Armitage Hux paces back and forth across the bridge of Empress Rey's ship. His face is fixed in a puzzled, frustrated expression as other officers look on. Thysva watches silently, afraid to say anything yet dying to know what Hux is thinking. After a few more moments of angry pacing, Hux suddenly stops and looks to Thysva.
"Walk with me," he mutters to his fellow General.
Thysva nods nervously and walks in stride with Hux off the bridge and into the connecting corridor. It's quiet as they walk together. He may not be a Force user, but Thysva can feel the heightened tension from Hux and can no longer keep quiet.
"General, is everything alright?" Thysva asks tentatively.
"Of course not! Everything I've worked so hard for is being dashed aside by…him," Hux replies with venom dripping from his voice.
"Wha…what do you mean?" Thysva questions, nervous with how Hux is sounding.
Hux and Thysva have known each other since their training days. They are very close friends and Hux has always felt Thysva is the only person he can truly trust, knowing Thysva feels the same way. The pair have been through thick and thin together and find comfort in their friendship. But talking to Hux now, Thyvsa is scared for the first time in their relationship. He has never heard Hux sound so angry.
"Who is that man our Empress had sitting on her throne?" Hux asks promptly, trying to keep his emotions in check but failing at the mere mention of this new person.
"Ben Solo. He is a smuggler from Chandrilia. Descendant of Han and Leia Solo," Thysva replies.
Hux stops in his tracks. He balls his hands into tight fists as Thysva looks on quietly. Thysva wishes he could place his hand on Hux's shoulders but thinks better of it.
"A smuggler?" Hux questions, his body shaking slightly.
"Armitage, are you-" Thysva begins.
"A SMUGGLER?!" Hux shouts.
Thysva claps a hand over Hux's mouth and pushes him into a nearby empty room off the corridor they were traveling. He only removes his hand once they are inside and away from prying eyes.
"Armitage, what is the big deal? I've never seen you this upset over a prisoner," Thysva comments.
He crosses his arms as he watches his dear friend try to calm down. Hux breathes deeply through his nose and runs a hand through his red hair. His eyes fall on Thysva and he does his best to keep a calm composure for his friend. Thysva looks back and waits patiently until Hux is ready.
"I've never told you this, Diam. I haven't told anyone this. If I share this with you, you need to swear it stays between us," Hux speaks softly.
Thysva nods and places a hand over his heart. Hux nods back and begins again.
"I have been planning on asking for the hand of the Empress. I want to rule by her side and make the galaxy better than she has. Every world needs to see the might of this Empire and I want to be the one to lead us to greatness," he shares.
Hux scans Thysva's face for any sign of disapproval. When he sees none, he continues.
"I know I could never take her out. Her power goes beyond any understanding I have. But if I were to marry her and take a place by her side, I could make some real changes to extend the might of this Empire beyond anything she has ever imagined," he finishes.
Thysva stares at Hux for several quiet moments, letting his words soak in. He crosses his arms and leans against the wall. A hurt look in his eyes flashes before Hux for a moment before his friend replies.
"I honestly don't know what to think or say, Armitage. The Empress has done so much good for the galaxy without a tremendous use of force or any scare tactics. The galaxy prospers because of her leadership. And I thought you…" Thysva stops himself from revealing his deepest secret.
Hux steps closer, feeling the shift in the air into something different. Something he knew was there but didn't act on it for fear of being rejected by his closest confidant and friend. Thysva shudders as Hux draws nearer, releasing a breath he didn't even realize he was holding. Hux stops just centimeters from Thysva and looks down at him.
"You thought what, Diam? Say it," Armitage purrs.
Thysva looks down at his feet, trembling from how close Hux is. His lips part slowly as he feels Hux lift his head up with a finger. They look into each other's eyes. Hux smiles gently.
"You thought I didn't feel the same way about you? Don't be silly. I've loved you since the day I met you, Diam," he says softly.
Before Thysva can say anything more, Hux presses his lips to Thysva's. They sigh into the long-awaited kiss. It's over too soon as Hux pulls back to look at Thysva.
"This plan is for us, my dear Diam. Once I marry the Empress, she will eventually be…disposed of. Then you and I can lead the galaxy to greatness…together," he whispers.
Hux kisses Thysva again and moans as he feels Thysva kiss him back.
"How shall we begin?" Thysva asks in between soft kisses.
"Bring the smuggler to me," Hux replies as he kisses Thysva hard.
