007; not about surprises

[vanto]

WHO: Eli & Hux & Ren
WHERE: De Chima 008 & De Chima around and about
WHEN: Early March
WHAT: Hux and Eli have some things to discuss. Meanwhile Eli and Ren have their usual training sessions going... well.
WARNINGS: Star Wars typical violence, tba.

There were many secrets Hux and Ren kept from Eli — this was a fact Eli knew and understood. He was not entitled to everything, despite the urges to ask because curiosity was hard to satisfy.

Whenever Hux and Eli speak it normally circles around work and household management, so he expects this to be no different. Perhaps an update as to what happened in the month Eli was gone.

If he's lucky, maybe he'll even hear about what exactly happened while Hux was ported out.

---

Eli's void is still an ability that he cannot quite push to the full extent of its abilities. It has served a purpose in the past, but Eli did not use it so often until Ren and he began their training sessions. In those circumstances, he does enjoy letting it reach as far as he can even though he's exhausted after.

However, something today is off about Ren.

There have been no questions from Eli's side yet but he's noticed and he's pretty sure Ren has noticed Eli noticed.

Comments

[therewillbeorder]

While waiting for the coffee machine to work, Hux couldn't help but examine his hand once more. The bite marks had finally faded, thankfully there had been no infection. That was still rather gross and he made a face to himself as he took out a mug.

He paused as he heard Eli entered the room, watching him carefully. "Vanto."

[vanto]

"Sir." Eli might call Hux in his head without any title but he couldn't bring himself to use just his name. It was too informal for someone who had such distinct boundaries — Eli could respect that.

"You mentioned wanting to speak with me now that I'm back?"

[therewillbeorder]

"Yes, I did. I trust you have settled in now," he said as he poured himself a cup of coffee. It wasn't his favorite tea but the strong bitterness of the coffee was sufficient. He turned back to Eli as he sat down at the table.

"I know I have asked a lot of you but you have performed your duties well to the high standards I hold my own officers. However, there is one more thing I wish to ask of you now."

[vanto]

"I have." There was a contentment to Eli that was not there before as if leaving and then coming back had settled him. Focused him. It was not just the glowing bracelet keeping his memories in check but also his talk with Thrawn, knowing he belonged to Thrawn.

He steps further into the kitchen and touches the coffee pot, it changes from coffee to something else and he flashes a grin. Yup, Eli is in a good mood.

"If it is in my powers to be of service, General, then I'll do my best."

[therewillbeorder]

"Of course."

Hux was amused by the change in the coffee pot but didn't remark on it.

"There have been a number of changes since I've returned but you should know I am no longer a general. I have no intention of making any announcements why I am here but I am the Supreme Leader of the First Order, the new Emperor." His voice was calm, despite the lie he knew it was only a matter of time before it was the truth.

[vanto]

Surprise crosses Eli's features, followed by a tight press of the lips: uncertain, concerned. Hux would never not be terrifying and with the galaxy at his knees, Eli wondered...

Did this mean Poe's death in the future? Finn's?

He doesn't ask, he doesn't want an answer.

"Congratulations, sir, it's what you've always wanted." There is a seriousness in Eli as he delivers the words, he knows — he's seen what Hux went through to get to where he is. He understands the importance of this achievement.

[therewillbeorder]

"Thank you, Vanto." Hux took a deep breath, confident in his decision to lay claim to the throne even here. He didn't doubt his own abilities.

"That is not all I wished to ask of you, however. I have every intention to do what I can to improve this planet- at least the best I am able to." Though honestly, he thought Earth was just a lost cause- a primitive backwater planet with primitive technology. But that remained unsaid for the moment.

[vanto]

Probably for the best, Eli would argue otherwise as he liked Earth and he liked the opportunity to be here now. With those he had come to know and, of course, the person he loved.

"It sounds like a difficult task to tackle."

[therewillbeorder]

"It is." But Hux was willing to take on a galaxy back home, he could take on one planet. He wouldn't let himself waver for a moment. He couldn't afford to, even here.

He looked at Eli for a moment as he took a drink of coffee. "You have been a loyal officer, but I am offering you a chance to help me do what I can for this planet," he said after a moment.

[vanto]

Eli thought of Thrawn, upstairs and working away on his datapad — tablet, whatever they called it here. For his wellbeing, Eli would do absolutely anything.

"Of course, sir. I'm listening."

[therewillbeorder]

"Dooku began an organization- a group of ImPorts to try to change things for the better for us. With Dooku's fall, I have taken over leadership of the group to build it up once more."

He watched Eli closely, pausing for a moment. "I am asking you to join with me. I know I am adding to your duties but I need your assistance helping me manage some of the logistics."

[vanto]

Well, that was also terrifying news but Eli isn't surprised that Hux would, once again, achieve his goal. The man's focus was unparalleled.

Eli's speciality is logistics, more than managing a home or a bar, and yet he's hesitant to agree because, well Dooku was a Sith. Kylo was not, so it was not the same.

"What about those who threatened Dooku's life, that group. Would they not come for you now?"

[therewillbeorder]

"They are welcome to. I will deal with them, in that case." Hux's voice was calm- he wouldn't hide behind Kylo Ren as he believed himself capable of also protecting himself. He knew there were many threats he was unaware of but he wasn't someone who let doubt stop him.

"As for your safety, you know you are still under my and Kylo Ren's protection." He knew he could speak for Ren in this case with confidence.

[photophobic]

Kylo had almost forgotten what day it was- and so when Eli turned up, expectant and eager, it took him a moment to realise what it was Eli was waiting for. He didn't own up to it, simply nodding and suggesting they take their session out to the woods.

He was distracted, quite noticeably so, and he was certain Eli's focus was suffering because of it too. So he put an abrupt end to their sparring session, gesturing for Eli to join him in meditation instead.

"You're concerned," he noted as he sat opposite him. "It disrupts your focus."

[vanto]

Eli feels his face warm at Kylo's words; his wrist aches from a particularly bad parry a dull throb present as he drew his legs up, wrapping one arm around them. "Sorry, I don't mean to waste our time together."

The importance of these sessions was not to be understated, they had an impact physically and emotionally on Eli — a positive one.

"I'm just, well, you seem distracted today." He bites his lower lip, worrying at it. "It seems like things have gone back to normal when the General came back but."

They're not, are they?

[photophobic]

It's strange, how everything shifts in degrees- so slowly that it's impossible to notice the change as it occurs, but a glance backwards puts the distance travelled in sharp relief. How long ago had Kylo started wanting friends- and more specifically, when had it become so important to him that Eli enjoy his company?

He can't think of the answer, but he knows one thing for certain: he doesn't want Eli thinking he is irritated with him. Especially not for something like wasting their time together.

So he shakes his head slightly, reaching across the space between them for Eli's arm.
"You aren't wasting our time, and-- you're right. I am distracted. I would never have hit you that hard otherwise. Let me see it."

[vanto]

Subtlety is not one of Eli's traits; it is either complete military rigidity when faced with superiors or a splatter of emotions that spill out in every gesture, every glance, every word. As he'd become more confident some of those had faded but never completely. Eli still crosses his arms when uncomfortable, grasps his hands when wary and clenches his fists when angry.

And unfortunately, Eli's emotions are evident. His happiness, his rage, they're clearly felt and dealt with accordingly.

Right now there is embarrassment as he hates being a poor student. There is something else though, warm and affectionate aimed at Kylo as he speaks; it isn't birthed in ignorance or a belief that Kylo can completely change.

Eli shakes his head and offers his wrist. "It's fine, I'll ice it when we get back. I've been smacked hard in combat training before."

[photophobic]

"Not by me," Kylo points out- and while he's not necessarily there's something almost rueful in his tone- even as he examines Eli's wrist thoughtfully. "I didn't see--"

Kylo blames himself for this injury- he's more than capable of seeing when Eli is going to fail to parry well in time to dampen the strength of his blow, but not, it seems, when his mind is elsewhere. His examination complete, he nods. "We will use it to our advantage. There are ways to practise focus in spite of discomfort."

His thumb runs over Eli's wrist lightly- undeniably affectionate and quite possibly completely unconscious- and he releases it.

[vanto]

Eli's face warms at the unexpected gesture of affection, it feels undeserved but it isn't unwelcome. He presses his advantage because he's concerned about Kylo — his wrist just needs ice and some rest but whatever bothers Kylo is more delicate in nature. "Back at Royal Imperial, during combat training, I got smacked a lot by my combat partner who happened to be Grand Admiral Thrawn. He always held back his full strength, I'm sure but."

Meaning: it's fine, however many times it happens, it is fine. Not your fault.

"What's distracting you?"

[photophobic]

He tilts his head slightly. There are so many deflections available to him- so many ways he could dismiss this attempt to...

To what, exactly?

Odd, that Eli should remind him so strongly of his grandmother in this instant- something in the eyes, in the careful approach, his choice of words... and the quiet refusal to accept unspoken pain as something inevitable, something to be planned around.

"Do you miss your family?"

The question comes after a pause just that little too long, Kylo's gaze absolutely steady on Eli's face. It might seem like a non-sequitur. But if Eli is as similar to Padmé as Kylo suspects, he'll know it isn't.

[vanto]

Once Eli collars his anger he can be very much careful in his approach, his words, his intentions — it has taken him years of practice. Fortunately, Kylo is someone who does not trigger Eli's temper at any point — he's sometimes felt wordlessly frustrated by prolonged exposure but that was nothing Kylo did consciously.

Eli weighs his answer. "My family and I aren't close. We were once but there were... differences that grew and became irreparable. I picked Thrawn over them and they haven't quite... forgiven me for that choice."

The personal information is an offering, a show of trust, because ELi could not expect trust without giving it in return.

[photophobic]

Kylo's answering smile is a little tight- but he isn't angered by the mere thought of his family the way he had been once.

"Have you forgiven them?" he asks, his voice becoming softer- gentler, rather than harsher. Another journey of a thousand steps. "It's harder, I think."

[vanto]

"I have but that doesn't mean we're very much on speaking terms. It's all for the best really." Eli seems very certain of that, he feels a little melancholic about it but his parents had put pressure on his career choices despite Eli's reassurance and —

— the Ascendancy was far away. Closer to Lysatra than the Core but far enough.

"To forgive them you mean? Or to mend bridges? They're two separate steps."

[photophobic]

"They're two different things," Kylo says, absolute conviction in his voice. Clearly, he's thought about this before.

"Some things can't be forgiven. Some can't be mended. And even knowing that..."

He pauses, glancing at his hands.

"We never stop wanting, Eli. Never. Even if we can't have what we need. Especially then."

[vanto]

"Can't have mended bridges without forgiveness first though, if that is what you want." Eli isn't talking about Ren specifically, just a general all-encompassing sort of 'you'.

There is no pity for Kylo but there is empathy, a keen ache between his ribs that is not Eli's. He shifts a little, enough that there is a light line of contact between them if Eli leans further left.

"You're missing family."