#lee!din

The Mandalorian slowly walked himself into the ship, drained of all energy. As much as he’s used to fighting enemies, it’s exhausting trying to look after a child while also fulfilling business of his own. But god, he loved him. He’s a good kid, and he’s really glad he has him. 

Mando looked down towards Grogu to make sure he was still keeping up with him. Sure enough, the child was standing next to him, looking up to him and making his usual cooing sounds. 

“God, I need to sit…” He admitted, sitting down in his usual pilot’s chair. Desperate for some sort of solitude, he laid his chin onto his palms and leaned against the control desk. 

Grogu walked himself up to the pilot’s chair, and snuck himself into Mando’s lap. He made a cooing sound, almost to show how proud he was of the Mandalorian.  

“You okay?” Mando asked. 

Grogu let out a little happy yelp in response. 

“Good.” He responded, going back to leaning forward. 

Grogu looked down at the pilot desk, and observed all the many buttons. He knew not to touch them, though it was fun sometimes. But he did know what button would turn off the ship. So, he leaned down and pressed it. 

The button made a little beep, and in a few seconds, the ship began to power down. 

“Mm…” Mando looked up right as the ship’s engine slowed to a stop. “Good thinking, kid.” He said. “It’ll save us fuel.” Mando told him. 

The kid laid back and cuddled into the Mandalorians chest. 

They stayed like this for about 20 minutes. Grogu held the Mandalorian close, and Mando got a little nap in as well. It felt peaceful for once in their lives. The universe felt like it was slowing down…And for just a moment…Everything felt right. 

Soon though, Grogu opened his eyes and looked up at the Mandalorian. Though he had his helmet on, Grogu could easily tell he was still sleeping. How? Well, he could hear his soft snoring through the helmet. 

Grogu sat himself up and looked up to the little bit of skin visible under his chin. Seeing that little bit of skin was…surprising at first. He remembered the time the Mandalorian took off his helmet for him as he was about to separate from him for a while. Grogu got to feel the prickly skin on his caretaker for just a moment…before being handed off to Luke Skywalker. And that was…an emotional experience for him…

But that didn’t matter now…cause his neck was visible! Just a small part of it, but it was enough for Grogu to touch. Grogu lifted his hand up and placed it onto his upper neck to feel it. Was it going to be prickly like the skin on his face? 

Just a few seconds after he made contact, Mando’s snoring stopped for a moment. Sensing he accidentally woke him up, Grogu pulled his hand back and waited. 

“Mmm?...Mm…” Was the only thing that came out of Mando’s mouth, before falling back asleep. 

Grogu waited a couple more seconds, just to make sure he was 100% asleep…Then, Grogu lifted his hand up again, and gently placed his claw-like fingers against his neck. 

“Mm…” Mando hummed, scratching his neck in the very area that Grogu touched. It could be safe to assume that Mando fell asleep again…because when Grogu resumed fluttering his fingers on his neck, Mando didn’t really react. 

Grogu looked at his hand for a moment, before raising it up to touch his neck again. Something about exploring his Mandalorian friend, felt…comforting somehow…

And he wanted to keep going! 

Grogu’s hand fluttered against Mando’s neck once again, watching as the Mandalorian twitched a little bit. 

“Mmmhmhmm…” He mumbled. 

Grogu’s beady black eyes widened. What was that?? 

Did…Did he just…laugh?! 

Again, again! 

Grogu fluttered his fingers on the man’s neck, specifically right under his chin this time. And to his shock, he did it again! 

“Hehe- Huh?” The Mandalorian lifted his head up, and looked down at Grogu. “What-” He gently felt little Grogu’s hand. “Oh…It’s just you.” He said, calming down. 

Grogu tilted his head with a confused coo.

“What?” Mando asked. 

Grogu reached his hand up to his neck again, and dragged the claws gently down his neck, to his scarf. 

“oOhkay…” Mando’s hand shot up and took Grogu’s hand. “Let’s not do that.” Mando told him. 

Grogu tilted his head and made another confused coo sound. 

“Now’s not the time to explain.” Mando told him. “Now if you excuse me, I need to rest-” Mando tried to lift his hand, but couldn’t. “Huh?” Mando looked at his hand, tried to raise it up again. But for some reason, it sayed completely still. “What the-” Mando pulled on his hand, almost like he was being restrained. But it was still unable to move. 

“Grogu, can you help me-” Mando looked at Grogu, and widened his eyes the moment he saw him: 

Grogu’s hand was up…And the kid was looking at him with a mischievous look on his face…

“Uh oh…” Mando let out. He pulled on his hands. “G-Grogu?” He asked. 

With the Mandalorian subdued, Grogu brought his little one up to his neck. 

“Oh no, no no no.” He tried to hide his neck with his shoulder. But again to his shock, his shoulders were frozen in place too. “Dammit…” He blurted out. 

And it was only then…that Mando felt a curious little hand fluttering against his upper neck. “Oh noHO! Kid, dohon’t!” He jumped and chuckled. 

That little laugh…told Grogu everything he needed to know. Because in a matter of seconds, Grogu’s playful fingers sped up rather quickly. 

“Kihihid Wahait-! Hahaha! Unfahair!” He argued. 

It was almost like the kid understood what the word ‘unfair’ meant…because in only a second…Grogu’s main pointing finger dug a little deeper into his right jawline. 

“KKHAHAHA!” Mando tittered loudly. “WhatareyouDOHOIHING?!” He felt as those crazy claws dragged itself towards its chin. “GAHAHahaha! How are yohohohou-” He squeaked as the finger dragged down his neck. “Geeheez nohohoho!” Mando reacted. 

Grogu let out a happy sound as he moved his fingers up his neck faster this time. 

“Grohohogu!” Knowing what was coming, Mando squeezed his eyes shut and decided to just take the tickles. 

And it was a good thing he did…because Grogu’s 3 fingers quickly fluttered against his jawline all over again.

And GOOD LORD, WAS IT TICKLISH! So ticklish, that his laughter came out as an uncontrollable wheeze! 

Grogu widened his eyes. “Eh?” He cooed in his baby voice as he moved his hand away. 

The Mandalorian’s laughter seemed to calm down almost right away…Only a few giggles seemed to remain. “Ahaha…Haha…Ahare you done?” Mando finally asked him. 

Grogu looked at the Mandalorian with curiosity, before lowering his hand down slightly. The hold on his body ceased, confirming to him that Grogu had stopped the grabby force thing he did on him. 

With the force stasis gone, Mando wrapped his arms around his belly. “Whahat was…” 

“Ah?” 

Mando looked to Grogu, right as the little womp rat tickled his neck with all 6 of his little fingers. “Oh- YOHOHOU LIHIHITTLE-!” Mando squeezed his eyes shut as more laughter erupted from his lungs. “Kihihid WHYHYHY?!” Mando asked him. 

But the only answer he got from the kid…was a happy little giggle. And Mando knew that giggle well…That was the ‘I’m gonna get in trouble for this…But boy, is it worth it!’ kinda giggle. And considering the tickle attack Grogu had put on him before, that was NOT a good giggle to hear…

Thankfully, though…the tickling did stop for a moment…

“Ohokahahay, yohou had your fun.” The Mandalorian told him. “Buhut can we-” Mando’s words paused when he felt mischievous little Grogu plop himself onto his shoulder. “Uh…” He muttered. “Now hold on, little guy…” He pointed a finger at him. “What are you planning?” 

Grogu stared at The Mandalorian for just a second…as he reached his hand over to his neck. 

“Noooooo…” He warned. “Dooon’t you do it…” He added. 

Grogu’s hand got closer and closer…

“Grogu-” 

Suddenly, Grogu swung his other hand towards his left, untouched side! “OhgodNOHOHOHO!” He tried to cover his neck, but found the other side was being attacked too! “KIHID-STAHP!” He yelled. 

And before he could stop it, Grogu was now tickling BOTH sides of his neck! If this kid wanted laughter, then this kid was doing all he could to get it from him. “HAHAhahaha! Yohohou ehehevil lihihittle wohomp rahahat!” He yelled, trying to grab at Grogu. “Ihihihi’ll gehehet you bahahack!” 

The only response he got was Grogu’s happy little laughter. It was hard to tell if Grogu was laughing because of Mando’s laughter…or if he was laughing because he had successfully beat Mando at his own game. 

But either way, the little mischievous kid was determined to make him laugh…And as much as he hated to admit it, the kid was unbelievably successful.