If anyone had asked Hux before his idea of hell he would have told them dinner with his father. Now however? Now he'd gladly have dinner with the mean old-fashioned scrooge. He'd even gladly share a dessert. He'd rather be anywhere right now frankly instead of having lunch with Kylo's parents. Hell this was hell itself, he thought as he sat squashed in at a too small table on a rickety old stool, wedged in next to Kylo, their elbows rubbing together. Worse still across from them sat Poe and Finn who seemed to be great buddies chatting animatedly about some brand new fad, a fancy robot toy called BB-8. Apparently the doctor was still upset with him because he kept glaring at Hux.
As he avoided Poes heated gaze he wondered if Dr Organa had arranged their seating like that on purpose, so he would suffer more. But then of course she hadn't known he was coming to dinner. Hux glanced out the window beside him keen to avoid catching Poe's eyes.
"Would you like a roll kid?" Han asked leaning over the table with a bread basket. Hux smiled and took one. At least Kylo's dad was alright. "You're far too skinny. Kylo, you should get him some of those bulk shakes. You know the ones we used to give to the orphans." Han said giving Hux another roll before dishing the rest out around the table.
"Sorry I'm late. I let Chewie out into the garden." Said Rey [who looked slightly better in a long peach coloured shirt dress] as she sat down on the other side of Kylo. As she sat, she accidentally jostled his hand. A ladle full of soup landed on the table ruining the clean white table cloth.
"Ben don't make a mess or you can't have pudding. Do I need to remind you we have company?" Scolded Dr Organa from the far end of the table. Rey dabbed at the mess with her napkin guiltily. "Sorry bro." She mumbled quietly. [Hux watched her and regretted not hitting her before. How dare she let Kylo take the blame for her mistake?]
"Leia honey don't embarrass him." Han said cutting in and giving Kylo a warm smile. Hux took Kylo's hand and squeezed it comfortingly.
"So are you two dating or engaged?" Dr Organa asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Both Luke and Rey told me you were engaged. She says sounding like she hopes they are mistaken.
"I don't see a ring?" Rey adds helpfully.
"Oh. We're engaged." Hux says his pride or stupidity getting the better of him before Kylo can reply. "I'm having a ring custom made. I'm getting Kylo a black diamond lotus flower engagement ring set in black gold." He says before he can stop himself. [Idiot. Such a ring would be horrendously expensive. But also perfect].
"I see. And the wedding is in June?" Dr Organa says breaking her roll into small pieces. [Something she would probably like to do to Hux].
"Next June." Hux corrects, enjoying the looks of surprise which fill the table. He casts a glance at Poe and is pleased to see he is practically seething with jealousy. [It's almost as good as the look of surprised delight that covered Kylo's handsome face at the mention of the ring- it occurs to Hux perhaps he hadn't expected anything, poor boy]. Across the table Finn pats Poe's arm. [Hux is probably the only one who notices in all the excitement].
"This calls for wine!" Shouts Han beaming at everyone.
"That's your answer for everything." Scolds his wife, her face sour. "They haven't even known each other a month! It's all going to end in tears." She hisses at him but loud enough that everyone can hear.
"Hux would you like to say grace?" Asks Uncle Luke who has been quietly sitting between his sister and Han. [Presumably to diffuse arguments like this]. Wordlessly he takes Han's hand in his right and Dr Organa hand in his left. Around the table everyone else automatically clasps their hands together as well. Hux looks at them confused and refuses to let Poe take his hand.
"Um…" He stalls trying to think of something appropriate to say and blanks. What did Jedi say? He wondered. It couldn't be too different from what he had been taught could it? He felt everyone waiting for him and wished he prayed more or went to church regularly.
"Um bless us... for the food we are about to receive and pray for us, especially the enemies of the Church. Amen."
Wait. No. That wasn't right. Shit.
Kylo's hand squeezes his tightly, too tightly. He could feel the entire table staring at him. Shit. He'd practically just called a table full of Jedi heathens. He didn't know how they'd recover from the insult. There was no way he was going to get out of this alive.
The entire room is silent, mouths agape.
Hux looks down at his bowl and wonders if it is possible for him to drown in his soup, when the door to the kitchen opens.
"Apologies for my lateness. There were some unexpected difficulties with my Death Star. I believe there is a problem with the thermal exhaust port. Perhaps you would look at the car later for me Luke." Says a robotic voice, belonging to a man clad entirely in black. At least Hux thinks it is a man, it's difficult to tell given the mask covering his face.
Hux has no idea who this stranger is but he is eternally grateful for his interruption, as now all eyes were on him.
"Sure. Han can we use your workshop?"
"I guess. You know one of these days that death trap of a car is going to explode on you." Says Han fiddling with his hair. [Which is rather lovely for a guy his age- hopefully Kylo's will stay the same].
"Hush nerfherder. I didn't come to see you. I came to see my favourite."
Dr Organa rolls her eyes at his words and takes a large sip of her wine.
The stranger's cape twirls dramatically behind him as he walks over to the dinner table and for some reason Hux is reminded of Kylo and his dramatics. Hux glances at the empty seat beside him at the head of the table. This, it seems is the final guest. [Not that he has any clue who the stranger is]. He leans over and whispers in Kylo's ear. "Who the Sith is that?"
Annoyingly Kylo doesn't seem to even notice his question, his eyes drawn to the stranger a large wide smile blooming on his pale face. "Grandpa!" Kylo yells excitedly, throwing back his chair and getting up. Striding over and pulling the taller man into a tight hug.
"You look well Panda bear." Says Kylo's Grandpa patting his hair softly [Somehow Kylo's grandpa looks vaguely familiar. Probably because Kylo won't shut up about him unless he's talking about Darth Vader]. "I listened to your cd. It is wonderful. I made everyone at Empire Care listen to it and they loved it as well."
"Really?"
"I would not lie to you youngling. I am certain that your dreams will come true with a little hard work. However remember that fame is not everything. I do not wish for you to make the same mistakes I did."
"Thank you Grandpa, I won't. We were just about to eat. Do you want some soup grandpa?" Kylo asked sounding oddly sweet and genuine as he looked up at his grandpa.
"Thank you Kylo." Said the older man heading slowly towards the table. "Will you introduce me to your friends Kylo?" He asked as he sat down.
Kylo frowned and bit at his lip. "Poe and Finn are Rey's friends. But I work with Finn." Kylo said introducing them quickly. "Grandpa this is my Hux. Hux this is Grandpa Vader."
"Vader? Darth Vader?" Hux stuttered his eyes widening in surprise. Kylo's grandpa and Darth Vader were the same person? How did he not know this?
"Kylo has told me much about you. He says you are a very talented lover. I'm pleased." Said Vader holding out a gloved hand to shake.
Hux blushed and shook his hand. "It's good to meet you too sir."