Welcome To The Inferno~

Freelance comic artist, illustrator, and animator ✨Creator of The Strays on Webtoon!✨ 23 ~I’m a silly little demon~ ❌MUTANT AND PROUD!❌ Commissions OPEN 🔞MDNI🔞

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:3

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Goosebumps AU anyone? Because my oh MY do I have ideas~

(Tagged: @thewickedweiner @sugar-soda @ainsellshadewalker @wolvesbane1984 @danniloversugar @vivid-bun @crow-crystal @whitestreamrct2 @mkkhachewsday99042 @virgo-arts @s0c0ld0utside )

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YAS

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She’s watching you….👁️

(Haven’t drawn Mae in a minute!)

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On this episode of work doodles: Sleepy Mel

[liv-inosity]

I finally decided to go back to humans. How I detest anatomy

My dearest friend @virgo-arts OC bc she chews at my brain

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Rogue doodle :3

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Dumb little Remy doodle from work tonight :3

[mysteryoctober]

𝖘𝖒𝖆𝖑𝖑 𝖙𝖔𝖜𝖓 𝖍𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖔𝖜𝖊𝖊𝖓

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The way it’s barely spring and I’m already foaming at the mouth ready for Halloween. What is wrong with me. I need to be studied in a lab.

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Some art I did for @dogshowhoe and @ghostieartblog for Valentine’s Day! I had a lovely time drawing their animas with their favorite flowers hehe

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𝕼𝖚𝖔𝖙𝖍 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕽𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖓 | 𝕸𝖊𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖎𝖊 𝕷𝖊𝖇𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖈 𝕺𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖎𝖓𝖘, 𝕮𝖍. 𝕾𝖎𝖝

After the chaos of her first mission, Melanie is struggling to come to terms with her actions...and what they mean for her and Gambit.

AO3 link here:

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕾𝖎𝖝: 𝕾𝖚𝖗𝖈𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝕾𝖔𝖗𝖗𝖔𝖜

Warnings: Strong language, self-loathing

Silence used to be comforting.

When Melanie was on the streets, it had been a blessing if things were quiet. When she would tuck herself away in some hidden place for the night, not knowing what dangers the city might conjure, hearing nothing but the sound of sirens and taxis was a relief. 

But now, standing in her dark bedroom, not even changed out of her mission clothes, the quiet seemed to press down on her with intent to smother. 

Limbs stiff, Melanie moved to sit on the end of her bed. Stomach heavy and chest aching. She buried her face in her hands. 

How could I have been so callous?

She took a deep breath, but the burn in her chest–and the sting at the corners of her eyes–was only sharpened by it. 

“You did what you thought was best,” Melanie tried to assure herself, wrapping her arms around herself and squeezing until the dull ache yanked her back from the edge of a spiral. “You thought he was going to hurt you. Mystique would’ve killed you if you didn’t do that.” It was logical. Reasonable. What person wouldn’t react to their trust being broken in such a way? But it still stung. 

Way too far, Leblanc, She thought bitterly. He takes you in as a friend, does his best to be kind, and you want to kill him. I could’ve run. I could’ve–

Melanie groaned, falling backwards onto the bed. Another deep breath. Less painful this time. In. Out. Ground and center. 

“It doesn’t matter what I could have done,” Melanie said softly. “I protected myself. And–and if I lost a friend, then–then–!” She tried to will herself to say then that’s fine, but she couldn’t. The words stuck in her throat like phlegm. 

“God fucking dammit.” 

Melanie sighed. It was only then, as she stared listlessly at the ceiling, did she realize just how disgustingly sticky her skin felt. Sweat and skintight fabrics were not friends, even with the most modern moisture-wicking technology Xavier could buy. A shower was sounding more and more tempting than ever.

“Alright, c’mon, get up. You can be dramatic later.” 

The shower did help immensely, once she turned the water hot enough to flush her skin pink. The sensation helped her mind not wander off. After a quick towel dry and changing into clothes that were light years more comfortable, Melanie finally headed downstairs for dinner. 

She’d guessed earlier that it wasn’t Gambit or Ororo helming the kitchen tonight; after all, there was no tell-tale scent of turmeric, cumin, or paprika in the air. And lo and behold, Scott was in the midst of serving up steak and potatoes.

“Hey!” Jubilee greeted warmly, with Kitty giving her a wave as well. Melanie managed a small smile as she slid into the end of the booth. 

“Dude, I had to take the biggest nap after that,” Kitty sighed. “I kept having to phase to keep up with Kurt.” She turned her gaze to Melanie and smiled carefully. “What about you, Mel? Did you…get some rest?”

Melanie tried her best to tamp down any annoyance at Kitty’s clear prodding. They were friends, and Kitty meant well. Still stung, though.

“I’m alive,” Melanie huffed. “That’s all that matters.” 

“Duh, you don’t get to punch your timecard anytime soon, girl.” Jubilee said with a gentle smile. 

“Thanks, Jubes.”

Melanie was eventually served her plate–Scott could make a mean steak, which somewhat made up for Jean’s war crimes that she called food–and a bit of the weight of the day seemed to ease. It was only after she’d gotten about halfway through her food that she realized someone was missing.

“Where…where’s Gambit?” She asked in a small voice. 

“Cajun said he needed to take a walk after that shitshow with Mystique,” Wolverine replied gruffly. “I wouldn’t worry about it, kid. He’s a loose cannon on a good day.”

“Ain’t that rich, comin’ from you,” Rogue teased. “Don’t you worry, sugah, that ole card thief will wander his way back here eventually. Gambit’s a ramblin’ man. Sometimes he takes a couple days off.”

A couple days? The idea made Melanie want to shrivel away. Great. Waltz into his life and get him so upset he’s fucked off to god knows where. You’re a class act, Leblanc.

Melanie didn’t finish her plate. 

Going back to her room only sounded like another date with self-loathing, so Melanie instead elected to make her way to the library. She’d made a habit of visiting in evening hours, when most people were watching TV. The only people who tended to join her on occasion were Hank and the Professor, and the former was usually in the lab and the latter in his office. 

Curling up in one of the large armchairs in the corner, Melanie tucked her legs under herself. The guilt over her actions had faded, thankfully, though the thought that she might’ve hurt the real Gambit still made her stomach twist up in knots.

There’s nothing I can do except wait, Melanie said. It’s not my call in the end, how things turn out. It didn’t soothe her, but it was nice to have some logic to cling to. 

In the calm, the thought that had been coiling in her mind like a worm finally pushed its way forward. Maybe I should go. Melanie winced to even hear it, let alone entertain it. Not fair that he gets pushed out of his home by me. I’m not even officially an X-Man. 

But even as she considered it, she knew it was simply her regret talking. The city held nothing for her, and would give her no quarter. And she had no doubt some of her survival skills had dulled; the essentials were still razor-sharp if the mission had been any indication, but a single slip could spell disaster on the streets. 

So I’m stuck.

Melanie bit at her thumbnail gently. Nothing to do but face the music. Why am I worried anyway? Back in Brooklyn I’d dump someone for way less. Didn’t need friends. Gambit is smart. More than anything, he’s a thief. He gets it. The smart thing to do is stay the hell away from me. 

As she sat contemplating, there was a BAMF! As Kurt suddenly teleported into the library, Rogue not far behind him. 

Melanie looked up, brow furrowed. “What are you two doing here?”

“We come to check on ya, sugah,” Rogue said gently. “Felt it was only right, even if Hank gave ya the once over in the infirmary.”

“Indeed,” Kurt said, teleporting to perch on the high back of the chair. “We know how our mother likes to use her power for cruelty’s sake. We did not want you to feel alone.” 

Melanie blushed at their concern, staring down at her lap as Rogue commandeered a nearby ottoman.

“I don’t even understand how she did it, much less why,” Melanie said. “I should’ve–ugh. I should’ve known she was close.” 

“Don’t you dare blame yourself, sug,” Rogue said firmly, taking Melanie’s hand. “Mama’s got a mean streak a country mile wide, ain’t nothin’ you could do to change that. What matters is you got out in one piece.”

“I only got out because of Gambit,” Melanie said bitterly. “And look where that got us. I lost my shit and now he’s off who knows where!”

Rogue and Kurt exchanged a glance. 

Melanie tugged at her hair. “God, both him and you two must think I’m psycho,” She muttered. “Here I am, some fuckin’ alley trash you guys had the good hearts to help, to make into something better, and I go and turn on you the second I thought someone was getting handsy–!”

“She did what?!”

Rogue’s screech of indignation snapped Melanie out of her self-deprecating rant, and she barely had time to process before she found herself encircled in the southern woman’s arms. 

“Sugah, ah am so sorry,” She said firmly. “Mama ain’t never liked Gambit, and she decided to take that out on you. Oh, I’m s’mad I’d like to knock her into next week!”

Melanie blinked. “But I–”

“But nothing, fraulein. You protected yourself. Und I have known you long enough to know zat you are not ze kind of person who would feel shame for it.”

“N-no, I—I know I did the right thing, she was trying to kill me…but god, the things I said…if I were Gambit, I’d have left, too.” Her eyes were beginning to sting again. 

“Aw, sugah,” Rogue said gently as she pulled away. “Don’t you go gettin’ yourself down thinkin’ you spooked him. That ole boy put his life on the line for you and would do it again. We’re a team, ain’t we? That makes us some kinda family, ah reckon. And if my eyes don’t deceive me, you ‘n Gambit are gettin’ to be real good friends.” 

“I agree with Rogue,” Kurt said with a sage nod. “Gambit can be mysterious, but he is loyal to those he is close with. If he truly did not wish to remain your friend, he would not have spoken to you on the jet.”

“You saw that?”

“Heard it. How could I not, with ears zis large?” Kurt joked.

Melanie laughed, a few tears finally slipping down her face, which she wiped away. 

“True.”

She sat back against the chair, pinching her nose.

“Always been hard on myself,” She sighed. “Guess I don’t know when to turn it off.” 

“We’ve all been there, sugah.” Rogue said with a smile. “Believe you me. Ain’t a person in the whole wide world without some skeletons in their closet, ‘cept maybe a lil baby.”

Rogue stood, offering Melanie a hand. “If you want, we’re doin’ a lil movie marathon in the TV room. Gonna kick back and watch the Terminator movies.” 

“Yeah, cheesy action sounds great right now.” Melanie took Rogue’s hand, using it to stand as Kurt leapt down from his perch.

“I have also agreed to these on the condition zat zere vill be no German accent jokes,” Kurt said half-jokingly. “A man can only be called ‘Blue Arnold’ by Morph so many times.”

Melanie cracked up as they headed to join the others.

It was, all-in-all, a very good movie night. Scott kept talking about effective strategies to take down the Terminator, while Logan argued back about how they didn’t work. Melanie found her place beside Kurt, who handed her snacks with his tail when she asked and kept chuckling understandingly at the times Arnold Schwarzenegger’s accent simply couldn’t be avoided—“It is harder zan one would think!”—which she got a kick out of. By the time the tape of T2 was being put in, the chaos and regrets of the day had faded into a pleasant buzz of contentment. 

Finally back in her room for the night, the silence in the dark was once again bearable. Melanie climbed into bed, happy to collapse. She’d barely rested since she’d come home.

Just as sleep began to creep in, there was a gentle knock at the door. 

Groaning softly, Melanie dragged herself to her feet to answer. But as the door swung open, she was greeted by empty air. Confused, Melanie leaned into the hall to look around; just in time to see the end of a long coat disappear into a room down the hall, the door clicking shut. Melanie went to step out after him, but her foot hit something.

Looking down, Melanie realized Gambit had left something outside her door. A smile crossed her face as she realized it was a small box with a few packs of her favorite spicy ramen, a few lavender cookies, a small stuffed black cat, and a note. 

Picking up the paper, Melanie read: 

Pour Ma Devinette,

Gambit thought you might like these. Hope you sleep tight and feel better.

And he hopes you can forgive him. 

Cordialement,

Remy LeBeau. 

Melanie stared for a long moment. Forgive…him? What on Earth did he have to apologize for, she was the one that…

Melanie sighed. She’d have to talk to him tomorrow. 

She picked up the box and smiled. “I guess this means we’re cool, at least.” She said softly heading back into her room. Finally, Melanie got some much-needed sleep.  

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Friend tags, for your reading pleasure and convenience!

@honey-minded-hivemind @dogshowhoe @wintersangelic @technogeist1890 @mosssunmaniac @slimeybee @ghostieartblog @livwritesstuf @techs-stitches @tryanimatic @suspiciouslyglowingmoss @itshimsen @sleepyendymion @thatfooltheycallweaver @haliyamori @liv-inosity

[virgo-arts]

Merry Christmas Virgo and Melanie and Gambit! And a Happy New Year! Here is your present!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH OMG THANK YOU

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The X-Woman ever

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Finally drew Rivals Gambit :3

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𝕼𝖚𝖔𝖙𝖍 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕽𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖓 | 𝕸𝖊𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖎𝖊 𝕷𝖊𝖇𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖈 𝕺𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖎𝖓𝖘, 𝕮𝖍. 𝕱𝖎𝖛𝖊

Edit: Hi I'm an idiot named Virgo who initially posted this to the wrong blog, feel free to throw tomatoes /j

Chapter Five, Chapter Five, it's gonna be a good time...with Melanie's first official mission! Even if she's not yet an X-Man. But it may be more than she can handle...

AO3 link here:

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕱𝖎𝖛𝖊: 𝕸𝖆𝖘𝖖𝖚𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖑𝖚𝖊 𝕯𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍

Warnings: Strong language, violence, misuse of shape-shifting, unwanted romantic advances, implied unwanted sexual advances

“There've been six alleged mutant incidents in the past month alone, all of which have targeted various members of government.” 

Melanie sat back in her chair, watching as Scott moved points of interest on the War Room’s holo-display. She still hadn’t agreed to officially take the X-Man title; but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t help out with a mission. 

“So, which one of the usual yahoos is doin’ this?” Wolverine asked gruffly. 

“We’ve narrowed it down to a list of usual suspects,” Scott said. “Currently, we think it could be either Lady Deathstrike, Bullseye, or Mystique.” 

At this last name, Rogue sighed and pinched her nose. “Ah swear, if it’s Mama again…” 

Melanie raised an eyebrow and filed that tidbit away in her head.

“The goal is simple: get in, investigate, detain if we can, get out. People are already in an uproar over this. They don’t care what side we’re on, they’ll just see a mutant and start swinging.” 

“You mean shooting.” Melanie chimed in.  

Scott nodded grimly. “Yes. Either way, we need to be subtle about this. That’s why we’re assigning two teams for this mission: a strike team and support.” 

He handed out a series of dossiers to each of them.

“Nightcrawler, Gambit, Shadowcat, Beast, and—Melanie, have you decided on a code name yet? I know you’re not officially wearing the X in a manner of speaking, but a code name is crucial here.” 

Melanie thought a moment. “…Nevermore. Like, ‘quoth the raven’, y’know? Always liked Poe growing up.” 

“Nevermore. Well dat just rolls off de tongue, don’t it?” Gambit chuckled. 

“Alright, Nevermore it is.” Scott said. “So that leaves myself, Marvel Girl, Rogue, Storm, Colossus, Jubilee, and Wolverine for support. We’ll distract anyone that might compromise the mission, and be on standby in case you need backup. And of course, if things get dicey, we rendezvous at the Blackbird. The Professor will be monitoring us with Cerebro. Everyone clear?” 

The team nodded. 

“Alright. Wheels up in twenty.” 

As Melanie got up, Beast put a hand on her shoulder. 

“I’ve put the last few touches on your suit, Melanie,” He said, “Best to grab it sooner rather than later.” 

Melanie nodded and smiled. “Thanks, Hank.” 

A few moments later, Melanie was tugging her jacket over the tight-fitting black and purple suit set. She took a moment to look at herself in the mirror; punk rock superhero. Not bad. 

An appreciative whistle sounded from behind her. 

“Well, don’t you jus’ look like hell on two legs, petite.” Gambit chuckled as he stepped into the lab. “Dem baddies ain’t gonn’ stand a chance against Miss Nevermore.” 

Melanie laughed and folded her arms. “Yeah, yeah, save the speeches for someone who needs them, furet.” The nickname slipped out before she even realized it. 

Gambit gave a dramatic gasp of mock offense. “Gambit, a ferret? You wound me, petite, Gambit a lil’ more suave than any ole polecat!” 

“Oh yeah? I’ll believe it when I actually see suave.” Melanie laughed. “C’mon, Cajun, we’ve got a flight to catch.” 

Gambit could only follow with a chuckle. 

Before long, the Blackbird was soaring over an isolated and abandoned military base deep in the mountains. 

“We’ve gotten readings from Cerebro that there’s been increased mutant activity here,” Cyclops said from his pilot’s seat. “But whoever it is has some kind of psychic resistance, so we can’t be sure who we’re dealing with. So stay sharp, team.” 

With the Blackbird landed and cloaked, the support team took their place in the surrounding wilderness, while the strike team slipped inside. 

The base was dark, cavernous. The air thick with the scent of damp and dust and what smelled like gun oil. 

“Creepsville,” Melanie muttered to herself. “Feel like I’m back in that old subway tunnel in the city.” 

“Und did you often skulk about ze subway, fraulein?” Kurt teased playfully. 

Melanie rolled her eyes with a smile. “As if that’s your business, blueberry boy.” 

“Focus,” Beast urged, fiddling with a device that looked to be a tracker. “There’s a good chance we aren’t alone here.” 

“Let’s find out for sure,” Melanie said. She closed her eyes, focusing in on the base around her. A beat of silence. 

“There,” She said, her face screwing up with effort. “Someone’s about two floors below—they’re definitely a mutant, but it’s weird, I can’t—I can’t get to them. Their mental signature, it keeps shifting somehow. I can just tell they’re there.” 

“The Professor did say they had a psychic resistance.” Kitty said. 

Melanie huffed. “Great. Alright, everyone hold still a sec; I need to get familiar with how you all feel mentally. That way if we get split up I can still find you.” 

With their consent, Melanie took stock of the psychic imprint of each of her teammates; Beast, solid and steady; Kitty, bright and energetic; Kurt, agile and subtle. 

Melanie turned to Gambit, reaching out with her mind to examine him. 

“Ah!” Melanie recoiled with a start, shaking her head. It was as if a burst of static had blared in her ears for a moment. 

“Merde, are you okay?” Gambit said worriedly. “Gambit didn’t mean to startle ya, petite, but he always been sorta hard to read.” 

“N-no, it’s okay, you didn’t mean to. I went a little deeper than I should’ve. Damn.” After a moment to collect herself, Melanie reached out again. 

Everyone has different psychic energy; Melanie had seen everything from minds resembling great thunderstorms to flowing streams. 

Gambit’s mind was all bright light. Pulsing, speeding, fuschia light. Warm and rich, Melanie could swear she could taste cinnamon on her tongue. 

Must be the kinetic energy thing, Melanie thought with wonder. 

“Alright, all set. Let’s get moving; whoever is here just moved a floor lower.” She said. 

The group headed below, the smell and damp growing almost overwhelming. It was quiet as the grave, the only sound their breathing and footsteps. 

“Any sign of our mysterious mutant, petite?” Gambit whispered to Melanie. 

She shook her head. “We’re on their tail…god, why is it so hard to lock onto them? It’s like trying to catch smoke!” 

“According to my tracker, they should be—”

Beast was interrupted by a tunk! Blood suddenly bloomed from under Beast’s fur as a bullet winged his arm. 

“Fucking shit!” Melanie exclaimed. 

“Get down!” Kurt yanked anyone within reach to the floor, and Melanie had the realization that he’d pulled her down with his tail. 

Beast grunted in pain. “Something tells me that was a warning shot.” 

“We easy pickins out here. Like rats in a maze.” Gambit said gravely. 

“I could try and jump them?” Kitty suggested. “Phase through a wall and kick them in the face.” 

“No, the last thing we need is for you to phase and then get shot as soon as you leave the wall.” Beast said, thinking. He sighed. 

“Alright, here. I can provide us each a map of the facility over comms. Each of us will patrol a sector. If we don’t find anything, we rendezvous at the main stairwell. And if we do, sound off over radio immediately. Understood?” 

“Yep.” 

“Oui.” 

“Got it!” 

“Understood, mein freund.”

“Good. Let’s get moving then. I’ll take the north and east sectors.” With that, Beast galloped off into the darkness. 

“Kitty und I will take ze west,” Kurt said. Kitty nodded, and with a bamf! and a phase through the wall, that just left Melanie and Gambit. 

“Looks like de south sector is up ta you ‘n me, petite.” Gambit said. “Allons-y!” 

They walked the route in tense silence, Melanie focusing her powers on the dark, cavernous halls. Gambit clutched a few cards, borderline white-knuckling them. 

Eventually, they came to a fork in the hallway. 

“Dammit.” Melanie pulled up her map. “Looks like these paths meet up in about fifty feet. Think we should split up and meet in the middle?” 

“Don’t see why not, if dem powers of yours ain’t feelin’ nothin’.” Gambit said with a shrug. 

Melanie checked in again. “Nothing nearby…though it does feel like someone has definitely been here recently. Keep a few extra aces up your sleeve.” 

“Heh. Always, petite. Bonne chance.” 

With a nod, Melanie took the right path while Remy took the left. 

There wasn’t much in these halls; a few storage rooms and a length of air ducts above. Every few feet was a large ventilation grate or two. Every noise sent Melanie’s hair on end; every drip, every rattle, every creak. 

“Man, fuck this shit,” Melanie muttered to herself. “I’m gonna beat the fuck out of whoever’s camping out here just on principle for putting us through this McKamey Manor bullshit.” 

CLATTER! 

“FUCKING CHRIST!” Melanie shouted, jumping so hard she smacked her back into the wall. Her heart hammered in her chest, but she was eventually able to calm down and catch her breath. As quietly as she could manage, she crept towards the spot where the hallways met again, eyes black and powers at the ready. 

Melanie had to squint as she rounded the corner, surprised by a small light igniting in the darkness. A match, brought to Gambit’s lips as he leaned against the wall, lighting a cigarette. 

He took a drag, blowing the smoke out lazily, and smiling just as such when he saw her. 

“Dere ya are, ma chérie,” He chuckled, pushing off the wall and walking towards her. “Had ole Gambit t’inkin’ he was gonn’ be waitin’ here forever for ya.” 

Melanie rolled her eyes. “You scared the shit out of me, you know that? What the hell did you knock over, anyway? And don’t call me that!” 

She sighed and looked down the dark hall. “I dunno, this shit isn’t sitting right with me. I read the briefing, but none of this seems like Deathstrike or Bullseye, and Mystique is smart enough to get the hell out of Dodge…but then again, she’s got to be in trouble if she was willing to shoot Beast.” Melanie ran a hand through her hair. 

“What do you think? Go deeper?” She turned back to Remy…and it gave her pause. In this light, with only the ember of his cigarette partially illuminating his face, he looked a little eerie. 

I didn’t even know he smoked, Melanie thought to herself. He must think this whole thing is a waste of time if he’s lighting up down here. Probably figures whoever was here gave us the slip. 

Gambit fiddled with his comms device. “Ain’t got nothin’ here…let Gambit see de map, yeah?” 

Melanie swore at the revelation that he was cut off, giving him her comm so he could try the map, and turned back to the hall ahead, trying to focus her powers. “Come on, give me something…” 

She was startled out of her focus by a cloud of smoke being blown over her. She coughed, looking to him. 

“Dude—koff—Not cool! Look, I don’t like going in circles either, but—”

“Anyone ever tell you dat you t’ink too much, cherie?” He said with a smirk. 

Melanie paused. “Gambit. Seriously. We need to figure out what we’re gonna—”

“Oh, Gambit got some ideas, chère,” He advanced on her. “He’s had plenty of ideas since your pretty lil self walked in de mansion’s door.” 

Melanie’s eyes widened. Her blood felt like ice. 

She was stunned. Backing up. He kept coming. 

Her back hit the wall. 

Son of a bitch. How could I be so stupid? 

His hands came up to cage her in. Melanie had a vivid image of biting out his throat and escaping, like an animal caught in a snare. 

“What? You didn’t t’ink Gambit was just in dis for a little friendship, eh? He got his needs, cherie.”

Rage blossomed in her heart, hot and vitriolic, like she could suddenly spit acid. 

“Don’t you fucking dare,” Melanie snarled, as if she had hackles to raised. Her face and eyes burned. She knew that blue had become void again. 

“Gambit a t’ief, chère. Like de sayin’ says: he ain’t got a lick of honor in him.”

Melanie’s anger reached a crescendo just as Gambit leaned in. 

“NO!” 

All at once, he was blasted back, smacking into the wall. Melanie was shaking, gritting her teeth so hard she heard them creak. Hot tears ran down her cheeks. 

“I’m gonna kill you,” She snarled, unleashing another psychic blast that made him cry out in pain.  “I’m gonna fucking kill you, you lying son of a bitch.” Melanie raised a hand to wreak her terrible justice on him. “I can’t believe I fucking trusted—” 

Cold. 

Melanie blinked in surprise. His energy…his mental signature…it’s cold. 

Her brow furrowed in confusion. “That doesn’t…” 

She focused her power on him, and Gambit’s eyes—oh my god, his eyes. They’re different. 

All at once, Melanie realized something was very wrong. Gambit’s eyes had never been hungry when they fell on her. But now, inexplicably, they were. No amount of manipulation or acting could change that, when it was intrinsic to someone’s personality. 

She focused back on “his” energy. Cold. Like steel. Hard and cruel. 

“You’re not Gambit. No way.” 

“Gambit” grunted, gritting his teeth and glaring at her. 

“Clever brat,” He hissed. “Gonna run and tell the rest of Xavier’s lackeys that you caught the mutant terrorist?” 

“In a minute.” 

He raised an eyebrow. Then he laughed. “Oh, my. I really got under your skin, didn’t I, girl? I was right then. This swamp rat means something to you.” 

“He’s my friend,” Melanie spat. “And my teammate. And you tried to use him to hurt me. Only fair I hurt you back, right?” 

“Heh. You won’t get the chance, child. Though it’s nice to see that Xavier isn’t recruiting soft little teenagers anymore.” 

“Anyone ever tell you that you talk to much, connasse?” 

“It keeps people occupied.” 

“Gambit” suddenly produced a gun, suppressor and all—Melanie barely had time to react—she heard could almost hear the squeeze of the trigger—

ZOT! 

“Gambit” cried out in pain as a card charged with pink energy slammed into his hand, blowing the gun to pieces. 

Startled by the sudden miniature explosion, Melanie dropped the impostor like a sack of potatoes. Before her eyes, their shape changed, from a facsimile of her teammate—to the woman with blue skin and red hair she’d seen projected in the Danger Room. 

“Gambit t’ink you owe Nevermore an apology, Mystique,” came the voice of the real Gambit from down the hall, the rest of the team in tow. He was more stern than Melanie had ever heard him; he looked furious. “Cuz dat dere was crossin’ de line. Oh, an’ a word of advice: de next time you lock a Cajun in one of dese here armories, make sure he can’t pick de lock!” 

There was a bamf! as Kurt teleported over, quickly placing cuffs on Mystique. 

“I am sorry we keep meeting like zis, Mother,” He said, not sorry at all, “but you have caused far too much suffering.” 

Mystique scoffed. “Save your speeches. I’ll change into a guard and walk out of whatever prison you send me to.” 

“Not unless I take care of you first.” Melanie growled, stepping forward. She could very vividly imagine tearing the shapeshifter limb from limb for this. 

“Non, petite. Ah ain’t gonn’ let you stoop to dat one’s level.” Gambit said, a gentle hand on her shoulder. 

“Agreed,” Beast said. “Whatever pain she inflicted, I couldn’t stand to see it ruin you, Nevermore.” 

“Yeah. I’m not letting Miss Blue Raspberry screw up such a cool person.” Kitty chimed in. 

“Zen let us contact ze support team und see Mystique to ze proper authorities, ja?” 

Melanie nodded, her rage fizzling. “Fine.” 

The flight home was quiet. With Mystique in custody, the exhaustion began to set in. 

Melanie was cooped up in the back of the plane, idly picking at the edge of her seat, knees drawn up to her chest. 

I’m gonna kill you—I can’t believe I trusted you! 

Her words from her earlier rage seem to circle her head like smog. It made her face burn to think about, a cold pit in her stomach for how quickly she’d resorted to her usual cruelty. 

I can’t even look at him, She thought miserably, He saved me from a bullet between my eyes and I can’t even look at him. 

Shame coiled deep inside her, rising to constrict her throat every time Gambit came near her. She couldn’t bear the sight of his eyes; a gaze so gentle and understanding. And what had she done? Turned on him the moment she felt threatened. 

I should’ve checked his energy earlier…I should’ve known it wasn’t him…I should’ve known that he’d never—

“Dis seat taken?” 

Melanie jumped at the sound of his voice. “Gambit—I—sorry, I didn’t—I just—” She shook herself. “N-no. You can sit.” 

She turned away as he did, suddenly interested in the wall. 

Gambit sighed. “Petite…look, ah don’t know all of what happened back dere…but ah promise you, Melanie, Gambit ain’t never gonna make you so upset, so long as he live. Or may the good Lord strike him down.” He chuckled a bit. 

Melanie felt her stomach twist, and she clenched her fists until they stung from her fingernails digging in. She bit her lip hard. 

“Petite.” Gambit looked to her pleadingly. “Melanie, please. Talk to me.” 

“I can’t.” She said softly. 

“Why not?” 

“I just can’t, okay?” 

Melanie got up from her seat with a huff. “I just…need a minute. Alone, please.” 

Gambit look worried, but he sighed and nodded, giving her an understanding smile. “Alright, ma devinette. Take ya time.” 

Melanie headed to the very back of the Blackbird, nibbling at her thumbnail. 

Can I even fix this? Fix…whatever it is about him that shakes me up so much? 

She sighed, running a hand through her hair and sliding down the wall to land in a crouch. I have no idea what to do with this. All the other guys are fine. Even the flirty ones like Kurt. But Gambit…

Somehow, he’s gotten under my skin. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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[virgo-arts]

Uhhhh so I’m getting ready to post Chapter 5 of Quoth the Raven, and I decided just for a laugh to go into Google Docs and add up all my word counts to see how much I’ve written before.

Currently the entire thing sits at 15,846 words.

And I’m not even to the halfway point gamers 😭

[virgo-arts]

So Gambit is in Rivals now…