A Lesson to Learn

Chapter 12

"How...? How come I couldn't feel you or see you? You're still a lesser demon."

Hux looked up then and gave him a pointed look to communicate what for all intents and purposes could be summed up as "duh" at Kylo's last statement. He shrugged as he responded, "Leia was concerned as to why you were summoning me in the first place so she cast a charm even you couldn't break. She found it odd that you were breaking your brooding silence to summon me, even though I guess it has been quite some time since I've visited. Sorry about that." Looking not the least bit sorry Hux continued, "I must admit, I've been very busy helping your sister run things. She's a bit overwhelmed lately since you've been gone for so long. I don't think she likes the job as much as you did. I wonder if Leia will break your curse early if we keep complaining enough? Maybe give her a grandbaby and soften her up a little?"

It was Kylo's turn to roll his eyes now. Hux was going over the same lines he always did, the lesser demon was almost as stubborn as Leia, and that was saying something. Lilith was more than capable of running things and she did well under pressure, so Kylo knew she was probably still handling the situation well, even if she didn't enjoy it. Hux was just hoping to somehow guilt Kylo into coming home. As if I have a choice, he thought bitterly.

Hux and Lilith had both tried begging Leia to end his punishment before, and they'd even tried to plead Kylo to do so, before coming to the realization that Kylo had no personal say in the time frame of his punishment, forced to play a part until his mother's cryptic words came to fruition.

"You know the rules almost as well as I do by this point. The ever mysterious "right" person has to come along and save this Prince of Darkness from his boring existence as a slave." Kylo muttered bitterly, exhaling deeply.

"Well, you can't blame us for trying, Ren."

"I wasn't." Kylo bit out, back to his moody self.

Making a move to finally sit down on the bed next to Kylo, Hux looked over at him and placed a hand on the King's knee. Kylo moved away from his touch, causing Hux's hand to drop to the bed as Hux sighed, The Ruler of the Underworld had never been one for physical touch - even when he could benefit from a comforting pat or two. "Alright, well. Do you want to talk about the girl?"

Kylo looked away from him, not wanting to voice his feelings out loud yet. They were too raw. Too powerful. And giving them a voice would make them all too real and he knew that when that happened he would want to act on them. But he couldn't. Not yet. Not when he wasn't absolutely sure Rey felt the same way. He would never forgive himself if he scared her away by coming on too strong.

"Ren. You obviously summoned me for a reason. I can feel it rolling off of you from your force signature. You're wrestling with some powerful emotions, brother mine."

"How do you know when you're in love?" Kylo asked quietly, moving his head to look back in Hux's direction but not meeting his eyes. Hux was one of the closest things that Kylo had to a friend and yet this was the first time he had ever been vulnerable before the lesser demon. Kylo was not usually an emotional being, but lately he was feeling sensitive and hyper aware of all his feelings. It scared him and exhilarated him all at once. Maybe it was time to let down his guard and get some advice for once in his life.

If Hux was shocked at the question, he didn't show it. Kylo could feel a wave of understanding come from Hux, tuning in to his specific frequency to gauge the red-head's reactions. "You're in love with her, aren't you? That's why you claimed her. Does she know? Does she know who you are?"

Kylo's silence was answer enough as Hux carried on, "You can't stay with her, you know. Once your curse is broken you have a kingdom to return to and a job to do. An important job. One that we depend on you for - one that the mortal realm depends on you for."