Rose Garden

Sunshine Stings

" I am not going to have any idea what you want me to do with your damned garden if you don't come out here and tell me!" It was the fourth day into the job and the first day on sunlight they had had for weeks.

Hux was stood just inside the doorway, his arms crossed, face wrinkled up in annoyance. The two were, despite what each of them thought, getting on pretty well. They argued like an old married couple, but other than that they seemed to be able to settle their differences by either winning the argument or giving in. " My fair skin burns extremely easily, I told you." Hux pleaded, his eyes a mix of worry and anger. " You'll only take five minutes, damn." Kylo groaned, looking over at the rather vague image the other had drawn out for him. " It shows you on the picture." Hux groans. " Are you really that stupid?"

That was it.

Kylo stormed inside and stood tall above the other. Hux felt his chest tighten, looking over the man's well sculpted body, swallowing thickly. 

Just a little taste...

A small voice in the back of Hux's head purred. He shook slightly and looked away from Kylo. " I told you..." Hux's tone lowered, seeming almost scared. " I only want you to fix it up. Something simple but pretty."

Kylo sensed the others tenseness and relaxed slightly. " I'm sorry, Sir."

" I told you not to call me that." Hux rolled his eyes. " Makes me sound like some sort of lord or whatever." He kicked at the floor boards. Kylo had learnt that the dark, mysterious look from when they had first met had simply been an act. Hux was a little pompous, but not as much at Kylo had first thought. He insisted, however, that he was always right, which annoyed Kylo to the moon and back.

" You act like one." He teased, putting on a mocking voice. " Oh, I'm so pale and fair. So weak. I cannot set one foot outside for I may shatter into a million tiny pieces."

Hux felt his eyes sting and tear up. He hadn't been able to feel the soft, calming warmth of the sun for years. If only the other knew. If only he could tell him. He looked away and turned into another room, facing away from the other, feeling as if he would be taunted for crying over such a simple joke. He wanted to go outside again. Be in the light. Feel it on his skin. He may be living forever, but to do that he had to give up what it meant to be truly alive.

He had distanced himself, tried to keep away from people by living out in the middle on nowhere, feeding off the sheep and other livestock that lived in the fields around him. He was dead, and it really was overrated. Kylo had come in and fucked up his whole damn plan. If Hux had just yelled at him when they had first crossed paths, the other would have been too polite to return... But Hux truly was so happy the other had made his garden look remotely beautiful again... Something he took pride in when he was... Human. Hux shuddered at the memories, stepping towards a chair and placing himself down into the seat.

" Hey, Hux I meant nothing by it." Kylo's voice suddenly arose of the deafening silence. " I'm sorry. I wont talk about it again, I promise."

Hux sat in silence. Tears as cold as his skin ran down his cheek, yet his face seemed expressionless. Inside he was practically screaming, sobbing at the painful memories. He gripped the table edge tight, so tight he barely noticed how his was turning the very wood into dust in his palm. Kylo's eyes overfilled with concern as he placed a hand on the red-heads shoulder. " Brendol?" He spoke softly now, calm and caring. Hux pushed his hand away, his face wrinkling up as he looked down in horror at the crumbled wood in  his hand.

 " Sorry. The old thing's falling apart enough as it is." He lied, standing up and placing the handful of dust into the bin. Kylo felt a sudden urge to hug the other... But no. He didn't want to freak him out, after all, they had only known each other a working week at the most. " I see." Kylo nods. " I think I know what you want. I'll try my best to fix it up just the way you want it." Kylo ducked out of the back door again and began to work. Hux watched him intently, marvelling at the man's perfect body, and how it bronzed in the sun's rays. Oh how he wanted him. But alas, he knew it would not work out. He would grow old whilst Hux stayed young. 

Why?

Hux had vowed never to put anyone what he went through when he... changed. It was horrible, painful and so regrettable... But still... If it wasn't for that he wouldn't be here admiring a strong, handsome man quite literally do all his dirty work. 

Hux prepared the other a cold beer and stepped carefully outside, keeping to the shadier parts of the garden, his thick coat covering most of his body. He sat under the willow tree, nice and safe, watching Kylo work. 

Soon the day came to and end, and as the other left, Hux felt himself be pulled into a rather awkward feeling hug.

" If you um... Ever need to talk about it, just give me a call or something." Kylo playfully punched the others arm before picking up his bag and leaving once more. 

Hux's heart felt heavy in his chest as he watched the other drive away, each time it becoming more painful. 

I need you...

He thought to himself, then sighed and turned back into his house. 

But you don't need me...