Page 67 of A Hard Fit

“I know.”

“But I’m never different, am I? I’m always the same. I’m gonna be alone forever.” The last words were hard to hear, fading away into nothing.

“You’re not!” Rory said. “There’s no way.”

There was no response this time.

“Griffin, will you come out of there? Let’s grab some food and talk. Have you eaten anything today?”

Still nothing.

Finn stepped closer and cleared his throat. “I know how you feel,” he said to the door. “About being alone forever. You feel like you’re wrong somehow, like you’ll never fit. It’s so hard. I get it.”

Rory took Finn’s hand and leaned their head on his shoulder.

“And I wish I could tell you the right person will come along. And they might. But it doesn’t matter, you know? What matters is all the people who do love you. And I know Rory loves you so much…”

Rory blinked at Finn with welling eyes.

“…and so does the rest of your family. So much, Griffin. Can you come out so they can talk to you?”

The door cracked open.

* * * *

It was late when they got home, and they still had to unload Rory’s desk and the rest of their boxes and plants. Then Finn took Rory’s hand and showed them the picnic he had set up. Rory sniffled and buried themselves in Finn’s arms. They spent the night on the blanket.

Chapter Fifteen

Gifting

It was a little cozy, but Rory’s desk and all their gear fit into half of Finn’s studio. Finn loved painting with the patter of Rory’s keyboard next to him. The bungalow was more cheerful with the addition of Rory’s plants, and the one Thomas had brought didn’t look so lonely anymore.

But Finn’s favorite place to be was snuggled up under the blanket watchingGodstrikewith Rory while the snow piled up outside.

He really had to get his Christmas shopping started, though.

“What do I get Rory for Christmas?” Finn asked, tumbling into his chair in Luka’s office. Thomas was there too, but he and Luka were basically a package deal now. Thomas knew all the ins and outs of his relationship with Rory.

Luka tapped his chin. “I mean, technically, nothing, unless you draw their name.”

Finn stared at him. God, Luka could be insufferable sometimes. Of course, he would try to apply the rules of the office gift exchange here. “You’re joking, right?”

“What? These are the rules! You’re only supposed to get a gift for someone at work if you have them for Secret Santa.” His smirk indicated he was being annoying on purpose.

Finn turned to Thomas. “What do you think I should get them, Wolf?”

Thomas froze, gaze flicking between Luka and Finn. “Uh, do they need a new wallet?”

“Thanks, guys,” Finn said, getting back to his feet with a thigh slap. “Big help.”

* * * *

Later that day, Tawney popped into Finn’s office carrying a Santa hat. “Ho, ho, ho! It's time to pick your Secret Santa! And no telling who you got.” Tawney shook the hat and held it out for him.

“No promises,” Finn said, reaching.

Tawney scowled and pulled the hat away. “Finn!”

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