Chapter 5: The Gambit of Hearts*
The sun had barely crested the horizon when Rogue found Gambit in the kitchen, already preparing breakfast. "Mornin', Remy," she greeted, a smile tugging at her lips despite the early hour.
Gambit turned, offering her a plate of beignets. "Thought I'd surprise you with a taste of New Orleans," he said, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
As they sat together, the kitchen filled with light-hearted banter and the sweet smell of powdered sugar. It was moments like these that Rogue cherished, moments that felt normal amidst the chaos of their lives.
Later, in the danger room, their training session took on a playful edge. "Try to keep up, chère," Gambit teased as he dodged her attacks with a flourish.
Rogue's response was a laugh, her powers surging in a display of light and energy. "Ah don't need to keep up, Ah set the pace," she shot back, her own movements a blur.
Their laughter echoed off the walls, a sound that spoke of camaraderie and something deeper, something neither of them was ready to define just yet.
As the day wound down, they found themselves on the mansion's grounds, walking side by side. "We need to figure out what we're doin', Remy," Rogue said, her voice serious. "Ah can't keep pretendin' that nothin's changin'."
Gambit nodded, his gaze on the path ahead. "I've been thinkin' about that. We need a plan, somethin' solid."
They talked in hushed tones, unaware of the figure lurking in the shadows. Mystique, her blue form almost invisible in the twilight, listened intently. Her daughter's happiness was her priority, but this Cajun was an unknown variable, a risk she wasn't willing to take.
As Rogue and Gambit's voices faded into the night, Mystique made a silent vow. She would do whatever it took to protect Rogue, even if it meant derailing their plans before they could begin.
Chapter 5: The Gambit of Hearts*
The sun had barely crested the horizon when Rogue found Gambit in the kitchen, already preparing breakfast. "Mornin', Remy," she greeted, a smile tugging at her lips despite the early hour.
Gambit turned, offering her a plate of beignets. "Thought I'd surprise you with a taste of New Orleans," he said, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
As they sat together, the kitchen filled with light-hearted banter and the sweet smell of powdered sugar. It was moments like these that Rogue cherished, moments that felt normal amidst the chaos of their lives.
Later, in the danger room, their training session took on a playful edge. "Try to keep up, chère," Gambit teased as he dodged her attacks with a flourish.
Rogue's response was a laugh, her powers surging in a display of light and energy. "Ah don't need to keep up, Ah set the pace," she shot back, her own movements a blur.
Their laughter echoed off the walls, a sound that spoke of camaraderie and something deeper, something neither of them was ready to define just yet.
As the day wound down, they found themselves on the mansion's grounds, walking side by side. "We need to figure out what we're doin', Remy," Rogue said, her voice serious. "Ah can't keep pretendin' that nothin's changin'."
Gambit nodded, his gaze on the path ahead. "I've been thinkin' about that. We need a plan, somethin' solid."
They talked in hushed tones, unaware of the figure lurking in the shadows. Mystique, her blue form almost invisible in the twilight, listened intently. Her daughter's happiness was her priority, but this Cajun was an unknown variable, a risk she wasn't willing to take.
As Rogue and Gambit's voices faded into the night, Mystique made a silent vow. She would do whatever it took to protect Rogue, even if it meant derailing their plans before they could begin.