Chapter 5, Scent

This is something they can't avoid talking about. But there's also time for kissing.

At some point Kylo must drift off, the comforting scent and warmth exuded by Hux lulling him into light sleep. Not unconscious, but still slightly aware of the heart beating fast under his head. Hands roam across his back, fingertips brushing against his skin like feathers. Every so often a harsher touch will pinch or squeeze, and his body rather than his mind senses another of Hux's climaxes before settling again.

Eventually he's woken by breathy moans in his ear and a gentle wave a pleasure washing over him. His eyes flutter open, fingers tangling into Hux's short hair, biting at soft, waiting lips with fever. Hux rocks his hips lazily, but with a light power behind them; his muscles strain under Kylo's palm, soothing, urging until he comes one last time. His knot contracts, Kylo breathing out into a whine as he's left feeling loose and bereft without it.

Freeing himself from Kylo's body, Hux keeps him close in his arms. They kiss until their lips ache and their lungs burn, satisfied in the silence. But that can only last so long when the incessant beeping of Hux's communicator interrupts. Snoke or Phasma can wait; they'll meet with the leader when they're ready and the girl suddenly seems unimportant.

"He won't stop until we meet with him, he'll want to know of my failures," Kylo says, a weariness to his voice that shouldn't be there, not in this moment.

Hux kisses his brow and tightens his arms in a reassurance, damning Snoke internally. "He can also wait until we're ready, he'll hardly come after us himself and no one else is brave enough to approach your private quarters." He feels the upwards curve of Kylo's lips against their resting place on his chin.

That's better.

"I didn't know."

Hux is almost surprised to hear Kylo's voice again without any prompting, although it's still unclear what he's talking about. "Know what?"

"That I'm," he pauses, the words heavy on his tongue, "an Omega."

Noticing his demeanour change — Kylo's head dipping lower, eyes cast downwards — Hux feels a pang in his chest. Never has he heard of such a thing happening. "But how?"

"I grew up believing I was Alpha and no one told me any different; my body didn't tell me any different. It was just something I knew. I always believed it." Kylo curls further in upon himself and Hux doesn't stop him, he arches forward to cradle the Omega. It still feels odd to think of Kylo and Omega in the same thought, it must be even stranger living it.

"So," the realisation dawns slowly but surely, "this is your first heat?"

And suddenly Hux starts to panic. He toyed with the idea in the heat of the moment, but to learn its truth unsettles him. Running a mile a minute, his brain trails off. He retraces every movement, was he too harsh, too fast, inattentive of the Omega's needs? Kisses to his jawline brings him back and Kylo shifts up the bed to look him directly in the eyes.

"Thank you."

Hux blinks, speechless when Kylo smiles, shy and coy; beautiful. He cups Kylo's face in his hands when he notes the dampness of his eyes, thumbs caressing the high cheekbones with a kiss to the forehead. It feels right.

Settling back into his favourite position, head pillowed on Hux's chest, Kylo breathes in the Alpha's musky scent. He smells different from earlier, less overwhelming with a hint of something else, sweeter, softer. Tracing the dips of Hux's pale abdomen with his fingers, Kylo ponders what it means. It has to mean something, but he can't think properly with Hux stroking his hair. He practically purrs under the treatment.

"What are you thinking?" Hux asks.

"You smell different." Kylo blushes when he feels Hux chuckling; he knows what he's thinking. "It's not the sex — the room smells of sex — your scent is different."

Hux pauses, thinking, noticing that he's right. He knows why, but he also doesn't know if Kylo is ready to talk about it. They need too.

Tilting his head up, Hux watches as Kylo's brow furrows; he uses his thumb to smooth out the creases between his eyes, taking a breath. "Our scents have joined, I smell like you and you like me. We've mated, Kylo. I am yours now; for as long as you'll have me."

"Forever?" Kylo looks up through his eyelashes, overwhelmed by the sentiment blooming within.

With his eyes feeling wet and the goofy smile on his face — Hux would've hated himself for being this stupidly sappy a few hours ago. "Won't be long enough."

In a flurry of emotions, Kylo rushes to straddle Hux on the bed. Their lips lock and Hux can feel Kylo's tears drop onto his cheeks. He kisses him with even more passion to make sure he knows he feels the same. Kylo continues to cry, but now he's laughing, happy in a way he hasn't felt in a long time. He can't remember the last time he had this much hope in his heart.

The beeping of Hux's communicator died off long ago, this time it's Kylo's door that breaks into the timeless bubble they've fallen into. Kylo pulls back, sending a pointed look at the man below him, "You said no one is brave enough."

"It will be Phasma then." Hux is right of course when they hear her voice through the comlink.

"Sorry for the interruption, Sirs." They stare wide eyed at the use of the plural. "Supreme Leader Snoke demands your presence. Immediately."

Kylo drops forward to bury his face in the pillow beside Hux's head. Fingers comb through his hair and it makes him feel only slightly better.

"We can't put this off any longer," Hux sighs and Kylo nods his head.

This isn't how it should be, they should be spending the next few days in the throes of passion, not running around the base doing his lordships bidding. It makes Hux feel uneasy knowing Kylo is still in heat, here's to hoping they avoid other Alphas on their way to Snoke's chamber.

Still not rushing, Hux helps Kylo from the bed and into the shower. It will help mask their scents and it gives him another excuse to lavish affection onto the Omega. He takes the time to lather every inch of skin in soap, cleaning away the sweat and other dried fluids. It's become obvious that Kylo likes having his hair played with, so he spends even longer massaging his scalp. After briefly cleaning himself, Hux turns off the water and reaches outside the cubicle for the fluffy towels. Wrapping one round his hips to free his hands, he places the other around Kylo's shoulders then helps him out.

Feeling a little ridiculous, a small smile remains on Kylo's lips throughout. He lets Hux dry his hair and his body, but is glad when Hux doesn't insist on dressing him. He moves to his drawers and pulls out a clean uniform, liking the familiarity of the tightness of the material when he pulls it on. It makes him feel secure. When he's finished and turns around, Hux is zipping up his boot. He has to take a second to take in Hux's appearance, a new appreciation for the way it fits his body. It makes him look powerful and it makes his knees weak.

Walking to him, Hux takes his hand in his own, lifting it to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Ready?"

Trepidation pools in the pit of Kylo's stomach, but he nods. What choice does he have? With Hux at his side it makes it easier to step out of the door.