General Hux slumped in the large yet uncomfortable armchair that stood beside the impossibly neat and precision-made bed within his quarters aboard the Finalizer. His pale pace and blue eyes were picture of misery. It had been just another crappy day at the office as far as he was concerned.
"Why did he always end up sitting here alone, night after night? Why did nobody appreciate him or even want to be in his presence for a single moment?"
He'd worked so hard managing the First Order attack on D'Qar and arranging that ad-hoc music spectacle for Lord Ren, but he'd not received a single word of thanks. 'Mr Tall and Gorgeous' had simply had a quick feel-up of the scavenger girl and then returned to the Finalizer as if nothing had happened and the Star Destroyer's crew had gone back to business as usual activities.
He'd thrown his long facist-style overcoat and military cap on the floor of his room in anger and despair. Hux realised he must be depressed as normally he'd not countenance such messiness and lack of order in his daily routine. He sighed and reached over to grab the decanter of Corellian brandy that rested on his bedside table next to his treasured signed photo of the late Grand Admiral Thrawn.
He removed the crystal stopper and took a long swig of alcohol, closing his eyes as the liquid fire trickled down his throat. He was tempted to just continue drinking the stuff until he passed out for the night.
"No," he thought, gritting his teeth. Hux had an executive board meeting with Supreme leader Snoke first thing in the morning and he would need a clear head for that. He had to be on top form if he was to one-up Kylo Ren in their debates with their shared master. He estimated the score was 10-7 in his favour right now. He didn't want Ren to narrow the gap any further.
He replaced the decanter back in its customary place, but as he did so his eyes were drawn to something, an item that was new on his bedside table… an item that had not been there this morning.
It was a cupcake… covered in a swirl of creamy-looking silver icing and resting upon one of his coasters! There was a decorative shiny chrome heart poking out of the top as well. The cake was tiny, but exquisitely made and Hux felt his spirit starting to soar as he gazed at its sugary goodness.
There was a small yellow post-it note stuck next to the cupcake, he pulled it away and read it:
"Need a hug?"
Hux felt the sides of his mouth twitching with the emotion he was feeling . He knew who had made this treat for him, just as he knew how rare andspecial the gesture was.
The General sniffed and hauled himself out of his rut, the tears flowing freely down his cheeks. There was only one thought on his mind. He had to leave now, before it was too late.
His walk turned into a manic run as he left his sparten bachelor quarters and disappeared into the dark bowels of the Finalizer.
THE END