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]

[ It shouldn't surprise him when Ren says he has an idea. No, that he's put strategical thought into this. Still, for as much as they've argued and verbally ripped each other to pieces, Hux finds himself shocked at the words.

Even moreso what Ren expects in return.

But clarity cuts through like a knife. Precise; they can't afford to continue their petty hatred. Already, the two times they've been brought to the brink since coming here have left him feeling like he has no footing. The addition of the symbiote had not helped his case and it appears it hasn't been working in Ren's favor either.

They're the only ones left of a regime he'd helped build. The fact burns and stings, still an open wound. He's going to take a page from Ren and endure. ]

Yes. [ No refusal, though it feels like he's just cut the strings holding him up. Hux meets Ren's gaze easily, straight backed as always. ]

Explain it to me. [ The Force. Dark. Light. What sinks its teeth in more? The first step to any action– know what you're walking into, from the inside out. ]

[narcissithstic]

[From there it's a daunting task, summarizing the worst of his struggles: how the light, what should be that much weaker than the dark, still tears at him with every open opportunity, how he's incapable of locking out the echoes of the world around him, how much the symbiote fights his hold— a cycle of frustration and anger born from nothing more than what he endures. Ren asks for no pity, no comfort, everything is stated as a bitter fact and left exposed.

When it's done he sits opposite the General, perched wearily at the edge of a low alcove, fingers knitted.]

I need orders, General.

[Ones that aren't 'hold hands with your brood' or 'make nice with the hosts that despise you'.]

[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.]