The next morning Hux would be feeling marginally better. He'd still be sore but not in the agony he had been. Beside him he'd find the unfinished protein bar and a container of water waiting, obviously breakfast. Outside there was sunlight and birdsong and the clank of metal and a muffled curse. Apparently Kylo was awake. Stripped of his robe and wearing a sleeveless shirt to keep from getting overheated the knight was on top of the shuttle trying to fix it. Stretching an arm into the ships innards he felt around from the dropped tool.
When Hux woke up he was confused momentarily. Where was he? Then it came flooding back to him. But where was Kylo? His body didn't ache quite as much, and he found that he was actually hungry. He ate the rest of the protein bar and drank the water. He tested standing, which sent a shoot of pain through his leg, so he settled for a sort of crawling, dragging motion that didn't hurt his wrist too much as he went outside the tent. He sat in the sunlight, watching Kylo silently.
Kylo found the tool tugging it loose and stood up wiping his forehead on the back of his arm. Turning he looked down at Hux. "Good morning..." he said slowly unsure of how to approach things now that the man seemed lucid. Picking up a wet rag he wiped off his hands and climbed down from the ship walking over to him. He slowly sat down on the ground and opened a water container taking a long drink. "How are you feeling?"
Hux stared at Kylo. Was it a good morning? He supposed it was morning at least. Or at least, he assumed so. He glanced at the position of the sun, and saw that it did appear to be morning. He felt a strange prickle of fear when Kylo walked toward him and he scooted away as he sat down. He shrugged, looking down at the ground.
Kylo sipped his water again watching him sensing his fear. "I didn't save your life just so I could kill you Hux," he said setting the water aside. He moved over to him and crouched beside him moving the cloak aside and examining his leg. It looked better. "Let me see your wrist…" he said holding out his hand.
The logical part of his brain agreed with Kylo, but it was overridden by a panic mode. Why should he trust anyone? He would only be betrayed and hurt again. But he managed not to flinch away as he looked at his leg. He still stared at the ground as he grudgingly, and somewhat painfully, held out his arm for inspection.
Ren held his arm gently examining it. "Looks good... I think you'll be okay," he said looking back at him. He could feel the fear radiating off the man. A sharp contrast to his usual demeanor. "Hux... I'm not going to hurt you..." he said with a frown. He arranged the cloak around him again. "I won't let you die."
Hux almost wanted to laugh at that. Kylo probably hated him as much as the Resistance, and now he was saying he wouldn't hurt him? He was stupid if he thought Hux would trust him. He wouldn't trust anyone again. But he just shrugged and kept looking at the ground.
Kylo was still for a moment then reached out taking his chin and making him look at him. It was strange to see him without the mask. The human side showed through and it was decidedly different than what was usually presented. Softer. "Stop it. Stop doubting me," he said quietly. "I don't want you to die... you irritate and infuriate me... you block me at every turn... you constantly undermine me... but I don't want you to die," he said lowering his eyes and dropping his hand. "I'm tired of people doing that..."
Hux felt his chin tipped up and he looked into Kylo's eyes. He stared back impassively. He wanted to believe Kylo. He really did. But he was afraid of what it meant if he did. What the consequences would be. But he knew Kylo was stubborn, and would keep pushing until he eventually yielded, so he decided to put up a facade for his sake. He nodded, pushing away the fear that took hold of him. "I suppose I believe you," he rasped, his voice hoarse from disuse. He put all the emotions of truth he had into it, hoping Kylo wouldn't see past the lie.
Kylo wasn't sure if he believed that or not but at least he'd stop wincing away from him. Sitting back again he emptied his water container and looked around. "I wonder what this place was..." he said quietly. It felt strange to be sitting here with the man he was supposed to hate. For some reason he felt small and helpless. Cut off from everything he knew, trying to control a situation he'd never faced before. He closed his eyes rubbing them with the heels of his palms in a strangely childish manner.
Hux really couldn't care less about this place. But he was able to look around better now that he was more lucid. It looked like something had lived here, but they were long gone now. Hux shrugged. "Whatever it was, it isn't that anymore." This facade was taking more energy than he had anticipated. Sitting here with Kylo like this set off every warning bell in Hux's head, but he had to ignore them. It felt so wrong. He wished Kylo would go away so he could have some peace.
Kylo sat there for a moment before lowering his hands and looking at him with an almost bewildered expression. His thought had bled through. Standing up he didn't say anything he simply pulled his coat back on and picked up his light saber disappearing into the woods. If Hux loathed his company so much after Kylo had risked everything to save him then let him be alone. The further he walked the angrier he became. His saber exploded into life and he assaulted a nearby stone wall with a furious snarl. The red beam crackled and sparked as it ripped through the ancient stone. He could have died! A portion of the wall collapsed raising a cloud of dust. He could have been captured! Hux could have died! The red light carved through a tree sending the massive plant toppling to the ground with a crash. Out of breath he stopped staring at the ground. Cursing he shut off the saber and sat down on the dirt drawing his knees up. The Master of the Knights of Ren and he felt like a failure and all because some snotty little General was determined to look at him like he was a monster. Why did it bother him so much? Why did he even care? Why did it hurt? Folding his arms on the top of his knees he hid his face against them and sat there unmoving.
Hux caught the hurt look on Kylo's face as he got up, but Hux was so relieved he was leaving he almost didn't feel the pang of guilt. He shuffled his way on his hands and knees into the tent, wincing at the pain. He laid on the ground, staring up at the ceiling, Kylo's cloak still around him. He considered taking it off, but it was warm and strangely comforting. He felt more relaxed, but strangely not at ease. There was something missing. He couldn't put his finger on it. He let his eyes rest on the top of the tent and let his mind fade away.
It was dark when Kylo returned carrying a large bird he'd killed and cleaned in the forest. Building up the fire he spit the bird and set it to roast. Retrieving his helmet he put it on feeling better hidden behind the expressionless mask. He sat outside the tent ignoring Hux and watching the flames dance. When the bird was cooked he cut it up and put half of it next to Hux, still silent and disappeared into the shuttle with his own portion. Sitting in the pilot's seat with his mask beside him he ate silently staring out the viewport. He wasn't going to care about Hux. He wasn't going to talk to him at all. He'd fix the shuttle and they could go back to the Finalizer and continue hating each other.
Hux heard when Kylo returned. He had mixed feelings about it. He felt the little warning lights go off inside him again, but at the same time he felt a strange surge of happiness he was back. It was confusing. He smelled something cooking, and his stomach rumbled. He stayed facing the top of the tent as Kylo came in and put something that smelled good beside him and then left. Hux sat up, looking at some sort of bird next to him. He had to admit, it didn't taste too bad. After he finished, he drank some water, then laid down again, this time to sleep.