Chapter Text
A big meeting was coming up between the members of First Order’s high command. It was due in just one more days time, and was to be the first in a long while that they would be meeting face to face rather than just through holo projection. The topics were of utmost importance and all attendees had a segment to contribute, to ensure everyone knew the progress of the others in the fleet. It made for a good opportunity to ask questions, ideally so they could learn from each other and adopt best practice, but General Hux knew that it wouldn’t be like that. Instead, the members of high command tended to only plan and plot against each other to make sure they were the one that came out on top – as if a meeting was something you could win. What grated the General more than this knowledge though, was that he always found himself doing it too. He could never let those stuffy imperials have the upper hand, and if he didn’t participate in this wild race to look the best, then he knew they would best him and that would result in a loss of respect.
The General yawned and began going over part of his segment again to ensure it was perfect. This related to the progress of Starkiller, and he wanted to be sure that he thought of any questions they might throw at him, so that he could answer with confidence and determination.
He yawned again.
This was no good – tiredness was rapidly overtaking. He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a stim injector. Quickly unbuttoning his collar with practiced fingers, he lined the needle up and injected the drug. The effects kicked in near instantly and he smiled to himself at the instant relief. This should last him another 6 hours before the next is needed. Buttoning himself up again his smile made way for a scowl. His neck was beginning to get a little tender from the amount of stims he had used over the past couple of days. It wouldn’t be too long before he could get some actual sleep. Just one more day – once the meeting was done with he could rest a bit. What with running the ship, sorting Starkiller and now this high profile meeting to prepare for, he'd had far too much to do and too little time. He shook his head as though to free himself from the thoughts and re-focused on the presentation he was working on.
***
Ren was a bit bored. Thanks to this ultra dull meeting that had been set up he was currently unable to go on any missions. Not that he intended on going to the meeting though – he had point blank refused knowing he’d lose it in a meeting scheduled to last near four hours, and Hux barely put up any resistance probably realising it was futile to argue.
Instead, Ren was currently aimlessly stalking the Finaliser’s corridors. He could always go visit the other destroyers, he thought. The Finaliser had been joined by the Steadfast, the Supremacy, and the Conqueror. It was quite interesting at the very least to see all these giant ships together via the observation deck, but Ren couldn’t help but wonder about whether it was wise to have them so close like this. Should the resistance figure it out, this would be a perfect opportunity to take down four entire ships. There had been no bad feelings in the force though, and Supreme Leader Snoke seemed content with the idea. Not content enough to be aboard any of them though it seemed, choosing instead to stay in his citadel planet side.
Ren went back to wondering whether he should go visit another ship, just as something to do. There were tons of personnel going back and forth – all authorised of course – taking the opportunity to swap things with each other (both of professional and personal nature it seemed) whilst they were able. Growling low to himself, Ren decided against leaving the Finaliser. What would be the point? All the ships were duplicates of each other. The only real difference was that his quarters were here, so why bother going to another? There’d be fresh people to scare, but then he had a feeling the entire of high command would be on his back, and quite frankly he only ever really did things like that to annoy Hux. He could go see Hux, it had been a little while since he'd seen his lover, but he could feel the stress Hux was going through via the force and didn't want to be the cause of more. Best just to stay clear for a bit longer. He might even get a reward for being so considerate, Ren thought.
Ren stopped in his path. Just as he was thinking of Hux he could have sworn he heard someone in the distance say it. Opening himself to the force he made his way to where it guided him. Interestingly it seemed to be buzzing a warning to him and Ren definitely wanted to know why. He found himself outside one of the Finaliser’s many conference rooms. The door was open, but just a crack, and there was a solitary man walking back and forth inside.
One with ginger hair.
It didn’t take Ren too long to realise that the man was not Hux though. For starters, the meeting would start soon and Hux was not a man to miss a meeting. Secondly, that wasn’t his uniform – nor his body, unless he suddenly filled out in the space of a few days when Ren last saw him. No, this was clearly his father Commandant Hux.
“Exactly.” The Commandant said. There was no-one in the room, so Ren assumed, correctly, that he was talking into a comm. “I took them all, and no one questioned my presence. They wouldn’t dare. I imagine they’ll be squealing to him later, but what would my pathetic excuse of a son do about it? Nothing. No backbone at all.” He seemed to go silent whilst someone at the other end spoke. It was too low for Kylo to hear that side of the conversation though. After a moment he seemed to go on.
“Honestly it seemed too good to be true – great timing on his part!” The man laughed a harsh quick laugh. “When my informant told me that my sorry son had started over stimming, I knew we’d be able to use this to put him in his place. He’ll be struggling to stay awake now in that meeting which is scheduled to last about four hours, and that’s assuming it doesn't overrun. Pryde has ensured that Armitage will speak last and without those stims available he’ll either be asleep before he gets the chance, or more likely as he’s a stubborn idiot, stay awake until he’s forced to stand and present, by which point he’ll collapse in front of them all. Either way, it’ll show everyone that he’s not fit for command and the prat will get punished. Maybe even demoted! Keep me informed if you hear anything. Hux out.” And with that he closed his comm, sat down and had a small chuckle to himself.
So for some reason Hux senior seemed to be plotting Hux juniors downfall. Ren had a pang of worry shoot through him. In his attempt to keep away from Hux whilst the General was this busy, he'd not realised Hux had been overdosing on stims. He couldn’t just let his lover be thrown under the Bantha like this. That was Ren’s job, Ren thought with a playful grin.
Knowing he needed to rescue his General, Ren shut the door quietly and engaged the deadlock that only Hux and he had the code to. Hux’s father wouldn’t be able to get out until Ren chose to free him. Teen would feel with him personally when he had more time. His Hux was priority though, so made his way swiftly down to the hanger where his Upsilon was safely housed.
***
General Hux sat in the meeting doing his level best to look both interested and alert. It had been going on for about half an hour now and he was really beginning to struggle. After his fourth night awake taking care of some Finaliser business as well as doing a final look over of his presentation for today, his alarm went off indicating it was time to get ready. After gathering the required documents and getting himself showered and dressed in a freshly pressed uniform, there was just enough time to make his way to his office on the bridge to grab a stim. When he got there though, they were all missing.
Hux knew he had at least six more left, so couldn’t fathom where they’d disappeared to, or even how the assailant had gotten in to his secure office. He wanted to blame Ren, but whilst Ren likes to cause havoc, it was unlikely he was aware Hux had been taking them, and was completely oblivious to Hux’s sleep schedule, or current lack thereof, especially as Ren had agreed to leave him be during the last few days so as not to be a distraction. Wherever the stims went though left him in a tight spot. He knew no-one else would have one as they were potent stuff, and protocol was you needed medical to prescribe them. Hux had only really managed to obtain them by sternly suggesting to his doctor he’d be demoted and rather quickly too if he didn’t oblige Hux on the matter. Now, without the next stim to keep him alert, Hux found himself at the mercy of his bodies basic need of sleep - and because he’d been taking them for four days straight there was a lot of sleep his body was demanding he catch up on. Manageable with naps here and there, he thought, but not so easy when the first four or so hours were to be spent in such a high profile meeting that required full attention.
Initially he wondered if he could get away with asking Mitaka to comm him an emergency that he could use as an excuse to leave, but when they received the schedule of the meeting upon arrival he saw that was out of the question given he was to be last to present. He could hardly ask to be moved as that would have arose suspicion. Not something you want to do when the stuffy imperials are judging every move and waiting for errors to be made so they can pounce. There was nothing for it, Hux would have to keep himself alert anyway he could. He began by digging his nails into his leg. Not enough to pierce skin as it would do no good to be ruining his uniform with blood, but enough that he’d have something to focus his mind on whilst his really rather boring co-worker’s droned on. His supposed he should listen. Under normal circumstances he’d be very interested and more than a little annoying with comments and questions peppered here and there, but due to his condition he’d been uncharacteristically quiet and feared his fellow high command would be growing suspicious soon enough. Pryde in particular kept stealing glances his way, this was especially annoying as Hux then had to make sure no yawns escaped him unbidden.
“General Hux.” Pryde spoke up. “The stormtrooper programme is your field of expertise. What would you recommend in this scenario?“ Hux, a little wide eyed compared to his normal expression of blank indifference, sucked at his lower lip as he considered an answer. It was a bit difficult given he hadn’t heard anything prior, but now everyone was looking at him expectant.
“I believe...” he started slowly, seeing if he could figure out anything that may help. No such luck, so he decided to wing it. “I believe that Captain Phasma may be best answering all matters on stormtroopers. Whilst I do have a large hand in the programme, it Is she that spends all day everyday getting to know them and such.” This answer didn’t seem to satisfy Pryde too much unfortunately.
“But surely you could give us some insight with your knowledge now, General? “ Pryde continued.
***
Ren had landed on the Steadfast and approached the first officer he had seen.
“Where is the high command meeting being held?” he demanded. The officer, taken aback and a touch fearful (word of how Ren acted had unsurprisingly gotten around the fleet) stuttered a response.
“On the Su-Supremacy, s-sir!” Not that the officer could see it, thankfully, but Ren went red at the realisation he was on the wrong damn ship. With a rather big sigh that sounded more like a growl through the vocoder, Ren turned on his heel, stomped up the ramp of his Upsilon, took off and tried again. He should have paid better attention when Hux had given him the details.
Minutes later he was docked on the Supremacy. This time when asking that same question he was told it was somewhere on the 9th floor, though the officer was unable to specify which specific room. It didn’t matter to Ren, as he surmised he could use the force to work out where Hux was now he was close enough to him to latch on with it.
The elevator took its sweet time to get him on 9th and Ren was beginning to wonder if he was going to reach Hux before Hux inevitably collapsed from exhaustion. Standing in front of the conference room doors, Ren slammed them open with force to seem more imposing.
There was no one there. Ren glared at the room for daring to be empty, then went to the one next door.
***
“But surely you could give us some insight with your knowledge now, General? “ Pryde continued. Hux was about to attempt another lame answer when Ren burst in, taking the attention off Hux, much to his relief.
Everyone was staring at Ren now. His eyes went immediately to Hux and noted instantly that the General didn’t look good at all. His eyes had the biggest bags under them, causing his already pale skin to look almost translucent, and goodness the General had lost weight! He barely had any to spare before, let alone now. Ren needed to get him to medical on the Finaliser immediately.
“I require Hux. Now. “ Ren stated simply. Hux, really rather grateful for the opportunity to get out, stood up immediately. One of the officers present, Admiral Strang, Ren believed it was, butted in though.
“This is highly irregular. This meeting is of the utmost importance and General Hux is required to attend.”
“With all due respect, Admiral Strang, the Finaliser comes first and I require Hux for a matter relating to it.” Ren dearly hoped Strang wouldn’t ask what matter since he hadn’t a clue what would pass as a good excuse.
“General Hux hasn’t even had his chance to present details on how Starkiller is going.” Strang pressed.
“With dwindling respect, Admiral Strang, I’m sure you can wait to hear on this matter.”
“We last heard three months ago. It’s high time we were informed of progress since then.”
“With literally no respect now, Admiral, it’s three months further along. What more is there to know? Its being built still.” Ren was now speaking through gritted teeth. His annoyance clear to everyone, but Strang it seemed.
“But...” Strang stopped talking and started to go a little purple instead.
“My patience has run out. General Hux, if you would please. I require your assistance immediately. I trust no one else objects? “ General Hux, who had sat back down again during this exchange, got back up, wordlessly nodded to the room goodbye and walked out. Ren released his grip on Strang, satisfied he got the message through to them all since no-one else spoke up, and followed Hux out the room.
Ren guided Hux to the elevator.
“Where are we going?” the General asked.
“To Medbay on the Finaliser.“ Ren replied.
“Medbay? What for?” at this Ren turned to face Hux.
“Do you deny you’ve been drugging yourself to oblivion?”
“Hardly to oblivion, Ren. I just need to sleep it off now. I intended to take another this morning, but couldn’t find them in time. They weren’t where I left them. Was that your doing?”
“No. How many stims did you take?”
“Then how did you know?”
“Answer my question, how many did you take?” General Hux sighed, or at least he tried to, but it came out a yawn.
“I took one every six hours for the past day and a half, so that’s what...” he paused whilst his sleep deprived brain did the calculations, but Ren beat him to it.
“Cripes Hux, you’ve taken 6 of the things? Without a break between?! Are you mad?!” Ren didn’t wait for an answer and as the elevator doors slid open pushed Hux with the force toward and into his Upsilon. Hux, being rather devoid of energy just allowed it, but was sure to grumble as he went. “You’re definitely going to Medbay.” Ren stated as he strapped Hux in.
“Don’t be so dramatic, Ren.” Hux mumbled. Ren started the engines and they departed the Supremacy. Once out Ren turned to Hux again.
“It’s not...” he stopped and smiled despite himself. Hux had fallen asleep. Expertly docking in the Finaliser’s hanger once again, Ren lowered the ramp then gathered the General into his arms, one hand under the seat of Hux’s pants so his legs straddled Ren’s hips, and the other arm looped over his back to keep him steady. General Hux, now completely out of it, just settled his head on Ren’s shoulder and instinctively placed both arms around his neck.
As Ren stepped off the ship, he was greeted by an officer who was looking rather startled at the situation.
“Inform Medbay we’re on our way.” Ren stated, satisfied when the officer obeyed without question. “Come on then - let’s get you sorted.” Ren said softly to the very peaceful Hux in his arms as he went to the elevators and took him to where the doctors waited.