Archive of Our Own ^beta

Hux grabbed his coat, pulling it over his shoulders, and pushing through his office door. He knew he looked awful. His hair was no longer neatly combed back, he had dark circles under his eyes, and he had lost his reading glasses at some point, which he had been too tired to look for. That was probably a ridiculous idea in hindsight but he just wanted to get home. Rain hit against the widows drowning out the sounds of the city. He didn’t have an umbrella; he'd have to make a dash for the car and hope he wouldn’t ruin his shoes. At least no one was here to see him at this late an hour-

“What the hell are you still doing here?!”

“SHIT!” Hux nearly jumped out of his skin, he took a second to compose himself before turning to Kylo who was sitting in one of the lobby chairs. “You scared me half to death. I can hardly see you with the lights off!”

“What can I say, I’m a man of mystery.” Kylo said, and even if Hux couldn’t see him he knew he was smirking.

“No you’re not.” Hux responded bluntly.

Kylo shook his head and stood up from the chair, checking his phone for the time and stepping towards the exit so Hux could better see him in the light of the office sign that shone through the glass door. “It’s like 4 am why the fuck are you still here?”

4 am? He honestly had not meant to stay here that long, he thought it was midnight or 2 at the latest. He started to say something but stopped himself, raising an eyebrow. “Wait, why are you still here?”

“I was waiting for you.” Kylo said looking down, trying to hide the slight blush on his cheeks.

“Ren, you don’t even have the Night Shift. There’s no way you waited all this time.” Hux commented skeptically.

“I didn’t want you to walk home alone in the freezing rain.” He insisted, stepping closer to him gently running his fingers though Hux’s hair.

“Ren, your shift gets off at 4 PM. It wasn’t raining when you left. Are you telling me you waited here for 12 HOURS?!” Hux didn’t believe it in the slightest.

“Alright Alright you got me. I was doing errands in town and when I was walking home I passed by the office and it was close to when your shift ended so I thought I’d stop by, take you home. But you took forever so I fell asleep and when I woke up it was like 3:30 so I honestly was just gonna crash here. I didn’t even know you were still working.” He explained.

Hux shook his head dumbfounded. “You were going to sleep here?!”

“Yeah well I have six roommates that all snore, I wasn’t really in a rush to get home.” He shrugged.

Hux sighed, knowing he had walked right into this. “Did you want to come to my place?”

Kylo smiled wide like a child being given a birthday present. “Yes please!”

“Alright,” He turned to the door realizing he actually did have an umbrella. He had left it in the holder from the last time he went to work. He felt stupid for forgetting it for so long and not thinking of it earlier but at least he had one. He grabbed it and shoved it into Ren’s hands. “You’re holding the umbrella.”

“But of course Monsieur~” Kylo said in a terrible French accent, opening the umbrella and reaching for the door.

“Never do that again,” Hux said, gagging.

“Okay okay… Can I drive?” He asked giving that smile toddlers give their parents to guilt them into saying yes to things.

“No.”

“But you’re car is so cool.” He whined.

“Which Is precisely why I’m not letting you drive.” Hux said buttoning up his coat.

“Hey I’m a pretty good driver. My dad had me driving when I was like 10.” Kylo pointed out.

“Ren, your dad has been arrested for illegal drag racing before, amongst other things. That’s not reassuring.” He crossed his arms.

“He won the races.” Kylo added trying the face one last time.

“My point stands.”

Kylo sighed reluctantly, “Alright alright.” He opened the door. “Ladies first.” He joked, but Hux gave him the “I’m going to strangle you” glare so he immediately stopped laughing and stepped out first, holding the umbrella for Hux as they made their way to his car.

Hux stepped tentatively through the parking lot trying not too get wet while also staying in pace with Kylo. “Are you even watching where you’re going?! You’re leading us straight through the puddles! I’m going to ruin my shoes!”

“Hey you gave me control of the umbrella.” Kylo said as they stepped up to the car. Hux rolled his eyes and quickly got in the driver's seat unbuttoning his wet coat once he was seated but not taking it off. Ren walked around the car and quickly got in the passenger seat, shoving the umbrella in the back. Hux flipped on the windshield wipers and brights then backed out of the parking lot and drove carefully through the rain to his apartment.

“Man, I kind of wish you didn’t have that umbrella. Your hair looks cute when it’s all wet.” Kylo mused.

“Ren please, I'm too tired to flirt and I’m trying to focus on the road.” Hux responded almost yawning.

“I've done a lot more than flirt while you drive and you’ve never crashed~” He said smirking, reaching to place a hand on Hux's thigh as he drove.

“Yes I have, but right now I don’t want to start something. When we get home we are going to bed, nothing more. It’s too late for anything else.” Hux insisted, not even flinching at Kylo’s touch.

“Are you sure?” Kylo asked again.

“Yes, I’m going to bed. You’re welcome to stay up and entertain Millicent, but we both have work in the morning.”

“You can call out. I do it all the time.”

“I’m not calling out.” He said firmly.

“Fine…”

“Have you ever thought of what we’d be like in other worlds, like would we still know each other? Would we get along?” Kylo asked suddenly.

A skeptical look crossed Hux’s face. “No? And we don’t get along.”

“We get along pretty well when we’re alone,” he said in a sultry tone rubbing Hux’s thigh gently, kneading his tense muscles.

Hux ignored him. “You watch too many multiverse movies.”

“Not really, I just like movies, particularly sci-fi. You know they’re making a new Star Wars movie. The force awakens, I think it’s called?” He rambled as Hux continued to drive.

“Why are they still milking that franchise? Didn’t people hate the last three?” Hux questioned.

“Eh not really anymore.” Kylo shrugged and moved his hand back to the armrest following the rain drops on the windows with his eyes.

“Well I’m sure these new ones will piss people off all over again.”

“Oh I’m sure they will… do you wanna come?” He asked.

“Come where?” Hux internally cringed. His mind was far too dirty for that sentence.

“To see Star Wars?” Kylo clarified.

“No.”

“Okay, I’m going to buy you a ticket anyway.”

“I know.”

They sat in awkward silence till Kylo turned on the radio and closed his eyes leaning his head against the headrest. Hux found himself humming the song as he drove, glancing at Ren whenever there was a red light and admiring how peaceful he looked, his raven hair falling down in front of his face, having come loose from the messy bun he wore to work hours ago. Eventually they pulled up to Hux’s apartment and Hux gently nudged him to wake him up as they pulled into the parking spot.

“Huh? What? I wasn’t sleeping!” Kylo stammered, jolting awake.

Hux had to hold back a laugh. “We’re here.”

“Oh.” Kylo grabbed the umbrella and got out of the car. “Jeez it’s fuckin cold.” He remarked. The passenger door closed and he walked around the car opening Hux’s door and holding out a hand to him. Hux took it but as he was stepping out of the car a particularly strong gust of wind slammed into them and the umbrella blew from Kylo’s hand. Suddenly they were both getting drenched. “Oh Fuck! Don’t worry I’ll go get it!” Kylo yelled over the storm. Before Hux could say anything Ren was running off chasing the umbrella down the wet street.

“Ren, wait!” Hux called out. He was about to say “Leave it” but the man had already bolted off. So Hux sighed and chased after him. “Ren slow down! You’re going to sli-“

Kylo jumped and snagged the umbrella from the air. “Got it! Woah!” As soon as his feet came down on the concrete he slipped just as Hux had warned, collapsing onto his stomach with a thud. Hux didn’t have enough time to slow down, in trying to not hit into Kylo he found himself falling too, landing on top of him.

Kylo gasped. “Oh shit! Hux, are you okay?”

To Kylo’s surprise Hux began laughing.

“Huh what’s so funny?”

“We’re absolutely drenched aren’t we?” He laughed.

Ren smiled, it was a rare occasion that Hux relaxed like this and just let himself be happy. “Oh good I thought you hit your head or something.”

“On what? Your chest? I’m kind of laying on top of you,” he continued laughing in a carefree calming manner, his little smile was intoxicating. “If anything I should ask you if you're okay, you were the one who fell on the concrete.”

Kylo pulled himself out from under Hux standing up and pulling the man into his arms smiling at him affectionately as the rain poured down their faces. “I’m okay because you’re here with me.”

“You’re always so cheesy.” Hux said shaking his head smiling. “Should we get out of the freezing rain?” Hux asked, unable to hide his affection for the man in front of him.

“I don’t know, if you get sick you can call off of work and I can pamper you all I want~” Kylo said nuzzling his nose against Hux’s face, feeling his warmth amongst the cold, and breathing in the smell of rain and vanilla.

“Oh stop it, you’re not seriously wishing for me to get sick.” Hux joked, unable to hide the heat rising to his cheeks.

“Okay yeah, maybe not, you can get kinda grumpy.” He snickered, scooping Hux up in his arms and running up to the door of the apartment before he could protest.

“Put me down!” Hux yelled, embarrassed.

“No,” Kylo smiled, planting a kiss on his wet hair.

“Ren, The key is in my pocket you have to put me down so I can unlock the damn door! We’re getting soaked.” He instead, Looking up at him.

“Alright alright,” He set him down on his feet gently and Hux quickly unlocked the door, taking off his drenched coat as soon as they got inside.

“Just lay out your clothes on the couch or something. If it’s not dry by morning I’ll put it in the dryer. I’ll see if I have anything big enough to fit you.” He said petting millicent who had rubbed up on him when they got inside.

“Don’t worry about it, I don’t need to wear anything~” Kylo flirted.

“Alright then.” Hux said seemingly unphased by the notion of Ren being naked. “I’m going to get dressed for bed, food is in the kitchen, but please do not empty my fridge, Phasma does that enough already.” He started unbuttoning his shirt nonchalantly as he walked towards the bathroom.

“Hux?” Kylo called out.

“Hm?” He said quizzically, turning his head. Quickly Ren grabbed him pinning him against the door post running his hands along his chest sliding them under his wet undershirt, hux made a quiet sound of pleasure and Kylo leaned in to kiss him, but Hux pushed his mouth away gently with his hand. “Wait till we get to bed~” He pushed off from Ren who caught him smirking slightly as he exited for the bathroom.

When Hux had left, Ren undressed, Laying his clothes out on the coffee table to dry, and made his way to Hux’s room, flopping down on his bed, and turning on some soft music on his phone. The street light shown through the blinds casting a soft glow on the sheets. Hux exited the bathroom in a black silk robe drying his hair with a towel, which made it look an absolute mess but Kylo thought it made him look even cuter. He patted the spot of the bed beside him and Hux slid next to him draping himself over Kylo’s chest as Kylo gently petted his still slightly damp hair.

“Ren, are you tired?” Hux asked, eyes closed, a look of satisfaction on his face.

“Probably, but not Really, you?”

“I think I can stay up a bit longer.”

“Good because I think we were in the middle of something.” He pulled Hux further onto him, their chests pressing against each other, the robe sliding down his arms. He gently took his face into his hands and kissed him tenderly.

Suddenly the both of them were bombarded with visions and sensations as if actual sparks had flared from their kiss. Images, voices, flashed through their minds, as if calling to them.

“I- I dont know how to love, I don’t know how to be loved”

“Uh I think you dropped something”

“Since we've been together for a while now-“

“I can’t kill you, I love you to much”

“Careful Ren, That your personal interests does not interfere with orders from leader snoke.”

“I want that map. For your sake I suggest you get it.”

“Dost though know how mine heart stirs for the? Surely not, as I have guarded it well.”

“In every reality, in every world, I will always love you.”

Then just as quickly as it started, they were both jolted back to their own reality, panting and breathless.

“What the fuck was that?!” Hux said, quickly scrambling up to a sitting position.

“I don’t know… it’s like I was seeing different versions of myself… of us. Wait, Kiss me! But longer!” Kylo ordered, he still seemed winded and his face was definitely flush and hot.

Normally Hux would have rolled his eyes at the demand but he was curious, quickly he leaned down pulling Kylo into a hot greedy kiss, fingers tangling in his long hair.

Just as quickly as the last visions came they arrived again but this time it only seemed to shift through a few before settling on one to portray more vividly.

There was a cobblestone quart yard decorated with greenery, Kylo slunk against the wall to the entrance hiding in the shade. He was wearing some form of fantasy or medieval garb, sword sheathed at his hip. He was watching someone. It was Hux. He was in similar attire and was sitting atop a stone bench back facing Kylo as he picked up a water lilly from the pond in front of him.

“Lord Ren, I canst hear you. Thou art sloppy with acts of secrecy, perhaps thou shalst learneth to be more stealty when meeting one’s love in secret.” Hux said not moving from where he sat or turning his head to face him.

“Dost thou say thy love me?” Kylo inquired.

“Nye, I sayist thou love me.” Hux shook his head, back still too him, turning his head back to the water.

“Dost thou?” Kylo persisted.

“Love thee?” Laughs “what funny words. Canst thou let me look upon thine face ere I confess.”

“Apologies, mine Prince, I not mean to spy on the from afar.” He stepped out of the shadows and Hux turned to him fiddling with the water Lily in his hands. Ren gently brushed a strand of ginger hair out of his face. “Why thy beauty truly rivals that of the gods~”

Then the vision faded leaving both of them back in Hux’s apartment, winded. They had opened their mouths at some point in the kiss but they couldn’t remember exactly what they’d done.

“What in the bloody hell is going on!” Hux said, alarmed.

“I’m not sure… did it feel calming to you?” Kylo asked.

“As ridiculous as it sounds… yes… This is all so strange… I’ve kissed people before and I’m fairly sure I’d remember if THAT happened.”

“You’ve kissed other people?!” Kylo feigned shock, he of course already knew Hux had prior relationships.

“Oh shove off, you have too.” Hux said, shaking his head and rolling his eyes.

Kylo changed the subject back to the visions. “Hux this might sound weird, but I think I’ve heard of this before…”

“You have?” Hux asked genuinely curious.

“Yeah it was in a book. It said when you kiss your soulmate, you see all of the different lives you have together in different universes. Like a way of showing you that you’re connected in every one of them, in every world.” Kylo explained, the awe and wonder on his face, giving away that he whole heartedly believed in such a tale.

“And what book was this?” Hux asked skeptically.

Kylo sounded nervous. “Uhm… uh… a gay romance novel?”

“That’s ridiculous Ren!”

“Does It matter?”

“What?”

“Does It matter if we really know what it is? It feels right, and it makes me know I’m meant to be with you. That’s all that matters.” He pulled Hux against his chest again caressing his chin and gently angling his head to look up at him.

“I- I suppose you’re right.” Hux looked to the side, blushing profusely.

“I love you Armitage, In every universe.” Kylo said, gently running his hands across his body and nuzzling his face into his neck.

“I love you too.” Hux echoed breathlessly. Before he could even think the words had been out of his mouth.

Kylo smiled against Hux, feeling the warm skin on his face. Hux never said I love you. Kylo had waited so long, but now it finally felt earned and it made him feel so happy. “Will you be my soulmate?” He asked gently, as he laid his head across Hux’s shoulder.

Hux smiled, wrapping his arms and legs around Kylo’s muscular body in a tender embrace. “I always have been.”