It isn't the hum of early morning traffic or the chime of the nearby church bells but rather the familiar and annoying buzz of Kylo's mobile that draws Hux from his thoughts. As he fumbles to silence the phone Hux notices the sun peeking in through the gap in the curtains and realises he has spent the whole night wondering and worrying about Kylo's predicament.
The problem in question lies sprawled beside Hux, sleeping peacefully on his side his head resting on Hux's expensive body pillow. Beside the big lump he calls a flatmate lies the toy kitten from the night before. A toy Hux now realises probably belongs to Mitaka's niece. A small twinge of guilt blooms in Hux's chest and he resolves to make Kylo return it later.
Despite the guilt and worry Hux cannot help but appreciate how Kylo looks asleep. Shifting closer Hux runs his hands through dark messy hair and tries to imagine having his bed to himself again.
When they were newly living together it had been homesickness that brought Kylo to his room in the dead dark of night. Curling up beside one another wasn't something they had really talked about but it was a comfort at first and by now it was strange custom, the sound of Kylo's breathing a soothing lullaby.
Hux watches Kylo sleep and tries to imagine living with someone else, a stranger invading their space and sleeping on the sofa bed. He shudders at the impossible terrible thought and traces the moles along Kylo's face with his index finger. How would he function without Kylo? Without his best friend, partner and protector?
Anxiety claws at Hux's chest, paralysing him.
Kylo cannot leave. The same thought circles around in Hux's head. Kylo cannot leave. It would be like giving up his antianxiety meds.
Hux turns his conversation with Phasma over in his head again. Ignoring all her ridiculous advice regarding sex, she isn't completely wrong.
Kylo needs a valid visa in order to stay in the UK. One of the easiest ways to get one is to get married to a UK citizen. And Hux just so happens to have dual citizenship. If they were married, Kylo could totally stay with him in London and nothing would have to change at all. It would be perfect.
Except his strict Irish Granny would probably turn over in her grave at the thought of him marrying another man.
Not that he had been terribly fond of his Granny. Not that his granny had met Kylo. But marriage was sacred. It was what he believed in his very core.
Hux had no problem with people marrying whoever they wanted. He'd voted for everyone to have right after all. But he knew that marriage was between two willing adults and it was forever. As he mulled the idea over in his head he became more and more aware that it was quite a high price to pay in order to stay in the country. Especially when he'd expect Kylo's fidelity and give nothing in return but his ridged principles.
Rationally Hux knows he's being selfish, offering marriage simply so Kylo will stay. But, he hopes biting at his bottom lip, that maybe Kylo wants to stay. Maybe he's hoping Hux will come up with some brilliant plan to allow him to stay. If he looks at it that way and ignores all the rest, religion and what not, then it makes perfect sense.
Hux pulls his knees up leans his head on one arm and sighs. Overall it is a terrible, terrible plan. One that Kylo might not even like. And yet, he's going to share with Kylo anyway.
As soon as he wakes up that is.
Hux watches Kylo sleep, his stomach full of bugs and other horrid creepy things. Ever since last night's conversation his world seems to be crumbling like a castle made of sand.
He picks up the phone again for distraction. He fiddles with the camera and finds a photo album full of photos of the two of them. Somehow it makes the pain in Hux's chest worse. Is he a fool to try and fight the waves of change?
Hux takes a photo of his sleeping friend, so he has something tangible just in case. It can be a memory he can hold onto, a private treasure. He uploads it to the cloud and makes a mental note to show Kylo later. Providing they're still speaking of course.
"Hux?" Kylo yawns, blinking awake slowly and shaking Hux from his thoughts.
"Yeah?" Hux replies finding his voice with great difficulty.
"Don't ever let me drink again." Kylo rolls onto his stomach, and looks up at him like an overgrown cat.
"Of course." They have so much to talk about and discuss. And yet. Hux doesn't know where to start.
"I'm hungry, let's go get some pancakes. The fluffy kind with syrup." Kylo asks capturing Hux's hand with his own.
His hand is large and warm. Hux flounders unused to the touch. "No. We don't have money for pancakes. Someone spent thirty pounds on god knows what at Lush. You know we're on a budget." He snaps instinctively.
"You found out?" Kylo replies looking at him with big surprised eyes.
"I get an alert whenever you use our credit card."
"Hux I just wanted to get you a present." Kylo pouts ridiculously. "I got you bath bombs so you'd unwind."
"Oh. Well. Thanks." Hux stutters, his heart just about ready to burst. He feels his face growing red but it doesn't matter. That right there is why he needs to keep Kylo around. "I suppose we can share some pancakes." He offers squeezing Kylo's hand gently.
Kylo smiles back at him. "That sounds great." He lets go of Hux's hand suddenly. "I'm gonna go shower." He says turning away leaving Hux unanchored.
"Kylo wait." Hux grabs the back of his pyjamas. "Phasma told me everything last night."
"Oh." Kylo replies softly, surprised.
"I think I can help."
