It still didn't come naturally, openly admitting he cared for people. Or even acknowledging it in the first place. But it was something he was learning how to do, mostly in thanks to Poe. Without the pilot, Hux would surely still be stuck in his old ways and stubbornly holding on to the past. Because change was difficult and required work.
Hux could see that Ben was trying, though. He had sat there and watched Ben's fuse burn down to nothing, that familiar anger dangerously close to erupting. But it hadn't. This wasn't the first time Hux had seen him pull it back in. They could make changes for the better. Both of them. And it was so much easier when you had someone around to support you.
He kept his hand in Ben's, slightly tightening his grip. "Don't lie. You were angry with me, sometimes. But I was angry with you, too. It's a good start, though. Saying you're sorry. Don't worry, Ben. We'll figure it out. I just need you to stick to this and not sink back into your Kylo Ren ways. And maybe wash your hair a little more often.."
Hux smiled, though he wasn't entirely teasing on that matter. Running a comb through that Porg's nest wouldn't kill him, either. Hux finally let go and leaned back, reclaiming his umbrella. "You're also doing a lot less rowing than I imaged you'd be doing." Now that was teasing. "How about another lap around the lake?" Said the man who wasn't doing an ounce of physical work.