Cedar and Finn

Chapter 6

"If you don't leave me alone while I'm trying to work, I will come to your place and smother you with a pillow," Cedar said to Finn who was now following them around the shop while they stocked the shelves with new product.

"What? I refuse to leave, I get first dibs on new products if I'm here when you're stocking," Finn said teasingly as Cedar set down a box and started to tidy the shelves before putting the new products in the empty space. "And it means I get to spend more time with you." Cedar pretended to gag when Finn started to get a bit more playful. They never noticed that he was attempting to flirt with them, but that didn't mean Finn wasn't going to try.

"You're so gross," they replied, teasing him a bit as they grabbed the box and shoved passed him, cutting the bottom so they could break it down.

"Haha, very funny," Finn replied sarcastically, snaking past them so he could get ahead of them. "Anyways, on topic of why I'm here, Vega sent me to invite you to movie night. Tomorrow night," Finn said, and Cedar moved passed him to grab another box.

"I'll have to pass," Cedar replied, cutting open the next box that they're working with. Finn started to pout, knowing that he and Vega were not going to take 'no' as answer.

"Come on, you know neither of us are going to take that as an answer, right?" Finn replied teasingly, nudging them playfully. Cedar didn't look at him and shook their head.

"It's uh, not like that. I would say yes, but I've got group every week. And I do have therapy I go to once a week. I'm not free outside of school and work, you know. I actually have problems I'm seeing someone for, and she thinks that group would help with it too, except the reasons she had me go to it, haven't done shit," Cedar explained to Finn, being more open and honest with him. What could they say? He's already starting to grow on them now that he's not harassing them for quality time.

"Group? What's it for- wait, that's probably way too personal for you to share, isn't it! I'm sorry," Finn said, realizing that he may have been asking an inappropriate question. Cedar shook their head and continued to stock the shelves.

"It's just an LGBTQ+ support group. I'm going mostly for socializing and being around people in my community is important. But I haven't made any friends. My queer identity is the only thing I have any sense of confidence in." Finn stood there, listening to what Cedar had to say, a small smile growing on his face.

"Wait, can I go? You're talking about the one at the university? I've been thinking about going myself," Finn asked with enthusiasm and Cedar turned towards him, looking him up and down.

"Why would you need to go to a queer thing. It's not a GSA or anything, it's just for queer people," Cedar replied, only for Finn to frown, feeling almost offended by the comment.

"Jesus, I knew I was passing, but I didn't realize I passed that well," Finn said, watching Cedar as the cogs started to turn. Cedar's eyes widened at the realization that Finn was a trans man and not a cis man. "I'm also bisexual, so there's that too."

"Oh my God, how did I not notice? Maybe I was so fixated on the fact you're so clearly autistic that I totally missed it," Cedar said, and it was now Finn's turn to be shocked.

"You knew I was autistic but couldn't figure out I was trans? Wow, your radar is so broken!" Finn exclaimed, only for him to start giggling at the fact afterwards. "I guess I don't really look gay with my basic jeans and stupid t-shirts."

"You have the most basic cishet boy shag on your head and the only giveaway is that you're short. But I just thought you were a short guy."

"I'll have you know; I like having my fluffy gamer boy haircut, thank you very much," Finn said in a fake offended tone. "Now, can I come with you? We can go back to the apartment for movie night when it's over and you get to do everything." Cedar looked over at the hopeful Finn, desperate to do whatever he could to spend time with Cedar. They sighed, rolling their eyes.