Work Text:
tick. tock. tick. tock.
The clock on their wall taunted them with every passing second, the only noise in the otherwise silent bedroom. They had been tossing and turning in bed all night, not getting a wink of sleep as their mind tormented them with thoughts, of past failures, of letting the team down, of everything that could go wrong. Turning over again, they look over at the faint glow of the digital reading on their wall clock, 2:14 am. They'd been trying to sleep for hours.
tick. tock. tick. tock.
The sound is driving them crazy, every soft ticking sound like an ice pick being driven through their skull. Finally they've had enough. With a frustrated groan they sit up, swinging their legs off the bed. If they can't sleep they might as well go get something to drink, some hot tea might help.
Shrugging on a robe over their pajamas and slipping into some house slippers, they open the door and head down the hall, turning towards the kitchen. As they approach they note the light is already on, and there are some soft shuffling sounds coming from inside. They must not be the only one having trouble sleeping.
They step into the kitchen, rubbing their eyes as they adjust to the light. Lounging on one of the bar stools is Gambit, wearing his signature trenchcoat over some cat print pajama pants and smoking a cigarette. He glances up at the sound of their entrance, sitting up and putting the cigarette out on a nearby ash tray.
"Hey chere, what ya doin up so late? Come ta see ol' Gambit?" He wears an easy smile, but there's an undertone of genuine concern as he takes in your exhausted appearance.
They sigh in response, moving over to where the kettle sits, filling it with water as they speak. "Just couldn't sleep. Didn't realize anyone else would be awake, sorry if I disturbed you."
He shakes his head, leaning forward on the counter as he regards them. "Hey now, none o' dat. You know Gambit don't mind your company." He pushes himself up onto his feet suddenly, walking over to where they stand by the sink. "So what's keepin' ya up petit? Ya overthinkin de mission again?"
They set the kettle on to boil, turning to face him. "No, well yes, sort of? I guess I'm just overthinking everything." They run a hand over their face in frustration. "I've tried everything I could think of to sleep, but nothing worked, my mind just won't shut up and let me be."
Gambit leans back on the countertop across from them, pulling a deck of cards from his pocket to mess with. "Gambit understand dat. Like ya mind jus' brings up de worst moments and ideas to torment ya wit'.. " He trails off a bit, pausing for a moment before he continues. "So what's on ya mind petit? Sometimes helps Gambit to say some of it out loud, get it out of his head."
They smile appreciatively at his apparent offer to listen, glad they aren't alone in the experience. "It's nothing really, just the usual fears of failing the team, y'know? Like if I take one wrong step I could ruin everything, I could put the team in danger.." They look down at the floor, twisting the ball of their foot into the ground. "Even if they aren't the most rational of thoughts.. they still keep me up."
Gambit nods, understanding. He continues to shuffle the cards in his hands, stepping over to stand shoulder to shoulder with them "You're not gonna fail de team chere. Even if ya make a mistake, dis team seen plenty of dem, it won't ruin anythin'. But Gambit know it don't matter what he says, dat mind o' yours won't let ya believe it." He nudges them gently with his arm "How bout dis, ya get your tea made an' we go sit on the couch for a bit, let ya drink your drink an' unwind by de fireplace. Could help a bit, non?" He smiles softly at them, moving to hand them a mug for their tea.
They take the mug from his hand, turning around to make their tea. "That would be nice, Remy, thank you." They finish their drink, setting the kettle aside for the next person's use before turning back to Gambit. "Shall we?"
He grins easily, walking out of the kitchen with them close behind. The halls are quiet, save the sounds of footsteps and the soft shuffling of cards as they make their way to the couch. The fireplace is lit already, whoever was here last must have forgotten to put it out. Remy sits down on the couch, arms stretched out on the back of it. They follow soon after, sitting down next to him and sipping the hot tea.
"Dere we go, dis is better, non? Nice an' warm an' cozy, perfect fo' relaxin' an overactive mind." He turns his head to regard them with a smile. "Ya just drink up and try to relax, Gambit ain't goin' nowhere"
Time passes by slowly as they sip their tea, leaned back into the couch cushions and Remy's arm. His presence helps a lot, even as the two of them sit in silence, they find themselves able to quiet their mind for the first time that night.
"This helps, thank you Remy. For sitting with me, for listening, just.. thank you." They finish their tea and set it down on the coffee table before leaning back again, resting against his arm where it lays along the back of the couch.
"Anytime chere, jus' say the word. Gambit's got ya, anytime any place." He stretches out where he sits, getting more comfortable.
As the night continues on, they find themselves finally starting to drift, their mind quiet and body relaxed. They yawn, stretching out and coming to rest more against Remy's chest and shoulder. He makes no effort to move away, instead shifting his position to make it more comfortable for them, watching over them as their eyes drift shut and their breath begins to even out. They finally managed to fall asleep. Gambit is content to stay there as long as they want him to, and after a while he feels his own eyelids getting heavy, sleep taking him as well. The two of them fall into a deep sleep on the couch, finally able to get the rest they both desperately need, their minds quiet in each other's presence.