Hux reluctantly followed the Knights of Ren into Snoke's throne room. The now familiar golden emblems accompanied them until they stood once again in front of the massive doors to Snoke's sanctuary.

Why in the galaxy had Snoke called him here again? Was it about Starki- His thoughts derailed when the doors lid opened, a dark figure was laying on the floor, right in front of Snoke's throne. Hux would know that ridiculous cape, the tatty robes everywhere - it was Ren.

For a moment his professional mask slipped and he almost hurried to his side. Only his decade-old professionalism saved him and so he just stood at the edge of the room.

"Ah, General Hux - how good of you to join us," croaked Snoke from his throne.

He bowed. "Supreme Leader."

Snoke smirked. "Apprentice, get up and greet our guest."

The figure on the floor struggled to get up, Ren was clutching his side. To his surprise Hux noted that he was missing his helmet. Blood was running down his temple, he winced as he finally got up. He shot a pleading look to Hux.

Hux pressed his lips together. It was just as he had feared… Ren had doomed him. No, no, he needed to stay calm, to think of a way out of this.

"I have no idea how you managed to put my apprentice under your spell, General," said Snoke and grabbed the armrest of his throne with his long crooked fingers. "I'm very displeased - impressed but very, very displeased."

"Supreme Lead-" an invisible hand reached around his neck and squeezed.

"I know that you were behind it, his insolence and his disloyalty is your fault!" He gestured and Hux was dragged towards the throne.

"Supreme Leader, I don't-" managed Hux. He reached up to his throat to get off the invisible hands that were strangling him, but it was in vain.

"You may not have plotted against me but you ruined my plans for Ren! You are nothing but a rabid cur, a Force-blind bastard! And you ruined Ren for me! He was a blunt tool but he had his uses!"

Black spots started to dance in front of his eyes when suddenly the grip loosened. Hux fell on his knees right in front of Snoke and coughed, gasping for air.

"Look at him, Apprentice. A pathetic Force-blind bastard! After all I have done for you, this is how you repay me?"

Hux glanced at Ren, he was standing but still holding his left side. "Master, let- let him go and I'll swear my loyalty once more to you. I will hunt Skywalker down - and- and the whole Resistance."

Snoke leaned down to Hux. Seeing him up close made him look like he was a badly crafted puppet, eyes uneven, the skin greyish and his long limbs unnaturally thin. "Even now your hold over him is impressive." He leaned back up. "Kill the bastard and become my servant once again, Lord Ren."

"No."

"Still you refuse me?" hissed Snoke. "How dare you?"

Blood was dripping from Ren's chin on the floor. "Touch him again and I will kill you, Snoke."

Hux gulped, stupid oaf. Didn't he know that he wasn't worth it? There was no way he could talk his way out of this. All he could do was to make sure Ren survived… he was gifted, special after all. Not like him. "Ren, Ren kill me - I'm- I'm just-" Hux pushed himself up and got back on his feet.

Ren looked him straight in the eye. "I love you. You are my General and nobody is allowed to touch you."

Hux could feel a stab in his heart. Of all the people… of all the people the golden prince, the praised apprentice had fallen for him.

Snoke started to laugh, it was a dry, almost retching sound. "Such arrogance - you think you can take me on, little one?" His laughter ended as abruptly as it began. He gestured and slammed Ren into the wall, then onto the floor, brushing past Hux as if he weren't even there. "Weak, silly boy! I will grind you into dust and then I'll cut your arms and legs off so that-" the last sentence was never finished as Hux drew his hidden blade in a blink of an eye and buried the dagger in Snoke's throat. Snoke's eyes went wide, he grunted before his steel blue eyes rolled back and his body became limp, falling with a loud thud on the floor.

Hux gritted his teeth, pulling his bloodied monomolecular blade out. Dark blood sullied the golden robes. Hux's heart was hammering as he disbelievingly stared at the Supreme Leader. The Supreme Leader! He- He-

Hux turned on his heel to face the Knights of Ren who had drawn their weapons. His heart was beating rapidly, his hands started to shake from the adrenaline.

Just when they were about to advance, they were lifted up in the air, grabbing their throats. Ren rose on his feet, holding both arms up with a pained expression on his face. When he closed his open hands Hux could hear gurgling sounds from the Knights, they fell on the floor, gasping for air that didn't come. Ren had crushed their larynxes - they were suffocating slowly to death as Ren limped to Hux and pulled him into a kiss.

Hux could taste blood on his lips but he didn't mind. Finally Ren let go of him and pressed his hand against his injured side.

"Look at the mess you made, Hux," he panted.

"You will be the death of me," said Hux with a weary smile as he cleaned his blade on the hem of Snoke's robe before putting the blade back in the scabbard.

"Perhaps, but not today." Ren walked over to the throne and sat down before he activated the holo. "To all personnel, this is Supreme Leader Ren speaking. Snoke has proved to be unfit of command and I have taken his place." He ended the call and set his eyes on Hux.

"Do you want me to call a med droid?" asked Hux.

"Yes, please."

Just as Hux wanted to activate his holo the doors to the audience chamber slid open and Allegiant General Pryde stormed in. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Snoke's body.

Hux clasped his hands behind his back. "Allegiant General, how good of you to join us."

"What in blazes is going on?" screamed Pryde.

"A transition in power," replied Ren with a smirk.

Pryde's gaze flickered from Snoke's body to Ren and back again. Then he straightened his back. "Of course, Supreme Leader." He clicked his heels and left with stiff steps.

"Most of them are sycophants," said Hux while tugging at his black leather glove. "They will bow to you."

Ren got up and embraced Hux, giving him a peck on his lips. "They will bow to us, Grand Marshal."

Hux smiled and cupped his cheek. "And they lived happily even after?"

"I thought you didn't believe in fairy tales," replied Ren with a lopsided grin.

"We all believe in fairy tales, Ren, if we want or not."

They kissed again.