#hate this guy is the one they chose to write hux's backstory

[novakspector]

[disregardcanon]

day 9? i think of the perpetual star wars rewatch: the last jedi

1. canto blight looks pretty. i also think that rose’s backstory and reaction to that area was compelling, so it’s a shame that they did Zero with that because they let the racists win. 

the scenes there are also pretty engaging. 

2. i don’t like the last jedi as a follow up to the force awakens (because it. like. doesn’t follow that movie very well and shoves both finn and poe into roles that don’t suit their narratives, both of which are p racist decisions), but i will say that it’s a better movie than rise of skywalker. it might actually be a better MOVIE from a cinema and story telling standpoint than force awakens too. there are countless things that i don’t like about it, but this movie has a story to tell, themes to explore, and isn’t afraid to do new things. 

honestly, tfa, tlj and ros all feel like movies from a different trilogy. i WANT tfa trilogy the most, i feel like tlj trilogy would have been the most interesting, and the ros trilogy is just a hot fucking mess. 

3. the framing on the force bond thing is creative and cool. it’s not a plot thread i care for, but it’s at least well done here. 

4. i hate admiral hondo. there is no other way to phrase this. i hate her and the way that poe’s story was framed was racist and she’s a white feminist girl boss TM. i hate it i hate it i hate it

5. the framing of “the legacy of the jedi was hubris and blindness” is cool and interesting. i really don’t care for the luke characterization, but that could have been something interesting in a trilogy that was cohesive. 

6. i still don’t believe you that luke “i did everything within my power to bring my dickwad dad back from the dark side” would just. try to murder his nephew in his sleep cause he was giving off some bad vibes. 

7. i really DID like the rey nobody thing. if she wasn’t going to be a bio skywalker descendant then her just being Some Guy who the force chose was cool. if she had fought off kylo’s I Give Your Life Meaning and the reylo were shown to be unhealthy and he was the villain, and she was important because rey is a good person and strong with the force on her own. 

but no, we can’t have nice things. only palpatine fucking. 

8. the code breaker character is interesting. i remember liking him the first time around, and i still enjoy him now. i know he betrays them but like. i get it. he’s interesting. 

9. i FUCKING HATE HOLDO! like oh my god! if you have a plan to not get people killed fucking tell them! you don’t have to give them the information, but like. you have to tell people that you aren’t going to get them killed or they’re gonna do a fucking mutiny! poe was not in the wrong there!

10. even at his most compelling, kylo ren is. not compelling. like, this movie’s kylo is the most interesting but they completely yeeted his darth vader connection out the window and no one leveraged it for the narrative. wasted potential. 

11. dj (the hacker man) looks so funny in his little hat. i love it. also rose looks adorable in the first order outfit i love her. 

12. the confrontation with phasma hits better this time around. it’s not everything i’d hoped for or anything, but it’s better than nothing. 

13. like, ren killing snoke to become full villain as the inverse of vader killing palps to save luke? that was INTERESTING! but only if they would have followed through with kylo just being a villain. he wasn’t good in this movie! he was possessive and manipulative, and if deciding that he wasn’t worth it was the culmination of the reylo thing that could have been good. 

but noooooooooooooooooo we can’t have nice things in the star wars sequels

14. rey and kylo decimating all those guards and then the burning wreckage of the building looks cool. also, kylo’s a manipulative asshole and if we had done something with that it would have been so fucking cool. kylo! is! not! good! and giving him a half assed “my dad’s ghost came back so now i’m here being good” does not work.

rey and kylo pulling anakin skywalker’s lightsaber apart? his good side and his bad side? that’s interesting! too bad we didn’t like, do anything with that. 

15. .... was this post twilight of the apprentice? did they steal the mask broken over the eye bit from TWILIGHT OF THE APPRENTICE

16. the ice foxes are gorgeous and the porgs are cute. do like the new aliens in this one. 

17. the red salt set at the end is so pretty and distinctive. i love the image of the red coming up under the fighters. 

18. for real though you cannot put kylo ren at the helm of the first order because he killed his master and declared himself supreme leader one minute and then just go He’s Good Again Now the next. that is a villain. you wrote a villain. fucking deal with it. 

19. finn trying to be a suicide bomber didn’t make any sense, and the finnrose kiss thing didn’t make any sense. i don’t like that, and it still feels like they didn’t write a romance and then the writers went ROMANCE so that they could point at reylo and pretend that finn wasn’t set up as the love interest. 

20. i am really glad that luke and leia had at least one more scene, also luke saying “no one’s ever really gone” almost made me cry because CARRIE

21. kylo having every gun fire on luke and then luke standing there completely unscathed is such bde. also love the red smoke cloud

22. the luke projection thing was interesting, if nothing else. 

23. tlj finnrey hug is the last time that these movies ever gave me my juice there. 

24. the framing of luke fading into nothingness is pretty. i won’t say i love the choice but the shot is really pretty 

25. finn gently moving rose’s blanket is a nice shot. i don’t ship it but i do think they care about each other 

26. i have such intensely mixed feelings about this movie, y’all. it’s just uuuuuggggghhhhhhhh 

at least there’s some things i like about it vs like, ros, where i just like that they brought lando back and made hux a petty asshole who became a resistance spy just to get under ren’s skin. 

[co-mixed]

What’s wrong with the characters in TROS

Obviously, Spoilers.

None of the characters were treated properly in this movie. And, before we go one by one, there are some things to consider. First and foremost, Rian Johnson went deep with trying to understand what each one of them would do and why. So, in a way, he’s given JJ the perfect outline of what they should do next. The only thing he had to do is listen. But somewhere it went wrong, so we went back to one dimensional archetypes, lifted straight from the OT. More mythical, less human, more standard, less unique. Let’s take a look.

Finn

Let’s face it, if and when somebody really stole John Boyega’s script, the only thing they found there was the line “Rey” randomly scheduled for different points in the movie. There is an attempt to make up for that with Force-sensitivity, but that’s a hint that you just don’t drop in the last movie of a trilogy. And that’s what TROS is supposed to be, a finale to the two movies that came before. And with Finn’s complete lack of knowledge or understanding of the Force that we’ve seen in the comics or books, it really has no place there. Where was that famous story group? Maybe taking a day off.

Finn has nothing to do in the movie, since there was no story for him. He just tagged along with Rey or Poe, became a general through nepotism, even though there were much more experienced people for that job, and ultimately, he was just there as a plot device several times.

Rose

That’s one of the worst cases. JJ spent a lot of time saying how glad he is to Johnson that he’s cast Kelly. Then he simply didn’t write a story for her either. Because you know, galaxy is not a place for a righteous optimistic girl. (Unless she’s a Palpatine)

And I would’ve written more, but well… it was wrong and that’s just it.

Poe

Poe already has a backstory. So what do you do? As a writer, you try to understand how to work his guilt from TLJ into TROS. But as someone who’s trying their best to undo TLJ, you just throw it all away and play off of similarities with Han. He’s charismatic, shoots well, flies well. Done, make him a smuggler. The whole unnecessary retcon kind of might work for general audience, since most people never learned anything from his past. With TLJ they’ve learned who he is now, but did they even need more? He already went through all the needed changes, to get him to lead the rebellion.

The only in-character moment was his rant at Rey, where he says that she is the best fighter, and they need her.

The most out of character moment is him blaming his so-called friends for being an ex-stormtrooper and a Scavenger. Man, you chose to do that, they were forced into it.

Zorii

Why was she even there? Nepotism maybe? Cool costume? Merchandise? I don’t know, but she was not there to serve the story.

Allegiant General Pryde

Pretty much the same thing as Zorii.

Hux

Poor character. I mean, really. He was a fanatic of the First Order, of the Empire, and all the evil regimes. This was pretty well pictured up to the point when one brave writer decided that his hate for the newly self proclaimed Supreme Leader is stronger than his hate for… let’s call it lack of Order. It seemed from his story, that he’d be the first in line to pledge allegiance to the Emperor. But surprises never cease in TROS. Not for a moment. Also, JJ deals with him in a matter of minutes. Done, and done. Next.

Jannah

What a cool character, for a show or a spin off. She has potential, I’ll give her that. Naomi Ackie is likable enough to carry her own show. But there was no need for her in TROS. Partly because it’s way too late for new characters, and partly because she’s also not given much to do. That mumbo-jumbo about the Force and troopers defecting, that’s a nice sentiment. But also could have been done by any random trooper.

Leia

Let’s not talk about her being in the movie, let’s stay on character topic. Her Jedi training was just a very random last minute concept, probably straight out of Legends. And she could’ve just as well been giving Rey pep talks or reach Ben without it. So that’s more of a “just why” moment. The part would have been the same, the lightsaber wouldn’t have existed, but that is still very fixable.

Palpatine/Snoke/All the Sith

Just why would you even bring him back? Anakin brought balance, killing him, got his redemption, taught the audience the primitive rule that only death is truly redeeming (which worked fine in the 70s), and Palpatine died. But then he was back because reasons, and we don’t need to see how or why. He also now is All-the-Sith-in-One, and very very powerful. Apparently, at least one character spends their off screen time learning. So… good for him?

If they wanted ancient evil, I’d rather they went with Plagueis. He could’ve seen the rise and fall of the Empire, he could’ve fooled death and he could’ve easily fooled his apprentice along with Kylo and obviously Rey.  It even works perfectly within the concept of balance where “Darkness rises, and Light to meet it”.

To be even more honest, I’d prefer that TROS was just concluding the trilogy, without bringing up old bad guys. There is still plenty of those in the next-gen.

Rey/All-The-Jedi

As every imaginable critic has already stated, one of the most inspiring messages of The Last Jedi was “you could come from nothing and become something”. And this way Rey would have been a perfect representation to any girl of how you build yourself with the help of your friends. That is what fairy tales are usually about. That or space princesses, heirs to Palpatine, who, we have to believe, had a son. At this point it would be way better if the stranger on Pasaana did randomly name her Solo (imagine that).

But my verdict is that Rey’s story in this movie wasn’t necessary, and was a rehashed story of Kylo Ren. Think about it, he was fighting the light in his bloodline, and tried every imaginable thing to destroy it, but still couldn’t. Not that it’s a bad idea, it’s just that we’ve seen in already in 2015. The character had a clear path ahead of her after TLJ, but again, she was forced into a completely different story. Just because she wants to be a Jedi really bad, doesn’t mean that she is immune to the Dark Side, because she’s not immune to fear. One scary vision of her on the Dark Side, and that’d be enough. Not to shoot lightning, but to go a bit dark, effectively pushing her adversary closer to the Light. And that would’ve been fine.

But she had to be All-The-Jedi instead, didn’t she. Funny how that’s now a thing, and we still have separate Force Ghosts of Luke and Leia (but not a certain Solo). This whole things falls apart, and if someone just reread the story at least once the day after it was finished, they would see it.

Somehow, the movie comes down to Palpatime defeating a Palpatine, and Skywalkers were in this Saga there for the show.

Kylo Ren/Ben Solo/The last Skywalker

His story feels fairly well done, except for a few moments. Because in TLJ, hу killed Snoke, we were lead to believe that he would come into his own. We also know what a nerd he is, so he probably has some knowledge of who Palps is, and how his kind operates. Now when he delivers the line “I killed Snoke, I’ll kill you”, I believe him. When he starts asking questions, I don’t. And that’s because it’s written, it’s there on paper, but that’s something the character refused to do willingly.

This happens a few times, and probably the cringiest of them all is when the writer forces him to say that Rey is a Palpatine. Because that’s the first time we hear that out loud, and aside from thinking “No-nо-no not that”, we experience a case of disbelief. That’s not how we wanted this to go, and that’s not how the story was supposed to work.

Then there are wonderful scenes with Rey and with Han, the ones we were always supposed to get, and then the awaited redemption. That was the story, the one that resonates with his character. What does not is what happens after — yeah, the pit. The last Skywalker spends his final battle, the destiny of his bloodline in the pit, while the Jedi choose to support Rey.

His death is another choice that I deem unnecessary, and a bit lazy. You need to live with your mistakes and learn to forgive yourself, while working through your issues. But sure, death it is.

Overall

Probably the biggest mistake of this movie is letting a Palpatine take the Skywalker name, and letting the last Skywalker be pretty much forgotten. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that Rey’s supposed bloodline defines her, but it just doesn’t sit well with me. She’s lost someone important, a soulmate, and so many fans felt the loss, imagine how she supposed to feel. Her next stage would be Dark Side, because she by no means can live with that. And that’s far from a hopeful message.

A happy ending for this space fairy tale would’ve been the only reasonable choice.

[nymphl]

Lie to Me - Hux x Reader - Ch. 3: Hot & Cold

A/N: Hi, guys! xD In the absence of yet another update, here goes another chapter of Lie to Me updated to tumblr. I reread this chapter and it gave really a bit of insight of how I want to write chapter 22. To the new readers, I hope you like it xD

Story Summary: Falling for the enemy… That’s probably the stupidest thing you’ve ever done. Letting him live… for he should be dead. And you should’ve been the one to kill him. You had him, right there… and you let it escape through yours fingers. He lived. And now only the time could tell if you made the right decision — more likely wrong — by saving the amnesiac General of the First Order and telling him he was your husband. [Hux x Reader - Hux x You]

Warnings for the entire story: Will contain at times; graphic violence, sex, drugs and manipulation, coarse language and OOCness.

AO3 Tags: from enemies to lovers; eventual romance; memory loss; fake marriage; fake marriage becomes real marriage; rebellion; married couple; canon divergence; slow burn romance; politics; rebel alliance; resistance; first order; OOCness; eventual smut; eventual sex; power play; power dynamics; syndicate; lies; you lie; Hux lies; Hux backstory; manipulation; political alliances; political betrayals; secret organizations.

Wordcount: 3380

PREVIOUS CHAPTER *** NEXT CHAPTER

IT MADE YOU NERVOUS.

The idea of sharing the bed after so many years. It was not only due to the fact he was a stranger — he seemed less of an enemy at each passing day.

At first, you thought someone of the First Order would come for him and wipe out your planet of the Galaxy. Then, you thought he would kill you after he woke up and, lastly, you were sure he did not believe you and would have you killed for lying.

In each scenario, you ended up dead.

Instead, he seemed taken by the datapad. He was so concentrated, he did not pay any attention when you stopped in front of him and handed him a mug with hot tea.

You cleared your throat.

“My Lord?”

The title made him shift his eyes back to you. He did not move from his seat, neither to take the mug, nor to go to the bed.

“It’s time I check your bandages.”

He ignored your statement completely and asked; his eyes narrowed, “Where did you get it?”

You bit your bottom lip.

“Close to where you were attacked.”

He placed the datapad aside and rose to his feet. This time you did not try to help him. His movements were still a bit stiff, but he did not accept your help anymore.

“Tell me…” He took the mug. “How did they attack us?”

You did not know what to say. Or what he wanted to hear, actually. Should you go for the truth?

“(Y/N…)”

You busied yourself with your own mug.

The truth, it is.

“I don’t really know… I was at the Hospital that day and it was hectic as always. Dantooine is pure calamity and…” You took a pause to drink more of your hot tea, mimicking him. All this time his eyes did not leave you, as if accessing you for the truth. “But then it became more hectic than usual. Then there were explosions. Lots of explosions.” Thus far, you told him only the truth. “I knew we were being attacked again.”

He set his mug aside, approaching you. You had to bite your tongue before you told him to stay back. It would simply not do if he made you giddy by simply staring back at you or getting closer to you.

“I knew they came for you.”

…And that was the lie.

He looked at you, as if expecting you to continue.

“And I wish I came for you.”

“Why would you come for me?”

His question left you speechless. You knew you had to touch him — at least at some point you would have to and doing it right now would probably do the trick —, but you simply could not.

“Isn’t that obvious?”

He chose silence.

You looked down and then back at him; your bottom lip trapped between your teeth.

“You’re my husband… And…” You shook your head. Your words were as valuable as bantha fodder. “You don’t believe me.”

It took him a while to reply. In this time, you started making the bed —­ you had to do something in order to distract yourself. All the while, you could not stop thinking about finally sharing the bed. With him.

The mere idea gave you goosebumps.

For the Maker, you almost wished he said he did not want you close to him. 

If you did not want to sleep with him before, now you would absolutely not stay in the same place as his.

Head back to the hospital.

If you gave him some space, perhaps he would come to the conclusion he hurt you and would… you did not know… just, maybe, trust you more? Or, at least, trust your version of the facts.

You did not know where this scheme and will to manipulate came from, but you wondered if you had another choice.

Telling him that he attacked your planet with that damned First Order of his, and that he ended up left for dead by Kriff-knows-who?

No.

You doubted he would appreciate your honesty. He would most likely repay you by ending your life and wreaking havoc in your Planet.

The Galaxy had already suffered too much with the First Order, if it could lose its General, the better.

However… if he believed to be your husband and you managed to bring him to hate the First Order… That would be… You trapped your bottom lip between your lip… Their loss and your gain. The Resistance’s gain.

It is… If you could trust the Resistance again. You were not on the First Order’s side. A dictatorship was never a good thing, but you could not say you did not see both the New Republic and Resistance’s flaws. Your husband fell victim to the bureaucracy and reediness of the first — at least from those who lived and ruled Dantooine.

There was good and bad on both sides. Good and bad guys. You were not a child anymore to believe only one side had bad people trying to profit by doing the worst to the Galaxy. Every villain believed to be a hero in his own story.  

You have always considered yourself a Rebel, until your husband untimely passed away because of them. Now you were not so sure. Sometimes you wanted to believe yourself to be above all of this. But that was an illusion. You knew it. Those who decided not to pick a side were inevitably absorbed by the dominant ideology.

However, even you knew it would be for the best if the General were not with the First Order — if he could help General Leia Organa. As much as you mistrusted the Resistance, you still wanted to trust her.

Your husband trusted her…

…and you would always trust his judgment.

But you only could tell him and tell them when he decided to turn to your side. Until then, you had to make him trust you and right now, you would have to keep the façade of a hurt wife.

Leave for the Hospital, that is.

That was the only way out, you knew.

He kept looking at you this entire time and when the words left his lips, it was no surprise at all.

“Perhaps,” he replied silently.

Your eyebrows arched, and you gave him your back, heading out of the house.

“Have a good night.”

This time he did not only respond to you, as he did nothing to stop you.

When you came back the next day, close to noon, he was sitting at the table, eating something while carefully reading something on the datapad.

You pondered if that was a good idea to give the device to him, but decided to keep the words to yourself. It would simply not do to start the day by questioning him. You were about to say something, greet him and ask how he slept — before you went to bed; you were wasted — when his voice startled you.

“I remember you.”

His words made your heart stop. You closed your eyes.

How could he remember you when you have not even met him before? At least you did not — could not — remember ever meeting him.

What was he talking about?

What in the Maker’s name was he hinting at?

What sort of game was that?

You decided not to give it much thought — even if you were shaking with fear — and turned around, looking for some herbs to make you some tea, only to realize both the tea and lunch were already done.

“Why did you cook? Can you cook?”

He was already behind you, closing the gap between your bodies. Your whole body trembled. You shifted your attention to him. He had his eyebrows arched, as if you just said something stupid, before he placed his hand on your right hip and caressed the fabric lightly.

Another shudder.

Bells rang in your head.

Too close.

He was too kriffing close!

You stepped close to the stove and his hand fell limply on his side. A relieved sigh left your lips as you opened the pan and smelled the food. Your stomach growled. You did not know you were his hungry until now.

Ignoring his very existence — it was easier that way —, you brought a bit of it to your lips. Your eyes fluttered closed at the same instant.

“Maker, that’s good.”

He had not stepped away from his place and looked at you as if he had taken great offense at the thought that he could do something other than perfect had crossed your mind.

“I have always cooked.”

His words made you stop dead in your tracks.

Blast!

Another thing you were supposed to know.

“You sorta…” You bit your bottom lip. “Never did?”

He continued to stare at you as if he did not believe a word you said. You put two bowls in the table and handed you a spoon to him. It was clear that while he had cooked, he had not eaten. Not yet.

Both of you ate in a tense silence. He continued to stare at you, as if you were a great mystery of the galaxy.

“You were in the Galactic Senate.”

You furrowed your brows.

Indeed.

You have been there once. Or twice. With your late husband. Besides being a doctor, he also worked as assistant to Ryloth's Emissary, Yendor, once, but it was before the two of you got married. You were only his fiancée back then — your marriage would only take place a couple of years later. Contrary to Yendor, he firmly believed that in spite of the past, Ryloth should abide its sovereignty and join the New Republic. 

“With Aquilla Syndulla.”

Your throat constricted. It was difficult to think about him, even now, after almost five years had gone by.

“Yes…”

The truth was slipping past your lips so easily these days. You reasoned he made it difficult to lie — even more when he knew you.

He knew you.

He kriffing knew you.

Of all the people in the Galaxy to have met in the past and have forgotten about you did have to have met him. The great mystery lies in the fact you forgot all about him. How could you? He did not strike as a forgettable man.

He continued to stare at you with those impossibly blue eyes of his. You wondered — and not for the first time — if he could read your very soul, because he certainly seemed capable of it.

“You were his bride…”

“Yes,” you answered, not sure where he was headed to.

There was a minute of silence. Or more. You could not know. It seemed hours had gone by. The lump in your throat made it almost impossible to measure time. It made it very difficult to think about anything besides the need to cry.

Get a grip of yourself!

“How long were you married to him?”

This time the answer came quickly, as if you did not even think before letting the words slip past your mouth, “Almost two years before he disappeared.”

He lowered his eyes back to his food, brought the spoon to his mouth and shortly after focused his attention back on you. His blue eyes were very intense. And it struck you how different he was from your husband — the real one.

Aquilla had hazel eyes. Always soft. Calming. They had a balm effect. Amirtage Hux’s eyes, on the other hand, were always intense. Always cold. Always… so… penetrating. The effect was not calming. On the contrary. It made you nervous and anxious.   

“I was with my father, Brendol Hux.”

You looked away. As if trying to remember… but no scene of meeting him or his — blasted, miserable — father came to your mind.

Again, how could you simply forget him?

He was a very dominant man. He commanded everyone’s attention. How could someone be in the same room as his and not feel overwhelmed — as you were now — by his overbearing presence?

“While Brendol Hux talked politics with Yendor and your husband-to-be, you and I met in the corridor.”

It did not escape you how his words were bitter and how his eyes became much colder and angrier when he mentioned his father. Even in your fear, you could not help but feel your heart ache for him. He had had such a difficult infancy and adolescence.

You knew almost nothing — except for what was in the datapad; information was currently as good as millions of credits in Dantooine — about the mighty General of the First Order, but you knew a thing or two about his father — or about the man your late husband hated; he seldom spoke his name when you were engaged, and even less when he left the Resistance and settled down in Dantooine with you.

He was a cruel, greedy man. A man who would stop at nothing to have what he wanted. Even if meant destroying your husband’s career and reputation.

“I am sorry… I don’t… I don’t remember anything.”

You rose from your chair and placed the tableware in the sink. He stayed in the same place, looking at you as if he did not believe you.

But you were getting used to that.

He never believed you.

He probably would never.

You should just… You did not know… Twist a knife in his guts while he slept? Or give him some poisonous tea?

The mere thought made your stomach churn.

You were not a killer.

You were a healer.

You healed people. Not killed them.

Perhaps you should have never lied. You should have told him you found him as good as dead on the ground and tended to him wounds and that was all. You should have never come up with some story about being married to him.

What did you know about him? What did you know about his likings, beliefs and everything a wife should know about her husband of three years?

You knew nothing.

“You are shaking,” he said, his voice close to your ear; his breath tickling your skin. His hand was once again on your hips, bringing you close to his body. This time you did not fight the physical contact. It brought you some comfort.

As comforting as it could be to realize you were going to die by his hands when he figured out everything.

A bitter, mirthless laughter left your lips. His fingers tightened on your hip in a silent question.

“It’s ironic, you know…” You shook your head. “You lost your memories of me… of us… and I am the one to not remember meeting you.”

He gave you no answer. His deep intake of breath made you realize he was thinking it though. Your own breath was cut short when he lifted the hem of your shirt and caressed your sides with his warm fingertips.

“I was very different back then,” he whispered against your hair. His voice was almost small, even if full of anger. “A pathetic thing, really.”      

Anger directed at himself.

It made your heart stop for a moment. It ached so much for him right now. When he spoke again, you forgot how to breathe.

“I had a split lip and some bruises my uniform could not conceal.”

Your heart was small now. Somehow — and you did not know how — your hand found his and your fingers entwined together.

“You were concerned about my well-being…”

You probably were. You always had a penchant, soft heart, for broken things — broken people. That was probably the reason why you fell in love with your husband back then.

Closing your eyes, you tried to summon that day back to your mind. You recalled something close to that. But that man — barely a man, freshly a man, really — was a far cry from the man behind you now, holding you in his arms. 

No wonder you could not remember him.

It made your heart even sorer now.

There was a moment of silence between the two of you. His warm breath was all you could hear and feel. You wetted your lips not really sure of what you could say. Should say.

“I tended to you…?”

It was almost a question. Half-assertion. Knowing yourself well, you probably did. The images were so blurred in your mind. You recalled him. A tall, slim guy… Not very proud of himself, hiding behind the imposing figure of Brendol Hux — so very different form the man you called husband now… — but you did not remember much more than that.      

“You did.” He snorted. As if the very notion filled him with shame and… disgust. You could almost say — even if you could not see him now, you would not dare turn around and face him; you were afraid of ruining the moment — his lips were up in a snarl. “I am not very proud of myself that day. It did, however, serve its purposes.”

His lips skimmed the sensible skin of your ear.

You drew in a sharp breath.

One of his hands was still in your hip, the other was in your throat, keeping you in place. It made no pressure, it was simply there — a lone witness of his habit to be in control of all things, including you, his very wife.

Your body trembled in his embrace.

You knew what was about to happen. You did not know, however, how to get yourself free this time. You did not know if you wanted to.

“What purposes?” Your voice was such a meek thing. You should feel ashamed at how your body was trembling — both with fear and excitement. You did not know which feeling was worse.

His lips brushed the side of your throat lightly. Your fingers tightened around his and your body — shamefully, it was all such a shame! You would regret it later — moved closer to his, as if that was even possible. You could feel him everywhere — his fingers, his warm body, his breath, his soft lips — and it made you dizzy. 

You should feel ashamed of yourself.

Definitely.

He did not give you a reply. Instead, he turned your head towards his and ran his lips on your chin.

You closed your eyes and gave in.

“That day made me realize what I wanted most in the world.” His words were whispered; his lips barely moved from your skin to give them life. He was again almost back to your ear, where he trapped your earlobe between his teeth. “My father dead…”

This made your eyes snap open.

Your heart beat irregularly.

Your throat constricted.

He did not give you much time — any time, actually — to consider his words — the ice in them, the anger, the disappointment, the extreme, almost religious hate —, he merely continued, “And you as my wife.”

And then… he finally reached your lips, moving his against yours slowly.

A moan of both relief and shame — you were a horrible person for yearning for such kiss — left you.

It was by no means a deep, full-fledged kiss. Merely a brush of lips. Even if intense, he did not let it escalate to anything more. A meek please — again you did not know if it was to make him go further or to stop at once — came to fruition in your mouth, but he paid you no heed.

He continued to move his lips against yours in a slow — sinful even — dance; taking his time teasing you, savoring you. His tongue even traced your lower lip and you greedily reached to him, trying to deepen the kiss — to alleviate the burning sensation in your very core; it had been so long since you last felt this need — to make him kiss you for real…

A ruthless, uncaring man, the General broke apart unceremoniously and forced you to stare at him, this time not sideways, but up front. Your chest to his chest — or close to it, since you were not as tall as he — hip to hip; fingers on the small of your back, inside your clothes, caressing your bare skin in a soothing manner as the words came to life in his mouth.          

“Back then, I already knew you would be mine.”

A/N - It’s definitely one of my fav chapters of all. I hope you have liked it. Let’s see if I can update chapter 22 sometime this weekend. Let’s hope so! xD