Kylo brings back a delicacy from a world in wild space called "warming spice," a blend of herbs and spices that come together as an aphrodisiac. Hux makes up a rich hot chocolate and they sprinkle it in and sip it together, expecting a night of pleasure to come. Unfortunately...

The warming spice isn't so much an aphrodisiac as it is a true "love potion". Instead of arousing them it makes them weak for one another's attention and opens their hearts. Kylo finds himself reciting the poetry he's written and stashed away, embarrassed to share it before.

Hux lays his head in Kylo's lap and recites a long litany of the things he loves about Kylo, absurd sweet little things. They wind their fingers in each others hair and kiss away one another's tears, it's MORTIFYING.

the next morning Mitaka comes in to give a report to Hux (he'd taken the night off in preparation) and he finds Hux dressed in only a satin slip of a robe with his hair in disarray, still staring fondly at Kylo even as he tries to pay attention to Mitaka.

14 hours later the affects finally wear off, Kylo touches his intricately braided hair and Hux presses his hands to his own hot and beaming cheeks and says "Stars, what was that??"

they don't talk about it and for the rest of the week it's very awkward. They don't speak much. They still sleep together but the one attempt at sex is almost too emotional. Finally Hux breaks. "We're going to have to accept these.... emotions... we've allowed ourselves."

After a long candid talk they decide to sprinkle a much smaller dosage of warming spice into another batch of chocolate and see where the night takes them, promising to let feelings blossom without judgement <3