Percy hid just behind the door frame as he watched 'Gambit' move around the kitchen bobbing his head. There was music playing loudly, a voice he recognized from when he and his mama would bake cookies together. He was bobbing his own head slightly, leaning against the door frame. He liked the song, although it was faster paced than what his mama would listen to with him. He was sure that 'Gambit' was cooking something, the smells in the air and the stovetop being on gave that away obviously.
There was something said in french as 'Gambit' turned around, spotting Percy watching him silently. He looked startled, and Percy hid a little further behind the wall separating them. His heart rate had picked up and there was the brief spike of fear.
"Percy," The music was turned down considerably. "Would you like to join Gambit?" He asked as Percy poked his head back out from behind the doorway. Percy hesitated, eyes wide as he looked into the kitchen. He took a hesitant step out from the doorway, though his hand was holding tight to the doorway. His other hand was shaking slightly as he looked around carefully.
It was his first time in the kitchen since he'd been brought to the 'X-Men Mansion' or 'X-Mansion'. He'd always avoided the kitchen unless someone carried him in, usually to eat since he rarely would walk there on his own.
Percy swallowed anxiously as his eyes darted around before settling on 'Gambit' who was crouching down with a hand stretched out to him. There was still considerable distance between the two, which Percy was thankful for. While he liked 'Gambit' far more than anyone else in the mansion, he was still terrified of him.
Percy didn't understand the look on his face, but it wasn't anger or distaste or anything that Percy had seen Gabe express. It took a moment to place it, but he saw his mama with that expression once. It was soft, kind, and it felt reassuring.
Percy's hand left the doorway as he took a hesitant step forward. He was shaking, and his eyes kept darting back to the stovetop, both wearily and fearfully. Gabe would sometimes call Percy to the kitchen to hurt him. But 'Gambit' wasn't Gabe, far from him actually. He took a breath, closed his eyes, and darted forward.
He collided with 'Gambit', though the older didn't move an inch, instead wrapping his arms around Percy and steadying him. This was a massive step for Percy, something which was only noticeable by 'Gambit'. Percy never seemed to realize when he was able to do something he hadn't before, but he always noticed when he was no longer scared of it.
"Gambit's proud of you, petit." 'Gambit' told him, slowly picking him up and holding him. He'd noticed Percy's hesitant gaze towards the stove, had wondered just what had happened to him to make him fearful of the kitchen. Percy was clutching tightly to his shirt, though Percy's head was resting on his shoulder. "So proud." He turned back, carefully watching Percy's reactions as he reached and turned the song back up.
It left Percy able to see what Gambit was cooking. It was something spicy, which made Percy's stomach growl. Percy flushed slightly, embarrassed, as 'Gambit' laughed slightly. It was a quiet sound, and one that Percy realized that he didn't hear often. He liked when 'Gambit' laughed.
"Sounds like Gambit should hurry up and finish cooking so you can eat," Gambit chuckled afterwards, bobbing his head to the music. He smiled as he felt Percy bobbing his own head lightly against his shoulder. He barely noticed when the song changed, just that soon enough Percy was sitting up fully in his arm and wasn't holding so tightly to Gambit anymore.
"Mama liked this song…" Percy's eyes were watery. "She really liked this song, would hold me and sing every word while the cookies baked." Percy's eyes closed as Gambit wrapped his other arm back around Percy.
The song was "Savin' Me" by Nickelback, which told Gambit plenty about what kind of woman Percy's mom was. She was strong, and she was most definitely a fighter. He pressed a careful and quick kiss to Percy's temple, just at his hairline, as he turned and leaned back against the counter.
Gambit closed his eyes as Percy moved and hid his face against Gambit's shoulder again. He knew his food wasn't going to burn, in fact it needed to sit for a while anyways. And Percy was still grieving, something which Hank said was going to take a long time. He'd seen his mom get killed protecting him, and then was hiding on the streets for a month.
Gambit felt tears enter his own eyes against his will as Percy started to cry. He hummed along to the song as Percy cried, only opening his eyes when Rogue came into the kitchen, a look of concern and curiosity on her face. She stopped short as she watched Gambit and Percy, the former closing his eyes again.
He bowed his head as Rogue slipped from the kitchen.
Percy cried for another few minutes before he was too tired to continue, something which Hank couldn't find the cause for. Percy was just exhausted, all of the time and he fell asleep so easily, and he slept for too long.
The Professor theorized that it was caused by the conditions he'd been in previously. Gambit theorized that Percy could be a mutant, since he'd heard Percy say that it was only in Winter that he was so tired all the time. That his 'mama only worried when it was Winter'. He took a breath as he opened his eyes again, finding that he was already walking towards the fridge.
"Would ya' like a soda or water, petit?" Gambit asked, opening the fridge. He made sure Percy wasn't looking in, a scowl on his face as he spotted Logan's beer in the fridge. He was, apparently, the only one that noticed when Percy was scared or terrified of something.
He'd seen how just last week Percy tensed when he'd seen the beer that Logan was drinking, apparently he was the only one that noticed how Percy avoided Logan at all costs, and he had helped Percy when the nightmares were worse that night. He'd noticed the fear of the kitchen, and often offered for Percy and him to eat in the common area, which helped Percy relax and, just yesterday he'd asked Gambit if he could have more. Percy also hated being alone more than anything else, which was why he'd moved from full time X-Men to emergency member. He was determined to see to it that Percy was never alone if he didn't want to be.
He asked questions to Gambit, just quiet whispers as he leaned against him, or was held in his arms. He froze whenever he had to ask anyone else, and shook whenever someone snuck up on him. Gambit sometimes felt helpless when he could see everything affecting Percy, but no one else did.
"Can… Uh…" Percy shook and Gambit could take a guess. Percy loved water, but was hesitant to have anything else. When offered a soda he would hesitate, especially if he really wanted one.
"Soda?"
"Please." Percy's voice was quieter than normal as he nodded. Gambit nodded, humming along to the song, which had changed he noticed. He grabbed a coke for Percy before grabbing one for himself. He needed something to drink, and he was not even thinking of his liquor. Refused to, actually.
He shut the fridge with a glare before moving back towards the stove. He set both cans on the counter, stirring the food, and then opening Percy's can. He carefully set Percy on the counter, waiting to see if there would be a reaction. Percy tensed, but other than pushing himself a little further back, there wasn't a reaction.
Gambit passed Percy his can of soda before opening his own. He could hear Storm talking with someone as she walked down the hallway, maybe it was Jean, or maybe it was Morph or Jubilee. He didn't know, but he did know that Percy was weary again, on edge.
"What's your favorite color, Percy?" Gambit asked, stirring the food once more. He bobbed his head as the song reached its peak.
"Blue." Percy answered, eyes sparking slightly as he looked over towards him. "I really like blue, and mama would make blue cookies!" Percy took a sip of his soda, a tilt of his head as he stared at the drink in his hands.
"Blue cookies? I've never had blue cookies before." Gambit raised an eyebrow, tilting his head as he heard Jean respond to Storm. He could hear Scott too, now that he really tried to listen. Couldn't make out what they were saying though.
"Mama had a recipe, I…" Percy was frowning once more. Gambit could guess that Percy didn't know the recipe, could also figure that he was never able to get a reminder of his mom. He made a mental note to remember where Percy's old apartment was. He would need to pay a visit to the place.
"Maybe you and Gambit can figure out the recipe together? Trial and error?" Gambit asked as he heard the trio walk into the room, a glance showed that Rogue was with them. He would be looking for any and all recipes that he could find. Any reminders of Percy's mom for him if he could find any.
"Okay…" Percy seemed incredibly bummed yet, which caused Gambit to frown slightly. He made a mental note for that to be as soon as possible.
"Hey Percy, how are you bud?" Bless Scott, but Percy did not like Scott. Percy frowned at the other, eyes weary as he tried to move closer to Gambit. Gambit set a hand out to stop Percy from moving too far, though Percy latched onto his arm as he stared at Scott. It wasn't in fear, but Scott made Percy uncomfortable and it was obvious.
Rogue snorted lightly, and Gambit could almost see Jean patting Scott on the shoulder as Storm moved to the fridge.
"Hi Storm…" Percy waved with one hand, though he was still attempting to cling to Gambit. It was surprising just how close to the stove Percy was letting himself be.
"Hello Percy, how are you today?" Storm asked as she looked over at Percy with a warm smile. Percy shrugged, glancing nervously at the other three people in the room, all who were trying to pretend they were doing their own thing.
Gambit glanced to the opposite side of where Percy was sitting, finding Rogue leaning against his side. He smiled at her as he offered her a bite of what he was making. Rogue smiled, winking at Percy who was staring at the both of them confused.
Gambit was surprised Percy didn't want to leave yet, given that this was the closest Percy had been to Rogue since he'd woken up at the mansion. This was also the most people he'd been in the room with.
"Alright…" Percy was looking back at Storm, his response delayed enough to cause concern. He glanced at Percy to see his eyes drooping.
"Petit, did you want to take a nap for a little while?" Gambit asked, tilting his head as Percy took another drink of his soda. While probably thirsty, Percy didn't seem like he was entirely interested in the soda like most kids would be. Percy blinked at Gambit before nodding shyly.
"R-" Percy stopped and swallowed, eyes darting to Rogue before he tried again. "Rogue?" He asked, setting his soda to the side and raising his arms. There was silence in the kitchen as surprise flicked across Rogue's face before she nodded with a smile.
"You want me to come with you?" Rogue asked, to which Percy hesitantly nodded. Gambit wondered if his own interaction with Rogue was influencing Percy's decision. "Of course, suga'." Rogue moved around Gambit, who paused in his swaying that he didn't even realize he'd been doing. He also realized very belatedly that his music was turned down much more than he would have done.
Rogue picked Percy up, who rested his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes. He was still incredibly tense, but he was at least calm. Rogue turned the tab of Percy's soda and Storm silently offered to put it in the fridge. Rogue passed it to her before turning and walking out of the kitchen with Percy.
There were a few moments before Gambit spoke.
"I'm going to kill his former stepfather." His voice was hard as he glared at the cooking food. There was more silence before Jean spoke.
"Don't get caught by anyone while leaving the mansion." Jean told him. Gambit turned and smiled at her slyly.
"Gambit don't get caught unless he want to."