Ren continues talking until he's certain that Hux had fallen into a deep sleep, and even then he found himself reluctant to cut off contact. Something about the redhead made him feel more at ease than he could ever remember being. He allowed himself another moment of peace before finally cutting off the contact. He had a lot work to do if he was going to finally catch Snoke, because despite what he had said to Hux, he was not going to drop the idea of freeing Hux. The second he caught Snoke, he was headed straight back to that shitty club and freeing Hux.

The next day passed in a blur, the other Knights all flew in and they spent the day casing the hotel that the meeting was suppose to take place. Each of the six of them had a designated spot so they could see the hotel from all angels without drawing attention. They had thought-and then quickly disregarded- thoughts of trying to bug the place, but if Snoke was even half as clever as he had so far proven to be, he would have had spy's in place for several days now to make sure there wasn't any suspicious activity.

They had managed to put a tracker on the ambassador most frequently used transport, as well as having one of the Knights staying close enough that they could monitor the ambassadors thoughts. So far they had only learned that Hux was telling the truth, that the ambassador was planning on meeting Snoke in less than three days at the same location, as well as the fact that the man was both arrogant and fearful about his meeting with the infamous mobster. Not that they really expected to find more than that, Snoke was always careful to give his subordinates the least amount of information as possible.

That night Kylo once again left his Knights to their own devices and headed to his room to mediate. However, the second he tried to clear his thoughts, all he could think about was just how Hux was doing, and before he could come up with a good reason why not to, Kylo was reaching out through the force and seeking out Hux's unique signature. He found the redhead with a disturbing amount of ease, something he chose to ignore, and then tentatively spoke to the other man.

Hux shivered under his blanket, trying desperately to sleep despite the cold, when a voice sounded in his head.

Hux?

"Hey, Ren." He said softly, proud of himself that his teeth hadn't chattered on the words. "How's life fighting crime with the glorious Knights of Ren?"

Oh you know, very heroic and dashing.

Hux couldn't help the smile that played on his lips. "Dashing, really?"

Of course. Basically we spend our time brushing our hair and practicing facial expressions in the mirror. It's all very important work.

"It sounds like it. I'm surprised you have time in between your nightly hundred brush strokes to talk to me."

It's a sacrifice to be sure. Hux could feel the warmth in those words. But I decided that my hair could suffer a night while I spoke to you.

"How very gallant of y-you." Hux gritted his teeth at the sound of them chattering, hoping Ren hadn't noticed.

What's wrong?

"Nothing." He lied quickly.

Hux!

The sharp reprimand startled Hux into responding. "I'm just cold."

Why are you cold?

Hux rolled his eyes at that question. "Uh because I'm a slave. They don't exactly go out of their way to make sure I'm comfortable."

And you're ok with that?

"I'm not ok with it, I've just accepted it."

There was a brief hesitation, and then Ren spoke again. What if you didn't have to accept it? What if you could have a different life?

"I told you that I didn't want to hear you talk about freeing me." Hux snapped.

I know, it's just that I don't think you realize-

Hux cut him off, not caring what Ren was trying to say. "I said I don't care!"

Hux-

"Get out of my fucking head, Ren." When he could still feel the other man's presence, he stood up from the bed and punched the wall hard enough to make his knuckles bleed. "GET OUT! NOW!"

I'm sorry. Ren said softly, and then he was gone. Trembling, Hux sat back on the edge of his bed and let a dry sob leave his lips.

Ren was irritable the next day, snapping orders at the other Knights and critisizing everything they did, something that wasn't helpful considering the task that was set before them. Still, Ren couldn't fully free himself of the frustration that was fueling him. His talk with Hux the night before was still playing over in his mind, and he hated the anger and anguish he had brought out in the other man. He had just wanted Hux to know that he meant what he said, that Hux could have a better life, that Kylo was strong enough to give him that. Instead he had just pissed the other man off.

Irriated with everything around him, Kylo dismissed the Knights and headed to the hotels gym, where he spent the next several hours training, working his body until he felt ready to drop, and then he worked some more. He wanted every muscle aching, he wanted it to feel impossible to lift his head, so that way he might be able to get a certain redhead out of his head and instead focus on his mission. When he finally stopped his training, he was drenched in sweat, his breaths coming out in hard gasps. He shakily walked over to his water bottle and took a long drag before dumping the rest onto his head, relishing the sharp chill that spread over his overheated body. The sudden change in temperature bringing an idea to his mind.

"Hux, come here." Hux obediently followed his Master to his office, keeping his gaze down and hands clasped respectfully behind his back, as he waited for the other man to speak. "It seems as though you have an admirer." He finally said.

"Sir?" Hux asked, still keeping his eyes downcast.

"Here." His Master roughly passed him a parcel. "He paid me quite a fee to make sure you were given it, and allowed to keep it." Hux took the package, holding it delicately, whatever was inside was light, and he wondered what it was. Even so, he kept from speaking, knowing his Master would tell him what to do next.

"Whatever it is you're doing to infatuate this man, keep it up. He seems to have no qualms about spending money on you." His Master said, a greedy chuckle escaping him. "You're excused."

"Thank you, Sir." Hux replied automatically, taking the package and walking anxiously to his room, making sure the door was closed before sitting on his bed with the gift. While clients trying to bestow gifts onto their slave of choice wasn't unheard of, it was very rare for said gift to actually make it to the slave. Normally, quite a bit of bribery was involved in such an act. Wondering who it could be from, as well as what it was, Hux opened the box slowly, and then gasped in wonder.

With careful hands, he pulled the luxuriously thick black blanket from the box, marveling at it's warmth and softness. He gingerly wrapped it around his shoulders and was immediately warmed by it, noting gratefully that it was so long he could easily wrap it around himself twice and still have some leftover. As he finished wrapping himself up, a card fluttered to the ground. With shaking hands, Hux picked it up and read the words written neatly.

Some of us do care about your comfort. Please forgive me. -R

Hux was certain that the smile that spread over his face could have lit up the whole planet.

The next day and a half, the Knights of Ren were very busy. Everything that could be done to prepare for the ambassadors meeting with Snoke had been, and now all that was left was waiting. They watched as the transport carrying the ambassador arrived and the heavyset man got out and made his way inside the building.

Carefully they monitored his thoughts -deciding to keep their distance until they were certain he was actually speaking to Snoke- and once again it was the same arrogant and fearful feeling the man had entertained before about meeting the infamous Snoke. They followed his thoughts as he went to the designated room and let himself in, and they noticed before he did the sound of a wire being tripped the second the door open. The blast that went off took the whole building with it, and the Knights could only watch as their plans, just like the building before them, crumbled.

It was several more days before the Knights decided they weren't going to find anything else leading them to Snoke, and they were left waiting until another lead to come through. Kylo decided to give his men the night off, hoping that they could all get a decents nights sleep and be better able to come up with another plan of attack in the morning.

It was still early in the night when they all went their seperate ways, and Kylo found himself driving his speeder around aimlessly, not yet wanting to go to his empty hotel room. He wasn't necessary surprised when he realized he was pulling up to Hux's club, nor was he surprised at himself for striding up to the door like he owned the place, excitement building in him as sought out the redhead.

The inside of the club was dark, only some low lighting making it possible to see his way around. In the middle of it was the stage where several poles were placed, each being used by a nearly nude body. A couple of women were on the middle and far right poles, but Kylo ignored him, because as soon as he walked in his attention was captured by the redheaded man that was dancing on the far left pole. He was dressed similarly to what he had been wearing when Kylo had first met him, the only difference was their were a few less chains draped over his body, and his bottoms were smaller and more snug, leaving very little to the imagination.

Kylo swallowed as he watched Hux dance to the suggestive music that was playing, he arched his body beautifully in the light, and Kylo watched as the other man trailed a hand down down his bare chest, eyes closed as he swayed. Another man seemed to have taken interest in Hux as well, and Kylo watched in anger as the man stepped closer to the stage. Kylo looked darkly at the other man, who seemed to be very close to Hux's own age, and took in his short dark hair and tall, lean body. The man reached forward and caressed Hux's hip and Kylo found himself taking a step forward, ready to kill the man for touching Hux, but then he saw Hux look over to see who had touched him, and he beamed.

"Tovin!" Kylo heard Hux cry, as he left his spot on the stage and jumped into the other mans arms, wrapping his legs around the mans waist, and his arms around his neck. The man, Tovin, laughed happily and grabbed Hux's ass, holding him close.

"I've missed you too, baby." He said softly, kissing Hux gently.

"It's been weeks!" Hux pouted. "Did you find someone else to your liking?"

Tovin grinned down at the redhead. "How could I find anyone better than you?"

"Good answer." Hux said with a grin. "Now on to the important question, did you get us a room?"

Tovin's response was to waggle his brows and carry the now laughing Hux into a private room across the way. Kylo found himself rooted to the spot, unable to believe what he had just seen. He had stupidly believed that Hux hadn't really been involved with anyone, but he was very obviously wrong. No one could fake that kind of joy at seeing another person, and despite his best intentions, Kylo had brushed at Hux's mind and had seen nothing but happiness at the sight of the other man. With too many emotions going through him to process, Kylo turned on his heel, determined to leave, but a hand on his arm stopped him, and he looked down to see a man with blond hair looking him over appreciatively.

"Care for a drink, love?" The man asked, brown eyes twinkling. Unable to think of why not, Kylo allowed himself to be lead to the bar. After his third shot, he realized that eating before drinking might have been a good idea, but it was too late for that now. He watched dispassionately as the blonde man, who had introduced himself as Sunny, ran his fingers up and down his arm, not at all surprised when he suggested a private dance for Kylo.

While having someone give him a lap dance wasn't really on his lists of wants, he found himself being led to a private room and seated in a chair, the blonde man wasting no time straddling him and grinding his hips. Kylo allowed his head to fall back, a sigh escaping him as a soft hand carded through his hair, the alcohol he consumed making him feel pleasantly dizzy. A knock sounded on the door and then he heard a familiar voice.

"Hey Sunny, Master has a client for you. Room one when you're done here." Hux's words trailed off as he saw just who was being entertained.

Suddenly sensing the tension in the room, Sunny looked between the two men. "Uh, why don't you take over for me?" He said, not giving them time to answer before he was leaving the room.

Kylo watched as Hux slowly walked towards him, his lips still red from kisses, his hair still slightly mussed from hands being run through it. Kylo didn't move as Hux swung a leg over and began to move seductively over him, resting his hands on Kylo's shoulders. "I didn't expect to see you here again." He said softly.

"I had some down time, I thought I would see how you were doing." Kylo said through gritted teeth.

"I see." Hux said, although he clearly didn't. "Well, I can see how Sunny stole your attention. He's quite beautiful."

"Well, I was going to say hi, but I didn't think your boyfriend would appreciate it." Kylo said sharply.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Hux snapped, although he didn't let up on his grinding.

"Oh you know, the man you climbed all over the moment you saw him. Tovin, I heard you call him." Kylo tried to keep the heat out of his voice, but even so, Hux froze above him a moment, before resuming his movements.

"I took his virginity, a couple years back." Hux said conversationally. "He knew he was gay, but had no idea what he was doing. I taught him what to do, and how to do it." Hux paused a moment before continuing. "He was-is- a very sweet man. So far he's never hurt me, he only wants to try and make me feel as good as I make him feel. He actually cares about me."

"Well that's wonderful, Hux." Kylo said, irritation clear in his voice.

Hux continued as if he hadn't spoken. "So when I see him, I know that at least for a little bit I'm going to be safe. I will be getting fucked, but it's with someone who doesn't actually want to hurt me, and as a slave, you find that you get attached to clients who aren't abusive. And that's what he is, a client. So yes, I am enthusiastic when I see him, I smile and laugh and try my best to have a good time, because if I don't give him that, if I don't make him feel special, he'll go and find someone that will, which means I'll will be available to someone who might not actually give a shit about how I feel."

"Fuck, I'm sorry Hux." Kylo groaned, grabbing at the other man's hips to stop his incessent grinding. "I don't have any right to judge you regardless, I just, care for you."

At that Hux chuckled. "You and everyone else."

"Maybe, but I don't need to fuck you in order to care about you." Kylo said, voice soft.

"But you want to." Hux said, looking down pointedly at the bulge straining at Kylo's pants.

"Yes, I won't lie. You must know how gorgeous you are, but I'm not an animal, I can control myself. Besides," he added, "I can't fuck someone who can't say no."

Hux's eyes were searching as he spoke. "What if I don't want to say no?"

Kylo shook his head sadly, "it doesn't matter. You can't actually say no, even if you wanted to. So that leaves us as just friends."

Hux seemed to consider that for a while, idly toying with a strand of Kylo's hair that had fallen in his eyes. "Thank you for my blanket." He finally said, voice low.

"You're welcome, Hux." Ren replied. "I didn't like the thought of you cold."

"Well I don't see that being a problem anymore." Hux replied cheekily, and Kylo had to laugh.

They spent a few more minutes talking before Hux was called from the room to service his next client. Kylo asked if it was ok if he contacted him later that night, pleased when Hux's eyes lit up and he nodded. As Kylo walked back to his speeder, he couldn't contain the grin that now plastered his face.

To be continued...