[IC CONTACT]

[photophobic]

You should know where to find me.
But if you leave a message here, I will see it.

Comments

[therewillbeorder]

Your concentration didn't just slip.

[Hux didn't have any kind of tissues or clothes but thankfully the blood seemed to be slowing already. He put the glass on the table with the rest of the phone, inspecting Ren's hand carefully for any more glass.]

We'll figure that out later. Right now, there is a reason you smashed your phone.

[The tone of his voice wasn't harsh, however. He was trying to prompt Ren to tell him more information.]

[photophobic]

[ He blinked. Was this Hux's attempt at would you like to talk about it?
He'd already opened his mouth to spit out something irritable and dismissive, but--
It was, wasn't it.

This was Hux, attempting to be there for him.

He pressed his lips together for a moment, just breathing. ]

It's... frustrating.

[ A pause. Another shaking breath. His gaze dropped. ]

Talking to them. Because they don't know.

[ It's a shorter pause this time. It's easier, once that seal has been broken. ]

What they did.

[therewillbeorder]

[Hux pressed on one of the deeper cuts to try to stop the bleeding a little. He wasn't experienced in wound care bout he knew some basics from past experience. He watched Ren carefully, not sure what his reaction would be but he didn't prompt him for a response when Ren was quiet at first.]

Did you tell them?

[Then again, telling someone what they do in the future is different than them actually having done it.]

None of the cuts are deep, there are some bandages upstairs you can pull on them later.

[photophobic]

No. It's pointless.
Why give them any more power over me than they already have.

[ He watched Hux work, his breath catching ever so slightly. ]

I don't think I'll need bandages.
...Thank you.

[therewillbeorder]

Just be careful- there isn't bacta here so it could get infected.

[He wasn't sure how else to show concern, instead pulling Ren's hand up to his lips, pressing a kiss against his palm.]

That's true, you shouldn't. No matter what they do or did, you're still here despite that.

[photophobic]

[ He takes in a slow, steadying breath- it shudders slightly at the edges. ]

Still here.

[ Yes. That will do. He focuses on that thought, on being here, on everything he has here that had been destroyed, lost or stolen.
It might disappear at any moment. But what was new about that? If he's learned anything, it's that nothing can truly be relied on to stay strong indefinitely with his weight on it.
But he's survived. And he will survive this, too. ]

We are survivors. Both of us.

[therewillbeorder]

Still here.

[He repeated as he laid Ren's hand down carefully once he made sure there were no more shards. He leaned back against Ren, shifting so he could look up at him easier.]

We are. No matter what they try to do, no matter how many times they attempt to bring us down. We're still here.

[photophobic]

[ Kylo's heart was still pounding, but the weight of Hux's back against his chest was enough to shift his focus away from it. It was as if his body had learned what happened next- he operated on muscle memory, his arm looping loosely around him as he found the familiar, comfortable way they fit together, the back of Hux's head resting against his shoulder. ]

Nothing can stand in our way.

[therewillbeorder]

[Hux reached up to touch Ren's cheek, making sure Ren's attention was entirely on him as he relaxed into his arms.]

Nothing and no one. We won't allow it.

[He brushed his thumb against Ren's cheek, almost tentatively as if he was figuring out what would help.]

They can't touch us here. I won't allow that either.

[photophobic]

[ He smiled slightly. Hux's discomfort in a situation he didn't know quite how to navigate had settled under a determined desire to solve a problem- he was uncertain, yes, but not about what he wanted.

It was... endearing. Fondness swelled in him in response. Hux, stumbling, but refusing to stop pressing forward. He turned his head slightly and kissed his palm. ]

I know.

[therewillbeorder]

[Hux couldn't stop his cheeks from flushing a faint red when Ren smiled and kissed his palm. But he didn't pull away, his cheeks a warm shade of pink despite his best efforts.]

Good.