Ben's unfalteringly intense stare became cold that day for Hux.

He would later learn that he had missed something incredibly rare; the warmth he was introduced with was something that was absolutely unprecedented; nobody had ever seen the Queen so playful or warm. Hux was certain that they were over exaggerating at first, but as the Republic came closer to the First Order and the talk of treaties started, he realized that the advisors, senators, officers, plain gossipers, they were all right; 'Kylo' Ben Amidala was cold and closed off and purely, strictly political, and damn good at his job.

Hux didn't believe the Senator who first whispered to him at a beneficial Gala that Kylo was also known for random and inexplicable temper tantrums, entering an empty room and leaving it somehow burned and flayed. It could not be explained, and as he stared down the table at the man in question, who was again hidden behind huge robes and makeup, decided that he would figure it out for himself. Somehow.

That proved to be much more difficult than Hux had ever imagined; Kylo had little patience for anyone, least of all him. Though he never told anyone about the slap, and he was fairly certain Kylo had kept it to himself, too, Hux knew that Kylo would never forget nor forgive, and Hux couldn't dare to attempt an apology. He also learned not to call Kylo by his given name; eighty percent of the time, he would just not answer, and the other percent when he did was with a cruel and dangerous glare, and then not answer anyway.

Hux finally managed to corner someone who could explain why this man was called Queen, and the terrified hand-maid explained in a thick Naboo accent that it was a position typically held by women, yes, but Ben's grandmother had been Padmé Amidala. Hux knew who she was, but hardly cared anyway before then; she was the best ruler that star system had seen, and Ben was determined to live up to her legacy. He was a senator at only fifteen, had risen to the throne at sixteen, and nearing the end of the fourth year of his rule, was preparing to relinquish it at twenty. Hux couldn't believe it; he demanded the maid repeat himself three times.

"Yes, yes, Kylo Amidala is only twenty! I'm telling you the truth, I swear!"

His shrill and panicked cry drew the attention of a few others, the handmaids to Kylo collectively called the Knights of 'Ren' (Hux didn't even want to know), who immediately moved to protective position. They circled around their coworker dangerously, and Hux realized rather quickly that this training was meant to protect their queen, to whom they were unfalteringly loyal.

He didn't know and didn't bother to ask if this kind of training was simply standard or specialized for Kylo, because Kylo seemed quite capable of protecting himself from unwanted attention.

And did he receive his fair amount of unwanted attention!

Hux had never seen as much paparazzi in the entire galaxy as what he saw on Naboo; he watched press workers scale buildings he was rumored to be in with one hand, camera in the other. Kylo Amidala had, subsequently, perfected the art of profane gestures only in the direction of the cameras. Hux had many times been in a grouped conversation in which Kylo was also part, and Kylo, while still engaged in the debate, would raise his hand toward something Hux hadn't even noticed, and the others would simply accept that there was a camera there. Without breaking the conversation, they would all turn away from that direction. As these Senators and Ambassadors and Peace-Makers put it, 'it was just something you learned to do'.

Any attempt on Hux's part to speak directly to Kylo did nothing. The Queen didn't make lone appointments with First Order leaders, and he certainly didn't make exceptions. Hux hardly had time to worry about the brat, as he called him in his head, anyway; the Republic was getting finicky, and had halted all trade until negotiations of a peace treaty began.

Making peace was not something the First Order had ever concerned itself with doing, and so, as Hux found himself almost dozing off at his seat at the end of a conference table filled with the other leaders of the First Order, none of them were actually sure how to design the document before them.

"Most treaties are sealed with an important marriage, are they not?"

"Of course, but most everyone of high rank in the First Order has already either married or had a marriage arranged."

"And it would be considered disrespectful if we offered a marriage of someone of lower status within the First Order to a higher rank of the Republic. It would be seen as less of a union and more of a power-play."

"Fine." Hux sighed, lifting his head. "I can read between the lines. Arrange a marriage for me; I don't care. I know you've been trying to marry me off for ages now, anyway."

The table fell quiet. Commander Phasma leaned forward, her usually helmet-headed hair curled back.

"Is there anyone specific you want to try to arrange with, sir?"

Hux leaned back, chewing his lip, though he did not think for long.

"It must be a marriage of the absolutely highest rank, yes? In that case...I will ask for the hand of their Queen."

"Kylo Amidala?"

Phasma's voice took on an uncharacteristically high pitch as Hux gave a small, crooked smirk.

"Yes."