Taking Command Book 1 (Kylux) (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Twenty: Magnetic

Kylo PoV

I walked with Hux, my arm interlocked with his, into the restaurant. It was upscale and very classy, the kind of place my parents would have taken important guests.

When we reached the front area where they would seat you, Hux seemed to want me to speak. So I did.

"We would like a seat," I said, then immediately felt redundant, what else would I want? "We would prefer it overlooking the ruins of that Temple." I smiled politely. Being the son of a former Senator and diplomat had taught me how to charm others when the need required it.

"As you wish." The server gestured for us to follow, and I led the way. I made sure my stride was measured and confident and my bearing was dignified. In my opinion, I believed, it was all about confidence and not showing your fear.

We were given a seat by a floor to ceiling window overlooking the ruins. It was a beautiful view, and perfect for reconnaissance.

"And what would you gentleman like to drink tonight?" Our server looked at us both curiously.

"I'll just have water," Hux said, as he stiffly sat down across from me.

"Would you happen to have any wine from Naboo?" I asked. I had tasted it a few times when I was younger and had quite liked the taste of it.

"Yes, I believe we do. Would you like it in a darker red, a white wine, or a mixture?"

"I'll go with the darker wine. It has a more full flavor. The texture is more pleasing as well." I smiled again. "Thank you."

The server smiled thinly at both of us and nodded his head before walking away. I looked at Hux. He seemed shocked.

"What's wrong, Hu-Jacen?" I corrected myself at the last moment.

"I did not know you were so sophisticated as a diner. You don't seem like the type to know anything about fine wines or the like." He raised an eyebrow at me.

"There are many thing you don't know about me," I replied breezily as I perused the menu, appreciating the look of irritation on Hux's angled face.
"How does an Alderaan styled salad sound? It is made only with the fresh greens that grew on Alderaan before its demise. Then also..." I flipped around a bit more. "Look, they have steaks made out of banthas. I think I'll have one of those with a light sauce." I was happy. For all that I hated my past life, I had missed the comforts offered by it which were somewhat lacking in the life of an aspiring Sith.

"Hmmm." Hux seemed to be taking his meal choice very seriously. "How about these nerf steaks, and some of this soup. It is described to be an exotic recipe eaten on Ryloth."

"That sounds dangerous, but alright." I waved a hand at him carelessly. "Look at this view. You can see the Temple clearly." I pulled out my scanner and set it on the floor by my feet and turned it on. I set it to look only in the Temple area. It would take a few minutes to scan, however.

"Have you decided what you want to eat?" The server came up to us, Hux's water and my bottle of wine in his hands. He set them down before us.

"Yes. I'll have the nerf steaks, darkened a little bit, along with that soup from Ryloth." Hux handed the server the menu.

"I'll have the bantha steaks, rare, with the light sauce made with Corellian wine. With that, I would like the Alderaanian salad? Thank you." I handed him my menu as well and he walked away. I stared at Hux.

"Now what?" He asked me," hasn't your thing pinged yet?"

"It'll take a while. We need to relax. Pretending to be a couple was your idea," I retorted.

He groaned, then leaned across the table and awkwardly kissed me on the cheek. He was very stiff, not at all the way he had given me that passionate kiss those few days before.

I rolled my eyes. Did this guy not know there was a time for everything? I leaned across the table and pulled him over by his shoulders and kissed him passionately on the lips, nearly upsetting my wine.

Even though I did this as a ruse, I felt a streak of adrenaline run through my veins, and I made no effort to stop it. There was a sheer, magnetic attraction that was enveloping me, and its main event was the man I was kissing. I let go after a couple seconds, leaving Hux shocked but looking pleased.

"How many people have you kissed?" He looked at me, his tone calm, but his eyes giving everything away.

"Not many," I confessed," but I know how to. Obviously."

"I can't say that that was not enjoyable," Hux sighed,"it really was."

"Yes," I found myself agreeing as I sipped my wine.,"it was."