A/N: Inspired by a friend of mine, and the conversation we had on Marluxia/Naminé earlier today. We're both closet shippers, but we both agreed that there is only one way for this pairing to be done correctly without betraying character. Hence, this came up. It's more like an anti-Marluxia/Naminé drabble, especially for her. Review if you're inclined; it's fun!

Close

He's learned to keep Naminé close. He doesn't care for her: not in the slightest. He holds a special sort of loathing for her. His skin crawls at the sight, the thought of her and how pathetic she is. She could die tomorrow and he wouldn't find himself changed, wouldn't find himself a new man or a better person for it.

He has to laugh at it, that word "better."

How does one perfect perfection?

He doesn't need to be improved, but she is still tied, tied to the power he desires.

Whoever controls her controls Castle Oblivion.

Whoever controls Castle Oblivion is second-in-command to the Superior, second in line for complete control once the fool has the sense to die.

Nothing is hidden from Marluxia: he's known this since the very beginning. And so he's learned to keep his little puppet close, urging her on when she's near the end of running out.

She is the way to a future where he will have the power he deserves.

Such a pity.

After everything she's done for him, it will be almost a shame to kill her.

Almost.

At the very least, he'll try not to laugh when she finally falls far, far away from him.

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