Hux finally put the pad away and snuggled up to him. Kylo gave him a peck on the nape and nuzzled into his hair. He loved holding him close to his chest, the firmness of his body, his warmth made him feel content, calm.

He knew that Hux didn't cherish being so close to him, but luckily he tolerated it. It would last only for a couple of minutes but Kylo had to take what he could get.

Talking to him helped. It gave him perspective. It felt like Hux would point him toward a new direction… perhaps Snoke was right and he was nothing but a blunt weapon. And Hux certainly knew how to use him. It was odd - on one hand he was only a Force-blind upstart and Ren was supposed to reign over him with all his gifts. On the other hand he admired Hux's sharp mind and his quick tongue. No, no that was not it… he liked him. He liked being with him. Even when he was brutally honest about his feelings towards him. But at least he still had these moments with him.

Hux shifted and finally scooted away. Kylo looked at his back, it was covered with old scars, blemishing the otherwise immaculate pale skin. Whatever had happened to Hux, his deep mistrust and caution was not without reason. He would never break through his defenses, he would always be kept at arm's length.

The irony was not lost on him - he who had sought to sever all ties was looking for new ones.

He turned on his back and stared up at the ceiling. He heard Hux get up; he would get his robe now, then wait for him to leave. So that he could work in peace and quiet.

Kylo rolled off the bed and started to dress himself. He was hungry, perhaps he should order food like the last time?

He went into the adjacent room and took the helmet from Hux's desk. When he turned he saw Hux standing in the doorway to the bedroom. He looked very handsome with his mussed up hair. "Good bye, Hux."

"Night Ren."

-o-

"Master, I have opened the holocron as you commanded."

Snoke - or rather his holographic image - leaned down. "How assiduous of you, my apprentice."

He didn't like Snoke's tone. Flattery was usually followed by punishment. He racked his brain where he had made a mistake but nothing came to mind. He stared at the polished floor of the audience chamber, seeing his own reflection and Snoke's visage.

"Is this fear I sense?" asked Snoke.

"No, master."

"Liar. I can feel your tension, it flows through you… head to toe. Why are you scared? Did you do something you weren't supposed to do?"

Kylo still stared at the floor. He was missing something, but he didn't know what. Damn it, why was he so slow on the uptake?

"Well?"

Perhaps it had to do with the holocron? "I opened the holocron like you asked, master… but it was only filled with Isotope-5. So I destroyed it." Yes, that must be it - he made a mistake by crushing that useless holocron.

"Take that stupid thing off," hissed Snoke.

Kylo unlocked his helm and took it off. Before he could set it down he was pushed face-down onto the floor. "Stupid boy! You were supposed to open it and report your findings to me. You are too thick to decide what to do with the holocron."

Kylo gritted his teeth. He was not stupid! He pushed against Snoke's power and slowly raised his head. "It was useless! There was no point-"

He was smacked down with overwhelming Force. "Don't you dare to talk back," thundered Snokes voice through the chamber. "If I order you to do something you will do it! Nobody is interested in what you think!"

Kylo could hear the blood roaring in his ears. Damn Snoke! Damn them all! He would show him! He tried to summon the Force to his aid but Snoke just threw him against the wall like a ragdoll.

"That's it, my apprentice. Feel the anger - hate me and draw your strength from it. Through strength you gain power, through power you gain victory." His grip on Kylo intensified, he could barely breathe, his ribs started to hurt.

"Through Victory my chains are Broken," pressed Kylo out, glaring at Snoke's projection.

Suddenly the pressure disappeared and he fell back on the floor, groaning in pain as he landed on his left arm.

"Never forget that true freedom comes only with great power. You still lack the necessary hatred to overcome me."

"Yes master," Kylo hissed. His face twisted in anger. One day, one day he would be stronger than Snoke.

Snoke sneered at him once again before the holo disappeared. Kylo sat up and touched his left arm, a sharp pain seared through his lower arm when he touched it. There was little doubt in his mind that his ell was broken.

He got up and managed to put his helmet back on with just one arm. It seemed that there was another visit due in the med bay.

-o-

Kylo waited with a rolled back sleeve until the medic had mended his bone. His thoughts returned to the audience. Snoke had punished him for nothing, he recalled with bitterness. He punished him when he was taking too long for a complicated task, just as he had punished him now when he had completed it. Was this some kind of lesson to connect him to the Dark Side of the Force?

Yes, it had to be. There had to be a higher meaning to all of this. 'Telling yourself that there is a higher reason is a fairy tale for grown-ups.' Kylo frowned. No, it couldn't be - Snoke was doing this for a reason. There was no point in tormenting him if not for a higher reason. He wondered what Hux would think of this.

He could certainly help him to see through this confusion. Perhaps he could visit him later… no, that was a bad idea. The man was very busy and certainly hadn't time for him. On the other hand he was his co-commander - he could just demand that he listened to him.

The medic finished the treatment and looked up from his arm. "The bone is mended, Lord Ren. I suggest to restrain from exercise for a day-"

"Nobody is interested in what you suggest," snapped Kylo.

The man paled. "Of course, sir."

Kylo slid down from the stretcher and exited the med bay. He opened and closed his left hand, he could feel a small painful tug and he grimaced.