As the legal wife of General Hux, Rey was his emergency contact by default. She received an alert from the med bay that he was injured. Again. Hux was supposed to be undergoing medical treatment but checked himself out early. Their quarters, which Snoke malevolently gifted them as a sick wedding present, seemed the logical place to look for him. The entrance to the bedroom was open. Rey noted the tall black boots lying with a discarded military uniform dropped over them at the foot of the bed. This alone would have alerted her to the fact that Hux was not okay.

The First Order general was lying face up in their bed, his lower half under the covers. Rey noticed the medical apparatus left on his nightstand. Clearly, Hux should be wearing it around his neck for support. Instead, his pillow was pushed aside and Hux lay flat on his back with his eyes closed. She could tell he was awake and aware of her presence. This became more obvious as she drew closer and his face deepened into a frown at her approach.

Rey walked around to her side of the bed and slowly moved up onto it. Hux stiffened, his arm lifting slightly at his side with his hand out to halt her from jostling him. He opened his eyes and watched her warily without moving his head, pain and fear plain on his face. Seeing that look and the deep bruises purpling his neck triggered an unwelcome sympathy for the injured man. Hux often suffered the brunt of Kylo Ren's rage. This was another bad one.

Hux was bare chested and pale, his pallor even more pronounced than normal. Rey had never seen him so vulnerable and powerless. Not long ago, she would have taken advantage of the situation. Now, since their forced marriage over a year ago, Rey struggled to see him as the enemy. The gradual change in feelings towards the First Order's celebrated general was undeniable. She hated to admit it, even to herself.

There was a distinct pull of the force to draw on its power. Rey had no idea if it was possible but felt confident that she could heal Hux. She extended her arm, her left hand hovering over his crushed windpipe. She closed her eyes to concentrate but sensed him wincing in pain as he tried not to flinch and failed. Hux had a strong aversion to being under the power of another. He was scarred with deep distrust and expected harm.

The force bombarded Rey with a slideshow of scenes from Hux's past, revealing neglect and abuse from a young age. The worst pain was inflicted by those who should have loved him most. In the images, she saw his father and a woman who must have been his stepmother repeatedly. Then she saw herself and nearly lost focus.

Rey doubled her effort and, slowly, the balance shifted. It wasn't so much a healing as it was the force reversing the damage done, by means of its own power. She doubted this would work on injuries not originally caused by the force.

When the white heat dissipated, Rey opened her eyes. Hux's Adam's apple bobbed as he nervously swallowed, testing his injuries for pain. When he looked back at her, wide-eyed and incredulous, she knew it worked.

Hux could scarcely believe it. Rey healed him and was smiling serenely, pleased with her success. There was a softness in her eyes he didn't understand and certainly hadn't seen before. He never heard of a force user having the power to heal. His experience had always been the opposite. The Jedi and the Sith were a menace to the universe. It didn't make sense. Why would Rey bother to relieve his pain anyway? Didn't she want him to suffer? Doesn't she hate him?

Hux startled when Rey's fingers rested against the base of his neck. Then she leaned in close as if to inspect her work. He wondered if something went wrong. On the spot where bruising was most severe, Rey gently pressed her lips to the column of Hux's throat. Shock coursed through him and Hux's breath caught in a choke. Noting the esophageal strain, Rey quickly caught his gaze to check for a pain response. The look on his face made her laugh.

Rey never expected to see the disdainful, dour General Hux dumbfounded. It was incredibly rewarding, and really rather charming, so she leaned down and kissed his neck again. This time she let her lips linger, slowly trailing them up towards his jawline.

"Rey," Hux uttered her name, his voice like gravel, its tone warning.

Rey stopped to look up at him. Hux turned his head away from her in a tight grimace of disapproval. She moved her fingers to his jaw and guided his face back towards hers. His classic expression of displeasure, with everything and everyone, twisted his mouth.

Frustrated and spiteful, Rey covered his scowling lips with her own and kissed him hard. After a beat, she realized what she was doing and pulled back. Hux's right hand shot up and cupped the back of her head, stopping her retreat. His fingers threading through her hair, he rose up on his left elbow. Their eyes met in a charged stare.

Hux's gaze dropped to Rey's lips. Then, with deliberate intent, he kissed her. It was slow, meaningful and sweet. It was everything Rey hoped for in her first kiss. She reciprocated enthusiastically, taking his face in her hands.

Rey relished the rush of excitement at the new experience. It was a surprise that she would allow the First Order general to kiss her, let alone enjoy it.

As if he had heard her, Hux broke the kiss and leaned back, troubled. When she chased his movement, he stopped her. "No, don't."

Rey stared at him, plainly puzzled by the abrupt change. Hux wouldn't meet her gaze. He looked hurt, confusing her even more. "I don't understand."

Hux rose from the bed and walked over to the viewport. He stood, staring out at the stars, in nothing but his standard issue black briefs. Rey had never seen him without an undershirt on. To see him without trousers was even more astonishing. He didn't seem to realize his state of undress. Normally, Hux was very self-conscious and concerned with his appearance, especially in her presence. It spoke to his current emotional state, so Rey just waited in silence and tried not to look him over.

After a few minutes, Hux spoke, his back still turned. "You know of my childhood and what I endured throughout my life as a result of it. Do you not?"

They never discussed his past, but others had spoken about Hux's family and she heard some talk of how he was raised and his mistreatment. Then there were the flashes of his trauma the force had shown her. Rather than admit what she knew, lest he think she engaged in talk behind his back, Rey replied with her own question. "Do you know mine?"

"Only what is in the file and it's not much," Hux admitted. "A young girl sold to a junk trader on Jakku. Birth family unknown."

That shot a hot laser-bolt of pain to her heart. The wound of her abandonment still festered. Hux didn't seem to notice the pause before her response.

"Yours is well known," Rey said cautiously, knowing this was a sensitive subject for him. "A First Order founding family with direct ties to the Empire. A history of distinguished service in military command. You're also from the Coruscanti elite class, on your mother's side."

"Stepmother," Hux clarified bitterly, finally turning to her. "As she repeatedly reminded me, I am the bastard son of a kitchen whore."

Shame played out over Hux's features, though he stood strong and defiant. It was a deeply serious moment, but Rey could no longer ignore the sight of his body. He was facing her, his stance emphasizing the fact he was practically nude. Hux looked magnificent, his slim but powerful build etched in starlight. The little he wore made it more obvious exactly what it was barely covering.

Rey felt a rush of heat and awareness. She worried that the general, always observant, would catch the reaction and guess her thoughts. She quickly dropped her gaze and turned her head, avoiding his eyes.

Sure enough, Hux's demeanor changed. Rey assumed he would act the prude everyone thought him to be but he was standing firm, his fists clenched at his side. His voice shook with anger. "You have no right to look on me with such brazenness."

Rey glanced up and found Hux looking every bit the First Order fascist whipped into a frenzy, like he was spouting one of his crazed speeches. She knows him better now, though, and can't totally dismiss him as a brainwashed fanatic bent on galaxy domination. He is not evil-incarnate. This is Armitage Hux, the sad little boy who grew up unloved. Molded by a cruel, domineering father he became a hard, bitter man. Over time, though, Rey discovered his cold, encrusted shell protected a broken, lonely heart.

Even as a decorated general, Hux was severely mistreated. The Supreme Leader Snoke used him for his brilliance while continuing to manipulate and abuse him. Hux repeatedly put himself between his crew and Kylo Ren, suffering bodily harm and humiliation for it. Living with him, Rey had come to learn a lot about Hux. She begrudgingly marveled at his stoicism and grit.

"I have always shown you great respect in this regard," Hux intoned. "You are obliged to show me the same consideration. Do not mock me, with boldness of…" He paused, flustered. Then Hux gestured haphazardly, waving his hand about in her direction, and concluded, "...that sort."

His reaction was amusing but, admittedly, Hux was very respectful throughout the punishment of their marriage. Rey pondered the year and a half she was here on the Finalizer. She had matured in that time, especially in her perception. Nothing was black and white.

The force was not Jedi and Sith, or dark and light. It was in everything and everyone. Those who had the ability to tap into its power were still just people. They were not heroes and villains or all good and all evil. Rey understood that about Ben, but denied Hux the same grace. While aboard the First Order vessel, her opinions softened and she came to detect the undercurrent of emotional pain about the general. It was like a fundamental building block of what made the man. It was so obvious to her now.

"I do not mock you," Rey told him, gently. "I respect and appreciate that you have never acted entitled by the marriage we were both forced into."

"Then understand that my feelings on this marriage are not your own," he said, his fury abating. "You may think nothing of our union because you did not choose it. Yet it is legal and binding in the eyes of the law and of the people."

"As one who was plagued from childhood with the derision of illegitimacy, I cannot help but place the utmost importance on the institution of marriage, whatever its circumstance." Hux took a deep breath to steady himself. "I cannot bear the insult of yet another public denial of legitimacy."

When he sighed deeply, Rey's peripheral vision noted the movement in his form. She was tempted to peek but resisted. She certainly didn't need to set off another outburst of his righteous outrage.

"The indignity of my father's public rejection of my mother and his refusal to truly accept me as his son, hoping instead for a legitimate heir of the pureblood elite class, is already too much," Hux explained. "Snoke punished me for the failure of Starkiller in a way that would torture me most."

Openly revealing more than he ever had with anyone before, Hux told her, "I was denied the love of a mother and a father. Now, I suffer not only the public rejection of my family, but that of my wife, as well."

"Armitage…," Rey breathed, feeling awful at seeing and hearing him so raw in his pain. Snoke was diabolical in his punishment of all three of them.

"Stop," Hux said again, his scowl back as he shook his head. "I am just stating clearly what my position on the matter of our marriage is. While our union was formed under duress, and against our personal wishes, it is nevertheless legally binding. It is both lawfully and publicly acknowledged. As such, I am beholden to the vows I spoke and to the responsibilities the institution demands."

Rey stared back at him blankly. "That's stating your feelings clearly?"

Even in the low light, Hux colored visibly. Whether in embarrassment or anger, Rey couldn't tell. Probably both.

Hux's eyes met hers and he sounded like his old self as he said, "Do not play coy with me. You are well aware of my desire for this union, stuck with it as we are."

"I have not pushed the matter of our marriage," he continued, "and I will continue to show restraint. But, my dear, consider yourself warned. You would do well not to provoke my lust. I would like nothing more than to bed you as my wife. For, like it or not, that is what you are. So, do not mock me with your kisses or torture me with your touch. I assure you, I suffer enough as your husband without enduring the further temptation of your disingenuine advances."

Rey felt herself gaping like a fish but was too stunned to respond quickly enough before he instructed her, "Now close your mouth and keep it to yourself. I will not indulge your carnal impulses again."

Oh, that was it. He thought Kylo Ren's choking was bad? Rey summoned her power in the force. The glass on her nightstand rattled, drawing a look of alarm from Hux. It shot out and crashed against the viewport, near his head. It was all Rey could do to not rip the limbs from his torso. She eyed his heaving chest of carved white marble with violence. Angry enough to ignore his earlier warning, she let her gaze wander freely, over the finely chiseled muscles on his thin frame.

"Kylo says you've added weight training to your fitness regime. For me," she accused. "And then, of course, there's the new haircut."

When Hux's expression morphed from wariness over the power she wielded to the indignation of a personal affront, Rey knew Ben was right. She threw the knowledge at him, like she had the glass. "You want me to be attracted to you."

"Kylo Ren,'' he sneered, "has no right to speak of me to you. He reeks of jealousy. Snoke used this marriage to torment Ren, just as much as it was a punishment for me. Yet he stood by and let it happen, without a fight. Had I the witchery you two possess, I would have used it to save us all this degradation. Kylo Ren made no such objection, despite his obsession for you."

"Snoke is too strong," Rey replied, ignoring his comment about Kylo not fighting for her. She didn't want Hux to know he touched a nerve. "Ben would have died."

"Ben." Hux seethed. "Your feelings for Kylo Ren are obscene."

"My feelings for Kylo Ren?' Rey repeated, appalled he might know more than she thought he did.

"Do not insult my intelligence," Hux replied. "Snoke's torture for you was to be coupled with me, when your infatuation was for your precious Ben Solo," he said snidely, emphasizing the name with disgust. "You did nothing to hide your dismay nor your disdain for me. Snoke destroyed all three of us in one effective masterstroke."

"I am not infatuated with Kylo Ren."

Hux ignored her lie. "You play into Snoke's hand when you toy with me."

"I show a little sympathy when you're lying in our bed, physically injured, and you act like I've assaulted you," Rey exclaimed with exasperation. "I healed you because I wanted to help, not to cause you further pain. Don't worry, it won't happen again."

"You healing the damage your lover inflicted on me is not the issue here," Hux chided, "as you well know."

At that, Rey stared at Hux, trying to get a better read on his thoughts. She was tempted to use the force to access his mind. He couldn't possibly think she and Ben were lovers. Was he jealous?

A minute passed in awkward silence. Finally, Rey asked, "You don't really think Kylo Ren and I are lovers, do you?"

Hux crossed his arms and schooled his face of all emotion. "You deny what is between the two of you?"

Rey closed her eyes and sighed. This was not something she allowed herself to think about. Hux wasn't wrong; she had felt something for Ben. Snoke's interference changed things though.

"The force drew Kylo Ren and I together," she said carefully. "It was confusing. But I know it wasn't simply to strike up a fancy. There is a higher purpose to the connection. I don't fully understand the purpose yet, but I'm sure of it."

Hux looked unconvinced. "If you truly have no romantic feelings for him, Ren needs to know. You are fooling yourself if you think he has no expectations. I hate to think how many repair invoices will flood my desk if he finds out what transpired here tonight. He will wonder at my miraculous recovery."

That comment worried Rey. He was right about how Ben would probably react, if he knew she healed Hux and then kissed him.

"You look guilty," Hux observed, sounding suspicious.

"We are not lovers!" Rey exclaimed, sick of his insinuations. "You are as demented as he is." She got up off the bed abruptly and left for the bathroom.

Hux watched her heated retreat with a measure of smug satisfaction. Her outburst was reassuring, in some small way. He leaned down to pick up his uniform and boots. In doing so, he caught sight of the brace on the nightstand. He tested his neck, checking for any lingering tenderness, probing with his fingers. There was none; she had completely healed his injuries. He had much to digest from the night's events.

Hux put his things away and got back in bed. He stared at the ceiling, deep in thought. He made no move when Rey came back and climbed in, sliding under the covers next to him. They were used to ignoring each other in bed before falling asleep. Usually one of them had their back to the other, but Rey turned towards him. She studied his profile in the dark until he finally turned his head to look at her. His brow lifted in question and she failed to hide a smile.

"We are ridiculous," Rey quietly laughed. "Are we really fighting about this? Are you truly upset that I kissed you?"

Hux rolled to his side and rested his head in his hand, facing her. "If you still harbor feelings for Kylo Ren, then yes."

Rey closed her eyes and sighed. He was clearly not going to let this drop, now that they were actually addressing their situation openly. "I do not harbor romantic feelings for Kylo Ren." She met his gaze but he was giving her a pointed look. "Or for Ben Solo," she clarified, rolling her eyes.

"You understand that, for me, this is a real marriage?" he asked. "That I consider myself your husband and view you as my lawfully wedded wife?"

"Armitage…," Rey whispered, uncomfortably.

"If this still means nothing to you, I will not force the issue. I will continue to respect your wish to dismiss the vows you made under duress and your rejection of our union. That does not mean, however, that I do not hold them sacred myself," Hux explained.

"I apologize if I was crude in expressing my desire for consummation," he said, summoning courage to disclose more. "It is a sincere longing for a genuine relationship between us as man and wife. I am acutely aware of your reluctance to accept the marriage, even after living under this arrangement for over a year. It is not easy for me to admit this, but it pains me. So, please, you must maintain a kind of distance from me, both emotionally and physically."

"I'm finding that more difficult, given the circumstances," Rey shared, in honesty. "It seems only natural."

"Knowing my past and my feelings on the matter, to act on impulse, without a commitment, is insulting and cruel."

"Okay, enough," Rey said, flopping back on her pillow in defeat. "I read you loud and clear, General. I will keep my hands and eyeballs to myself."

"I hold out hope you will eventually embrace our marriage fully. Then I welcome your hands, leer, and your lips," Hux informed her.

Rey's eyes bulged and her face flushed. She hid her face in her pillow and laughed. Hux smiled - an actual, real smile - at her reaction. He laid his head on his pillow and watched her until she met his gaze with a dazzling, dimpled smile. She looked so beautiful it hurt. Hux ached for her and felt dangerously close to giving in, despite the frank discussion.

"That was my first kiss," Rey confessed shyly.

"Really?" Hux answered, taken aback. "So, you and Kylo Ren never…?" He was hit in the head by a pillow before he could finish his question.

"No!" Rey exclaimed, exasperated. She tucked her pillow back under her head and glared at him.

Hux raised his hands, chuckling, "I surrender." She batted his hand down. "I'm sorry," he said soothingly. "It's just he is so possessive and looms over you like a dark cloud, staring down anyone that looks your way."

"You exaggerate."

"No, I don't," Hux shook his head. His expression turned serious. "He is in love with you. And I meant what I said about it being an obsession. He won't hesitate to kill me, when he thinks he can get away with it. At the very latest, he will free you of me when Snoke is dead."

"Ben knows it is too late for us," Rey said softly, with sadness in her voice. "That door was closed when he chose the path of darkness, even before he allowed Snoke to give me away without a fight. Honestly, you did more to object to the marriage than he did. You were braver than both of us in your opposition."

Grinning at the memory, Rey recounted the scene. "You spun on your heels in fury and stalked out the door when Snoke told you to kiss the bride. I thought you were a dead man to turn your back on him. But he just cackled like a ghoul."

"I thought he was going to fling me across the room and dash my head against the wall," Hux admitted. "Frankly, at that moment, I was too furious to care."

"You would rather die than kiss me," Rey teased, feigning offense.

"If you were a willing bride," Hux retorted, "I would die to kiss you."

"Armitage," Rey groaned, sorry for bringing it up.

"Oh, don't 'Armitage' me," Hux rolled onto his back, closing his eyes. "You uttering my given name always comes with a lightsaber slash to the heart. I've had my fill of torture for the day, thank you very much."

Rey just stared at him, not knowing what to say. What she wanted to do was fit herself in against him and wrap an arm around his torso, but knew it would not be welcome. This was so hard.

Minutes passed by in silence and Rey thought maybe Hux had fallen asleep. She felt free to let her eyes wander. It originally took a while for her to notice, but he was quite handsome. Hux was always striking, with his head of fiery hair and his sharp cheekbones. The way he emanated power and purpose served him well as a First Order General, and as a man. Everyone knew he was deeply intelligent and exceeded the highest of standards in virtually everything. It had surprised her, though, to learn just how well-respected and admired he was by those that served under him.

General Hux was almost a joke to the Resistance. His raging fanaticism and ferocious ambition were a source of hilarity, but he was always regarded as a dangerous and formidable enemy. He was Starkiller, the mass murderer of billions. She healed his throat when she should have slit it. But here she was, the last Jedi, lying in his bed, wanting him. It was disturbing.

For the first time in their cohabitation, Hux hadn't bothered to put on pajamas. Rey relished the opportunity to check him out. She noted the red hairs on his pale chest, following the patch down to where the covers lay over his abdomen. So Kylo was right about Hux working out. Interesting. He was still thin, but there was definition in the muscles under his freckled skin. She wanted to reach out and run her fingers through the fine, fiery hairs, tracing the curves of his physique, then strum his tiny, pebbled nipples.

"Breaking the agreement already, are you?" she heard Hux ask, his voice deep and gruff.

Rey glanced up to see him looking back at her out of the corner of his eye. She felt a heat rush over her. "I thought you were asleep," she stammered.

"That's not an excuse, my dear," he scolded. He rolled to face her.

Embarrassed, Rey flipped over so her back was to him. She was surprised to feel him shuffle over in the bed up behind her. He wasn't touching her but she could feel his breath on her shoulder. She shivered and turned her head back around to see Hux leaning over her, their faces very close. Rey lifted her chin ever so slightly, hoping he would meet her halfway. To her amazement, he did.

It was a long, lingering kiss and Hux's right hand came up to hold her in place at the jawline, his thumb resting under her chin. Rey didn't dare move. When Hux finally broke the kiss, she opened her eyes to see him staring down at her. He had been tender but his eyes were hard.

"Dirty little scavenger," he said, tracing his thumb over her bottom lip, "taking whatever she wants, plundering the vulnerable when she finds their weakness."

Rey was stopped from her retort as he put pressure on her mouth with his thumb to silence her. When he was assured of her compliance, Hux moved his hand to her shoulder. He kissed her again but it was not gentle. Then, he spoke but didn't pull back from her mouth. "Rebel scum," he said, his teeth biting into her lips as they moved against hers. "You are chaos and disorder."

Hux's fingers pulled the strap of her sleep tank down over her shoulder. His mouth moved to the skin there, kissing, nipping, and tasting her flesh. He slowly made his way up the column of her neck to her ear. He whispered, "You break your word. Without honor or remorse you destroy me."

A part of Rey wanted to stop him, to pull Armitage back by the hair and hit him. But the rest of her wanted him to keep going so she threaded her fingers into his beautiful hair, holding his head to her. She breathed in deeply, her chest heaving. Hux, clearly in tune with her body, slid his hand around to cup her breast. Rey leaned back against him in response.

The arch of Rey's spine pushed her further into his grasp. At that, Hux pulled her top down, exposing her right breast. He peered down over her shoulder to see. He grabbed the enchanting little mound then brushed his thumb back and forth over her nipple. After a few minutes of watching in fascination as his hand cupped, lifted, and squeezed her bare breast tight, Hux raised his head in search of her kiss. Rey's mouth met his, eagerly. His lips covered hers in desperate, fevered kisses until she gasped for air. Greedy for more of her, Hux seized the opportunity to deepen the kiss. His tongue breached her mouth and tangled with hers.

Rey was overwhelmed by all the new sensations. She never experienced anything like this before. It was thrilling and electric. Did it always feel like this? Or was it special to Hux and her alone? Was it some kind of cosmic reaction in the force of the two of them, together? That was a rather horrifying thought. Any concern was lost as her brain shorted out when Hux's body curled around hers and she felt a stiffness press against her from behind.

"Rey," Hux groaned, his fingers rolling and pinching her nipple. He begged her, "Please stop me."

Instead of pushing him away, Rey's right arm reached back, around his hip, her fingers digging in to grip him by the buttock. She pulled him tighter against her rear so she could better feel the hard length of him. "I'm sorry," she breathed raggedly, knowing he would regret this later.

His hand left her chest to still her hip as she began to grind back against him. It was a relief, Rey registered, as her right breast throbbed in the cool air. She hadn't realized how roughly he handled her. That was going to be sore tomorrow. And so was her hip, if he didn't lighten up. Rey moved her hand to his and gently pushed it off, to stop his fingers from bruising her.

Hux growled into her neck and rolled away from her quickly, flinging back the sheets and bounding out of bed. He paced in front of the viewport, fighting for self-control, his hands clasped behind his head with his elbows bent forward, blocking his face.

Rey sat up, adjusting her sleep tank to tuck herself in. She scooted back to lean against the headboard and sat, watching him. Rey felt her eyes bulge as she stared at him. She couldn't help but gawk at his enormous erection. It appeared to be testing the limits of his briefs. She had never seen a fully naked man before and wondered what it looked like.

"Could you not?!", Hux shouted angrily.

Rey immediately dropped her eyes and shrunk in on herself, duly chastised.

He turned his back to her. After a few minutes of deafening silence, Rey was struck with the urge to laugh. Hux was so mad at her for ogling him, again. Suddenly, it was the funniest thing ever. She clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle any sound she might make, as it was sure to set him off. Of course, the harder she tried not to laugh, the funnier it was. Tears were leaking out of her eyes by the time an ugly noise rushed out of her mouth and she gulped for air.

Hux whipped around and, unable to stop herself at the look of him going nuclear, Rey whooped hysterically. It was bad. She knew he would take it the wrong way. He would assume she was laughing at him. Rey was shaking her head no, to stop him thinking the worst. It didn't work.

In two long strides, Hux reached their bedroom door. He wrenched it open to stalk out and slam it behind him. Before he could get out, Rey froze him in place with the force. She didn't want him to leave like that. It was probably not the best move, but it gave her a chance to pull herself together and apologize.

This was the first time she was able to stop someone with the force. It was a series of firsts tonight. Rey got out of bed and moved in front of Hux, pulling his fingers off the knob to close the door. She blocked the exit with her body and met his arctic glare. "I wasn't laughing at you," she explained. "It was the situation that was so funny, you idiot."

Hux's eyes flashed and Rey knew she couldn't release him yet. She didn't know what to do with him, though. Just leave him like this for an hour? Would he eventually break free of the force hold? She pursed her lips in contemplation then saw his eyes catch the motion. She smiled up at him knowingly. He was still turned on, just as she was. The heat had cooled, but it was still there.

When they weren't twisted in a scowl or pinched tight in disdain, Hux's lips were surprisingly supple and soft. Rey traced them with her fingertips then rose up on her toes to kiss him. He couldn't react physically. She avoided his eyes. It was a violation and Hux would not be pleased, to say the least. But he had explored her body a bit, and she wanted to do the same. There may not be another chance. So, Rey let her hands move over his chest, through the thin patch of red hair. When her fingers reached the peaks of his pectorals, she dragged her nails down over them gently. She heard Hux's breath catch and looked up. He was clearly straining against the invisible chains. A vein was popping out from his neck. She wrapped her arms around him, leaned up, and sucked on it.

Rey tested her control of the force by letting it slip, just a little. The hold on him softened and Hux seemed to breathe more freely. She continued suckling at his throat as her hands moved further down his body. She let her fingers move over his tight abs and around his navel. Then, they slowly trailed the line of fine red hair lower.

"Don't," Hux managed to croak.

Rey immediately stopped and stepped back, ashamed. When she finally looked up at him, he seemed more troubled than angry. She released more of the force holding him back. Very slowly, Hux started to move.

Rey slipped away and quickly got into bed on her side and pulled the covers up to her chin, watching him fearfully from behind the blankets as he stirred. She felt the force gradually dissipate in the room. Hux leaned against the door, his forehead resting there. He released a haggard breath, struggling with a mix of emotions.

"Never do that again," Hux threatened, his voice shaking.

He didn't specify what exactly, but Rey figured he meant freezing him in place with the force. Though, he very likely meant all of it. Feeling very guilty, she responded with genuine remorse, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I just wanted to clear up the misunderstanding before you rushed out."

Hux turned and gave her a look. She couldn't read it, but it was not benevolent. Still, he appeared more calm as he approached and crawled into bed. He laid on his side, his back to her. This was normal for them. Hux always faced away from her when they were in bed together.

Especially in the first weeks of their forced marriage, Rey appreciated that Hux went to bed early, stayed well on his side of the bed, and always faced the wall. He was usually asleep before she went to bed but if he wasn't, he purposely ignored her. Back then, it was incredibly reassuring and she was always grateful to him for that. Right now, though, she hated it. Rey rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling.

Half an hour later, neither of them had been able to fall asleep. Hux rolled to his back and glanced over to see that Rey was still awake.

"Rey, are you a virgin?," he asked.

"What?" Rey said stupidly, turning her head to look at him.

"You said that was your first kiss. So, you are a virgin then?"

"Obviously," Rey answered, frowning. Was he accusing her of not acting like one?

"So am I," Hux informed her. He couldn't look at her as he revealed the truth.

"What?!" Rey exclaimed, sitting up and turning towards him.

Scowling, Hux warned her, "This stays between us."

"I would never tell anyone that," Rey assured him. She paused, noting his discomfort. "But I'm very surprised."

"Well, it's not that surprising given the fact I went to an all-boys boarding school." Hux hesitated then told her, "I was severely bullied. So, when I was sent to the military academy - which was segregated - I avoided my peers and buried myself in study.

My father demanded perfection. Desperate for his approval, despite the abuse at home, all my time and effort was spent on gaining military advancement. By the time I learned that nothing I achieved, not even becoming the Order's youngest general, would ever gain my father's love or approval, it was too late. I already had the reputation of being an unapproachable, arrogant, asexual sociopath."

It was a sad story and Rey felt bad for Hux but, at that description, she had to focus on keeping a straight face. It was not easy to do. Somehow, he must have sensed it because Hux's head snapped to the side and he caught her biting her bottom lip to keep from smiling.

"I'm sorry, love, but you are an unapproachable, arrogant sociopath," Rey told him.

"Using an endearment when insulting me does not soften the blow," Hux reprimanded her.

"Shall I kiss you?" Rey joked.

"No," Hux replied emphatically, his voice full of exasperation.

Rey laughed, with her big, dimpled smile. It was disarming and Hux lost his train of thought.

"I'm sorry. This was a serious conversation. I didn't mean to derail it," Rey apologized.

"There's nothing more to explain," Hux replied. "Who would want to sleep with an unapproachable, frigid warmonger?"

"A prostitute?" Rey wondered.

"I am not the sort to resort to whores," Hux responded with disgust. "Not to mention, it is my aim is to abolish the skin and slave trade, not encourage it."

"Still,' Rey observed aloud, "You're a very high-ranking, rich, powerful, good-looking man from an elite class. You're basically the galaxy's most eligible bachelor. I'm sure there's an endless hoard of prospects throwing themselves at you, no matter how intimidating your general disdain for everyone is."

"I am more flattered to be regarded as intimidating than to be described as good-looking. That is simply preposterous. A lifetime of ridicule proves the opposite," Hux argued. "More importantly, I am not a bachelor. I am a married man, despite my wife's refusal of her claim."

Deflecting, Rey parried, "I don't think you have an accurate view of yourself. It's not current; like your input data needs updating."

At his blank look, she asked, "How long has it been since anyone made fun of your looks?"

Hux's ears turned red. Rey smiled. "That's what I thought. Then, I'm afraid someone has to inform you. Objectively speaking, General Armitage Hux, you are a handsome man. You must have grown into your ears or gangly limbs or something."

"Don't be ridiculous," Hux said dismissively, his whole face and neck burning. Curse his bloody complexion. And the burst of hope that tore through him at her declaration. Anxious to change the subject and having nothing but their earlier comments in mind, he blurted, "There was also a vicious rumor, circulated widely, that I could never quite shake."

Rey rolled onto her stomach, her face turned towards him as she rested her head on the pillow. Her dimple was back to test him as she smiled at his expense. Her eyes sparkled in mirth. "Oh?"

Hux rubbed his eyes with his right hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. He shook his head, cringing as he answered. "The rumor was that I had been chemically castrated at puberty."

After a minute of dead silence, Hux cracked open his left eye and glanced over to Rey. Her face was buried deep in her pillow and her shoulders were shaking. She was trying so hard, clearly not wanting a repeat of his blow-up earlier, that he had to laugh, himself. "I don't have proof, but I'm positive Kylo Ren started the rumor."

At that, Rey's laughter was vocal and gasping. She pulled up quickly off the pillow for air then was laughing so hard she was quaking silently. She beat her sternum as she tried to take a breath. By this time, Hux was laughing along with her. It started with a chuckle over her reaction, but as he realized how childish the rumor actually was, and how stupid he had been for letting it torment him, the hilarity grew.

As Hux joined in, Rey put her left hand on his arm and leaned towards him. She had never heard him truly laugh before. Derisive laugh, sardonic laugh, dismissive laugh, and scoffing laughs galore, definitely, but never this. It was surreal. She caught his gaze and attempted to explain what was so funny to her, but no words came out and tears ran down her cheeks.

When Rey attempted to speak, two things popped into Hux's head. The first was an anxious, self-conscious worry that she was laughing at him, that she believed he was neutered. Then, he realized there was no chance of that as he had caught her staring at his obvious arousal. He remembered the gobsmacked look on her face. Suddenly, Hux was rocked with belly-laughs, though he had never experienced such a thing before. His hand came over his eyes to rub the excess moisture from them. Rey clasped his arm and turned into his chest.

"It's not…you," Rey finally managed to sputter out. "It's just,..you're…obviously.." In a mortifying squeal she wheezed, "fully functioning", before totally losing it again.

Hux laughed even harder. Losing his breath, he leaned in over her. Rey curled further into him with her head in the crook of his neck and he wrapped his arm around her. Slowly, their fits of laughter eased, their breathing evening out. It was an unexpected, almost magical moment. Rey pulled back a little to look up at Hux and smile. He moved his head towards her, tipping his face forward. She slid up against him to enthusiastically meet him in the kiss.

Just as Rey pressed her lips to his, a screeching howl pierced the air and the sound of a lightsaber igniting hummed. She whipped around in terror to see Kylo Ren in a dark corner, bathed in the red light of his weapon.

When the force connection activated, Kylo turned to see Rey and Hux in bed, laughing hysterically together, leaning against each other for support, grasping and clutching the other as they rocked. Before his brain could register the inconceivable sight, Rey was crawling up Hux's body to kiss him and Kylo saw red. Their lips met just as he cried out in searing agony and ignited his laser sword.

The power of the Sith whipped about like a cyclone. Enraged, Kylo Ren's eyes glowed gold. He screamed in hatred, "I will kill you for this!"