Been about 5 years since I last wrote an X-Men fanfic, but with X-Men '97 having just come out, you best believe I was sucked right back into the fandom — especially with how great the episodes have been for the drama of my fave superhero couple, Rogue and Gambit.
Please enjoy this quick "what if…?" one-shot!
"Thanks for the dance, sugah. But… Remy was right. Some things… are deeper than skin."
Rogue moved to pull away from Erik, having shared their very public display of 'support' from the X-Men. However, he caught her hand just as she started to retreat, his eyes quietly begging for her to stay.
"Erik…" she sighed.
"I know your feelings for him are more than mere infatuation, Rogue. But please… reconsider my offer. You could be a great leader — a respected one." he asked.
"I have," she replied calmly, slipping her hand from his, the immediate loss of skin-to-skin contact feeling like an arctic blast on her exposed flesh, "But I know where I belong, and it's with my family."
Erik's shoulder slumped, accepting her answer, "Very well. Should you ever change your mind…"
"I know where to find ya," she finished with a sweet smile, the decision echoing its finality.
She turned away before he could say anything more to try and sway her decision, but Rogue had a Cajun she needed to see.
Remy had already made it back to their guest suites, loosening his button-down which felt suffocating to him in a way it never had before.
As much as he was trying his best to be an adult about it all, Remy couldn't deny how his blood boiled to see Rogue with Magneto like that.
He yanked off his jacket and scarf, deciding there wasn't anything more he could do for the evening, figuring an early night would allow him to slip away on the Blackbird earlier the next morning, and avoid any more awkward conversations.
However, a quick knock at his door stilled his movements and paused his endeavour.
"Who's dere?" he asked aloud, the sharpness of his tone evident.
"It's me…"
'Chère…' he thought.
"Can I come in?" Rogue asked demurely through the door, sounding like she expected him to turn her away.
Remy couldn't find it in himself to be angry with her. He couldn't blame her for wanting what she was being offered by Magneto — especially when Gambit couldn't give that to her himself.
"Sure, chère," he answered with a sigh, barely a moment passing between his approval and Rogue entering the room. She closed the door behind her, standing awkwardly by the door, in case he changed his mind and asked her to leave, which she wouldn't have blamed him for.
"Remy, I…" she started, wanting to find the best way to tell him.
At her hesitation, Remy interjected, hoping to ease her anxiety, "You don't need to explain nuthin' to me, Rogue. You don't owe me anyt'ing,"
"Would ya just let me gather myself for a sec?" she retorted with her sharp sass that Gambit was far more accustomed to. It was nice hearing it — made it feel like their early flirting days.
"Fine," he said, moving to sit on the chair by the fireplace, where he'd already had his heart broken earlier that day by the woman he knew he would never fully get over, "But make it quick. Gambit's had a long day, and I jus' want to get some shut eye before I fly back to de mansion tomorrow."
"See, that's what I wanted to talk to ya about," Rogue twisted her hands together, unable to look Remy in the eye, though she could feel his gaze burning a hole through her.
"Want me to gather your t'ings from de mansion so you can move in with Magneto right away? You movin' lightnin' speed, chère," his tone was an attempt at being lighthearted, but Rogue could hear the bitterness that tinged it.
"No…" she chided back, but softened as she continued, "I was… hoping you'd like some company… on that flight home?"
Remy's eyes widened a little, though he remained incredulous, "Whatchu playin' at, Rogue?"
She bit her lip as she answered, finally lifting her gaze to match his, "I'm not stayin', Remy."
The emotional whiplash Remy was currently faced with was almost too much for his jaded heart to handle, "Dis some game?"
"No game, Remy. I just realised that… I was about to make one of the worst mistakes of my life. Without the X-Men… without you… none of this means anythin'. What's the point of bein' Queen of Genosha if I'm not with the people I care most about to share it with?"
"Chère…" he breathed out in relief.
"I'm too selfish to be a leader the way they want me to be… because I love you too much to give you up. And I'm sorry for hurtin' you like I did today. You didn't deserve any of it. I know I don't deserve a second chance, but…"
Remy stood from his chair and, without hesitation, reached out for her. He could only hear Kurt's words echoing in his mind, 'There is no love without sin. For love is best measured in what we forgive.'
Rogue withdrew from his touch because of her exposed skin, not wanting the moment to be ruined with Gambit in a coma. But Remy was always so resourceful…
He moved to where he'd dropped his white suit jacket, moving behind her to slide it over her bare arms and shoulders, letting his hand sit there for a moment, testing the waters, "You have no idea how happy you make dis Cajun, Rogue."
Rogue revelled in the warmth his jacket brought, the dark smell of his woodsy cologne mixed with his unique brand of southern musk that always reminded her of him. It soothed her worry that he wouldn't be able to accept her apology.
"I have some idea…" she replied softly, letting his arms encircle her waist more securely as she leaned back into his chest.
As Remy held her, he suddenly thought of Kurt again, 'Just marry the belle, and be done.'
His arms tightened just that bit more as he gathered himself, "Chère?"
She gave a small sound to indicate she was listening, "Yes, Remy?"
He continued, "Would you..."
However, their reunion was destined to be short lived as they both felt a rumble under their feet. Rogue asked in a bemused tone, "An earthquake?"
"Non. Somet'in worse," Gambit answered forebodingly, looking out the balcony window and seeing ominous explosions off in the distance.
The pair immediately sprang into action as they ran out the room and back to the main hall where they hoped they could warn everyone to escape.
Gambit immediately started ideating, "Get to Magneto and tell 'em what's goin' on. He'll listen to you and be able to direct de people. I'll shutdown de music and get de Blackbird in flight. Hopefully we can stop it, or at least evacuate some folks."
"Right!" she answered back assuredly.
Just as they reached the hall, Cable came running in, shouting to turn off the music and get everyone out.
"If Cable's here, that can't be a good sign," Rogue shouted.
"You right. Let's make haste den, huh, chère?" Gambit replied with a quick smirk before Rogue flew towards Erik.
Just a quick one about if Rogue had managed to tell Remy that she chose him and the X-Men over Magneto. If I'm feeling in the mood, I may add a second chapter for the alternate scenario for the attack on Genosha. Or who knows… maybe the scenario plays out the same… which is evil.
But until then, I hope you all enjoyed this!
Until Next Time…