A/N: Mature scenes to follow that include sexual content. Please be advised if you choose to proceed.
Chapter 10: Playing with Fire
Kylo Ren
All things considered, I was pleased that she slept peacefully through the night. Every night prior she was plagued with nightmarish memories that kept her twitching until she woke. Perhaps my presence eased something in her or her mind was finally at rest.
I couldn't believe it at first, couldn't wrap my mind around the reality that I was in my bed with her head against my shoulder. It felt as if she fit against the curve of my body perfectly like she was always meant to fill that space.
Laina, she told me. The luscious sound of it echoed in my mind long after she drifted off, her breathing becoming even and light.
She didn't flinch or whine. Her body didn't buck or twist in her dreams. Instead, she stayed nestled against my chest, warmth radiating off of her.
I suppose it was better that I had nightmares rather than her. After I convinced myself she would still be there when I awoke, I allowed the weariness to consume my body and pull me under. The comfortable, drifting sensation was quickly replaced by visceral, jarring memories.
"It has been brought to my attention that you have allowed a common whore to distract you from your responsibilities," Snoke had said earlier that day. Hux, the shifty weasel, had gotten ahead of me to inform my master of my actions, as I feared.
"There's been a misunderstanding—"
"The only misunderstanding that has occurred is my miscalculation when I relied on you to retrieve the map to Skywalker!" his gravelly voice snarled through the hologram.
"She has not distracted me from anything," I urged and stood my ground. Hux's triumphant smirk flashed across my mind followed by Snoke's thundering chuckle.
"If you think me blind, Ren, you are gravely mistaken."
The dream changed in a blinding flash of light as I found myself searching for her amongst the parked ships and cargo. There was no bustle that usually transpired within the hangar, not even a droid within sight. The silence was deafening as I looked around.
"Elaine?" My voice echoed through the empty hangar.
I heard it as I laid eyes on the familiar TIE shuttle. Someone was crying, softly at first but then louder as I neared the loading ramp. But the accompanying sound was what made my stomach churn. A dull thud over and over again as something flesh-like repeatedly hit another.
Everything in my body told me not to search for the source, begging to wake up, as I stepped up the ramp. Laina's cries filled my ears when I arrived in the cargo hold, my knees threatening to give out at the sight of her.
She was bent over the crate as I had discovered her earlier, her pants pulled down to her knees with legs forced apart. Her eyes stared into mine as she cried, her cheek rubbing on the metal crate as she rocked back and forth.
One of his hands grasped the back of her neck and pinned her down against the metal crate, while the other firmly grasped her waist. His belt and pants were pooled around his ankles as he fucked her from behind. With every thrust Hux grunted through his teeth, his hips forcibly colliding with her ass as he yanked her back onto his cock over and over.
"You promised me," Laina's voice cracked through the air like a roll of thunder breaking through the sky. "You said you would protect me." The same fear that spread through Skywalker's eyes filled hers, the kind of fear that established my status as a monster.
A loud chirping noise ripped me out of my dream and back into consciousness. My eyes snapped open, thankful to find nothing but the ceiling above the bed. I frantically scanned the area to find her, still unmoving while she slept beside me.
Beads of sweat that formed on my forehead now slid down my jaw as I carefully sat up, ensuring that I didn't wake her. I paused at the edge of the bed for a moment, holding my face in my hands.
Fuck, I thought as I panted, my pulse still racing from the sight.
Another beep caught my attention as I located the source in my robes. I snatched the comlink and darted into the bathroom.
"What is so important that you must wake me up at this hour?!" I snapped, some of my rage from the dream trickling over into real life.
"Apologies, Commander," it crackled. "Just alerting you that Hux's selected troops have departed for Jakku."
I pinched the bridge of my nose between my thumb and finger. Two days late— bravo, Hux.
"Sergeant?" I muttered into the mic.
"Yes, sir?"
"I want you to clear my schedule. I want this channel off-limits with any concerns for the day directed to General Hux. Do I make myself clear?"
There was a long pause before he responded. "Yes, sir."
I sighed, relieved. I couldn't' remember the last time I had gone off the radar, but dammit, I needed it.
I sauntered into the bedroom and tossed the comlink back onto my robes. I froze at the foot of the bed and observed the woman lying in it. Her head lay on my pillow just as I left it, fingers curled up next to her cheek. The contents of my stomach churned as my memory wandered back to the dream, the notion of being too late to save her rocking me to my core.
My eyes narrowed slightly as I watched over her. What have you done to me?
"What do you mean?" her eyebrow raised in suspicion after I informed her of my proposal for the day.
"Well, regrettably, we are confined to the ship while we are docked at Jakku," I shrugged, sipping my hot tea. "But I figured you'd been locked in a room long enough."
She folded her legs underneath her as she sat on the edge of the bed. "What do I wear?"
She had a point that I hadn't thought of yet. As demonstrated by my undershirt, everything I owned would smother her. And I was not about to expect her to wear the same clothes from..."I will let you eat while I pick up a new set from the distributor office," I played it off with a shrug and wave of my hand.
I'm sure that blonde girl will be thrilled to see you again, I thought wryly.
She hesitated before agreeing, hopping down from the bed to shuffle into the bathroom. I couldn't help myself: my eyes followed along the hem of my shirt as it swayed against her thighs before she disappeared through the doorway, stirring something inside my chest.
Just as I suspected, the blonde girl beamed from behind the counter when I arrived.
"Should I be concerned?" she teased when she asked what happened to the previous assortment she gave me.
They were coated in the blood of the men that tried to rape my—a sick smirk grew tugged on the corner of my mouth. But I quickly realized I didn't know how to refer to her. Surely, the fact that she slept in my bed, nuzzled against me, made it more than an acquaintance. But that didn't necessarily solidify that she felt the same way about me.
Laina's voice from my dream haunted me. You said you would protect me.
"Are you sure you want one in this size?" the girl's question broke my trance. "I don't think this will fit you," she held up the long sleeve shirt and ran her eyes back and forth between it and me; she conspicuously bit part of her lip as she did so.
"Yes," I bluntly answered, hoping that my monotone would discourage her advances.
Once again as the blonde girl handed over yet another matching set of clothes and boots from behind the counter. "You keep ruining them at this rate, I'll be seeing you more often," she stared into my mask as she winked at me.
As before, I nodded my appreciation, careful not to engage. I sighed heavily and shook my head as I exited the workroom, the sensation of her locked gaze following me out the door.
"Are you decent?" I impatiently urged. I had moved the leather chair back to its original position and settled into it. Seeing as we were now sharing my bed at night, I didn't see the point in keeping it there. I grasped the arms of it while I waited for her to change into the fresh clothes.
Her boots tapped across the floor as she came out. The outfit hugged tightly against her, and for a brief moment, I realized that I envied the fabric. She had braided her hair down her back, small pieces falling around her face to brush against her cheeks. There was nothing spectacular about the wardrobe, but she was simply stunning in it. I stood to meet her, my gawked expression concealed within the metal and machinery of my helmet.
"Where are we going?" she bit her lip apprehensively. I could sense that she was nervous from the way her teeth captured her lower lip to how she fiddled with her braid.
Instead of answering her question, I motioned for her to follow me as I headed for the doors.
The hallways were quiet as we casually roamed through the winding passages. Whenever we came upon an officer or trooper en route they would freeze at attention, salute until we passed, and resume their activities.
"Doesn't that, I don't know, feel weird?" she questioned by my side as she watched a pair of officers salute while we walked by.
"It's a sign of respect," I answered.
"Even if you don't know them?" her eyebrow rose in a confused expression.
"I must admit that I am familiar with no more than a handful of high-ranking officers in the First Order," I recognized as I said it aloud. "Does it bother you?"
I peered over as she bit her lower lip again. "I guess it does."
"What part?" I inquired, never slowing my pace.
She hesitated at this and rolled the thoughts around in her head. "Respect from complete strangers."
I had never thought anything of it. The procedure seemed so standard it became an expectation whenever I graced a room with my presence. I studied her as we continued. Her eyes would raise just enough to recognize people and objects in her path before settling on the ground again. I was fascinated by what must be going on inside that head of hers.
I actively avoided taking her to the bridge and surrounding facilities, aware that, for one thing, if Hux saw me after requesting personal time I would never hear the end of it. But if she saw him, I could not predict how she would respond and it wasn't worth the risk.
For hours we wandered throughout the ship, her inquisitive, green eyes taking in every detail from the cafeteria where various troopers and officers congregated to the armory, lined with rows and rows of blasters and other weapons.
I noticed her face change as she observed the walls lined with heavy artillery as if she was thinking hard about a memory buried somewhere in her mind.
"What are these used for?" she inquired as her back turned to me, her eyes analyzing a nearby heavy blaster rifle displayed on the wall.
I swallowed, struggling to find words that would prevent her distress. As if to taunt me, the screams of the massacred villagers from Jakku penetrated my mind and thickened the silence between us.
She turned around after my hesitation failed to answer her question. Her eyebrows furrowed as she tried, and failed, to read me through the helmet.
"I've heard stories," her voice broke the stillness. "Little girls brought from planets across the galaxy told stories about the destruction of their homes, their people—"
"To build an empire, you must first cleanse any opposition, existing or potential," I interrupted. "Some make the right decision. Others need to be taught a lesson on why the Resistance and the New Republic must be snuffed out once and for all."
I expected horror to blanket her face or perhaps a form of uncomfortable rationalization. But instead, she looked indifferent. Instead, she wrapped her arms around herself and blithely led the way out of the armory.
If she wasn't already, I was bored. I had never taken notice of how dark, cramped, and dull the ship was. Then again, I couldn't recall a time when I had spent this much time inside the star destroyer. I suppose much of the time I did spend on board was used for sleeping, monitoring the bridge, or in the prison cells; two of which I had no intention of showing her.
As I escorted her back in the direction of my quarters, she suddenly halted her pace, coming to a standstill.
"Wait—" she muttered, her eyes fixed on something down a hallway. Before I could ask what it was that caught her eye, she darted down the corridor, a blink and she was gone.
By the time I caught up to her, she was stationary again with her eyes tilted upward, her hands rested on the railing in front of her.
"Laina?" I coaxed as I came up behind her, but she didn't budge. I followed her gaze and smiled. I couldn't imagine how many times I crossed through this corridor with my eyes glued ahead of me, not even taking a moment to look around. I'm sure I passed it a million times, but never truly looked at it the way she did.
The window that served as the outer wall was nearly three stories tall, and the entire room's length in width. The glass-floor bridge that we stood on ran through the middle of the massive viewport, allowing the perfect view right in the center of the enormous sheet of transparisteel.
Her eyes darted around, transfixed on the endless sea of stars and blackness. Occasionally, a TIE fighter or two would fly across and her wonder-filled gaze would follow until they disappeared again.
My mind strayed back to the memory I pried into, the younger version of herself replaying again in my head. Tell me more about the men in the stars.
"What stories do you know about men in the stars?" I finally asked. 'Corny' wasn't usually my style, but it occasionally produced results.
She blinked rapidly and peeled her eyes away from the sky as she tried to register what I asked. "My older sister used to tell me stories about men who lived among the stars," she turned her face back to the window. "On Coruscant it was too bright to see any stars at night. It wasn't until I came here that I believed her."
"You have a sister?" my curiosity spiked yet again.
She reacted to that question right away and lowered her gaze. "Had."
Don't push it, I warned, cautious of how assertive I could be.
"She would have loved this," she shook the gloom away, staring in the purest form of awe that I had ever seen. "I love this."
I stared too, but not into the sky. I couldn't take my eyes off of her; she rivaled the very stars she ogled over. The way her soft, green eyes lit up, the smile that wiggled in the corners of her lips, the way she appreciated even the most insignificant thing.
"Commander!" the moment around me shattered as an officer raced up to us. I had half a mind to shatter his skull, but couldn't bring myself to do it in front of her.
"Sir, I'm sorry. I know you are not to be disturbed—"
"—and that all concerns for the day are to be sent to General Hux, officer?" I growled, quoting my prior demand.
"Yes, sir, about that— " he panted, sweat dripping down his forehead. I could not decipher whether it was from running or fear. "Supreme Leader Snoke is insisting on an audience with you and General Hux. Immediately."
Furious, I grit my teeth, my breath huffing as I looked between the officer and Laina. I wanted to stay with her. I didn't feel comfortable with her traveling through the ship without me at her side to ward off any potential threats. But my master called and I had no choice but to answer.
"Escort her back to my quarters," I commanded and he saluted in response. I drifted close to her, my helmet mere inches from her face. "Stay there until I return."
Apprehension spread across her face as she nodded, heeding my instruction.
I promptly turned on my heels and briskly marched down the hallway toward the conference chambers. No doubt that Hux was there already, further provoking me as I attempted to clear her face and all its distractions from my mind.
So it was true. Hux and his men, yet again, proved to be utterly and reliably useless to the First Order. While I didn't dare show any sign of gratification, it also didn't ease my frustrations that the map was long gone from Jakku.
"The droid will soon be delivered to the Resistance, leading them to the last Jedi," Snoke emphasized, his hologram looming over us. His voice echoed through the room as if it bounced off of cavernous walls.
"If Skywalker returns," he continued. "The new Jedi will rise."
Hux hastily spoke next, "Supreme Leader, I take full responsibility—"
My eyes drifted just enough to peer over at him in exasperation. You arrogant—
"General!" Snoke boomed in outrage as he stood, his giant figure nearly blocking all the light in the room.
A smirk pulled the corner of my mouth in deep satisfaction as Hux flinched, only slightly, but just enough for me to catch it out of the corner of my visor.
"Our strategy must now change," Snoke announced.
Again, Hux took it upon himself to make it all too easy for me to look down on him. "The weapon," he suggested, clearly prepared. "It is ready. I believe the time has come to use it."
The Starkiller base on Ilum? I speculated. Though I hadn't been included in much of its preparation, I was shocked to learn that it was ahead of schedule. I continued to listen while I comprehended what this meant.
"We shall destroy the government that supports the resistance," he rattled on. "The Republic." I watched as Hux grinned as sickly as a dog held back on a leash, snapping its jaws to be freed.
Coruscant, I shifted as a sickening dread swirled in my gut. What will she say? Sure, it's a hell hole that she's lucky to have escaped from, but it's the only home she ever knew—
"Without their friends to protect them, the Resistance will be vulnerable," Hux resumed. "And we will stop them before they reach Skywalker."
Aren't you proud of yourself, you miserable— It took every ounce of restraint for me to stay still.
Snoke seemed to fall for his pet's tricks. He sat down again, thinking over Hux's proposal. "Go," he agreed. "Oversee preparations."
"Yes, Supreme Leader," Hux exchanged a glance with me, a look that I recognized as his way of saying 'you're move.' Hux turned and strutted out of the conference chambers, a large grin crawling across his face as he exited.
"There has been an awakening," my master moved on. "Have you felt it?"
Maybe that's what caused my vivid dream last night—
I sifted through my last few days of memories, nothing but glimpses of Laina in my arms, as she lay in my bed with her fingers curled against her cheek— I struggled to remember any moment, in particular, that I had sensed a change in the force. My cheeks felt hot as the shame swelled in my chest. So it seems he was right for berating me for becoming distracted.
"Yes," I blankly answered.
"There's something more," he proceeded, unaware of my fib. "The droid we seek is aboard the Millennium Falcon," the mere mention of the fabled ship made my pulse quicken. "In the hands of your father, Han Solo."
I blinked, registering what my master had said. "He means nothing to me," I said simply.
"Even you, master of the Knights of Ren, have never faced such a test," Snoke warned. I detested his skepticism.
"By the grace of your training, I will not be seduced," I retorted.
Master Snoke reflected for a moment, staring down at me from above. "We shall see."
His hologram terminated and the room filled with light again. I stood there, processing everything.
Of course, I growled. Of course, the map would fall into his hands. Yet again he threatens my destiny, endangers everything I've worked for. My fists clenched at my sides. I could not disappoint myself or my master again.
While reflecting, I thought back to the Starkiller debut. Knowing Hux, he would make a show out of his proudest achievement. I assumed there would be a gathering of all high-ranking officers and troops for the demonstration, with over-the-top details and ornate uniforms.
Suddenly, I was aware of the decision that I needed to make. All of the generals would be there, along with their significant others. Though I couldn't put a descriptor on it yet, I knew for certain I wanted Laina there at my side. But would she go? Would Hux out her in front of the entire First Order? Would it be unsafe for her?
I forced myself to leave the chambers while the questions swirled around in my head. I heard a commotion down the hallway in the direction I was heading as the doors closed behind me.
Oh, no, I grumbled as they came into view. With nowhere else to run, I stayed on a collision course with the vulture descending upon me.
"Well, well, well!" her shrill call echoed down the hallway. "Commander Ren, aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" She and one other woman were flagged by two sergeants as they paraded around the deck.
"Lady Quinn," I recognized politely.
"Oh, Ren, stop it," she rolled her eyes. "You know I despise being called that."
Elara Quinn was the wife of General Domaric Quinn. She was eccentric, ornate, distinguished, and one of the most provocative beings to roam the galaxy. She was nonetheless striking for her age, with her flowing auburn hair that fell upon her breasts and piercing green eyes that could reduce a man's willpower to oblivion. Most of her wardrobe consisted of low-cut gowns with slits up to her knee— as she was more mature, she did retain a level of decency, even if only a small degree. She was younger than most of the high-ranked wives and had a notorious history for being extremely flirtatious around younger men in uniform.
If Elara was the most rambunctious wife, Nesryn Griss, of Admiral Frantis Griss, was her counterpart. Nesryn was conservative, polished, and docile compared to her friends. She had yellow hair that curled tightly against her head, hinting that it might have been a luscious blonde once upon a time. She wore expensive fabrics that covered most of her body, passing up the decorations and flourishes that Elara frequently sported.
"Did you hear the good news?" Elara broke their formation to close the distance between us.
"Which?" I played dumb.
"Hux just told us— finally, something thrilling to look forward to around here," she waved her hand. It was cupped as if it should have held a cocktail. "We've already begun discussing attire options, haven't we, Nes?"
The older woman nodded with a soft, gentle smile across her lips.
An idea popped into my head in that instant. It could be dangerous, getting in bed with such a formidable creature, but if I played my cards right, I would get what I wanted in the end.
"Elara," I posed. "May I have a word with you, in private?"
Her eyes narrowed while the corner of her lip spread into a devious grin. "Nes, why don't you take our lovely escorts back to the lounge? I'll meet up with you in a moment. It appears the lovely Commander would like to have a moment alone with me."
You're playing with fire, I prepared. Don't forget what she is capable of.
Once Nesryn and their guards continued far enough down the hall, I addressed Elara again. "I need your assistance with something," I explained.
"Oh?" her eyebrows perked. "What could you possibly desire from me, Commander?"
"I require attire for the Starkiller demonstration," I replied.
Her entire face lit up at this as she inched closer. "Are you telling me I will finally get to see that enchanting face under there?"
I couldn't help but chuckle at her advances. "No, no, not for me."
Her green eyes narrowed again. The difference between her poisonous eyes and Laina's soft, mossy green was striking.
"My consort," I clarified and folded my hands behind my back. "She has taken residency with me, and in doing so, she has been unable to acquire the necessary items she needs."
Her lips fell in not-so-subtle disappointment. "I see. And you thought that I would be the old crow who could help supply her with living essentials?" She might have been flirtatious but slow she was not.
"No," I shook my head. "I thought you would be the amiable, gracious woman I know you to be and do me a personal favor."
She laughed heartily, "Amiable? Ren," her smile retained across her lips. "If you think I am friendly, you are either teasing or you don't know me as well as you think you do."
It's working. Thankfully, she couldn't see my smirk under my helmet.
Her smile developed as she bit her lip. "Lucky for you, I haven't placed my regular shipment from Coruscant," she revealed. The wives regularly rotated their wardrobes, ordering clothes and various articles through vendors from different planets across the galaxy.
Enjoy that while you can, I remarked.
"And with the upcoming exhibition, I will need to make extra purchases anyhow. I will see to it that an order for her is delivered to your chambers," she looked somewhat content with our exchange.
"Your efforts are appreciated," I dropped my head in a respectful gesture.
"Oh, don't bow to me, Ren," she waved her hand again. "Not unless you intend to go all the way down."
