"Hydroponics," Vexen noted, almost absent in his manner as he picked his way through the foot deep pool of water that was Marluxia's new bedroom project. "Interesting, perhaps, but hardly practical."
Marluxia shrugged emotionlessly.
"It is but a mere experiment. You of all people should empathise, surely,"
"Maybe, but not in my bedroom," Vexen sniffed, studying his sworn enemy in silence.
Marluxia was an attractive man, that he couldn't refute. The Nobody was as gorgeous as he was dangerous, and that was very. And yet, there was an underlying cruelty to everything that Marluxia said, every curving twist to his poisonous lips as he smiled, softly, almost sweetly were it not for the terrible sadistic beast that lay waiting beneath.
Vexen knew it well. He'd known it right from the first time they'd met, when Marluxia had offered to train with him, a few days after his induction to the Organisation. The Graceful Assassin had promised to go easy on him, then had thrashed him to within an inch of his life. And again, asserting his superiority in Castle Oblivion, over and over until Vexen truly believed with his whole being that he was nothing more than a broken toy in the hands of his Lord. And finally, as though this were not enough, he had died at this man's whim.
It was unforgivable, yet here he was, feigning interest in whatever pet project Marluxia had decided to take on this week and emotionless equilibrium as he listened to the other man's soft, songlike baritone fade into the background against the beating of his heart. He'd tried to hate Marluxia, he truly had, but the emotions he felt now didn't care for the past and so it lay unspoken, unsolved, forever.
Marluxia's bed was in the middle of the room, the only furniture there aside from a small table piled with perfectly-ripened fruit. It was raised a few inches too little above the water that covered the rest of the floor. Vexen sat down, numbly, sinking into the soft feather mattress.
"Do help yourself to the fruit," Marluxia commented absentmindedly as he, too, approached the bed.
Vexen hadn't eaten yet that day, and decided to risk a mottled red-green apple. He tossed it in his hands a few times, buying time. Marluxia sat next to him, and gently stroked one soft hand down the side of Vexen's cheek.
"The tears never came, did they," He murmured.
Vexen kept his gaze fixed on the apple in his hands, and did not speak.
"It's a pity, you know," Marluxia continued. "That it has to be like this. If only you'd see sense,"
"There is no sense in loving your captor, torturer and murderer," Vexen replied dully, finally taking a bite of the apple. Every word was infallible logic, and yet, every word was a lie.
"Oh, but they are always watching," Marluxia laughed.
"You should be careful what you say,"
"I shall say whatever I like," Marluxia replied, his voice taking on an almost childish tone.
Vexen realised that he could barely move, and he sank down into the ample bedding that Marluxia had already prepared for the night.
"And one day you shall nullify the results of the experiment and then where shall we be?"
Marluxia still found it within himself to chuckle as he tugged Vexen around to lie completely on the bed, straddling him with gentle ease.
"It was always so much easier without a heart. Don't try to fool yourself," He said kindly.
Vexen kept his eyes on the ceiling as Marluxia leaned down to kiss his neck, unzip his old, heavy coat a little way to reveal pale skin underneath. His body lay limp and useless under Marluxia's touch.
"There has to be some other way than this," He finally whispered, almost hoping that Marluxia wouldn't hear.
"There will be. One day. Once the experiment is over,"
"Once the experiment is over."