Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts is property of Square-Enix, Buena-Vista Games, and all the big corps that pay for it.

A/N: So, this thought struck me as I lay in bed after contemplating a re-play of KHII. Funny enough, I was planning on squeezing out a Saix fic (which I still might), and this just floated effortlessly to the top of my mind. Enjoy.

Royal Flush:

The air was rent with the tremulous screams of Heartless as they dispersed into Darkness. How lucky they were: those primitive, feral beasts had a home to return to, and yet the forlorn Nobodies had none. It was really quite unfair.

But he was not a man of equality, and life (or non-life, really) was not an even plane. It was all about Fate & Chance, how the moves made affected the outcome of The Game. A knowing smirk creased the bearded face as Luxord stared down upon Dark City. Who better to play The Game than him?

He had had the luck of the draw.

The boy would be here soon, Keyblade in hand and Heart flaring bolding upon his sleeve, and he would have the exquisite pleasure of plucking Hope from his frail frame and showing him that Fate did not play favorites, did not believe in silly fairytales of love and light, but sided with the strong and the capable, those who knew how to turn The Game in their favor when the chips were down.

But it would be some time before he arrived, before he made his way through the bleak alleyways and ascended their glorious haven of Nothingness. Luxord was not a man who particularly favored waiting, but he was patient.

He tore his eyes away from the black towers and glanced upward. Even from his dwelling in Havoc's Divide, he could see the pulsating glow that was Kingdom Hearts. How he longed for it, how he relished the sweet sensation of release from Non-Existance.

Of course, quite a few members had had that pleasure, too, albeit in less-than-desirable circumstances.

He was not particularly close to any members, and their deaths, or non-deaths (damn, that was annoying), had not effected him. He was however, rather glad to see Zexion Fade. He was arrogant, manipulative, duplicitous, and untrustworthy.

And he was a cheeky little bastard, too.

Really, his arrogance was unfounded. He fought with a damn book (or, "Lexicon", as he preferred), of all things. Granted, he himself fought with a pack of cards, but they were a good pack of cards, and much more interesting than a book–

Luxord sighed exasperatedly, allowing the false emotions to drain from him. He had almost lost himself in the illusion, had briefly believed that he was capable of anger, jealousy and pride. The ruse was almost like putting on a poker face; it was etched into his memories.

There was a sharp in-take of breath. The boy had come faster than he had expected.

With another greedy smile, Luxord shuffled the cards in his hands between his fingers. The poor boy. He had not a clue how The Game was played, and Luxord had never lost before. He shuffled the cards again, playing with them between his fingers and flickering through them wildly.

If he received a decent hand, he'd be satisfied and victory would most certainly be his. Anything less, and he would have to reconsider fleeing; Saix was an extraordinarily capable (if not brutal and violent) combatant.

With quick fingers, he split the deck, drawing five random cards and stowing the rest in his cloak. With a fluttering heart (well, not really–oh damn, could he not be granted the simple pleasure of everyday language?), he spread the cards, looking in eager anticipation at his hand.

The poor, poor boy. There was no beating a Royal Flush.

-End-

A/N: Hmm. I find I'm not particularly fond of this fic. Meh. :B If you liked it, do me the honor of reviewing and leave me a few tips at the door. Thanks. :D