The Revival of The Force

40 the affront

40 the affront

Carl Flair turns around in his room. "I want to kill him," he whispers through his teeth.
"You don't have to. We all know what he did and you heard Jannah. We have to start accepting," Poe answers, leaned against the door frame.
The curtains are closed, causing twilight in the room. He is one of the rare persons who actually have some in their room.
Carl won't stop walking around out of nervousness. "General Hux killed people in front of me. He then told me that I was a great spy, I nearly wanted to vomit in his face," he yells, increasing at the word "vomit" and "face".
"No, you didn't, Carl, your were proud," Poe smiles amused.
Carl stops immediately, pointing a finger at Poe. "You have no idea! You haven't been under the control of the Empire. The need to leave is crushing on you!"
"I'm not sure you really remember how you felt. Speak a little with him, maybe he remembers you. Look, some flexibility and welcoming is needed up here." Poe puts his palm against Flair's shoulder. "You can vomit in his face, if you want but your mutual respect is vital to build up this new Republic."
"And you? You're as important as I am."
"General Hux and I have already met, we talked. You're the only person left that hasn't spoken with him. Since you have the same chance as me to win the candidature, it's important that you talk to him."
Defeated, he sighs. First because Poe gets to convince him and secondly because he is really starting to like that guy.
Jannah is next to sitting next to Hux, who stares on the floor. As he sees Carl entering the room, his body straightens up. Poe is behind, observing the scene and the emotions very carefully.
"You were one of our spies," Hux notices.
"Yeah, I was. But it's not 'our spies', okay? There is no ‚our' anymore."
Hux stands up and stretches out his hand, Carl takes it. During the whole handshake, they fix each other like they could suddenly turn into a wild animal at any second.
"You have done some incredible good work," Hux declares. "Now you want to become General of the New Republic?"
"It is really interesting. It doesn't mean I'm not good at it, Hux."
"Yes of course. I also have more than one talent. So what made you come here? To the Resistance?"
"What made you want to spy against the Empire?"
The general tension between them is stronger than ever. Suspicion in their eyes, some dislike and malice too, it seems like they are the biggest enemies. After all, they kind of chose the same path.
"I wanted Kylo Ren dead," Hux answers. "And you? Tell me."
"I wanted the Empire to be destroyed, you with it. But the new ways of the Republic prefer cooperation over destruction."
"Unfortunately for you," he sarcastically says, sipping at his glass.
"No, I mean, I'd look a lot like you with all the blood on your hands," Carl answers, looking and gesturing at Hux's hands who are enveloped in dark gloves.
"Ah! The Empire or their leaders all left an effect on us, right? Let's get you a drink," Hux invites.
After Flair also has a glass in his hands from Craig's bar, Hux and Carl toast. Jannah has no intention to drink, she stays at Hux's side, silent and attentive.
"To peace," Hux surprisingly says, causing Jannah to smile.
"To your friendship that is already blooming," Poe laughs.
"To the New Republic," Flair finishes. "By the way, it's quite early and we are already drinking. This should change."
"Absolutely, it's just to celebrate the cooperation," Poe explains.
As the day finishes and the drinks too, Hux and Flair sit next to each other, laughing. Rey was right, they should be friends.
"Shit, it's super late," Finn says as he wakes up earlier this day.
Rose is still sleeping next to him, but wakes from his noise.
"What time is it?" she asks.
"One. There won't be any breakfast," Finn complains.
"It's just once, Finn, calm down. We can eat normal food, it's okay."
"I can't live without my breakfast, Rose," he repeats.
"Finn, stop behaving like a child," Rose half laughs, half orders.
"Okay, let me get some food for us, I'll bring it here," he says changing into different clothes.
Rose doesn't stop herself from looking at his back and arms. But she'll never admit that her heart pounds faster in the moment. Finn rushes out, she lays back on his bed. She used to know exactly what she feels, but now, she doesn't understand her emotions anymore. She remembers her sister who helped her when she struggled. The memory of her makes her want to keep going. She misses her a lot, still a little shocked from the sacrifice she made. Probably Ben's decision reminds Rose of her sister. She contemplates the room which is empty and hopes that the rooms will be bigger on Chandrila. Hux. She will have to speak with him. They can't just ignore each other when she saved his life. Finn arrives few minutes later with a tablet. On it are two plates filled with food. Gently, he puts it on Rose's legs who are hidden under the blanket. He makes himself comfortable next to her again and claims his plate. They eat in silence. Finn says to himself that even without a proper breakfast, this day starts quite well... Rose starts laughing, Finn asks why.
"Imagine Ben Solo comes back and he finds General Hux here. They hate each other. That would be funny, right?"
"Yeah quite," he answers triggered. He smiles, but there is no way that he thinks it's funny.
"What's wrong, Finn? Every time I talk about Kylo Ren, you seem so distant."
"Really? Well, I don't mean it. It's just still really weird for me to think that he and Rey are actually in love, but they fought each other all the time."
"He wanted her on the Dark Side, she wanted him on the Light Side. It makes sense, doesn't it? And there are many times when we didn't see what they did. Maybe they didn't fight when they were alone."
"Yeah." Finn drifts away, staring at the ceiling. "Still seems weird to me."
"Love is weird. It makes two people connect when they maybe don't really want to. Some fight off this truth, maybe how they did not want to admit it. But at the end, it's stronger, right? Love always wins over denial and destruction."
"But can Rey's love win over her Darkness? She needs Ben on her side or she might be pulled to the Dark."
"That's true," Rose agrees. "Do you think there is a way to get him back?"
"No," Finn answers firmly. "It was his decision to sacrifice himself."
"That's so unfair, he deserves to live."
"Really? You think that?" Finn asks. "He still killed a lot of people. Including your sister."
"Hush, don't talk about that. Look, he was alone all this time, he was destined to be a Sith if no one helped him. No one tried to bring him back. Then Rey came. She was lonely too on Jakku. And they found each other."
"Mhm, you're still defending a murderer," Finn mumbles. "But, I admire that you are. That's great. No, you are great!"
"Thanks. You too," she grins. "Are you jealous?"
"Of Kylo?" He asks chewing on the food. "No, I'm not. It was quite clear to me that it's not more than a friendship between Rey and me."
"Do you want a girlfriend?"
"Do you want a boyfriend?" Finn asks in return.
"Yeah, sometimes. Yeah."
"And how would he be?" he questions curiously.
"Well" she starts with a huge smile. "Kind, brave, protecting, funny and attentive."
"How would he look?"
"I don't know. I'm pretty open with that."
"A non-human?"
"Why not? Love is love, right?"
"Do you think you are aware that you love someone?" It comes out of his mouth. Too late to take it back.
"Well yeah, I think. People might think it's something normal. Usually, in my opinion, it always feels different than friendship or family, it's a distinct thing."
Finn starts laughing.
"Why? What is it?" Rose asks, giggling with him.
"I don't know, you are so wise," he chuckles.
The questions are replaced by laughter for a few moments.
"What is your biggest secret?" Finn asks after they calmed down.
"I have no idea. What's yours?" Rose answers thoughtful.
"No clue. Let's think about it, though."
"I once did something horrible to my sister because I was mad."
"Well, if we talk about my life as a Stormtrooper, I've done many bad things."
"I have a question: Does it hurt? Or was it or is it difficult to overcome your past? I mean, do you still suffer from it?"
"Yeah, I do. But I don't think about it as much when I'm around you, Poe, Rey, Chewie and all the friends out here. You guys are so amazing, the best people I know."
"I love you," she says.
Finn's heart explodes. What? Did she just say it?
"I mean, in a friendship way."
His heart rate slows down, relieved but disappointed at the same time. "I love you too," he responds insecure.
"Did you really think that I meant it?" Rose chuckles.
"Yeah, for a moment, I did," he laughs, going through his hair with his hand.
"And what would you say if I meant it?"
"What I replied when you didn't," Finn answers, blushing.
"Wait," she smiles brightly. "Are you serious?"
"I don't know. It's your decision."
Instead of answering, she dives closer to him. "Maybe I did meant it," is all she says.
Finn doesn't try to get anything out of her. This moment is magical and any discussion could destroy it. So he feels her warmth next to him and leans against her as well.