Author's Note: What Axel got up to while Roxas was getting chewed out. Luxord's always will to make a bet but, but there seems to be at least one or two things he's unwilling to wager. And Larxene knows…

Also there really is a game where you play with Tarot cards. It's more popular across on the other side of the Atlantic and I figure Luxord being a British gambler would know it.

Warnings: Aku/Dem

Disclaimer: I don't own KH.

A Winning Hand?

The Flurry of Dancing Flames lay back and stared at the ceiling. He couldn't sleep. As tired as he was he couldn't fall asleep again. Nothing was right, his bed felt empty. Funny how quickly you could get used to that, sharing something as personal as your bed.

Roxas had just left. The growling in stomach could no longer be ignored. Axel turned on his side. He'd told Demyx they'd do something special when he got back, and what had happened? He'd managed to send Demyx storming off in a fit, just like the good ole days. He wasn't really sure why though.

This was no good. They'd been discreet, but at this rate there'd be nothing for them to be discreet about. He tried everything and still the Nocturne resisted seduction. He learned a lot about Nocturne, what he liked, what he disliked, but nothing worked.

He needed a map, something to give him a clue. Someone even. He thought about those close to the Nocturne. Lexaeus and Zexion would never talk to him; he wouldn't trust what Zexion said anyway.

He sighed and got up. He rummaged through his dresser and found some clothes. He pulled a comb hastily through his hair and stalked down the hall to the door marked X. There was no doubt in his mind that Luxord would still be up, he just hoped that the Gambler would be willing to accept something other that cash for a wager. He waited impatiently for the door to be opened.

The Gambler of Fate grinned when he saw Axel. Apparently he'd been expecting this.

"Does fish boy want dealt in?" called a voice as Axel was ushered into the room.

"That's not Demyx," said another.

"Larxene what the hell are you doing here?"

The Savage Nymph was sitting at the table next to Zexion. Both had cards.

"What? I can't have a poker night?" she huffed. "Besides why are you here? For that matter why are you upright?"

"I didn't hit him that hard," Zexion murmured without looking up. "I take it your calling a time out Luxord?" he asked.

"Whatever for?" Larxene demanded.

"Don't get all worked up luv, this won't take all night. Why don't you two find us something a bit stronger than tea for later?"

Zexion set his cards down. "Fine with me. I had a bad hand anyway."

As Larxene walked past Axel she gave him a concerned look. "Axel?" she touched his should and he flinched away. She frowned and shot a dark look at Luxord.

"Let's go!" Zexion growled and grabbed her shirtsleeve to drag her out of the room.

"Hey don't pull!" she snapped.

When the door shut, Axel raised an eyebrow at the Gambler.

"Oh don't start. Marluxia isn't very good company when he's got his nose in sling. And having an ex-boyfriend smash your favorite flower vase is pretty upsetting."

"It wasn't on purpose. She made me buy another anyway," Axel grumbled rubbing the back his head. "Wait…what's pink boy upset about?"

"His near-watery-death experience I imagine," Luxord said. "Want a cuppa?" Axel nodded and the Time Master poured him a cup. He gestured to late tea he'd set out for the game. He sat down and gathered up his cards.

"He's still mad about that?" Axel said as he helped himself to cheese toast and pickles and he sat down across from Luxord.

"If plants didn't carry a grudge they never would have invented stinging nettles."

Axel rolled his eyes. Luxord smirked. The Flurry watched as he began to get fancy with slight of hand tricks, gently mesmerized by the susurrus of shuffling cards.

"Since I know you have a preference for true ambiguity as opposed to embedding the answers into the question, I'm going to ask you not to muck about. What is it you want to know about Demyx?"

Well, he'd asked for it.

"Why can't I get into his pants?"

"Ah." Luxord set the deck down and began to deal cards.

"I've tried everything."

"Really? Everything?" A card house began to rise beneath the Gambler's hands. Axel had always been amazed at the speed at which the Luxord could build them.

"Yes."

"If you had really tried everything he'd be in your bed right now instead of sulking in the kitchen."

Axel opened his mouth to ask how the Gambler knew where Demyx was, but shut it. Zexion. That's all there was to it really.

"What haven't I tried then?" Axel groaned and sipped his tea.

"Allow me pose a hypothetical situation to you," Luxord said placing another card. "Would you allow Roxas to drive that motorcycle of yours, even if he'd read very detailed instructions, if he'd never been on one before?"

"Good god no! He wipes out on the skateboard enough as it is!"

"Of course. You would take great pains to make sure he knew what he was doing, to ensure the safety if both him and the bike. You'd show him how to do everything. Perhaps have him ride in the bitch a few times before let him take the handle bars." Luxord placed the last card.

Axel groaned into his mug. "You mean I've really gotta…"

"If you want to drive then yes," he smirked at Axel through the gap in the cards. "It's not as scary as it sounds."

"Are you telling me…"

"CS is of an inquisitive nature."

"Oh…well, at least I don't have to kill you. Do I?"

"No. How can I put this…he doesn't really have a preference, I'm told," he added seeing the flash in Axel's eyes, "It's not a question of dominance, he just needs you to understand, and he won't hurt you."

"I'm not so sure of that," Axel grumbled, "When things get really hot, just before I lose my nerve, he's been rough, almost violent."

"Do you think he wanted to hurt you, or was he giving as good as he got?"

Axel glared at the Gambler.

"I thought so. Let him show you how to drive. Tell him you're ready, the crashers'll stop and the tide'll come in really gently, I promise."

Axel sighed. The thought really unnerved him. When he was actually with Demyx it felt amazing. The Nocturne was good at making sure he didn't think too much. But then things would escalate, and the play would get rough. Demyx never made a move to take him, but he resisted Axel's advances and that reminded him of what Demyx wanted from him, and then Axel would start thinking about it again and then the whole thing was shot.

"Why is he so dead set about it?" Axel asked.

Luxord hesitated. "It's his way of protecting himself," he said finally. "You see, it wasn't intentional, but he has been hurt before. He really doesn't want anything remotely similar to happen with y—"

Axel shot from his seat and banged his hands down on either side of the table spilling tea and toppling the card house.

"WHO!?" he demanded.

Luxord gave himself a shake. "Guess I should have expected that," he said. "I'd make you a wager, but it's not my secret to tell."

"When has that ever stopped you?" Axel spat.

"Unprecedented I grant you, but I'd rather not gamble with MN's trust. If only because I like breathing air."

Axel sat back down heavily.

"I can't believe he trusts you that much," was all he could think of to say.

Luxord shrugged. "Don't look so glum," he said.

Axel bit into a piece of toast. "How will one fuck make him trust me?"

"It won't," Luxord conceded. "But it'll go a long way to reassuring him." He began to shuffle the cards again. "And once he does trust you…"

Axel listened to the whir of shotgun shuffling. The Gambler dealt one hand. He spread out the cards for Axel to see. To the Flurry's surprise they were not poker cards.

"The Eight of Wands, the Nine of Cups, the Lovers, the Two of Swords, and the Two of Coins. I didn't know you into this stuff."

"I'm not. There's an actual game with these cards. If you want your stars read talk to Saïx."

"I get the others, but why the twos?"

"Deuces are wild."

"I think you're mixing metaphors," Axel said drumming him fingers on the table. A slow smile spread across his face. "But that gives me an idea. Can you get me into his room?"

"You don't have an invite?"

"Don't know, he's never said."

"Well finish your tea and we'll find out."

Axel picked up his mug again and the door opened. VI and XII came in carrying a couple of bottles.

"We raided Xiggy's private stash!" grinned Larxene. She gave the two Nobodies at the table a scrutinizing look.

"Smashing! What is it?"

"Nothing irreplaceable," Zexion. "Don't want to end up as target practice. Is he staying?"

Axel didn't answer. He had a mouth full of toast.

"Nah, Axel just needed a bed time story. You're supposed to use two fingers for that mate."

"Mrup oo!"

"So you borrowed that from Number II eh? Not the kitchen"

The Schemer didn't miss a beat. "No, Xaldin never keeps the good stuff there. No point in going down there really. Unless you want to attract lonely faeries," he shot a look at Larxene.

"It's not my fault you have 'pester me' written on your face," the Nymph said lightly. She was aware of an undercurrent in the room. She hated being out of the loop, but there was no point in demanding an explanation. The three men in front of her delighted in mind games. She'd crack the code on her own, and stick it to them when they weren't looking.

"Well, let's go hot shot."

"What? He needs you to tuck him in too?"

"You're not funny Larxene," Axel growled.

"I thought it was funny."

"No one cares what you think Zexion."

"Xemnas does," he said smugly

Luxord headed off the argument "We'll get the game started again in a minute," he said.

Larxene sat down in huff as VIII and X left.

"Are we ever going to get to play this game?" she moaned. "What the hell is on this table?"

The Schemer sniffed. "Tea."

"Oh," she said, sounding vaguely disappointed.

To be continued…