Getting back to the issue of bullying - I think a good topic to address. The execution of the topic sounds to me based on those here sounds like it was done poorly. smh.
Can't remember fully, but i'm sure there was mention of Gambit's adoption not been totally accepted by the guild. It was upon JL's insistence as he knew he needed to be there with them. As I see it, he brought G to them when he realised he was the one they were waiting, but he personally adopted him when he noticed he was the one who saved him when he was a kid. As these people are very traditional, I can see why they wouldn't want the chance to be ruled by a "freak" who's not even JL's blood. Even as an adult some people had reservations about him.
So, while his family seemed to have accepted him, I am guessing it took time for the rest of the guild to do so, and G had to prove himself to them, which he did. This, imo, was a much better story. If you tell me that he is in debt to this guy because he wanted to prove himself so he wouldn't lose his new family as he didn't want to be alone again (instead of being beaten by other kids) I'd believe that because it's in character for him. He wouldn't care what some random kids do, but he would care that his father and new family would kick him out for not being good enough.
What i mean is, if you want to do the "bullying" arc, then have members of the guild questioning his presence: "who's this kid JL brought? He's not one of us, he's probably the son of the devil" yadayada. They wouldn't beat him out of fear of their boss, but they would murmur behind the Lebeaus' backs. The only reason G is beaten by bullies is because writer and readers get a kick out of seeing him humiliated, consciously or subconsciously, for being a charismatic male leader and, imo most importantly, for being a more popular character than Rogue.
I also wonder how much this is because Simone doesn't want or can't use more CC's characters. Royalties, permissions, all that jazz.
