The General and His Queen (Hux X Reader)

3. Departure

The things General Hux had done and experienced in his career is nothing compared to this. He was pulled into a dream but only it wasn't a dream. The whole experience was far too real to be considered a dream. Also much less pleasant than a dream. Hux saw memories in the shape of nightmares. He saw her mind. There was a lot of pain, loneliness and sadness. There was too much of it for any person.

"Good. You're awake." His thoughts was interrupted by a voice a familiar voice but a voice he wasn't expecting.

"You've been out for two hours," entered Kylo Ren.

He turned to Ren with a look of disappointment. 

"Don't get too excited now. It wasn't me who removed your clothes. She asked me to come check up on you. Since she's leaving soon," Ren spoke in a unconcerned manner.

Hux threw himself off the bed. His sworn enemy seeing him in this disordered appearance is an embarrassment. Ren will remember this and use it to mock him someday. He grabbed for his missing clothes. Trying his best to conceal all evidence of last night's events. Also noting that he needs to go back to his quarters for a long shower.

Ren took a few strides across the tiny room to reach for his medical droid. Turning the droid off and buried it between his dark layers. He paused and glanced over at the bedside table with the diary. Ren knew there wasn't anything recorded in it. He assigned the task to her hoping it would help Y/N to cope with her reoccurring violent nightmares. Now he was certain something different needs to be done.

"She doesn't trust anyone. Perhaps you can change her mind," Ren said without any further explanation and turned to leave.

Hux couldn't be bother with Ren's immature antics. He hurried to his personal quarters. Hux thought of nothing but the Starkiller Base preparations. He marched into the command control centre and was greeted by his officers.

"Sir, everything is running according to schedule. We will soon be able to fire in five hours," reported by Superior Officer Dakiel. 

"Excellent. Rally the troops before then. Then prepare to witness the unquestionable authority of the First Order," he was pleased with the progress. Then glanced at a screen that caught his attention.

"General, a situation in Bay 55," reported Officer Zana.

"Report." 

"The Commander intends to take a prisoner aboard a shuttle. Troopers are there to assess the situation."

"Ren." He reacted with much disdain.

"No the other Commander."

He didn't need anymore information. It was as if he waited for an excuse to move. He marched towards the hanger. She was leaving. All without a word of explanation of what happened or even how did it happened. Y/N clearly didn't want to see him but Hux wanted answers and was determined to get them. The final doors to Bay 55 opened. The situation did get out of hand. The stromtroopers were armed with blasters and held Commander L/N hostage.

"Release the prisoner. No authorization was given for this action," ordered the commanding trooper.

"Authorization? You are sorely mistaken. My authority comes from Supreme Leader Snoke. You disobey me. You are disobeying Supreme Leader Snoke himself." Y/N was enraged behind her metal mask and had enough of these troopers. She raised her hand and lifted everyone in a force choke.

"Stop!" called General Hux. 

Commander L/N dropped the bodies and knocked them out. She was surprised to see Hux up. She intended to leave the base quickly if it weren't for these troopers. Now, it was the two of them. They stood in silence. There were so many questions on his mind but couldn't form the proper words to ask them.

"You're mask. You don't need it. Not in front of me." he said with a less commanding tone.

Y/N was hesitant by the request but eventually unlatched the dark metal mask for Hux. Both of them who held cold exteriors in front of others had their cold facades melted away between the two of them. He had seen them. The thoughts and emotions you would normally share to an intimate partner. But were revealed to someone who she is less than friendly with. Her eyes were fixated on the floor. Trying to avoid eye contact with the General. He walked forward closing the distance between them. So close that whispering is only needed for each other to be heard.

No mind reading was necessary to know what General Hux was here for. In a futile attempt, she tried to change the subject. "The prisoner is a skilled pilot from the Republic. With the risk of my mission, I thought it will be unnecessary to send anymore of our pilots to their deaths." She knew her answer wasn't enough.

"Is that all?" Hux asked.

She reluctantly nodded. She still couldn't bare to lift her eyes to the General.

"Look at me. Please." he plead with a soft whisper.

"I don't need your sympathy."

"It's not sympathy but concern. Once more, please?" He asked again with a shaking plead.

Y/N lifted her eyes. They waited patiently for each other to say something. Nothing. But in chaotic times like these, silence speaks volumes more. Hux drew to closer to Y/N. And leaned his head against her forehead. Closing his eyes he whispered, "I order you to come back alive."

It was so simple and yet so effective. Those few words brought her to tears. These weren't tears of sadness but tears of joy. It felt like an eternity to finally meet someone who is genuinely concern for her well being. All her life she had been hurt and betrayed by too many people. Finally there's a person in this whole galaxy who she can start to trust.

His gloved hand reached for hers and held it tightly knowing she will have to leave soon.

"I order you to wait for me to come back." She returned the favour.

"Armitage." 

"What?" Y/N was puzzled stepping back a bit.

"My given name is Armitage. I would like you to call me that."

She search into his eyes. Then her lips turned up into a smile. Even with the pair so close to each other Hux barely heard it. It was a whisper less than audible. "Armitage." She happily whispered.

The pair reluctantly parted. She boarded her shuttle and turned back watching Hux as the hatch closed. He waited until the shuttle left the hanger and jumped into hyperspace before turning back to his work.