"You're it!" (Y/N) lightly tapped Armitage Hux on the shoulder, then turned and ran, (H/C) braids bouncing on her back. Armitage looked up from his book, saw (Y/N), and grinned. He closed his book and chased after her, hurrying to catch up. (Y/N) was fast, faster than Armitage. That was no surprise. Armitage was weak. His father said so, regularly. It hurt, but Armitage accepted it as the truth, in his young, fragile mind. He eventually caught up with (Y/N), tapping her on the shoulder with a, "You're it!" (Y/N) raced after him. They ran down the halls, through rooms, and around people carrying boxes and bags. (Y/N) was always fun to play with. She never told Armitage he was weak, never called him afraid. She accepted him, in that way that children accept everything they are told. It felt good.

They played tag for half an hour before running into Brendol Hux, Armitage's father. He glared down on his illegitimate son and the little kitchen girl. They stared up at him, terrified. "What do you think you're doing," Brendol asked the children. Armitage moved closer to (Y/N), and she took his hand. Brendol noticed and sneered at Hux. "Do you need a little kitchen girl to save you," he asked.

"No Father," Armitage mumbled, and stepped away from (Y/N). She let go of his hand. Brendol glared at her.

"Get back to work girl," he ordered. (Y/N) nodded and left, head down. Brendol stared down at his son. "You are the weakest child I know," Brendol said.

"I know Father. You only tell me every day, several times a day." Brendol slapped Armitage, hard enough to leave a red mark. Armitage resisted the urge to whimper, knowing it would only make things worse.

"Go back to your studies Armitage," Brendol ordered, then he walked off. Armitage walked to the library, where the game of tag had started.

***

Armitage sat on the stairs, face in his hands. He heard someone sit down beside him, and felt a pair of arms slide around his shoulders. "Hey Armitage," (Y/N)'s voice said softly. Armitage looked at her out of the corner of his eye, fingers still covering his face. They had grown a lot since they were five years old. Now, at fourteen, (Y/N) looked more feminine. She still wore her hair in two braids, but it looked beautiful, not childish like one might think. Her (S/C) skin glowed in the sunlight, and her eyes always captivated him. He got lost in those eyes often, much to his father's annoyance. (Y/N) frowned at Armitage with worry.

"What's wrong," she asked. Armitage scowled and didn't answer. (Y/N) only grew more worried. "Armitage? Are you alright?" More silence. Tears gathered in (Y/N)'s eyes. "Please answer me Armitage. Please."

"Go away (Y/N)," Armitage said.

"Armitage--"

"No! Just go away!" (Y/N) gently pried Armitage's fingers away from his face and turned his head towards her. She inhaled sharply when she saw the bruises on his face.

"Armitage, what happened," she asked softly, and he glared at her.

"Why do you care," he asked angrily. "Why should I tell you what happened?"

"I'm your friend Armitage. You can tell me anything, and I promise I won't tell a soul if you don't want me to." Armitage stood up, glaring down at (Y/N).

"You really want to know why I have these bruises? You really want to know? It's because I'm weak (Y/N)! I'm weak! I can't do anything right, I'm not supposed to be alive. But here I am anyway, wasting space." Tears spilled over (Y/N)'s cheeks.

"Armitage," she whispered. "Who made you believe this? Why do you feel unwanted?" Armitage looked away.

"My father says I'm weak. He's training children to kill (Y/N). I'm scared he'll turn them on me or you, and I won't be able to stop them. They'll kill us (Y/N)." Armitage broke down, tears streaming down his cheeks. He was trembling. (Y/N) stood up. She gently pulled Armitage into a hug, rubbing her hand in circles on his back.

"You listen to your father too much," (Y/N) whispered. "You're stronger than you know. Braver too."

"Of course you'd say that. You're my friend."

"It's true Armitage. You know how I know? You admitted you were scared. That's really brave Armitage. Don't let anyone tell you any different." Armitage smiled at (Y/N). She smiled back, and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. (Y/N) turned to leave, but Armitage caught her hand. "What--" Then his lips were crashing onto hers. The kisses were needy, rough, and passionate. (Y/N) enjoyed each wave of affection, returning each kiss with equal emotion. Armitage's hands wrapped around (Y/N)'s waist, and she put her arms around his neck. He pushed her against the wall, eyes closed. A moan escaped her, and Armitage smiled against her mouth. (Y/N)'s fingers were tangled in Armitage's hair when he broke off the kisses. Armitage let go of (Y/N), and she frowned at him. "You have to run," he said. "Get as far away from me as possible."

"Armitage, what are you talking about?"

"My father--he can't hurt me anymore, not as long as you are safe. If he finds out about my feelings for you, he'll do everything in his power to kill you."

"Armitage, that's crazy. Your father--"

"My father will kill you! You need to leave (Y/N)!"

"I can't leave. This is my home. I belong here, with you." Tears welled up in Armitage's eyes.

"Please (Y/N)," he begged. "If you won't leave for you or me, do it for us, so that one day we can have a life together." (Y/N) didn't answer. Armitage stared into her (E/C) eyes, desperate for her to agree to his plan. Armitage tilted (Y/N)'s chin up and placed a kiss on her mouth. "Don't worry. I'll see you again," he said, and she hugged him.

"Okay. I'll go." Armitage smiled in relief and hugged her back. She would be okay. His father couldn't hurt her.

***

The next morning, (Y/N) was gone. She had vanished without a trace. No one had any idea as to where she would have gone. Armitage was relieved. Brendol Hux was angry. He hit Armitage several times, but Armitage didn't cry out, didn't make a sound. She was safe....

***

"Sir, we have another prisoner. Ren is busy with the scavenger, so you need to interrogate her." General Armitage Hux nodded to the messenger and walked down the hall. He entered Interrogation Room B, where a girl about his age slept. There was blood running down the side of her head and out of the corner of her mouth. Hux inhaled sharply. The sight of the girl filled him with rage. He wanted to destroy whoever did this to her. The girl's eyes fluttered open slowly. "Armitage," she whispered, and his eyes filled with tears.

"(Y/N).... Your hair is the same." It was, the same two (H/C) braids draped over her shoulders. (Y/N) smiled, and winced in pain.

"I never changed it," she said. "I knew you would find me one day, and that you liked my hair this way when we were fourteen."

"What do you mean 'liked'? I still like it that way. It suits you." (Y/N) smiled at him.

"Some things never change," she said.

"What do you mean?"

"You still do what you can to make me smile. And you're still the strongest, bravest person I know." Hux smiled at (Y/N).

"Come on," he said. "Let's get you cleaned up." Hux removed (Y/N)'s restraints and helped her off the interrogation table. They walked, hand in hand, to the med bay, where the droids cleaned and stitched (Y/N)'s head wound. Then they went to Hux's room, where (Y/N) collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep instantly. Hux smiled at her. She was safe with him finally, after all those years.