It wasn't the strangest thing General Hux expected to see in Ren's chambers, but it did momentarily stun him into silence. Instead of working out or writing at his desk, Kylo Ren was sitting with his knees pulled into his chest, sobbing. Moments like these made Hux realize Ren, too, was just a man, despite the dickish ways he chose to treat others and portray himself. Taking a deep breath, Hux strode further into the room and cleared his throat.

Ren looked up, not particularly bothered by the officer's presence. "What?"

"I can come back if this is a bad time," Hux offered softly.

"No," Ben shrugged as he wiped his wet cheeks with his bare hands. His gloves and cape were discarded at the foot of the couch. "What is it?"

Hux clasped his hands behind his back and resumed a formal posture. "Supreme Leader, I finished your speech for the-"

"How do you live with yourself?" Ren interrupted, looking deep into the general's eyes, searching for understanding.

The question wasn't about the speech, Hux knew. His heart thudded out of time for a hitch but recovered. "Supreme Leader?"

"You killed your father, too."

That similarity he shared with Ren was something Hux never delved into or focused on. The situations were vastly different, and yet here the First Order's leader was pleading with him for a connection. He needed someone to understand him and Hux was the only other creature vile enough to willingly commit patricide.

"Not personally, no," Hux replied honestly. "But I gave the direct order and it was my idea and intention. I'd have done it myself but I don't think I physically could have overpowered him. I needed it to be done efficiently."

Ren's long face grew solemn. Taking it as a cue to continue, Hux chewed at the inside of his lip and tried to formulate thoughts on the topic. Truly, years ago when Phasma returned victorious and Armitage because the only General Hux, he hadn't thought about it much. His father Brendan Hux was a tyrant and the galaxy was better off without him. Armitage was a bastard born into a life of war. The memories made his skin crawl. Who but his monster of a father would force his own son to lead a legion of child soldiers at age six?

"If you're asking how I live with the fact that I killed the man who raised me, well," Hux mused, "I think about what life would be like were he still here and I feel much better."

Ren sniffled. "Han Solo wasn't a bad father." He trailed off and stared down at his hands. A muscle along his jaw rippled as he clenched his teeth.

"Don't mistake my lack of regret for a lack of remorse. A son should never have to kill his father, no matter the circumstances. I trust that in the moment you were doing what you needed to ensure your survival." Hux subconsciously touched his ribs, which had been bruised and broken, cracked and fractured countless times by the former supreme leader. He looked to Ren and wondered what horrors he endured at Snoke's hand and whether that was entirely to credit for General Solo's death.

Finally looking up to meet Hux's gaze, Ren steeled himself. "You think I'm irredeemable."

"Yes," Hux answered eagerly, daring to offer a cocky smile. "But only because you're an insufferable ass."

Ren smiled. "Fuck you, Hux." He straightened and wiped his face dry. "You have my speech?"

"Aye, sir."