He returned the next morning, dress and under garments in hand. "Here you are."
She'd spent the entire time in bed, too shy to move in case someone came in.
Indeed, Larxene and Axel had both entered for a moment. Larxene made fun of her and tried to steal her blanket, and Axel just blushed and left.
Namine accepted the clothes with slightly burned hands- Larxene had shocked her when she tried to get her cover back. "Thank you!" she said, tone obviously grateful.
Marluxia caught her by the wrist, staring down at her hands. "What happened?"
"Eh-" she winced, "Nothing. Just Larxene..."
His gaze hardened. "She did this?"
"Y-yes," Namine tried to pull her hands back, "But it was my fault! I shouldn't have fought her, or she wouldn't have..."
He pulled her into his chest, hugging her tightly, feeling an overwhelming sense of wanting to protect her. "It's not your fault. Don't say that."
"I... don't be angry," she asked, interpreting his mood all-wrong.
"I'm not angry." He said slowly, his jaw clenched.
Confused, Namine leaned back from him, pulling herself away.
He pulled her back, pinning her easily to his chest in a vice like grip. "I'm not mad at you." He clarified. His words and his roughness did not match.
"Ahh-!" she cried out as he twined his fingers into her hair and forced her to look at him, though, made sure not to hurt her. "Trust me."
Tilting her head back to keep form having her hair pulled, Namine closed her eyes against the sight of him.
He moved forward, lips gently grazing over hers for just a moment, then he released her.
She fell back, heart pounding and breathing hard.
He stood up. "I'll be back later." He said briskly, walking out of the room.
"Don't-" he called after him. He ignored her, as always, and she was left wanting to cry as she pulled her dress back on.
He confronted Larxene, eyes hard and trapping the woman between his broad chest and the wall. "You damaged the girl."
"Ah, I barely scratched her," Larxene said dismissively, "little slut was sitting naked on the bad!"
He gripped her around the neck, thumb pressed to the front of her throat, digging into her skin. "You damaged her. She's my property. Don't touch it."
"Becoming a bit too close to her, Marluxia?" Larxene choked. "Acting all protective- I don't suppose you're leaving me?"
He smirked a bit, lifting the woman up, slowly sliding her up the wall. "Like I said. She's my property, don't damage it."
The woman sent a painful electric shock out. Marluxia was forced to let go and withdraw his stung hand.
"You are becoming too close to her," she accused, landing lightly on her feet when he dropped her from the sudden shock. "Jeopardizing the mission. Becoming enamored with the little White Witch."
He stared down at the woman. Pathetic. "I'm not 'close' to her. Like I've made it clear before. She. Is. My. Property. I don't like my things damaged."
"Right," she said sarcastically, "Then prove it. Prove you have no feelings for her.... or would it just hurt too much?"
"I don't need to prove anything to you." He snarled, pink hair hiding his eyes.
"You do if you want to continue leading us," she countered expertly, "You're Lord of Castle Oblivion for now... but not for much longer if either Axel or I betray you to the Superior. All it takes is one little word and you will be over."
"You wouldn't do that." He growled lowly, though, it sounded more like a threat then anything.
"Want to bet?" She stared him down. Oh yes. Yes she would.
He crouched down, face inches from hers. "I'll kill you before you do that..."
"Can't kill everyone who wants you out," she said, "Now find a way to prove it... or else you may not be around to get close to her much longer."
With that and a smile, she portaled out.
His chest felt constricted. I need to prove that I don't care for her... he thought to himself, That won't be hard- after all. I don't care.
Didn't he?