Stolen Hearts 7: Hold on Tight

author: Lucinda

rating: pg 13?

pairing: Willow/Remy (QPC #135) mention of past tense Gambit/Rogue

QPC site: http://qfic.moonlitpaths.com/index.php

disclaimer: I do not own Willow or anyone else from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I do not own Remy or anyone else from Marvel Comics.

distribution: the archives for any list I send this to, QPC, Twisting the Hellmouth, anyone that asked me for one of my other BtVS/X-Men crossovers that also wants this one.

note: AU from X-Men 350 (the Trial of Gambit) and AU from S5 finale "the Gift" will reference things before those points.





He wasn't quite certain that he wanted to believe his good fortune, sometimes. He had Willow, and knew beyond all doubt that she cared for him. It might not be love yet, but she liked him, worried about him, trusted him. And he cared for her in the same sort of way. There could be no doubts, not with the bond that had somehow been established between them. She could see into his dark and tormented past, and hadn't rejected him for it. She didn't try to make him into someone else, not 'Remy the Thief' or 'Gambit the X-Man'.

For her, it was enough that he was Remy LeBeau.

It was a wonderful feeling. They were dating now, not wanting to rush into everything, despite the fact that they seemed to be bonded mind to mind, or soul to soul, as Willow put it. It was turning out to be rather enjoyable. They would go walking through the park, attending plays and movies together instead of just at the same time, museum exhibits... It was actually sweet, and surprisingly enjoyable.

But he kept wondering... what would happen if someone from her past came back? If she was confronted with Xander, or Oz, or Tara, right in front of her, professing love and devotion? Would she stay with him or go back to the arms of someone from her past?

"Stop brooding." Her voice was a soft whisper in his ear. "They might be in my heart and in my past, but you are my present. Hopefully my future."

"Are you sure? Wouldn' want you to regret Remy." He looked at her, meeting her bright eyes, his fingers touching her jaw.

Smiling, she stood on her tip toes, kissing him lightly. "No regrets here. What about you, ye of the colorful history?"

Wincing, Remy tried to look properly remorseful. "Should Remy apologize for being so desirable? But that be the past, not the present. I choose you."

Willow giggled, leaning against him. "Flirt."

"Remy may be a flirt, but he's yours." Smiling, he leaned closer, reaching behind her ear to produce a lovely red rose. "For you, belle Willow."

They continued to walk, the quiet suddenly interrupted by a whistling noise that grew louder, until a garish purple robot crashed into the duck pond, flinging what was supposed to be water everywhere. Willow made a gesture, and the liquid parted, neatly missing them. Remy held her close, trying to figure out if there were any more Sentinals. Other people that had been in the park were panicking, screaming and running in all directions.

Two people, a man with large feather wings and a woman with a wild mane of auburn curls streaked with white flew down, the woman calling out "Is everyone all right?"

"They are in my past. The park suddenly lost it's appeal, an' they think Gambit is dead." He held Willow close, trying to control the rush of feelings that the sight of Angel and Rogue inspired.

She took his hand, leading him away from the scene. "Gambit is dead, by her choice. It's time for Remy to live now. Maybe... with me?"

"Willow? You askin' me t' move into your house with you?" He smiled, feeling a rush of hope.

"Yeah." Her smile was a bit hesitant, her cheeks turning pink.

He picked her up, swinging her around in a wild hug. "I would love to move in wit' you. Build a future together. Maybe… maybe think about getting married some day?"

"Sounds good to me." Her smile was the sweetest thing. "Sometimes, you have to go after your dreams and just… grab on and hold tight."

Smiling, the returned to Willow's house. Hold tight… That sounded like something that he could manage. Grab your dreams and hold tight… Right now, his dream was trying to live happily after with Willow. Maybe they would manage it.

End Hold on Tight.

End Stolen Hearts.