Chapter Text
“I can’t afford this.”
“You’ll be surprised what you can afford when you cut out take out every night.” Hux scolded as he tossed in yet another bag of produce—this time broccoli into his cart. It was the third store Hux had dragged him off to, starting off with a hardware store and then a clothing store. He was thinking about the debt he would be in when this day was over.
“I seriously can’t afford this.” His basket was almost full. Hux was getting more food than he usually got. He rarely came to the grocery store.
“I looked at your finances. I made very careful calculations on the purchases we have made. At the end of this, you should have $22.32 left to spend on whatever you want.”
“Nothing is worth that much. We’re not getting this.” He tried to put some items back onto the shelf but Hux snatched it out of his hands and tossed it back in.
“Stop being a petulant child, just because you don’t want to eat your greens. You have the budget for this. I checked. Don’t doubt my calculations.”
Kylo grumbled the whole rest of the way back to his flat. He grumbled as Hux ordered him into his study so he could look for another job as the other man hastily unpacked everything into the fridge.
He only stopped grumbling when the scent of cooking wafted in through the door.
“I’m making a stir fry.” Hux said when he came into the kitchen. He didn’t look up from the stove. Kylo was starting to think he could hear all throughout the house. It was unsettling. Inhuman. The old Hux didn’t have that sort of hearing—though he kept getting his greasy nose into other people’s business.
“Why are you doing this?” He asked, leaning against the table. It was the best view he could get as he watched Hux cook, he wanted to make sure the man didn’t add anything poisonous as he cooked.
“It’s my job. It’s what I was programmed to do.”
“You’re not a robot. You’re human. Or did you forget that?”
This did make Hux pause. And he turned away from the stove to meet Kylo’s eyes.
“I reminded you twice already. This will be the third and hopefully the last time I remind you. I am an android. I am programmed to make your life easier. I will cook, clean, and converse with you. If you require me for other needs, tell me. I will add them to my schedule.”
“Is that what Dark Matter does to your brain? Make you think like a robot?”
“Dark matter is a very dangerous substance. I wouldn’t suggest being near it without all the safety precautions. You of all people should know this. You did work very closely with it and sustained an injury. It was all in your file.”
“Yeah that did happen. And you did nothing but drag me to Snoke to laugh. I remember. Then you snuck off and stole all my research.”
“I am not the person you think I am, Mr. Ren, I assure you. I know whom you speak of.” Hux turned back to the pan, giving it a few firm shakes to move the food around. “You think I’m Armitage Hux, a First Order Director.”
“And you’re going to tell me you’re not?”
“I’m not.” He agreed. He clicked off the burner and grabbed a plate, spooning heaps of food on it with a well practised motion. “I am stylized after him, I assume. Judging by your attitude when you first met me I think they did a very good job. They should be proud.”
“Robot nannies don’t exist. You have to be—”
“You wouldn’t know if they do exist or not. You’ve been holed up in your room taking plumbing jobs to get money. It is a great insult to me when you say that I don’t exist.” He handed Kylo a fork and dropped the plate in front of him.
Seconds later, he placed a glass of water next to him. Then went to the sink and started his cleansing process all over again. Kylo glanced back at the plate and stabbed one of the broccoli stems.
For 10 minutes there was nothing but chewing and running water in the kitchen.
“Get the Davidson job.”
“What?” Kylo’s mouth was full when he responded. He hadn’t expected Hux to speak to him.
“I know you’re looking for jobs. Get the Davidson job. You looked at it right before you came. It sounds easy and pays well. You’ll be in and out in 3 hours.”
Kylo briefly remembered the tech job when he clicked on it. But he had pushed it aside because of the poor job description. Sounded like an amateur wrote it. He hated amateurs—most of the time they didn’t even know what was wrong. He wasn’t about to go out just to find out the solution was ‘reboot the computer’.
“Did the First Order tell you to watch my browsing history?”
“I told you I cut ties with them the second I woke up. That was their initial plan after all. But I do have access to your browsing history. It makes my job easier. It’s how I got this recipe anyway. You seem to like broccoli and beef from the local chinese takeout. Too much salt if you ask me.”
“Stop it. It’s weird.” Hux smirked. He didn’t need to be facing him to know what expression the man was making.
“Noted. But no promises.” Hux looked pleased with himself.
“I’ll take the job. But look at my browsing history again and you’re going to find yourself sitting outside all night.”
“I planned on rearranging your patio furniture anyway. You use it as a storage area. It’s atrocious.”
“Is that why you want me to take that job?” Hux whisked away his dish with a nasty smile. He didn’t let Kylo argue as he tossed a spoon in his direction and pointed at the freezer.
“There’s ice cream in the freezer. Don’t eat too much or you won’t be able to sleep.”