.
***
“Well,” he began, lifting his chin a bit with a cheeky grin. “If it tastes anything like what I just got a bite of, I may have to go back for me.”
While he hadn’t sat himself far from her to begin with, Snart made a mindful change in his placement to sit almost beside her. Though it meant moving some chairs and plates, it put him closer to her vicinity. It was another statement of him trusting her regardless of learning of her powers.
“And we can’t have such a spread go to waste or get cold.” Though he had been in Madison for a while now, Snart still appreciated well-made food. When you ate synthetic food on a time traveling ship for a year or more, actual food always tasted ten times better.
“Now tell me something. Not everything you know how to do came from those powers of yours, did they.” It wasn’t a question as it was an observation and it was given as he took a healthy bite of the food she had made.
***
Rogue was quickly learning that he was deliberate in his actions, moving to sit closer was just another sign of trust. It amused her, too, because she was used to people running away or if they didn't, not getting any closer than they had to.
“It would be a waste of fine cooking if we did.” Rogue could remember the worst meals she's had and while they hadn't been synthetic in the same way she was pretty sure they weren't natural either. It made her appreciate the effort in really making things.
She started in on her plate, pausing at his statement. She chased a bite down with tea before answering him. She knew it wasn't quite a question, but she shrugged. “I didn't develop my powers until I was a teenager. Even after, it took until right before I arrived here to be able to use other people's’ skills after their initial burst, as it were. Certain skills kept me alive after I ran away, though they were honed with help after.”
***
That made enough sense that Snart could follow. Knowing someone who housed multiple powers like Rogue did was new. He knew about metas and people with a single power. How one could manage multiples like Rogue did spoke volumes regarding her mental strength.
“Well I can’t imagine that it’s easy.” Even the metas he had known didn’t have it easy. No one who was different ever did. Even if you had a different way of thinking, someone was going to make life difficult for you.
“For now, I suggest we enjoy this food. We can worry more about nuances later.” Because he was genuinely interested in knowing how it worked, but he was also interested in making sure Rogue knew that Snart wanted to be there. For her.