Finn/Rey

Pairing
Pairing:	Finn/Rey
Alternative name(s):	Finnrey, Reyinn, Rinn, Jedistorm, Sandstorm
Gender category:	Het
Fandom:	Star Wars
Canonical?:	No
Prevalence:	Uncommon
Archives:
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Finn/Rey is the het pairing of Finn and Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy fandom.

Canon

In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Finn is introduced as a stormtrooper who defects after his first battle. Rey is a scavenger on Jakku, awaiting the return of her family. Both characters leave everything they know behind as they embark on a dangerous mission to find the Resistance. Neither are entirely committed to the cause, with Finn at one stage planning to join a ship of smugglers and Rey determined to return to Jakku.

However, when the Empire attacks again, Finn sees an unconscious Rey being carried away by Kylo Ren. He screams for her, horrified, but is too late to rescue her. Finn worries constantly about Rey and insists the Resistance has to mount a rescue. During their fight with Kylo Ren, Rey is injured and Finn runs to her side, before attacking Kylo. By the time Rey regains consciousness, Finn has been severely wounded. Rey defeats Kylo, then cries over Finn's still form. Chewbacca rescues them from the collapsing planet, and they are both brought back to the Resistance. Before leaving on a mission to find Luke Skywalker, Rey tells the still-unconscious Finn, "We'll see each other again. I believe that. Thank you, my friend," and presses a kiss to his forehead.

In Star Wars: The Last Jedi their interactions were limited. Finn was on a mission with the mechanic Rose Tico for a good part of the movie, and she eventually gave Finn a kiss (which he seemed surprised at). But many Finn/Rey shippers were encouraged by the heartfelt reunion the two shared at the end of this film.

Fandom

Based only on works currently on Ao3, this is the second most popular pairing for Finn and the third most popular pairing for Rey. Finn is more commonly paired with Poe and Rey is more commonly paired with Kylo Ren (Ben Solo). Despite this popularity, the number of works produced in this pairing is much less than that produced in other Star Wars sequel trilogy pairings. Finn/Rey/Poe is also a somewhat popular threesome pairing the two with Poe Dameron.

Common Tropes & Storylines in Fanworks

• First Relationship: Many fans of this pairing theorize that both Rey and Finn are inexperienced and have not had previous relationships or sexual experiences. Therefore many First Time fics are also Virgin!fic.
• Jedi Rey and/or Force-Sensitive Finn: with Rey becoming/taking on the mantle of a Jedi, and Finn also being able to sense or use the force.
• Modern AU: taking place in a modern non sci-fi setting. The context of these stories varies, but them being roommates or neighbours seems to be fairly common.
• Friends to Lovers: their friendship deepening into a romantic one.
• Hurt/Comfort: most commonly with hurt Rey and Finn providing the comfort. Although, the two of them comfort each other is also pretty common. Emotional hurt/comfort tends to be a large focus of these fanworks.
• Second Relationship: there is a small sub-genre of stories where Rey was previously in a relationship with Kylo Ren, and then she begins a relationship with Finn, and she has to adjust to this new style of relationship, it usually being a healthier one. These stories may also include Finn having been friends with Rey while she was with Kylo and thus incorporating friends to lovers as well.

Fanworks

Examples Wanted: Editors are encouraged to add more examples or a wider variety of examples.

Fanfiction

• What You Do by gnimaerd, In which Rey and Finn are awkward space!virgins together and Finn is, if possible, even more virginal than Rey. (Turns out The First Order aren’t big on sex ed, guys).
• Warped Stars by boasamishipper, Stormtrooper FN-2187 is sent to infiltrate the Resistance in the hopes of taking it down from the inside. However, things get complicated when he finds himself falling for a scavenger from Jakku along the way.

Fanart

• can i request a drawing of finn and rey kissing just like that cosplay photo? by lightsaber (2016)
• Finn and Rey by Paulycat (2015)
• Finnrey by TheIguanaAmarilla (2016)

Fanvids

• Finn & Rey I Flares (Jan 2016)
• Finn & Rey | You are loved
• Finn & Rey | Falling For You (+TLJ)
• 101 Reasons to ship Finnrey

Meta

• Star Wars Finnrey Discovery by Shippersguidetothegalaxy, includes discussion about lack of popularity of this ship.
• the hand holding scene archive by allerasphinx, discussing hypermasculinity in relation to black men, and subversion of such in Finn and Rey’s mutual vulnerability.

Archives & Fannish Links

• Finn/Rey works on Ao3
• Finn/Rey works on ff.net
• Tumblr tags: JediStorm, Finnrey, ReyFinn, Finn x Rey, Rey x Finn