Finn Orlani works at a small magazine. He's a great writer, due for promotion any minute.
But the problem is...well, there are a few problems, actually.
There's the small problem: Finn writes Star Wars fan fiction on the side—and he just can't seem to finish the latest smutty chapter of his slow burn, Rebel Lives. He's blocked and he's promised his readers an update.
There's the soul-crushingly huge problem: Finn is in love with his boss. His wonderful, jacket-loaning boss. But he may also have a crush on one of the people reading his fic—the flirty guy who leaves comments on every single chapter. One is perfect and unavailable; the other is a mystery. And both of them are making his life perfectly miserable.
Finally, there is the ticking time-bomb of a problem: Rey and Jess. They've decided they know how to jump start Finn's love life (and they have some strong opinions about his fic as well) and that...that is just a disaster waiting to happen.
It's technically after hours and Finn reasons that he's on his personal laptop and NOT his work computer, so it really shouldn't matter that he's writing smut at his desk, right? He glances around. Everyone else left over an hour ago.
Everyone except Poe.
Finn groans as he looks into Poe's office—it's at the far end of the space with windows on two sides so Finn has a clear view of the sexiest man he's ever met in real life. Poe freakin' Dameron. With his tousled hair and those crinkles next to his eyes and always—ALWAYS—with just a hint of stubble. And the man can dress, Finn tells himself, frowning for just a moment at the hint of ketchup on his tie. Plus, Poe is smart and funny and...
Fuck my life, Finn thinks with a groan. I'm in love with my boss.
This isn't a new revelation. In fact, it's a thought that Finn's been having for about a year now.
If he's being honest, it's probably a thought he's been having for two years. Maybe longer? He bangs his head into his keyboard.
Finn came to Resistance magazine three years ago as a staff writer, and from almost day one, he and his editor Poe slid into an easy friendship. They joked at the office, they quipped with each other online, they played video games together on the weekends, but... Finn sighs. We're friends. That's it. Friends. And colleagues. And... He scrubs his hand over his face. And why won't he love me?
He looks up. Right now, Poe is frowning, an adorable deep line set between his eyebrows as he reads something on his computer. Poe bites his lip and Finn wants to slide under his desk. Seriously, Dameron, you're killing me.
Finn takes a deep breath. Just focus on the porn, Orlani. He stares at the blank document in front of him. Because what better way to get over your unrequited crush than to write about fictional characters having sex?
Finn would laugh if it weren't so tragic.
He allows himself a moment to wallow and then unclenches his shoulders and sits up straight. Okay, I'm gonna do this.
Come on, porn. He taps the keyboard without actually typing anything.
Come on.
Anything?
He gnaws at his cheek. The cursor keeps blinking.
Maybe it's because I'm at the office. I mean, I know I shouldn't be doing this here, he thinks. But...
But Jess is visiting this week, and I'm trying to give her and Rey as much alone time as possible. Plus, they'd tease me mercilessly if they knew that I wrote smutty Star Wars fanfic. Besides, Finn reasons, I promised my readers an update.
