As usual, General Hux made no attempt to hide his hatred.
Anya Ren was reluctantly following as the officer hacked his way through a jungle. For the most part he pretended she wasn't there, but on occasion he threw a haughty glance over his shoulder and rewarded her with a look of surprise when he found her still there. Not that she had a choice. Supreme Leader Kylo Ren didn't trust Hux on this mission alone, nor was it a task worthy of his supervision. That left her, his most trusted knight.
It was clear General Hux didn't have any want or need of her. Hux pushed through the vines and fallen logs, slashing easily through the foliage with a machete. The ease with which he traipsed the rugged terrain impressed her. The man's uniform was pristine and somehow remained so though her own black robes were already sporting holes from catching on branches and thorns. When one of them caught her in the cheek and she hissed a curse, Hux barely paused to glance at her.
The cut across her cheek smarted. Had she obeyed unspoken orders, it wouldn't have happened. The Knights of Ren concealed their identities at all times, but wearing the mask in this humid climate seemed like torture. Anya happily left it behind and enjoyed the sunshine and breeze on her face. Besides, it didn't matter. Knight of Ren Anya Kenobi though she may be, General Hux certainly didn't care enough about her to learn about her lineage.
She stumbled over a branch and swore again.
Hux glanced over his shoulder. "Hup, two, Ren." He slashed through another thick vine and held it out of the way.
Anya hesitated. It had been a long, boring hike. How many hours were left until they reached the ship? Mischief was her middle name, and ironic flirtation was her favorite hobby. It certainly always drew a reaction from the other knights. Sauntering toward the general and pausing under his arm, she cast a sultry gaze his way. "Enjoying yourself, General?"
"Hmm." He scanned her from boot to hair before quirking a brow in return. "The scenery is tolerable, at least."
Anya sucked in a breath. The intensity in his lingering gaze had only been matched by Kylo Ren himself. A jolt of something foreign stirred in her, but she pointedly ignored it. The pasty general was abhorrent, not attractive. Absolute backfire.
"Keep up, darling," Hux replied dryly before pressing on. The vines, now free of his grip, thumped against Anya's back as she stood gaping after him.
Doing her best not to linger on the flash of heat spreading across her face, Anya marched on. Of every being in the First Order, she didn't expect Armitage Hux to flummox her. It couldn't be, she chanted mentally as she stonewalled the sudden barrage of curiosities and intrigues flooding her thoughts.It was simply banter, countering her playful awkwardness. Right?
The afternoon had stretched on when Hux finally spoke again. "Ren," he called over his shoulder. "Tell me. What Force abilities do you possess?"
Anya cleared her throat. "What do you mean?"
"Storms on this planet are deadly. Hurricane force winds, torrential rain." Hux sheathed his machete and clasped his hands behind his back. "It's the stormy season, and we've been here far longer than I had hoped. The mishap with the speeders may cost us yet," he added.
"That wasn't my fault and you know it." Anya hated how handsome he suddenly looked with that knowing smirk on his face.
"Perhaps," he agreed with the quickest hint of a wink. "Now. Does your Force skill lend itself to atmospheric sensitivity?"
"Perhaps." Anya craned her neck up at the canopy of leaves and inhaled. The light scent of an eminent summer shower was sweet after the better part of her life living on various starcraft. "It's going to rain, if that's what you're asking."
Hux was staring at her, obviously astounded. "We'll need a shelter if we're to survive one of Eadu's storms. They usually occur mid-afternoon and last through dawn. You're certain?"
"We better get to work." Anya turned her nose up again like a dog with a scent on the breeze. Feeling Hux's mesmerized gaze on her face, she cracked a grin. "But I smell it coming like a normal human being. I appreciate the confidence you have in my skills, though."
The tips of his ears burned red. "Normal human being? What normal human being can forecast weather conditions with their sense of smell?" Hux removed his cap and gloves as she snickered. "I presume you have at least a semblance of survival experience? I won't make the mistake of assuming your sensitivities will be of any use." He shot her a look.
Anya didn't notice. She was gaping as he rolled up his sleeves. Had she ever seen the man out of uniform? Seeing his bare hands was taboo. His forearms? Practically erotic. Her gaze finally tracked to his face. Hux's raised eyebrow was the signal to snap her mouth shut. Anya tossed her braid over her shoulder and cleared her throat. "Hup, two, dear General."
The sky darkened drastically overhead, giving the impression of nightfall hours early. As much as she hated to admit it, she and Hux made an excellent team. One of them cut wood while the other wove the roof. The other secured while one lashed. When one took a break, the other prepped for the next project. Their shelter wasn't a luxury chalet by any means, but should keep them from being swept away or taking a lightning strike to the skull. Branches and leaves, logs and vines; it was coming together.
The first huge droplets of rain gently splattered in lazy globs, in no hurry to be anywhere. There was a little more work to go, but Anya wasn't worried. She wiped a drop from her forehead and glanced at Hux as he huffed in frustration.
"I never wanted to come to this damnable planet," he grunted as he drove a support post into the ground. "Your master is an imbecile."
"My master?" she snorted. "He's the master of the Knights of Ren. I'm not his pet." She lashed a pole to the one Hux was holding in place. Her hand brushed against the general's. He sucked in a breath as if her touch had doused him with cold water. His gaze softened briefly, but she cleared her throat sharply and continued securing the post. It didn't matter what the man thought. He was famous for his thinly-veiled hatred of the Knights of Ren. Getting distracted by his charmingly angled chin and smattering of freckles wasn't going to help either of them.
Hux hesitated before finally blurting, "Ah, good. He's a brute."
Anya tore the twisted vine cord with her teeth. "I could handle a brute."
"I have no doubt." He stepped back and brushed off his hands. The shelter was nearly complete. He cocked his head upward and scowled at the treetops for letting the sprinkles of rain through. "Fifteen minutes to secure the roof, then?"
"I don't know." Anya wiggled her fingers. "Shall I consult the Force?"
For a moment Hux sneered at her and Anya expected a dismissive retort. Instead, Hux laughed. Actually laughed, a full throated sound that delighted her. His face stretched into a broad smile and crinkles formed on his usually taut skin. A blip of giggles burst from Anya's lips. It felt good to laugh.
The utter hilarity grew until neither of them could breathe. They were exhausted. They had done an immense amount of work – from the mission to the hike and now the construction of the shelter – in no time at all.
Face bright red, Hux was doubled over. When he recovered enough to look up, he saw Anya's face twisted in a silent bout of and he began laughing anew. The cycle continued, with each new outburst sloppier and more unrestrained than the last. Tears streamed down Anya's face. Hux clutched his sides, wheezing and begging for a reprieve.
Rain fell more steadily. It dropped on the leaves and splattered on their faces. Anya took a deep breath to steel herself from any more giggles. This was ludicrous. Kylo Ren would never tolerate such behavior on a mission. Hell, she'd never seen the man crack a smile.
Hux was smiling idly at her, his hand resting on their unfinished shelter. "You were right, Force or no."
Thunder crashed somewhere nearby and Anya grimaced. With a shared glance, they quickly got to work assembling the last pieces.
The rain fell in sheets outside, but they were miraculously dry. General Hux and Anya Ren huddled under their shelter, elated to have done it. Anya threw her cloak over the raised platform and collapsed on it. The structure didn't bend when Hux joined her. Neither of them bothered to fill the silence. For a while they simply watched the deluge. Exhaustion had finally taken its toll.
"I owe you my gratitude," Hux said. His voice was soft. Without its usual commanding edge, Anya almost didn't recognize it. She rolled to face him and found the general's face solemn. "I don't expect any of your cohorts would have made themselves helpful. You're…" he trailed off, then exhaled softly. "Your presence is appreciated."
"You don't owe me anything," she replied, her voice barely more than a whisper.
"Nevertheless, thank you, Anya."
She tried to nod, but her head didn't want to move.
Hux was looking at her like she was the moon. Something like wonder was painted across his features. His normally immaculate hair had fallen into his eyes while they worked; unapologetic ginger locks still somehow graceful in their messiness. Anya reached out and brushed a loose strand away from his forehead before she could stop herself. When his eyes flicked to hers, she tilted her head in wonder. Battleship gray with flecks of green.
Her breath was coming in shallow draws, as if her lungs forgot their function. The general didn't seem to notice. Hux seemed lost in the same daze. Twenty four hours ago Anya Ren would have never expected to be lying on a makeshift sleeping platform with General Hux, wondering what barriers were about to be breached.
General Hux was still and silent. His lips parted as his gaze lingered on her mouth. Chills rolled down Anya's arms and to the tips of her breasts. Too regimented, too restrained, General Hux would never make the first move.
So she did.
Her lips brushed tentatively against his. Anya wondered if he'd pull a dagger from his sleeve and gut her. Yet his lips were smooth and warm and she needed more. He returned the kiss hesitantly. So cautious, Anya thought as a maddening flurry of racing sensations roiled through her. One of her hands found his hair and the other the front of his uniform. He pulled her closer, hands firm and possessive on her waist. His tongue brushed against her lips and he moved his hands slowly over her body, exploring this new territory. A soft moan issued from her throat and Hux responded by running his tongue against hers in a way that was almost wicked.
It could have been enough, but the nature of the dark side wasn't to be satisfied with enough. Passion, her body screamed. Take what you want!
She clumsily reached for his belt. Apparently pleased with her thought, Hux brushed her hands aside and hastily tossed the belt away. Anya feverishly undid her robes, scarcely removing her eyes from him. Hux shrugged off a jacket, then a shirt and undershirt. She was momentarily distracted by the sheer amount of clothing his uniform consisted of, but his fiery gaze pulled her thoughts back into the abyss. How had this man passed her dozens of times and never piqued her interest? He was long and lean; quiet, furious strength coiled into an efficient machine. His graceful long limbs were nothing like those of her fellow knights, but there was beauty in the unfamiliar.
Thunder crashed as his hands skimmed over her, pulling away the last of her clothes as she fumbled with his trousers. A fire in those stormy eyes blazed into hers. Rain plopped on the earth in heavy drops. Electricity and the Force singing in her blood, Anya surrendered to General Hux's frantic kiss.