bakerstreet | Sweethearts (aka the cutest meme to ever exist)

This had been easier when she was younger.

That is, when she had been shorter, and lighter and possessed a light-footed stealth only children could master. She had grown considerably since then, her unusual height making her stick out even when she wasn't trying to sneak around, and she'd sacrificed grace for brawn. The way she saw it, though, if sneaking into Hux's house wasn't a challenge, what was the point? What was the fun? She'd been suspected, but never caught, and she planned on keeping it that way.

At the moment, Phasma was sitting in the bushes next to Hux's house, not so much working up the nerve to see him than stewing over the day's events. Waking up in a bad mood had never stopped her from soldiering on before, but for some reason the petty politics of teenagers had gotten under her skin. Whispers or belittling remarks made at her expense she didn't mind. It was the slight against Hux she'd heard in the weight room that made her blood boil, made her move from quiet disdain to action. It had been subtle - an accident, officially - a misplaced weight had tumbled from the machine and landed on the boy's foot, breaking more than a few bones.

She had felt a sense of pride at the sight of the boy's tears, then regret and embarrassment. A few of the sharper classmates shot her looks, but she was more ashamed of herself than anything else. She ought to be holding herself to a higher standard, to be above such things - and yet... Phasma had spent the rest of the day not speaking to anyone unless absolutely necessary, gone home only to drop off her things, and then walked the city. Her path, as it often did, led her back to Hux. If he knew what she'd done, he'd surely be angry with her.

Running her hands through her hair, Phasma took a deep breath and then exhaled, a stream of white in the cold evening air. She should have brought a jacket, but a little discomfort was just what she needed. Finally standing, she checked around for any prying eyes, then looked up towards Hux's window. His bedroom wasn't on the ground floor, but it was still accessible by climbing onto the roof of the terrace. When she was smaller, she'd needed to scale the drain pipe or stack anything she could find nearby to reach. Now, she stood on her toes and grasped the edge, inhaling deeply as she lifted herself up, arm muscles burning at the strain. Once her elbows were over she swung a leg up, stilling a moment in case she'd made too much noise.

No one came running, so she pulled herself up the rest of the way and crept, as quietly as she could, to Hux's window. It was closed, but not locked, so she slid it open without really announcing her presence.

Hux had heard rumblings of the incident while he was at school; nothing major, just that his 'attack dog' had gone off on someone for insulting him. There hadn't been specifics, of course, but Hux knew it probably had to do with his hair, his complexion, his build, his smarts, or some combination of the four. He hated the nickname they gave Phasma, but it was better than calling her his girlfriend, he guessed. They called her that sometimes, too. Which really, just made him turn red when he corrected them, and just made them give him more shit for, and gave her shit for later, too.

So maybe the attack dog comment was better. Or--or worse, it was hard to tell. Because Phasma wasn't an animal, and damn it, he didn't need protecting. He could handle himself just fine. He might not be the strongest, but he knew how to get back anyone who ever insulted him, in his own way. He just waited until they least expected it, and made sure he never left any tracks. Which is exactly what he tried to teach Phasma to do, but it never seemed to work. But, well...it just wasn't her way, really, was it?

Even as children, they had always played with those dynamics.

Still, Hux was in his bedroom when he heard her climbing up. The window was unlocked as usual, since he figured she would be coming over. His back was to it, sitting bent over his desk as he worked on his homework. His father wouldn't be home for hours, and frankly, he liked to do all his homework early, especially if is father decided if it was time to fight. Luckily, his father usually just ignored him. As long as he achieved to the 'high Hux standards' he was left alone.

"Poe is going to be out of soccer for at least three months because of his foot." He didn't look up, kept working on his final math problem, knowing Phasma would make herself at home. "He's going to be out for blood, later."

It was just as well Hux's father wasn't home now, since it made sneaking in and out that much easier. Whenever he returned, they'd hear him coming and she could make a quick getaway. Once, she'd hid in the closet, but that had been before she'd grown past six foot something.

Phasma lingered in the windowframe for a moment, frowning when he spoke without looking at her. Well, he knew. That took care of that. Before coming inside entirely, she took her boots off and set them down on the terrace roof, out of sight. He wouldn't like her muddying up the floor, or letting in a chill, so she closed the window as soon as her feet touched the carpeting.

"My heart breaks for him," she said, trying to sound more aloof than she felt about it. The frown was still camped on her face, so she flopped down on his bed before could see it, one leg dangling over the edge. "And I'm not afraid of him. Neither are you."

She could have tried denying it, since even the instructor thought it was an accident. Kids were careless, and learning to stack weights properly was part of learning to be a responsible adult. Lying to Hux never worked, though, and they didn't have a history of hiding things from one another. They'd never had any need. So, as much as it pained her, she had to own up to her stupid fit of revenge.

Hux didn't answer her at first, instead finishing the problem. Once done, he put his pen down, and turned to face, her watching her sprawled out on his bed. She looked like she belonged, but then again, she had always been a fixture in his life. Besides Ren, (Well, whatever Ben was calling himself these days) Phasma was his only friend.

And she was right, because, "No, I'm not scared of him. But I will have to formulate a plan to deal with him. Because he is going to come after me, now, even harder." Hux sighs, a pinched look coming over face for a moment. "I know that--" Hux stops, trying to find a better way to phrase it.

"--people are always going to pick on me, Phasma. As they pick on you. You have to learn to let it go. I don't...I don't need you fighting my battles." A little flush comes over his cheeks, as he ducks his head. "Though I hacked into the school's security system. The pain on Poe's face when the weights fell on his foot was lovely. I wish I had been there to see it."

Phasma's frown persisted, aimed towards the ceiling. People weren't always going to pick on them - they just had to survive adolescence was all. If Hux wasn't in charge of some multibillion dollar corporate empire or not ruling a country, then there was no hope for the world. As he kept speaking, though, her mood shifted, and she picked up her head just as he was looking down.

"It was much better to see in person," she said, propping herself up on her elbows. Her smile was brilliant, but brief. "And I wasn't - I'm not fighting your battles. He deserved it."

A matter of perspective, really.

"Besides, don't tell me you won't enjoy formulating that plan to figure out what he's plotting, and stop him." It wasn't much of a war without instigators, and Hux was always up for a challenge.

"Mmm...he might have deserved it, but..." Hux gives her a little smirk, tilting his head from side to side, before standing up from his chair, and coming to drop himself on the bed next to her, bouncing lightly as he spreads out next to her. "...still. I like my way, better." But Hux likes his way better, always.

He runs a hand through his hair, propping himself up on a hand, turning himself on his side so he can regard her better, giving a small shrug. "And yes of course I'll enjoy it. But that isn't the point. If my dad finds out, I'm dead." That truly went without saying. Which meant is father wouldn't find out. "Let's be honest, formulating a plan that Poe won't figure out himself is easy. But I'm sure Rey and Finn are going to know we're involved, so I'll have to make it extra special and filled with subterfuge." He bites his lip. "A little bit of extra work then." A bigger challenge. Again, no one is hearing him complain, of course.

Phasma turned her head to keep eye contact while he finally joined her, shifting only slightly after the bed dipped.

"He's not going to find out," Phasma huffed. When had he ever found out? Suspicion was one thing, but proof was another. She'd spent most of her life climbing through Hux's window (and on a rare occasion, sneaking him out), and his father had never found out. She might have messed up today, but they had an immaculate track record. "Those two will get involved even if they have no idea what it is they're getting involved with, Hux. You just tell me what needs to be done, and it'll be done."

Well, at least now she felt a little less stupid about her act of petty revenge today. There was still a chance Poe's retaliation could hurt Hux, but either way, she'd happily smash his pretty face if he went too far.

"Mmm...even if he did, I wouldn't mind. Coming after me directly is just so stupid of him. And as I would be ready for him--we would be ready, it would be fine. We could work it into the plan." Hux laughs lightly, the sound a little maniacal, but well, that's Hux for you.

He shifts in a bit closer, so he can nudge her with one of his feet, dropping back down so he's flat against the bed, turning his head to regard her. "Is everything else going well?" He worries about her, even if he doesn't always voice it. Emotions are...difficult for him to voice, to deal with. His dad, if he had his way, would have smashed them out of him a long time ago. But his room, and his time with Phasma, is safe, for him to be who he is, without the worries of expectations. People don't understand their friendship, and he doesn't care; no one needs to understand it, except them.

His laugh was met with a beaming grin from her, not put off in the least. Where people saw him as weird, she thought him brilliant. It was their problem if they didn't take the time to get to know him like she had, and they would be forever underestimating him.

The change in subject sobered her smile a bit, though. Everything else, right. Neither of them had the greatest home life, but there was a reason she always came here, and she rarely liked to talk about it. His bedroom was their safe space, a sanctuary they shared to hold out against the rest of the world.

"Oh," she said, inwardly wincing at how transparent she sounded. "Well enough. I don't suppose you've forgotten the dance is in two weeks?"

Even if they didn't go, they had to endure the rest of the school getting into the spirit. Spirit of torture and hell, she thought.

"Ug no." Hux makes a face and scoots a bit closer, moving so that he can flop his face onto her stomach, his red hair fanning out onto her stomach as he grumps over the idea of the dance. What a horrible, terrible thing. And yes, this is him asking for his hair to be played with, Phasma. But she should know that, by now. It is his favorite thing, even if he would never ask for it, ever.

"Maybe we can do something to ruin it...what do you think?" Hux smirks. "Smoke bombs...laxative in the punch..."

He never needed to ask. It was a reflex at this point, and once he was close enough her hands immediately went to his hair. She carded her fingers through it, blunt nails pulling lightly down his scalp before smoothing it down again. It was so fine, so soft, she thought it ought to be illegal.

"I don't know," she said, suddenly calmer than she'd felt all week. "I mean, we've got to deal with Poe first, right? If he figured out we were planning anything he'd get his revenge in a heartbeat."

She sighed.

"I'd rather stay home." Stay here, she meant to say. Her house wasn't her home.

Hux sighs, closing his eyes as her fingers play into his hair. It feels perfect; it calms him in ways that nothing else does. And really, no one else is allowed to touch him but Phasma.

"Perhaps we could do both at the same time. Ruin the dance, and find a way to frame Poe. Two birds and all that." He smiles at the thought, and really, it would work if they formulate just the right idea.

"Mmm...well. My father will want me to make an appearance. A way to fit in." He mocks his father's tone, rolling his eyes. But well; Phasma may feel more at home in his home, but it isn't like he feels very much at home in his own home.

He was rather determined about this, she realized. Honestly, she shouldn't have expected any less from him. Once Hux had an idea in his head, that was it. She was just along for the ride.

Still, running her hands through his hair was just as therapeutic for her, and the stress of the day was becoming a distant memory.

"How's he going to know if you don't show? We could go out, we wouldn't have to stay here." Hell, they were tall enough to pass as eighteen year olds, maybe even twenty-one. They could get into their own sort of trouble, without anyone else. "You'd be so much happier if you didn't have to constantly bend to his will."

It was a tired subject, but true.

"I'm sure he has teachers that would tell him, Phasma." Hux counters easily, raising his eyes so he can look at her a bit better, "I know we could go out but it's not--it's not that easy." He can feel his mood starting to sour a little; he hates talking about his father. "And? I might be happier, I might not. It doesn't change the fact that I am not an orphan, nor do I have the means to emancipate myself. So I will continue to bend to his will like the weakling that I am." It comes out more bitter than he means it too; he knows that Phasma doesn't see him as weak, but he hates this line of thought--and Ren has called him weak for not defying his father. But they can't all be rebellious, 'I changed my name so call me Ren instead of Ben' Solo.

"Alright," she huffed, conceding his point. At least by now he knew his father well enough to avoid potential disaster, even if it meant he'd reasoned himself into a cage. One day, she'd break him out, or get to see him free himself. "We'll go to the dance. And for the record, you're not a damn weakling."

Phasma's grip on his hair tightened slightly, but not enough to hurt. A strange thought came to her, and she decided to just ask before she thought better of it.

"Who would you go with, if you didn't go with me?"

Hux let out a slight sound of protest when his hair is pulled but it's more out of indignation than out of pain. He rolls his eyes and reaches up to tug her hair lightly too, giving her a little smile. They understand each other; they always have. "If I didn't go with you?" He shrugs, breathing out, trying to decide, and be honest.

"Alone, I suppose. Or with Ren, if only to cause a stir." Ren would enjoy that, to be sure.

She rolled her eyes, even if he couldn't see it, when he said 'alone'. What else had she been expecting? He could be so dramatic sometimes -

And then he mentioned Ren, and she sat upright abruptly, letting out a bark of laughter. "Ren! You would go with Kylo Ren and expect your father to count that as 'fitting in'? You must really like him, then!"

She was teasing, of course, but that would be a sight, wouldn't it?

Hux colored almost to the shade of his hair and nearly tumbles off the bed when Phasma sits up. He quickly recovers, though, and grabs a pillow, tossing it at her. "I do not! I just said I would be doing it to cause trouble! I know it wouldn't be fitting in. Besides, we barely get along as it is. I would rather go with you, or alone. You were the one who asked what I would do if I couldn't go with you--so I gave you two options." He rolls his eyes and shoves at her lightly.

"I didn't say they would be good options."

Laughing, Phasma dodged the pillow, but made no move to avoid his shove. Instead, she just took it as an opening to retaliate, grabbing his ankles and pulling him flat on his back on the bed. She slung one leg over him, then promptly sat down on his chest.

Phasma had always liked to tussle, but she knew when to pull her punches with Hux. Which meant she could be crushing the air out of his lungs right now, but she wasn't. Grinning down at him, she said: "No, it's a perfect option. You should definitely go with Ren."

"Hey--!" Hux laughs and gasps, staring up at her as he tries to wiggle away, but knows that there is going to be no way. He may be the more flexible of the two, but still, she has height and weight on him. So instead he just sighs and puts his hands on her thighs, tapping them lightly with his palms.

"It is not. I think I should definitely go with you. That is a much better idea. Ren wouldn't say yes anyways. And I would have a great time with you."

"You don't know that! He's a weird kid, you know. Like us, even." Maybe a little too weird, but when one parent was a political superstar and the other was basically a criminal, she supposed there was no normal for him. Once, she'd seen his uncle pick him up from school, wearing a bathrobe. "I'm going to ask him tomorrow. What he thinks of you."

Best friends were allowed to be so cruel to one another.

"Phasma!" Hux looks at her, all wide eyed. "You will not." Because really, Ren might be fun to go out with, for this, for other things--but the guy will definitely say no to going out with Hux. Going out with Phasma is safer, and he likes her, and trusts that she likes him back. It's not a bad thing and her pushing this--she is just horrible, really horrible.

"First you defend my honor now you're trying to ruin it. You're just horrible." He pouts, trying to work manipulation, which probably won't work, since she knows he does it.

"I will too," she said. Besides, it wasn't like she'd ever just abandon Hux to his fate. Ren might be built like a linebacker, but Phasma would beat the shit out of him if he so much as looked at Hux the wrong way. It wouldn't be the first time she'd gotten bloodied in a fight, over Hux's honor or not. It might even be considered romantic, except... it wasn't. The older they got, the more their relationship started to confuse her. She'd never said as much aloud, though. "And I know what I am, Hux. Horrible doesn't even begin to describe it."

Phasma was already plotting it out - she didn't have any classes with Ren, but they crossed paths in the hallway often enough to make it work.

Hux lets out a groan, shaking his head. "You just want to avoid going to the dance with me--I see how it is. Plot so that I go with Ren and you get to hear about how it scandalizes my father, while you avoid going to the dance at all." He rolls his eyes, huffing as he reaches up to tug at a strand of her hair. Since they have gotten older, their relationship has changed, in some ways--but in the core ways it's stayed the same: they are best friends, thick as thieves. He's tried not to search past that, to see if anything else is there. At least, not yet.

"You've got me all wrong," she tutted, swatting his hand away. After that she took pity on him, swinging off so she wasn't sitting on him any longer. "I suppose I'd have to find a date myself, with you going with Ren and all, but if it doesn't work out we can ditch them and do what we usually do."

Ruin everyone else's night, if possible. Showing up with different dates might throw everyone off anyways, make them think they were... conforming or something.

Sweethearts (aka the cutest meme to ever exist)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)