Chapter Text
Kylo was desperately clinging onto that sweet hazy dreamscape his brain had conjured for him. He could feel the sharp edges of consciousness clawing at the forefront of his mind, but that dazed sensation of dreaming was still cloying and swirling at the back of his skull. He needn’t have worried; the choice wasn’t his in the end.
It was a strangled cry that pulled him out of that odd space between dreaming and waking. An odd, strained noise that was made up of pure anguish. Then came the trashing. Kylo lurched up in the bed to be met with a writhing, crying General Hux. Kylo felt his brain short circuit. What in the galaxy does one do in a situation like this? He dumbly watched the General for a few moments, hoping futilely that fate would step in and resolve the issue for him.
No such luck. His first instinct was to reach out with the force and send a rippling wave of calm in the General’s direction, but something told him the General wouldn't appreciate such a gesture. Was it worse to mentally restrain him, washing away his true emotions with false ones? Or worse to physically restrain, to put hands on a body that has already been so thoroughly disrespected? Kylo decided the latter - at least that way Hux could still voice his dismay. If Kylo were to use the force, Hux’s true emotions would be skewed, he would feel nothing more than what Kylo wanted him to. A marionette in his hands. No, Hux wouldn’t forgive him for that. Not that he was worthy of such a thing.
Having made up his mind, Kylo slowly reached out and clutched Hux wrists. Hux’s breath rushed out of him at the contact, finally waking. That’s when he really began struggling. His body twisting and contorting, not unlike the dancers Kylo paid so handsomely at the pleasure houses. Kylo hadn’t realised how much strength the wiry little General was hiding in those slim limbs of his.
“Hux. It’s me. You’re sa-”
He dodges a bony knee to the stomach.
“Safe! You are safe.”
Hux slots a thigh in between Kylo’s and attempts to throw Kylo off balance. Kylo is shocked by how efficient the move is, landing Kylo on his side and giving Hux the room to shoot up. His legs swung around the edge of the bed, just as Kylo snags an arm around the General’s waist and pulls him back onto the bed. Pulling him between his legs, Kylo pins Hux to his chest.
“Listen to me,” His head bent low mouth flush to the General’s ear. “I am not going to hurt you. He would flay me alive if I even thought about it. I promise you, you are safe.”
Hux gives one last tug and Kylo squeezes him harder. He can feel the fight leaving Hux’s body, can feel him going slack, his muscles melting and his breath slowing.
“Good. That’s it.” Kylo encourages. Unexpectedly, Hux responds to the praise, his head nodding in agreement. Soft hair tickling Kylo’s face as they are both still impossibly close.
“I’m going to let you go now.” Kylo warns. “You are safe.”
Kylo releases his hold but Hux doesn’t move for a few moments. He simply takes in his surroundings, his eyes scanning and flitting the same way they do when he’s presented with a report.
“You’re quarters?” Hux asks, his voice gravelly and grave.
“Yes.” Kylo says. “I didn’t want you on your own.”
Hux turns to look over his shoulder at Kylo but instead of catching Kylo’s eyes his gaze snags on the way his bed shirt - Kylo’s bed shirt - has slipped down his shoulder in the struggle, revealing the red, raw and unmistakable bite mark. Kylo sees the moment Hux’s eyes glaze over in fear. He sees the cogs turning in his brain. He sees that little crease form between his brows. But most importantly he hears. He knows Hux isn't consciously projecting his thoughts, he knows he shouldn't listen to something so personal, but Hux’s thoughts are so loud in that moment Kylo isn’t sure how to block them. He hears how Hux’s mind is racing impossibly fast, how every thought is desperate and manic attempting to find excuses as to why there’s a fucking bite mark on him. Excuse after excuse runs through his mind. None of them believable. Hux’s internal dialogue is frantic at this point, picturing the fresh round of punishment he’ll receive if Snoke finds out that Kylo knows.
Hux looks up into Kylo's eyes at that line of thought, because Kylo knows . Hux lurches off the bed as though scalded.
“It’s n-” Hux sputters.
It’s not what it looks like.
“It is.” Kylo said firmly.
“He does-”
He doesn’t do what you think he does.
Kylo attempts to broach the topic with some brevity, given that Hux is currently hunched over himself, half posed to run, half to heave up his turmoil from the inside out.
“I already know, Hux.” Kylo admits as sympathetically as possible.
Hux’s throat bobs around a gag he doesn’t release as he turns to glare at Kylo.
“You already know what?” Hux snarls.
“I know what he does to you.”
Hux physically recoils. His feet tripping over themselves as he staggers back against the wall.
“It’s okay.” Kylo reassures.
Hux whirls on him, his rage back full force. His blue eyes alive once again and that lovely flush once again gracing his cheeks. Kylo felt the relief was over him like a hot bath. He hadn’t realised just how concerning seeing the General so out of control was. But here he was now; his General. Scowl ever permanent on his fair face, his hair a riotous red, his confidence oozing and his rage all consuming. Kylo couldn’t resist a smirk.
“You couldn’t possibly know what he does to me,” Hux laughs mirthlessly. “You couldn’t even fathom it if you tried.”
Kylo’s smirk promptly dies. “I’ve seen it,” he admits coyly.
And just like that Hux’s liveliness drains out of him once more. The colour leaching out of him, the energy dissolving. If it weren’t for the wall behind him, Kylo was sure Hux would be little more than a puddle on the floor.
“You’ve seen-” Hux repeats, dumbly.
The filmy silence that encompasses them is drawn out dreadfully long. Nothing but the sound of their ragged breaths. Kylo knows that Hux has already put the pieces together, but the question comes anyway.
“What do you mean you’ve seen it?”Hux asks.
“I-” Kylo could feel his heart in his mouth, “He’s shown me. It was part of my punishment.” The words were rushing out of him now.
Kylo couldn’t stand the silence, nor the vaguely sick look on Hux’s face. He was white as a sheet, his weight held up by the wall, his knees buckled threatening to give at any moment.
“You’ve seen,” A bob of his throat. “Me - and him?”
“Yes,” Kylo admits.
Maker, damn it! Hux bolted, like an injured animal. He made it to the door this time, which opened obediently for him with a hiss. By the time Kylo made it to his feet, Hux was beyond his sight. Feeling that fresh sting of failure once again, Kylo sank back onto his bed dropping his head in his hands, praying with everything in him for some way out of this dreadful mess.
☆
Hux couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t breathe, the burning in his lungs increased as he pumped his lethargic legs to keep him running. Just keep running. He’s not sure where in the ship he is, the corridors of durasteel flashing in his peripheral vision as he just keeps running.
Everything hurts, his muscles slow and stiff from so many hours spent sleeping in that ridiculously soft bed, his lungs are on fire, his head pounding from the heavy weight of realisation throbbing against his temples. He can’t think about this. If he lets that crack in his resolve spread, he’ll be little more than a catatonic mess. He can’t let that happen. He has a ship run, men to command, a Master to please.
Kylo fucking Ren. Of course it’s him dragging him into this fucking mess.
What little breath Hux still had was stolen from him when a band of muscle caught him around the waist. Hux was already thrown over a broad shoulder, when his lungs managed to refill.
“No!”
He was seeing red. He was about to lose whatever sanity had left. That crack in his resolve stretching.
His muscles screaming at him, he ignored them, using his last bout of strength to struggle. Legs kicking. Hands pulling, grabbing. Torso twisting.
“Ren, put me down. Let me go!” He ushered every ounce of authority into his tone. The tone that never failed to make his men falter, and yet.
“Ouch. You don’t recognise me? After all that bonding yesterday?”
Hux stilled, the shock riding him like an iron fist to the jaw.
“ Fucking- Cardo! Put me down.” Hux demanded that scathing tone returning.
“Now, now General.” Cardo mocks.
The title sent shockwaves through Hux. General. Oh, stars. He can’t be seen like this. The General of the First Order, a nervous wreck thrown over the shoulder of a Knight of Ren. Panic enveloped him and he thrashed harder. Clawing and flailing and -
“Oh! Did you just bite me?” Cardo asks around a grunt.
Some frantic need was stirring in him. He isn’t weak, he cannot be seen like this.
“General, please!” more grunts from Cardo. “Stop. Don’t you dare.”
Hux sunk his teeth in the soft fleshy part on the inside of Cardo’s arm, just above the elbow. His nails clawing into the small of the Knight’s back.
Hux hadn’t realised that Cardo had dragged him all the way back to Kylo’s quarters until Kylo’s exasperated voice vibrated off the walls of his skull.
“Put him down, Cardo.” Kylo demands.
“Fucking gladly.”
Hux is none too gently removed from Cardo’s shoulder and he all but collapses into a heap on the floor, officially too exhausted to do little more than breathe.
☆
He knows it’s terribly cruel of him but Cardo can’t help but be absolutely enthralled by this entire situation. He can’t wait to run back to the Knight’s quarters and relay all of this gossip to the others. If this ends the way Cardo hopes it will, Vicrul is gonna owe him so much money.
Cardo is practically buzzing with energy, completely ignoring Kylo’s death glare as he watches Hux catch his breath. His eyes pinned on the rise and fall of the General’s chest is what drew his attention to it.
“Is that your nightshirt?”
“Cardo.” He knows that tone. It’s Kylo’s way of warning them they’re on thin ice. Well, Cardo’s prepared for the plunge. This is just too fucking good. Cardo slowly sinks to a crouch, unfazed by the snarl Hux sends his way. Cardo merely watches for a moment, Hux like a caged animal dressed in nothing but Kylo’s nightshirt, what a fucking picture.
“It is.” Cardo confirms.
He reaches out a hand to tug at the hem, the soft cotton confirming his suspicions. He pulls the shirt down, so it sits lower on the General’s thigh, earning him a slap on the wrist from Hux. Cardo looks back up at his Master.
“Care to explain why your favourite General is wearing your favourite Chandrillan nightshirt, Master?”
“No.”
“You don’t even let me wear that one! I have dreams about how soft it is, you know.” Cardo exclaims. He can’t count how many times he’s tried to steal that damn shirt. Kylo always catches him. He’s so fucking stubborn when it comes to that shirt, no matter how many times Cardo begs, or cocks his head playfully or drops hints at how soft it and how good he would look in it. Kylo had never relented. And here Hux is, drowning in that sickening swath of softness.
“Cardo, I’ve told you before, you’re welcome to anything I own - in fact, I think your entire outfit right now is mine.” Kylo looks him up and down pointedly.
Cardo looks down at his oversized t-shirt and sweats, sheepishly and mumbles something incoherent.
“Speak up.” Kylo says, his voice dripping in condescension.
“They smell like you!” Cardo says loudly. “You smell nice.”
“Hmm,” is all Kylo offers, his arms crossed over his chest.
“What the hell is happening?” Comes a meek question from a perplexed Hux.
Kylo immediately drops to his knees in front of Hux and Cardo quirks a brow.
“Nothing. Are you okay?” Kylo asks, fussily.
“What’s happening, dear General, is that pretty face of yours has gained you the most coveted possession of Kylo Ren.” Cardo says with a petulant scowl.
Cardo watches said pretty face screw up in confusion. Fucking adorable.
“Pretty fa-” Hux shakes his head, looking vaguely concussed. “Kylo, what is he talking about?”
Cardo can feel Kylo’s glower without taking his eyes off Hux. Kylo dug this hole himself, Cardo certainly isn’t going to pull him out now.
“Nothing. Ignore him, are you okay.”
☆
What an absurd question. Suddenly, Hux is reminded of why he loathes the barbaric man standing in front of him. Is he okay? What an idiot. Hux offers Kylo a stellar scowl and relishes in the way Kylo shies away. At least the man has the decency to look embarrassed.
He needs to get out of here. He needs time alone, to think, to process this dire situation he has found himself in. He needs to think, but he can’t do that when he’s currently boxed in by two brooding imbeciles. He weighs his chances, the chances of him being caught if he runs are high, but he’s small and lithe and quick. If he’s fast enough and sticks low to the ground he could slip between them. Before he can think about it too logically, he bolts.
A strangled “No!” from Kylo has Hux's heart soaring with hope, Kylo didn’t see it coming.
But Cardo clearly did. It takes Cardo no effort to snag the swift General by the wrist and pull him back down to the floor. Hux lands with a soft thud between Cardo’s thighs. Cardo is quick to cage the General against him; his unyielding arms banding around Hux’s torso, panning his arms. His thick thighs pressing tightly either side of Hux’s own. Heavy shins splayed atop Hux’s, ensuring his legs can’t move even an inch.
Hux felt that all familiar rage creep up his spine. His stomach beginning to heat. His chest tightening. His breath stuttering. His heartbeat increasing. After everything he’s endured, Kylo and his lackey dare to treat him so? How many positions, just like this one, has Snoke forced him into. God, how many of those positions has Kylo seen him in? Too fucking many if his expression is anything to go by. He looks like a kicked puppy. How fucking dare he.
Holding Kylo’s pitiful gaze Hux once more began to thrash against Cardo's immovable hold. He knew it was useless, a waste of energy, but his anger had reached its peak. It needed a release. How dare Kylo look so pained. How dare he when it was Hux who went through it all. It was him with Snoke’s filthy fingers on his skin, in his hair, in his mouth. It was him bent over Snoke’s knee. Him draped over the half-dead corpse of a man. Him who always woke broken and alone and scared. Him with the fucking bite mark. Him. Him. Him.
“Stop fucking looking at me like that!” Hux spat.
And there it is again, that twist of sympathy written all over Kylo’s face.
“Like what, Hux?”
Hux chokes on a gag at how softly Kylo says his name, pulling against Cardo’s hold viciously.
“Like you pity me.”
Hux watches in disbelief as he watches the emotions melt away from Kylo’s face in real time.
“Coward,” Hux scoffs. He uses all of his weight to lean away from Cardo and into Kylo. “You are a coward, Kylo Ren.”
Hux’s unshed tears of pure anger spill over, his breathing tipping over into hyperventilation. The tears just keep coming and coming and he can’t breathe.
“Hold him tighter.” Kylo says, all previous emotion devoid of his voice.
“What?” Cardo asks, incredulously. “Kylo, he can’t breathe.”
“Tighter,” his voice stern. “It worked earlier. No - Cardo you aren’t going to hurt him. Tighter.”
Somehow, it works. The tighter Hux is held, the calmer he gets. He can feel the intense pressure and that’s all he feels. All thoughts dissipate. All emotion bleeds out of him. Until all that's left is the pressure of being held. He allows himself the small comfort of sinking back into Cardo’s hold, resting his heavy head on Cardo’s shoulder and glares at Kylo.
Regaining his sense he says, “Call off your dog, Ren. I’m fine.”
“With all due respect, Hux” Hux sneers at the familiar name. “You are most certainly not fine. You’ve tried to run three times now. You’re still injured. You haven’t rested nearly enough. And I am gravely concerned about your current state of mind.”
“Oh you are, are you? You’ve never cared before.”
Kylo considers this, “No, you’re right. I haven’t. I am all too aware of how little you care for what I have to say, but whilst I have you, I'll tell you anyway.”
“Great,” Hux mutters, feeling Cardo chuckle beneath him.
“I - I didn’t know how to broach the topic with you. You’ve always been his favourite. I had my suspicions as to why -”
“Oh, you did, did you?”
“But, I was never sure. I couldn’t exactly ask you. For all I knew those visions he would show me were fabricated. He knew how I - He knew how I felt about you. That I was attracted to you. He used that to punish me. To punish both of us, I realise now. And for that I will be eternally sorry. But now that I know. Now that I have proof. I swear to you, this will never happen again.”
Hux looks Kylo dead in the eye, “I don’t believe you.”
Hux turns his head away from Kylo, nestling his face into the crook of Cardo’s neck, seeking warmth and maybe a little comfort too. He lets out a contented sigh and smirks against Cardo’s flesh as he feels the way Cardo shivers against him.
“You really can stop squeezing me now, pet.” Hux says.
“Sorry.” Cardo loosens his grip, but doesn’t let him go. Hux looks up at him from beneath his lashes, smiles sweetly. “I fucking hate you.”
“Yeah. I know.” Hux almost pities how dejected Cardo sounds.
“Put me back in that horridly soft bed, will you?” Hux asks sweetly.
He’s being petty now, refusing to even look in Kylo’s direction. Cardo does that for him and Hux knows he’s won when Cardo looks back down at him and nods softly. Hux allows himself a smirk and circles his arms around Cardo’s neck.
“Come on,” Cardo mummers softly, scooping the rest of him up in his arms.
Hux allows himself to be carried to the bed, his exhaustion catching up to him once again. Cardo drops him gently onto the silk sheets. Hux doesn’t let go of Cardo’s neck, instead he uses his hold on the Knight to pull him down. Hux lines his mouth up with Cardo’s ear and lets the moment linger a little. Hux knows he has Cardo wrapped around his finger by how shallow his breathing becomes. Hux brings his hand down to cradle Cardo’s jaw, letting his thumb sweep back and forth.
“I want him out.” Hux says.
Cardo’s breath punches out of him.
“O-okay.” he says, slightly breathlessly.
Hux lets him go and sinks back into Kylo’s bed. Spreading his limbs wide and clutching the silk in his fists, he lets out a dreamy sigh.