The next few days were just as frustrating as Monday had been. Kylo kept control of how he walked; Hux hated it, he thought he looked like a slouching idiot but Kylo assured him that he didn't. Hux wasn't so sure he could trust the supercomputer. He followed its instructions and spent more time with Dopheld, which still seemed to him that he was simply being pulled further away from Finn. The SQUIP again assured him that this would ultimately help him in his ultimate goal. Hux couldn't see how.

You worry too much.

Hux narrowed his eyes if the SQUIP had a corporeal form he would have smacked it. 'I do not. I usually have a meticulously thought out plan. This simply-'

Ah, Finn turns you stupid.

Hux wanted to argue with that, but considering he had put a computer inside of his head he kept it to himself. At the very least he didn't feel like he had been acting intelligently as of late. Currently, he was seated across from Dopheld, he had asked Hux to lunch and Kylo told him to accept so he did. Hux mostly wasn't paying attention to the conversation, simply saying what Kylo told him to. Dopheld didn't seem to notice; Hux wondered if Kylo was also managing his facial expressions. It didn't feel like anything out of the ordinary was going on with his face but he wouldn't put it passed the computer.

"Thank you for coming out with me today," Dopheld said. "And talking with me, you're a good listener, Hux."

Hux noted the look of admiration on Dopheld's face and wondered what exactly Dopheld had talked about. A part of Hux felt like this whole...excursion with Dopheld would end disastrously. For Dopheld at the very least.

"It's no problem, I'm happy to."

Dopheld smiled at him. "Would you like to go for a walk?"

"Ah..."

Yes, I'd love to.

"Yes, a walk sounds nice."

That's not what I said.

'It was close enough,' Hux said and tried not to roll his eyes. 'Besides, did you see the way he looked at me?'

Of course, I did. That's part of the plan, remember?

Their plates were cleaned and they both stood, ready to leave. 'So you say,' he thought. 'But I still don't understand how leading Dopheld down this path will bring me closer to Finn. It only seems like I'm moving further and further away from him.

The SQUIP sighed and shook its head. You still don't see it? You're unappealing as a solo item.

Hux couldn't stop himself from scoffing out loud; Dopheld gave him an odd look that Hux waved off. They headed out and walked along the street.

It's true and you know it. You want Finn to get to know you, you need a friend for that to happen. Clearly, he doesn't want to do it on his own.

That thought depressed Hux a bit.

Don't get like that. That's why I'm here to help. Now, we're doing good with Dopheld, he's kind of easy to impress, and I'm sure people around are starting to take notice about you two.

Hux had to agree with that, during school he noticed various people turning their way. Hux was usually alone so it made sense that people would view him differently. Perhaps this whole endeavor was worth it.

"Well look who it is!"

They both turned and saw Rey, Rose, and Finn walking toward them. Hux stood up straighter and ran a hand over his hair, making sure it was still neatly combed back. He could see Kylo in front of him with its arms folded and shaking its head.

'What?'

It didn't answer.

"Where are you two headed," Rey asked with a cheeky grin on her face.

Hux would have frowned but Kylo didn't let him.

"Nowhere in particular," he said and he could feel Kylo pull the corner of his mouth upwards.

"Yes, we're just taking a walk after lunch," Dopheld said. Hux noted that Dopheld moved closer to him when he said that.

"Well," Rose said and took both of Rey and Finn's arms. "I guess we shouldn't keep you."

"Ah..." Hux glanced over at Kylo Ren quickly.

What?

'What should I do?!'

You know the plan, Armie, what do you think you should do?

"Uh..." Hux cleared his throat. "What are you three up to?"

"We're going ice skating," Rey said.

"Rose is gonna try to teach us how," Finn spoke up. He sounded a bit nervous and unsure about the whole thing.

"Ice skating," Hux repeated and looked over at Dopheld. "Would...you..."

Oh look you're learning.

Dopheld hummed. "I can't say I know to ice skate..."

Don't worry I can teach you.

"I can teach you," Hux said, assuming that the SQUIP would take care of that aspect. Dopheld smiled at him.

"Awesome, maybe we can get a group discount," Rey said.

Rose shook her head. "They only give discounts like that for field trips. But there are student discounts."

"I didn't take you for an ice skater," Finn said as the group started walking again.

"Me either," Dopheld said.

Hux shrugged, walking along between the two of them; Rose and Rey walked in front of them. "There's a lot you don't know about me."

Dopheld actually took the chance to hook one of his hands around Hux's arm. Kylo had to stop him from jerking his arm away.

"Just don't let me embarrass myself," Dopheld said and squeezed Hux's bicep a bit.

"Don't worry, I won't."

Kylo laughed and Hux felt his left eye twitch, but he tried to keep his thoughts to himself. Despite their mildly antagonistic relationship Hux had to admit that Kylo had been helpful to him. He was sure that this trip to the ice skating rink would be a good step toward his ultimate goal.