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Finn wakes up before his alarm on Friday and finds texts from Rose and Poe, who both apparently never sleep judging from the fact that they were sent between two and four in the morning.
DJ said he'll meet me after school, same time & place, Rose reported.
I'm bringing BB8 as a guard dog, Poe grumbled.
Some guard dog, Rose quipped. He'll probably roll around on his feet.
… said Poe.
Finn snorts. He drags himself out of bed and stumbles towards the bathroom for an early shower. The tiny cramped bathroom feels soothing, safe, steam rising around him. The sun's barely cracking through the sky. He and Rose are making good progress on their project, and Rey seemed encouraged lately about hers.
Finn changes and leaves the bathroom. No one else is up, though he can hear stirring in Kylo's room. The door cracks open, and Finn's jaw falls open as Rey leaves. "Rey?"
She freezes, the ratty boxer shorts and t-shirt she wears for pajamas rumpled and her hair mussed. She grabs Finn's arm. "Don't tell."
"Tell? Tell what?" Finn rubs the back of his head. "You mean—you were sleeping in there?"
Rey's brow draws together as if she somehow thought that was obvious. Which it wasn't. Which it wasn't at all. Finn shakes his head.
"Finn!" Rey hisses.
"All right, all right!" Finn retorts. "But were you—I mean—okay—are you like, dating?"
Rey nods.
Finn's eyes narrow. "He's trouble, Rey."
Rey shrugs. She bites her lip. "He's also a lot more than that."
What the hell. "Okay…" Finn trusts Rey, but he's suddenly worried about her. She's naïve too. What if he hurts her? He will eventually. Of course he will. Finn wonders if he should threaten Kylo.
But then again, Rey would probably kick his ass because Rey could kick Kylo's ass. She's capable of taking care of herself. Finn believes that.
He lets out a sigh. Rose asks him if he's all right at school, and he just shrugs. He doesn't know what to say. Rey clearly doesn't want it to be common knowledge. Neither, it appears, does Kylo. But Rey's missing at lunch, and Emo Edgelord isn't sitting with Darth Ginger or Buckethead.
"Where's Rey?" Poe asks, biting into his turkey sandwich.
Finn shrugs. "Probably working with Mr. Skywalker." Lies. Lies saved him many times.
Rose casts him a sidelong glance. She knows something's up.
But she doesn't press, not as they head over to the soda shop. This time, DJ's waiting for them, leaning back against his car and tossing his keys from hand to hand.
"Hey," says Rose.
"You got it or not?" Poe demands. He did not in fact bring Beebee-Ate along.
"I don't." DJ spreads his hands.
Finn's jaw drops. "Then give her her necklace back!"
"The police got him," DJ corrects. "They should be arresting a certain cook right now, who stole a blackjack dealer's outfit." He pulls a manila envelope from his jacket and hands it over to Rose. "Go on, open it."
She slides it out and blinks. Finn leans over, looking at the images. Maybe. It does look it could be the guy who almost murdered Paige. "Who—"
"His name's Praetorian," says DJ, shrugging. "Poor guy. Doesn't seem to have much going for him except some major debts. Interesting he's already got a top-notch lawyer and he was just arrested in the past hour. I think your parents would be calling you shortly, little miss."
Rose's eyes flash. She yanks out her phone, breath hitching. "And you just handed this over to the police?"
"I did. Wasn't that what you were going to do? Or were you going to take justice into your own hands?" DJ leans his head back, absorbing the dim sunlight.
Finn swallows. Rose glowers.
"And here," says DJ, digging through his pocket. "Police reward was substantial enough." He tosses the necklace at Rose. She catches it in her palm.
Poe looks as if his eyes are about to pop out of his skull. Finn lets out his breath. Rose's eyes fill with tears. He puts his hand on her shoulder, squeezing. She manages a wobbly smile.
"Oh," says DJ as he pulls open the door to his car. "And in case you were curious, Brendol Hux hired his lawyer for him." He slams the door.
"Huh?" Poe asks.
"Hey!" Finn shouts. "Wait! You can't just—"
But DJ speeds off. Rose gapes after him.
"What," Poe asks, voice grim. "Did he mean by that?"
"Maybe he's just a nice guy who hires expensive lawyers for his employees," Finn says sarcastically. His heart beats wildly in his chest. "Or—"
"Why?" Rose manages. "Why? Why would he—"
"Where was he the day Paige was hit?" asks Poe, dragging his hands through his hair. "I imagine a hit and run would be pretty bad for him and his fucking business."
Rose's nostrils flare.
"Fucking asshole," says Finn. "But there's no proof, and Rose—"
She shakes her head. Her phone rings, and she fumbles to answer. "Mom? Oh—oh, really?" She's not good at feigning surprise. She's too honest. Too good.
"DJ's not going to go against Brendol Hux," says Poe. "No one is. That man's got more money than some small countries. Okay, an exaggeration, but not by much."
"He'll confess," Rose vows, hanging up her phone. She turns to look at them, wiping her cheeks. "He will. Eventually. He's not gonna—want to be in jail."
"You sure about that?" Finn asks. Because he's not. Money does crazy things to people. People who are desperate will do anything to keep their hopes alive. Even if it means breaking every principle they have. Even if it means abandoning their own child.
Or maybe he never really mattered to them.
But Rose matters to him. And Paige, because Paige matters to Rose. And Poe. All of them. A lump grows in Finn's throat. Rose sniffles.
He reaches for her, pulling her into a hug. He doesn't know quite what to do with his hands, so he just holds her as her chest heaves with sobs.
It'll be okay, Rose.
I'll make it so.
Leia's working late, and Han's off with Chewie. Rey and Ben sit on the living room floor, him advising her on her project. He gives way better advice than his uncle. Rey laces her hand with his as she peers at the formulas on her screen.
Finn pounds down the stairs. Rey cranes her neck back. "Hey!"
"Hey," Finn says, smiling weakly. He inches towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Rey asks, hopping to her feet. She wants to spend more time with Finn. But it almost seems as if he doesn't approve of her and Ben. Which makes her sad. Finn was her first friend here. Or, ever.
"Poe and I are going out," Finn replies, adjusting his jacket.
"Congratulations," Rey says, blinking.
"Not like that!" Finn groans.
"You must be relieved they caught that guy," comments Ben, crossing his arms as he leans back against the couch. "Rose especially. I heard my mom talking. Apparently the police got a tip from another employee at the casino—"
"If you know something you can just say it," Finn shoots back. "Stop with that passive aggressive shit, Kylo."
Rey puts her hands on her hips. "What is he talking about?"
"I mean, I saw you and Poe and Rose talking," says Ben, shifting his eyes. "I know you hired that DJ to investigate. Are you going to finish paying him or what?"
"Brendol Hux hired the man a lawyer," says Finn. He gulps. "I—Poe and I want to get to the bottom of it. For Rose."
"What?" Rey doesn't understand. "What does Rose want? Does she believe he was involved?"
Finn shrugs.
Rey's heart starts to pound. "Finn, what are you doing?"
"I'm not letting him get away with it," Finn says. "Who's to say he won't try again? Rose has suffered enough, and her family—they really like each other, care about each other, and I—"
"I understand," Rey says. Her heart burns inside her chest. She does understand. Family… she'd do anything to protect them. She glances at Ben. "I'll come with—what do you plan to do?"
"Sneak back into the casino," Finn answers, rolling his eyes. "My favorite thing. But no, Rey, I think it's better with just the two of us. Smaller that way."
You don't want me? Rey swallows. "Okay."
"Text us," says Ben.
Finn promises too, and then he leaves. Rey stares after him. "I hope he's okay."
"My parents will not be pleased," says Ben. "But. They're more lenient with you two because you're good people."
Rey cocks her head, studying him. "So are you."
He manages a smile. His fingers brush her face. "I'm not so sure about that." His lips descend.
A knock sounds at the door after about a half hour of making out. Rey scrambles to answer. Finn hasn't even texted yet.
Rose stands there, shivering. 'Rey!" she exclaims.
"Hey!" Rey lets her in, shutting the door behind her. Damn, it's cold out. Her teeth chatter. "Finn's not—"
"Where is he?" Rose interrupts. Ben enters the hallway. He nods at Rose. She smiles back.
"Um," Rey said. "I mean—it—"
"He went to the casino again, didn't he?" Rose interrupts. She swears.
Rey didn't know Rose could swear. She blinks rapidly. "He wants to—don't you want to—"
"Yes, but I want him to be smart about it!" Rose insists. "He's not—if Brendol Hux is involved you don't want to take risks. That man is—we need a plan, not a half-assed—"
"Poe's—"
"That just makes me more concerned." Rose swallows. "I'm going to stop him."
"What?" Rey demands. "How?"
"I talked to the police—it's a lot more serious than—" Rose shakes her head. She grabs her keys. "That's what I was here to tell him about, but—"
"I'll go with you," Rey offers. She glances at Ben. She pulls out her phone to dial Finn.
He sighs. "Me, too."
"Okay," Rose says.
Finn doesn't answer his phone. Fear shoots down Rey's spine. Family—Finn's like a family to her, right? Like what Paige is to Rose. She can't imagine anything happening to him, or—
They get in the car, and Rose drives—carefully, but fast. She slows down when they reach the pothole place. Rey studies the dark jagged shadows of twisted trees, gaps between then revealing a starless sky. Despite being on a major highway, it seems lonely.
Rose parks near the back of the lot, and Rey leaps out of the car. She tries to call Finn again. Rose dials Poe.
"Back entrance," Rey directs when Finn doesn't answer.
"He's there," Ben says quickly. Rey's heart rate slows. He is, waiting. Poe must have gone inside just like last time.
"Finn!" bellows Rose. Her breath forms frosty puffs in the air.
Finn whirls around. His jaw drops.
Rose reaches him first, grabbing him. "You can't go in there!"
"Huh?" Finn blinks. "I mean—with two of us—we might be less likely to—"
"No," Rose interrupts. "I talked to the police. They think Brendol Hux is involved, and that it's more than just a hit-and-run. Paige apparently snuck into the casino a few times."
Finn's jaw drops. "Why?"
Ben inhales. He shakes his head.
"I don't know," Rose says, voice trembling. "But, Finn, you can't risk yourself—this could be bad, the cops actually—"
"I—"
"I don't want to risk losing you too!" Rose shouts. "You're important to me, Finn! Is it that hard to understand that you could matter to someone beyond what you can do? You don't have to earn friendship or your own blasted existence!"
Rey flinches. Those words seep into her brain like cold water. Rey trembles. Ben wraps an arm around her.
"Rose," Finn manages. His voice comes out a croak.
Rose reaches out and grabs Finn's cheeks, pulling his face close. She pecks him on the lips.
Finn's eyes bug out. Rey frowns. Did he really not understand that she liked him?
You thought you didn't deserve to be liked. Rey knows that feeling. She squeezes Ben's hand.
The back door jerks open. Poe pops his head out. His jaw drops.
"We're going home," Rose informs him. "I'll explain on the way, Poe, but there's way more at stake here than you think."
Rose kissed me.
Finn sits in the living room at the Solo-Organa household, drinking wine coolers from some pink Moscato Poe smuggled them from his house—assuring them his dad wouldn't even notice—and with Beebee-Ate entertaining them by rolling around on his back and barking. Poe's forcing them all to play Jenga. Rey and Kylo are kicking all their asses.
And this is the first time Kylo's really let down his armor. He's laughing, his arm around Rey. Finn keeps stealing little glances at Rose. He wraps a blanket around her when she mentions being cold.
I like you.
He thinks anyways.
Footsteps crunch outside the door. Poe gestures frantically, and they all chug what's left of their wine. Finn's never had alcohol before. His head spins. Rey coughs. Rose only had a sip, since she needs to drive home later.
"Good evening," Leia says. Her gaze sweeps the room, the leaning Jenga tower oh-so-precariously balanced. Han canb't mask his surprise at seeing Kylo a part of this group. Kylo ducks his head, dark hair masking his face. He curls his fists.
Why? Finn wonders. Why are you so against letting them see that you're having fun? What did they do to you? Or is it just you?
"Hi," Poe says cheekily, waving.
The tower falls, clattering to the floor. Poe and Rose say their goodbyes soon afterwards.
"I'll call you tomorrow," Finn says awkwardly.
Rose nods, lingering in the entryway. She bites her lip. "Finn, I'm sorry if the kiss was too forward—I should have asked—"
"No," Finn interrupts. "It's fine. I—I mean, I was happy. It made me happy. You made me happy." What's the correct phrasing here?
Rose chuckles.
"I'd just never been kissed before," Finn says. His face heats up. "Or been on a date before."
"I kissed someone in middle school during spin the bottle," Rose admits, hands in her pockets. "Otherwise, I'm kind of a newbie at all this, too. I just—" She draws in her breath. "I really do like you, Finn. I mean, I've admired you since I read your application—"
"Creepy stalker," Finn teases.
Rose swats his shoulder. "And you're so kind, and generous, and brave. And those are all things I wish I was more of."
Finn blinks, studying her deep chocolate eyes. "You—you are all those things. More so than even me. And—" He swallows. "Look, I don't even know what it means to be liked. In any capacity. Or to like someone like—like this, but you make me smile, Rose, and I look forward to seeing you every day, and I think you're beautiful—"
Rose's eyes fill up. "Sorry," she mutters.
"No," Finn interrupts, reaching out and catching her chin. He tilts her head up. Oh, what the hell. He wants to. He lowers his lips to hers. When he kisses Rose, when she opens her mouth and he opens his, he feels vulnerable, and yet there's hope, because she wants him and he, he wants her.
"Hey," Finn says as he passes Ben in the hallway. Ben nods at him. "Can we talk?"
Oh boy. Rey mentioned that Finn had seen her slipping out of his room, so he clearly knows. He half expects Finn to threaten him. But Ben jerks his head and lets Finn into his room. He actually took the trash out yesterday, and the curtains are open to the lawn below.
Finn raises his eyebrows. He drops onto the window seat.
"Is this about Rey?" Ben asks.
Finn lifts his shoulders. "Kinda."
He leans back on his bed and waits. He's in no rush to make Finn feel at ease.
"How long have you two been together?" Finn ventures.
Ben looks over at him. "Couple weeks."
"Why do you like her?"
Ben's eyebrows sweep together. He pushes himself back up. Why—
"I don't mean it like that," Finn says quickly. "I mean—how do you know you like someone? What does it feel like? And how do you know you can turn that—liking—into a relationship?"
Ben blinks. "Is this about Rose?" Are you—asking me for advice? He doesn't understand. He's been nothing but an asshole to Finn. And yet Finn's here to ask him for advice. As if he thinks Ben might be able to help him. As if Ben's worth something.
"Yeah," says Finn, leaning forward. "I am. Rey seems pretty confident that you genuinely like her, so—"
"I love her," Ben interrupts.
Finn's jaw drops. "Love? How—how do you know?"
"Because," he answers, heart pounding, his fingers tracing the edge of the bed. "She's—I understand her, and she understands me, and she has worth but is afraid she doesn't—and I'm that way too—and I trust her, and she trusts me—it's an equal thing. But she's beautiful, and she's kind in ways I'm not, and she's smart and so hopeful and—" He stops himself, face burning. "Anyways. Not sure that's helpful."
"No," Finn says finally, swinging his legs down from the window seat. "It is. Rose is—so much more idealistic than I am. She still sees hope even though she knows the world sucks, and it even took Paige away from her. She doesn't see how special she is—she thinks I'm special, but—"
"To her you probably are," Ben interrupts. God, that's so cheesy.
Finn's face breaks into a smile. "You're not so bad, you know."
Ben snorts. "Thanks?"
Finn crosses his arms and rests his head against the window. The sunlight drenches around him. "So. One more question. How soon did you two start—you know? Spending the night together?"
Ben gulps. An inferno bubbles under his skin. "We just—both wanted to. It felt right."
Finn nods. "I'm not necessarily thinking about it. I just have no idea how any of this works. Don't repeat that."
"I wouldn't," Ben says, fiddling with a hole in his jeans. "I don't really either. Neither does Rey. I doubt Rose does. I think it just—depends on each person. Everyone's different, you know?" I'm not Ben Kenobi. I'm not Leia Organa. I'm not Han Solo.
Finn smiles. "Thanks, Kylo."
I'm not Kylo Ren.
"Ben," he says.