Are You Even Queer If You DON'T Have Worm Earrings
Here's a short and very queer Twitfic brought to you by worm on a string earrings //dabs Don't mind the tense change I just Do That while writing twitfics.
Hux has a hobby that he turned into a side job to get himself through the months of college when his financial aid is spread thin. He makes jewelry and trinkets out of random objects. Like worms on strings.
His friend Phas, the most butch lesbian he's ever known, convinced him to sell his wares on Etsy after multiple food bribes to get her own paws on them for herself and the rest of her polycule. In fact the whole group is basically a walking billboard for him.
He doesn't expect it to really get off the ground, but he makes an account anyway. It takes a few weeks before he's really making any sales, but out of nowhere he gets an order that has him nearly spitting out his coffee. "TWENTY EARRINGS, PHAS. TWENTY PAIRS."
"*And* they bought out the last of my stock of pride bracelets, the fake candy necklaces, and even the stupid fucking dick pendants!" She snorts into her drink. "I told you they were a good idea." "THAT'S NOT THE POINT!"
He recruits the polycule's help to box up the order and make sure everything is ticked off, only to realize as he's about to print the shipping label that the address is rather close to the college. He knows he shouldn't, but he's too curious where this big order is going.
Against all online safety advice, he messages the buyer. Turns out they DO live right near the school, in one of the cheap apartment complexes a block down. Hux offers to refund the person their shipping if they want to just pick it up in person.
The buyer sounds thrilled and offers to meet up at the coffee shop Hux often haunts. A nice, safe, public place. He's already got a good feeling about this. The next day he's there a few minutes before the meeting time, and he's antsy from both curiosity and excitement.
The person said they'd be 'hard to miss', but offered a description of a green sweater with G|END|ER across the chest. As expected, when the bell over the shop door rang and Hux looked up, he realized there was *no* way he'd miss that.
They're broad and tall, and clearly at home in their body and gender expression. Dark waves were pulled back in a half ponytail with a braid dangling by one ear, the G|END|ER sweater was offset by a white pleated skirt and a killer pair of Docs that made Hux's mouth water.
They caught sight of him, and immediately perked up with a smile Hux was pretty sure he'd melt from. "Hey! You weren't kidding about the ginger hair." "You weren't kidding about the sweater." "'Course not! Anyway, I'm Kylo, they/them." "Ah, Hux. He/him is fine."
"Nice. I'm really excited about that package by the way." It took Hux a moment to get his head out of the gutter, not helped in the least by how Kylo's legs looked in that skirt. "Right, here! I had some friends help out so we're 150% certain everything is in order."
As he handed Kylo the box, they grinned even wider and flicked out a key to cut open the tape. "Oh wow you even included really cute bags! That's perfect because some of these are gifts for some friends." When they got to one bag in particular, they muttered a small, "Yesss!"
It was one of the five or six pairs of worm earrings, and they immediately pulled them out to switch them with the studs they were wearing. "Do you know how long I've wanted a pair of these? Now I have not one but *many*." Hux felt a thrill in his chest to see them so happy.
"I'm glad you like them so much. I didn't think they'd sell very well, but my friend was really adamant that I at least try listing them." Kylo scoffed jokingly. "Are you kidding? Are you even queer if you DON'T have worm earrings?" "Fair point."
Hux fidgeted, wanting to extend their time together, and finally decided to shoot at least *a* shot. "Can I get you a coffee while we're here? As a thanks for such a big order." Kylo was happily flicking the long, fuzzy worms, and grinned at Hux's offer. "I'd like that, thanks."
Before he knew it, Hux had managed to spend five hours with Kylo, just talking and laughing, getting to know each other and bonding over shared experiences. It wasn't until the shop owner leaned over the bar to remind them of closing time that Hux realized it had been so long.
He didn't really want to leave, but started packing away his things. Kylo must have caught on to his hesitation, because they leaned over to get his attention, still pinning him with that grin. "So I know it's pretty quick to ask but... you think we could hang out a bit longer?"
A wave of relief washed over him and he smiled right back. "Are you thinking like the diner or something more private?" A hint of mischief glinted in Kylo's eyes, and Hux could already tell he was in for it. "Your place or mine?" He'd have to thank Phas later for her brilliance.