alexaprilgarden

Luke straightens his clothes and takes his satchel. He wants to make a good impression on Djarin. Oh damn it. He wants Djarin to like him, at least enough to hear him out and consider his idea. He doesn’t want this to be another mission he pushes through all by himself, and something tells him that Djarin might be the right person to ask.

It’s an insane plan, but for now it’s all he has.

As he approaches Djarin’s house, Grogu’s excitement becomes palpable in the Force. It’s more vibrant and lively than it was on Ossus – Grogu is happier, now that he’s back with Djarin. With his father.

The front door slides open and Grogu takes a small step outside. At the sight of him, Luke’s heart leaps with fierce, sudden joy and he can’t help but grin – force, he missed him. He missed him so much.

Grogu lets out a happy squeak when he spots Luke and takes two, three jumps, wider than he used to jump back at the temple, and then he is clambering onto Luke’s leg, his small claws digging sharply into Luke’s calves.

Luke grins and touches his little head, his soft ears. Grogu looks up at him with big, shining eyes, and a wave of Grogu’s memories hits Luke: their meditations back in the temple, their walks in the bamboo woods, Luke’s proud smile and his words of praise when Grogu accomplished a task. There’s a touch of Grogu’s sadness and longing in it, even if it’s softened by the calm, steady happiness of being reunited with his father.

Luke swallows. “I’ve missed you, too, Grogu. You’ve got no idea how much I miss having you around, little padawan.”

“Grogu!” That’s Djarin’s voice coming from inside. Luke’s mouth goes dry, and a moment later, Djarin appears at the door, shining armour and helmet and all.

I know what he looks like under that helmet.

Luke prays Djarin isn’t force-sensitive enough to catch up on the hot surge of emotion that runs through him.

“Skywalker,” Djarin says flatly, but in the Force, he’s radiating surprise and wariness.

Luke straightens. “I apologize for showing up without any warning, I–“

“Come inside,” Djarin says, and then more softly, “Grogu. Come here. Let Master Skywalker come inside.”

After having spent weeks at Leia’s and Han’s place on Coruscant, Djarin’s house feels small and spacious at the same time. It isn’t big, but outside open land is stretching in every direction. Inside it has the air of a place furnished by someone who isn’t used to building a home or staying in one place – it’s lived-in, but simple and practical. No more than a handful of things to pick up and leave.

Luke takes a slow breath. Maybe he can persuade Djarin to do exactly that.

There’s a box of toys, but most of the contents are strewn across the floor: a silver metal ball, a few small toy weapons that seem to be miniature versions of Djarin’s own. There are colourful bricks from the same brand that Ben loves, but it’s just a handful where Ben already owns an impressive collection. Among them lies a doll that looks like a smaller and hand-sewn version of Grogu himself, the tips of the ears already going threadbare, and there’s a frog plushie, too. Luke has to suppress a grin. The way it’s all scattered makes him think of objects that were floated in mid-air and then abruptly dropped.

“Let’s clean that up, Grogu,” Djarin says. “Come on. We have a guest.”

From across the room Grogu raises his hand, lifts his toys from the floor and carefully sends them sailing into the box.

“Grogu, you really have improved,” Luke says, impressed.

Djarin straightens a fraction. “I remind him to keep up his training.”

“Good work, Mr Djarin.”

There’s a flicker of something in the Force that is at odds with how flat and bare of emotion Djarin’s voice sounds. When Luke looks at him, all he sees is the silver helmet, frustratingly impassive.

“I have brought something that I think Grogu should have,” Luke says. Grogu’s head flicks around, curious. Luke smiles. “May I show him?”

Djarin watches him for a moment, his hesitation and caution palpable in the Force, but eventually he gives a short nod. Luke kneels down and opens his satchel.

“Grogu. This should be yours.” He takes out a bundle, wrapped in soft fabric. The weight feels so familiar in his hand, humming at the touch of his fingers, but it will hum even stronger for Grogu. “If you still want it.”

Luke places the bundle on the ground in front of Grogu. He hasn’t even pulled his hand away when the fabric flaps open – Grogu is stretching out one hand towards the bundle. Luke grins, there’s the same impatience and curiosity in the Force that Ben radiates when unwrapping his birthday presents.

Grogu’s eyes go wide when he recognises Yoda’s lightsaber, and for a moment Luke is overwhelmed by all his silent questions.

“It wasn’t right to make you choose,” Luke explains. “I was wrong to think you could only have one or the other.”

Grogu blinks at him, then touches the handle of the lightsaber.

Luke lets him take it. “Careful. If you want it, we’ll have to practise before you can use it.”

Finally he looks at Djarin. “I would like to teach Grogu again. His skill is impressive, and he would benefit greatly from training with me.”

Djarin’s disapproval and fierce protectiveness flare up in the Force.

“Grogu is a Mandalorian foundling. He’s part of my clan. I’m teaching him. He has chosen this over being a Jedi,” he says sharply.

Luke’s heart sinks, but he nods. “You’re right. But Grogu made his choice when he had to decide between going back to you or continuing his Jedi training. If he had chosen to become a Jedi, he would never have seen you again. And since he left I… I’ve had some time to think. I don’t think I can agree any longer with separating children from their families for the sake of the Jedi. And I don’t believe being a Jedi has to mean he can’t also be a Mandalorian.”

Djarin tilts his head and watches him. “Is this why you’ve come here?“

Now this is where it counts. Luke’s heart goes faster, and he wishes he didn’t want this so much. He draws a deep breath and tells himself that it’s okay to want something. Even for a Jedi, even for him, it’s okay.

“There’s more to it.” Luke focuses on where he feels Djarin’s gaze behind the visor. “Mr Djarin, I have a proposition for you and your son.”

––

Bold and naked

~26k, E, Din Djarin x Luke Skywalker x Cassian Andor

Din Djarin x Luke Skywalker, Din Djarin x Cassian Andor

Set post-S3 of The Mandalorian, and Cassian Andor lives. I still have to come up with a better summary.

Eternally grateful to @ennisnovember for bearing with me as my beta ♥️