Work Text:
Game On
“No fair! We agreed no powers!” cried Jubilee.
“Gambit can’t help it if he’s just a natural athlete, cher,” Gambit replied with his typical cocky grin and a casual shrug.
Retrieving the basketball Rogue called out grumpily, “Shut it, Swamp Rat.” She passed the ball back with a bit of excessive force to Gambit while sporting a pout and narrowed eyes.
“Oof!” he spluttered, as the wind was knocked out of him. But then a slow smile spread across Gambit’s face as he knew he was getting his favorite fellow mutant riled up.
The X-Men were in fine spirits today with the sun shining and a cool breeze coming in off the lake. Today was for playing and enjoying the rare respite from crisis and calamity. Hours spent together in trainings in the Danger Room meant that even a simple game of ball became a joyful challenge in skill and coordination for the team. Up and down the court the two sides battled it out, calling openings to teammates and taunting opponents.
Gambit was feeling especially feisty. The only other player with similar agility was Beast, who was on the other team and seemed a bit distracted today. This meant Gambit was free to show off a bit more and the score was reflecting this opportunity. The other team was getting increasingly frustrated as the Cajun constantly seemed to slip past their guard and make progressively trickier and more audacious shots.
After a quick pass from Storm, Gambit spun around intending to slip past Beast’s large frame and drive the ball up the middle when he suddenly crashed into an immovable force. He ricocheted off and went sprawling.
“Sorry, sugah. Ah guess Ah can’t help it if Ah’m just a natural knockout, or so the boys tell me,” cooed Rogue with a mischievous grin on her face and hands fluffing out her hair.
Logan guffawed and Morph snickered. Jubilee gave Rogue a high five, squealing with delight at the joke.
“Hey now, petite. Does dis mean we be playin’ dirty now?” Gambit leered back with narrowed eyes.
“This is a friendly game, you two,” called out Storm. “Let us set a good example for our students.”
The game resumed but Gambit decided it was time to raise the stakes. Once he had possession of the ball again he made sure to position himself near Rogue. She stepped in to engage and just then he did a quick partial turn, threw his arm out to lazily lob the ball to the basket and Rogue rose on to her toes thinking she could easily make the block. What she didn’t realize was that as Gambit spun and distracted her with his “poor” shot, that he had also thrown out his leg to sweep her own out from underneath her.
“Oh!” she gasped, feeling herself fall backwards. But then she was caught in Gambit’s arms, cradled below his smug face. The ball bounced off the backboard and through the hoop.
“And dat’s the game!” he crowed, his face inches from her own.
“Oh, you dirty swamp rat!” she spat back, shaking her finger in his face.
“Now, cher, you may have lost the game but you won the prize of being swept off your feet, no?” Gambit proclaimed, moving his face just that much closer and letting his hand on her hip slide a little bit lower and pull their bodies together that much tighter.
Rogue’s annoyance immediately fled and her heart skipped a beat feeling the rush of such closeness. Jubilee’s voice was distant and grumbling about the lost match and seeing teammates getting pawed at by gross, sweaty guys. Gambit lifted his eyes and threw back a teasing remark but Rogue’s gaze remained riveted to his face, the soft lips and strong jaw just hovering above her. She knew she should be put out that Gambit got the upper hand but she was just too tickled by his playful stunt.
So I guess we ARE playin’ dirty then, she thought to herself. Rogue slid her gloved hand over Gambit’s mouth calling his attention back to the matter in his arms. When their eyes locked she she raised her head to give him a firm and almost desperate kiss over her glove while also arching her hips to rock tantalizingly into his own. His eyebrows shot up and his eye went wide. A soft groan rumbled through his chest and Rogue chuckled to herself. Who has the upper hand now, huh, sugah?
“Good game, team!” Cyclops called out. Everyone started to drift off the court and back to their other duties for the day oblivious to the suddenly charged air between their fellow X-Men.
As Gambit slowly pulled Rogue back to her feet he never broke eye contact.
He arched an eyebrow and said, “Gambit’s gonna need a cold shower just now, but den tonight he plans to claim his prize for winning dis game. You and me gonna have a special evening, just the two of us.”
“You think ‘cause you won a silly game you get to boss me around?” she replied coyly.
Gambit leaned in close, his mouth achingly close to her ear. Rogue went rigid knowing a wrong movement just then could cause accidental skin to skin contact with disastrous results. He pressed his advantage and let his palm slide slowly across her lower stomach. Softy he drawled, “How about we play a little Cajun Hold-‘Em tonight, eh cher?” Her eyes went wide and her breath caught as she realized just what he had planned.
“Mm hmm!” she squeaked out, but he was already pulling away, sauntering back into the mansion and whistling a jaunty tune. She remained frozen in place, blushing violently and feeling her heart thundering away as an aching warmth spreading through her groin. Damn but that Cajun always knows how to get my motor running!
They both spent the rest of the day in frustrated anticipation, watching the hours crawl by. They occasionally passed each other in the mansion, sharing quick, knowing glances. And sometimes even getting to exchange brief, fleeting touches. The group dinner was especially taxing as the whole team continued to process the loss of their mentor, Charles Xavier, and Jean and Scott continued to dance around the topic of what life will be like after the birth of their baby. Beast began to pontificate on his most recent experiments but unbeknownst to him Morph was standing behind him, mimicking his every action in an increasingly exaggerated parody. The snickers finally erupted into full throated laughter when Beast caught on and swiped an apple from the table to shove into Morph/Beast’s mouth.
“An apple a day keeps the good doctor away, dear friend. Pray you don’t need my ministrations anytime soon!” he huffed and ambled away from the table. The group dispersed leaving Gambit and Rogue to take their turn with clearing the dishes. They rushed through this duty as quickly as they could. Gambit muttered something about Jean’s shepherd pie needing more seasoning as leftovers were packed into the fridge. He closed the door to see Rogue smiling at him as she finished drying the last few pots. He stepped in behind her, trapping her body between his and the counter. He wrapped his arms around her waist and set his chin on her shoulder. Rogue shivered feeling the length of Gambit pressing into her.
“De rest o’ dem are watching a movie in the Rec Room and won’t miss us. What do you say we make our getaway?”
“Ah’ll be finished in just two tics, sugah. How’s about you go on ahead and ah’ll see you in my room in about 5 minutes?”
At the appointed time, Gambit knocked softly on Rogue’s door, then slipped inside. He had changed into a well worn, long sleeved tee and sweat pants. He also carried a pair of soft, thin gloves in addition to a set of handcuffs. Rogue was waiting for him, and he took in the sight of her wearing nothing but Gambit’s old duster. She stood and fluffed out her hair.
“You crazy, Cajun! Ah was goin’ stir crazy all day!” she exclaimed, grinning broadly. “You got me wound up tighter than jackrabbit!”
“Ah, my belle femme. I’ve felt just as impatient, no?” he replied as his eyes traveled greedily over her body.
While the X-Men team had come to be their family, Gambit and Rogue were happiest when they finally got to steal these secluded moments together. Their private tension had been building all day and they both ached for a mutual release. Together they had found a multitude of erotic activities they could safely engage in while still avoiding the dangerous skin to skin contact. Tonight they would share in one of their favorites.
“Shall we get started, cher?”
Watching her man seductively, Rogue slowly undid the belt of the trench coat. The garment fell open slightly and as she coyly sucked her bottom lip she leisurely ran her fingertips up and down along her exposed skin, gradually parting the material more and more. Gambit stood stock still, entranced. Rogue leaned forward slightly and the coat swung open further showing off the curve of her breasts as they gently swayed with her movements. She extended her arms downward and began to drag her fingertips along each leg, slowly standing and allowing the coat to fall backwards off her shoulders. Her fingers grazed over her thighs, then her hips and abs, then the backs of her hands slid along the outer curves of her breasts as she continued to pull her arms upwards. Finally they met at the nape of her neck and she pulled her hair into a messy bunch and paused. She was fully exposed and she reveled posing there, with one leg cocked in front of the other, her body stretched out languidly and her lover worshipping her in his every stare.
Years ago, with a different partner, she had been a shy lover. She had been deeply awed by his absolute confidence and commanding personality. Their ability to touch had been intoxicating for her, overwhelming in fact. She had lost a bit of herself in the desperate need to please her partner. And all together, it had made for a relationship that had simply been too unhealthy. Leaving him had been the right thing, but she carried the regret of loneliness for a long time afterwards.
And then, along came Gambit. His outlandish flirting and sultry charm had given way to genuine wooing and proclamations of adoration. Sometimes his buffoonery would get her so riled up and they’d have such a fiery spat it was a wonder they didn’t burn down the mansion. But he was her teammate, her fellow southerner, and importantly, her best friend. He understood her better than any one else. True to his word, he never went where he wasn’t invited, and he gave her the space and time to grow the boundaries of their relationship. Given this new chance at intimacy, Rogue had flourished in her own confidence and sexual explorations. It still hurt to know they could never touch, could never be a normal couple. But, time and again, Gambit showed her that some things can be deeper than skin.
Rogue watched as Gambit’s pupils dilated, his breathing quickened, and his hands clenched in unabashed lust.
“Time for you to get on dat bed,” his voice husky and low.
She slowly turned her back to him, peered over her shoulder and let the coat fall away completely. He pulled in a deep breath appreciating the glorious view. She lowered herself onto the bed and stretched out as Gambit approached, pulling on his gloves. Rogue raised her arms above her head and tenderly Gambit placed each wrist into a cuff which also looped around a post in the headboard. They both knew she could break free as easily as tearing tissue paper, however the handcuffs served as a gentle reminder to hold still. Finally, he went to a drawer in her dresser and pulled out a large bundle of folded Shi’ar cloth. He shook out the gauzy, semi-transparent material, carefully draping it over Rogue’s body up to her neck.
Thanks to their advanced technology, the Shi’ar had textiles that allowed for heat and moisture to pass through while maintaining a solid electromagnetic barrier. Months ago, when Beast had spent another dinner waxing copiously about his fascination with the material both Rogue and Gambit had realized its unique properties could be put to some very particular personal uses. With a shared grin across the table, it was silently agreed upon that Gambit would use his special set of thieving skills to obtain a sizable sample from the lab. Beast remained confounded to this day that his supply seemed to have rapidly dwindled, but he was quickly distracted by a new and enticing project.
The astonishingly thin fabric had a slick, almost oily texture and tended to slide around a fair amount. Rogue insisted that at least one of them remain clothed just in case when using it, but with careful practice they had found the cloth allowed them to come even closer to feeling each other’s touch. With the cloth in place, Gambit climbed onto the bed, straddling her body with his own. He held that position for several heartbeats, drinking in the sight of his woman laid before him and beautiful. Rogue began to writhe, desperate for his touch, unable to wait any longer.
“Shhh, mon coeur,” he breathed as he at last lowered his mouth to the fabric sitting just over her heart. Anchoring the fabric in place with his hands, he used his mouth to explore, lick, and tease every inch of skin he could find. He worked his way along the curve of each breast, using his lips and tongue to pass his moist heat along her cool skin. He kissed his way to each nipple, drawing the tiny bud into his lips then flicking it with tip of his tongue. Then he was gently pinching it between his teeth causing Rogue to cry out and buck upwards. Latching back on with his lips he would suck hard causing to her writhe and moan. Then his kisses moved downward, his mouth replaced by his hand as it squeezed and kneaded her breast. Gambit’s tongue played with her navel and he took several teasing nips of her skin over her soft belly. Lower and lower his mouth went, his hands following behind and gripping Rogue’s hips tightly as she trembled. She parted her legs and he settled himself just above her mons. She was already deliciously wet and he lightly blew across her pussy eliciting a growl of frustrated need. The smell of her sex was making him heady and so he dove in, licking and sucking across her parted lips. At his first contact, Rogue groaned loudly and began to tremble harder. He thrust his tongue in and out, listening to her breathing grow more rapid and erratic. The fabric grew increasingly damp and clung to her skin, but Gambit never slowed and instead held tighter to her thighs. After a particularly long and slow lick he began to focus on her clitoris. First tiny flicks, then long drags of his tongue and sucking kisses that left Rogue breathless. Over and over he attended to her, feeling her body begin to spasm and jerk, never slacking in his care. Her thighs began to clench and she was panting and straining at the cuffs when she suddenly went tense and breathless- her climax washing over her and her breath stuttering out, then finally her muscles going limp. Her legs fell to the side and she hummed in pleasure as Gambit slowly kissed his way back up her body.
“Silver-tongued devil,” she drawled contentedly. “Now how’s about your turn?”
Carefully, she rolled over onto her stomach and pulled her knees forward, raising her buttocks into the air. While she maneuvered, Gambit sat back and readjusted the cloth keeping her covered as much as possible. He then settled his knees next to hers and began to stroke the firm muscles along her buttocks and the backs of her thighs.
Rogue turned to look at him biting her lip, “Ah think this time, ah want to really feel you. Take off your pants, Remy.”
He was already achingly hard and pre-cum had dampened the front of his sweatpants. Her words caused his cock to jerk painfully at her intimate request.
“Are you sure, cher?”, he replied, watching her face carefully.
She nodded and watched as he pulled off the garment then settled back into place. Rogue, once again feeling impatient, wiggled herself backwards until she could feel Gambit’s cock slot between her cheeks. They both exclaimed at the sensation of intense touch. She then began to rock her hips rhythmically, grinding against him and intermittently flexing her buttock muscles. Gambit’s head lolled back and he gave a throaty moan. As she quickened her pace his breathing became more ragged and his fingers dug deeper into her hips.
“Uhhhh, ma colombe!” he panted out.
He gripped her hips even harder and began to thrust against her faster and with an almost desperate intensity. He was getting so close to release but he wanted his lover to come too. Gambit snaked one arm around her waist pulling the fabric there until her found Rogue’s clit. He pressed hard and heard her gasp. He held the pressure as he continued to rock against her, listening to her sounds of pleasure. Rogue could feel herself cresting again, the steady pressure over her clit counterbalanced with the feel of Gambit thrust against her and rocking her whole body, dragging his hard length against her. It built and built and then Rogue was coming again, crying out in pleasure, arching her back. Gambit was pushed over the edge by the sight of Rogue flushed and bowed beneath him. He let out a heavy groan and with a few more thrusts came forcefully, cum spilling out thick ropes.
They both eased themselves down on to the bed, faint trembles fading and muscles relaxing as their breathing slowed. Gambit rolled onto his side and casually stroked his fingers up and down Rogue’s covered belly. Rogue hummed in pleasure but then his light touches drifted to her side.
“Ha! Ooh, stop that- it tickles!” she blurted, trying to squirm away. Gambit grinned slyly and persisted a bit longer until she started to growl at him. “If you wanna keep these cuffs ah suggest you get them off me right quick, Cajun.”
“How about instead I make you a wager, cher?” he said. “You practice picking the locks like I taught ya, and Gambit here will clean up our fun. If you get dem off in less dan a minute, den you get to pick tomorrow’s fun. C’est bon?”
“Oh, you’re on!” Rogue exclaimed. She was proud of how well she had been picking up the skill and knew she could pass this challenge easily.
“Not so fast. Dis time, you can’t use your hands,” he said smirking. “Surely a river rat can learn a new trick, no?”
Before Rogue could bark out a protest he was placing a hair pin between her lips and chuckling. She glared back at him, grumbling around the obstruction but promptly got to work. This was much more difficult and several times she even dropped her pin, wasting precious seconds. She almost despaired but at the last moment she finally felt the mechanism give and the cuff popped off.
“Ha!” she proclaimed. “You can’t trap this ol’ gal that easy!”
“C'est merveilleux, cher!” Gambit remarked, radiating pride in his pupil. “And what do you have planned for us tomorrow, eh?”
Rogue thought for a moment and decided she’d surprise her man with a bit of daring.
“Tomorrow afternoon, we’re gonna play a round of Dead-Pool, sugah.”
“Pas bohn!” Gambit exclaimed, eyes cast heavenward.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
The next day, as planned, they both met in the rec room during their afternoon free time. It was deserted and they shared mischievous grins as they approached each other and exchanged small items. They then parted to select pool cues and rack the balls. Rogue’s heart thudded in her chest in anticipation. She lined up her shot to break but kept glancing up at Gambit. He stood at the side of the table, cue in one hand but the other in his pocket. He gave her a flirtatious wink but otherwise didn’t move. She held her breath, steadied her hands and thrust her cue forward. Just as she was taking her shot an intense vibration rippled through her core and the cue hit its target off-center, causing a sloppy break. The balls scattered around the table and Rogue gripped the edge and tried to steady her breathing.
Just before coming to the rec room, both Rogue and Gambit had each grabbed one of their special toys from their respective rooms- remote controlled vibrators. Rogue could feel hers pulsing inside her vaginal canal, making her feel weak in the knees, and it was still only on a lower setting.
Gambit chuckled and started to consider his options for his first shot. Satisfied, he lined up and got ready to strike when he too was rocked by a deep throbbing accompanied by Rogue’s giggles. He scratched the shot, but for a moment remained unaware as he was so overcome by the sensation. His vibrator was well designed to massage the prostate and for a few moments his breath kept hitching. Then he locked eyes with Rogue and they both grinned widely while their chests rapidly rose and fell. And so the game progressed. They each used the remote to the other’s vibrator to keep gradually increasing the settings and throw off the other’s shots. Sometimes they would suddenly turn the other’s device off and then back on causing the sensation to crash back through their body. It was a bit of a mind game and often shots went bad when a player thought they were going to be jolted by a new setting though it never came. Rogue could feel herself flushing and noticed Gambit was breaking into a sweat.
Suddenly, Jean and Scott entered the room, talking together about potential upgrades to training scenarios in the Danger Room. Rogue and Gambit froze and traded wide eyed glances. They each had an expression of slight panic and naughty amusement.
“Truce, you ol’ Tom Cat?” whispered Rogue.
“What? And spoil dis fun?” Gambit softly replied.
Jean and Scott paused halfway through the room, absorbed in their conversation and didn’t seem to notice the antics unfolding just a few feet away. Rogue softly growled at her feisty Cajun and tried her next shot with tremulous hands. She was panting and sometimes it was hard to focus her eyes on the balls just in front of her. Rogue gave a weak shot and failed to sink any balls. Gambit snickered and went to walk past her for his own shot. They were on the far side of the table compared to their visitors and therefore the view was partially blocked. As Gambit slid by Rogue, his back to her as he studied the table, her hand shot out and she firmly stroked down along his butt cheek, pushed forward along his perineum and then curled her fingers as she dragged them backwards.
“Mon dieu!” Gambit huffed out uncontrollably.
Rogue quickly stepped away and pretended to innocently inspect the tip of her cue. Jean and Scott stopped mid-sentence to turn and look at the players.
“Everything alright, Gambit?” Scott inquired.
Gambit gripped his cue tightly and tried to summon some casual charm.
“We jus’ fine, mon ami,” Gambit replied, while his hand drifted to his pocket. “Rogue and I don’ seem to be playing our best today.”
To the side, Rogue suddenly hiccuped loudly with wide eyes and a deepening blush. Her eyes shot daggers at Gambit as she groped for the nearby chair and quickly collapsed into the seat.
Scott glanced back and forth, his brows starting to furrow. “Are you both feeling well? I think maybe you should have Hank check you out. I’d hate to have the flu ripping through the mansion while Jean’s pregnant.”
“Oh, don’t you worry, sugah. Gambit and ah are made of pretty stern stuff. Our friendly game here just has us a tad worked up is all,” Rogue replied, hoping to sound reassuring, her own hand sliding into her pocket.
Jean kept glancing back and forth between the two players, feeling their words didn’t quite add up to their mannerisms. She faintly expanded her psychic field out of concern that her teammates seemed to be acting unusual when it suddenly all made sense. The breathing, the large pupils, the furtive glances. The faint buzzing noise.
“Oh! Oh my!”
“What is it, Jean?” Scott’s attention whipped back around to his wife, concern lacing his words.
“Oh, ahh… I think we should go take measurements again for the crib, darling. I just realized we may need to rearrange some of the furniture in our room so everything fits!” Jean looped her arm through Scott’s and began to nudge him from the room.
“Well alright, if you think that’s necessary,” Scott replied. Glancing over his shoulder as they moved to the door he called out, “If either of you seems ill at dinner tonight I’ll ask Hank to quarantine you for the good of the team.”
“Ay, ay, Capitaine!” The final word was delivered in a squeak but the room was once again devoid of an audience. Gambit strode over to Rogue who was tentatively standing on wobbly legs and smirking. He stepped in close, slid his arm around her waist and spun them in a quick turn so she was suddenly pressed back against the wall. He crushed his body against hers and pinned her hand that held his remote above her head. He was panting heavily and growled deep in his throat as he rested his forehead against her shoulder. Rogue realized she was as far gone as Gambit and moaned at the delicious feeling of their bodies pressed together so tightly. Gambit was rock hard and Rogue lifted her leg to hook around his waist so he could slot himself deeper between them. He gasped and slid his other hand down to cup her buttocks and pull her into him even tighter if that was possible. Chest to chest, their hearts thudded frantically and their staccato breath poured across the other’s neck sending fine hairs tingling. Rogue was shaking all over from the sensory overload and Gambit began to slowly rock his hips into hers. She used her free hand to reach up and lace her fingers through his auburn hair, then fisted it tightly and tugged as though it was her lifeline. In response Gambit pulled back briefly, growled then shoved himself back into her and bit down on her shoulder. Rogue was tipped over the edge and came violently, her whole body spasming and the wind knocked from her lungs. Gambit promptly followed her, undone himself by her intense release. When the initial waves passed they slid to the floor, still clinging to each other. They passed remotes and shut down their devices, finally allowing their bodies a bit of peace. They sat hip to hip, facing the opposite way and with arms draped across the other’s lap. Still panting, they met each other’s gaze and broke out into smiles, then uncontrollable giggles.
“Poor ol’ Jeanie!” Rogue cried. “Ah’m gonna have some explainin’ to do the next time we have a girls chat!”
“Jus’ be sure you tell her it was your idea. She already t’ink I’m a wicked influence on you!” he chuckled. “And poor Cyclops- so worried about our wellbeing!” They broke out in a fresh round of laughter and basked in the afterglow of their shared pleasure and companionship.
Finally they climbed to their feet but Gambit kept his arm circled around Rogue’s waist. He stared down into her emerald eyes and gave thanks once again that fate had brought them together. She kept an old rascal like him on his toes and he reveled in their every day together.
“I do believe I won this round, cher. You came first, and it was a glorious sight to behold.”
Rogue pouted out her lower lip.
“You scoundrel! Ah was barely first.”
“Tsk, tsk. Dem’s the rules, cher.”
“Aw, fine,” she growled. “However we best be gettin’ cleaned up and down to dinner soon.”
“You want we try for round two during our meal?” he asked with a leer on his face.
“Are you crazy? Jeanie would skin us alive! And you heard Cyclops, he’ll think we’re sick and we’ll get stuck in quarantine.”
“Hmmm… several secluded days with ma colombe. Comme c'est tragique?” nuzzling his face in her hair.
Chuckling again, Rogue gently pushed him away. “Not now, Swamp Rat.”
“Den let my prize be takin’ you to dinner tonight, cher. Music, wine, and dancing!” His free hand grabbed hers as he spun them gently around the room, humming along with a merry tune as though they were already on a dance floor.
Rogue felt giddy at his frivolity, but turned apprehensive thinking about being in a crowd. Gambit spotted the worried expression and understood her concern.
“I know of a charming place with an outdoor patio and live music. Gambit will find us a cozy little corner for ourselves so don’ nobody bother us.”
“Well then, it does sound nice. Ah’d love to go.”
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
An hour later they were both bathed and dressed and met at the mansion’s main hall. Gambit watched as Rogue descended the stairs in a deep emerald mini dress with lace sleeves and a very low cut neckline. He was entranced once again by just how beautiful she was and that while she liked to play the river rat she had quite the eye for fashion and style. She was stunning. He whisked her away from Xavier’s and off to his new favorite Italian restaurant, Piatto. When they entered the owner called out a greeting, “Mr Lebeau, my dear friend! It is wonderful to see you again. And this time you have brought a companion!” The affable man turned to Rogue and gave a short bow.
“Tu sei bellissima, my lady. How may we serve such a fine couple this evening?”
“Ma copine and I would appreciate the corner table on the patio if possible,” Gambit replied.
“Done! And I’ll be sure to have the staff send out a bottle of our best red blend, my compliments. I hope you enjoy your evening with us.”
They were led to a beautiful stone patio covered by a tall pergola that supported thick vines of wisteria and was softy lit with string lights. A fountain softly splashed nearby and the band played an eclectic mix of tunes. They dined and talked about the rich, flavorful food, their recent missions, their friends both near and far, and they laughed delightedly retelling many of their favorite stories. After dessert, like many couples they stood to dance. But rather than going to the cleared central space they simply embraced and swayed together in their own little alcove. Their conversation gradually faded away and they simply existed in the moment.
“‘Ma copine’?” Rogue said in mangled French, and thinking back to earlier. “Ah haven’t heard you call me that before, sugah. What does that one mean?” she asked teasingly.
“It means, Gambit likes to say you are his girlfriend,” he said while nuzzling into her hair.
Rogue blushed fiercely and got a panicked look in her eyes. She pulled away from Gambit and he could see her putting up her emotional walls, distancing herself from him. His heart clenched to see her reaction. This kind of response felt like a rejection.
“Ah wish you wouldn’t say things like that. Folks might get the wrong impression,” she said, hugging herself and refusing to look at Gambit.
“Folks already know we special to each other, Rogue. Dem words, dey don’t matter. But what we got, it means everyt’ing to Gambit. Sometimes, it’d be nice to flaunt just how much Lady Luck has blessed this ol’ scoundrel.” Even though his heart was painfully hammering in his chest, he tried to keep his tone light, scared of accidentally pushing her away further.
Rogue was quiet for several long moments, then very softly she replied, “Ah’m too scared, Remy. Ah reckon someday you’ll get tired of me and go find yourself someone you can have a real relationship with. Losing you would hurt so bad ah wouldn’t be able to breathe, but then for everyone else to pity me- ah think ah’d shatter into a million pieces.”
Her words hurt him to his very core. He knew he didn’t deserve her, his life was too full of past sins. But if she would have him for even a moment, he would fight for her for eternity. He just wished she believed in his commitment to her.
“Like I said in the Savage Lands, I love you, cher. Gambit’s not going no where and ain’t ever gonna hurt you. If you don’t want to make things official, dat’s fine by me so long as I get to be by your side. Let folks t’ink what they want and we’ll just pay dem no mind.”
Finally, Rogue looked back into Gambit’s eyes, tears spilling down her cheeks. They stared at each other for several aching heartbeats until she finally gave a little nod and buried her head into his chest, clinging to his shirt with both hands.
“Thank you, Remy,” she whispered.
Gambit swore to himself, whether she let him love her out loud or only in faint whispers he was determined to love her fully. Come what may.