hadriel | [Video]

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[Some might recognize the cat - the stray cat that seemed to hate Anakin before - behind said Sith. So what if the fuzzy creature is batting a ball between his paws and being downright charming? So what?]

My talents are going to waste. I'm accepting students, but if you don't show any talent with the Force, I will drop you.

[He wants his own army because why the hell not?]

Ben, you're my first student. [No matter what a certain once-Padawan says! ~~Yes, he is that childish.~~] Don't be late tonight.

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[Hux peered up at Anakin covering him with another blanket, surprised by the gesture. But he was too sleepy to ask questions and when Eclipse settled against his arm, he let himself drift off.

He only woke up when he heard Anakin come in again, he thought he had just closed his eyes for a moment but Anakin was unpacking bags.]

Are you back already? [His voice was hoarse but he didn't try to sit up. Eclipse was fast asleep and he didn't have the energy or will to move.]

[Well didn't they make a cute sight. Anakin doesn't have the heart to wake them when he comes back, but when he hears Hux's voice, he realizes the General is sicker than he thought. Sighing, he brings Hux some juice - complete with a straw so he doesn't have to sit up to get a sip or two.]

Drink. [He holds the glass and smiles at Eclipse's little grey body.] Your fever's up.

[He touches Hux's forehead with the back of his hand, frowning.]

I'll check with the clinic.

You don't have to do this, you realize. [but he leaned forward to drink some of the juice since his throat hurt. When he spoke again, some of the hoarseness had gone away and it didn't hurt as much.]

I've never had to let an illness run its course. Normally my judgmental medic droid gives me two injections when I feel sick and that's it.

[This was miserable and he hated it.]

Who else is going to help you? [He quirks a brow and sets the juice aside once Hux has had some.] I had to suffer through an illness or two when I was a kid. You feel worse before you feel better. Still...

I might get something for your fever. It shouldn't stay up too long.

[Eclipse stirs and moves so he is almost nose to nose with Hux.]

I was always taught that if I couldn't do something by myself then it would only encourage weakness if someone else did it for me. [That was a lesson his father had taught him early.

He reached up to pet the cat, rubbing between Eclipse's ears.] I have some rags I was using to cool down upstairs by the bed. [He started to get up, cradling Eclipse against him when the cat started to protest.]

That might be true in dire situations. This isn't dire. [He pushes Hux back down on the couch.] I'll bring them down here and maybe I'll find you some ice too.

[There is plenty outside that can be used.]

See? He doesn't like you moving either.

Fine. [If he could stay on the couch with the cat then that's what he was going to do. And he certainly wasn't going to argue with Vader.]

Just wet them with cold water, I can put them on my forehead and it helps. [He let the cat snuggle in close again while Anakin went upstairs. He had never had anyone aside from nanabot take care of him, this was entirely strange.]

[Good boy. Anakin strokes his thumb over Eclipse's head before walking upstairs. He finds the rags and fills a bowl with cool water. Then he rejoins Hux and lays one of the cloths over his forehead.]

I'm making soup so you'll have something to eat for awhile.

Why are you doing this? You're not obligated. [Hux pointed out as Anakin laid the cloth over his forehead. He wasn't ungrateful, however, just confused. He knew his father wouldn't even have considered doing anything like this but now he had Vader himself making him soup and looking after him.]

Kylo has the pots in the cabinets below and the drawer next to the sink is where the silverware is.

You're not the first person I've looked after when they were sick. [It's just not a big deal to him. He has always reacted this way - to Padmé, to Obi-Wan, to Ahsoka. He can't imagine just ignoring someone.]

Got it. [Anakin taps Eclipse's nose.] The food isn't for you, so stay here.

[The cat gives a pathetic yowl.]

I think he's hungry. Did you get any meat? [He asked as he idly scratched under the cat's chin.

He watched Anakin from the corner of his eyes, making sure he was finding everything and that nothing was on fire.]

Some fish. [He shrugs.] He always yells at me.

[Eclipse twitches his tail as if to agree. Yes, he does! It's fun.

Anakin meanwhile moves around the kitchen, setting out pots, boiling water and cutting up ingredients.]

[Hux slowly sat up so as not to disturb the cat as he reached for his juice. It still made him feel weird to have someone looking after him but the soup looked good so far and he couldn't deny he was starting to get hungry.]

He certainly has a lot of opinions.

Don't most cats? [His experience with them has always been a mixture of positive and negative. But he admires Eclipse's attitude.] I thought I'd be more of a dog person.

[He throws some carrots into the pot.] Animals are hard to read.

I wouldn't know, I don't encounter cats that often.

[but Hux certainly understands cats. Small, opinionated, do things on their own terms, while being vicious when needed.] I would have thought so too, I wouldn't have expected you to adopt a cat here.

Shame. He seems to like you.

[Eclipse is giving himself a bath while he rests against Hux, completely at ease.]

I like his attitude. He was scared at first, but he didn't run. He challenged me.

I can't say I mind him.

[Which, for Hux, was high praise. He finished off his juice, watching the cat for a moment before looking up at Anakin again.]

The soup smells good.

[Eclipse purrs and stretches out his little paws. Anakin smiles victoriously.]

Didn't think I could cook? I cooked for my mother all the time.

[The smile fades and he frowns at the pot, adding in the vegetables that need less time to stew.]

I am surprised, I never thought you, or Kylo for that matter, had the patience for cooking.

[But both of them were far better at cooking than Hux. He was the son of a kitchen maid but he had none of his mother's skills.]

The food here is much better than anything I would have gotten on Finalizer.

We're not angry at everything. [And cooking is just about following directions.] Now if you asked me to cook for someone I hate, that might be a different story.

[He stirs the chicken and vegetables together with a light broth before spooning it into a smaller bowl. That he carries to Hux while it's still steaming. Eclipse sniffs the air.]

[Hux shifted so he was sitting more upright holding out his hands for the bowl. It smelled delicious and his stomach growled.

He gently nudged the cat away from the hot bowl once he got it settled on his lap, he doubted Eclipse would like trying to drink hot broth.]

Well, I'm glad you don't hate me then.

Why would I? [Anakin picks up Eclipse so he's not a complete nuisance and carries him back to the kitchen for some fish.] I reserve my hate for those who have really earned it.

I'm glad. [Hux let Anakin have Eclipse, leaning back on the couch pillows as he ate. He knew he had said he hadn't been hungry earlier but he apparently was starving. The soup was gone in short order and he placed the bowl aside, watching Anakin with the cat.]

Thank you for the soup.

[He comes back to Hux after the cat is happily munching on his fish. He sits down on the couch beside him and stretches out his legs with a sigh.]

You don't have to be so wary, you know.

You, as Vader, were the cautionary tale taught to every Imperial officer and cadet about the price of failure. [Brendol Hux had terrified little Armitage with the threat that if he ever failed the Empire, if he was ever weak and faltered, Darth Vader would be there to deal with him as he had countless admirals and generals. It's not something easily forgotten despite getting to know Anakin here.]

While I'm not terrified of you- [Which was evident in the way he had no hesitation of assigning Anakin household chores and the such. ] - I am also aware of the power you yield and the influence you had in your future.

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