Chapter Text
Hux jolted upright in bed and pressed the button on his datapad for the ysalamiri to be released once more around the brig. He was panting and his skin felt hot. He threw open his robe to get some air and stood up from the bed. He needed a drink.
“Fuck!” He mumbled to himself, having nothing else to say. He rubbed his face as if to erase the memory from his eyes. But then he hadn’t really witnessed it with his eyes had he? It was vulgar, disgusting, exactly what he’d expected Ren to do. Yet Hux had allowed it. In fact he knew a part of him had asked for it, and he supposed that is what the man locked in the cell far below him had sensed.
It was odd seeing himself in that way, from the perspective of another. It was embarrassing. He should not have let it get to him the way it did, but from the stain on his sheets he knew it had. And if he was being honest it had not been much unlike the dreams he’d been having ever since he was informed Ren had survived the battle of Exegol.
Dreams that had made him angry. Angry that Kylo had abandoned the order and returned to the Republic, and angry that he was not with him. Though he refused to admit he still felt anything for the brute. If that was true though, why was he so angry now? Kylo had left the Republic, Kylo was here with him, yet he refused to let him in despite how much he wanted to.
No. He shook his head. Kylo had used the force to confuse him, that was all. He gave the former knight a chance to prove himself and he chose some inappropriate display of affection. Certainly that showed the kind of man he was… even if Hux had to admit those nights they shared in the past were the times they were most in sync.
There was a knock on the door. Hux jumped and quickly wrapped his robe around himself.
“Yes? Who is it?”
“Sir it’s me.” Mitaka said quietly through the doors.
“Come in Come in.” Hux nodded before cringing at his choice of word and trying to shove the memory of the force vision away, hoping he did not appear as flushed as he had only a moment ago.
“You told me to monitor your vitals for the next hour and check on you if anything was a miss.” Mitaka explained pushing past the door and standing at attention.
“Yes yes, thank you I’m fine. Was there a spike?”
“Yes Sir.”
“Disregard it.”
“Yes Sir.”
Hux nodded and signaled for him to go, turning away to pour himself a glass of whiskey.
“Sir If I may… permission to speak freely?” Mitaka asked shyly.
“Yes?” Hux turned back to him confused but curious.
“If it is Kylo Ren that is bothering you perhaps it would be better to get his execution over with. He is not worth the trouble if you intend to kill him as you said, and he seems to… even without the force he seems to be interfering with you. I know you planned for a grand punishment but-”
“Thank you Mitaka for your concern.” Hux smiled. It was true, the man was right. However it did not comfort him how easily he’d been able to tell. Though, he supposed, Mitaka had always been one for noticing details.
“Your doubt is unwarranted I assure you. I have everything under control. But I do agree I was a bit overzealous with my ideas for his punishment. We shall move public humiliation to tomorrow and his execution to the day after. Does that ease your mind?”
“You do not need to worry about me sir. If that is what you wish, I will adjust your schedule accordingly.” Mitaka nodded contentedly.
“Good. And I think I would like to have tomorrow play out a little differently.” Hux added.
“Differently Sir?”
“Yes… Differently. Ren has been boasting about how he would submit and be loyal to me. I would like to see what he does of his own volition.”