A Galaxy is Not Enough
Chapter 4: The First Reception
The large dining hall was lavishly decorated, rows of tables with crisp white cloths lined one side of the room, and a raised platform fits squarely in the center of the other side. Soft music fills the room, though Rey cannot determine the source.
And then there are the plants. There's so many; the room is covered with thick green foliage, plants from all over the galaxy, their beautiful fronds and vines covering the room and making it look more like a jungle than a reception hall. Each table features a centerpiece of a different plant variety and vines that wrap around the columns which stand on either side of the several doorways. There are so many plants, so many flowering buds there must be a hundred different species, and Rey can't help but gasp. They are sweet and fragrant as well, filling her nose with lovely scents she's never before imagined.
It's so green. It's without a doubt, one of the most beautiful sights she's ever beheld.
Her husband gives her a look, raised brows and pinched lips like he wants to know if she likes it.
But just as she opens her mouth to speak, she's nearly attacked by her friends. Poe, Finn, Connix, and Rose fill in around her, separating her from her new husband.
"You look amazing!" Poe exclaims, putting his arm around her shoulder and giving Hux a big grin. "Your husband tell you that yet?"
Before Hux or Rey can reply, a soft, but commanding voice speaks behind her.
"Poe's right my dear," it says. "You look stunning."
Their small group turns to find General Leia Organa, dressed in a flowing cream and gold gown. Her hair is braided in coils around her head, with one long braid that reaches nearly to her elbow. She gives Rey a warm smile and stretches her arms out, beckoning. Rey doesn't wait; she breaks from her friends to fall into the hug.
"You look beautiful," Leia repeats. "A perfect bride."
A lump has begun to form in Rey's throat, and she blinks away the tears. She won't cry now, perhaps tonight when she has a moment to be alone. But now, there are too many people looking at her, relying on her.
A small throat clear makes her open her eyes and glance back over her shoulder. Hux stands awkwardly, Poe and Finn on either side of him. They're sizing him up, she's seen this type of tactic before, on Jakku. Usually before a fight broke out. She releases Leia and whispers a tight "thank you" before she makes her way back to her husband.
Hux reaches his arm out to her, and she takes it, "what exactly happens now?"
He glances at Poe and then at Finn before responding, "we eat and dance— and I believe there is supposed to be cake."
Cake. Rey can't suppress the excitement.
She notices, only vaguely that the room has begun to fill. First Order officers, Resistance members, and a large number of stormtroopers fill out the seating at each of the tables. Hux beckons her to a table marked specially for the bride and groom; then dinner is served.
Hux is shaky, and he can't exactly pinpoint why. Perhaps he was nervous. But he really shouldn't be, it wasn't like he was the one being sold off to the Resistance. For one solid moment, before they'd entered the reception hall, he'd thought they might actually get along. She'd made a joke, and he'd started to laugh and quip back and then she'd unleashed some feminine fury his direction that reminded him that she was an enemy.
The food is delicious, mounds of things Rey could not name, but whatever they are, they're amazing. She stuffs forkful after forkful into her mouth until she notices Hux is staring at her. He looks concerned or disgusted; it's difficult to tell.
He snaps his mouth closed and frowns.
"What?" She asks, mouth full of food.
"Have you no manners?" He asks skeptically.
She manages to swallow the mouthful before responding, "my manners were perfectly suitable on Jakku."
"Well, you're no longer on Jakku are you?" He mutters.
Putting her fork down slowly, she meets his eyes. He almost winces.
"I'm sorry," He replies tightly. Its best to maintain civility after all. "Just please try to chew with your mouth closed, and for star's sake eat slowly."
She looks away from him and sets her jaw but says nothing more.
Hux eats the remainder of his food in silence, more out of habit than actual hunger, and when it's time for their first dance, he leads her to the dance floor. Her eyes dart about nervously, and He almost feels a bit sorry for her, but then he remembers the spite in her eyes when she'd snapped at him and suddenly felt as if she deserves this somehow.
Besides, it wasn't like this was his idea. He's not to blame for this, and yet she treats him like it was all his scheming that landed her the position of wife.
Wife.
Looking down at her, with one hand encircling her waist as he pulls her along to the rhythm of the music, he frowns. She is very pretty after all, much prettier than 'he'd at first thought. Though he 'wasn't sure how much of that is due to the talent of the First Order beauticians.
He'd never really been one to find himself staring at pretty girls, but he could most definitely admire art, and she did look something like a piece of art right now.
Her eyes glance up to meet his, and he suddenly stumbles, barely catching his foot before he can manage not to trip over her dress. She bites back a laugh and gives him a pointed look.
It's unsettling how much she can communicate with just her eyes. Frowning again, he tries to focus on the music, to follow the pull of it until the song finally—thankfully—ends and he's able to let go of her and give her a small bow.
The rest of the evening drags on for Hux. He sits sullenly in his place at their table, while Rey dances. Dance after dance, someone asks her. And Hux finds his annoyance increasing with each new song. She's supposed to be his wife, but he's only danced with her once, and that was just the first song. And what makes it worse, is that no one seems to differentiate, First Order officers and Resistance members alike file in a queue to have a dance with her.
Goddamn, Poe Dameron has already danced with her twice. Hux scowls, crossing his arms and decides he's had enough, can't they just leave? Aren't her feet hurting yet?
He watches the effortless way she converses with Dameron, the bright smile he gives her and the way Rey giggles a little when Dameron whispers in her ear. Her eyes dart to Hux immediately and then back to the pilot. She gives Dameron a conspiratorial smirk.
Without thinking, Hux stands suddenly, pushing his chair back hard, and it clatters to the floor loudly. Rey and Dameron stop dancing for a fraction of a second and stare at Hux. He blushes crimson.
Stars, he seems to have forgotten himself, so he goes in search of something that will bring back his sanity.
He goes in search of a drink.
When he's finally able to locate a drink, he sits back down at his table and tries to look around the room, searching for anyone to talk to, or a different dancing partner perhaps? He spots Mitaka, no, that won't do. Mitaka is all nervous energy and Hux has a feeling that is the last thing he needs.
Besides, Mitaka is already deep in conversation with the short dark-haired girl. . . Hux scowls. That little girl was the one that bit him. He leans forward in his seat, watching them. Mitaka is red-faced and talking a mile a minute, but the dark-haired girl seems enthralled. Then she gives him a smile, and suddenly Mitaka straightens and offers her his hand and the two of them head to the dance floor.
Hux shakes his head. Mitaka can be so foolish. A pretty blonde, one that was standing next to the dark-haired girl, smiles at Hux. He doesn't smile back; he just watches her. She looks familiar, but he can't quite place her. And then she's turned, and she's heading straight for him.
Or is she? He looks about nervously, but then she's standing in front of him.
"Let's dance," she orders and Hux balks.
"Excuse me?" He sneers. "Who are you?"
"Lt. Kaydel Ko Connix," she beams. "Come on, let's dance."
"No, thank you, I'd rather not," he replies dryly.
She looks him up and down, "I need to talk to you. It's important. So, come on."
He frowns, but his curiosity gets the better of him.
"Don't worry," she says, turning back towards the dance floor. "I'll let you lead."
"How generous," he responds, setting his glass down and rising.
He follows her to the dance floor, feeling odd. Almost like he's already betraying Rey by dancing with someone else. He bites his lip. He supposes that if Rey can dance with every single person here, then he can dance with at least one other partner.
Not sure what to make of this Lt. Connix, Hux eyes her warily as they dance. She doesn't break eye contact, and after a moment, he looks away. Rey is dancing with FN-2187 now—again—Hux scowls.
"Rey is my friend," Connix says.
"Hmmm," Hux acknowledges.
"And I'm only going to say this once."
She meets his eyes again, giving his face a scrutinizing look over.
"If you hurt her, in any way, there will be a long line of people ready to make you suffer," Connix says evenly.
Hux is momentarily at a loss for words, but then he blinks, glaring down at this impudent Lieutenant.
"Tread very carefully, my dear." Hux replies, "You wouldn't want to threaten me."
She smirks.
"Just know that I will be checking in on Rey personally. If I find out that you've done anything to hurt her, I will come for you."
Licking his lips Hux dips his head down to meet her ear and whispers, "I assure you, if you came for me, I have a thousand different ways I could make you suffer."
He pulls back and gives her a cordial smile just as the song ends. Then he leaves her standing on the dance floor staring after him.
Damn these rebels and their insufferable nature and their unending foolishness.
It is high time he dances with his bride again. Another song has already started as he looks around for Rey and finds her dancing with one of his officers, Dophren Wemuller. It takes him a half a minute to reach them.
"May I cut in?"
Wemuller nods at him, "it's not cutting in when it's your wife."
That makes Hux's stomach clench tightly as he takes Rey's hand and pulls her against him.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
"It's more fun than I thought it would be," Rey replies.
"I didn't have the opportunity to tell you before," he pauses. "But you do look lovely."
"You had plenty of opportunities," Rey snaps, looking around them as they move instead of meeting his face. "But thank you—I feel like I look ridiculous."
Squaring his jaw, Hux swallows. "I'm not generous when it comes to compliments, so believe me when I tell you that you look stunning."
"I—Thank you," she almost whispers. "You look very nice as well."
"May I speak freely?"
She snorts, "I'd appreciate it if you would."
"I'd like for you to call your hounds off."
"My what?"
"Your friends," he says, spitting the word out with venom. "I don't appreciate threats and its only because it's our wedding day that I will make the one exception. Otherwise, I would have her head."
"Who's?"
"Lt. Connix."
"Oh—" Rey sighs. "She's just being a good friend."
"She's insubordinate," he grits out. "And she's talking to a superior. Does she realize that?"
"I'll talk to her."
This time it's Hux that snorts. "Just make sure she understands, if this doesn't work out, then all that's left of the Resistance will be destroyed."
Rey nods solemnly, "I know. I'll deal with her."
"Good."
The song ends and Hux gives her another small bow before he leaves her to another dance partner.
It is well past midnight when Hux and Rey are finally able to depart. Rather than the joyous farewells that might be observed at other weddings, they—or at least Rey—is met with hugs and tears from her friends. They're to board his shuttle today and from there to move into his suite on the Star Destroyer Galactus.
Mitaka was still caught up in conversation with the dark-haired girl, and Connix was eyeing Hux from beside Dameron and the traitor.
There are promises of holocalls and well wishes and Hux finally lets out a breath as he eases into his seat aboard his shuttle. He avoids looking at his new bride, he doesn't know what to say, and she's most likely as uneasy as him. Instead, he stares out the viewport and watches the lights of the city fade and soon be replaced by countless stars.
It's not long before a distinct and rather loud snoring fills his ears and he looks up to find his new bride, asleep, mouth agape as she leans against her seat. She shivers in the cold space air and Hux swallows again. Her collarbone and bare throat lay exposed in the soft synthetic light of the shuttle and his eyes dip over he again. She really is quite lovely.
He bites his lip and rises from his seat. As quietly as he can, he finds his black gaberwool officer's coat; he'd left it aboard his shuttle specifically for cold space travel. Even though he's a Grand Marshal now, with a white wool coat, he still likes the black. Something about the color speaks to him in a way the white doesn't.
Slowly, he drapes the warm wool coat over his wife, tucking it in around her before he slumps back into his seat and closes his eyes.
Entirely drained of energy he doesn't even realize he's fallen asleep until he's jolted awake by the deployment of the landing gear as the shuttle docks.
Inside his chest, his heart is thundering, either from the shock of waking from sleep so suddenly or the fearsome realization that they've arrived home.