A couple of days later Rose and Hux watched Poe climb into his fighter. BB-8 excitedly drove in circles around them, beeping loudly.
Rose noticed that Hux watched the droid with a twitch on his lips. She decided that it was probably a smile - he had once updated BB-8's servomotor and since then the astro-droid sometimes checked up on them in the lab, usually announcing its presence with a few honks and beeps.
"Come on, buddy - we need to go," said Poe and put his white pilot helmet on.
BB-8 beeped one final time before it hoisted itself up into its place in the fighter.
Poe gave them a sloppy salute. "Iron Butterfly is good to go - see you!" With those words he ignited the engines and moments later his fighter had disappeared into the cloudy sky.
Rose checked her messages on the pad. "Looks like we can take the rest of the afternoon off. There are no new problems and after the last two weeks I would say that we need a break."
"What are we supposed to do if we're not working?" asked Hux with a crooked eyebrow.
"I don't know… I'm not good with free time. Makes me nervous."
"Well, I wanted to take a walk in the forest," he said in a low voice. "Perhaps you want to accompany me? I was hoping to find the loth-cats' lair."
"That's a great idea! I would love to help you find the loth-cats!" Rose beamed at him, a nice stroll in the forest, it had been ages since she had done that.
He smiled a little. "I'll go get some meat from Sergeant Suta."
"And I'll go get my thermos can - we can take hot tea with us. It's quite chilly outside."
"A-alright, let's meet up outside in ten minutes."
Hux was already waiting for her when she stepped outside. He wore a thick dark blue scarf and his usual leather jacket.
"You sure that you won't get cold?" she asked, zipping up her padded jacket.
He shrugged. "I'm used to low temperatures."
They walked past their usual place by the tree trunks and entered the forest.
"I read that loth-cats like to dig their den near water so we can follow this runlet here."
"Sounds like a plan."
He pulled his pad out of his dark-grey shoulder bag and checked their position.
"Come on, we don't need a map - it's not like we're going on a real hike."
He blushed a little. "I like to be prepared."
She chuckled, "I know, just- relax, okay?"
He led the way as they slowly walked over the roots on the mossy ground. From time to time he glanced over his shoulder to check up on her. She couldn't help but notice the colour of his eyes, or the contrast of his trimmed ginger beard against his blue scarf.
She had noticed before of course, she caught herself a couple of times wondering if his hair was as warm as it looked. The trees around them had yellow, red and brown leaves but none of them was as radiant as his hair.
Damn it, when did this happen? When did Hux become attractive? When did he start bringing her tea? When did he start to smile at her with his almost-smiles? Or had it been in once of the late evening when he had come up with another brilliant design?
She licked her lips. Calm down Rose. No need to question your sanity. He was an attractive man, so what? An attractive, smart man… damn it. She needed something to distract her from her thoughts.
"How about a cup of tea?" she asked. "This looks like a nice spot." She pointed at a fallen tree, its trunk was covered by bright red mushrooms and moss.
"Sure," he replied and started to rummage in his bag. Her eyes went wide when he pulled a piece of insulated fabric out of it.
He put it on the trunk. "It's from one of the older fighters they decommissioned. I thought it would be sensible since it's quite damp in the forest."
Rose stared at the dark brown blanket and to Hux. What the- if she didn't know better she would think this was a date. But it couldn't be, could it? No, no that was ludicrous. Hux could barely do small-talk, there was no way that he was- she wouldn't even think that.
And yet she could feel a traitorous excitement taking hold of her. It was nice. It was nice that he had thought of that. But of course he had - he liked to be prepared.
They sat down on the blanket and Rose took her thermos out of her own bag, pouring two mugs. Her cold fingers started to prickle when she held the warm mug, when she handed it to Hux his fingers brushed over hers and he flinched. The mug fell on the ground, spilling it's content.
"I'm sorry," said Hux and quickly grabbed it. He wiped it on the blanket. "I just-" he didn't finish his sentence, instead he held the mug so that she could refill it. His hand was trembling a little.
"Are you cold?" she asked and cupped his hand with hers.
Instead of answering he stared at her with his blue-green eyes, mouth slightly agape. She could feel her heart beating in her throat. She reached out and brushed over the back of his hand with her thumb and a shaky breath escaped him.
She took his hand and put it on her cheek. Then she reached up and cupped his cheek in return, feeling the beard on her palm. Then she leaned forward and kissed him.
His lips were soft, warm and tasted of bitter tea. Her hand wandered up to his hair and she brushed over it - it was as silky and soft as she had imagined.
He pulled her closer and the kiss deepened, he embraced her and held her as if he was afraid that she would slip away.
When they broke the kiss she was a little out of breath. He was still holding her, only letting go slowly. She ran her hand one last time through his hair. "Stars, you're handsome," she said.
He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it. "You are the most brilliant, creative and beautiful woman I have ever met."
A few snowflakes started to fall from the white cloudy sky. He was still holding her hand and kissed it again.
"Want some tea now?" she asked with a smile.
"Yes please." He took his mug once again, his hand wasn't trembling anymore.
They sat in silence for a few moments, drinking tea.
"Did- did you mean it when you said that you think that I'm handsome?" he asked in a quiet voice.
"Of course," she said softly. "Did you mean it too?"
He smiled, it was a sad smile. "Yes."
She could feel heat crawl up her cheeks and brushed a strand of hair under her cap. It was nothing she was sure, just things people say when they are enamoured. Nobody could actually look at the same round face she saw every morning in the mirror and think that she was beautiful. She wasn't Paige after all.
She drank the last bit of tea and put the mug back in her bag. When she looked up she saw a loth-cat sitting in front of them. It had a few dark spots on its back but otherwise it was completely orange, its belly was almost yellow.
"Look," she whispered.
Hux jerked his head around. "It has an unusual colour." He slowly reached inside his bag and pulled a small parcel out. He opened it and took out small pieces of meat - probably leftovers from yesterday's roast.
He slid from the trunk, knelt down and put a small piece on the ground. The loth-cat's tiny nose sniffed and it perked up its large ears. It crept closer and sniffed at the meat, finally it ate it and licked its muzzle.
Hux held out a second piece in his hand. The animal closed in and ate directly from Hux's hand. He turned around and beamed at Rose with an openness and joy she had never seen in his face.
He turned back to the loth-cat and quickly gave it another piece of meat. It was devoured immediately, the animal was all but drooling now. When he took the next piece out, it even stood on his hind legs and held his hand in place with its tiny paws.
He put the last piece on the ground and when the loth-cat bent down to eat it, he reached out and started to scratch it behind its ear. It started to purr while sniffing the ground, obviously looking for more meat.
.
-o-
.
The fur felt soft and warm, just as he had imagined. Hux couldn't help but smile at the tiny feline in front of him. Too bad that he didn't have any meat left.
It sniffed his finger and licked them with its coarse tongue.
"The lair must be nearby," said Sar- Rose from behind.
"I think so too, we could check the surroundings," he replied and got back up on his feet with a certain reluctance. The loth-cat craned its neck, staring at him with its black eyes.
Hux went back to the trunk and took the blanket Rose handed him. He folded it carefully and put it back in his bag.
Suddenly he felt a pair of hands around his neck, pulling him down for a peck on his mouth. He blinked in surprise before he smiled and gave her a peck in return.
His heart pumped faster and he felt a silly grin spread on his face. Seeing her so close, smelling her scent… it was almost like a dream.
The fact that they were standing in a forest full of autumn colour, the loth-cat, the snowfall added to the impression. He felt a lump in his throat. It wouldn't last, would it? Not for him.
"How come that you look so sad when you're smiling?" asked Rose as she let go of him.
"Because I'm happy and I know that it will end one way or another."
Her smile faded a little. "Let's just enjoy the moment and worry later."
She was right of course - no sense in dreading the inevitable. He turned to leave, only to discover that the loth-cat was now sitting on the tree trunk, looking at him.
He felt the urge to talk to it, tell it that he didn't have any more meat. But talking to an animal was senseless so he only petted its head and showed it his empty hands.
The loth-cat looked from the hands back up to him. "Mrrrrau," it croaked.
"I didn't know they made sounds!" said Rose, she reached out and petted it.
"There was nothing noted about this in the data I read," said Hux with a confused glance at the loth-cat.
"Well, let's go look for that lair."
They marched off and followed the runlet for about an hour before they decided to take another break.
Hux put the blanket on the mossy forest floor and Rose poured them another cup of tea. It was still snowing lightly, the orange and red leaves were partly covered by a thin layer of snow.
He felt a little cold, he had actually underestimated the damp chilly weather. His hand brushed hers when she handed him his mug.
"Stars, you're freezing, Armitage."
Hearing his name from her lips made a shiver run down his spine. It had been years that anybody had used it. "It seems you were right about my jacket."
"I'm always right." Then she took his free hand and cupped hit with her warm hands. "And you should wear gloves."
From the corner of his eye he saw an orange shape lurking behind a tree in the distance. The round face of the loth-cat appeared and stared at him.
"It's following us," he said with a chuckle.
Rose followed his gaze. "Looks like you made a new friend."
"I think so too," he said while staring at her.
She noticed it and laughed. "Come here."
They kissed again, this time slower and with more softness. Hux could feel heat pool in his stomach, his heart was beating faster as her tongue brushed against his. Like before she reached up and stroked his hair.
She broke the kiss and pressed her forehead against him. "I really like you."
He embraced her and pressed a kiss on her cap. "I like you too."
They returned to the base, the loth-cat was still following them. Its bright orange fur made it easy to spot it in the snow.
His heart started to feel heavier with each step he took. From time to time he glanced at her, suppressing the urge to talk to her. How was he supposed to act around her? Had it been a one time thing?
Judging from the pensive look on her face she was probably thinking the same.
But even if they talked, what was there to talk about? They both knew that they weren't supposed to do what they had just done. Or at least she wasn't supposed to do it.
He was an amoral turncoat, nobody expected him to hold back. But Sergeant Rose Tico of the Resistance was supposed to be better than stooping to the level of the likes of him.
She should know better. The base came into sight as they stepped out of the forest.
He pressed his lips together. If he were a better man he would stop this - whatever this was - before it really started. But he was weak, too enchanted by her to want it to end. Just once more, just once he wanted her to look at him like she did.
They stopped at the door to the base. Small clouds of breath were escaping from her mouth. "Listen, I-"
The small side door next to the blast door slid open. "Rose, there you are!" rang Sergeant Major Tico's voice.
Rose turned on her heel. "Mom?"
"I made rolls for you, we got a shipment of fresh food and so I though-"
"Thanks, but now is not a good time."
Sergeant Major Tico crossed her arms. "But I made them for you! Do you want them to go to waste?"
Hux sensed that the moment for a talk was over. "I- I'm a bit cold. I will head inside." He looked one final time towards the forest and saw a tiny orange spot move between the trees.
Rose nodded. "Okay."
Hux stepped inside and rubbed his hands together. He really was cold. He would head to the Cantina and get a cup of tea.
As he walked towards the Cantina his thoughts returned to Rose. They really should have talked in the forest but she had been right. It was better to enjoy the moment - there was nothing to really talk about, was there?
She seemed to be attracted to him because they had worked together quite closely. And he was attracted to her because she was the smartest, most skilled and most beautiful woman he had ever worked with. These were the facts.
He got in line at the Cantina and heard the people in front of him asked for a beverage he had never heard of - hot choc. When it was his turn Sergeant Suta crooked an eyebrow. "Tea or caf?"
"What is 'hot choc'?"
The cook shrugged. "It's hot chocolate from Yavin."
Hux frowned. Melted chocolate? How peculiar. "I'll have caf please."
"Coming right up." He handed him a mug and Hux scanned the room for an empty table. There was none but he spotted Lieutenant Aish and Captain Ebrima sitting at a table in the back. He hesitated for a moment before he ventured across the room.
"Erhm, is this seat taken?" he asked in what he hoped was a casual voice.
Their eyes went wide for a moment, then Lieutenant Aish nodded. "It's not."
"Thank you, Lieutenant."
Ebrima looked around. "Where is Rose?"
"She is with her mother. I uh, I'm here on my own."
"Oh. Well, I hear we have you to thank for the repaired heater," said Aish. "How's work?"
Small talk, that was easy enough - all he had to do was to complain. "The workload is exceeding our work hours but we manage."
"Tell me about it," said Ebrima. "But one has to see the positive - we got a delivery of chocolate powder." She lifted her mug to a mock salute and took a gulp. "Ah, that hit the spot!"
Hux narrowed his eyes, the liquid didn't look like melted chocolate. So that meant the beverage was made from powder? Well, it made sense.
"What's with that look, Hux?"
"Oh, I was just examining the texture of your hot beverage. I don't think I have encountered it before."
"You- have never had a hot choc?"
"I-"
A pilot helmet was smashed on the table and a burly tan-skinned human male sat down on the free chair. "Uh, what weather! I thought the snow would come later. But at least the heater works again."
"Hey Mircah! Well, then you can thank this guy here," said Ebrima. "He and Rose fixed it."
The pilot pulled his gloves from his fingers and threw them on the table. "Thanks man! Just in time before it got chilly."
"Sergeant Tico was the leading officer," Hux said. "I just did what she told me to do."
Mircah grinned. "Details. I'm going to get a hot choc - anybody else?"
They all declined and he left to get his drink. Hux leaned back in his chair. He was really blending in, excellent.