Chapter Text
Hux was having a bad day. A very bad day. First, someone had taken the last of his pricey coffee without even asking. Not that he would have granting them permission to touch it anyway. Second, someone has drained all the hot water, forcing him to do his morning ablutions with cold water. While the first culprit was evident, it was harder to pinpoint the second. Kylo perfectly knew that this special coffee costed an arm and a leg, and that Hux drank it sparingly, only allowing himself a cup each morning ; and still he had helped himself to it without a second thought for his flatmate's mood and the dramatic levels it could reach without his morning coffee. But Kylo and Phasma both spent a long time in the shower, the former because of his so-called hair care, and the second, just because she could.
Those two events would have been enough to put him in a horrid mood for the rest of the day, and a good part of next day too. But of course, he had to decide to get out with Millicent for a moment. He didn't have to be at work for two hours, and walking usually helped him unwind a little. He put the cat in her harness. At least, she didn't struggle anymore, now that she was used to it, and obediently stepped out with him, waiting at his feet while he locked the door, and falling in step with him. He decided to go down the street, to the park. She could play there for a few minutes, and then he would have to go back to get ready for work.
The first ten minutes of the walk went well. Of course, people stared, because they always did. Once would think that they had never seen someone walk their cat on a leash, and they watched him pass like he was a weirdo torturing a poor animal. Idiots, all of them. He walked her at least once a day, sometimes even twice. It was good for both of their moods. Millicent may rant and groan less than him when in a foul mood, but she more than made it up for it by destroying all furniture in sight. So what if people judged him ? If it could spare their armchairs and Kylo's beloved leather coat, he didn't care about the stares. Then again, Hux usually didn't care about what people thought about him.
Until the dog came. Millicent's fur immediatly stood on end. She lurched backwards, so hard that the leash was ripped off from Hux's hand. She immediatly ran to the nearest tree, climbed it, settled on a branch, and started spitting and growling at the dog. Which hadn't moved, just watching her, head tilted to the side. Hux didn't pay it any attention. He walked to the tree and called Millicent, trying to coax her down. Obviously, it didn't work. She recognized his voice, he was sure of that, but she didn't pay him any attention, still glaring at the dog. And he was starting to run late. He tried catching the leash ; of course, he wouldn't pull her down, he wouldn't dream of hurting her, not to mention that she would turn him into minced meat. But maybe he could use it to signal that he wanted her to come down. But he should have expected that the leash would stop a few inches above his fingers. He tried standing on tiptoes, leaning on the trunk for support. Still out of reach. He tried jumping, not caring about how it would affect his hair or shirt. Still without any result, except that the dog was now yapping at his side. Hux massaged his temples, trying to disperse the headache that was trying to settle in. Maybe if he kicked the dog, it would leave him alone. Or at least, he could scare him enough. Phasma always told him that his scowl could make milk turn sour, after all.
Before he could try, though, a voice rang behind him :
- Hey there, can I help you with something ?
It took a great deal of control not to jump two feet in the air, and even more not to turn and jump at the person who just startled him and scream at them all he thought of their manners. He did spin around, his coat billowing with him... and stopped. No one. It took him one second to register that a man was standing directly behind him. He was smaller than him, and a bit too close for comfort too. Hux would have used his most cutting tone to ask them to step back, had he not been too busy observing him.
Hux prided himself in being a man of refined tastes. And as such, few people did find favor with him. Usually, he wouldn't have spared someone like this a second glance. He didn't care in the least for rugged looks, and that man looked very rugged, with his unkempt hair, unshaved face, and, horror among horrors, clothes that looked that they hadn't been washed and pressed for days. But the jaw was well-defined, almost chiseled, the eyes, black as night, looked honest, and there were small lins at the corners, that made him look like he was always smiling. He was smiling, right now, a gentle, open-mouthed smile that showed a hint of teeth. And despite looking kinda something that a cat less dignified that Millicent dragged in, his posture looked earnest. Like he really wanted to help, and didn't ask just to be polite or hint that he had to leave.
Hux finally realized that the man had asked him something, and certainly was waiting for an answer. If he wasn't making fun of him of course, because how could anyone not see his problem ? Still, he straigtened his back, and answered in a dignified tone :
- A damn dog chased my cat up that tree. I can't get her down.
The man looked down, where the small dog was pressed against his leg, looking at him with adoration. Ah. So the dog was his. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to call it a damn dog. Then again, it was. Without it, Hux would be back at the appartement, not standing in the dirt and staring at a stranger. Not a bad looking stranger, but a stranger none-the-less, who might take offense at his comment.
He didn't. Instead, he bit his lip, and offered :
- I apologize for his behavior. He's not well-trained yet, and he can be... feisty, sometimes. I'm sure he didn't mean harm.
Why would Hux care about what the dog meant or not ? That didn't change the fact that Millicent was still stuck up here, and she didn't want to go down ! He was ready to tell the man so, but before he could, said man stepped forwards, the dog following suit. Hux jumped on the side as not to let the mutt walk too close. The man didn't look at him, instead trying to call the cat. He tapped his fingers to the trunk, trying to catch her attention. Millicent's only reaction was a haughty look. She then started sharpening her claws on the branch, clearly showing her disinterest. So much for charm.
- What is her name ?
Hux was faced again with those deep eyes, and it took him a second to manage an answer.
- Millicent, he blurted.
The man smiled, and Hux expected him to make fun of said name, but he just turned towards the tree and cooed :
- Here, Millicent, Millie Millie, come down...
Millicent glared at him, then yawned, and made a show of licking her paw. The man didn't seem too bummed by it. Instead of grabbing his dog's leash, wishing Hux good luck and going his merry way, he.... took off his jacket ? And threw it with a "here, hold this, please". He then grabbed the tree and, under Hux's bewildered gaze, started climbing. Hux could only hold the jacket, vaguely noticing how warm in was under his fingers, and stare. That man... had arms. He shook his head. Of course he did. But they were... fine. Very fine. Not as large as Kylo's, but Kylo worked out too much anyway. No, they were... nice. Just strong enough, the muscles rippling just enough under the skin while he climbed up the tree as easily as a flight of stairs.
He reached the branch where Millicent was sitting, without breaking a sweat, and cautiously approached the cat, who was watching him warily, ears tilted back. To Hux's suprise, instead of just lifting her and getting mauled in the process, he held his hand out and let her sniff it. They stayed like that for a few minutes, totally unmoving. Finally, Milicent's ears went back to their normal position, and she started licking her paw again. The man gently wrapped a hand around her middle, lifted her, and carefully climbed down, holding her against his chest.
Hux didn't run to the man. He didn't almost grab his from his hold. Not at all. The man must have sensed his distress, because Millicent was immediatly, and very carefully deposited into his arms. Immediatly, she nuzzled against his chest and started purring. Hux almost did the same, burying his face in the orange fur, but he had a spectator. Two, even. The man was looking at him. And the dog was, too, hand tilted on the side. Hux frowned, let Millicent jump down, and straightened his back. The man was still smiling, but not in a "I'm so proud of myself for getting your dumb cat down that tree". No. He looked... Hux didn't know exactly. He didn't have the words to put on this. It looked... soft ? Appreciative ? He didn't know. But he was probably the first person ever to look at him like that. It felt weird, it made his cheeks heat up, and Hux didn't like this at all.
- Well, he said stiffly. Thank you for your help, sir.
He didn't leave his voice hanging, but the man still took it as an invitation to introduce himself.
- Poe Dameron. And you are ?
He extended a hand. Hux could only glance at it silently, his arms full of purring feline. Nothing seemed to be able to faze that man ; instead, he scratched Millicent under her chin. And he asked her :
- So, Millicent, what's your master's name, hm ?
- Cats don't talk, you know ? Hux remarked drily.
- I know. But since you don't want to tell me your name, maybe she will meow it ?
Hux sighed. He would certainly not back down. And he vaguely felt that he owed him from getting Millicent down. Even if that was his stupid dog's fault to start with.
- Hux. Armitage Hux, he added after a second.
The man didn't make any supposedly witty comment at his given name, didn't even bat an eye.
- Well, he said with a smile, pleased to meet you, mister Hux and Millicent. And this one here (he gestured towards his dog) is BB-8.
That was a stupid name for a dog if Hux ever heard one. He lifted an eyebrow, trying to convey exactly what he thought of this choice. The man - Dameron - didn't pay him any attention, instead patting the dog's head. Feeling the conversation was over, and they didn't have anything to tell each other anyway, Hux turned to leave, but to his greatest annoyance, Dameron touched his arm, effectively stopping him dead in his tracks. Impervious to his murderous glare, the man asked :
- Say, how do you feel about some coffee ? My treat.
Hux had a second of hesitation. He didn't want to spend more time that needed with that person he didn't know, and who seemed nice right now, but would soon reveal himself to be utterly boring, a perfect idiot, or both. He had better things to do with his time than to waste it with someone who certainly wasn't worth it.
On the other hand, he was severly caffeine-less, and it was getting worse by the minute. Would it be so bad to spend a few minutes with that man, if it meant getting some coffee ? Or at least something that would pass for coffee, he didn't trust those neighbouring coffee shops too much. Seen that way, it was rather interesting. That, and the fact that going for coffee now would mean five less minutes to spend trying not to bite Kylo's head at work after the Coffee Incident.
He nodded slightly, and the man smiled again. Hux had to admit, that smile wasn't so bad. It looked almost... friendly. He bent down to put Millicent on the ground, hiding that annoying face from his view. When he straightened up, Dameron smiled and started walking down the road. Hux followed. He vaguely thought that they certainly made for a strange picture, two men walking down the road, one wearing a suit and the other in a leather jacket, walking a small dog and a fluffy cat on leashes.
Dameron didn't settle for the nearest coffee outlet. No, he lead Hux to a cozy little shop, with comfortable chairs and little doilies on the tables. He seemed as he belonged there, between the shelves covered in tins and old plates and the flower vases, as much as Phasma at an official reception or Kylo... anywhere, really. And still, the older lady behind the counter welcomed him like a good friend, and didn't say anything about the dog or Millicent being on their rug.
Dameron walked back with two mugs, and gently directed Hux towards a table in the back. Hux followed, more because the dog was trying to push against his leg and dirty his pants, than because he really wanted to sit on a liberty-covered chair. Or rather, in, as he discovered when the floral monstruosity almost swallowed him. But the mug Dameron handed him smelled heavenly. He tasted it, and had to hold back a very embarrassing noise. That coffee was delicious, maybe even more than his precious one. Millicent jumped on his lap and settled there. Dameron was talking about his job (he was a pilot, apparently) and how he came to know about that shop, but Hux only half-listened, absent-minded. What mattered the most was that delicious coffee, his cat sleeping on his knees, and his level of agitation finally decreasing for the first time since he got up this morning. He even found himself answering a few questions about his job and the coffee he liked the most. His answers were short and to the point, but it was still the longest, non-professionnal conversation he had hold with someone in months.
But soon, their cups were empty, and they had to part. Dameron offered him his hand at the door again, and Hux shook it this time. He and Millicent were a few doors down, when the man called after him :
- Say, he yelled, making Hux cringe ; how about we start this again sometimes ?
Hux wasn't about to scream in the street like a no-manered scoundrel. He walked back to where Dameron was still standing to answer :
- As I told you, I'm a very busy man.
Dameron's face fell a bit, and Hux felt a very unusual pinch of something. Was it guilt ? OR something else ? He quickly added :
- But if your dog chases my cat up a tree again, I'll accept another cup as an apology.
- Don't say that, Dameron retorted, he'd never let her go down.
And with a smile and a nod, he was gone. Hux took the road back, Millicent trotting before him. His step may have been a bit bouncier, but who could blame him ? He opened the door, took Millicent's harness and watched her scamper off. Phasma was sitting in the living-room when he came in to collect his stuff, and she watched him with some kind of interest above her newspaper.
- You seem in an awfully good mood today, she remarked.
He didn't answer, but she was already back to her reading. But she wasn't really wrong. He was feeling way less upset, almost... relaxed (if he could ever feel totally relaxed). Probably the coffee. He should go back to that place one day, taste it again. Maybe while walking Millicent. Maybe at the same hour, too. She'd surely love that.
(There was an expensive pack of coffee on the kitchen table, with a post-it stuck on it. On it was Kylo's unmistakable writing, saying "here is your coffee, you prick. Choke on it". Oh. Well, he didn't really need it anymore, now, did he ?)