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Kylo stopped to admire the bouquet in a vase on the table. Red flowers, shockingly bright in contrast to the dark tablecloth. Rey didn’t keep many items in her rooms, but those she did were either cleverly functional or items that had great sentimental value to her - often, both.
“Where did you get this?” he asked Rey.
“They were a gift,” she said, brightly. “Aren’t they pretty?”
She accepted a pile of dishes from the droid and started setting the table. He helped her. The food’s aroma wafted from the pots, reminding him of cozy, rainy days, gathered around a crackling fire. Rey must have enjoyed her cooking lessons - she was getting better with practice. It was a simple, filling meal.
“You know,” Kylo said, after a lull in conversation, “There’s an epic poem where...” He trailed off and shook his head. “It’s rather tragic.”
“Now I’m curious,” Rey said.
“A young man heard news that his lover had died, so he committed suicide. And from the place where his blood spilled, red tulips just like these bloomed, the first of their kind.”
Rey set down her flatbread, for a moment, and looked at the flowers. “You’re right. That is very sad.”
Seeing her face, Kylo cursed himself for saying that. “That’s probably not the meaning behind this bouquet,” he said, quickly, “The color red represents prosperity and deep love. Also, tulips are a spring flower, and on planets where there are four seasons, spring flowers symbolize new beginnings.”
Rey nodded, thoughtful. “I like that much better.”
The topic of red tulips came up again, at a different dinner, in chambers much more spartan than even Rey’s.
“Kylo,” Hux called, just as he was leaving, forcing him to stop in front of the door. “You are no Farhad,” Hux said. “And I am not Khosrow, sending false news of a lover’s death.”
Kylo wasn’t surprised that the story had reached Hux. Kylo chuckled, a dark sound. “Am I the princess?”
“No,” Hux said, “Let’s not reenact any part of that tale.”
Kylo nodded and turned, hiding his face from view.
“Look at me.”
Slowly, he did so. He was not wearing his mask - even then, Hux had an uncanny ability to read his posture.
Whatever he saw there made Hux’s expression shift subtly, his gaze softening. “You are exceptionally good at new beginnings, Kylo Ren. Make no mistake - I like the current circumstances. But, if need be, I know you would adapt.”
“…Thank you,” Kylo said, his tongue heavy. He knew the use of his full name was significant, but words slipped from him like sand through one's fingers. He shifted on his feet, and the moment passed. Hux’s gaze read as neutral once again.
“Dismissed,” he said.
Kylo snorted impertinently and left.
Rey wasn’t the only one who was sentimental.