Archive of Our Own ^beta

“In light of recent events, I have a proposal to make to you.”

Kylo looked at him suspiciously from where he sat. This private meeting with the omega general was already unexpected, but nothing could have prepared him for what Hux actually had to say.

“The Supreme Leader has demanded I… would further serve our purposes by adding to the ranks.” The last part he said through clenched jaw, facial muscles twitching in microaggression. “It was made very clear to me that should I not immediately act, then action would be taken upon me.”

Kylo frowned. Snoke had made no such knowledge aware to him. Stranger still that Hux decided to share his orders with the alpha.

Hux cleared his throat, trying to keep tone plain and even. “I require an alpha of station and loyalty to the Order to… to…”

Hux’s cheeks went flush, and Kylo became immediately more alert, beginning to suspect what his co-commander was trying to get out, but still disbelieving it.

Hux’s voice was steadier than his face betrayed. “Let me be clear, Ren, that you are my only option, and I am not unaware of the power that gives you in this situation,” Hux changed his tactics, voice more confident as he stated facts as if it somehow helped him to control the situation. “I am not unashamed to admit I am terrified of Allegiant General Pryde in this matter, let alone any of those relics from the Empire, who’ve expressed—” his nose wrinkled in distaste as he expressed the vulnerability, tone souring on the word, “interest in carrying out the Supreme Leader’s will. It is such that I’m willing to completely abandon and forget any past enmities between us, to… take a slightly lesser active position of command of our fleet… to fulfill my duty.”

Kylo had a feeling in his gut that this was way too real for him to even begin to taunt the other man over. Hux’s fear was as palpable as his signature in the force, pulsing as strong as his heartbeat. The desperation could be scented beneath that greatcoat. Even without the force, Kylo could tell that Hux was speaking from a place of instinct and self preservation.

He didn’t want to believe it.

“Hux, what are you—”

“Leader Snoke wishes to have me whelped,” Hux quickly and quietly got out, cheeks burning.

The Supreme Leader had made it clear to Hux that it would be done, as a show of loyalty after his string of failures. Maybe they could breed something worthwhile from him since his various constructions were destroyed, and this time there would be no great loss of thousands of man-hours put into it.

Pryde thought the punishment was too lax after Starkiller was lost— that Hux should face demotion and reconditioning alongside this new duty- and Hux was terrified of what else he may be subjected to if subjugated by the old alpha.

He swallowed his pride, was willing to sacrifice power, ambition, anything to keep himself safe from the old Imperial alpha threatening to breed him himself. He wouldn’t be demoted, and he wouldn’t let this break him. He’d take control. He had to. Snoke wouldn’t intervene in this matter; no one would.

“He said he would see it done by next we spoke; when High Command again gathered.” Hux looked away from Kylo, troubled in so many ways. “I… have seen a certain look on Pryde’s face before. I didn’t know what it meant specifically until now… If this must come to pass, I would choose the sire myself who might see the benefits of a willing alliance with me to keep him at bay. I can be a powerful ally.”

Kylo was past shock now, contemplating the businesslike way in which Hux was handling this; managing the fear that the frightening images leaking out of his head inspired. Kylo could easily see the lecherous ways Pryde looked at Hux from within the omega general’s own recollection. It was most definitely threatening, and almost smug in its patience. Predatory in a way that made the omega general’s skin prickle and his scent sour.

It wasn’t a look Hux’s mind was conjuring from thin air; Kylo had personally seen the old alpha looking at the omega general that way, too. The old Imperial didn’t need to say words in order for his lust to dominate Hux to be obvious. It was there plainly to see if one only looked.

Hux was coming to Kylo for mercy.

“You’re asking me to breed you.”

Hux’s cheeks turned entirely red, but he stood there as stoically as he had since he’d entered the space. His tone was politely professional and businesslike. “Yes.”

“Before Pryde attempts it against your will.”

Hux’s face twitched sourly, but he nodded sharply, aiming for detachment. “Yes. That is the goal.”

Kylo looked his co-commander over as if not understanding why Hux simply didn’t just do the obvious and get rid of Pryde. It wasn’t because he was an omega; Hux could be as cold and bloodthirsty as any alpha. He was tall like an alpha as well.

He was rather skinny for it, though. Hux was agile, but he didn’t have the raw muscle needed to take down Pryde. Not like Kylo did. So he was trying to strategize his own subjugation.

“We could kill him.”

Hux looked down at Kylo slowly, not sure whether to be offended, outraged, or depressed that such an utterance momentarily got his hopes up; that Ren was already so on his side that he’d plan a murder with him to fix things. “…You’re making fun.”

Kylo looked at Hux for a long moment, but Hux bore the inspection with apathetic patience, not elaborating on or encouraging Kylo’s idea while he assumed a cheap joke was being made.

The alpha cocked his head. That Hux didn’t see a simple murder as the answer gave him pause. “…You’re really going to let someone breed you?”

“I won’t fight you, if that’s your concern,” Hux clarified. “I’ll let it happen. I need it to happen. I won’t lose everything I’ve accomplished over this. I am willing to be more… agreeable where our shared command is concerned in these matters, if I am spared that fate.”

Kylo frowned. There was a lot he took issue with there. “…We could kill him together, Hux.”

Hux looked back at the fathomless eyes that watched him intently. The offer was sincere; definitely not making fun of him. That Ren would ally himself with Hux in a murder pact gave him hope he didn’t want to indulge.

He wanted to be safe from Pryde, but the old alpha was not the only threat.

Hux sighed. “It doesn’t matter if he dies or not. Leader Snoke demanded it be done, or he would consider it to be my resignation. There are other Imperials to take Pryde’s place and finish the job if I intend to keep my rank. It was made very clear to me that I could either make my choice, or have it made for me. I’ve worked too hard to throw it all away.”

Hux’s string of failures on a massive scale had been tolerated for only so long. To force Hux to actively add to their ranks and highlight his endotype was to humiliate him over the length of the gestation. To remind all who saw him of what his kind were really good for.

But Hux saw a chance with Ren. None would try to disabuse him of command if Kylo Ren was the willing sire of his pup. His endotype would matter even less then, big with pup or not. It was the only way he could submit to such a thing and still be somewhat safe. It helped that the alpha was younger than him as well, even if by only a couple years. The illusion of superiority was comforting as he vied to control the uncontrollable.

They watched one another for long moments.

Kylo considered what Hux was asking. He could smell the anxiety coming off the omega. The fear beneath it.

Fear of what would happen if Kylo said no. Fear of what would happen if he said yes. Kylo didn’t need the force to know that.

Hux was trapped by threat of lecherous, brutal old Imperials, and by the Supreme Leader’s will. He’d worked hard for his rank, against all stigma his endotype inured him to. Forcing pups on him was meant to embarrass and subjugate him, but Hux was meeting his fate head-on in a final bid of control.

“You don’t want this.”

“It will happen one way or another. What I want has little to do with matters, Ren.”

“It does. It matters to me.”

Hux was silent as they looked at one another again. The silence wasn’t awkward as it could potentially be. Hux was a little stumped; surprised at Kylo’s words and the fact he wasn’t trying to take advantage of a situation he very easily could. He had all the power here. Hux really didn't want to admit it, but he did. Yet the alpha’s words were refreshing. Unexpectedly intriguing.

Kylo could sense Hux’s frustration pushed aside in sudden burst of thought; Hux’s consent and wants actually mattered to him, and the omega general was looking at him with fresh consideration. He’d definitely said the right thing to the other man, and more surprising, he really meant it.

“I… I do like children,” Hux began unsteadily, watching the big alpha watching him back as he decided to elaborate, “and while Leader Snoke may intend this as a punishment, this pup will not be treated as such,” he stated with much more confidence. “I believe, in these matters, that you would treat your offspring better than any alphas from my father’s era ever could,” he said with disgust at the thought of Pryde and his ilk. “You are the most dangerous alpha among the entire Order, and the best choice for ensuring this pup will be safe just with its relation to you.” He looked away for a moment before meeting Kylo’s eyes again with determination. “That is what I want. To ensure my pup has the kind of freedom that truly only comes with absolute safety. I have thought about this matter many times, when it was still just idle fantasy,” he informed with bitterness.

“Of having children.”

“Making a family, yes, and all it entails.” Hux regarded Kylo’s attention and the way the alpha’s eyes went sharp at mention of family. Hux ventured to elaborate. “I would plan for the well-being of this pup at every stage if possible. This may be my duty, but it is not entirely duty to me. It’s finally having something I never thought I would… even under the circumstances.”

“This is personal,” Kylo said with a nod, eyes still locked on the omega’s own.

“Of course it is. I will not have detachment from my pup, regardless of Leader Snoke’s intent.” Hux paused a moment before meeting Kylo’s eyes. “Aside from not wanting to endure such things, it would be easier to ensure the future safety of my pup from having any kind of connection to any of the old Imperials by ensuring none of them sire it. I am willing to make several concessions in our co-command to secure at least that much in its life, Ren.”

It was bold. It was truthful. It was more security than Hux had experienced in his own life. The protectiveness Hux already felt over this hypothetical pup was admirable in Kylo’s eyes. And it was telling that Hux clearly thought Kylo was the better, more tolerable choice if anyone had to have a connection to his pup. That the omega general thought so much of him— trusted him- enough for this duty validated something inside the alpha that deeply wanted to be acknowledged.

Kylo took a chance, reaching to take one of Hux’s hands in his own. The omega allowed it with a quick little breath of surprise, curiosity winning out over the overly-familiar gesture. He looked at their joined hands before meeting Kylo’s eyes. Kylo regarded him intensely, giving his hand a firm yet not-uncomfortable squeeze. “This connection you speak of— I would have access to this pup, same as you. It won’t be kept from me. I will be its equal family.”

Hux watched him a moment before speaking as he thought on that, cautiously parsing Kylo’s words. “This will be my pup, Ren. No matter its talents or lack thereof,” he asserted. “It will not be taken from me.” He’d never let anyone take his child from him the way his father had taken him from his mother. Kylo might have the force, but that was already a factor Hux had considered before bringing the issue to the younger alpha. He knew that the Jedi sent their young away, but he didn't know what Kylo himself would do, even if the alpha had rebelled against that system. Hux was going to raise his pup, regardless of force abilities in the pup or not.

“Of course,” Kylo agreed, still holding his hand and watching the other man intently. He could sense the turmoil there. Hux still wanted this ‘arrangement’ to happen, even if making ultimatums. “Breaking up a family is the opposite of my intention.”

Hux looked at him with hope and puzzlement. Kylo stroked a thumb over Hux’s hand, and the omega tried not to get his hopes up over what felt like a good thing. His expectations that the alpha would accept something simple with no strings attached were quickly being dashed.

He wasn’t necessarily upset by that. Intrigued, maybe. “…What exactly are you proposing, Ren?”

“…any pups I sire; I’ll be involved in their life.” His eyes were intense on Hux. “The guidance and training needed to make them strong. There will be no secrets as to who I am or what I’m capable of. They will know me the same as you will be known, and I will not be a stranger to them.”

Hux forced himself to breathe evenly. He didn’t think an alpha would have such interest in child rearing, based on his own experiences. But maybe Ren was only interested in the latent abilities of his bloodline. Maybe he assumed his involvement as necessary because of that.

Hux had already broached with himself the question of possible force-abilities being passed down from the alpha. That Ren was bringing it up gave him pause to the opposite, wondering if his interest hinged on how useful his pup might be.

Hux had already lived that life. It wasn’t something he wanted for his pup. Especially if any magical force powers never showed up.

He looked at where Kylo still held his hand, warm and shockingly patient for once. “…they could be force-null, Ren…”

“That has nothing to do with what I want,” Ren denied, surprising him. His thumb stroked Hux’s hand again. “I would make them strong; confident. Force-null or not, I would still be involved.” Hux cocked his head to the side just slightly, and Kylo stroked his hand once more. “And I don’t care about the Order where this is concerned, Hux: no pups of mine will go into the stormtrooper project. They will know family, and I won’t be a stranger to them,” he repeated once more.

It was more affection than Hux’s own father had ever held for him, at least. They were on the same page concerning that. Hux couldn’t find fault with wanting to be involved in one’s child’s life.

“I agree.”

“Not into the crèche, either,” Kylo stated, eyes hard holding Hux’s own. His face twitched as they studied one another. “This pup will know its parents. It won’t be raised by droids or officers or assistants,” he spat the last word with distaste.

“I- Yes, I agree entirely.”

“I’ll do it, then.”

Hux’s cheeks became pink as Kylo agreed without further bargaining to be the solution to his problem. Their pup would be safe with them on the same ship. No one could take them from him to control or manipulate him further.

He’d be safe from Pryde. He’d still be secure in his command while doing his duty. The added threat of a willing and involved Ren as sire only strengthened his resolve, leaving Hux feeling much more in control of matters than he had when he’d started this conversation. He hadn’t expected the alpha to feel so strongly about children— family- but Hux felt like things might be okay.

“I’ll have my schedule arranged so an appointment can be made,” Hux said with hot cheeks which only reddened further as Kylo raised a brow at the word ‘appointment’. Hux didn’t look away though, bravely meeting his fate head on, hand reflexively squeezing Ren’s own. “You shall be required for the entirety of my heat, Ren. It’s a short matter of weeks away, so see to it that your affairs are in order.”

“I will,” Ren replied easily, his thumb brushing over Hux’s hand feeling unfathomably more intimate now that the matter was decided.

Kylo’s eyes scanned over the omega general, his own cheeks pink. That greatcoat and the uniform beneath it would be gone in a few short weeks, no barriers between them. He’d be lying to say he wouldn’t be looking forward to it.

“Excellent,” Hux said, the business-like control in his voice not fooling either of them through the heat in his face. Hux was far too pleased at the way things thankfully worked out, and also intrigued at the alpha’s surprising interest in the whole thing. This was most-likely the most civil, level-headed conversation they’d ever had, even considering the subject matter. He hadn’t expected a situation where he’d actually be looking forward to fulfilling Snoke’s demand. This next heat might even actually be fun.

It made Hux consider Kylo in a new light, and if he found himself getting excited over the prospect of his upcoming heat, well, that could simply be written off as pleasure that everything was going according to plan.

—

Hux’s heat came as scheduled, and Kylo saw him through it with more cooperation than experienced in their entire shared command. The suppressors kept Hux’s wits about him, but the alpha took surprisingly good care of him throughout regardless. That they’d work so well between the sheets when their shared command had been mostly antagonistic was something Hux boiled down to his hormones, but he’d be outright lying to say that the experience was less than he’d hoped for.

They stayed polite company between them once it was over, unsure of what their new relationship was now; a fledgling understanding which proved more amiable than perhaps expected after the fact. That they could work so well together at anything gave cautious optimism to their further interactions. They were both actively working on being civil and patient with one another.

Despite the matter being one of forced duty, there was genuine attraction there. Ren was a powerhouse of an alpha, and Hux luxuriated in the knowledge of how much his co-commander enjoyed his scent, and how big Ren’s hands actually were when encompassing his hips.

It didn’t escape his notice— or the crew- when the big alpha began going without his helmet in Hux’s presence. He also touched the omega general unnecessarily— getting his scent on him, sure, but the possessiveness alone was obvious. If rumors that they were fucking had gotten around, Hux only counted it as a blessed deterrent from any other alphas thinking they could try to force his duty on him.

He’d been claimed; it was already done.

When Hux’s belly began to grow, and Ren was at the omega general’s side more often than not, it became clear to all that the two co-commanders were together. The touches to Hux’s growing middle might have been telling enough, but the very-public murder of Allegiant General Pryde for threatening the pregnant omega sealed it in the eyes of the Order: Hux belonged to Kylo Ren. A move against the omega was considered a move against the alpha. And no one wanted to be on the force-user’s bad side.

Hux’s ‘punishment’ ended up making the omega general’s rank and power that much more secure. That the pair of them would actually complement one another’s command should have been a given. But the level of trust accompanying their actions was unheard of where Order command operated on fear or mutual blackmail. They were a much more effective team now than ever before.

Having Ren on his side was both good for the Order, and good for Hux. The pregnant omega got the most restful sleep of his life with Kylo at his back. The alpha’s ‘involvement’ improved Hux’s life significantly where before he was just a means to an end. Ren’s big, warm hands massaging sore feet and ankles was a comfort previously unknown, and the soft smile the alpha had as he gently handled the omega cinched it in Hux’s mind.

The birth of twin pups saw them make it all official, and Hux agreed to bond with Kylo, offering the alpha his neck along with his heart. His mate for life. It was the best unforeseen outcome yet.

The aspirations of the omega— and the ensured safety of their pups- saw a bloody coup against Snoke that put Hux on the throne by Kylo’s hand, taking out the last threat above them that could pull strings against their little family.

By the time they were expecting their third pup, Kylo had personally removed Hux’s enemies and had given the man an empire to rule.

They had a family, security, and more love between them than either could have possibly foreseen.

Kylo thought happiness suited Hux, and so long as he had his mate and the family they’d created by his side, he’d make sure that it stayed that way.