Chapter 4: The Queen of Hearts - A Prequel*
Rogue's Room, Xavier's Mansion*
The night was a silent witness to the solitary figure of Rogue, sitting on the edge of her bed, lost in thought. The soft knock at the door was unexpected, a gentle intrusion that brought her back to reality. A single card slipped through the gap—a Queen of Hearts. It was more than just a card; it was a symbol, a message from the one person who had managed to get under her skin—Gambit.
Rogue stepped out into the cool night, the mansion's grandeur casting long shadows on the ground. She found Gambit waiting for her, not with the arrogance of an enemy, but with the vulnerability of someone who had something to lose. "Did you come back to explode another card in my face?" she asked, her voice a mix of sarcasm and genuine curiosity.
Gambit's chuckle was low and warm. "Wouldn't dream of it, chère. But what about this card?" he said, producing the Queen of Hearts from her back pocket. Rogue's cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "I was gonna give it back," she muttered.
"I didn't think you cared enough to keep it," he teased, his eyes softening. "That's mine," she said, snatching the card back. "Oh? Kept it close all this time. Must mean somethin', right?" Gambit's grin was infectious, and despite herself, Rogue felt the corners of her mouth twitching upwards.
Their secret meetings became the highlight of Rogue's days. They talked about everything—from the mundane to the profound. Rogue learned about Gambit's love for New Orleans, his passion for jazz, and his complicated relationship with his family.
Gambit, in turn, discovered Rogue's love for literature, her secret desire to travel the world, and the burden she carried because of her powers. Their conversations were long and meandering, filled with laughter and the occasional comfortable silence.
One evening, they found themselves at their usual spot, a secluded corner of the mansion's vast grounds. "There's more to love than touch, chère," Gambit whispered, his hand reaching out but not touching her. Rogue's breath caught in her throat. "We can't do this, Remy. I can't touch people. My powers... they're a curse."
In a swift motion, Gambit leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a fleeting, electric kiss. Rogue pulled back, her eyes wide with shock. "What's going on? My powers... I need to see the professor!" she exclaimed, her mind racing with confusion.
Gambit cut her off with another kiss, deeper and more assured. As they parted, he smiled, a hint of his usual cockiness shining through. "No need for that, chère. Your powers, they're a part of you, but so is control. And when it comes to us, it seems we've got a balance. I release energy, you absorb it. We're like two halves of a whole."
As the days turned into nights and back again, Rogue and Gambit found themselves caught in a whirlwind of emotions, each moment spent together a step deeper into uncharted territory. Their conversations, once filled with playful banter, now took on new layers of meaning as they navigated the complexities of their relationship.
Rogue lay awake one night, her thoughts a tangled web. "Ah can't keep doin' this," she whispered to herself. "It's too dangerous." But even as she said it, she knew she wouldn't—couldn't—stay away from Gambit. He was like gravity, an inevitable force that drew her in, no matter how hard she tried to resist.
Gambit, on the other hand, was resolute. He knew the risks, but he also knew what Rogue meant to him. "I'll do whatever it takes to make this work," he vowed, staring out at the stars that seemed to burn brighter with his determination.
Rogue fingered the locket Gambit had given her, the Queen of Hearts inside a constant reminder of their bond. "This locket, it's more than just a piece of jewelry. It's a promise," she said, her eyes meeting his.
"A promise that I'll always be there for you, no matter what," Gambit affirmed, his hand resting over hers.
The time had come to make a choice. To stay hidden in the shadows or step into the light together. Rogue and Gambit knew the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but they also knew that together, they could face anything.
Unbeknownst to them, their meetings were being watched. From the shadows, a figure observed with a mix of curiosity and concern. The figure was none other than Mystique, Rogue's adoptive mother, her blue skin blending with the night. Her feelings were a complex web of maternal protectiveness and cold calculation. What would she do with this information? Only time would tell.
As Rogue and Gambit continued to meet, they began to plan. They knew they had to be cautious, for if the wrong person discovered their secret, it could mean disaster not just for them, but for the entire team. They agreed to keep their relationship hidden until they could understand the full extent of their powers together.
With each stolen moment, the bond between Rogue and Gambit deepened. They shared stories of their pasts, dreams of their futures, and fears of the present. In the safety of each other's company, they found a peace that had eluded them for so long
As dawn broke over the mansion, Rogue and Gambit stood hand in hand, watching the sunrise. "No matter what happens, we have today," Rogue said, her voice filled with hope.
"And tomorrow," Gambit added, "we'll face it together