Modern Kylux AU: Hux is an aloof weapons engineer who's far more dedicated to his hobby of cat breeding and cat shows. Kylo's a groomer who doesn't fit in with the world at all, but had never been bit or scratched once on the job. Hux /hates him./

Kylo's covered in tattoos, wears skin tight jeans and ratty old band t-shirts. Word is some of the sketchier tattoos are from a long stint in juvie, and Hux has definitely seen Kylo in clothes with HOLES in them. Not fashionable ones, holes from WEAR.

scandalous.

He curses constantly, has fits of temper, and refuses to let the owners be around while he's grooming. Hux has half a mind that he's using this as a front for drug smuggling, and won't deign to even be in the same room as the man...until his favorite groomer cancels last minute.

Hux can't back out, not with his favorite Millicent up to win best in show. Kylo sidles up (to mock him, Hux supposes). Instead, he offers to groom Millie in exchange for "a favor." Hux is desperate enough to take him up on it. Kylo still won't let him in w the cat -

- during grooming, but Hux pushes until Kylo let's him stand right outside his pop-up work area. Hux strains to hear anything, but he can barely hear the hint of whispers. Millicent is trotted out looking the best she's ever been, completely calm, and purring.

The favor Kylo wanted? To meet him at a local bar afterwards. It's a half hour into the ordeal that Hux realizes Kylo meant this as A DATE. Kylo sees the surprise on his face and bursts out laughing.

Red-faced and humiliated, Hux throws his drink in Kylo's face and storms out, leaving a very wet, very surprised asshole left sitting at a table alone.

Unfortunately, Kylo is a very determined asshole.

What follows is a dance of two emotionally stunted idiots, Kylo trying to woo/apologize to/impress Hux, who's convinced Kylo is set on mocking and humiliating him. Things come to a head when a radical animal rights group crash a show, releasing tons of cats -- including Millie

Hux is busy having the first complete breakdown in years when he's found by one of the radicals. The radical is in turn immediately found by Kylo, who takes them out with what is, quite frankly, a glorious headbutt.

Hux screams at him. Kylo takes it. Promises they're going to find Millie. Wonder of wonders, Kylo DOES find Millicent, terrified and a mess hissing down a cranny where there's no way either of them can reach. Hux actually starts to cry a bit, she just looks so /scared/ down there

Kylo puts one huge hand on Hux's chest and commands him to breathe (he talks like someone who's been through a lot of therapy, all of a sudden). Hux only listens because he's promised himself to scream at Kylo properly once Millie's safe.

Kylo then proceeds to do what Hux can only call some kind of witchcraft, cooing and making odd thrumming sounds that have Millie hesitantly creeping forward till she's close enough for him to scoop up and deposit in Hux's waiting arms.

Millie is safe, but absolutely covered in layers of grime. This time, Kylo leads Hux into his grooming area. Hux watches astonished as this hulking asshole becomes even softer, cooing and singing nonsense songs that keep his cat calm and relaxed during a thorough bath.

Kylo turns red up to his ears as he begrudgingly admits he refuses to let anyone watch, lest it damage his reputation. Calming animals is a skill that he developed during his own anger and impulse management therapy. Hux can tell it's painful to admit all of it -

- Kylo is getting redder, shifting on his feet and /nervous/ as he continues, admits he "thought he was over ruining any good chances with being stupid." He's talking about laughing at the bar, before. On the "date."

Hux makes a show of inspecting Millie once Kylo's done, and announces that since Kylo is apparently good enough for Millicent, he's certainly good enough for Hux -- or another attempt at completing an entire date, at the very least.

And since Kylo asks very nicely (and sweetly, Hux will never admit), Hux awards him with a kiss to grow on, still in the privacy of Kylo's little grooming tent, Millie purring contentedly between them.