This chapter is a journal entry chapter. *sigh* Oh, Larxene. You silly girl!

We see a bit more of the REAL Marluxia and Demyx in this chapter, and just how devious they both can be.

Oh, what's that? You thought Demyx was a good guy? Bwa ha ha. Oh dear…

Not much else to say. Yay! I actually made it to submitting three chapters today despite my dizzy illness. Enjoy!

April 1, 1922

I can't believe I'm actually finding a moment to write! Everything has happened so fast, diary, and I've been so busy.

Luxord and I have found ourselves caught up in a complete mass of trouble. We're living in the mansion of some unfortunate dead man and we've been forced to assume his identity. Oh, have I forgot to mention there are gangsters involved?

Nearly everyone I trusted was involved with a group of gangsters! My father and Demyx. And Naminé, Naminé herself is actually one of these gangsters!

And then Luxord, well, I suppose I should let it go. But I'm so furious with him! He was in the exact same situation that I was with money. Because of prohibition in the US, his father's company went severely bankrupt as a distributor and Luxord was urged to marry into money. Both our fathers are stubborn, prideful men that wouldn't let on to how truly poor they'd become so it only made sense for them to think the other was still wealthy. Thus, Luxord and I married each other hoping to gain money from one another's family. How horrifically it has backfired on both of us. Now we can not get an annulment because of the situation we're in, not that he wants to. He claims there was more than just money involved when he agreed to marry me. I don't know how much of that I can believe.

He hasn't treated me any differently now that he knows though. He still makes an effort to romance me but because of everything, I'm far from in the mood to accept any of his advances.

And speaking of advances, Luxord isn't the only one.

There is a man named Marluxia who I'm almost certain is the top boss of this whole gang. He's been exceptionally kind throughout the past eight days. Perhaps a little too kind. He insists that Luxord, Demyx and I join him for dinner each night although I'm expecting the dinner invitations to dwindle to just including myself very soon. At dinner he insists I sit nearest to him and when I do, the conversations that follow usually involve a lot of touching on his behalf. If he isn't clasping my hand, he's caressing my face or thumbing my chin, much to the irritation of both Luxord and Demyx. And honestly, were I not terrified of this man I would say there would be cause for them to be concerned. He's more handsome than both of them and doubly charming. Luxord loathes him and I can tell by the glimmer of fury in Demyx's eyes that he shares the sentiment.

And speaking of Demyx…

--

Larxene yawned sleepily as she slipped out of her dress. It had been a long day with everyone in the house. They'd just begun putting the finishing touches on the speakeasy in the cellar and still they were hard at work. She'd lent a helping hand where she could but most of her day was spent being barked at by Zexion about what etiquette she needed to use and the precautions she needed to take before she let anyone within thirty feet of the speakeasy. There were names and faces blacklisted that she had to memorize and every time she answered wrong when he quizzed her, she received a lecture on the importance of accuracy. She felt on the verge of tears until Marluxia told her it would be alright for her to retire for the night. Now she was ready to climb into bed and go to sleep when she heard the door behind her open. She froze, still practically in the nude, and turned her gaze to see who had entered her room.

"I'm sorry I didn't knock." Demyx smiled and turned the lock on the bedroom door quickly. "I didn't want to alert anyone who might be up here that you weren't alone."

Larxene scoffed and pulled up a blanket to cover her body. "And what, you though you'd sneak up here and get a peek at my unmentionables?"

"Not exactly." Demyx stepped closer to Larxene and smiled warmly. "It has been so long since we have been alone like this."

Larxene scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Only three weeks. Not long enough if you ask me. I'm still mad at you."

"Darling, you can't be serious." Demyx reached out and grasped Larxene's hand, bringing it to his lips. "I can't apologize enough for keeping you in the dark. But you see now how important it was, don't you? These people are dangerous criminals! They murdered a man and woman and took their home and it doesn't raise one ounce of suspicion!" He brought a hand to her cheek as she turned her head away from him and forced her to meet his gaze. "You can't really still be mad at me."

Larxene looked up into Demyx's eyes and scowled. Damn him, already that handsome face of his was working its magic on her. "Demyx, it doesn't matter what reason you had for lying. The fact is that you lied. How can I trust you?"

"How can you trust me!? Larxene! Look at who you're talking to! This is the boy that played with you all throughout your childhood. This is the boy who got down on one knee when he was ten years old and proposed to you with a piece of costume jewelry!" Demyx cupped Larxene's face in his hands and kept her eyes locked on his. "This is the boy who would've moved Heaven and Earth if you so willed it. And I haven't changed… I would still move Heaven and Earth for you. Larxene, I love you. That is one thing you can trust in."

Larxene sighed and shook her head. She had to stay strong. No matter how handsome and charming he was, she was mad. Right? "D-demyx, you can't just barge in here and say a few romantic things and expect me to just forgive you!"

"Can't I?" Demyx laughed softly and pressed his lips against Larxene's. He waited for her to react, and after a moment she raised her arms to wrap around his neck. He eased her back gently onto the bed and ran his fingers through her hair. "I love you."

--

I realize I'm treading dangerous territory here. On one hand, there's Luxord. Regardless of how I view him, he sees himself as my husband and that isn't going to change. He's already made it very clear how he feels about being humiliated through means of adultery. If he were to find out…

I'd rather not think about it, actually. It isn't as though I feel guilty. Why should I? He hid something from me and tricked me into marriage! I shouldn't feel guilt for my minor indiscretions. After all, Demyx loved me first.

And then of course there's Marluxia I have to worry about. I'm not sure what illusions he may have, if any, but there's no telling what goes on in the mind of a criminal. Especially one capable of murder. There was already a close call with him just earlier this same evening…

--

"I wish I could stay." Demyx sighed and laced his fingers with Larxene's. "I wonder if I'll ever be able to wake up next to you and see that beautiful face of yours."

Larxene looked at her hand entwined with Demyx's and stared at it in thought. She was torn between just letting down her walls and letting Demyx in or pushing him away again and keeping her heart protected. She quickly opted for the latter and rolled her eyes. "I'm sure waking up next to me isn't all that great. I'm a mess in the morning anyhow."

Demyx chuckled and pulled her hand against his lips to kiss it. "But I love you no matter how you look, darling. In fact I think that would be the most beautiful sight I could ever lay my eyes upon." He inhaled deeply and leaned closer to Larxene, kissing her gently on the lips. "Maybe one day…"

And then came a knock at the door. Larxene froze and stared at Demyx with wide eyes. Her heart instantly went into overdrive and she cleared her throat. There was no point in pretending to be asleep because the lamp was still on, likely shining its warm yellow glow under the crack of the door. "Wh-who is it?"

Marluxia turned the doorknob slowly but the door wouldn't open. Locked. He grumbled under his breath and cooed through the wood of the door. "Me, sweet. Marluxia."

"That rat bastard." Demyx hissed through clenched teeth. "What does he want?"

"I don't know but you need to hide." Larxene scowled at Demyx and motioned under the bed. She quickly grabbed up her robe and pulled it on over her body. "I'll be there in a moment!" She turned back to Demyx and watched with irritation as he gathered up his clothes and slid slowly under the bed with no sense of urgency whatsoever. As soon as he was safely out of sight she pulled the door to her bedroom open and forced a smile. "Marluxia, hello. You needed something?"

"Not at all, sweet." Marluxia smiled and glanced past Larxene into her room. "I was just passing by and I could have swore I heard voices."

"Voices?" Larxene's heart dropped into her stomach and she could practically feel as her face paled. "Y-you heard voices? But that's just not possible. I'm all alone."

Marluxia continued to peer into the room before giving up and turning his gaze back to Larxene. "As I can see, but I have very good ears."

"Oh? O-oh! You know…" Larxene forced a girlish giggle and shook her head. "It completely slipped my mind! The voices from the basement have been traveling up through the heating system in the floor. I've been hearing them off and on all evening. Now that I think about it, that must have been what you heard."

Marluxia watched Larxene curiously a moment before nodding slowly. "Yes, that must be it. I'll be sure to tell them to keep it down. I didn't realize they were keeping you awake. I'm terribly sorry. I assure you, we will have a more modern heating system installed soon." He smiled and captured Larxene's chin between his thumb and index finger and caressed just below her bottom lip gently. "Is there anything else I can do for you, my sweet?"

"No." Larxene forced a smile and shook her head, freeing her chin of Marluxia's grasp. "I was just getting ready to turn in for the night."

"Ah, I see." Marluxia reached out to capture Larxene's hand delicately. "Well, if there is anything you need at any time, let me know. The situation in which you find yourself now is unfortunate but I'm striving to make it as pleasant of an experience for you as possible. I hope you understand that." He brought Larxene's hand to his lips and smiled.

Larxene blushed lightly and pulled her hand from Marluxia's. Damn these forward men, damn them all to hell. "I do understand. Thank you. If you'll excuse me now, I should be trying to get some sleep."

"Of course." Marluxia bowed to Larxene. "Sleep well, sweet."

"Yes, you too." Larxene closed the door quickly and pressed her back against it. "I need a drink." She started over to the bed and knelt down to peer underneath. "You can leave now."

Demyx poked his head out from under the bed and pressed his lips to Larxene's quickly. "Can't I just stay here?"

"No!" Larxene growled and yanked Demyx out from under the bed. "Out!"

"Alright, alright." Demyx stood slowly and began redressing. "You know, I could just as easily play the role of Mr. Gabbiani."

"Demyx, don't start." Larxene grumbled and crossed her arms. "This was already a mistake, I can tell."

"Ah, don't say that." Demyx smiled softly and stood after putting on his shoes. He kissed Larxene and nuzzled her neck gently. "It doesn't feel like a mistake to me."

"Enough! Go now!" Larxene tapped her foot in irritation and pointed toward the door.

"Alright. Goodnight darling." Demyx pressed his lips to her cheek and exited the room quietly. He started toward the front of the mansion but stopped as he heard footsteps approaching from behind him.

"Well, aren't you treading some dangerous territory?" Marluxia stepped up behind Demyx with a smile on his face.

Demyx turned to face Marluxia with a bright smile. "You were waiting to see if anybody came out of her room."

Marluxia cocked his head to the side in curiosity. "If you were going to admit it so quickly, why even bother hiding in the first place?"

"I don't care who knows." Demyx shrugged. "Larxene on the other hand, she needs a bit more convincing."

"Ah, I see." Marluxia nodded slowly. "And you're not afraid of what her husband might do to you?"

Demyx narrowed his eyes at the mention of Luxord. "She doesn't love him. She loves me."

"And yet she married him." Marluxia cocked an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "A farce?"

Demyx mimicked Marluxia's pose and scowled. "A farce. Surely you see it too, or you wouldn't be pursuing her so persistently as you have been."

Marluxia smirked. "But therein lies the difference between you and I… I have no qualms about killing a man."

Demyx raised an eyebrow and smiled. "And you think I do?"