Chapter Text
Reyuxmas Day 12: Free
“I’ll Be Home for Life Day”
“Where’s Mama?” Ava asked innocently, as she usually did when Rey had been gone for rather large stretches of time. This time had been a bit harder than most, given everyone else on the Resistance base chose to celebrate Life Day. And Hux supposed he did a little, if only to give him something to do around here, given how limited his actions were here.
Usually Rey would be right here with them, exchanging gifts, helping Hux make dinner for the three of them in their isolated dwelling. Usually she made an effort to be around by this time. But she’d talked to them over holovid the night before, Ava propped on Hux’s knee as she reached for Rey like she could touch her mother.
Sighing, Hux scooped Ava up in his arms, adjusting her tunic. “Remember our chat yesterday? We talked to Mother over holovid, and she’s been very busy on her mission,” he explained. Not that he’d ever know what type of missions she went on—he wasn’t allowed to know much of anything. “She says she probably won’t be home but wants to talk tonight. Is that okay?”
It’d have to be. But Ava nodded in understanding. “When is she coming home, then?”
More often than not, it was just the two of them, the redheaded duo set aside from the rest of Rey’s colleagues. Hux kept his head down most of the time, but his odd status as Resistance prisoner of war, still able to raise his daughter in a relatively free environment, always caused stares wherever he went. When Rey was around, those stares weren’t nearly as prominent. Hux supposed they stared at Ava with pity, wishing she hadn’t been born in such strange conditions. He knew they stared at him with scrutiny, waiting for him to do something to compromise the thin ice he already walked on.
It had been over five years since his capture. Not once did he even consider breaking the intense rules laid out for him. All Hux had to do was gaze at the wide-eyed child in his arms, her grin huge whenever she saw him, and any ill thought he had was easily suppressed by her too-tight hugs and babbling usual nonsense.
Hux never thought he’d ever be a father, much less to a child so happy. Much less a Force user, still learning the potential of her powers.
“Soon,” he promised, kissing the top of her head. “How would you like to bake a cake for dessert tonight, my darling?”
The best way to get Ava’s mind off her mother, Hux quickly learned, was to just change the subject.
He always acted strong whenever Rey left for long periods of time, holding his head high, showing no emotion, as he’d been apt to do at such a young age. In the back of his mind, though he continuously worried about Ava, about what would happen to her if Rey never made it out.
If Rey were ever killed in battle, what did that mean for him? What did it mean for Ava, if the father she’d always known were ripped away from her? Rey had always been Hux’s barrier in this strange situation, always the first one to defend Hux’s character (but never his ethics or affiliation, of course). Without her, Hux didn’t know what he had—but he’d be damned if anyone tried to take Ava away from him.
She deserved the galaxy, and Hux couldn’t give it to her no matter how hard he tried.
Talking to Rey last night sated Hux for the time being, knowing she was safe, but the days stretched out longer and longer without her. He had been the stay at home father, the one who raised his daughter practically singlehandedly (granted, there was nothing better for him to do, and Ava took up quite a bit of time). He’d been the one to wake up late in the middle of the night when she cried; he fed and clothed and kept her as safe as he could. He lived for her. He lived because of her.
Ava nodded enthusiastically at the mention of cake, the subject of Rey forgotten (for now). Hux figured he had about ten minutes before she asked again.
Once in their simple kitchen, he let Ava down, and she bounded for a little cup she used often, carefully pouring herself a glass of blue milk. Rey so often commented that Ava was a splitting image of him, but other than their red hair, he failed to see how his daughter bore much resemblance to him. Ava had Rey’s huge, hazel eyes, often so filled with wonder and enjoyment, and those freckles littered her face like a constellation. Her attitude certainly came from Rey, with how she dove headfirst into any endeavor, fearless and impulsive. She was an energetic little thing, and Hux loved her all the more for it.
Ava was halfway through her milk when there was a knock at their door. Odd. Usually in emergencies and drills announcements came on, and on a day like today, so important to so many people in the Resistance, Hux seriously doubted anyone really wanted to talk to him.
“Can I answer it?” Ava asked politely, pushing her cup aside.
Hux certainly trusted her, even so young. He nodded. “I’ll be right behind,” he assured.
Besides, with her lovely face, he figured if anyone were angry at him, they’d keep their composure around Ava.
Ava pressed the button for the door, and as it whooshed open, Hux’s eyes widened in shock.
He could hear the loud gasp from even a few paces away. “Mama!” Ava squealed, hurling herself in her mother’s arms. Rey grunted, but seemed more than happy to lift her daughter and bring her in for a huge hug and kiss.
The surprise came from the fact that Rey usually just entered the dwelling with her code—she almost never knocked. Even Hux was surprised at her slight deception, and when he composed himself, he made his way to her.
“Oh, my stars, I missed you so much!” Rey told Ava, peppering her cheeks in countless kisses.
When Hux made it to her side, Rey sighed and kissed him briefly. Yes, those perfect lips were certainly hers. He was still too stunned to say much. “I thought you were still on your mission.”
“Perhaps that was a bit of a lie.” Rey gave a bit of an uncomfortable chuckle. “I wanted to tell you both so bad that I would be home, but I wanted it to be a surprise.”
She didn’t need to make excuses. She didn’t need to explain herself. Hux sighed and kissed her again properly, wrapping an arm around her waist. Ava giggled; she was used to all the affection. “I’m always happy to see you, you know that.” This was their family completed, everything he ever needed in his arms. This was his whole galaxy right here. “I’m glad you’re safe.”
To break the awkward moment, Ava tugged at the collar of Rey’s tunic. “We’re gonna bake a cake for Life Day!” she announced.
The enthusiasm returned. “Are you now? Can I help?”
“Yes!” Rey set Ava down, and immediately Ava grabbed her mother’s hand, trying to tug her along.
Rey shrugged, reaching over with her free hand to take one of Hux’s. “I can’t say no to that face,” she admitted in defeat.
“Neither can I,” Hux agreed, squeezing her hand gently.