Chapter Text
General Hux loved in much the same way as he handled all of his emotions. That is to say, not very well at all. He was not emotionally stunted in the strictest sense of the term, however his precision in everything he chose to do, and his continual desire to strive for self-improvement, left little room for something so base as feelings. He had little time for such things, and less patience. So, when that time of year rolled around yet again, he ordered in a bottle of his favourite scotch and prepared to tough it out, as usual.
Love Day. How he hated it; the annual celebration of the fabricated emotion behind reproduction, and the entire First Order fleet ground to a halt for it.
That wasn’t to say Hux was entirely without his own needs, but it was nothing he could not handle by himself. Sullying his space, his body, with the bodily fluids of another was entirely below him. No, he did not need the sweat of another person upon his bedsheets, had no desire to hear the broken moans of his name on the lips of another, punctuating the dark at a time best reserved for sleep. He had even less desire to actually share his bed with another, preferring to sleep down the middle rather than off to one side, not wishing to change the habit of a lifetime simply to fit in with the needs of another.
But Love Day was going to happen whether he liked it or not - and he was certainly leaning more towards the ‘not’ side of things - and all Hux could do was wait for it to pass like any other day and hope that none of his direct subordinates got themselves pregnant this year. Not that he could do much if they did; someone at the top had decided, in their infinate wisdom, that all the usual rules surrounding officer and troop interactions were suspended from midnight to midnight, the entire duration of Love Day. Presumably, he thought, so that said higher-up could sleep with one of their direct subordinates and get away with it.
So if anyone were to get pregnant, all he could feasibly do was to ship them off to have the baby somewhere in peace. More often than not the child would be enrolled in the Stormtrooper program, or if the parent was deemed of enough import and wished to play a part in the child’s life, the Academy. There were at least three low-ranking officers on the Finalizer alone who were born as a result of Love Day trysts, and Hux didn’t care to think of how many of his Stormtroopers might have started out that way as well.
The hour was growing late, and as Hux made one final sweep of the upper levels of the Finalizer - as he did every night, to assure himself of his position and ensure nothing was amiss - he turned a blind eye to the officers already sneaking into each other's rooms. It wasn’t Love Day yet, and he could technically have each of them punished for their indiscretion, but what was the point? All he would achieve for it was a higher level of distrust from his crew, and a withering glare from Phasma the next time they ate lunch together.
By the time Hux retreated to his own quarters, it was approaching midnight and the upper decks were nigh on deserted. He preferred them like that, quiet yet efficient, the low hum of machinery and his own footsteps seemingly the only noise aboard the enormous star destroyer. There were over eighty thousand people upon his ship, and yet in that singular moment Hux could pretend he was the only one there, basking in the silence of metal and machines.
His boots were placed neatly by the door, heels to the wall. His uniform was stripped off with the same efficiency he handled his whole life with, jacket and breeches folded neatly and placed upon the shelf he had allocated for them. Hux tended to sleep in his underwear, preferring not to dirty nightclothes if he could help it, reducing the strain on the division tasked with cleaning and pressing all First Order officer’s clothing aboard the ship, if only a little. Efficiency, he thought again, leaving his socks on as he slid beneath the regulation sheets.
It was cold, aboard the Finalizer; heating had been reduced by a few degrees to save money on an already tightly stretched budget. He hated the chill in the air, the way his nose always felt like ice, but his greatcoat helped during the day and Hux knew better than to complain when he was the one who signed off the change. The socks helped, as did the vest, and as the sheets began to warm slowly to his body heat he slipped into a restless slumber, still shivering.
The morning seemed to roll around too soon, and Hux felt he had barely slept when his alarm went off a scant six hours later. Bleary eyed, he switched off the infuriating noise, wondering why he had not simply registered himself as having the day off. It wasn’t as though he actually used most of the holiday allotted to him, and Hux approved his own days off, but despite his outward dislike of Love Day and everything that came along with it, he knew that he was one of the few on board who wasn’t likely to try to shirk his responsibilities for a quickie in a closet somewhere.
The air was frigid that morning, colder than usual it seemed, and he was tempted for a moment to increase the localised temperature settings for his rooms. Hux pushed away that thought as quickly as it had appeared, stepping into his refresher to prepare for the day, pleased that at least in there he could be warm for a moment. He did not allow himself to linger for too long though, dressing quickly and grabbing his datapad, checking his messages for the day as he rubbed a towel over his still-damp hair.
‘General, if you would be so kind as to join me in my quarters this evening, I have something to show you that you may be interested in.’ He did not need to be a genius to work out what that ‘something’ was, deleting the message immediately and making a note to avoid Lieutenant Brugs for the duration of the day.
‘General Hux, my daughter-’ Deleted. He could not even bring himself to read the remainder of the message, scowling down at the pad.
‘Meet me after work, I’ll show you a good time.’
‘Roses are red, so is your hair, come fuck me tonight?’
‘Ey bb u wan sum fuk?’ He stared for a while at that one, wondering if perhaps he was deciphering correctly, before deleting it as he had with the others. In all, there were thirty-four messages waiting for him, and only one of any importance. He should not have allowed it to irritate him as much as it did, but the volume of the messages was increasing year on year, as was the level of crude suggestion within. Certain members of his crew, apparently, had no shame.
The walk to the bridge was a long one, and while Hux typically enjoyed it, he found on that particular morning he could not. Scowl set firmly in place before he left his quarters, he employed a brisk pace, all but marching to his post as Stormtroopers and staff alike scattered to avoid the burn of his glare. He made it in record time, pulse slightly elevated and breathing only marginally laboured as he cast his eye across his bridge crew. Only two missing, good. A better turnout than last year, at least.
“Status.” He barked, Lieutenant Mitaka jumping in fright as that intense scowl was levelled at him.
“Nothing to report, sir. All ship functions running normally, no anomalies overnight, and we are on course to reach the rendezvous location tomorrow evening, three hours ahead of schedule.”
“Good.” Hux replied, softening his tone marginally, pleased with the efficiency of both ship and crew. “Slow our progress to conserve fuel, but see to it we arrive on time.” Turning his attention back to the enormous viewing windows ahead of them, Hux allowed himself to relax into his own skin. At least there, on the bridge of his ship, as General to the First Order’s fleet, he was untouchable.
“Sir?” He was barely an hour and a half into his shift, and Hux turned quizzically to glance at the radio operative who addressed him. “Transmission from Senator Augustina.” Hux groaned, more to himself than aloud, yet he must have made some noise if the uncomfortable look on the girl’s face was anything to go by.
“Tell her I am otherwise indisposed, and will contact her tomorrow.”
“Sir, she is quite insistent-”
“Tomorrow.” He snapped, and she squeaked, turning to carry out his orders with a flush across her cheeks. His attention shifted away from her then, back to the documents he was working his way through, keeping one eye on the view port ahead as he started on the mental calculations as to how much a new set of training rooms would set them back, and whether the increased efficiency of his troops would be worth it.
The remainder of the day passed without incident, for the most part. Hux ate lunch at his station, not wishing to brave the canteen if he could help it, though he missed his usual idle chatter with Phasma somewhat. The woman was sharp, and he enjoyed how she would test his wits, but he knew he would not find her there and was not likely to see her again until the following morning.
Hux had no reason to question why she would always request Love Day as one of her allotted holiday days, and less reason to deny her it. What she chose to do with that girl from accounting was entirely down to them and not his business in the slightest.
“You dislike this ridiculous holiday.” A presence at his side, almost suffocating in its intensity though he had not felt it until the low grate of a voice sounded in his ear, and Hux did not need to turn to see who had joined him.
“Lord Ren, you honour us with your presence.” There was a touch of biting sarcasm to his tone, but then there always was where the Force-user was concerned. For reasons he could not begin to fathom, the man always seemed to be able to drag out the worst in Hux, boiling anger and frustration he could not control.
“I am glad I’m not the only one aboard this ship whose senses have not entirely deserted them.” If Ren noticed the jibe, he chose not to respond to it, remaining looking directly forwards and yet somehow Hux could feel the man’s eyes upon him behind that ridiculous mask.
“You assumed I’d allow myself to be controlled by my baser instincts?” Hux scoffed, almost insulted by the implication.
“No, but it is still refreshing to see it with my own eyes.” A chime pinged three times, and Hux waited for the inevitable bustle to subside as the next shift took their places, the day crew vanishing with far more rapidity than was normal. Some lingered for a time, trying to catch his eye, but Hux remained staring steadfastly forward, and Ren did not move from his side. As he turned to leave his post and return to his quarters, so did Ren, remaining at his heel as they departed from the bridge. Normally he might have snapped at the knight for following him, yet the barely disguised irritation on the face of the man waiting at the door - presumably in an attempt to get Hux alone - was enough to still his tongue and transform what could have been a snarl into a low laugh.
“One of these days, I’m going to get this ridiculous holiday banned, if only to stop their incessant pawing.” He lamented, earning a dark chuckle from the man at his side. He had expected Ren to depart as soon as they were free of that lingering gaze, yet the knight remained at his side, sweeping through the halls of the Finalizer as though he owned the place.
“Indeed. My own experiences of today’s festivities have been less than pleasurable.” Ren hummed, and even through the distortion of the helmet Hux could hear the amusement tinged with irritation in Ren’s voice. “You are going to need to hire a new radar technician.”
“What could they have possibly done to warrant death?” He shouldn’t have asked, really. Images assaulted Hux’s mind, of an overly-enthusiastic man with large hands that squeezed. Yes, he conceded, the man had likely deserved to die for that little indiscretion, his vision returning to normal as Ren left his mind once more. “Kindly warn me before doing that, in future?” He snapped, glaring at the knight, one hand braced upon the wall to keep himself upright at the dizzying sensation of having someone else’s memories play out in his mind.
“Apologies, General. I forget on occasion that you are unused to such things.” There was a lull in the conversation, and as they reached Hux’s rooms, they parted without another word. Punching in the access code, Hux’s door slid open and his jaw dropped. He must have lingered for too long, or the noise of surprise had been louder than intended, as before he could truly process the abomination set out before him, Ren had returned to stand at his shoulder. They both stood for a while, simply staring.
Pink. Everything was pink. Ribbons had been draped over every possible surface, balloons hung from the lights, the floor was covered, almost entirely, in flower petals, and then there were the actual flowers themselves. Hux had to admit, it was something of a learning experience; he hadn’t been aware, before that moment, that there were quite so many different species of flowers that came in pink.
Hux hated pink.
“Lord Ren.” Turning, incredulous expression apparently fixed permanently upon his face, Hux shifted his attention to the knight at his side. “Would you care for some company this evening?”
“I would not be adverse to it.” Ren replied with a dip of his head, and Hux wasn’t certain if the knight was about to burst out laughing or destroy the nearest inanimate object. Both, perhaps.
“Excellent, I have a fresh bottle of scotch, we-”
“Leave it.” Taking his elbow, Ren pulled Hux away from the door, turning his attention away from the room only once the door slid shut with a hiss. “I have my own supply of alcohol, if a drink is what you desire.” It was likely for the best, Hux thought, trying not to ponder on what he might have found upon stepping further into his quarters, on what state the bedroom might have been in, or who could have still been there.
“Thank you.” He mumbled quietly as the door to Ren’s rooms slid shut behind them, and he took a seat in one of the two chairs that seemed so small in the sparsely decorated space. With a sigh the General leaned back, his usual immaculate posture gone as he allowed himself a moment to relax, eyelids fluttering closed. He could hear the swish of Ren’s cloak as he moved around the room, the click and whoosh of the man’s helmet as he removed it.
“It would have been unsafe to allow you to remain.” Ren’s voice sounded strange without the distortion of his helmet, the change surprisingly pleasant. It was still deep, yet not quite so grating, and almost startlingly human.
“I didn’t know you cared.” A glass was pressed into his hand and Hux gripped it on reflex, opening his eyes as something clear and odorless was poured from an unmarked bottle. “Should I ask what this is?”
“Probably not.” Pouring his own glass and taking a seat opposite, Ren stared at the clear liquid for a moment before downing it with a wince. “I’m fairly certain it’s probably illegal in most starsystems.”
“Bringing me back to your rooms and plying me with illegal liquor? Lord Ren, are you trying to seduce me?” That earned him a glare and Hux could not help but bark out a laugh, following in kind and swallowing down the burn of the alcohol, struggling not to cough, his eyes watering.
“I would not need to get you drunk to seduce you, General, if I wished it.” There was a self assurance there that Hux found he did not like, almost as though Ren was dealing with certainties and absolutes rather than discussing quite how simple it would be to get Hux into his bed.
“No?” Hux replied with a sneer, the slightest show of teeth, and he was leaning forward then, eyes bright with a defiance he felt to his core. “Tell me then, Lord Ren, what would you do?” He hadn’t expected Ren to stand from his seat, to stalk over with that look upon his face, predatory determination evident. Certainly hadn’t expected the man to kneel before him, large hands resting gently upon Hux’s knees.
“Is that a challenge?” Swallowing thickly, Hux nodded his assent, not one to back down from any sort of fight and inexplicably curious about just what the knight had intended for him. The hands upon his knees pushed, and he allowed it, legs spreading further to provide enough room for Ren to settle between them. Large brown eyes stared up at him, expressive and surprisingly warm, and when Ren leaned up to offer the lightest brush of lips against his own, Hux did not push him away.
Sitting as he was, over the knight, Hux felt a thrill of something unknown course through him. He wasn’t a complete novice where kissing was concerned, but the almost reverent rub of plush lips against his own was so unlike the fumbling, rushed kisses he had shared at the Academy so many years before that, for a moment, he was struck dumb. His uncertainty must have been taken for stubbornness, as Ren redoubled his efforts, and it was all Hux could do to try and keep up.
The hands that had rested upon his knees slid up Hux’s legs, tantalisingly slowly, thumbs rubbing firm circles in the sensitive flesh of his inner thighs. The first spike of arousal travelled down his spine, settling at his cock and making it twitch within the confines of his breeches, swelling under the approaching attention. He groaned, and it gave Ren the opening he needed, tongue sliding past thin lips. Hux froze, Ren’s tongue managing to tease along the edge of his own before the General pulled back with a glare. He was flushed and panting, much of the heat of his expression lost to the heat in his cheeks, and he hated himself for succumbing so easily.
“Backing down already?” Ren’s gaze danced with mirth, and Hux knew the man was enjoying this far more than was strictly necessary, or even than was decent. Keeping eye contact, the knight hunched over further to mouth at the fabric of Hux’s breeches, close enough for the heat of his breath to ghost over the growing bulge hidden there without providing anything by the way of relief.
“Unlikely.” Hux sneered, earning a dark chuckle from the knight, the sound seeming to travel up his thigh and making him shiver. He was holding onto his precious control, just barely, but when Ren leaned in further to nuzzle at the source of his problem, Hux could not help the way his breath hitched.
“I am going to take you apart, General.” Unseen fingers worked to unfasten his jacket, belt falling to the floor with a thunk, and there was a wash of cold air as Hux’s breeches were slowly unbuttoned. “And you are going to love every moment of it.” Any protest at that point as to his own interest in present proceedings would have seemed rather ridiculous, as Ren tugged the thick fabric of his breeches and soft cotton of his underwear down just far enough for Hux’s cock to spring free, hard and leaking.
There was little warning before soft lips closed around him and Ren sucked, tongue lapping at the underside of the head as he dipped down to take more of the length into his mouth. Hux could not prevent the loud moan that slipped from him at the sudden, toe-curling sensation, head dropping back and eyes fluttering closed in barely restrained pleasure. He had truly never felt anything like it, hands finding dark curls and burying themselves there, small whimpers spilling forth that he no longer had the presence of mind to try to stop.
Kylo, by a stark contrast, had never entertained such a sensitive lover before, Hux’s responses above and beyond what he might have expected from the man. It was no wonder, really, that he developed something of a reputation for being untouchable; undoubtedly, the General found his own responses to pleasurable stimulus to be embarrassing. Kylo was good at what he did, he knew, and the thought of making the uptight redhead scream for him made his own cock twitch in want.
“Ren-” Hux was panting, mouth slightly agape and eyes lidded as he watched the knight work, hips thrusting shallowly upwards into the soft heat that was consuming him. Pleasure rippled down his body, pooling in his stomach and any sort of warning was cut off as he came, hard, with a short, sharp cry. It was over embarrassingly quickly, and he was left slumped in his seat, breeches half way down his ass and jacket hanging off his shoulders. Ren was watching him with that same darkly amused expression, tongue flicking out to lick a smear of his release from Hux’s softening cock.
“I hope you’re not too tired yet General, we aren’t quite finished.” Moving from within Hux’s knees, Ren threw one final smirk over his shoulder at the panting redhead, before disappearing into what Hux assumed must be his bedroom. He should leave, he knew. Should right his clothing and flee to his own rooms, hoping to find them deserted and dealing with the intruder were they not. Ren was, by leaving him alone in the main room, giving him that option, the opportunity to escape and not look back.
He couldn’t, though. Ren’s mouth upon him had been bliss, and whether it was the alcohol talking - unlikely, considering how little he had imbued - or his own long-neglected need for the touch of another, Hux was not about to let this opportunity go to waste, circumstances be damned. With unsteady legs, Hux pushed himself up from the chair, tugging off his boots, losing the jacket and under vest entirely before he made his way through to the bedroom, leaving both draped haphazardly across the back of the chair.