[Even with the lack of response, Hux presses on. He knows that Ren is listening, which is all that matters right now.]
The scavenger informed me that the small scenario involving her and the Supreme Leader happened rather differently.
[He's looking at a traitor now, someone that not only betrayed Snoke, but worked with someone from the Resistance to do that. Hux is still not sure why she left him on the floor, but he's going to get those answers now.
Of course, Hux doesn't really care that Snoke is dead in particular, just that Ren took command... and he doesn't think the knight has the First Order's best interests in mind. Not to mention, just his general incompetence in being the Supreme Leader.]
[For several moments, Ren simply stares with that tired gaze, too drained to feel much worse than he currently does already. At least the constant misery has started to numb to the point it's not quite as sharp as a few days ago.
Rey probably didn't even think anything of it, when she said it. It's not new for people to think of other things before what he might want, but he'd hoped it wouldn't come out like this. Not that he thinks there would have been a much better alternative in his current mindset anyway.]
[Is it even necessary? Hux meets Ren's tired look with that same expression of disdain and distrust, no concern or care evident in his eyes. All he wants from his partner right now is the truth and Ren could be bleeding on the ground right now; Hux would still be acting the same way.]
I know it's true, so let's skip straight to what I want to know. [The girl talked about some of the details, but he doesn't have a full picture about what happened back in the throne room. Hux is going to change that now.]
What. Happened.
[The way he says those two words might be very reminiscent to Kylo.]
[He had wanted to tell Hux about the situation himself, eventually. But everything that had happened over the past several months... he'd been so occupied that he had either shoved it aside or didn't know how to handle it.
Well... there was one other non-truth he gave: that the girl had come to Snoke's ship for some reason, when he knew well what that reason was.]
Rey came to the Supremacy to try to turn me. I let her come because I thought I could turn her.
I think that is a rather big lie, wouldn't you agree?
[As if that is something minor... it makes a large difference to find out that Ren was the one that killed Snoke. Was his partner ever going to tell him-- probably not. Whatever connection he has with the girl is obviously important and a surge of jealousy passes through him, enough to rust any metal nearby.
He's supposed to be the most important person in Ren's life, at least while they're here. Ren promised that he would never leave him.
Hux doesn't fully believe it anymore. Perhaps it was stupid to even believe him for a second.]
Let me guess, after you killed Snoke and his entire guard, she rejected you.
[Ren's moves his gaze away, nearly with shame. It wasn't a small lie, it's true, but it seemed like the best option at the time—even in this world. He tried to be honest otherwise, however, even if it was ultimately just to make himself feel better.
He remains silent as Hux continues, staring at a distant spot on the floor. He doesn't feel like he even has the right to look at his partner right now.]
[It's all starting to come together now. Ren invited Rey to the Supremacy, in hopes of turning her. Snoke most likely wanted to kill her and Ren couldn't stand the thought of losing some piece of trash, so he turned against his master and betrayed the First Order.
Only the girl wouldn't join him, but couldn't kill him either, and left to join the Resistance once more.]
You betrayed Snoke, you betrayed the entire First Order for some scavenger. [The anger and loathing is apparent in his voice. Of course, the cracks forming on the walls around him is a clear sign of his negative emotions as well.]
Why. And don't tell me because you wanted another ally with the Force, I know it's more than just that.
[If he hadn't just felt the loss of his father all over again, he might be arguing about how Snoke had been using them all, how he would have been the Order's downfall. As it stands, he simply remains quiet until a question is asked of him.]
I wanted her at my side.
[He doesn't want to go any deeper about those feelings. It's difficult enough thinking about them, let alone discussing them with someone he hadn't wanted to tell about them for fear of what he might think.]
I thought the Force had shown me what I needed for that to happen.
Oh, so you're saying that the Force brought you two together. Like it was meant to be. Well, fortunately for you, it seems to me that she hasn't completely given up on you.
[Because otherwise, he wouldn't have detected the concern coming from Rey when he talked to her over the telepathic network. Nonetheless, Hux sounds bitter, and ice begins to form along the walls and floors.]
And it's obvious that you still want her now. By your side.
[Ren stares at Hux for a long moment, then shakes his head.]
It was Snoke.
[Even if the connection had persisted, its source wasn't the Force itself. It's no destiny, just another cruel manipulation by the former Supreme Leader.]
He connected us. So he could use my weaknesses against against her.
[The image of Snoke's body, cleaved in two in the throne room, flashes through Hux's mind. It was about the last thing he imagined when he hurried to the Supreme Leader after the Resistance launched that kamikaze attack on them. It was just one bad thing after another that day and the thought of it still brings a high level of stress.
Truly nothing good happened. They should've won.]
He's gone. [So, it's only a matter of time until Ren either betrays him or abandons him to be with her.]
[Ren lapses back into silence; he feels no guilt over the death of Snoke. Like all of the ancient things from before the Empire, he needed to die in order for them to move forward. Snoke did nothing but shackle them to the past and failed ideals.
... and he was endlessly cruel to everyone he came across. Hux was no exception to that, and Snoke made no secret of it to Kylo, with the vicious insults he shared when the general was barely even out of earshot. (He didn't particularly disagree at the time, but... this place is different. At least he hopes it is.)
He doesn't look at Armitage when he speaks again, his voice quiet and earnest.]
[He gives Ren a look and while there's some resentment coming from Hux, it's not as blinding as it would be if he actually cared about Snoke. It's not like Hux didn't have thoughts of getting rid of the Supreme Leader. Honestly, it's a goal that he's been wanting to reach, but Ren beat him to it. No, the thing he's upset and angry about is Ren's hold on the title... and that he only went through with killing Snoke because of the girl.]
No. I hate that you took the title of Supreme Leader for yourself and choked me. [Nevermind the fact that Hux would've killed Ren if he didn't wake up in time.]
[At another time, Kylo may have pointed out the fact that Hux was the one to give him that prestigious title. He might have laid out the differences between this place and their galaxy, reminded the other man that their feelings are vastly different between the two. As it stands, he simply remains silent, his lip quivering for the briefest of moments, his eyes downcast in shame and grief over the fact that the man he loves apparently hates him. (Not that Armitage hasn't reminded Kylo of this fact many times before.)
At this point, he doesn't know if an apology would even do any good. Would Armitage even acknowledge it, let alone consider it sincere? Instead of trying to make his case or deflect the blame, he decides to simply take whatever Hux may want to say to him. He knows that the general simply wants to be angry with him whenever these things happen, and Ren has no intention of stopping him this time.]
[Now there's anger building up with that hatred. How dare Ren look that pathetic in front of him-- a far cry from the man that not only choked him, but threw him against a wall in front of his own officers. Humiliated him. He looks far more pathetic than when he last witnessed him back home, kneeling on the ground in that base in Crait.
Except now, he's upset because of Hux.
He should feel powerful to have this much control over Ren, but instead, he just feels that nagging guilt that he loathes so much. Why should he be the one to apologize?!]
[Kylo will ask for no apologies. With everything he's caused over the past several months (years), he has no right to.
He can only assume what Armitage might mean by his command, but Ren knows the other man well enough to feel assured in his guess: Hux doesn't want to see him looking sorry for himself. So he attempts to do as requested, hardening his expression and tightening his jaw to approximate the bitterness he's more accustomed to feeling, even if it can't quite reach the hopeless, hurt look in his eyes or the dull ache in his chest.
[Ren's attempt to rid himself of his pathetic behavior completely failed, at least in Hux's eyes. In a way, he even seems more miserable than before. Gritting his teeth, Hux tries to shove aside his urge to console Ren, just focusing on why he's angry at him in the first place.
At least that's easy for him to do.]
Tell me, Ren, why are you still here? Why haven't you run into the arms of that scavenger yet? Some misplaced obligation to me?
[There's a distinct confusion in his frown when he finally turns to Armitage, not understanding why the other man would think he would simply leave and cut him off—especially in the face of the very fact Hux himself pointed out: Rey left Kylo behind.]
[He doesn't answer that question for a long time, as various thoughts go through his head. No, he doesn't necessarily think that he means little to Ren, but not as much as that scavenger. When it comes down to it, Hux is rather certain that Ren would choose her over him, despite everything they went through together.
Maybe he's jumping to conclusions, but she has the Force. Ren betrayed the Order and Snoke for her. Hux doubts Ren would do the same for him. Besides, wouldn't be the first time a person from Jakku took away something that he wanted.]
Don't try and tell me that you'd pick me over her.
[As much as he tries to think of where he might have gone wrong to make the other man assume such a thing, he can't come up with anything concrete. He kept the secret of who killed Snoke, and why, yes—but is that really enough to negate everything they've been through?]
Why would you think that? [If he comes across as a little desperate, he wouldn't even deny it.] I love you. That hasn't changed.
[Hux actually softens slightly when he hears those three words. Such weakness, to have his mind swayed by them, but he can't find himself holding onto his anger. He knows that Ren means it; he's not the type to say something like that just to manipulate him (that's something Hux would do).]
You're still willing to stay by me?
[He doesn't mean to come out so pathetic, but there's a deep insecurity in his expression that Hux can't hide.]
[Wanting Armitage to be closer won't make anything happen on its own, as easier as it would make things, so instead Kylo gets to his feet to approach in a few slow steps. He reaches out hesitantly for Hux's arms, hoping he'll accept the touch.]
I could never leave you. [Guilty, he turns his gaze to the floor for a moment before he looks back up.] And I'll never lie to you again. I promise.
[He steps closer to Ren, wordlessly allowing him to grasp onto his arms. He's never the type to ask for contact, but it's still obvious that he wants his partner to be close with him with now. It doesn't help that Hux is feeling pathetically vulnerable too. Guess it's a side effect of Ren saying those words to him.]
You promised now, just like before. [Ren's true to his word, right? He hasn't abandoned Hux so far, although he just learned that he betrayed Snoke for one girl. But it's different with him, right? Because Ren actually cares about him...
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lostapprentice) wrote2035-01-06 02:37 am
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The scavenger informed me that the small scenario involving her and the Supreme Leader happened rather differently.
[He's looking at a traitor now, someone that not only betrayed Snoke, but worked with someone from the Resistance to do that. Hux is still not sure why she left him on the floor, but he's going to get those answers now.
Of course, Hux doesn't really care that Snoke is dead in particular, just that Ren took command... and he doesn't think the knight has the First Order's best interests in mind. Not to mention, just his general incompetence in being the Supreme Leader.]
She said that you killed him.
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Rey probably didn't even think anything of it, when she said it. It's not new for people to think of other things before what he might want, but he'd hoped it wouldn't come out like this. Not that he thinks there would have been a much better alternative in his current mindset anyway.]
Are you going to ask me if it's true?
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I know it's true, so let's skip straight to what I want to know. [The girl talked about some of the details, but he doesn't have a full picture about what happened back in the throne room. Hux is going to change that now.]
What. Happened.
[The way he says those two words might be very reminiscent to Kylo.]
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[He had wanted to tell Hux about the situation himself, eventually. But everything that had happened over the past several months... he'd been so occupied that he had either shoved it aside or didn't know how to handle it.
Well... there was one other non-truth he gave: that the girl had come to Snoke's ship for some reason, when he knew well what that reason was.]
Rey came to the Supremacy to try to turn me. I let her come because I thought I could turn her.
[He sees no reason to lie about any of it now.]
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[As if that is something minor... it makes a large difference to find out that Ren was the one that killed Snoke. Was his partner ever going to tell him-- probably not. Whatever connection he has with the girl is obviously important and a surge of jealousy passes through him, enough to rust any metal nearby.
He's supposed to be the most important person in Ren's life, at least while they're here. Ren promised that he would never leave him.
Hux doesn't fully believe it anymore. Perhaps it was stupid to even believe him for a second.]
Let me guess, after you killed Snoke and his entire guard, she rejected you.
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He remains silent as Hux continues, staring at a distant spot on the floor. He doesn't feel like he even has the right to look at his partner right now.]
Yes.
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Only the girl wouldn't join him, but couldn't kill him either, and left to join the Resistance once more.]
You betrayed Snoke, you betrayed the entire First Order for some scavenger. [The anger and loathing is apparent in his voice. Of course, the cracks forming on the walls around him is a clear sign of his negative emotions as well.]
Why. And don't tell me because you wanted another ally with the Force, I know it's more than just that.
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I wanted her at my side.
[He doesn't want to go any deeper about those feelings. It's difficult enough thinking about them, let alone discussing them with someone he hadn't wanted to tell about them for fear of what he might think.]
I thought the Force had shown me what I needed for that to happen.
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[Because otherwise, he wouldn't have detected the concern coming from Rey when he talked to her over the telepathic network. Nonetheless, Hux sounds bitter, and ice begins to form along the walls and floors.]
And it's obvious that you still want her now. By your side.
[So, where does that leave Hux?]
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It was Snoke.
[Even if the connection had persisted, its source wasn't the Force itself. It's no destiny, just another cruel manipulation by the former Supreme Leader.]
He connected us. So he could use my weaknesses against against her.
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[The image of Snoke's body, cleaved in two in the throne room, flashes through Hux's mind. It was about the last thing he imagined when he hurried to the Supreme Leader after the Resistance launched that kamikaze attack on them. It was just one bad thing after another that day and the thought of it still brings a high level of stress.
Truly nothing good happened. They should've won.]
He's gone. [So, it's only a matter of time until Ren either betrays him or abandons him to be with her.]
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... and he was endlessly cruel to everyone he came across. Hux was no exception to that, and Snoke made no secret of it to Kylo, with the vicious insults he shared when the general was barely even out of earshot. (He didn't particularly disagree at the time, but... this place is different. At least he hopes it is.)
He doesn't look at Armitage when he speaks again, his voice quiet and earnest.]
Do you hate me for it?
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[He gives Ren a look and while there's some resentment coming from Hux, it's not as blinding as it would be if he actually cared about Snoke. It's not like Hux didn't have thoughts of getting rid of the Supreme Leader. Honestly, it's a goal that he's been wanting to reach, but Ren beat him to it. No, the thing he's upset and angry about is Ren's hold on the title... and that he only went through with killing Snoke because of the girl.]
No. I hate that you took the title of Supreme Leader for yourself and choked me. [Nevermind the fact that Hux would've killed Ren if he didn't wake up in time.]
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At this point, he doesn't know if an apology would even do any good. Would Armitage even acknowledge it, let alone consider it sincere? Instead of trying to make his case or deflect the blame, he decides to simply take whatever Hux may want to say to him. He knows that the general simply wants to be angry with him whenever these things happen, and Ren has no intention of stopping him this time.]
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[Now there's anger building up with that hatred. How dare Ren look that pathetic in front of him-- a far cry from the man that not only choked him, but threw him against a wall in front of his own officers. Humiliated him. He looks far more pathetic than when he last witnessed him back home, kneeling on the ground in that base in Crait.
Except now, he's upset because of Hux.
He should feel powerful to have this much control over Ren, but instead, he just feels that nagging guilt that he loathes so much. Why should he be the one to apologize?!]
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He can only assume what Armitage might mean by his command, but Ren knows the other man well enough to feel assured in his guess: Hux doesn't want to see him looking sorry for himself. So he attempts to do as requested, hardening his expression and tightening his jaw to approximate the bitterness he's more accustomed to feeling, even if it can't quite reach the hopeless, hurt look in his eyes or the dull ache in his chest.
He still doesn't look at Hux.]
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[Ren's attempt to rid himself of his pathetic behavior completely failed, at least in Hux's eyes. In a way, he even seems more miserable than before. Gritting his teeth, Hux tries to shove aside his urge to console Ren, just focusing on why he's angry at him in the first place.
At least that's easy for him to do.]
Tell me, Ren, why are you still here? Why haven't you run into the arms of that scavenger yet? Some misplaced obligation to me?
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What are you talking about?
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[So, why isn't Ren chasing her? Hux doesn't understand.]
So, I'll ask again, why are you here? Nothing is stopping you from going to her now.
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Armitage. Do you think you mean so little to me?
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Maybe he's jumping to conclusions, but she has the Force. Ren betrayed the Order and Snoke for her. Hux doubts Ren would do the same for him. Besides, wouldn't be the first time a person from Jakku took away something that he wanted.]
Don't try and tell me that you'd pick me over her.
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Why would you think that? [If he comes across as a little desperate, he wouldn't even deny it.] I love you. That hasn't changed.
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You're still willing to stay by me?
[He doesn't mean to come out so pathetic, but there's a deep insecurity in his expression that Hux can't hide.]
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I could never leave you. [Guilty, he turns his gaze to the floor for a moment before he looks back up.] And I'll never lie to you again. I promise.
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You promised now, just like before. [Ren's true to his word, right? He hasn't abandoned Hux so far, although he just learned that he betrayed Snoke for one girl. But it's different with him, right? Because Ren actually cares about him...
He doesn't think that has changed.]
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