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WHO: Kylo Ren & General Hux + Anakin & Padmé
WHERE: De Chima 008
WHEN: THANKSGIVING(ish)
WHAT: THANKSGIVING(ish)
WARNINGS: None as of yet!

De Chima 008 looks a little different today. It's still the same old apartment, supplied by the government and furnished identically to every other with the exception of a few personal effects– but the living room has been temporarily remodelled. The TV, couch and coffee table have been relegated to the spare room, and in its place is a dining table, four chairs, and the beginnings of a Thanksgiving meal being laid out, one slightly dubious-looking dish at a time.

Not many people would imagine Kylo Ren laying the table for a dinner he had prepared for his family. Admittedly, it isn't something he would have expected of himself before being brought to this world by forces beyond his understanding, and it still doesn't sit quite comfortably within him, a year and change on. But Padmé and Anakin are his grandparents, family untouched by the failings of the past. They want to know him... and he, despite his misgivings, the futility of chasing the impossible and the ever-present knowledge that this cannot last, wants to know them.

He scowls irritably at the stuffing– it's slightly burned– and readjusts it on the table as if the minor shift in light quality will hide its defects.
He scowls again. It's fine. It's adequate. Now all that's missing is the wine Hux is fetching... and their guests.

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"I got four bottles, that should be enough for us. If not, I think there is whiskey in one of the cabinets," Hux said as he pushed his way through the door the best he could. laptop bag across one shoulder and a bag in each arm with the wine. He was bundled up- thick gray wool coat, thick gloves, wool scarf. He hated the cold weather. The snow. The biting winds. He was used to the cold of space but the climate in the ships was carefully controlled so it was never this awful.

The bags with the wine bottles were set on the table with a low grunt before he started peeling off the layers he was wearing, pale skin flushed with cold. "I take it they haven't arrived yet," he commented as he put things away before joining Ren in the dining room. He had spent the day at the office, taking advantage of the quiet to catch up on some things while he could. Ren hadn't asked for help with setting up dinner or cooking and he hadn't offered.

There was whiskey. Kylo kept a stock– a task that felt partly like a memorial. While Eli had shared this space with them, there had never been a shortage. And so Kylo ensured there wasn't, now. He'd never mentioned it to Hux.

Hux was flushed with cold, making his eyes startlingly blue, and he dragged his hatred of the cold in with him like a cloud. Kylo watched him for a moment, enjoying the familiarity of Hux's foul mood rolling over the both of them, then slid up behind him and began easing his coat from his shoulders, drawing his scarf from his neck.

"No," he said, a low murmur. He pressed a kiss to the bared skin revealed once the scarf was in his hands, then hung it and Hux's coat up by the door. "Not yet."

Vaguely, he considered the possibility that they might not come at all. He thought of his mother, feeling an intense... twist in his gut at the idea of her loneliness that was entirely unfair.

Hux gave a slight smile as Kylo started to pull his coat off, wiggling a little to pull free of it. He looked back slightly at the kiss to his neck before setting his bag down to the side. It was a small gesture but his foul mood was starting to dissipate as he started to warm up slowly.

"I'm sure they'll be along shortly," he said, taking a moment to check his phone to see if either Padme or Anakin had messaged him. "We can have a glass of wine while we wait," he decided as he headed towards the kitchen to grab the wine glasses and a bottle opener.

Kylo was beginning to feel a little... anxious. Which was deeply unpleasant. He was more than happy to fall in with the idea of getting a drink or two in.

"Of course," he agreed, calling out as Hux moved towards the kitchen. "Don't-- don't touch the oven. The process is very delicate."

Hux glanced at the oven but he decided not to question the instruction. He knew very little about cooking aside from being able to do the basics. He was lucky enough to be able to make eggs for himself some mornings.

He set four wine glasses down on the table, opening one of the bottles of red wine to fill two of the glasses. One of the glasses was handed to Kylo as he looked over the table, reaching out to straighten a fork at one of the places set. "It looks like you've been busy today."

After dinner, Padmé offered to help clear the table — insisted, actually, and it really was just best not to argue with her when she set her mind to something. Just ask Anakin.

The bowl of stuffing crumbs and now empty gravy boat were carried into the kitchen and deposited next to a carefully stacked set of dishes on the counter. "The meal was absolutely delicious," she informed her companion in the kitchen, wearing a genuinely happy smile. "Thank you so much for inviting me to join you." And then, without missing a beat, "What else can I help with?"

It was as if she was daring him to try arguing with her about this too. Really, go ahead.

Honestly, Kylo was glad for the assistance– if only because he had virtually no idea how to clean dishes and absolutely no intention of learning. Left to his own devices, everything would have been left out exactly where it had been used last until someone else dealt with it, much like his laundry often was.
Once everything was stacked and waiting for later attention that would in all likelihood never come, Kylo fixed his attention back on Padmé's face, pleased with the compliment if not entirely certain of its veracity. But delicious or not, the meal had served its purpose– Padmé's happiness was absolutely, undeniably genuine, and Kylo considered that victory in itself.

Her challenge, though...

"You were a skilled politician," he said slowly, thoughtfully, his lips tugging into the beginnings of a smile because the idea of phrasing his request like this amused him. "I may have use of your talents. Have you heard of Pictionary? It's a game involving drawing pictures I want to... encourage Hux to play with us."

If Padmé ever learned Kylo was lacking such knowledge... Well, there would be an educational experience in his future. He might not want to have to do such things, but a time might come when he had to, and Padmé strongly believed in being prepared for everything life might throw at you.

That small smile peaked her interest, because he so rarely seemed to wear one, and she gave a small shake of her head. "I've never heard of it, no, but of course I'm happy to assist in this endeavor. I can be quite persuasive," she assured him with a hint of mischief in her expression. "Just ask your grandfather."

Once the cleaning had been seen to, as much as she'd been allowed to help with at least, Padmé returned to the main room and poured herself another glass of wine. It was her third (fourth?) of the evening, and she was feeling warm and cozy surrounded by her family. Not everyone was there, of course, but with all the various tensions among the members, she was just grateful to be able to spend time with whoever she could in whatever configuration.

"This was truly a wonderful evening," she told the man beside her, looking out the nearby window at the dark night that had fallen since her arrival.

Hux had decided to stay out the kitchen for the evening. Kylo was the one who did the cooking and seemed very particular about where things were placed and the such. It was easier to just not get in the way. He stayed out in the main room and dining room to pour wine and catch up with Anakin.

He thought Padme was with Kylo in the kitchen and when Anakin got up to join them, Hux refilled his wine glass and ventured to the main room. It was dark, he paused to turn on a couple of the lamps before going to the window. Even after a year here, he still felt awkward at family events- it still made him feel something he couldn't identify at the pit of his stomach. But he was distracted when Padme approached and he turned to look at her, slightly surprised.

"I am glad you enjoyed the evening. Ren is glad that you were able to come," he commented after a moment.

Though she'd only recently learned of the holiday, the traditions of Thanksgiving were ones that Padmé found herself greatly appreciating. Spending time with loved ones, making a point of showing gratitude for all one has in life... Those things are important, and she's glad she was able to spend the evening with some of the people who mean the most to her in any galaxy.

"And yourself?" she asked carefully, hoping for an honest answer. She was aware that her relationship with Hux had not been a smooth one when last she'd been on this planet, but the both of them seemed to be trying to keep things steady this time.

It should be a simple question- to anyone else it would be. But he was not used to anyone asking what he felt about something and even less accustomed to sharing his feelings on anything. Feelings could be used against him. When he looked at her he didn't see any indication that she would use his answer against him.

He knew there was only a matter of time until she found out what he had done and the kind of person he was. He doubted that she would be so concerned or if she would use anything against him. For now, though, he would extend a bit of trust to her.

"Yes, as am I," he said eventually. "You and Skywalker are welcome anytime."

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