Demoted (Hux X Reader)

Open Fire

The time has finally come. Captain Phasma leads the attack through the secret exit of the Resistance Base under the waterfall. The spy drone had already scanned the area from before successfully. The terrain is rocky and slippery, but fairly simple in terms of navigation. There wasn't much I needed to map out in advance for Phasma and her specialized team.

Kylo Ren stands at the entrance of the hatch of his command shuttle, observing me while I give out orders and fix minor issues of the barricade set up. He isn't
required to be here, but apparently Hux had persuaded him to oversee the operations for safety reasons. The General also wanted the Commander to see my work first hand. He stated somewhere along the lines of it being imperative for Ren to be educated in my capabilities as a First Order leader, or something like that. Regardless of their conversation, I think Ren had his doubts about me and Hux didn't like that.

So here we are, on a random humid planet, filled with tropical trees and bugs, overseeing the second half of our attack on the Resistance. Commander Ren strides down the hatch behind me.

I stand tentatively and watch the storm troopers put up the barricades as fast as they can. I swat at a flying insect as it tries to land on the clear face shield of my black riot helmet. I flick my attention over my shoulder and nod at the masked Commander. I can't help but feel uncomfortable when he's around me. What if he doesn't actually see me as capable? I have to prove to him that I can do this, not for Hux, but for myself. I want my rank back. I want to earn it the proper way. I need the Commander's approval. Hux's approval doesn't necessarily count in my opinion.

"Captain, why do you not care for Hux's approval? All things considered, I would have assumed that was a personal goal of yours."

I innately inhale and close my eyes at his words. Of course he's in my head. When is he not? "I want an unbiased assessment of my skills. I want my rank back the right way." I turn my shoulder to the masked man and see he's standing next to me, staring at the barricade. "I haven't exactly made a good impression to you the last few meetings."

"Since when? I thought your work was good. So did Captain Phasma."

"That wasn't what I was referring to..."

"Oh. Right. You're not the only one that daydreams, Captain. It's human nature. I couldn't care less about you or your personal thoughts. That isn't what I'm searching for when I'm inside your mind." He reaches up and pulls back his hooded cowl to reveal his full black helmet. The silver metal lines shine in the setting sun of the planet we are on.

"Hence my value in your unbiased opinion. May I ask what you are searching for?"

"Anything that can be considered treasonous or detrimental to the First Order. You're new on this ship and you work right under Hux. I don't trust you just yet. Don't take it personally."

I slowly nod. I watch the two flametroopers set up extra gear at their positions. My shoulders relax a bit as my nerves calm just a bit. I let my mind wander unapologetically and daydream of kisses and sweet words under the covers of Armitage's room. I truly wish that it could be just that, but we all know the real ending. I transfer.

"I find it interesting that you know what his room looks like."

My thoughts immediately freeze into a blankness. He's right. I shouldn't know what his room looks like, unless I've seen it. I wasn't even thinking that could give away what happened the night before. "I..."

"Daydreams are one thing, but memories are another. What you two did is a serious and punishable offense. You can ruin your career."

"I... Yes Commander. We were drunk. It won't happen again." I lose my nonchalant expression, and stiffen up into the usual facade that every First Order officer knows.