Few couples in theX-Menfranchise can attest to being as in love as Rogue and Gambit. Understandably so, there is a large consensus that places them as the undisputed greatest romance in Marvel history. Now officially married in Marvel comic book canon, these two have been appointed the Mr. and Mrs. X ofX-Menlore, and as far as fans are concerned, they’re not breaking up anytime soon.
However, one thing that X-Men fans may be overlooking is a small loophole that could one day bring Rogue and Gambit’s marriage into jeopardy. Back in 2018’sMr. and Mrs. X#5, asthe ultimate charmertries to console his wife following a traumatic battle that dampens their honeymoon,Rogue reminds her husband that they never said"for better or worse"in their wedding vows.
On paper, this is a small, inconsequential moment to address, but in totality,it could be foreshadowing that one day, everyone’s favorite X-Men couple could go up in flamesonce their situation gets"worse."
Rogue & Gambit Never Said"For Better or Worse"
Mr. and Mrs. X#5, Written by Kelly Thompson, Penciled & Inked by Jan Bazaldua, Colored by Frank D’Armata, and Lettered by VC’s Joe Sabino
Before diving into the significance of the unsaid vow of"for better or worse"forRogue and Gambit, and perhaps for the X-Men franchise at large, it’s important to first consider the significance of wedding vows themselves.Wedding vows are a ceremonial promise made between two partners, setting the tone for the trajectory of their marriage.These promises serve as a verbal agreement that the couple can continually return to, ensuring they remain committed to each other in the ways they promised.
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While wedding vows aren’t legally binding, every word spoken—or left unsaid—holds weight. People can choose what to include or exclude in their vows, but the absence of the usual"for better or worse"inMr. and Mrs. Xstands out, almost as if it was a deliberate omission.This absence feels like it could be foreshadowing the future of their relationship.Without the obligation to stay"for better or worse,“things could worsen enough for either Gambit or Rogue to walk away.
Breaking Down Gambit and Rogue’s Wedding Vows: What They Really Promised
X-Men Gold#35, Written by Marc Guggenheim, Penciled & Inked by David Marquez, Colored by Matthew Wilson, and Lettered by VC’s Cory Petit
After spending substantial time analyzing the words unsaid between Gambit and Rogue, it’s worth analyzing whatwassaid between the X-Men during their wedding vows.X-Men: Gold#30 was supposed to be the highly promoted and publicized union between Piotr Rasputin and Kate Pryde, a.k.a.Colossus and Kitty. The two seemed ready to tie the knot, until Kitty got cold feet, butrather than let a good wedding go to waste, Gambit proposed to Rogue on the spot.After stealing the wedding away, these were the master thief’s vows to his bride-to-be:
I love you with every piece of me, Anna Marie. I haven’t always been a good man. But we’ve been through Hell and it’s changed me. You’ve changed me. You see in me the man I hope I am. And that’s my vow to you … to always be worthy of your love and respect.
Gambit’s vow is an acknowledgment of their complicated history together.His testament that he hasn’t been a good man is a testament to how he’s acted in general, but particularly in their relationship. He’s kept secrets from Rogue and outright deceived her previously, like when she discovered Gambit was the one to locate the Morlocks for Mister Sinister, leading to their slaughter at the hands of the Marauders. Gambit wants to be a better man for Rogue and vows to do better as a result, hoping to be worthy of her love, admiration, and respect. In return, she vows this:
Remy … we’ve been through so much, you and I. We’ve faced challenged a lotta other couples never have to face. But we always keep finding ways back to each other. So that’s what I promise you … that no matter what, I’ll always find my way back to you.
Without outright saying"for better or worse,“Rogue’s vows seem to prepare for the worst. She doesn’t promise to stick with Gambit through the hardest times, and it’s implied that she almost expects the worst-case scenario. However,she does vow to always find her way back to Gambit if that worst-case scenario arises.While she isn’t obligated to stay through the worst, she commits to returning after it’s over. This is something LeBeau reminds Rogue of inMr. and Mrs. X#5.
The Significance of Gambit and Rogue’s Breakups & Their Impact on Their Wedding Vows
X-Men Fans Can’t Forget When They Briefly Broke Up
As members of the X-Men who actively dated, Gambit and Rogue have been through quite a few worst-case scenarios, as both Rogue and Gambit’s vows allude to. As such,they have broken up in the past. It’s a fact that often goes overlooked and forgotten because they’ve been so closely linked together for so long, especially when they always remained civil through their disbandment. In fact, the last time they broke up, Marvel plannedto break them up for good. During one of these break-ups, Gambit refers to himself as a home and harbor for Rogue.
Gambit’s"Home and Harbor"quote comes fromX-Men Legacy#248, written by Mike Carey, penciled by Jorge Molina, inked by Craig Yeung with Pat Davidson, colored by Matthew Wilson, and lettered by VC’s Cory Petit and Clayton Cowles
This is significant because it’s a moment that Rogue directly references in her vows and a moment that puts those vows into a new perspective. During this particular break-up, Gambit tells Rogue that although he wants no part of the relationship when it doesn’t feel like a relationship, he’s ready to welcome her with open arms when she understands the boundaries he’s set for her. Presumably, vice versa would ideally be the case as well. No matter how things end up between them,the vow is to always come home to each other when they are ready to welcome each other.
Is a Gambit and Rogue Breakup on the Horizon?
Keep an Eye onUncanny X-Menfor Signs of Collapse in Their Marriage
Such vows of commitment and love should reassure fans that all is well in paradise for Gambit and Rogue.The X-Men’s ultimate heartthroband their newest leader are more in love than ever, as regularly shown inUncanny X-Men. While conflicts have occurred, none have threatened the stability of their relationship. However, this doesn’t negate the foreshadowing established inMr. and Mrs. X.The absence of"for better or worse"could be a potential concern, but fans shouldn’t worry about the sanctity of their union just yet.
The real question isn’t whether Gambit and Rogue will break up but whether it will be permanent. The lack of"for better or worse"opens the door for their relationship to end if things get worse. Yet, the promise of being each other’s home and harbor ensures they will never truly break up for good. Just as there is always room for them to break up, there’s always room for their relationship to rekindle, thanks to the vows they made on their wedding day. It’s as if Marvel editorial has promised: theX-Menwill always reunite.
