Marluxia watched Szayel begin to work, his eyes flickering over the restraints on Lumi unhappily. He understood why Szayel would insist on their use, but he'd have preferred not to have to strap Lumi down. He was vulnerable enough with his injury, and doing this would only render him helpless, a state which, if Marluxia knew Lumi even half as well as he thought he might, Lumi would respond to badly.

The restraints were padded at least, so Lumi was unlikely to injure himself further.

He felt Lumi's chakra flare, the sudden, inescapable sense of Lumi's raw power filling the room and pressing down on them. Marluxia was more accustomed to Lumi's chakra signature than most, but he'd never experienced this intensity, and he didn't actually believe this was it at full force, either. This was neglecting to control it, rather than deliberately flashing it.

He still swallowed hard, having to hold his breath for a moment as the sensation washed over him.

The noise was the worst thing. Lumi never sounded like that, but Marluxia's expression remained stony and concentrated.