Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or anything that relates to Star Wars.
Rating: M
Continuity: Office AU
A/N: This is my contribution for Day 7 of Rey Love Week 2018 over on Tumblr under the Holiday theme. This fic has been in draft form for a while, so I'm glad I finally got around to finishing it! Thanks for reading, friends! Review!
Office Politics
Part I
By: sushigirlali
Rey Niima slammed on her breaks as a black Jaguar convertible swerved around her affordable sedan and into her assigned parking spot. The expert move would have been impressive if she liked the driver, Rey thought drolly, glaring as Ben Solo unfolded his long limbs from the flashy sports car. Hastily powering down her passenger side window, Rey leaned over the center console to confront him.
"Solo, what the hell?!" Rey demanded.
"Too slow, Niima." The bane of her existence chided.
"That's my spot!" She yelled.
"Not for much longer if you keep talking to your superiors that way." Ben taunted.
"Oh, you son of a—"
"Language, Niima."
A group of lobbyists crossed in front her car just as Rey opened her mouth again, giving Ben the opportunity to slip away. Scowling as the tall, dark haired man sauntered toward the entrance of their office building, Rey quickly reversed and swung into a spot a few spaces down. He wasn't getting away with stealing her spot this time!
"Solo!" Rey growled, catching up to him a few moments later in the lobby.
"Yes, Niima?" Ben said irreverently as he pulled off his thick winter coat and handed it to the cloakroom attendant.
"Would you like to explain why you took my parking spot again?" She hissed quietly, matching his long stride as he headed toward the elevators.
"Not really." He replied with a smirk.
"Not—? What do you mean not really?" She said indignantly.
Ben reached past her to push the call button. "Did I stutter?"
"I've had enough of your bullshit, Solo! You are the most—" Rey broke off as the doors opened and several people filed out.
Biting her tongue, Rey waited for the elevator to clear before moving forward. Her shoulder brushed Ben's as they pushed into the lift at the same time, but Rey refused to acknowledge the shiver that ran up her spine as a result.
Insolently punching the button leading to the penthouse, where his private office was located, Ben smiled cockily. So, he thought he could escape her without further confrontation, did he? Their eyes locked in a silent battle, Rey bided her time. As soon as the doors closed, she dove forward, hitting the emergency stop button before turning to challenge him.
"We're not done yet, Solo!" Rey said as the elevator shuddered to a halt. "You are, by far, the most obnoxious man I have ever met, but I think I've finally figured out what your problem is."
He cocked a condescending brow at her. "Do tell."
"You're jealous of me!" She accused.
"I'm jealous of you?" Ben laughed in her face. "That's a pretty ridiculous statement, sweetheart, even for you."
"How else do you explain your attitude towards me then? You're just jealous that I got my position through hard work and dedication while you had to rely on nepotism!" Rey fumed. "Good thing mommy took pity on you after college, hmm?"
Ben moved so quickly that all she saw was a blur before his big body was pressing hers against the elevator doors, hands on either side of her head.
"You don't know anything about me, or my relationship with my mother, little girl." He sneered. "I'm where I am today because of me and no one else! You got that?"
Rey could feel his breath on her face, minty and sweet, coming out in quick puffs as he struggled to calm down. His dark eyes were fierce, and Rey couldn't help admire the fire blazing in them. Her gaze fell to his trembling lips, trying and failing to ignore how soft they looked, how enticing. Against her will, Rey swayed toward him slightly, her chest just barely brushing his with every breath.
"I heard you weren't able to arrange a date for Leia's Annual New Year's fundraiser tonight." Ben said bluntly. "Pity, when Dameron is just waiting to sweep you off your feet."
Rey came back to herself at the mention of her friend, shocked by her momentary lapse in judgment. Had she actually been thinking about kissing him?! No, she told herself. No, of course not.
"My love life is none of your business, Solo." She said defensively.
"No?" He murmured, inching closer.
"No!" Rey pressed both hands against his muscular chest. "Now back off!"
Ben slowly released her, stepping back to lounge indolently against the far wall. "It'd be a shame for you to go alone though, don't you think?"
"Well, I…" She stammered, taken aback. Was he asking her to accompany him?
"Pathetic, one might say." He continued lazily.
Or not. Jackass.
"You're one to talk." Rey rolled her eyes. "When was the last time you had a date, Solo? I heard none of the female staffers will come near you after you crashed and burned with Kaydel."
His eyes narrowed at her slight, but he didn't contradict her.
"Turn about is fair play, Ben." She said flippantly.
Surprise flashed across his face at her words, and Rey groaned inwardly at her mistake. Calling him by his surname had always been an easy way to keep distance between them, but now she'd gone and blown it. When had she started thinking of him as "Ben" anyways?
"Rey—" He started forward again.
Warding him off, she quickly disengaged the emergency switch, restarting the elevator's upward trajectory. Depressing the button leading to the floor below his for good measure, Rey locked eyes with him once again.
"Take my parking spot again and I'll have your car towed, Solo." She threatened. "You're not a child, stop acting like one."
"Wait!" He protested as the elevator rolled to a stop.
"No." Rey quickly left the lift, tossing, "And I'm not your sweetheart!" over her shoulder before the doors closed again.
Rey practically ran to her office after that, dodging colleagues left and right along the way. Bolting the door behind her as she entered, Rey collapsed onto her black leather office chair in relief. She was safe. Safe from Ben Solo's pouty lips and seductively deep voice, safe from her own secret desires.
Shaking her head, Rey tried to remember all the things she hated about him, but for some reason, she just couldn't muster the energy. She'd seen flashes of something else behind those soulful eyes when he looked at her lately; something more, something intriguing.
Oh, what the hell was wrong with her? Why did she find him so damn attractive? He wasn't even traditionally good-looking! His ears were too large, his hair too long, his smile uneven. Even still, Rey couldn't deny that she felt weak in the knees whenever he was near.
"This is stupid." Rey muttered to herself. "Snap out of it! He was only trying to get to you!"
Going stag to Leia's function was no longer an option after her unwanted reaction to his snide comments. Rey needed some kind of buffer between them tonight, a suit of armor to protect her heart. Rey needed a date.
Whipping out her cell phone, she scrolled through her favorites to find the name she was looking for. Tapping the screen, Rey held the phone to her ear impatiently.
"Poe?" Rey said when he picked up the call. "I need a favor."
Ben nursed his second old fashioned as he watched Rey spin in Dameron's arms, her slate blue silk dress molding perfectly to her sleek curves. She looked stunning tonight, half of her medium length sable hair flowing freely around her shoulders while the rest was pulled back into a chic bun. The intricate beaded halter top of her dress showed off her long back before cinching at her tiny waist, where Ben jealously realized Dameron's hands were stationed.
He'd always held a grudging respect for the older man, but tonight, all Ben could think about was punching his mother's military advisor right in his perfect teeth. Glowering as Rey laughed at something Dameron was whispering into her ear, Ben wondered at the force of his feelings for a girl barely out of college.
Initially hired as a summer intern on the recommendation of his Uncle Luke, a philosophy professor at George Washington University who didn't hand out recommendations to anyone, Rey had quickly proven herself, rising through the ranks to become a full-time employee by the time she graduated with a Masters in Engineering a few months ago.
Now a senior staffer for Senator Organa, Rey handled the technical details of all the engineering projects Leia's office oversaw. Her drive and work-ethic were two of the things he admired most about her, in addition to her startling beauty and quick wit.
Speaking of her penchant for comebacks, Ben took another drink as he recalled Rey's dig about his ex-girlfriend during their argument this morning. In truth, he'd only dated Kaydel Connix as a shield to protect himself against his feelings for Rey, who had been much too young at the time for him to pursue in good conscience.
Despite his best intentions, however, Ben was unable to hide his interest for long, and Leia's former legal advisor had dumped him a few weeks later when he mistakenly called her "Rey" in bed. Thankfully, Kaydel had withheld that juicy piece of gossip from the rumor mill before she quit, sparing Rey any awkwardness at work.
Not that Rey's time in Leia's office had been a complete walk in the park, Ben grimaced. He'd certainly done enough to make her life difficult over the years, taking out his frustration on her instead of just owning up to his own unresolved feelings. He'd been a complete jerk to her, plain and simple, and she had plenty of reasons to hate him as a result.
In fact, her reaction to him in the elevator this morning was the first time she had ever expressed interest in him. But Ben knew that if he wanted to have a chance with Rey, he'd have to clean up his act. Pulling pranks and making fun of the girl you like might work in elementary school, but they were adults, and he needed to start acting like one.
Right after he got Dameron out of the picture, that is.
Ben's eyes narrowed as Rey and her date moved off the dance floor to take a break, Dameron heading toward the bar while Rey stayed put. Setting his unfinished drink down on the nearest table, Ben swiftly strode forward, slipping an arm around her waist just as the band started playing a slow ballad.
"What—" Rey yelped, her hands automatically wrapping around him as he threw off her center of gravity. "What are you doing?"
"Dance with me." He said huskily, taking her right hand in his as he led her into the middle of the room.
"I'd rather not." She responded warily, holding herself stiff against him.
"Come on, people are watching." Ben smirked as she looked around nervously. "You don't want them to think there's discord in Leia's office, do you?"
"I hate you." Rey replied, but she relaxed in his arms nonetheless.
"I know." Ben grinned, literally sweeping her off her feet as he waltzed around the ballroom with practiced skill.
It felt good to finally hold her in his arms, no, better than good. It felt right.
"I didn't know you could dance so well." She said after a few moments, an appreciative hitch in her voice.
"My mother gave me lessons when I was a child." Ben told her. "I guess they stuck."
"Yeah?" She smiled playfully. "Well, I'm sure your mother is pleased something stuck in that thick skull of yours."
"I'll be sure to let her know that." He chuckled, admiring her form as they moved in perfect unison to the beautifully composed music. "Where did you learn to dance?"
"Oh, well…" She ducked her head in embarrassment.
"Hey." Ben adjusted his grip, placing a comforting hand at the center of her bare back. "You can tell me, I won't laugh."
Rey's hazel eyes lifted to his, surprised by his sincerity. "I learned how to dance while in the system, actually. One of my foster-mothers was an instructor."
Ben's heart lurched at her tentative tone. "Oh. Well, you're very good. I've never had a better partner."
She looked a bit confused as she stared up at him. "Do you mean that?"
Was it really so hard for her to believe that he would pay her a compliment? Hell, maybe it was, considering how he'd treated her in the past. It was time to make things right between them.
"Rey, there's something I have to—" Ben started.
"Ah, Rey, here's your drink." Dameron interrupted, suddenly popping up behind them with two champagne flutes. "Would you like to go sit down or…?"
"Get lost, Dameron." Ben bit out, glaring at the other man. "She's dancing with me."
"Solo!" Rey reprimanded. "Be quiet!"
Ben grinned down at her, gratified when she remained in the circle of his arms despite her bossy outburst.
"I'd like to dance with Solo a little longer, Poe. We can catch up later, okay?" She said gently to his rival.
Dameron looked nonplused for a moment before smiling slowly, but Ben couldn't begin to decipher the look the former airman exchanged with Rey. He'd have to ask her about it later.
"Okay." Dameron saluted them with both glasses before joining Leia at the far side of the room where she was charming potential donors into parting with their checkbooks.
"Poe and I are just friends, Solo." Rey said sardonically once they were alone again.
"Did I ask?" Ben snarked.
Rey frowned up at him. "And here I thought we were having a civil conversation for once." She huffed. "Maybe I will join Poe after all."
"Sorry." He said sheepishly, catching her close when she tried to pull away. "Old habits die hard."
"You should try harder, then." She shot back saucily.
God, he loved her, Ben thought fondly, short temper and all.
"Look, what I was trying to say before that pretty boy—" Ben grunted as she elbowed him in the stomach "—so rudely interrupted us is that I'm sorry for my behavior this morning." Leading Rey back into a leisurely waltz, he added earnestly, "And for yesterday and for the day before that…"
"What?" She gaped, matching his steps despite her shock.
"I've been a total and unmitigated ass since the moment we met, and I'm sorry." Ben said seriously.
"Why?" Rey asked softly, and Ben didn't pretend to misunderstand her question.
"The first time I saw you, I wanted you." He confessed, twirling her in a graceful arc. "But you were so young then, and I didn't want to take advantage of you."
"And now?"
"Now I just don't give a damn." Ben effortlessly dipped her slender body as the music swelled before pulling her flush against his hard chest. "I just want a chance to be with you."
"For a one-night stand?" She inquired.
"If that's what you want." He said uncertainly. "I was thinking maybe we start with a kiss at midnight."
"Just a kiss?" Rey regarded him through hooded eyes. "You have a bed in your office, right?"
"Yes. Well, a pull-out couch." He faltered. She couldn't possibly be suggesting…?
"Good enough." Rey said temptingly. "Take me there."
Or maybe she could.
Pulling Rey toward the exit before she could change her mind, Ben spirited her away without a thought to who was watching. Whatever happened, he would deal with the consequences in the morning.
A/N: I guess I should just admit that I'm incapable of writing a short one-shots at this point! My stories are going to be as long as they need to be, so I'm going to stop worrying about it. Thanks for reading and reviewing! Part II is coming soon and you will NOT want to miss it!
A little something extra!
Ali: So, where do you come down on the whole hair discourse thing?
Kylo: The…the what?
Ali: You know, whether you're going to have hair in EPIX or not.
Kylo: That's not really up for debate, is it?
Ali: Ha! Clearly you haven't been paying attention. Everything is up for debate!
Kylo: Okay, but my hair? Really? What is there even to argue about?
Ali: Well, the main camps are Baldo!Ren, Bunlo, Braidlo, and of course, those who want your hair to stay the same length from TLJ, or maybe even longer like—
Kylo: Okay! Okay, I get it!
Ali: So, where do you come down on the whole hair discourse thing?
Kylo: …what were my options again?