Naturally, Raina couldn't help but wonder the outcome. Would they leave? Would they stay? If they did, how could she shield them? She couldn't bear to lose Vida again and with Hux slowly coming out of his shell, she didn't want to waste that either. What would happen if they did stay and they got caught? Xander would never let her live it down if she wasn't executed for treason. Even less if he was the one to storm her base and catch her red handed with two First Order fugitives. She could only assume Vida and Hux felt terribly cornered at this moment and why shouldn't they? Handing over Kylo Ren had been nothing personal but it was plain to see how it might have been an attack on their ideals and their mission.

She decided enough procrastinating was enough and to face them instead. However, when Raina left her bedroom dressed, the space was empty save for the two loyal Vornskr. Hux and Vida had disappeared, more than likely to discuss their options and she confessed herself disappointed. Perhaps they did hold her responsible. Breakfast clean up would be done by the droid as always so Raina's mind was free to wonder what would become of her guests. More often than not, Hux would join her on the bridge after they had taken breakfast; the majority of their talking seemed to be done then, for their time on the bridge was spent in companionable silence. She assumed that was his way of showing respect for her and her command, not distracting her through it. But he wasn't there.

The morning dragged by without the redhead quietly observing her and though she would probably never admit it out loud, she felt his absence in a more pricking way than she ever remembered feeling his presence. Lunch came and went, still no sign; until word reached her that food had been delivered to their quarters and had been accepted so at least their locations had been verified (only by a service droid, never an officer). It seemed only wise to grant them space and privacy to exercise their options and so dinner too was as lonely as she expected. She could only imagine how terribly frenzied their thoughts were; being in relative safety one moment and practically in the shade of the Resistance the next. It was only natural they would want to step back and re-evaluate their situation, possibly in favour of a better one.

An earlier decision not to get her hopes up cushioned her when she returned to her quarters that night to find them empty. Tigani and Nami padded in in her wake and took their usual positions on either side of the armchair for their pre-bedtime snooze. Raina pottered around, doing menial bits and pieces to occupy her mind so it wouldn't promise her that one of them would walk through the door any minute with an explanation; no such thing happened. Perhaps sleep would ease her. Rather than spending an unnecessary amount of time on her data pad before retiring, she killed the temptation to keep waiting by getting dressed for bed. Needless to say, the disappointment hadn't abated when she popped her head out to call the Vornskr for bed.

Much to Raina's surprise, she fell prey to slumber quite easily. She had assumed that with her mind as clamoured as it was that sleep would evade her but seemingly not. The snoring of the brother Vornskr didn't bother her anymore and hadn't bothered her in a long time; it was now soothing white noise if anything. The two beasts lay thrown across the bed, legs tangled but loyally tucked in together while Raina utilized the space left, fitting herself in around the two animals. Movement on the bed was nothing new so she didn't stir. Eyes closed and breathing deep; Raina didn't feel the Vornskr respectfully shifting but without alarm as though to make room for someone else.

The sheets being pulled back didn't disturb her nor the extra sag in the mattress; she remained in a peaceful, serene state which both relieved and frustrated Hux. At what point did he want her to wake? At least he was still in one piece, his greatest apprehension of entering her bedroom in the dead of night had been the two monstrous creatures that never left her side. Perhaps the last few weeks of sharing a common ground with them had paid off to be accepted as one of them: That common ground being their unwavering (if his was still a little unsure) devotion to Raina. The Vornskr woke briefly and barely but enough to reshuffle themselves to make room for the new arrival.

He slid in as close to her as he possibly could, still hesitant in his endeavour. Her attire was as it always was at breakfast, the dark silk that captivated his up-until-recently unstimulated imagination though she had her hair tied back into a loose, messy ponytail. A difference, yes but not a hindrance; a help if anything as it made it easier for him to press an amicable kiss to the back of her shoulder. She stirred with a quiet mumble of nothing but otherwise, his gesture of careful affection had no impact on the blonde. He decided to increase the physicality; after all, her language was physicality. One pale arm slipped behind her, the other crossed her waist and with her secured, he pulled to turn her over where her cheek would meet his chest. It had the desired effect, however slowly. One eye opened listlessly and blearily as she slowly began to realize she was awake.

"What the fuck?" At least that's what he thought she said; it came out as a jumble rather than a coherent sentence. "Hux?"

"I couldn't sleep." He opted to keep his voice low rather than disturb the Vornskr for a second time and it mightn't be very pleasant for her to be exposed to full volume when she hadn't even figured out what was going on yet. "I needed to see you."

"I waited for you. All day, I waited for you…."

"I know, I'm so sorry. I'll leave if you would prefer but-"

"No, I don't want you to go. Stay." A flutter in his stomach of growing familiarity swung into action at her pleading declaration and who was he to refuse her? The room may have been dark and the apocalyptic snores of the Vornskr had reached full volume but none of that seemed to matter now that he had taken the bold step of bringing her into his arms. He couldn't see her face but he could feel the curiosity of her gaze. "What're you doing here?"

"I owe you an explanation. I vanished today in an attempt to gather my thoughts and my composure, you didn't deserve to be left wondering and I'm sorry for that." More wakeful now, Raina was more than comfortable in her foreign position against Hux's bare chest and in the security of his arms. She prided herself on being an independent woman with little need for attachments but this once, she allowed herself to indulge.

"You've lost a lot since you got here. I can't blame you but you could've at least talked to me, I could've helped."

"There was little talking to be done, more coping but I appreciate it all the same."

"Y'know…. You could've waited till the morning to tell me all this."

"I told you I couldn't sleep and I needed to see you. Both of those things were true."

"So you eventually found my bedroom door."

"I see your suggestion but I have no intention of putting you under that pressure tonight, it's too late." A beat and a glance back at the luminous clock he'd noticed on his way in and a means of finding his way in the dark. "Or too early, rather."

"If you insist on being gentlemanly. I take it you're changing beds now?"

"If you'll permit me to."

"I think I can swing that. So…. Did you make a decision?" For a moment, Hux didn't answer. With a full exhale and a clearing of his throat, Raina's anticipation grew.

"I would like to stay. Under your command, under your protection-"

"And my bedsheets."

"And your bedsheets. The First Order was my everything, Finalizer is gone and soon, the Supreme Leader will be too. I think I got out on time if Ren sees fit not to disclose my whereabouts. Regardless, I need to start rebuilding and I would like to do that here with you."

"And if they find you?"

"I will go quietly under the condition that nothing happens to you." What could she say to that? There was nothing really she could say only accept and return the nervous push of his lips against hers, internally glowing and pleased when he became more confident in his uncharacteristic actions.

"I guess we better start rebuilding then."