“You and the girl are the same,” Hux sneers, but he’s getting more undone by the minute, eyes wild and body wracked with tremors.

With conviction, Techie declares, “So a-are you, Armitage!” A few more steps and he can grab Adeline from out of Hux’s loosening grip.

He remembers something she told him about Brendol when they first met, and Techie says, “You d-don’t have to be someone you’re not just b-because father told you to! Sure, we’re messed up p-people! But we deserve happiness and a g-good life just like an-anyone else!”

Hux’s mouth gapes, desperate for air, and he backs away like a cornered beast. Adeline has almost been placed completely down to the ground.

One last shot. “Brendol was wrong about you. A-About us. We were never weak, useless, or defective,” Techie promises, watching Hux’s battle rage in his eyes.

“We’re family, Armie.”

The killing blow struck, Armitage Hux drops Adeline onto the safely onto the ledge and collapses on the ground, hot, angry tears falling. He sobs loudly, lost, animalistic, years worth of pent up misery exploding out of him. Hux blindly reaches for Techie and Techie kneels down, takes his brother in his arms and kisses his hair, humming soft sounds of comfort.

“I l-love you just how y-you are,” Techie sighs, earnest. Hux needs to be free of judgement and expectations for once in his life.

He motions for Adeline to move further away to safety behind Hux’s back.

“Armitage,” Techie crooned, choosing his with words with precision. “Brother. You don’t- you don’t have to d-do this.” He begins walking towards them, hands up in a placating gesture.

Hux is thrown off by the use of his first name and his arms falter as if lowering Adeline. When he catches his moment of indecision he straightens her up in the air once more. “Back off, technician, or I’ll throw you in too!”

“I’m a t-tech, yes,” Techie’s almost halfway there, “But I’m your br-brother too, aren’t I? Aren’t I a H-Hux? Even with my f-freaky eyes?” He lets very real pain flash in his expression as he asks, words quiet but message loud, “Do I not deserve to live, brother?”

This was a tremendous gamble. Hux projected ruthlessness and cruelty at all times, but would he feel that way with Techie? Deep down, did Hux want a family too?

Something shattered in Hux’s icy eyes. “THEN I’LL THROW YOU OVER MYSELF!” he screeched, lunging for Adeline and grabbing her bruisingly tight in his arms.

Techie jumped out of his hiding spot and screamed, “HUX!”

Gaze locked with his brother, Hux very purposefully lifted the light Adeline over his head.