His Pet: Armitage Hux X Reader

Chapter 15 Uncertain Futures

Hux stood on the bridge overseeing the commandering of several bandit ships that had made the foolish choice to steal from one of the fleets cargo ships. They had never stood a chance against them and now whatever they had stolen would be theirs again. For once not stealing and taking back what was actually theirs felt quite good. Not that what they had taken even mattered it was just the principle and to remind people who really was in power now.

Watching intently he kept all thoughts at bay. Not just to keep himself on task and to uphold appearances. But also because he had yet to see Ren that day and hoped he would be blessed enough not to. Despite what Ren thought he was aware of some of his abilities reaches. He wasn't born yesterday as much as he hated the Jedi and the ridiculous magic they practiced he knew of it's power, having been at the receiving end too many times.

He refused to let him sense his thoughts or feelings. Though he always managed to coax them out he now had a new reason happenedit hidden. Perhaps if he was wise enough about it neither of them would be discovered after what had happened the night before. If he said nothing at all Ren would never be the wiser. At least that was all he could think to do. 

To his dismay a droid noisily announced Ren's arrival on bridge. The heavy boots that always sounded too loudly in his ears made him sigh. Closing his eyes he steeled himself as he always did before straightening up looking blank faced. Ren spoke never bothering to announce his obvious presence.

"General Hux. Do the bandits have the metal we seek?"

Hux spoke as poised as ever.
"Yes sir. All accounted for. Easy pickings."

He assured the last part after feeling Ren's eyes on him.

Hux waited not looking at him yet still overlooking the bridge. Despite what Ren thought of him he had a resilient mind and intended to keep it clear. Not a thought betrayed him which almost even surprised himself as he was never one for keeping things to himself. Maybe because now it wasn't just his own pride on the line. Yet to his sheer confusion and horror Ren greeted him from behind voice perked in sarcastic interest.

"Have a good night General?"

Hux's stomach dropped like lead as his spine stiffened but he didn't flinch in the slightest. He spoke as if he had no idea what he was talking about.

"Sir?"

The chuckle that came from Ren's mask scared him. Which it usually never did, or at least he acted like it didn't, only because he knew now it wasn't filled with empty threats.

Ren started to walk towards him each step tapping in his ear. Repressing a frown Hux stayed still as he approached waiting for him to speak. He did but it only made his stomach twist more.

"You think you're strong enough to be able to lie to me General?"

He dared not to speak a word keeping his eyes out over the bridge. He readied another confused lie but before he could Ren filled the silence. He sighed audibly through the mask as if chastising a child. He walked over so he was standing beside the General.

"Fornicating with prisoners? Even that is below you Hux."

Hux's eyes flashed to him as he was so directly called out. The workers in bridge all tried to act like they weren't listening as usual but the words sent such an unexpected wave of shock many looked up in confusion. General Hux? The thought was completely unthinkable. He was the coldest cruelest man they'd ever known it was boggling to imagine. Ren enjoying how he tensed up slightly in stature suddenly leaned in going for a cold blow.

"Was she as soft as she looks?"
Hux snapped to look at him face retorting in disgust and offense at him. The embarassing statement leaving all eyes on him, but also leaving him shocked that Ren was the type of man to say something like that about some woman.

Having crossed a line Hux stood tall turning on his heel to return the insult. 

"I will not be chastised about my private life from someone who is barely more than an apprentice!" 

The bridge fell completely silent everyone shocked to see him so openly admit it. Even Ren was a bit taken aback by it and almost wanted to commend his sudden bravery if it wasn't so stupid. But perhaps it could play perfectly into his hand.

Standing still Ren said nothing, the mask not making a sound made Hux very uneasy having expected to be on the ground already. Ren pondered a moment before his voice broke the awkward silence. 

"Perhaps...This could play as an advantage."

Hux couldn't stop himself from making an extremely puzzled face not quite sure if he heard right. "What?" It felt like his heart had stopped beating.

Ren still pondering turned to the bridge to pace and piece the thoughts together. 

"Yes. A rebel prisoner moved onto our side would prove invaluable indeed."

Hux looked away a bit panicked having no idea what to think of this now. This was too coincidental. Was she really so unimportant yet such a big pawn at the same time? Ren lifted a hand to him as if pardoning him. 

"Your treason is forgiven. I should punish you for your pathetic willl....but your pitiful emotions prove useful. Use them and be prepared to use her when she is needed."

The dead silence on the bridge was too terrifying for a single soul to break. Was this really happening? Unable to believe the luck of the situation he bowed his head forward so he could look away. This wasn't what he had expected to happen at all. It seemed she'd get to live and somehow his weakness proved....useful? Could he really sway her in that way? Or was her simply being his enough to ensure loyalty? He had never expected Ren to ever consider such methods he wasn't a social person whatsoever. Did he even have such feelings beyond rage and arrogance?

This was a completely new playing field he had never been in before. Emotions were never brought into his wars. "Thank you sir." It felt ridiculous to thank Ren the words making his pride hurt. But considering he or she weren't dead he was lucky enough to have any pride still in tact. Ren waved him away to leave and in an instant the bridge rushed back into a wave of clicks and beeps all the crew working again like nothing had happened.

Hux stood a moment to straighten up and knew he should leave while he still could. He quickly turned on his heel and left briskly uncertain what to do now. As he left the bridge the strange feeling of weight on his shoulders filled him with relief but also an awful feeling of uncertainty that surely the future would be difficult and unkind. Once he was out of view of all the eyes and judgement it sank in quickly and suddenly all he could think of was her.