Written for the LJ community springkink.
Disclaimer: Just borrowing the characters, will shine them up afterwards and return them good as new.
The Greatest Gamble
It was, in retrospect, probably the biggest gamble of his Other's life. Lourd had been used to cards and dice, betting with money and material goods. None of this had prepared him for the new gent that had sat down at his table. Tall, he'd been (with hair that Luxord thought made Demyx's look good) and dressed like the wealthier people that usually disguised themselves when coming to establishments like his.
The stakes for the game had been unclear. "Let's see who wins and then let the loser offer what he will, shall we?" The man had suggested, and Lourd, unable to resist a challenge, had accepted. They played best out of five rounds; Lourd won.
He'd been disappointed with the prize offered. "A crystal?"
"Not an ordinary crystal. Think of it as a reminder." At Luxord's puzzled glance he'd smiled. "I can grant you whatever wish your heart may have; whatever you desire. All you have to do...is say the right words." He'd held the sphere out to Lourd, who, after a moment's hesitation, had reached out and taken it. Surprised at the weight, he'd lightly tossed it a few times…much as Luxord was doing now.
Luxord shook his head, pocketed the crystal, and sighed disgustedly. His Other had been a fool—not following through on the biggest gamble he'd ever made. Instead Lourd had bet himself each day that he wouldn't use the gift then, not too soon; not until he'd known for sure what his heart's desire was. Then his heart had been torn away when his world fell, making the crystal, and the promise it came with, useless. To wish, to really wish, you needed a heart, so Luxord would wait until he had found his, then finish what Lourd had begun. After all, what is a wish but the world's greatest bet?