Engage (kylux)

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight: The Preemptive Strike

Some secrets are meant to be discovered. Ambushes always end up attacks, and hidden treasure always attracts visitors.

Rumors of how close the two were growing started to spread. For weeks, they followed their schedule of close contact in private paired with absurd distance in public. No one would dare mention it, but the lower ranks even started a game as to who would be the one to catch them in the act. Even if they made eye contact, you better believe that everybody with ears heard about it.

Now, imagine you're walking down the hallway alone. Your buddies have been going on about the new power couple of the base, and how, "Freddy, you shoulda' seen the way them two looked int' echother's eyes! Them's totally lovin'." Just as it happens, you round the corner and see them going into the same room, after work hours. Now, imagine you meet up with your buddy afterwards. You may or may not let slip about what you saw.

Word burned through the base. Friends asked each other if they'd  heard the latest about Kylo Ren and that General. Captains heard their ranks gossip, overhearing specific words like Ren, General, bedding, and proof. Some just didn't want to keep the juicy gossip all too themselves. Before long, everyone knew, except them.

It was after hours, and the two had met in Hux's room. The day had been long and boring, with each of them yearning for this time alone. They'd embraced each other so warmly and clung so tightly you'd think it was their last. At the sound of a knock at the door, Ben tiredly huffed a sigh, untangling himself. Hux was far enough away from the door, so Ben opened the door without worry, but that changed soon.

Snoke needed him.

He thanked the trainee, who was obviously nervous and dripping with sweat, and closed the door. He made his way to Hux, who was still sprawled out on the bed in a tired pose. Ben leaned down, pressing a smooth kiss to the general's head.

"I have to leave, but I'll be back as soon as I can," he said, into the general's hair.

Hux turned over on his side in order to face Ben, and after processing what was said in a sleepy trance, replied, "Don't take too long. I might fall asleep before you get back."

Ben chuckled, and gazed at his Hux- the secret that only he would know about. His Hux was the one too worn out from the day's work to care if his shirt collar sagged lower than usual; his Hux was the one that shoved his face into pillows- no matter how it'll affect his neatly kept hair, all because an idiot on duty didn't watch where he was going and spilt a pint of blaster grease on Hux's polished boots.

Ben made sure Hux closed his eyes before slipping on his mask and heading out. The door closed behind him, and he began walking. The halls were empty, and the lights were dimming. After a few minutes, Ben arrived at the chamber.

He'd been here before, but never without reason. All the trainee said was that he was wanted- no specifics were given. He drew in a breath, because it didn't matter, really. He was wanted, and he had to go in.

The inside of the chamber was dark, and it stunk of damp wood. His heels clicked against the metal floor, and the sound echoed in repetitive circles in the tall ceiling of the room. With every step he approached the gargantuan being, rested on a throne of stone.

"Kylo Ren, you're late," spurted the puckered face, belonging to the being.

"Apologies, Supreme Leader. It won't happen again." Ben stopped and knelt, eyes upon the ground. He continued,"What must you ask of me?"

"You are growing weak, preoccupied. I feel you slipping from your power, and now I know the reason!" Ben's eyes widened in fear, and blood rushed through his veins, roaring louder than thunder in his ears. Snoke's voice rose,"He is turning you into an abomination! Hear your orders, Kylo Ren:

You are to dismiss his distraction. You will leave this behind. Your power will grow, and you will not become the disappointment you are now!"

Those words left a sting in the atmosphere. The air was knocked out of him. The echo started not in the chamber, but in Ben's mind. He heard those words over and over, until he could hear nothing but a loud ringing. His eyes dimmed, and his head fell.

Things were going out of focus.

•••
Hola, mis amigos.

I am so sorry about my little sabbatical. (Fun fact: you will have no life outside of AP Government)

I'm back, baby.

QOTD: how frIGGEN GOID WAS FANTASTIC BEASTS OML

AOTD: pretty f-n good man

<3 ciao