Demoted (Hux X Reader)

Light my Fire- or Cigarette.

My work on rerouting emergency cargo to a base is nearly finished as he smokes his evening cigarette before the end of our shift. Today has been a terribly long day for the both of us. The General has been running around nonstop. Luckily, there weren't too many casualties, but so much more of the supplies have been destroyed than what I had initially thought. The General looks so tired dealing with this issue. I study him as I sit in his chair. He sits on his desk, flicking ashes into his tray occasionally.

"General Hux?"

"Yes, my Dear?"

"Don't you have that meeting soon?"

He sighs and hangs his head in exhaustion. "What time? What topic? Can it be re-scheduled?" He takes a long puff of his cigarette.

I read the heavily noted, but color coded calendar in his computer. "It's in two minutes. The title reads 'Shipyard Transfers to Starkiller'. I've already sent you my notes and navigational outlines."

The General jumps off the desk and runs towards the door. "Fucking Scheiße-" He starts to choke and cough on the smoke he was just inhaling. He quickly turns around and smashes the cigarette in the ashtray. He looks up at me. "You're dismissed for the day." He hurries back to the door and jogs through the hallway.

I close up my work and shut down the computer. I stay in uniform as I stroll on over to the messhall for an early dinner. As I stand in line, I glance over at the small empy table. It's going to be lonely without him. I notice he left his lighter there. I look around the line. Noone is behind me. I hurry over and pocket the lighter to return to him tomorrow. As I get back in line, my holopad beeps.

"This is Captain (L/N)." I say as the projector statics into existence. I know that figure anywhere. It is General Hux.

"I request your presence in meeting room T341. Be diligent."

"Yes, General."

The holoprojection disappears. I skip ahead of the line and grab a drink to bring with me. I fast walk through the hallways, sipping on water. I turn a corner and nearly run into someone, but stop just in time. "Oh! Excuse me!" I say and finally look up. It is Commander Ren along with some technicians.

"Watch where you're going, Captain." He threatens in a deep voice.

"Yes, Sir. My apologies." I back up and go around him.

Finally, I get to the meeting room and enter. The room has officers of three teals, four greys, and a handful of black uniforms all sitting at a table. They all casually look my way and then back to General Hux. He continues his train of thought while wandering about. I quietly sit down at an empty chair and put my water bottle on the table. "Once our brigades on said planet are evacuated, we will go ahead and destroy it. Any questions before I move on?"

The room remains silent. I watch The General scan each person and then finally look at me. He lingers his gaze for a few seconds longer and then looks away at the other officers. He has such a commanding presence about him.

"Onto our next topic. We will be transferring a number of our shipyards onto Starkiller Base." He pulls out a cigarette near a clean ashtray on the table. He points at me with said cigarette. "Captain (L/N) here has outlined an impressive concept completed with a handful of routes and schedules that we can work with. I want her to present her work today."

I nod at him. I didn't prepare for a presentation, but I know I'll be fine. I've done these meetings on a whim more times than I can count. If anything, I'm thankful that I actually get to talk about my own work. He begins to pat his pockets. I know that familiar movement. He's looking for his lighter. I reach into my own pocket and pull it out and hold it up. The General notices and walks over, ashtray in hand, and holds out his cigarette to me.