Rogue thought of herself as a Hero. Well, the best of one she could be. She was an X-Men, yes, but that doesn't make up for what she did. Has done.
Maybe that's the reason she is an X Men to make up for what she's done, or so she could possibly learn to control her power that made every living day depressing and lonely. Rogue hasn't touched someone for 9 years, intimately or casually. Only for their power or thoughts.
She was lonely.
She was surrounded by her friends who were like family to her but she couldn't touch them. It felt isolating.
To add, she was always covered, either in her suit or a sweater, pants, and gloves. She even wore scarves just in case.
So I guess you could say flying was her escape.
Rogue wasn't proud of how she got the power. Carol didn't deserve that. But she wouldn't lie she loved being able to fly. Her powers made her feel strong. Literally.
So she Flys when she feels isolated and alone.
It was a snowy day in December, one of the ones Rogue loathed with a passion. However, staying inside with the heat was somehow worse than going out into the blistering cold.
So she dressed and got on her boots, to go out to fly. As she made her way for the door a certain Cajun spotted her.
"Where are vous going chère?” Gambit asked as he suddenly spoke from nearby where she was standing by the door. Rogue jumped in surprise before rolling her eyes.
"That ain't none of your concern, Cajun.” She retorted as she opened the door.
“Come on chère,” Gambit pried as he stepped closer to her, “Gambit's, doing no harm in asking where a femme like yourself is going.”
“Am Just goin out ta fly, nothin big ya Swamp Rat.” Rogue responded with an eye roll. He leaned against the wall by the door looking down to her.
Gambit grinned, his eyes twinkling with that mischievous sparkle that always made Rogue's heart skip a beat, despite her best efforts to remain indifferent. "Pourquoi pas let ol' Gambit come with you? We could use a little adventure together, non?"
Rogue sighed, half-annoyed, half-amused. "Ain't no adventure, Cajun. Just me and the sky."
He pushed off the wall and moved closer, his presence warm even in the cold air seeping in through the open door. "What if Gambit wanna see the sky too, chère? You flyin' up there all alone, ain’t fair."
She stared at him for a moment, considering. His charm was undeniable, and there was a sincerity in his eyes that made her soften, if only a little. "And what exactly do you plan on doin' once you're up there?"
Gambit shrugged, his grin never fading. "Enjoyin' the view. Keepin' you company. Maybe even sharin' a moment or two."
Rogue hesitated. She knew what he was asking wasn't impossible—she was more than strong enough to carry him—but the intimacy of it, the closeness, was what made her nervous. She could accidentally touch him, hurt him and put him in a coma. Still, the thought of sharing a moment with him, even in the freezing December air, was tempting. Tempting enough to push her concerns to the side.
"Alright, Cajun," she finally relented, "but you better hold on tight. Ain't gonna be no second chances if you slip."
Gambit's grin widened. "Gambit always hold on tight to somethin' as precious as you, chère."
She shook her head, trying to hide her smile as she turned to face him. "You're impossible, Remy LeBeau."
With a smooth, practiced motion, she wrapped her arms around his waist and lifted him off the ground. Gambit instinctively wrapped his arms around her shoulders, his face inches from hers. "Ready?" she asked, her voice a bit steadier than she felt.
"Always, chère," he replied, his breath warm against her cheek. Her anxiety spiked at the closeness but she kept her composure.
After that, Rogue launched them both into the air. The cold wind rushed past them, carrying the crisp scent of snow and pine. She could feel Gambit's heart beating steadily against her chest, his warmth a comforting contrast to the icy air.
As they ascended, the mansion grew smaller beneath them, the snowy landscape stretching out in all directions. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue, the kind that seemed to go on forever. For a moment, Rogue forgot her loneliness, her isolation. Up here, with Remy, she felt free.
They reached the rooftop, and Rogue gently set Gambit down. He took a moment to steady himself before turning to face her, his eyes filled with admiration. "Merci, chère. Dat was somethin' else."
Rogue looked away, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. "It ain't nothin'."
Gambit took her gloved hand, his touch light but reassuring even through the shield of the leather glove. "It means a lot to Gambit. And I t'ink it means a lot to you too."
She glanced back at him, her defenses momentarily lowered. "Maybe it does," she admitted softly. "Maybe it does."
For a while, they just stood there, side by side, looking out over the serene, snow-covered landscape. The silence between them was comfortable, filled with unspoken understanding. It was a rare, precious moment, and Rogue found herself cherishing it more than she expected.
Eventually, Gambit broke the silence. "You know, chère, you don' always have to be alone. You got people who care about you, who wanna be there for you."
Rogue sighed, her breath visible in the cold air. "It's not that simple, Remy. My powers... they make things complicated."
Too complicated.
He squeezed her hand gently. "Complicated don' mean impossible. You just gotta let people in."
She looked at him, searching his eyes for any sign of doubt or insincerity. All she found was unwavering support. Support she wasn't familiar with but…trusted wholeheartedly. "Maybe you're right," she said quietly. "Maybe I just need to try."
Gambit smiled, a soft, genuine smile that made her heart ache in the best way possible. "Dat's all anyone can ask, chère. Just try."
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the snow, Rogue felt a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the temperature. She glanced over at Gambit who looked gorgeous in the glow of the setting sun. He looked at her with a look she wasn't familiar with. He looked into her green eyes and smiled slightly. Not his flirtatious grin bit something more sincere.
Maybe, Just Maybe...she could trust him.
-
"Remy?"
"Oui?"
"Hold Me."