Comfort- Gambit x Autistic!AFAB!Reader
Been going through somethings lately (possibly autistic burn out through my research) so wanted to write a lil fic of Gambit comforting an autistic AFAB reader (aka me).
CW: Reader is implied autistic and going through a nonverbal episode due to stress, AFAB reader so she/her pronouns, Gambit refers to reader as Chere, fluff/comfort
The clatter of plates, the scrape of chairs and the constant chatter. This was why she avoided the main dining hall on a Saturday lunch time. The noise. Of course, the pupils at Xavier’s school weren’t fully to blame. But on bad days, they could’ve been a lot quieter. She was only in there a moment but she had to get out of there. And fast. Which she did. Normally, she would be going in with someone so it was easier to manage. Someone like Hank who was always a calm and safe presence. Or Rogue who could distract anyone from their thoughts with her Southern drawl. Today, they were both busy. And her headphones were in her dorm. Across the otherside of the mansion. Crap. She turned and quickly made her escape. As she left the hall, her body crashed into Gambit’s. He was walking with Morph and Logan towards the hall.
“Woah, woah, what’s the rush, petite?” Gambit asked, his hands raised in surrender.
“Oh uh… I just… Need the bathroom.” She replied, not looking at the trio before walking briskly away. She could hear Gambit murmur something but didn’t pay enough attention as to what it was.
She soon reached her dorm. Her personal sanctuary. Grabbing her headphones, she put them into noise cancelling mode and practically threw herself onto the bed. Face buried in the familiar softness of her pillows. Alll at once, the world became quiet again. This wasn’t a normal response for most. Most would just get on with it. But her sensitivity to noises had been awful alll week. Even with the gentle rhythm playing through her headphones, she heard the knock at the door. She didn’t react until she heard the door open and close by itself. Gambit stood, leaning casually against the door with his arms crossed and a worried expression on his face.
“Ya alright there, chere?” He asked gently “You looked like you’s ‘bout ta pass out.”
She took one headphone off her ear and rested it against her head.
“The dining hall was noisy. Too noisy for me to cope with today. Can’t cope with much else either apparently.” She replied, heaving a heavy sigh. Her body moved to sit up before hugging her knees to her chest. Her usual bright, vibrant eyes didn’t look into Gambit’s, instead looking at his chest. The frown that crossed his face deepened at her explanation.
“Gambit’s sorry you havin’ a tough time.” Remy sat on the end of her bed. “You been sleepin’ ok? Anythin’ stressin’ ya out lately?”
She shook her head. Outside of the normal stresses of everyday existence, she was fine.
“Anythin’ Gambit can do ta help?”
She glanced down before her eyes finally met his red irises. Tentatively, her hand reached out to his. Like clockwork he intertwined their fingers together. A smile tugged the corners of his lips.
“How’s ‘bout Gambit grabs us somethin’ you’ll like to eat and he sit wit’ ya a while?”
Again, the woman nodded. Remy brought her hand to his lips, placing a brief kiss to the back of it. Even in the midst of mental turmoil, the great Gambit’s charms were able to get through to her. Soft cheeks tinted red and a small smile played across her lips.
“Let Gambit take care o’ ya.” Remy said before pulling away and standing up “Don’t go anywhere, ya hear?”
She nodded. Guess it’s not so bad, being the girlfriend of the greatest thief in existence.
He came back a while later, a bag and 2 water bottles in hand.
“Chere, you got tha right idea stayin’ outta there. Wew, it was chaos!” Remy set the bag down and sat back down on the bed. His girlfriend glanced up at him, her smile having dropped slightly. Black headphones stayed plastered to her ears.
“Gotcha a few bits I knew you’d like. Made sure there’s no mustard or tomatoes in ‘em. And water to stay hydrated.” His expression softened as he glanced to her. She couldn’t look at him, still curled in on herself. Now she’d changed into safe clothes. A pair of loose fitting pyjama trousers and a severely oversized hoodie that one belonged to Gambit. He never wore it so gave it to her. Somehow it still smelled like him, smelled of his cologne.
“Chere, you sure you want Gambit to stay?” Remy asked in a gentle tone. He didn’t want her to feel overwhelmed by his presence. Remy’s girlfriend shook her head furiously and grabbed onto his T-shirt. A silent plea for him to stay with her. He felt his heart melting at the sweet gesture.
“Den Gambit ain’t goin’ anywhere.” He mumbled before kissing her forehead.
