04. mental link

[exhuxperation]

COMMAND over oneself and others	AMBITION nothing will stand in my way
ORDER chaos will not be tolerated	MANY over the individual

( CODE BY WHAMBAM )

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[exhuxperation]

[ As Ren launches into his description, Hux listens intently, eyeline on him the entire way. At some point, both of them have settled– Ren edged on the alcove across where he'd sat on the bed. He's leaned forward now, forearms resting on his knees and one hand loosely clasping the other. The puzzle that is Kylo Ren has come together quickly, missing pieces slotting in and giving him a better picture.

This is the most they've spoken; he thinks they should've had this conversation much earlier. There was no turning back time or decisions though, so it's time to make the best of it. ]

For now, let's focus on the build up of energy. [ And utilizing those sharp edges elsewhere. Here is another similarity between them: without aim, they're restless. Hux can easily find things for himself to do, not that he always enjoys it, but Ren is a different story. ] Should you feel ready to lash out, just come find me. Or make contact somehow. We can divert it into something productive.

[narcissithstic]

[A beat, the air heavy between them with the weight of a single, pregnant pause.]

Understood.

[There it is, the agreement struck in a definitive moment. How long had Snoke tried to coerce them into cooperation? How often had they been at each other's throats, praying through their own teeth that the other would recoil— surrender or stumble enough to be dismissed in shame, only to find themselves bound to one another regardless. It's not an ideal solution (in a better world they'd have control over the other hosts— or at least the authority required to keep conflict at a minimum) but it is viable: Hux had already endured the worst of Ren's violent outbursts, the ability to reroute and refocus them as they occur should come almost second nature to him now.]

[exhuxperation]

[ Here's where it could all unravel. Hinging on Ren's say. ]

Good.

[ And it resolves. The tension seeming to dissipate into more normal levels between them both. Hux feels like he can breathe a little easier, even if this whole situation is strange beyond reason. Finally, finally they're working more in tandem, an understanding growing. There's still s much to work on, but the foundation is laid. ]

We'll talk again soon. [ A quiet dismissal– his energy is low, having gone from the knife sharp tension to having it cut loose. ]

[narcissithstic]

[In a way, Ren's surprised as much as he is relieved: he'd expected more reaching, more probing curiosity with such a massive confession on the table, and an even more shocking agreement as its undercurrent. And yet there's nothing but that cordial dismissal standing between them.

How strange— how fortunate.]

So we will.

[A single agreement, and then he tips his head, leaving without another word.]