[Perhaps Hux should've known that there's no way to avoid Kylo. It's almost like he has a sense for every time he gets injured.
Perhaps it's the Force.
Bah.
Seeing that it's impossible to avoid his fate now, Hux slinks over to his partner with a resigned sort of look. He knows that he messed up despite reassuring Kylo that he'd be completely fine. That gross feeling of disappointing someone builds up, but Hux does his best to squish it down.]
[Even if Hux were to hide any grimaces, Kylo would be able to tell. After the redhead sits next to him, he holds a hand out in a gesture that demands to see the injury. He supposes he should be grateful the man didn't come back with worse, but he still finds himself annoyed.]
[With a resigned look, Hux slowly takes off his jacket and pulls his sleeve up, revealing a black and blue bruised arm. It definitely looks painful, but nothing that wouldn't heal on its own either. Still, additional healing would definitely be helpful.]
One of the pirates managed to knock my blaster from me. [He frowns as he remembers that lowlife that dared to hurt him. He's glad that he managed to fire a bolt through his face in the end.]
A struggle ensued, my arm took most of the damage. But I completed the mission, Kylo.
[It's not as if they're in need of funds that desperately—they live comfortably enough with Hux's salary and Ren's hunting rewards. This was purely because the general wanted to, as far as he's aware.
He supposes that at least the one who harmed Armitage is dead now. That doesn't mean he's not going to lecture the other man on how to fight as he takes the arm to help heal it—slowly, though, as he's too irritated to channel his energy properly.]
[Wow, what's that supposed to mean, Ren!! Hux looks vaguely insulted and the only reason why he's not complaining about it is the fact that Kylo is healing him right now.
...And also because talking about why he took upon that task deals with feelings and that's gross. But if there's anyone he's willing to be gross with, it's Kylo.]
It wasn't intentional. [Huff, he'd never let that happen normally!] A few of them managed to sneak up on me, that's all. They've learned how bad of an idea that was though.
[A sour expression forms on the general's face for a moment, but it doesn't last as long as it normally would. There's a brief look of conflict that passes across his face before Hux looks away, avoiding any sort of eye contact with Kylo.]
I don't plan on it. This time was just an exception-- I wanted to kill someone and make it last.
[Thoughts of Velvet and her punishment flash through his mind and his hands slowly begin to clench the more they settle in his mind.]
[Despite the biting comment, there's an obvious anger in the general's eyes, even though he still stubbornly refuses to look at Kylo. It's not the same anger he holds for the Resistance or the Republic and as Kylo already observed, it's not just irritation.
He's angry, for someone else-- for someone he cares about and it's not exactly a feeling that Hux has often. It definitely didn't happen back home, but Hux has already accepted that he's far different now compared to how he behaved before arriving in Verens. It's disgusting to think that Kylo changed him that much, but... the thought of losing him is even worse.
Ugh.
Part of him just wants to say nothing, but at this stage, keeping anything from Kylo is pointless. Besides, a bigger part of him wants to talk to his partner. It usually ends up with Hux being less angry about something.]
Velvet and the rest of her group, they only suffered a month in prison for trying to kill an Arehtei. You, on the other hand, only killed Junko Enoshima, a known criminal, and was sentenced to slowly die in prison.
[Hux doesn't know what he really wants to say, which is unusual for someone like him. He's always had a sharp wit (at least in his mind!!) and he considered himself to be a good orator, but right now, he's stumbling. It doesn't help that the guilt from being involved with Junko's assassination has never really gone away either.
All in all, more emotions than Hux wants to deal with.]
Whenever I think about that, I get angry.
just ignore the 12 right there... it totally says 11-11... coughs
[Realization comes quickly, after the sad excuse for a punishment comes up. It's certainly seemed disproportionate, and for what reason the natives suddenly decided to stop caring quite as much is lost on him. He might have been more angry about it if he wasn't occupied well enough with other things, but as it is he's only been annoyed and content to watch the chaos. He, at least, wouldn't have made such stupid mistakes as a leader. Turning so far in the other direction to be completely cruel to the side that suffered a major attack, after making the one responsible for a minor crime suffer? It's pathetic, really.
That's all unimportant for the moment, though. What is important that Armitage is getting mad on his behalf. Even if the thought of it brings a light scent of flowers to the air, he'd rather not leave the man to suffer with his anger in silence.
Ren brings a hand up to Hux's face to show his gratitude for that feeling, a quiet breath leaving him.]
So you wanted to take it out on something.
[They both know how well Kylo can relate to that.]
We can't make things right here, but... maybe we should find something else to do with that anger.
[When Ren puts it that way, Hux can feel slight humiliation creeping up, which only adds to his anger. He considers himself to be fully disciplined, so to think that he wanted to take his rage out on something... but he cannot deny the truth in those words.
Which only increases his frustration.
The only reason why Hux hasn't completely left the conversation is due to Kylo's hand on his face. Even if he doesn't admit it, it's a gesture that brings him comfort, an emotion that he really hasn't experienced until coming to Verens.]
I'm fine.
[He still can't stop the slight huffiness though, in both his expression and voice.]
[Ren doesn't roll his eyes, but if he did, this would be a perfect moment for it. As it is, he simply gives his partner an unimpressed stare.]
When have you ever been fine, Armitage?
[Kylo has at least gained enough self-awareness to recognize what a disaster he himself is, and it was easy enough to see it in the other man even before he gained that awareness.]
Keeping it in and letting it fester won't help you.
this tardiness isn't acceptable in the first order
Even though he doesn't have a great argument against Kylo on that, he's still going to look rather offended by the comment. He's definitely a bit grumpy as he meets his partner's eyes, but he doesn't say anything either. It's for the best if he didn't actually answer his question. He's just above that sort of inquiry!
But a slow exhale leaves Hux as he acknowledges that Kylo is only doing this because he cares.]
Well, since you're so accustomed to letting out your anger, what suggestions do you have?
[Breaking things only helps half the time, even if it's the first thing that comes to mind. He does at least have a collection of various things procured just for that purpose these days, so Hux can't complain as much about him wasting resources anymore. That's the thought, anyway.
He only briefly thinks of the time he tried very hard to break himself before moving onto something more practical.]
Anything physical that requires all of your focus and energy. Something that challenges you. It doesn't have to put you in mortal danger.
[A familiar arrogance reaches his tone as he looks up at Kylo with a superior face. Well, nothing that challenges him that wouldn't put him in mortal danger. Sure he can run or exercise, but that doesn't require focus for him.]
[That smug feeling is radiating off him in waves, and Kylo finds himself growing mildly annoyed. The only reason the general thinks so is because he hasn't been looking.]
You haven't mastered every skill under the stars, Armitage. What about carpentry?
[Designing and building something by hand, at least, seems like it might be mentally stimulating enough while also requiring physical effort.]
[Hux speaks the word slowly, as if it's the first time he's ever heard of it before. Of course Hux knows what it is, he just never thought that Kylo would suggest that sort of job to him.
So, he's giving Kylo an odd stare.]
No, I can't say I've ever done that sort of work personally. That's always been handled by stormtroopers and droids. [In other words, totally beneath him!! He's a designer, huff.]
[Kylo isn't above using certain manipulations to get Hux to do things that are good for him. That includes challenging his competency so that he can try something new, for once.]
[How dare Kylo insinuate that he can't do something that even droids and stormtroopers are capable of.]
If I put my mind to it, I'm more than capable! I did design Starkiller Base and ensure its eventual completion. [Building a house or furniture is nothing in comparison!]
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Perhaps it's the Force.
Bah.
Seeing that it's impossible to avoid his fate now, Hux slinks over to his partner with a resigned sort of look. He knows that he messed up despite reassuring Kylo that he'd be completely fine. That gross feeling of disappointing someone builds up, but Hux does his best to squish it down.]
It's not bad.
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[Even if Hux were to hide any grimaces, Kylo would be able to tell. After the redhead sits next to him, he holds a hand out in a gesture that demands to see the injury. He supposes he should be grateful the man didn't come back with worse, but he still finds himself annoyed.]
What happened.
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One of the pirates managed to knock my blaster from me. [He frowns as he remembers that lowlife that dared to hurt him. He's glad that he managed to fire a bolt through his face in the end.]
A struggle ensued, my arm took most of the damage. But I completed the mission, Kylo.
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[It's not as if they're in need of funds that desperately—they live comfortably enough with Hux's salary and Ren's hunting rewards. This was purely because the general wanted to, as far as he's aware.
He supposes that at least the one who harmed Armitage is dead now. That doesn't mean he's not going to lecture the other man on how to fight as he takes the arm to help heal it—slowly, though, as he's too irritated to channel his energy properly.]
Why were you close enough for them to fight back?
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...And also because talking about why he took upon that task deals with feelings and that's gross. But if there's anyone he's willing to be gross with, it's Kylo.]
It wasn't intentional. [Huff, he'd never let that happen normally!] A few of them managed to sneak up on me, that's all. They've learned how bad of an idea that was though.
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[Whether he meant to doesn't matter—the fact is that he did let it happen, and then he was injured.]
I'm going to have to start testing your reflexes again if you plan to do these things in the future.
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I don't plan on it. This time was just an exception-- I wanted to kill someone and make it last.
[Thoughts of Velvet and her punishment flash through his mind and his hands slowly begin to clench the more they settle in his mind.]
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You're angry.
[Kylo isn't thrilled by the prospect of Hux wanting to directly kill someone, but it's not as if he has any room to talk. It's already done, anyway.]
You're always annoyed, but this is different.
[He leaves the obvious question unspoken, although he will prod for the answer if it isn't offered.]
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[Despite the biting comment, there's an obvious anger in the general's eyes, even though he still stubbornly refuses to look at Kylo. It's not the same anger he holds for the Resistance or the Republic and as Kylo already observed, it's not just irritation.
He's angry, for someone else-- for someone he cares about and it's not exactly a feeling that Hux has often. It definitely didn't happen back home, but Hux has already accepted that he's far different now compared to how he behaved before arriving in Verens. It's disgusting to think that Kylo changed him that much, but... the thought of losing him is even worse.
Ugh.
Part of him just wants to say nothing, but at this stage, keeping anything from Kylo is pointless. Besides, a bigger part of him wants to talk to his partner. It usually ends up with Hux being less angry about something.]
Velvet and the rest of her group, they only suffered a month in prison for trying to kill an Arehtei. You, on the other hand, only killed Junko Enoshima, a known criminal, and was sentenced to slowly die in prison.
[Hux doesn't know what he really wants to say, which is unusual for someone like him. He's always had a sharp wit (at least in his mind!!) and he considered himself to be a good orator, but right now, he's stumbling. It doesn't help that the guilt from being involved with Junko's assassination has never really gone away either.
All in all, more emotions than Hux wants to deal with.]
Whenever I think about that, I get angry.
just ignore the 12 right there... it totally says 11-11... coughs
That's all unimportant for the moment, though. What is important that Armitage is getting mad on his behalf. Even if the thought of it brings a light scent of flowers to the air, he'd rather not leave the man to suffer with his anger in silence.
Ren brings a hand up to Hux's face to show his gratitude for that feeling, a quiet breath leaving him.]
So you wanted to take it out on something.
[They both know how well Kylo can relate to that.]
We can't make things right here, but... maybe we should find something else to do with that anger.
how dare you kylo, leaving hux waiting!!
Which only increases his frustration.
The only reason why Hux hasn't completely left the conversation is due to Kylo's hand on his face. Even if he doesn't admit it, it's a gesture that brings him comfort, an emotion that he really hasn't experienced until coming to Verens.]
I'm fine.
[He still can't stop the slight huffiness though, in both his expression and voice.]
oops
When have you ever been fine, Armitage?
[Kylo has at least gained enough self-awareness to recognize what a disaster he himself is, and it was easy enough to see it in the other man even before he gained that awareness.]
Keeping it in and letting it fester won't help you.
this tardiness isn't acceptable in the first order
Even though he doesn't have a great argument against Kylo on that, he's still going to look rather offended by the comment. He's definitely a bit grumpy as he meets his partner's eyes, but he doesn't say anything either. It's for the best if he didn't actually answer his question. He's just above that sort of inquiry!
But a slow exhale leaves Hux as he acknowledges that Kylo is only doing this because he cares.]
Well, since you're so accustomed to letting out your anger, what suggestions do you have?
well too bad bc i'm the master of procrastination
He only briefly thinks of the time he tried very hard to break himself before moving onto something more practical.]
Anything physical that requires all of your focus and energy. Something that challenges you. It doesn't have to put you in mortal danger.
:|
[A familiar arrogance reaches his tone as he looks up at Kylo with a superior face. Well, nothing that challenges him that wouldn't put him in mortal danger. Sure he can run or exercise, but that doesn't require focus for him.]
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You haven't mastered every skill under the stars, Armitage. What about carpentry?
[Designing and building something by hand, at least, seems like it might be mentally stimulating enough while also requiring physical effort.]
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[Hux speaks the word slowly, as if it's the first time he's ever heard of it before. Of course Hux knows what it is, he just never thought that Kylo would suggest that sort of job to him.
So, he's giving Kylo an odd stare.]
No, I can't say I've ever done that sort of work personally. That's always been handled by stormtroopers and droids. [In other words, totally beneath him!! He's a designer, huff.]
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[Kylo isn't above using certain manipulations to get Hux to do things that are good for him. That includes challenging his competency so that he can try something new, for once.]
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[How dare Kylo insinuate that he can't do something that even droids and stormtroopers are capable of.]
If I put my mind to it, I'm more than capable! I did design Starkiller Base and ensure its eventual completion. [Building a house or furniture is nothing in comparison!]
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Then build something complicated, if you're so capable.
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[He'll build a chair or desk or something and then use it!! Right in front of Kylo, Hux will use what he has created!! That will show him.]
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[Success.]
I'll look forward to seeing your progress, but for now try not to get into any more trouble.