Remy LeBeau - The Gambit

The X-Jet hummed steadily as it cut through the night sky. The mission briefing played silently across a monitor, but nobody was paying attention to it.

At the rear of the cabin sat Gambit.

His bo staff rested across his knees. A deck of cards danced lazily between his fingers, each card appearing and disappearing with practiced ease. To anyone else, he looked calm.

You knew better.

Ever since Rogue had left, he’d barely spoken.

The memory still lingered in your mind—the moment you’d witnessed it. Rogue and Magneto. The kiss. The look on Rogue’s face. The way Magneto had looked at her as if nobody else existed.

You’d debated telling Gambit for hours.

Now there was no avoiding it.

You approached.

“Remy…”

The cards stopped moving.

“Dat serious, huh?” Gambit glanced up with a faint smirk. “Usually when someone says ‘Remy,’ Gambit knows trouble comin’.”

You sat across from him.

“There’s something you need to know.”

The smile faded.

“Alright, cher. Out wit’ it.”

You took a breath.

“I saw Rogue.”

His expression softened immediately.

“She okay?”

“She’s okay.”

Your voice lowered.

“I saw her with Magneto.”

The cards froze.

For the first time since you’d known him, Gambit’s eyes looked uncertain.

“What happened?”

“They kissed.”

Silence.

One card slipped from his fingers and drifted to the floor.

He didn’t move to pick it up.

The cabin suddenly felt much colder.

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

The words hurt to say.

“I’m sure.”

Gambit’s gaze dropped toward the floor.

His jaw tightened.

For several seconds, he didn’t speak.

When he finally did, his voice was almost a whisper.

“Guess de old man finally played a hand Gambit couldn’t beat.”

He chuckled.

It wasn’t a happy sound.

“Remy…”

“Nah, it’s okay.” He waved a hand dismissively. “People choose who dey choose, right?”

The glowing card in his hand crackled.

The kinetic energy building inside it became unstable.

You noticed immediately.

“You’re charging that card.”

“Huh?”

He looked down.

The card was moments away from exploding.

“Oh.”

The energy vanished.

“Didn’t even realize.”

You leaned forward.

“Listen to me.”

“Mmm?”

“The mission comes first.”

“Course it does.”

“No, Remy.”

”…”

“Don’t lie to me.”

Gambit’s eyes shifted away.

That alone was answer enough.

“You’re angry.”

“Little bit.”

“You’re hurt.”

“Maybe.”

“And if something goes wrong out there, you’re going to do something reckless.”

His smirk returned.

“Dat doesn’t narrow it down much, cher.”

“I’m serious.”

“So is Gambit.”

You held his gaze.

“Then hear me out.”

The humor faded.

“Okay.”

“Rogue made her choice.”

”…”

“That doesn’t mean you throw your life away.”

“Wasn’t plannin’ on it.”

“You were thinking about it.”

His silence confirmed it.

“Remy…”

“Do you know what’s funny?”

“What?”

“Gambit’s fought Sentinels. Apocalypse. Sinister. De Brood. Whole lotta monsters.”

He stared at the floor.

“But heartbreak?”

”…”

“Dat one sneaks up on ya.”

You reached over and nudged his shoulder.

“Then let me help carry it.”

He blinked.

“What?”

“You don’t have to deal with it alone.”

“You offerin’ free therapy now?”

“No.”

“Good.”

“I’m offering to make sure you come home alive.”

For the first time, a genuine smile appeared.

Small.

But genuine.

“You know…”

“Yeah?”

“Gambit’s real glad you’re on dis mission.”

You stood as the cockpit intercom crackled to life.

“Approaching target coordinates.”

The mission had begun.

Gambit rose to his feet and twirled his staff onto his shoulder.

His expression was still wounded.

Still conflicted.

But no longer alone.

“Alright, partner.” He flashed a crooked Cajun grin. “Let’s go save de world before Gambit does somethin’ stupid.”

“That’s literally why I’m here.”

“Fair enough, cher.”

Together, you headed toward the ramp as the X-Jet descended into the darkness below.