#mando angst

I pulled the trigger and the blaster shot. The light barreled towards the target mere feet away and I stumbled backward - into him even further.

“Good” the mandalorian said, adjusting himself so we were no longer in contact.

As I turned to face him, I found he was already walking towards the sheet of metal I had just shot at.

“Not bad for someone who’s never touched a blaster before.”

**

I had lived a peaceful, if not privileged, life before the chaos found me. My city crumbled under the oppressive fist of the evils that prevailed and I had no one left.

No one until he found me.

Nightmares of men clad in white, troopers, the sounds of screaming children, and the smell of blaster fire haunted me. I woke every night clutching my heaving chest and waiting out the hours before dawn; before I felt safe in the sunlight again. It was almost ten years ago now. I was basically a child.

He was only here for a bounty. That’s what he claimed- a quick job and a paycheck.

Maybe he never found them, because he’s still here. With me, here, teaching me how to defend myself.

Why?

**

I looked down at my shaking hands, still clutching his weapon.

I wish I could say I was faking my incompetence for battle, or that I was pretending I couldn’t shoot a blaster- but I wasn’t. I wish I could say it was an act to make him stay longer.

I wanted him to stay longer.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked up at him, the black visor of his helmet a foot or two away from me.

“Why are you helping me?”

He just looked away and made a move back towards his ship.

“Wait” I said, breaking into a jog next to him “really… why me? I don’t understand.”

He handed me a larger blaster from the ship, “here, try this one now-“

“No” I looked down, suddenly embarrassed that I was pushing the subject but no less insistent that he answered my questions. “you’ve been here almost a month- I don’t believe someone of your skill would waste time like this-”

“You think I’m wasting my time?” He demanded, cocking his head to the side.

“No, I-“

“If you don’t want to learn to defend yourself, I’ll leave” he responded roughly, coldly.

“That’s not what I meant, I just want to know why-“

“We’ll stop wondering and just take the help you can get- you obviously need it” he said in such a way that I knew the conversation was over.

**

That night I laid restless in my bed. I mulled over all possible reasons for his prolonged stay and seemingly random interest in me.

I was dizzy with unanswered questions and sat up to stare around my bare room.

The mandalorians ship was landed now in what was once akin to the front yard of my home. It was impossible to imagine him here during times of peace, when the land was lush and his ship would’ve made my father furious over it ruining his landscaping.

I would’ve laughed at the image if it didn’t force me to imagine my father. He was a good man, a merchant. I missed him more than anything.

I heard movement outside and lunged for the knife I kept under my pillow. My heart was racing so hard I could hardly hear my own thoughts. They’ve come again to finish the job, I thought.

I crouched low and peered through the hole in my door that was once held a glass pane.

My knees buckled and I started to tremble, annoyed by my own fear.

The door heaved inwards, knocking me to the ground. I struggled to find the blade again in the darkness, but hands were lifting me now. I thrashed and kicked with all my might against muscle and metal. I screamed for help until a large hand was over my open mouth.

“If it wasn’t me, you’d already be dead” a familiar voice growled.

My body went limp in his arms.

He dropped me on the floor, my legs still unstable, and he watched as I struggled to find my balance.

I put my hand against the wall and let myself take deep, haggard breaths.

“What. Is. WRONG WITH YOU?” I screamed at the Mandalorian, shoving him with all my weight as if he wasn’t a wall of pure strength.

“I heard you walking around and decided to see if you really listened when I taught you anything… apparently not” he answered himself with a disgusted tone.

I was furious. “You heard me? That was you stalking around outside? Why the hell do you care so much about what I can or can’t do? Why the f-“

I was pinned against the wall, hands above my head, and the weight of his stare above me made me feel minuscule.

“Why is it so hard for you to accept that I just want you to live?” He barked.

I barred my teeth back at him, “because you don’t even know me.”

The heat of his hands radiated through his gloves.

“Oh I don’t?” Taking both my wrists in one of his large hands, his free one pulled out a bounty puck. My own face glowed before me.

“I… I don’t understand.” I responded breathlessly, sobered instantly by the sight.

“There are powers in this galaxy you can’t even begin to imagine the enormity of. There are people willing to pay for you to be hunted down and join the shallow grave of your family. You know nothing.”

He all but spat at me with those words. I felt like I was melting into the floor.

“Your father was no merchant. You really think you could’ve lived the way you did off of that measly salary?”

I wish he had just shot me.

“You want to know why he’s dead? You want to know why your city is in ruins and you’re the only one left in this hole? Blame him.”

“Don’t you dare” I responded with ice in my words but no conviction to back them up.

I truly was shielded from most everything in my life. So many questions had gone unanswered. Maybe I really didn’t know…

“No. Don’t you dare.” He responded, the grip on my wrists causing me to writhe in pain now. “He was nothing but a con artist that lead the evil back to his own family. He pissed off the wrong people.”

“Please. Stop” I choked out, only now realizing I was sobbing.

I hadn’t faced the facts. I knew there was no way he could support our family trading and bartering. I didn’t want to believe it. I loved him. He was good.

Though really, I hardly ever saw him.

The mandalorian let me go and I slid down the wall shaking my head in disbelief.

He threw the bounty puck towards me. It skid until meeting the hard wall. My own face glowing and mocking me.

“They didn’t get you the first time around and paid me to finish the job.” He said, some unexplained warmth returning to his mechanical voice.

“I don’t understand… was all of this a part of some sick scheme to get me to trust you before you took me in?” I said, still trembling.

“I don’t do that-“

“And why should I trust you?” I almost screamed back at him.

He crouched to my level, visor meeting my tear blurred eyes.

“Why?” Was all I could say, over and over again, between sobs or anger, confusion, and heartbreak.

His helmet cocked to the side and I could hardly see my contorted, wet face in its reflection.

He lifted me off the floor and took me back to his waiting ship. I didn’t have anything left in me to fight him with. I didn’t resist capture. It all went black and quiet.

**

A distant hum of an engine filled my ears and I blinked in the warm light that surrounded me.

The memories of the mandalorian came rushing back to me and I jolted upwards, scanning the room like a trapped animal.

I was on a bed- if you could call it that. On a ship. It was steady and landed.

Heavy footsteps came from the outside of the small room. My body tensed.

The beskar clad man walked in and passed me as if I wasn’t there. He rummaged through a flight pack.

“Where are we” I said, surprised at the roughness of my own scream shredded voice.

“We haven’t moved.”

That’s all he had to say before leaving the room again.

I followed swiftly and saw through the windows that we were still in front of my hovel of a home.

His back was towards me and I followed him outside into the night air.

“You were right to think that someone of my skill wouldn’t waste their time on a bounty like this… I was never going to bring you in.”

I sat down next to him on the steps to his ship. Wary and timid. I wrapped my arms around my knees.

He looked away from me and before I could even open my mouth he answered my questions, “I’ve never struggled like this. I bring in anyone and anything without any shred of feeling.”

He turned towards me and it felt as though I was punched in the chest, “but I couldn’t. You didn’t do anything. You’re a victim.”

I couldn’t place my emotion. I was more than confused, my heart was aching over my father, I was terrified of my fate, I felt betrayed, incompetent… but there was something comforting in the cold man next to me.

We sat in silence, neither one of us knowing what to say.

“Thank you” was all I could say after what felt like a lifetime.

He didn’t respond.

“Why did I wake up in your ship?”

It was the only question I could think of asking with an answer that wouldn’t make me want to start crying.

“It was easier than stalking around your bedroom. Easier to keep an eye on you” he answered matter of factly.

I didn’t respond.

“I’d leave now if I thought they wouldn’t send someone else to come find you” the mandalorian said, looking away again.

“I don’t want you to leave” I said, without even thinking first. My cheeks burned with the embarrassment of revealing that to him.

“I’m sorry I lied to you” was all he said in response.

I just looked at him. A man so fortified with armor, stern and strong, was being gentle before me.

I put my hand on his and I swore I felt a shudder go through him. His fingers flexed and released beneath mine.

I went to pull away when he grabbed my hand back.

We sat in silence, entwined fingers on his thigh, just looking into the dark.

**

The mandalorian left after a month.

He found me a place to stay within a city where no one could find me. He made me feel safe. I was safe.

We never touched again after that night on the steps of his ship. Though, the heat still burned through me when I thought of it.

**

My hands were raw from pulling weeds and the sweat dripped heavily down my back. I was happy. I was safe.

I was tired.

I laid with a thud onto a stack of freshly pulled vegetation and let myself feel the suns on my face.

My brows contorted when it was suddenly cooler and darker overhead. Opening my eyes, I focused on an all too familiar ship.

A smile widened across my face before I got a sudden rush of energy and bounded to the landing site.

I stopped short. What if he doesn’t remember me? I mean, why should he?

I found myself fixing my hair and adjusting my working clothes to fit me better.

What was I doing?

I walked swiftly to the ship, heart beating and cheeks reddening.

That’s when I saw him and stopped dead in my tracks.

I hadn’t noticed the significant damage to the ship or the particularly rough landing.

He stumbled out with blood spattered beskar. The tall mandalorian made contact with the ground.

**

I wrung my hands, pacing around my bed, that now held a man I had known in what felt like a different life.

Blood was both crusted and trickling out of the bottom of his helmet. I knew the rules but I couldn’t help feel responsible if he died on my bed from a treatable head wound.

We were a half a days journey to anyone else.

Did he know I had moved all the way out here?

There were bloodied bandages and cloth littering my floor. I had taken the liberty of removing all other armor besides his helmet. The neat pile of metal stood beside the bed for him when he got up.

Please get up.

The blood was flowing steadily. I had to make a decision.

My fingers gingerly touched the rim and snapped back towards me when a guttural moan and choking noise startled me.

He was drowning.

“I have to. Im sorry” I whispered gently and lifted the helmet with a hiss.

The metallic, animalistic, sent of blood infiltrated my nostrils. He was hardly recognizable as human. I realized that I didn’t even know for certain that he was.

My eyes caught on the matted brown hair sticking to his forehead, the peppered facial hair along his jaw, and finally his eyes. He was human, and he was beautiful.

I worked quickly and carefully, trying my best to avert my eyes out of respect. I guess it’s too late now anyways.

When I fixed and cleaned what I could I poured medicine down his throat, Bacta on his wounds, and left him to sleep.

I realized I hadn’t left his side when I woke up in pain from being contorted in a small chair next to the bed.

My eyes traced the outline of him in the pale darkness of the room. He looked more at ease than I had ever seen. I realized I had missed his presence. He made me feel safe.

The few months he spent with me came flooding back to memory. He was always so gentle, guiding, and almost infuriatingly calm. He became a partner… a friend.

His hand twitched and I shot up from my seat. Whether it was out of fear, guilt, relief, or excitement, I couldn’t tell.

He groaned. Or maybe he tried to speak?

“You’re safe” was all I could think to say when I sat on the bed beside him.

His hand slowly reached up to his face, shaking. I grabbed it before he could reach his bare skin.

“I’m sorry… I had to”

He let his hand fall limp at his side with a noise that was akin to what a hurt animal would make.

My heart shattered. I went to grab his helmet and put it back on and he stopped me.

“It’s useless now” he muttered through blood stained teeth.

I had spent all those months, and the year after, imagining the face beneath the helmet. He suddenly became so much more real to me. More precious.

Tears began to fall from my eyes and his hand left the helmet to wipe them away. It was tender and devastating.

“I wish I knew you in another life” he said, so low it hardly registered.

I grabbed the hand still resting on my cheek and forced a smile through my sob.

“Why not this one” I asked, chuckling sadly.

I already knew the answer.

He managed half a smile. He was treacherously handsome.

I tried to think of anything to say. Anything, but his grip turned loose and his breathing was at a constant lull. He was asleep.

**

I had left his side only so long before I heard movement coming from the bedroom.

I set down a mug of hot caf before rushing in to find him struggling to push himself off the bed.

“What are you doing” I asked in an almost desperate cry.

“My ship” was all he said.

“Worry about that later. You were on deaths doorstep not two hours ago.”

He shook his head like a defiant child. I almost laughed. Almost.

As if by some invisible force, he laid back down on the bed.

“Do you need anything?” I asked, warily, hoping he’d send me off to get something. It felt strange to see him in such a vulnerable state.

A shake of the head, no. I sat back in my chair and he turned his body to face me.

“I should give you your bed back.”

This time I actually let out a laugh.

“No, I want you to sleep.”

I wondered if he remembered his comment from earlier.

**

It was now pitch black in the small bedroom. I sat and watched the stars flicker in the sky out of the window. I hadn’t left his side in hours.

As I turned to look at him, the mandalorian let out a guttural scream and sat up with a start. He ran his trembling fingers through blood matted hair.

“You’re okay. You’re safe” I said, now next to him with one knee on the bed “it was a nightmare, that’s all.”

His chest heaved and his skin prickled at my touch.

I rubbed circles into his back. My mother use to do that for me.

He instinctively flinched away from me.

“I’m sorry” he said before relaxing beneath my open palm.

I didn’t know what to do. I felt helpless.

I shifted closer, my arm barely fitting around his back.

“Tell me what you need” I whispered

He broke a prolonged silence with a half hearted laugh.

I didn’t understand his amusement.

I squeezed him tight once more like you’d do for a friend before letting them go. I guess he is a friend. I guess.

I walked to a dresser and sifted through clothes until I found a large green shirt, clean flight pants, and a towel.

He stared, confused, at the items.

“Is this my shirt?” He asked earnestly.

I knew it when I picked it out. It’s all I had that would fit him anyhow. Though, I guess I didn’t expect red, flushed, embarrassment to creep from my neck to my cheeks.

“You gave it to me. To wear once. After I had ruined mine while cleaning the blasters.”

What he would never know is that I slept with it through every nightmare. The smell of him bringing waves of unexplained comfort.

He gave me that half smile again.

“I know. I just didn’t expect you to keep it.”

I averted my gaze and let him change in peace.

“Are you hungry?” I asked before leaving him.

A nod.

“Use the towel to clean up. I won’t mind the blood stains.”

A nod once more.

**

I came face to face with the mandalorian. No- he was just a man now. He seemed like one, anyways. Just a man.

Lines cut deep into his skin, from battle and age. His features were both soft and strong. He had such an air of sadness. He would’ve seemed almost defenseless if I hadn’t known better.

I motioned towards a seat across from mine. His shaggy, wet hair swept across his brow as he sat.

He ate like a starved, wild, thing. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He refused to make contact with mine.

When he had finished I took his plate away slowly, almost expecting him to growl and bite. He only looked down.

“Thank you”

I responded only with a genuine smile and another offering of caf. He happily obliged.

It felt almost domestic. It was nice.

He drank slowly, deeply, and without looking up or speaking even once.

The suns began to rise and paint colors across the carved sand walls. I could see him even more clearly now. Battle worn, tired, and inexplicably sad.

“I’m sorry I took off your helmet. I just-“

“You did what you had to” he responded, still looking longingly into his half full mug.

I just peeled away the skin around my fingers, trying to think of anything to ease the uncomfortable silence.

“Are you sure you can’t just put it back on or-“

“I meant what I said earlier” he said lowly.

Unwilling to believe it to be true, what I wanted to be true, I played dumb and confused.

“In another life… I think I’d like … this.”

I couldn’t say anything.

**

He slept soundly through the day, rising only when the moon did. He attempt to fix his ship.

I helped with what I could on the ship, and every time our hands grazed in the passing of tools, a bolt of electricity flowed through me. Each time he passed behind, a gloved hand met the small of my back.

I pleaded with him to rest. I wondered if it was really just a ploy to prolong his stay.

I found myself fumbling while completing basic maintenance. I was trembling and the low sighs of frustration he was making weren’t helping.

I couldn’t even explain my own actions lately. There was something scratching at me from the inside to get closer to him.

I wanted him.

I insisted he spend one more night asleep in a proper bed, mine, as I recalled the hammock he called his.

To my surprise, he agreed.

That night he was restless. He turned, yelled, and cried out in his sleep. I could hear him from down the hall.

I crept slowly to the bedroom. I wanted to comfort him but felt awkward with the thought of any attempt.

That was until I heard my name. Softly, desperately, tumbling from his lips. He was dreaming.

“I’m here” I answered in a half whisper, pushing hair out of his face, “you’re safe. I’m here.”

“Stay with me. Please”, eyes still closed. He grabbed onto my hand.

“You’re dreaming”

“No… I’m not” he replied, eyes fluttering open in a way that seemed to use most of his energy.

My heart was in my throat and I felt as though I was breaking some ancient law by climbing into my own bed.

I laid in the space he had made for me, my body fitting against his as though I were made to be there.

I covered him with the blanket more, so unsure of what to do with my body. My hand lingered on his chest, still clutching the cloth.

His breathing hitched and warmth radiated throughout the bed.

“I don’t even know your name” I laughed lightly, almost a whisper, not expecting an answer but rather trying to cut the tension.

“Do you want to?” His eyes met mine.

The air was all but sucked out of the small space. I could hear the rushing thrum of both of our hearts.

I nodded. Yes.

His face was mere inches from mine and I could feel his warm, sweet breath on my lips.

“Din. Din Djarin.” He whispered, so close that our mouths were all but intertwined.

He tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear and stared into my eyes with so much tenderness that I felt the desperate need to cry.

I traced the outlines of the face I had imagined so many times before. He became warmer to the touch with each line I drew.

“Another life, huh, Din?” I whispered.

He stopped my hand with his.

“Why not this one?”

With these few blessed words, he closed the space between us. My body crashing and arching into his and his fingers entwined with my hair.

Animalistic moans escaped from the two of us, his body engulfing mine.

He smelled like sun warmed wilderness; like musk and lush trees.

His hot mouth met my neck and I soaked in every touch, every scent, every movement of his body. He was desperately clawing at me and I him.

His hands quickly became unsure. He was so battle worn, knowledgable beyond his years, though… he now touched me like he was afraid I’d break.

My eyebrows knitted together in confusion and he stared back with an almost frightened expression.

“I… I am a dangerous man. I don’t know how- I’ve never-“

I brushed my thumb over his open lips and smiled softly at him. I had never imagined the gentleness of such a rough man. He was right, he was dangerous, he was a killer, a bounty hunter, a mandalorian.

None of that mattered.

I pulled his face closer to mine and kissed him softly. I felt the storm brewing beneath his skin.

“I don’t want to hurt you” he whispered against me.

“I want all of you” was all I answered back.

With those words of permission, he used his legs to pin my back to the bed and stared down at me.

Sitting up on his knees, he used his rough hands to trace down my sides. My skin prickled with desire and my hips bucked unintentionally to meet his.

His fingers found the waistband to my pants and he found my eyes, asking silently to go on.

“Please” I begged

Slowly, painfully slowly, he tugged them down low enough to expose hip bones and the very top of where I desired him most.

Lifting my hips, he bent down to meet them with peppered kisses. Any movement of mine was halted by his fingers digging in to me.

The tenderness of the moment was dictated by him and he wouldn’t let me forget that he was in control.

It only made me more desperate. Between kisses he spoke in a deep, strained voice.

“I’ve thought about this every night” he all but growled. “Do you know how many times I’ve had to touch myself back in my ship just so I wouldn’t lose control and pin you against a wall and fuck you?”

Deep moans escaped me and I begged for him to touch me, to do anything he wanted with me. I needed him. I’ve needed him for longer than I could even admit to myself.

His name fell from my lips over and over. He nipped at the tender skin of my inner thighs as he teasingly pulled the remainder of my pants down.

He noticed I hadn’t been wearing underwear and an almost sadistic smirk swept across his face and his eyes shot up to meet mine.

I couldn’t breathe. All I could remember was his name.

He teased me until I was so close to coming undone from just the first swipe of his tongue against me.

My nails dug into the sheets as he moaned against me, wetness glossing his rugged features.

His eyes were so blown out with lust that they were hardly brown any longer.

I begged until I had tears in my eyes. I needed to feel him inside of me. He knew that and took advantage of every second.

“How- how are you so good?”

He snapped back to sitting on his knees and ground himself into me, leaving a deliciously wet mark on his pants.

“You think I haven’t imagined every inch of you and what I’d like to do to it” He titled his head with pure cockiness, “all the nights I spent avoiding other women were nights I imagined your body, nights I’ve spent touching myself and thinking of the way you’d feel. I may not have experience, but I’d do anything to have you”

I didn’t even have the words to express what that did to me, but as he stripped off his lower half of clothing I knew there was nothing stopping me from getting exactly what I so desperately wanted.

He let himself fall forward, one arm catching himself an inch above me. I let my nails drag down his back as I caught his lips in a feverish kiss.

My hand met his free one and I felt the length of him, wet with his own precum. His forehead fell into the side of my neck and a growl ripped through him. He rocked his hips into my hand.

“You weren’t the only one touching themselves to the thought of this” I whispered into his ear, my own voice deeper than I had ever heard it, “I couldn’t even let myself imagine you were this big.”

He put his free hand on top of mine and guided his length to my desperate, clenching opening.

He was slow, controlled, but the vice grip on the pillow above me gave way to his longing.

I moved my hips to meet his, unable to control myself any longer, and the sound that bounded from him was purely animal.

Something had finally snapped inside of him and his controlled thrusting became more erratic and intense. Even the soft kisses melded into bites and teeth clenched moans into my open mouth.

I bit into his shoulder to stop from screaming, the feeling of this moment too intense to explain.

I wrapped my legs around him and lifted to meet his every stroke. His hair was gripped between my fingers and his forearms boxed me in. I was completely engulfed in him.

Suddenly his strong arms were cradling my back and I was lifted onto his lap. He was sitting on his knees, legs wide, and thrusting into me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and let him push and pull my body up and down onto him.

Every meeting of thighs was met with a wet smack and stifled moan. I could feel every inch of him and I knew then that I’d feel empty every second he wasn’t inside of me.

With one final stroke he pushed down on my shoulders and up with his hips to fill me at my deepest point. I rocked into him and felt his thick, hot, cum pouring out of me.

He feverishly kissed me, and I responded in turn. We sat connected until our breathing came back into our control.

“Cyar’ika” he mumbled into my lips, over and over again, “I have watched you, always. I could never stay away from you.”

I have lived my whole life expecting a certain outcome, under a very specific set of rules that I never questioned, because I knew no different.  But there was a comfort in knowing what was coming next, regardless of how miserable I was. 

Din sighed.  Oh, mesh’la, you took the words right out of my mouth. Haar’chak, Cobb was correct, that sonofabitch. They were very much alike.  She resided in the Hold, while he resided in his covert. Both were bound by a strict set of rules, unquestioningly and blindly adhering to them even as they plummeted into an abyss of doubt. At least his Creed, though sometimes stifling, served a purpose! Her Hold, on the other hand, only seemed to exist for torture and misogyny! 

And she was below, feeling a mix of pain, confusion, fear, and trepidation. He was experiencing similar emotions. He opened the small drawer beneath the console, where he had relocated the tiny woven raft she had crafted, and the silver flower Cobb had made from her hair.  He stroked the silver strands with his fingertip, suddenly missing her as if she were already gone instead of just feet away. 

Well, then, kid, why are you sitting up here alone, wasting the last bit of time you have with her?  

Taking one last belt of Jet Juice for courage, Din climbed down the ladder, then adjusted his visor for the darkness.  He was surprised to see Marathel lying out in the corridor, and even more surprised that she’d laid out a pallet for him.  He carefully sat down next to her.  She was lying on her back, her trembling hands resting on her ribs just under her breasts.  He wondered if her hands would ever heal, if she could ever not wear the splints.  He wondered how much pain she was in.  He wondered if she would ever consider a romantic relationship with him … or with anyone.  He wondered what his daily life would look like without her.  He wondered how much he would miss her.  He wondered how much Grogu would miss her. He wondered if she would wake up if he kissed her.  He wondered if that was a good or bad idea. 

Din continued to gaze at the sleeping Marathel, examining her facial wound, the one carved into her by her father. The mark that he no longer saw as a flaw, but as another sign of her bravery and strength. Would she be judged for her very existence, or for the things her blood relatives had done to her, because of that mark? She never spoke in detail about what she had suffered with strangers, but it was as if everyone already knew. Dursi and Meejil both alluded to it. He himself had unfortunately made an off-hand comment to Karga about brutally raped women, so now he knew. Would he spread that information? Din didn’t think Karga would intentionally do that, certainly not in a malicious way. 

I should be taking her to Tatooine.  Nevarro is a mistake.  I should change all the plans and take her to Fennec, Boba, Silnima… and Cobb, even.  So what if it’s a place I don’t go on the regular?  Then I should make it a priority to go there on the regular!  Or I should stay there, too!  And Cobb … if she considers Cobb a friend, then I should honor her choice.  

Din wondered what buir would advise him to do.  Make the right decision, or make the decision right, kid, floated through his thoughts, not that the old axiom was helpful.   

Thanks, buir, thanks a kriffing lot! 

Again, kid, she’s right there.  You’re frittering away the time you have left.  She’s already told you what she needs from you.  Now, you can honor her request, or you can be a selfish ass.  Is that more helpful for you, you little shit? 

Damn, Old Man, when I thought an in-my-head voice of my own might be a good idea, I didn’t expect this kind of abuse. 

You’d rather hear what those Dahls and that Bishop fuck say to her, kid? 

Okay, can I just be drunk instead, buir? 

Only if you use it as an excuse to get your arms around that sweet woman, kid. 

Din quietly chuckled.  He knew the Old Man would like Marathel.  And yes, he was drunk enough to use it as an excuse to put his arms around her.  One last time.  He removed his pauldrons and positioned himself next to her, touching her only with his helmet and his knees as he curled up by her side.  Marathel did not wake or move at his touch, so he slowly slid his arm across her waist.  She slept on. He smiled, not caring that he was passing out a bit more than dozing off. 

He was dreaming of her.  She was standing in a small room, facing him, but her face was in darkness.  He was reminded of the day he met her, walking up to her hut, only able to see her bottom half while her top half was in shadow. 

It’s time, Din.  It’s time for you to go. 

He didn’t want to abandon her here, in this dimly lit place where he couldn’t see her. He yearned to assure her that he wouldn’t leave; he could never leave. In response, Dream-Marathel removed her shoes, slid them to the side, and uttered, clearly and without any hint of sadness: 

This is my home now.  It’s time for you to leave me here. 

He didn’t want to leave; he had already left her too many times! They had said goodbye to each other far too often, trying to drive each other away due to hurt, misunderstanding, anger, and fear. However, in this dream, his subconscious dragged him away until he could no longer see her. 

Din awoke to a view of a mass of wavy hair that brushed against his visor.  Silver strands had worked their way into his helmet and were catching on his beard stubble, tickling his lips.  He was big-spooning her again, huddled against her back, feeling his arm rise and fall with her breath as it draped over her waist.  His other arm supported her neck, and his bare hand held hers – he'd not put his gloves back on.  He wanted to never wear gloves again, but would, if it meant he could hold her hand.  

Marathel was not quite awake yet not asleep, either.  Her bent knees squeezed his, and her lower half pressed back against him.  She felt the weight of his arm as it rested on her waist.  She felt the slight flex of his bicep under her neck.  She felt the pressure of his bare fingers on her hand – he must have not put his gloves back on.  She wondered if she would someday have the privilege of holding his hand again. 

Not knowing if she was awake, but deciding to chance it anyway, Din whispered, “Marathel?” 

Marathel whispered back, “Din?” 

They lay in the dark, unsure now of what to say or do, now that they knew the other was awake.  Finally, Din whispered, “I hope it’s all right I’m here.” 

“I did make a place for you if you decided to join me.  You never gave me a chance to answer before you stomped off like a gwr’dwp bai,” said Marathel. 

Din said, “You know … Earlier, we managed to talk, really talk to each other, and ... I don’t know when we’ll get to talk again, Marathel.  Could we please talk some more?” 

“I don’t see why not.  Here, let me turn over.”  Din immediately lifted his arm to accommodate her and watched her turn over with a series of grunts. He smiled, thinking about how she sounded like an old lady, and how he felt like an old man, and maybe how a couple of old people could get older together.  He lowered his arm to rest on her waist again.  He was gazing at her face when Marathel said, “Please turn up the lights, Din.  I want to be able to see you, since I know you’re able to see me in the dark.  Fair’s fair.” 

“But … all you’ll see is my helmet.” 

Marathel sighed.  “Well … that’s how it is.”  This is the way, thought Din, then he turned up the lights. Marathel gazed into his visor — his face, his eyes, as far as I will ever be concerned, for I will never know any other face of Din Djarin — before saying, “I hope you’re all right about what I was saying earlier.  About I believe should happen between us.” 

He was not all right with it, not at all.  What he felt for her was visceral, feral, not unlike the protective emotions he had for the kid.  Where she would rip out her heart and break it for Grogu, he would do the same — just with someone else’s heart.  Bad men kill for love, and I am a bad man.  He’d killed many people to protect Grogu.  He’d decapitated someone for burning a pair of socks she’d made.  Still, he had to honor her request, not only because she deserved honor — and she’d been given so little honor in her life — but it was what a true Mandalorian would do.  And it was his Creed.  And finally, he did not wish to be a selfish ass.  “What you said was perfectly logical.  You have suffered so much, and you are … so damaged.  You need time to heal physically, emotionally.  You must take time to … get better.” 

“Well, then, that’s …” 

Din blurted, “But are you feeling all right?” Marathel blinked.  “I mean … Do you hurt? Your hand?  Your … anything? Please don’t just say, ‘I'm okay, I’m all right.’” 

My anything? Marathel quirked her eyebrow.  “My hand feels much better.  Grogu insisted on healing it before we started dancing.  I don’t think I could have done all that arm-waving otherwise.” 

“I’m glad he was willing to help you out,” said Din with a sigh. 

“What are you saying?” 

“Oh … Grogu was angry at me because of how I treated you on Corsin.  He sassed me a good one, too.  Then he showed me some of your blood on the floor ... Ni ceta, Marathel; I am sorry for what I did, what I said … whatever it was.” 

“Wha— … You don’t even remember what you said?” 

“No,” said Din, grimacing.  “I was angry, frightened, worried …” 

“You said, ‘get in the fucking cockpit, you stupid woman.’”   

Din groaned inwardly.  “Dank ferrik.”  The one thing, the one thing she’s that most hurt by. I am the worst.  “Marathel, I am so sorry.  My actions were inexcusable, and my words were the cruelest thing I could have ever said.  I will never say such things to you again.”   

Marathel briefly hummed her sound of disapproval but decided to let it go now.  After all, he had apologized about half-dozen times! So, she affected a little smirk and said tartly, “You better not, ni asth’mabh.  That means, ‘you son of a bitch’, by the way.” 

Din chuckled. “I will add that to the list of things you’ve deservedly called me.” 

“I have a feeling you’ve been called that often, Bounty Hunter.” 

“You’re not wrong.”  Even my own mother, for kriff’s sake. “Do I need to rhaff codieh as well?” 

“Yes, give that a try.” She scoffed and said, “This chat isn’t going well for us, isn’t it?” 

Din shrugged.  “I wouldn’t say that; it seems like you’re winning.”  She pulled a face and punched him in the bicep.  “Ow! Damn, woman, did you have to hit me right where you stabbed me with that knitting needle?” 

“You deserved it then, and you deserve it now.” Din groaned; then they both laughed for a moment.  “Din, may I see that … adornment you wear on your wrist?” 

“I beg your pardon?” 

“You have something, made of yarn, tied around your wrist.  You didn’t have it on Unmanarall.  I don’t recall ever seeing it until we were headed back.”  Din didn’t answer, but he rubbed his wrist where the yarn bracelet was.  “There, under your wrist-fire-shooter thing.  Why do you have that?” 

“It’s nothing …” 

“No!  Not nothing!  Why won’t you tell me what that is?” 

Din pulled off his vambrace and rolled up his sleeve.  “It is nothing, Marathel.  It’s just a bracelet made of yarn.” 

“When did you get it?” 

“Why does that matter, Marathel?” 

“Why won’t you just answer me?” 

“I bought it on Nevarro, from children in the marketplace.” 

“Why?” 

“To give to you.  I wanted to give you a token … a gift.  Cobb tied it on, while we were drinking, when you went off to the Reconstructionists. He said he’d take the knot out when you came back.”  Din sighed deeply, and they both thought about how everything changed for them at that time.  “It’s just a friendship bracelet. Children wear bracelets like these.  You tie it on your friend’s wrist. Supposedly, if you remove it — or if it breaks and falls off — the person is no longer your friend.” 

“You would remove … I am no longer your friend?” 

“No, you are my friend.  I originally meant it as a romantic gesture, but now … things are different. I’d like to keep it because … it reminds me of you.”  Din concealed the bracelet, but his discomposure was evident. “Besides, you have your pendant.  Why did you make that?” 

“Oh …” said Marathel with a shrug.  “Grogu gave me the clam shell, of course.  I made the yarn part during the night, right before we took the eggs to the Hold.  I made it because … I wanted there to be some proof that there was a family that lived there.  A clan of three, as you might say.  That it was real.  That it was true.”  Marathel’s eyes misted over and she sniffled. 

Din leaned forward and held his forehead to hers, thinking that it had been real to him, as much as it apparently had for her.  “It was true enough, cyar’e.”   

Marathel’s hand reached out, and her thumb gripped his jaw under his helmet, caressing his sparse beard, and she sobbed.  “I left it hanging on my loom, when you took me to the Hold.  I never expected to see it again.  But when I came back, and I found the dead women at my hut … I put it on.  I was so full of rage, but I needed you and Grogu for strength.  It was the only way I had enough courage to go back into that Hold to kill those men.  And I figured that if I were going to die, I was going to take the memory of you and Grogu with me.”   

Din couldn’t think of anything to say to that, so he reached for another cloth to give her, but came up empty.  “I’m sorry, ma’mwsh ha’laa, you cleaned me out.”  He gently wiped away her tears with the pads of his thumbs.  Awkward moments passed as they gazed at each other, each wondering what they should do or say next … and then one of the carbonite shells started beeping.  

Din reluctantly rolled to his feet to check the life support systems of his bounties. Marathel got up to grab a couple of cleaning papers from the nearby vac tube. “Are they all right in there?” she asked, blowing her nose. 

“Relatively.  They’ll both have bad headaches, temporary blindness …” 

“Blindness?” 

“They won’t be able to see for a while.  It’s part of hibernation sickness.  They’ll be fine.  Not that I give a shit, especially Marklar.  I’m sorry about what he said and did to you.” 

Marathel shrugged it off.  “I didn’t understand half of what he said anyway.  Stuff about … prostitutes and whorehouses.  How he used to know you.  Something about a … what was it?  ‘A skinny lady-boy Twi’lek.’” 

Din turned to Marathel.  “He said what now?” 

“Um …” Marathel puffed out her cheeks and affected a deep voice.  “‘Last piece of ass I saw him with more than once was a skinny boy-girl-looking Twi’lek.  Always figured him for a ladyboy fucker.’  Whatever all that meant.” 

Din grunted quietly under his helmet, then adjusted Marklar’s life-support settings.  Okay, you sack of shit, see how you like twenty-five percent less oxygen in there.  Suck on that, you fat fuck.  To Marathel, he said, “He was referring to this woman I was running around with at the time.” 

Marathel asked carefully, “Was she a skinny boy-girl-looking Twi’lek?” 

“She was — is thin, yes, and she is a Twi’lek.  Her name is Xi’an.” 

He prefers thin women? These Twi’lek women? “She was your lover?” asked Marathel, wondering how many lovers there had been. 

Din shrugged, remembering that their relationship — such as it was — began with them looking at each other as they crossed paths on the small ship the crew traveled in.  The next thing he knew, Xi’an had grabbed his belt and snarled, fuck me hard and make it hurt, Mando.  He recalled that he fucked her roughly, per her request, and then bitch-slapped her for grabbing at his helmet.  And so, it began. Din wondered briefly if it was better or worse than starting a relationship with Marathel under the thrall of psyche-bonded humping critters that made him more boner than brain. He hoped Marathel would never ask him about how he remembered that night.  “You could say that.” 

Marathel quietly said, “I shouldn’t have asked.  I have no right to ask anything like that.” 

“No, no.  You can ask.  I’ll answer as best I can.” 

“Was she one of the people with you when you were injured by the big boom?” 

“When I stepped on the land mine?  Yes, she was.” 

“I’m glad.  I’m glad you had someone like her to care for you,” said Marathel as she sat back down on the bedroll. “She was pretty?” 

Din shrugged again, joining Marathel on the floor.  “I found her… attractive, yes.  I saw her recently, as well as most of the rest of crew I used to run with.  She looked well. Still had the same smart mouth I remembered.” 

Marathel smiled at that.  “Why would this Marklar refer to her as a ‘lady-boy’, whatever that is, then?” 

“Well … that actually would be new for you, wouldn’t it,” wondered Din.  “On Unmanarall, there were males and females … and nothing in between?” 

“What in Frith would be in between?” 

Haar’chak.  Walked right into that one, didn’t I?  “Without going too far into it, Marathel … well, let me put it this way.  You only knew of humans, people like you and me, until you saw Grogu for the first time, right?” 

“Well, yes, of course.  And he frightened me quite a bit, if I recall.” 

Din chuckled.  “Well, most species have not only male and female, but other genders … gender being a social construct to differentiate between male, female, and whatever else there may be for those people … or species …” 

“Oh, Din … I can’t make any sense of that.” Marathel sighed.  “Perhaps the doctors can explain it better.  Or a holo.” 

Din was relieved.  “I suspect Siewan and Ya-Bito would also be a good source for that kind of information,” he said. “I think they will be good friends to you.” 

“I liked them. They were good to me.  They both kept their pinky swears.” 

“I’m familiar with pinky swears.  They are as binding a contract in this galaxy as friendship bracelets,” Din said, so sagely that Marathel laughed. 

“Pinky swears, friendship bracelets … I thought I needed to grow up, but adults seem to act like children everywhere!” 

“I’m a man, so I’m already perpetually childish, as well as deficient in knowledge about women …” — this made Marathel laugh again, which made Din’s heart sing — “… but I believe you need women friends. I would think that women, in general, will be more empathetic to the torture you’ve suffered.” Din reached for her hand, gently holding it while stroking one of the metal spirals.  “Between the Hold and the Dahls, your body was never your own, the one thing in this life you should be able to hold possession of.  And I’m sorry for my part in it all.” 

Marathel scoffed ruefully. “You are the first man to ever treat me with any honor at all, and you believe you’ve treated me poorly, a Mandalorian. Treating me, me, poorly, when you’ve been the best of men to me. Your worst would have been better than the treatment I’ve received in all my fifty miserable years of existence!  And now I know that, that my entire life was … wrong, it makes everything somehow worse.”   

“I’m not a good man, Marathel …” 

“I know bad men — a bad man never would have treated me with the care and kindness you have the entire time I’ve known you.  Even that first night of mating, when I was so frightened.” 

Din swallowed, then he quietly asked, “I … I’ve been wanting to ask … what do you remember?  About that first night of mating.” 

Marathel turned pink.  “What number day was that?” 

“Day three.”  Marathel didn’t respond.  He offered, “You’ve told me that you were there, that you were aware of what was happening, but it wasn’t quite you.” 

Marathel shrugged.  “I remember you were gentle with me.” 

Helmet tilt.  “I don’t remember it being that gentle.” 

“Perhaps, but consider what I was accustomed to,” scoffed Marathel. “I remember you putting my feet back on the floor.  I remember you asking me if I were all right. I recall thinking the next day that I didn’t know that kind of care and gentleness and fulfillment could exist.  I felt … safe for the first time.”  She looked up into his visor and smiled shyly.  “I’m still glad it was you with me that night.” 

Din felt his face grow hot.  “Yet you still threw eggs at my head the next day.” 

And yet you agreed to stay with me the next night.  You told me you wanted to. “I don’t doubt that many women have thrown things at you, you tymffod.  I suspect even your Xi’an hurled things at your head.” 

Din shrugged.  “Not so much. She threw like a girl.” 

After a few moments, Marathel got up the courage to ask, “Would you … would you have considered her to enter a riduur—?” 

“No, of course not.  Not with her.”  He noticed the briefest flicker of dismay cross her brow, and then he was afraid that she would ask if there had been someone.  And then, who. 

Marathel, however, was only concerned that it wasn’t her, either.  And why would it be her?  He had told her that his affection for her was less than his devotion to his Creed.  And he allegedly now loved her, and he almost showed her his face, but still … only accidentally.  Not consciously, not deliberately. Because, after all, she was no Mandalorian!  He was never going to ask her to be his riduur.  Never equal, because he was a man and she was a female and that was how it was.  She decided to leave that alone and instead ask Din more questions while she had the chance.  “If I may ask … please tell me more of whorehouses?  I’d like to know more about the women who work there.” 

Din cleared his throat again, knowing that he hadn’t answered her well enough, but relieved she moved on from Xi’an and riduuroks. “Men too, Marathel.  Not just women.  Anyone, any gender, any species can be sex workers.” 

Really? “‘Sex workers?’  That’s the right term?”  

“I prefer it.” 

“And these sex workers do so of their own free will?” 

“Legitimate brothels — that’s the better term for whorehouses — are legal in many places, and the workers are well-paid as well as protected, health and safety-wise.  Sometimes they are highly regarded in their society.  It’s different from planet to planet.  Unfortunately, yes, some are forced into work against their wills, in slavery. It’s still a very dangerous and sometimes ugly profession.” 

“Children?  Red Rooms?” asked Marathel, her voice barely above a whisper.  Din nodded.  “Fennec had mentioned such places.  I had hoped they weren’t true.  Did you … work for this Marklar? 

“My work for him was for legitimate brothels, as far as I knew.  He transported women among several properties owned by the same person.  My job was to protect the sex workers and oversee their safety.”  

Din shifted, and it suddenly occurred to Marathel how uncomfortable Din was.  “I’m sorry.  This is another difficult thing for you to speak of.” 

“No, no, I … it’s fine.” 

“I was not going to ask you of your personal experience in such places.  Not that it matters, of course …” —this prompted a definitive helmet tilt from Din — “… I just don’t know much, and I know you will answer me as best you can.  I never intended to offend or be improper.” 

Din wondered just how deep he wanted this conversation to go. “You … just said ‘not that it matters.’  What did you mean by that?” 

“Oh. Just that … men will do as men will do.  That is their right, yes?  To do as they wish.  And men must fulfill their physical needs.  Even a Mandalorian must, I’m sure.  I would only hope that you were kind to these sex workers.” 

Din carefully considered his next words.  “Let me ask you this … from what I understand about how the Whyns and the Elders did things … the Whyns performed a duty, essentially.”  Marathel nodded.  “Consent on your part, on a woman’s part, was never part of the equation?” 

“Eeek-way-zhun?” 

“You never gave consent, or permission.  You were expected to perform as commanded.” 

“Of course.  Not that we knew any different.  Our place was to fulfill the demands of the men.  And anyway, if we didn’t obey, they’d hurt us.” 

“So, there were never any romantic expressions between the men and the women? A Brwddyr who had affection for a certain Whyn?” 

“Well, I suppose that did happen from time to time.  After all, that was usually how a child of mixed houses happened.  Even I …”. Marathel colored and looked down at her hands. 

“You …?” 

“I’ve said how I thought Hunters were nice to look at, yes?  Brown eyes and brown hair.”  Marathel twisted a lock of hair around her fingers.  “There was a Hunter boy.  He was younger than me.  I know that because I remember his birth.  He was nice to me.” 

“Was he?” 

“He didn’t kick me, hit me, or do anything like that,” Din felt dismay, realizing that the absence of pain meant kindness to her. “He kissed me once,” Marathel admitted with a small smile. “That was my only other kiss, besides yours. But then, he hurt me just like all the others,” she said, sadly. 

“I’m sorry, Marathel.” 

“I suppose all of us women desperately craved kindness, even if it was false. Then, they would suddenly turn cruel once they had us where they wanted us. But we never stopped hoping that the men would simply refrain from hurting us for once. And at the same time, we were too afraid to comfort each other, because …”  The memory resurfaced, the one that was too painful to discuss with the doctors. However, she now felt an overwhelming urge to unburden herself, and she reached for Din’s hands as she began to cry.  “Once were two women, Madel and Lyrne … who …”— Marathel kept having to compose herself — “… found comfort in each other.  Affection … and I suppose pleasure with each other.” 

Din gently squeezed her hands.  “And they were punished for it.” 

“Well, of course.  How dare they, right? How dare they steal their cunts from men, how dare they not have a cock inside them, how dare they behave like a man would.”  Marathel dropped her head and whimpered.  “The first thing they did was cut their hair.  If they were going to fuck like men, then they should look like men, right? But … but …” Marathel took a deep breath, then another.  “The Captain was the most cruel and despicable of the Elders. It wasn’t enough for him to simply cut their hair, whip them, beat them, or rape them. Not even the cunt mark, like the one the Bishop gave me, or even the Dilimgau, would have been sufficient for him at that moment.  Because the women were both Captains, too, and by their actions… they denied him what was rightfully his.”  She looked up into Din’s visor, tears spilling over.   “He took … he took a … knife … and he … he …” She gripped Din’s hands tightly, her shoulders shaking, before she pulled one of her hands loose, and drew her finger across her brow. 

“He sliced their foreheads?” asked Din. 

“Not just …” Marathel’s voice failed again.  She closed her eyes tightly as she cried for a few moments.  Then, she lifted her hand to her forehead and made a pulling motion from her brow over the top of her head. 

Oh, mesh’la. “He … he scalped them?” asked Din.  She nodded.  Din swiftly pulled her into his arms as she wept.  Din wept with her briefly, unfortunately also familiar with that horrible popping sound that was probably seared into her memory — except for the fact he’d been on the giving end of that torture, and now he felt even more defective.  “I’m sorry … I am so sorry.  What a kriffing monster … I wish he were still alive so I could kill him for you.” 

In a tiny voice against his shoulder, Marathel said, “Really?” 

“Really.  Any way you wanted him to suffer.”  He stroked Marathel’s hair, still gently rocking her back and forth.  “What was the name of the boy who kissed you?” 

“Talric.” 

“Talric ap Hunter?” He felt her nod.  “He hurt you?”  She nodded again.  “Did you kill him?” After a moment, she shook her head. “No?” 

“He did it himself,” she sobbed. Then she whispered, “I wish I had. He helped … with the Dilimgau.” 

Din wanted to howl into the void.  He wanted to destroy the galaxy.  He wanted to turn back time.  He squeezed her tight and growled, “I wish he were still alive so I could watch you kill him.  I wish you could kill him twice.”  I wish you could use that Dilimgau on him.   

Marathel felt weight lift from her soul at Din’s vehement reply.  She took a deep breath and said, “I hadn’t thought about that day for the longest time.  I went still while talking to the doctors … well, no, not still so much as wobbly.  My boxes fell apart,” she said with a sad laugh.  Then she dropped her face into her hands and began to cry once more.   

Din rocked her for a little while, then he sighed.  “And here I am, wishing I’d taken this opportunity to turn off the lights, remove my helmet, and kiss you.” 

She gave him a hard shove before scuttling backwards against the door to Din’s quarters.  “No, Din.  I told you …” 

“I …” began Din. 

“I told you, no more …” 

“Yes, I know!  I know.”  He sighed deeply.  “I know.  I meant to only … comfort you. I’m sorry.  This is all … difficult for me.” 

“This is … all difficult for me, too, Din.  But I can’t hold all these boxes at the same time.  I can’t balance my broken mind box while holding my how do I feel about Din box, and you’re being so confusing as well, and my mind is all a jumble.” 

“How you feel about … wait, I’m being confusing?” 

“Yes!  You … pushed me away when you kissed me in the hotel, you tell me your affection for me is lacking, yet you tell me you love me and you … you …” Marathel felt her face go hot as she thought about him grunting her name as he pleasured himself in the cockpit.  “I don’t know how to feel about you.  I don’t know to feel about anything, Din.  I’m … afraid to have feelings, especially for another person.” 

Din sighed.  “I’m just worried that you’ll figure out that I’m not your type,” he said. 

“Oh, Din. You have brown hair and brown eyes, like a Hunter.  I told you that I thought the Hunters were attractive.” 

“And they reminded you of trees.” 

“You remembered.” 

I’ll remember everything about you, cyar’e.  Din said, “I’m sorry for being confusing. I know I’m confusing because I’m confused myself. I don’t know how to be around you, because … you’re the first woman that’s meant this much to me.” You hold my heart, ner’ karta.  

“I believe you; I do. But… I can’t. I can’t think about any of that; it’s all too much.” Before Din could reply or comment on that, she said, “Please, Din, tell me, what day is it now?” 

Din turned up the lights as he checked his chronometer.  “It’s officially day thirty-six.” 

“How long until we get there?  Will it be day or night?” 

“It, uh … will be another six hours, and it will be mid-afternoon when we get there.  Well before sundown, though.” 

Marathel, suddenly anxious, said, “That gives me some time to get ready … change my clothes …” 

“You look just fine …” 

“I want to make a good impression on my new home! May I use the fresher?” 

“Of course.  I’ll take Grogu into the cockpit with me,” said Din, pushing himself to stand.  He quietly went into his quarters and collected the still-sleeping Grogu, swaddling him in his favorite blankie along with old Fawg.   

Din carried him over to Marathel.  She gazed down at the little boy, and whispered, “I could look at that face forever.” 

“You can.” Her head snapped up.  Din continued, “Get your holopad; I’ll teach you how to take a holo.”  Marathel found her pad, and Din walked her through finding the proper application and taking the still holo. 

This little action brought Marathel immense joy.  I get to keep this little fragment of him! She looked up into Din’s visor, saying, “Oh, I wish I’d known about this sooner!  I would have made so many more!” 

Din chuckled.  “Dank ferrik.  I suppose we will have to do some family portraits later.” 

“We can? Can we?  All three of us? Please say we can!”  exclaimed Marathel, practically bouncing on her heels. 

“Yes, ma’mwsh ha’laa. I’d like that too.”  

Marathel squeezed his arm, very near tears.  “Thank you, Din.” 

“We’ll leave you alone down here.  Just knock when you’re done.”  He handed off Grogu so he could climb up the ladder.  She lifted the boy up for Din to take, their fingers touching once more, time stopping yet again.  “Oh.  Um … I won’t be … I won’t.”  Din pointed towards his helmet.  Marathel looked back at him, confused.“I won’t listen.  All monitors, all audio off, I promise.” 

“I believe you.”  Marathel turned away and headed to find her things.  Din closed the door.  Suddenly, the voice of Old Girl whispered slyly in her ear: 

Besides, you and the Bounty Hunter are even on the eavesdropping game.  That was your name he was calling out last night, wasn’t it? 

Marathel’s face went pink.  Old Girl!   

May I give you a bit of advice, Marathel Moon? 

Marathel rolled her eyes.  That’s why I keep you around, Old Girl. 

Tell him. 

… there’s no point, Old Girl.  

Tell him, Marathel Moon. 

Marathel buried her head in her hands. What should I tell him? Should I confess my love for him? Should I express my inability to see my life without him by my side, as he has been these past thirty-six days? 

Or should I confide in him that, because I’m physically unable to be the woman he deserves, that I fear my only worth lies in providing him sex, and that I’m terrified I would be discarded once someone else comes along, no matter what his words of love are?  

Or should I tell him that I’m just now realizing that being only his sexual partner isn’t sufficient for me? That I deserve all of him, not just what is permitted by his Creed? Should I acknowledge that even though I am not a Mandalorian, I should be able to see his face, possess his whole self, body and soul, and have him belong fully to me and only me? And that I deserve nothing less?  That if I can’t be his riduur, I’d rather be nothing at all to him? 

Marathel gasped at her own audacity, not believing the depth of the truth that she was finally acknowledging, but then Old Girl’s sweet whisper tickled her ear: 

Yes, Marathel Moon.  Yes. 

You silently gasp at how tall your new visitor is, taking a few careful steps back. The strange man in the helmet tilts his head to the side, taking recognition of your much, much smaller form. 

After a moment’s silence he nods his head once, before carefully stepping around, in such a gentle manner it has you dumbstruck. If it had been any other one of your master’s friends they would have pushed you into the wall laughing as they stumbled in. 

Weird...

“Aaah! Mando!” Exclaims your master. Maker, you could just gag at his sickly voice.

“Dru,” Mando greets. 

Your Jablogian master hobbles over to this Mando guy, his thick double chin bobbing up and down as he stumbled across the hall. 

“Have you brought the money?” Dru seethes, freckles of saliva spraying from his mouth as he spoke. 

The Mando nods his head and places a pouch of what you could only assume were creds, into his rough hand. 

“Aaah, very good, very good, now come, let us eat and talk about your little green womprat” He suggests, clapping his hands twice. Your breath hitches momentarily as you rush to your masters side. “Get us something to eat.” He snarls, shoving you into the kitchen. 

You stumble in and fall with an oomph. Quickly you force yourself up. Master did NOT like to wait. Grabbing a cutting board and knife you begin slicing a few fruits into small shapes, Just the way master liked it. You slide the fruits off of the wooden cutting board and into a rather big bowl, sprinkling some orange and lemon juice on top of it, for extra flavour. To finish off you pour two glasses of red wine before walking out. 

══════════════*.·:·.☽✧    ✦    ✧☾.·:·.*═══════════════

You gently place the tray of food and wine on the small table before your master and ‘The Mando’ The Mando quickly thanks you in a timid voice, but does not make a move to grab anything to eat. 

Weird...

“Took you long enough!” Dru practically yells, snatching a piece of fruit and shoving it in his mouth. 

The Mando menacingly cocks his head to the side, staring at Dru in such confidence it was almost scary. 

Dru chuckles nervously and pushes the bowl across the table, encouraging The Mando to take a piece. 

He still makes no indication of wanting to have any. 

The man in the silver helmet pushes the bowl back to Dru, refusing his tempting offer. 

“Thank you for your communication.” The Mando offers, before stepping out of their small booth and making way for the exit. 

“Wait!” Dru yells in desperation. 

You knew that voice, he was hungry for more of his credits. 

“Please, mr. Mandalorian-”

Mr. Mandalorian?

“I will come along with you and save your green son, if you can pay me for my service.” He tries.

“No, thank you.” 

Mr. Mandalorian gives you a quick glance from behind him, and stutters in his confident strides to the door. However, with a quick shake of his head, he leaves the mansion.

══════════════*.·:·.☽✧    ✦    ✧☾.·:·.*═══════════════

“YOU IDIOT!” Screams Dru. 

“It’s your fault he didn’t stay!”

You quickly duck as another spice tray is thrown at your head. 

“You weren't doing things right! You-you were standing wrong! You....you chose the wrong wine! IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT!” He screams, slapping you hard enough on the cheek to send you to the stone floor. 

You whimper, but allow no tears to pass.

“I’m sorry, master.” You barely say above a whisper. 

Dru scoffs incredulously, eyeing you in disgust. 

“Sorry won’t cut it. I think it’s time I sold you off to someone else, and get me a more useful slave. What do you think...Y/l/n?”

You’re about to answer when a powerful punch is delivered to your stomach. Once again you crumble to the cool floor, willing the pain everywhere to go away.

Of course..it does not.

A forceful kick is swung and landed to the side of your head, and that was the last grip of reality you had before you mind swam into unconsciousness. 

══════════════*.·:·.☽✧    ✦    ✧☾.·:·.*═══════════════

“Get.....need....bandages......quickly...” 

You could distinctly hear someone speaking, but the sound of your breaths and your heartbeat were too loud to decipher what they were saying. You strained your ears even harder to try and make out some of what the person was saying, wanting to gain some sense of your surroundings.

“I need some bandages, and get some bacta too!”

Hey...that kind of sounds like....The Mando? 

You force your eyes open, instantly regretting it as a sharp hot white pain shot through your skull. 

You whimper and let your head lull against someones arms. 

“Shhh, it’s ok, you’re ok.” 

An arm moves across your waist and pulls you a bit to closer to-

wait

was someone holding you?......

Was that the smell of smoke??

Your head was spinning and The Mando must have noticed because his thumbs begin to gently rub at your temples, avoiding the wound left by master-

Where was master Dru?

“Where...master....” You groan. 

“He’s gone, you don’t have to worry, ok, just try to open your eyes, take it easy though.” 

You do as you’re told and slowly blink your eyes open, this time the pain is dull as you do so.  

You’re greeted with a familiar tilt of a silver helmet, and a few unidentified people behind him. 

“Good, now keep your eyes open, can you do that?” 

You don't respond, only keeping your eyes open for him. 

“Good.” 

“I’m going to check for a concussion now. I need you to answer my questions as honestly as you can.” 

You do nothing in response. 

“Ok.”

“How many fingers am I holding up?” He ask, holding up 2 fingers. 

You copy his fingers and hold out 2 of your own. 

“Ok, good.”

“Do you know your name?” He asks, voice gruff. 

You don’t say anything, just staring blankly at the void of his visor. 

“Can you tell me your name?” He repeats, giving your bruised arm a gentle squeeze.

~~

Din watches the slave with intent. 

He was starting to believe she really did have a concussion, until she reached for her pocket. 

She fished out a small coin and positioned it in between her index finger and thumb, then she tossed it in the air and caught it with direct precision. 

Tails...it landed on tails. 

“I’m Y/n.” She admits. 

Maker it felt so long since she had said that name to anyone. 

══════════════*.·:·.☽✧    ✦    ✧☾.·:·.*═══════════════

5 days later...

“Is she still using that coin?” Cara asks, as Y/n played in the fields with Grogu. 

“Yes.” Din admits, head hung low. 

“That is so strange.” The ex-shock trooper chuckles. 

“What do you think it means?” She questions. 

“I have no idea, she uses it at least three or four times a rotation.”

“Let’s find out, shall we?” Fennec says with a smirk. 

“Y/n! c’mere.” The assassin calls.  

Cara and Din exchange glances of confusion, but nonetheless play along. 

“So..” She starts.

“Tonight, I am going out to eat dinner, because Boba is a horrible cook. I’m thinking of wearing normal attire, but there’s this really pretty dress. Which do you think I should go with?” She asks, a gentle smile playing on her mouth. 

Same as always, Y/n pulls out her small coin and tosses it in the air.

She catches it and flips it onto her palm. 

Heads. 

“The pretty dress.” She murmurs.

Fennec smiles once more. “Thank you, you can go now.” She whispers. And off she went, back into the meadows. 

“The coin is her decision maker.” Cara gasps.  

“Obviously.” Fennec scoffs. 

“She was a slave...she doesn’t know how to make decisions for herself.” Din ponders, putting the puzzle together. 

══════════════*.·:·.☽✧    ✦    ✧☾.·:·.*═══════════════

Later that day...

“Y/n.. Can I talk to you, please.” Din asks, gently, as not to startle her. 

She brings her lucky coin to her hands and flicks it up, however, Din catches it in midair. 

“Let’s make a bet.” He offers, leaving no room for the teenager to say otherwise. 

“If the coin lands on heads, you make your own decisions from now on, and have the freedom to act as you feel is right. And you throw the coin into the nearest ocean as far as you can.”

Din could see the internal struggle through her eyes, the desperation of her wanting to grab the coin out of his hand and hide away from the rest of the cruel world. 

“Hey, it’s ok, I’m going to help you, adi’ka.”

“D-Do I really h-h-have to throw i-it in the o-cean? I-it’s the only thing I-I-I-I have left of my f-f-amily.” She stutters as tears well in her eyes for the first time Din had ever seen. 

“Oh, no, no, no, no, no, adi’ka [little one], don’t cry, no i’kaad [baby], you can keep it...we’ll just...put it in a locked cupboard and whenever you want to hold it, you can, ok?” He whispers, holding her in a gentle embrace.

“Ok.” She sniffles. 

That doesn’t exactly help Din with suppressing the feelings he has developed for you. It was terrifying when he realised the feelings he have developed. First, the child came into his life and now you. The two of you have made him feel things he never have felt before. He is sometimes scared that it is turning him crazy, not being able to focus on anything but the two of you. But the scariest is that neither you nor the kid is gonna stay with him. You are only on the ship temporarily and the kid is supposed to be delivered back to the Jedis, and then Din will be alone again and it scares him. It’s not being alone Din is scared of though, he is good at being alone. It is the thought of being without the two of you that terrifies him. 

…The amber sunset glow has died

My needs are very much alive

Is it ok if I stop by

It's all wrong, but it's all right…

It had been around sundown when Din finally made it back to the ship with the bounty. You had opened the ramp for him, walking down it with the kid in your arms. You had been so beautiful in the golden light. The glow from the low sun lit you up, creating the illusion of a golden crown around you. The child had been cradled tight against your chest. Your eyes had been shiny, like you, were on the brink of tears. From stress or anger Din assumed. He hates himself for being the reason for your distress. It should have been an easy bounty, he had assured you it would be an easy bounty when he left you and the kid on the Crest five days ago. You had been upset.     

“I should probably find a new place to work soon… I think I will stay on the next planet we stop on, I was never meant to stay this long anyway.” Those words are ringing in his ears. It was his own fault that you had spoken them, of course. It had been the last thing you said to him before going to the cargo hold. Those words broke him. He knew it was coming, you had never meant to stay, but Din don’t want you to leave. He has fallen in love with you, It was very scary when he realised it first and now he was losing you.    

He had told you he would be gone for two days, three days, tops. He had told you that he would be back before you even noticed he had gone. It had turned out that the target, who had been described as nothing more than a low-ranking spice smuggler, had ties to a bigger crime syndicate. It made the entire mission a lot more complicated than it should have been. It wasn’t anything Din couldn’t handle, but it had made the hunt significantly longer. This would not have been a problem if it wasn’t for the fact that his communicator had broken on his prior mission, leaving him with no way of contacting you back on the crest with the kid. And of course, you would be angry and frustrated when he wasn’t coming back. Thinking that you had been left alone to take care of a child that wasn’t yours and all the problems that would come with that. Problems that aren’t yours.                       

The bounty is locked away in the carbonite chamber. The hissing sound of the helmet being removed echoes off the fresher walls. Din looks down at the helmet in his hands, the attribute representing his creed and the Mandalorian way.  

His eyes move from the metal in his hands to watch his bare face stare back at himself in the tiny fresher mirror. He looks as tired as he feels and in desperate need of a shave and so scarily human. He puts the helmet down and begins to remove the rest of the beskar before hitting the shower. 

The water feels good on his sore muscles. Din stands under the flow of water with closed eyes for a couple of minutes before he slowly begins the process of washing himself. He needs to talk to you, to apologise. He can’t stand the thought of you being mad at him, even though he doesn't blame you for being so. Din finishes his shower, shaves his face and trims his moustache before putting on a clean base layer, followed by the sturdy armour.  

…It's all wrong, but it's all right

Just close your eyes and hold me tight

Tell me sexy lovin' lies

It's all wrong, but it's all right…

The kid is finally asleep in his hammock. He had been extra fussy the last couple of days, probably picking up on your own nervous state. You had no prior experience with children, but you have gotten pretty familiar with the little green troublemaker after staying on the crest with him and Mando for so long. You had gone back to your bunk again after the kid started to snore, not feeling ready to face Mando yet. You are so relieved that he is back and okay that you don’t know if you would be able to keep your emotions in check, especially after two days of being afraid that you had lost him. That is why you have decided to leave, you had told Mando when he came back. You have fallen in love with the Mandalorian, there is no use in denying it anymore. You had been sitting in the cockpit with the child in your lap. You had felt so clueless about what you should be doing. Should you stay put and wait and see if Mando would get back safe and sound by himself? Should you take the child and go out and try to find him? Would it be better to leave the kid behind on the Crest, so he wouldn’t be hurt? But then what if something happened to you so you couldn’t go back to him and the kid was left all alone in the world? You had to stay back and hope that Mando was okay and pray that he would come back to you and the child. But you were so scared. Maybe it was already too late, what if Mando was already dead? The kid had started to fuss in your lap at that time. You were afraid that he could pick up on your dark thoughts. So you began to gently rock him in your arms, but he did not stop fussing grabbing his little hands towards the window in front of you. That had made you look up, and there you saw him. Mando coming towards the ship with an unconscious Nikto man over his shoulder.            

You sit on the edge of your bunk as you think about it as you hear the knocks on your door. You open it to find Mando standing with his arms wrapped around his stomach fidging a bit from side to side like he is nervous. You both stare silently at each other for a couple of minutes, the air thick with tension before he finally speaks. 

“I’m sorry it took me so long to come back. I really am and you have all the right to be angry with me, but I can’t stand to have you not speaking to me, especially if you’re gonna leave soon.”

Angry?! He thinks you are angry at him..?  

“I am not angry Mando, I have never been angry at you. I was scared. And relieved that you are back and okay. When you didn’t come back I thought…” You choke up at the thought of something happening to him. You have ended up caring for him and the child, you had known that for quite a while now, but while Din was gone you realised that the care you feel towards the both of them is love. True and powerful and insurmountable love. 

“I thought that I had lost you Mando and that broke me.” You want him to know, need him to understand that your feelings aren't anger. “That's why I want to leave, because I realised how I feel about you, and how I feel about the kid, and that scares me Mando.” Time to tell the truth. “I realised that if I actually lost you It would break me. I thought it would be better to leave before that could happen.” You finally let the tears you had been keeping from him fall. You have always suffered the famous wanderlust so many Corellians, like yourself, are known for. You have always had a hard time feeling comfortable staying at the same place for too long, taking jobs at different mechanic shops around the galaxy until you had collected enough credits to travel to the next planet and start the circle over. But you don’t want to start over anymore. 

Mando had been acting distant lately after he had been told of the woman Ashoka Tano. A woman that could take the child and train him, a woman with the same weird abilities as the child. Ever since he had been told about her you have been able to feel a difference in Mando. It can be hard to read him behind the helmet but you think you have gotten pretty good at it by now. Mando seems sad. And you think you know why; he doesn’t want to be separated from the kid. He has ended up loving the kid as if he was his own and it breaks your heart to think of them being parted. And you have realised something about yourself as well. You have ended up caring for the child as if he was your own as well.

He cares so much, even though he doesn't usually express it with words, but his actions speak louder than anything that can be said out loud. The way he always looks out for you and the child. The way he silently will lay a blanket around your shoulders when you’re sitting on the cold floor to do repairs. He will always walk extra close to you in a crowded market when you’re on ration runs. The way he talks to the kid, even though the only response he gets back is incomprehensible babbling, these conversations have left you yearning lately. Yearning to stay with the two of them, really stay with them. And you have let yourself think that maybe Mando wants that too. 

It had been two months into your stay with the child and Mando that you first realised that your feelings were deeper than they might should be. You had been on one of your first supply runs together. It had been on a very crowded marketplace on a dodgy desert planet. The kid who usually was in his pod or sat in the canvas bag worn by the Mandalorian was instead strapped to your torso in the makeshift sling you had made him. The market had been too crowded for the pod and you felt bad for the little womb rat, who would have to sit in the bag and get bumbled around. Something about having the child strapped close to your body also felt safe: you knew the child was special and that he was in the care of the Mandalorian for a reason. Mando had told you how the kid first had been a bounty, but Mando had taken him under his care instead. There are people, bad people, that are looking for the kid. It’s scary. It had been on the way back to the Razor Crest with the kid asleep against you in his sling that you realised how deep your feelings for Mando and the child are. You want to stay with them, the both of them. So you tell him so.         

“I thought that it would be better to leave but I don’t think it is what I really want though…” You wipe your wet cheek with your hand before you whisper the next part

“Don’t let me leave, Mando… ” 

…It may be wrong if we make love

But I just need someone so much

And who knows it might last for life

It's all wrong, but it's all right…

Don’t let me leave… You don’t want to leave?! You actually want to stay with him. Din is happy that the helmet is covering his face right now because he is not sure he would be able to keep himself from kissing you right now. Not that Din had actually kissed anyone before, but Din have also never felt these feelings for anyone. 

“Mando I want to stay with you.” He takes a step closer to you and you lean in towards him. “I want you.” You clarify hoping he understands the implication, and it seems like he does. It is as if you are magnets being pulled towards each other. He puts his hands on your sides, moving his foot as to close the distamce between you completely, but he holds back. “Is this what you want Mesh’la?” His voice is low and it is sending shivers up your spine. “We don’t have to…” He continues. “We can stop,” he whispers. “Or we can slow down. I could just hold you if…” 

“Do you want to stop Mando? Because…” 

“Because..?”

“Because I don’t.” You whisper. “Want to stop that is…” You gather your courage and tell him what you really want.

“I want you Mando.” 

“I want you too Mesh’la. Dank Farrink how I want you, I have never felt this - oh, Maker. ” You cut him off, pressing your body against the cold beskar of his armour. I want you too… He wants you the way you want him?! Your ears are ringing with relief and need. 

“Need you Mando.”   

“Okay… Okay, close your eyes Mesh’la?” 

Mesh’la. You don’t know the meaning of the word, but the sweetness in which Mando says it makes your heart flutter. You do as he asks and close your eyes. A hissing sound echoes through the small room, and you realise it’s the sound of the helmet being detached from the armour. You can’t control the butterflies in your stomach. Mando has taken off the helmet.  

A hollow thud reverberates through the ship and all the way up your spine, as he lets go of it and it lands on the metal floor. His lips are on yours the second the helmet lands on the floor. He is kissing you with a hunger and a sweetness you never have experienced before

You gasp as he grabs you under your thighs, lifting you up. Your legs wrap around his torso, he’s girthy with his armour. You feel his arms tighten around you as he moves you towards the bunk. “Keep your eyes closed, Mesh’la.” He tells you before gently setting you down on the mattress. You grab your pillows and blanket and place them in a pile behind you, leaning your back against the soft fabrics, still squeezing your eyes shut. You can Mando closing the door and the click of the lights being turned off. “You can open your eyes now.” You are still stunned by his voice without the helmet, something about it is so intimate, it gives you goosebumps. The sound of Mando removing the rest of his armour and the beskar falling to the floor is ringing through your skull and making your cunt twitch. You follow his lead and pull your shirt over your head leaving you in your breastband, the soft tight pants you wear on the ship and your, now soaked, panties. You squeeze your thighs together, in an impatient attempt to get some kind of friction.  

The last piece of armour lands and you feel the mattress dip as Mando approaches your bunk. “Again, are you sure you want this Mesh’la?” He asks from his new position between your legs, and god, you have never been more sure in your life

“Yes, Mando, I’m sure.” You tell him before fumbling toward him in the darkness to pull him down over you in a kiss. You have never been kissed like this before, the affinity of it is making you ecstatic with tingles down your spine.     

You can’t help but buck your hips upwards against him. The broadness of his frame has not been affected much by the absence of the armour. Having him on you, without his armour, only left in the soft cotton of his underlayers is surreal. You have been dreaming of this multiple times, laying alone in your bed at night, but it feels better than you could ever have imagined. You spread your legs wider, giving him better access to your body. You can feel his hardness growing even bigger against your stomach and as far as you can feel he’s massive. This discovery makes another spasm run through your pussy. You slip your hands under his shirt enjoying the warmth and softness of his skin and you slide your hands further up his torso, but then he pulls away. Your stomach drops for a second before realising that he only pulled away to get out of his clothes, quickly crashing down on you again. His hands are on your hips, his fingers are surprisingly soft, probably from always being covered by the gloves. He slides them towards your core, finding your clit. 

He begins gently stroking slow circles with his fingertips. You gasp. He keeps rubbing, occasionally sliding his fingers down to your entrance to coat them with your wetness. The wet sound of his fingers against your skin gets louder and louder as you get wetter and Mando simultaneously picks up his speed. He is no longer moving in circles but is rubbing his middle and index fingers back and forth with a pace that has you whimpering. “So good, you’re doing so good Mesh’la. Making such pretty sounds for me.” The sound of his voice without the modulator gives you butterflies. He kisses your hip, your shoulder and then your cheek. The sweet kiss from his lips is in stark contrast to the roughness of his stubbles, and the, now borderline merciless pace of his fingers against your sweet spot. Your legs are quivering and the static pleasure in your core is building to new highs. Suddenly without any warning, your pussy is squirting with a watery liquid, drenching Mando’s hand and dripping down your thighs leaving a small damp spot on the bunk under you. You only manage to fear his reaction for a split second before the euphoric waves of pleasure is washing over you as you climax as Mando never stopped his motions. You have squirted before, it happens sometimes when you’re touching yourself late at night, but it has never happened to you when you were with someone before. You are scared that he will be repelled by it. You remember the first time it happened, way back in your late teens. You had been pretty inexperienced at the time and had horrifyingly firstly thought you had pissed yourself,  not that it had felt like it though and you had learned what it was after. Now you like it when it happens. It feels good like a release where everything just escapes your body with bliss. But you still don’t know how other people will feel about it. What if he is disgusted by being drenched by you?! 

You are just about to apologise, tell him that you will go get something for him to dry off with, but you don’t get to tell him so before he moves. Your stomach drops, you have ruined it all?! Does he not want you anymore? But then you feel Mando against your skin again. He had not moved away from you, but simply readjusted his possessions between your legs.

You gasp as his tongue slips over your inner thigh lapping the wetness of you in his mouth with a greediness that makes you want to cry. His lips are crashing back on yours, making you taste yourself. The kiss is so tender, giving you the impression that Mando liked the experience so much that he wants to share it with you. You bury your hands in his hair again, feeling the soft curls between your fingers. You can’t help but wonder what colour it is, his eyes too. Would he be allowed to tell you if you asked? You are not gonna risk ruining this magic moment now by asking him, but maybe you could learn that about him.

You are thinking this while still riding the pleasure high of your orgasm.

His lips move from your mouth to your neck, then to your shoulder, where he leaves multiple kisses before burying his face into the crook of your neck, hugging you tighter against his broad frame but without squeezing you. 

“Dank farrik, you’re so gorgeous. So, so gorgeous and so good. So sweet for me Mesh’la. You’re too good for me, don’t deserve you” He pants. 

“No Mando, I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you.”       

“Well, shall we just agree to disagree?” He giggles. The sound catches you off guard, you have heard him laugh before on occasion, usually, it’s by the kids making and it is always muffled by the helmet. The sweet sound makes you feel needier than any filthy dirty talk ever could. Even though you just climaxed your cunt is pulsing with need after him again. 

“Mando I… I need more” You pant, hoping he understands. Luckily he does as you hear the ripping sound of Mando opening the protection with his teeth, pulling it on. 

“You sure you don’t need some prep?” He asks, sounding drunk with need. And you probably do, especially with how big he seems to be, but you have wanted him for too long to be patient now. 

“Nah, I’m good, just… Just need you.” You pant. 

He positions himself at your entrance, kissing you as he starts to slowly slide inside you, your wetness helping greatly. You have never been filled like this before. Mando is bigger, in every way than what you have tried before. He goes in slow, giving you time to adjust to him. And even though you are stretched more than you ever thought possible, you can’t help but push your hips upwards after having him in you for a short while. The size of him is both painful and sends pleasure through your entire body. You want to take all of him and the pain becomes less and less as you get used to him. 

His hands are pressing against your skin, fingertips sliding up your sides, leaving your body feeling like it’s on fire and you absolutely love it.

You wrap your legs around his hips.

“You are so perfect…” He sights. “Cyar'ika you have no idea…” He adds before starting to kiss you on a spot on your neck under your ear that leaves your legs feeling wobbly.

The two of you lie like this for a while before you can’t take it anymore, you need him to move inside you, so you tell him so, and he is happy to oblige.      

“Dear, Maker…” You gasp “Mando, you’re so good.” 

“Din…” His voice is low, barely more than a whisper, but the certainty in which he speaks is not lost. It is like your heart has stopped and jumped into hyperspeed all at once.

“My name is Din…” 

Din… Din! His name is Din. You feel tears prickling your eyes. 

“You are so good, Din.” You whisper.  

His lips find yours in a kiss so sweet that it would be giving you teary eyes if the confession of his names hadn’t already brought you to tears. 

He keeps moving, slamming into you with a faster and faster speed, making your toes curl.   

His rhythm has picked up to a borderline savage pace now, in complete contrast to the sweet words he whispers into your skin between the kisses he generously covers you in. Your entire body is on fire and you love it. Your name is falling from his lips as he grabs the back of your legs moving you further up on the mattress. The new angle he hits causes you to whimper. The pleasure at your core is reaching a new high, seeping through your entire body. You wrap your arms around his neck as your walls squeeze down around him. Your name is falling from his lips like a prayer. This is how he comes undone inside you, filling the condom with his cum. He kisses you, praises you, is loving on you. 

…It's all wrong, but it's all right

Just close your eyes and fantasize

Tell me sexy lovin' lies

It's all wrong, but it's all right…

On your post-orgasm high, In the arms of the Mandalorian, you feel at peace and for the first time since you were a child, you feel a need to actually stay. It is as if you have come home. 

“You’re so perfect. So good. My perfect, perfect girl.” He murmurs. “I’m going to take care of you, Mesh’la, for as long as you want me. You and the kid are my entire life now.” 

“Even if I want you forever?” You ask.

“Yes, Mesh’la. Till my dying breath” He leaves a peck on your lips “Please stay with us.” He whispers against your lips before deepening the kiss.  

You bury your fingers in his hair, grabbing the curls at his neck tightly, making him whimper into the kiss with pleasure. 

“I want to stay Din. I want to stay with you and the kid.” You feel the muscles of his arms flex as he hugs you closer by your confession. 

“And I don’t want the kid to leave us.” You whisper. A pinch of sadness creeps in at the otherwise blissful moment.

Din kisses your shoulder “I know Mesh’la, neither do I, but we will figure it out, I promise. Everything is gonna be all right Mesh’la.” And you believe him. 

You can’t hold it back anymore. 

“I love you, Din. You and the Kid.” And it is the truth. You have finally found the place you want to call home, found the people you want to call your family .   

“Ni kar’tayl gar darasuum, Cyar’ika.” He tells you, with a kiss to your temple. If the lights were on you would be able to see the tears in his eyes. You and the kid are his clan now.

His aliit. 

And now he was gone, once again the Empire had stolen him from you. The only place he would ever be safe anymore was with one of his own, that was what the Armourer had said. And so you’d travelled to the ends of the galaxy and back to contact any other of his sorcerer kind you could find. And one had shown up, just as planned. 

A young man named Luke Skywalker had arrived in time to save you all from the dark troopers, and take the child to a place he will never be harmed again. You knew it would hurt, but you didn’t realise how empty everything would feel without him. 

You and Din had gotten one last chance to remove your helmets in front of your boy, let him caress your faces in shock and give him one final kiss on his forehead to say your goodbyes. He had felt so wrinkly considering he was a baby you remembered thinking, and it would have made you laugh if you hadn’t just lost what felt like your own child. Your own son. 

You and Din had made it to Nevarro with Cara as she found you a place for the night, not that you had been listening. Everything seemed foggy with your helmet back on. He was gone. He didn’t need you chasing after him anymore; he had one of his own real family to take care of him now. 

“I miss him,” Din broke the silence behind you. He too had been quiet the entire journey back, the two of you sitting in the ship's corner with your cold armour masking the weight the hurt carried on your faces. It wasn’t until you’d made it to your room for the night, to a place you could be alone together, he took off his helmet and the heartache was clear on his face. 

“I know,” Your voice felt drugged with disuse. The last you’d spoken was to say goodbye to Grogu, your son Grogu. Your son. Behind your eyes stung the second you had thought it. “We did the right thing, didn’t we?” 

“Hey, don’t do that,” Din chided softly, and you heard him stand from his place on the bed to walk closer to you. His bare fingers interlocked with yours to turn you to face him, and you figured he must have removed his gloves the same time he removed his helmet. It was nice, feeling his warm skin in your palm. He had hairy arms, you couldn’t help but notice, soft but hairy. And his fingertips seemed ironed of any wrinkles you’d expect in this job though you supposed it was for the fact he always wore his thick, leathered gloves. “He needed to be with his own people. There was nothing else we could have done,”

He was gentle though. Caressing you softly as if you were a wounded animal. He brought his hand up to softly stroke the side of your face. “I’m sorry,” You whispered, “I know you’re hurting too,”

The man smiled small, and it was still all new to you to see his facial expressions after going off his voice alone for so many years. You had only revealed your faces to one another just days ago at the imp base, you still had so much mapping out of one another to do.

Din looked down at you, his deep sepia eyes scanning over your furrowed brow and sad lips, his line of vision trailing up the scar that lay across your nose. “I am,” He said solemnly, as if admitting it to himself first, “But we can hurt together, I guess,” 

He leaned in, his one hand still locked in between your own as the other slipped behind your head to lace into your hair faintly. You drew in a breath, thinking he was going to kiss you. You wouldn’t have minded, the sensation was still just so new to you, the closeness of his skin on yours. But his path diverted at the last moment and he pecked your nose softly instead. His lips followed the trail at which your scar marred your face, over the bridge of your nose and through your eyebrow, until he landed on your temple where his lips stayed until you lifted your hand up to weave around his wrist, needing to use every chance you could get to touch him you’d seemed to realise.

The hunter pulled away. Two armorless Mandalorians missing their son staring back at one another, every morsel of the other's skin being a signature of home to both of you.

“Together,” You echoed into his neck, so quietly as if you wished to keep it a secret from the rest of the world.

Din just smiled down at you. That was how it was now, the two of you alone but together nonetheless.

The closer you got to her, the prettier she became, causing your stomach to twist with an unknown feeling. Mando seemed to speed up, leaving you behind as he filled the space between them. You were shocked by the wave of feeling you now identified as jealousy that washed over you upon seeing the pair interact. You remained a couple yards behind them, swallowing thickly and turning your eyes to the grass when you heard the sound of her laughter followed by his. Wait—he was laughing? Did he even know how to do that?

“Who’s your friend?” The woman spoke kindly, making you even more irritated as you realized there was nothing to hate about her besides the fact that she was closer to the Mandalorian than you.

“Oh, that’s, um…Y/N.” He seemed to have paused in effort to remember your name, your eyes rolling in your head at the lack of affection he held for you. But deep down, you couldn’t blame him. You hadn’t even realized until this moment that you held so much for him. “I’m helping her travel to her home planet. Stopped here for the night.”

“Well, you’re always welcome here. Let me show you to your huts so you can set your things down. Have you eaten?” She guided the Mandalorian off with her hand on his beskar-covered shoulder, the two of them walking off into the literal sunset together while you remained still. Even the child was more popular than you, a group of children flocking around him as though they were old pals.

“You come with the Mandalorian?” A voice sounded through your ears, your head turning around towards the woods you had just walked through. Your lips parted as you took in a handsome, large, lumberjack of a man smiling at you. Still, his charming smile wasn’t quite enough to take your mind off the fact that Mando was inside a hut with a beautiful woman he seemed to turn soft for.

“Uh, yeah. He’s escorting me home.” You stepped closer to the man, eyes drifting to the muscles of his biceps poking out of his dark green tunic, the skin tan and glistening with sweat as he carried a bag full of firewood back into the village.

“That’s awfully nice of him.” He smiled at you again as he stopped a few feet in front of you, eyes traveling down your form before lifting again. He sucked in a sharp breath as he realized he was staring, hand reaching back to scratch at his neck. “Has, uh, has anybody found you a place to sleep?”

“No,” you shook your head and pursed your lips in a tight smile. “They’re a bit distracted by my chaperones.”

“Well, let me go drop this lumber off and then I’m sure we can find you someplace to get comfortable.” He smiled again, sparking light feelings of warmth inside your belly as you nodded.

You followed him down the grassy path, square ponds on either side of the walkway with villagers knelt over them.

“What do you guys use these for?” You asked, having never seen something like it.

“Oh, we’re krill farmers.” He looked over his shoulder at you, chuckling. “You must be from Tatooine.”

“Well, I’ve been there for a while now, but no. Corellia.” You watched as he set down the bag of wood like it weighed nothing, but the young man in charge of dragging it over to the builders was struggling. “What about you?”

“Born and raised here. This is all I’ve ever known.” He walked over to a water spout and ran his hands underneath it before splashing his face with it. Your bottom lip somehow found its way between your teeth as you watched him stand, the water trickling down his sharp jaw to his thick and muscular neck. God, it had been a while.

“I—uh, haven’t caught your name.” You spoke up, trying to make conversation in effort to rid the lustful thoughts from your mind.

“Vero,” he smiled at you and lifted the hem of his tunic to wipe his face, your eyes dropping to his hairy 12-pack of a stomach, your throat gulping and eyes quickly turning away. “Yours?”

“Y/N.” You choked out, eyes still trained on the krill pods rather than the mountain of a man beside you.

“Everybody got such a pretty name on Corellia?” You couldn’t help but chuckle at his flirting, not because you thought it was funny, but because you weren’t accustomed to it after living in Mos Espa for as long as you did.

“There you are,” that same kind voice from earlier approached you, the sound of armor clanking following it. You lifted your eyes to the woman and your escort behind her, trying to force a polite smile onto your face. “I see you’ve met my brother. Has he shown you to your hut?”

“Uh, no.” You shook your head and turned your eyes from hers, somehow feeling that she’d be able to read your jealousy if she looked hard enough.

“We were just getting acquainted, ‘Mer. Come on, I’ll walk you over.” Your eyes flickered to Mando, though it wasn’t like you’d be able to read him at all. Taking a breath, you nodded and turned back to Vero, smiling at him.

“Here, let me help carry your bags.” Mando stepped forward, holding his hand out. As you were about to decline his offer out of sheer spite, Vero spoke up instead.

“I think I’ve got it.” He smiled at him condescendingly and grabbed both bags from your hands with only one of his, Mando stiffening in response. His helmet tilted towards you, watching as you shrugged and turned away, following the Sorgan hulk.

“Your sister seems kind,” you mentioned as the two of you stepped up the wooden steps to your hut for the night. You winced internally at the comment, not sure why you said it. “And pretty, of course.”

Also odd.

“Yeah, she’s alright. I think she’s laying it on thick to impress the Mandalorian. Hasn’t shut up about him since he landed here a while back.” He set your bags down on the wooden floor and spun around, arms stretched out and a smile on his face as he unveiled your sleeping quarters. “Welcome to your home for the night. Will it do?”

“It’ll do perfectly,” you chuckled at his theatrics and stepped further into the one-bed shack, taking in the lack of a refresher. “One thing…where can I freshen up?”

“Oh, right.” He nodded and gestured for you to follow him outside. He walked around to the side of the hut and opened up an outhouse, gesturing for you to look inside. It was modest, perhaps a bit primitive, but it would work fine.

“That’ll do,” you nodded and blushed as you looked back at him only to see him already staring. “I probably should freshen up before dinner.”

“Oh! Yes. I’m sorry.” He stepped away and blushed.

“No need to apologize.” You watched as he nodded and exhaled his nervous breath. “I’ll come find you in a bit?”

“I’d like that.” With one more longing look, Vero left you alone. You fanned your cheeks with your hand and walked back inside your hut to find your shower supplies, your mind spinning with lustful fantasies of him following you into the fresher.

“He’s strong.” Mando’s voice made you jump in your skin, your head whipping back to see him standing in the doorway, the sun shining behind him and darkening his silhouette. You placed your hand on your chest and calmed your heart, cursing under your breath.

“God, you could’ve knocked.” You spat, turning back to your bags.

“Didn’t know that’s what you went for. The lumberjack type.”

Was that jealousy you were hearing through his modulator? Couldn’t be. He had Mer to keep him satisfied.

He stepped further inside although your sigh made your contempt for his company known. Mando picked up a metal cup sitting on the counter and mindlessly examined it as you stood to your feet and turned to him.

“What?” You hissed in irritation, having spent so much time overthinking the tone behind his words that you forgot what he even said.

“I’m just surprised you’re falling for it. The muscles.” He shrugged, setting the cup down before turning his helmet towards you. Your breath hitched at the “eye contact”, your earlier fluster from Vero transferring now to your apparent longing for the man in front of you in beskar.

“I didn’t take you for the type to fall for a nice girl.” You countered, shrugging your shoulders as you held your shower supplied in your arms.

“Who said I fell for anyone?” His tone sounded sincere, as though it was news to him. Still, you chuckled, not believing that he was oblivious to the obvious heart eyes he was shooting at Mer through his visor. “What, Omera?”

“Omera. That’s a pretty name.” Your eyes fell to the floor as your expression turned sour against your will. “Pretty name for a pretty girl.”

“Has she treated you unkindly? Why do you look so upset with her?”

“I don’t.” You quickly dismissed him, eyes lifting to narrow at his visor. “I literally just complimented her.”

“With a look on your face.”

“I always have a look on my face. It’s my whole thing, you know? Sarcastic, sour…it’s part of my charm.”

“I’m familiar with your charm but I haven’t seen you look as sour as that.” He argued, making your blood boil with irritation. Where was Vero when you needed him?

“Did you come here for anything important or just to make fun of your girlfriend’s brother and call me sour?” You asked, brows laced in irritation as you watched him stiffen.

“Omera isn’t…she’s not my girlfriend.” He corrected, though his tone proved there was more to the story than he let on. “I was told to come let you know that dinner will be ready in a bit.”

Before you could open your lips to speak, he was making his exit, your eyes rolling in frustration as you sighed. Was he always going to be so…stressful?

•••

“Y/N, I saved you a seat.” Vero called your name as you approached the community feast, your cheeks turning pink at his attention.

“Thanks,” you chuckled as he stood up to greet you, eyes avoiding his for a reason you weren’t quite sure. You scanned the scene in front of you, the small village all scattered on the lawn, a few late-attendees like yourself picking away at the remnants of the feast. There was a noticeable absence—though his child was happily seated with a bowl of soup in front of him.

“Hungry?” Vero asked, gesturing ahead at the table of food. You sucked in a breath and nodded, forcing a smile onto your face. Your eyes scanned the surrounding huts in hopes of spotting the Mandalorian responsible for your sudden lack of interest in the man beside you, coming up short. “Have you tried krill?”

“Uh,” you turned your head back to the man, shaking your head as you finally registered his question. “No, I haven’t.”

“Here,” he picked one off the table and showed you how to peel it before popping the little shrimp in his mouth. “Easy.”

“Does it taste okay?” You asked, reluctant as you reached for one, your fingers peeling it like you’d watched him do just seconds before. Vero chuckled and nodded, urging you on to try it for yourself. You bit down hesitantly, though soon eased in once you realized it tasted quite pleasant. It sure beat the rations on Tatooine. “Pretty good.”

“Right?” He beamed at you, watching as you picked a few more to put on your plate before doing the same with the other fruits and vegetables on the table. “So…I know you’re leaving in the morning, and I’ll probably never see you again, but—“

“Vero, listen—“ You attempted to let him down easily, but were cut off by a shiny glimmer of silver coming into view behind him. He turned to follow your gaze, chuckling to himself as he watched you watching the Mandalorian.

“Ah,” he nodded, pursing his lips. “I see.”

“Huh?” You turned back to him with furrowed brows.

“You like the Mandalorian.”

“What? No. He’s just blinding me.” You scoffed at his words, walking back to your tree stump of a seat.

“Then…if you’re not interested in him…why don’t you come to my hut after dinner?” He found his confidence again, sitting down beside you and smirking at you. You had to hand it to him, he made it hard for a girl to say no.

“I—it’s a bad idea.” You shook your head and dropped your eyes to your plate. “I want to, but…I shouldn’t.”

“Because you like the Mandalorian—“

“I don’t like the Mandalorian!” You shouted, the entire village silencing their conversations and turning their heads to gawk at you. You turned red with embarrassment as your eyes scanned over the crowd, finally meeting Mando’s visor. Setting your plate down on the ground, you stood up. “Excuse me.”

Rushing off to your hut, you reached to shut the door, only to find there wasn’t one. You rushed over to the bed and picked up a pillow, screaming into it and releasing all your frustration and embarrassment.

“Hey,” you groaned at the sound of a modulated voice, your back turned to the door, the pillow holding your screams still in your hands.

“Go away.” You grumbled, reaching to wipe your face free of a rogue tear.

“No.” He spoke simply, causing your head to whip around, eyes glaring at him in disbelief.

“Leave, Mando.” You ordered again, this time with more anger than before.

“No.” He remained still, his body taking up the entire doorway.

“Do you know what else we Corellians are famous for besides the drinking and tinkering?” You seethed and watched him shake his head. “We’re good with our blasters.”

You held up the blaster you had tucked underneath your pillow after seeing the amount of children around.

“You gonna shoot me?” He stepped towards you, watching your hands tremble as you held out the blaster.

“I want you to leave.” You felt another embarrassed tear fall from your eyes as he continued toward you, his pace slow and careful as though he was approaching a beast.

“You’re crying.” He noted, watching as you quickly reached to wipe the evidence of any emotion away.

“What do you want, Mando?” You asked, so frustrated with yourself and his calmness that you were practically shaking. This was a side of you you rarely ever let surface, a side of you that was passed down from generation to generation—the Solo family temper.

“I want to make sure you’re okay.” He answered after a few beats of silence.

“Why do you care?” You finally lowered the blaster, tossing it back into the bed before sitting down on the old mattress.

“Because…” he seemed to be at a loss for an explanation.

“Right.” You chuckled darkly and nodded your head. “Well, I’m fine. You can go now.”

“Why—” he cut himself off, his gloved hand flexing as it rested at his side.

“Why what?” You asked, lifting your eyes to the black of his visor, hoping to see even a glimpse of him looking back.

“Why don’t you like me?” He finally managed, his voice soft, though the modulator attempted to hide it.

“I didn’t mean…you’re fine, Mando.” You sighed, turning your eyes away from him. The last thing you needed at the moment was to have to lie about your confusing feelings for the man escorting you across the galaxy. “I don’t hate you or anything. That’s not what I meant. So…can you go, now?”

“What did you mean, then?” He prodded, threatening to trigger your temper again.

“You know what? Yes! Yes, Mando, I don’t like you! You’re stubborn, and rude, and—and you don’t fucking listen to me when I tell you that I don’t want to see you right now! I don’t want to talk to you right now!” You shouted, making Mando step back at your volume, or at least that’s what you assumed it was.

“I’m stubborn? I’m rude?” He gritted back through his modulator, stepping forward to you, his finger pointed at his chest and helmet bobbing with the passion of his argument. “You’re the most rude and sarcastic woman I’ve ever met.”

“As if that’s an insult.” You snapped back with narrowed eyes, bored by his comeback.

“It should be! To any self-respecting woman in this galaxy, it should be an insult.” He spat back at you, this time striking a nerve. You closed the space between the two of you, your chin having to tilt upwards to look at him, fingers pressing into the beskar of his chestplate.

“How dare you tell me I have no self respect just because I don’t cover every fucking word with sugar. You wouldn’t say that to a man. Don’t say it to me.” You couldn’t have sounded more threatening if you tried, but Mando didn’t flinch.

“Excuse me,” you closed your eyes at the sound of Omera’s soft voice coming from your doorway. “Sorry. Um, the elders…they decided that it would be best if you found somewhere in the next town to stay tonight. Not…uh…not here, anymore.”

“Perfect.” You looked over his shoulder and gave her a phony smile before turning back to Mando. “I’ll be sleeping in my ship.”

“Mando, you’re still welcome to stay.” Omera spoke softly as you walked to pack your bags up, a scoff leaving your lips at her hopeful tone. Rather than stick around and watch the two of them dote over each other, you grabbed your things and began walking through the camp and into the dark woods.

Sure, it was cold, lonely, and mildly terrifying to walk to your ship in the dark woods, but it beat that entire situation back at the camp.

“The elders think it would be best…bullshit.” You mocked Omera out of sheer jealousy that she was back there with Mando instead of you. Wait— “Fuck him! Why am I even jealous? Mando is infuriating.”

“Mad at your little Mandalorian boyfriend?” A lone Klatooinian raider approached you from the dark, a blaster held out and pointed at you. He grinned, or at least that’s what you thought he was doing. You reached to your holster slowly, heart dropping when you realized you left your blaster behind in the hut. “I’m mad at him too. Killed my family.”

“I had nothing to do with that.” You responded through a shaking voice, terrified of what would come next.

“Don’t matter.” He chuckled and tightened his grip on the blaster, but before he could squeeze the trigger, a shot rang from over your shoulder, hitting the raider in his shoulder. You whipped your head around, expecting to see Mando, but seeing Vero instead. He instructed you to move out of the way as he stepped towards the Klatooinian on the ground. You did as he said and watched as he pointed the blaster at the wounded raider, only for it to jam on him. “Oops.”

The raider knocked him to the ground, the two beginning an all out brawl. You felt helpless as you watched the hulk of a man dodge the blunt force of the raider’s strikes, absorbing them when he couldn’t. For a minute, you thought he was done for, but soon he found his footing.

“Should’ve stayed hidden.” He spoke through gritted teeth as he strangled the raider with his arm, his eyes on yours as he finished the job. You weren’t sure why it aroused you, or if it was actually him that stirred you rather than the fantasy of it being Mando instead, but regardless, you were beginning to feel things.

The Klatooinian’s limp body hit the floor of the woods and Vero stood up tall, his chest heaving as he walked towards you, holding his hand out to help you up off the ground. You accepted his hand and stared at him in awe.

“Came to make sure you got to your ship safely.” He chuckled, gesturing to the body behind him. “Good thing I did.”

“How about you make sure I’m safe all night long?” You slipped your hand into his, tugging him along.

You’d regret this in the morning. But for now, you needed to release some of this pent up…frustration. And if Mando couldn’t be the one to do it, Vero would suffice.

“NO!” You and Luke yelled. You were torn apart from the grief and stared Vader down so he would know the pain you felt in your very soul. 

“The anger consumes you, young one.” He says to you barely audible, and if it wasn’t for Han and Leia you would have ran over to him with your lightsaber, but the more you thought of it, the more you knew your father wouldn’t want that. 

After that, the moments passed by, and before you knew it, you had succeeded in destroying the death star, but that was not the end of the Empire forever. 

The four of you established a strong bond, relying on each other for everything, along with Artoo and Threepio. Luke and you got close, but he stepped away from your ever growing relationship. He was going to be a Jedi, his mind was made up. Although you thought it was a flaw in the way of the Jedi, you meekly respected his decision and nursed your broken heart as best as you could

In the end, Darth Vader returned to being Anakin Skywalker, pilot and Jedi Master in his passing. Luke buried him honorably and he had become a great Jedi in such a short amount of time. 

In your celebration of the Empire’s fall, you sat watching all the Ewok’s dance. Luke walked up to you a wide smile. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to come with me?” Luke wanted to rebuild a Jedi school, and although you wanted to, it was only because you wanted to be close to him.

You shook your head with a grin. “I am no Jedi, Luke.” He frowns a bit, kneeling down to you. “Don’t look at me like that.” You chuckle.

“Like what.” He laughs back.

“You’re making this very hard, Luke.” You sigh. “I still care about you.”

He shrugs. “I still care about you too.” 

You shake your head looking at him seriously. “You know that’s not how I meant it.” He says nothing which just further emulates your point. “If you feel your destiny is this, then that is what it is Luke, and I will not steer you away from that. But keeping me around knowing we’ll never amount to anything is not fair to either of us. This is not my destiny, I am not meant to be a full Jedi.”

He nods slowly taking in your words. Luke did want to be with you and he wanted to be Jedi, but he saw what it did to his father, and he did not want to forsaken himself. “What are you meant to be.”

“I am a Jedi, in a sense, but I am also a Mandalorian.” These two ideologies always conflicted you in a similar way they conflicted your father. In the end, he gave in to what he wanted and married your mother. A match no one ever really saw coming. Mandalorians were about family whereas Jedi were just understanding connections and did not give in to them. "I want a family and I will find one. That is the way.” 

“I’m sorry I can’t be that for you.” He says.

“Never apologize. You are a Jedi, and I understand that more than anyone.” Luke embraces you and for some reason you feel that this will be the last time you see him for a while, so you squeeze back tight.

The two of you then walk over to stand to the side and Leia joins you two wrapping her arms around the two of you. You stare off and see your father and Master Yoda appear before you, you smile back sadly, missing your father. Then, another figure, what you assume to be a young Anakin Skywalker presents himself, a little shy, but delighted nonetheless. You look to Luke and Leia and see smiles on their faces. 

That was six years ago and your quest to find the young child has not been going so smoothly. Moff Gideon was after the child and from what you heard he had been taken by a Bounty hunter to Tatooine to keep him from him. You landed in Tatooine finally and a curly haired woman comes out with a small creature wrapped in robes. “Name’s Peli, whatcha need fixing on pretty lady.” 

You chuckle. “Probably just tuning and a change in the oil if you could.” She gets her droids to get to working on your ship and turns which brings you face to face with the child. Your eyes widen, recognizing his face. “Where did you get that child.”

She turns back around. “Who’s asking.” She slowly starts stepping away, her fear growing slowly. “I’m going to need you to back up.”

“I am a Jedi, I am here to find the child and rescue him.” You try to explain. 

She looks around worriedly, and you don’t want to steal the child, but you have been searching for so long just to let him go.

“Step away from the kid, Jedi.” 

You turn to the voice and see a man completely covered from head to toe in beskar armor. “A Mandalorian.” You whisper. He pulls out his rifle and points it at you. You immediately reach your arm out and throw the rifle to the side. “I do not want to fight you Mandalorian.” 

“I’ve heard that before.” He charges towards you and you pull out your lightsaber and ignite it, just barely blocking his blow. 

You maneuver around him to try to catch him off guard but he ends up pinning you down with a knife to your neck. You don’t panic, instead you speak to him. “Udesii, Utreekov.” Calm down, idiot. This causes him to step back abruptly and allows you stand back up.

“How do you-”

“I am a Jedi, but I am also a Mandalorian.” You explain wiping off the dust from your robes.

“Impossible.”

You shake your head. “You would think so, no? My father was a Jedi, and my mother Mandalorian.”

He still seems unconvinced. “You are not Mandalorian.” You roll your eyes at the man. “You do not cover your face.”

“That is not the only way to be Mandalorian. It is not only a race but a creed. I will take a wild guess and say you were not born on Mandalor nor were your parents Mandalorian.”  He remains silent which answers your question. “Yet you are still Mandalorian, and I still see you as a Mandalorian, you have earned it.” You smile. “The creeds have a very uptight way of seeing who is Mandalorian and who is not, anybody can be a Mandalorian the same way anyone can be a Jedi. For me, this is the way.”

The man is moved by your speech and nods back although a bit reluctant. “This is the way.” He replies. “What do you want with the kid.”

You look over to see him look at your curiously, cooing and reaching out. You reach your hand out and sense great fear and love in the child. “My father was a Jedi Master and a general in the clone wars, I was tasked with finding the lost child that they saved during Order 66 and I have finally found him. What are you doing with the child?” 

“I am taking him back to his kind, the Jedi.” He states. “You are a Jedi, can you not train him?”

You hum taking a closer look at the child. “I am not a traditional Jedi, him training under me would not be the best idea, but I do know someone who can. His name is Luke Skywalker, and he is one of the very few Jedi left.”

“That’s great, where is he?”

“I am not sure, he doesn’t ever answer his comms, but I know a Mandalorian who could help. Her name is Bo’katan. I can come with you and the child till he safely arrives with Luke.”

He freezes a bit. “I can do it myself.”

“With all do respect Mandalorian, I wasn’t really asking for permission. The child is my last task, and I will follow it through, I took an oath.” 

He doesn’t say much after that, he understands better than most. 

The two of you fought various creatures and saved each other more than you can count. These experiences together have strengthened the small bond you two have created together. 

“Do you remember your parents?” He asked you one day. 

You nod eagerly. “My mother was a Duchess of Mandalor.” You explain.

Mando moves his head to the side in questioning. “Satine?”

“Yea, not a lot of people remember her well. My father was Obi wan Kenobi, he trained Anakin Skywalker, Luke’s father and also Darth Vader.” Mando freezes and turns to look at you, and although you can’t see his face, you can imagine what his expression might be. “Yea.” You sigh. “He eventually redeemed himself which also not a lot of people know. I think the only people who knew his real identity were my father, Master Yoda and Darth Siddious himself.” 

He lets out a breath and goes back to steering the Crest. “How did your father break the code- isn’t it without attachments?”

You nod. “The fall of the Jedi kind of opened the doors for him and my mother. They were very much in love, and I think even before Order 66, my father would have abandoned the Jedi Order if she asked. But she knew how much it meant to him and never wanted to make that decision for him. It worked out for them though, so I’m glad they both were happy together.”

“So odd, the Jedi way. Family, our creed is everything.” He replies.

“I agree, I think the way of the Jedi is a bit flawed but it is hard for people to break tradition.” You move your seat forward to be more next to Mando. “Do you remember your parents Mando?”

He tilts his head to the side. “Not really, they were killed by droids when I was young. The Mandalorians took me in and I was a foundling, it has been my whole life since then.”

“And you haven’t taken off the helmet?”

He shakes his head. “It’s not the way.”

“Maybe it’s just not your way.” He remains silent. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, I just don’t want your view on Mandalorians to be so cutthroat. I feel like you don’t really see me as a Mandalorian.”

He turns his body to you. “Regardless of the fact that you’ve earned it with how you are in battle, it is your birthright. I would be the last person to say you are not Mandalorian.”

“Do you want a family Mando?” You ask curiously, growing fond of your new companion.

“I have a family.” He says referring to his creed.

You shake your head. “I mean like a wife and a kid, that kind of stuff. Or husband.” 

He chuckles a little, staring out into the stars. “Maybe.” He says simply. “What about you y/n?”

He hardly ever says your name, so you’re caught off guard a little. “Um, yea. I think after seeing my parents and their love, I would like to find something like that. If the Force allows me.” You smile softly, and you think he was going to say something else but the Child begins to cry and you walk over to him and cradle him close. “It’s okay, cyar’ika. I’ve got you.” He grabs onto your head getting you to look at him and you focus on the concentration he has on the force. 

Can you hear me?

You gasp never being able to read thoughts through the force before. Yes, I can- how- are you okay?

Yes, I’m so happy. I’m Grogu. I’m so happy. You and father make me happy.

Your eyes water with his confession and you kiss the top of his head. “Grogu.” He stares at you with wonder and adoration. You chuckle and run to the cockpit. “Mando! Mando!” He stands abruptly from his chair to see what was wrong and seeing you crying has him on edge and wanting to ease whatever was wrong. “I- the kid- I mean Grogu. His name is Grogu. He spoke to me.”

His eyes widen behind the helmet although you can’t see. “Really? How?”

“Through the force.” His shoulders slump a little, he was excited to hear the little kid talk.

“What did he say?”

You smile looking down at the green guy. “He said ‘I’m so happy. I’m Grogu. I’m so happy. You and father make me happy.’”

Mando grabs Grogu and holds him close. “You make me happy too Grogu.” You smile at the two of them, tears welling up again. “And you too, cyar’ika.” He extends his arm and you crash into them. You make no comment on him calling you darling, you just enjoy it and your heart swells for your little family. 

That moment changed something between the two. Every time you interacted now the atmosphere was intense and there was a longing neither of you discussed. You found Bo’katan and in turn found Ahsoka Tano, an ex-Jedi trained by Anakin. 

She speaks with Grogu through the force. “I cannot train him, and I doubt Luke will either.”

“Why not?” Mando grumbles.

“He has a strong attachment to the both of you, I’ve seen the best of us fall to those things.” She turns away.

“He deserves a chance to try.” You plead.

Mando steps up and covers your hand with his. “If we help you with the town will you make sure he has a chance.”

She stays quiet for a moment but agrees. And so the two of you do what you do best. Afterwards, she directs you to Tython where Grogu can pick for himself what he will do. “May the Force be with you.” You say to her.

“And with you.” She nods. 

You turn back to Mando who was giving you a look you couldn’t see, but you could feel it. You laugh holding Grogu close. “This is the way.”

He nods back in approval. “This is the way.”

The two of you get on the ship and make your way to Tython, putting the Crest on auto pilot you should be there in a few days. The two of you were alone as Grogu slept in his compartment and you felt your chest tight from nerves. “Mando.” He hums to let you know he’s listening as he leans back on his chair. “What’s your name?” He doesn’t move, but his body is rigid and you can feel it. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be nosy, I just was curious- I guess I am nosy but-”

“Din.” He replies and you remain silent. “My name is Din Djarin.” 

“Din.” You say. He turns to look at you, his gaze intense and almost intimidating, but he was in fact delighted to hear his name fall from your lips. “I like it.” And there it is, the intenseness of it all. You wanted to touch his hand, to hold him in anyway possible. Your feelings were growing everyday, and the fact that he loved the kid did not help in keeping them at bay. He felt the same, his hands twitching to touch yours so close he could do it if he really did want to, but you were much wittier. You placed your hand on top of his. 

“Yooba solus mesh’la.” You are so beautiful. You take in a breath at his confession, unsure of what to do, even Din doesn’t know how he let that one slip. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to just blurt that out.”

You raise your eyebrows at him. “Did you not mean it then?”

He shakes his head making you worry. “I meant every single word.” 

“I-” Your breath gets caught and you’re at a loss for words. “No one’s called me beautiful in a long time.”

“I’m sorry.” He says sincerely. “It’s true.” He pulls out something from his pocket. A little necklace with a mudhorn on it. “I had this made, Grogu and I defeated it together. It’s our signet.” 

You turn around to have him put it on and once he does you’re in awe. “This is beautiful Din, I love it.” You lean over to encase him in a hug. 

“Haar’chack, yooba solus mesh’la.” Damn it, you’re beautiful. He curses causing you to laugh. Eventually Din goes to sleep in his room while you stay in the cockpit to make sure everything was running smoothly. Your heart was racing and you had a huge smile on your face. Having only known Din for a few short months you were already so taken with him. You wondered if this is what love was like. 

You reminisced when you had feelings for the young Jedi and inwardly cringed with how forward you were with him. This felt much different than that. A much stronger connection. Although you knew Luke wanted to give in, he never let himself, but Din let you have any piece of him you wanted. He would give his soul in a heartbeat if it made you happy. And that’s the difference you guess. 

That was the kind of love you saw with your mother and father, and although more intense, a similar love you remember your father telling you Anakin had for Luke’s mother. You wonder why Luke would want to bring back the ways of the Jedi that ultimately ended up failing his father, he might face similar if not worse scenarios. You hope to the Maker it isn’t possible, but you are still skeptical.

You jolt in your seat when you hear crashing around in the back, and at first you think it’s Gorgu, but the sounds were too loud and too heavy. You walk over to Din’s room and see him thrashing in his sleep. “No...” He mumbled. You crawl into his bed and try to steady him, but he gets scared and grabs your wrists.

“It’s just me Din, you’re okay, you’re safe.” He immediately holds you to him like a child clinging to a teddy bear and you let him rubbing the back of his neck. You can feel the hair that sticks out meaning he doesn’t have his helmet set in place, but you don’t look and keep your eyes away from the curly hair you feel in your hands. It’s so soft. “Yooba solus cyare.” You are loved. You say to him and he relaxes in your hold.

There wasn’t anything specific Din could say he focused on. He loved all the things about you. Your honesty compelled him to be honest with you. Your openness and generosity caused him to try to do those things too. You made him a much better person and you added so much depth to his being. Whereas the Mandalorian struggled to know if he added anything to your life.

But he did.

He showed you loyalty and blind trust you had only ever experienced as a child. Before your father and mother passed, and before Luke had the weight of continuing the legacy of the Jedi on his shoulders. He gave you a home and people to love who loved you right back. You met someone who put you first and you them. 

Though neither of you put a name to it yet. It was hard to disturb your relationship when it seemed to be progressing well on its own. 

The two of you fell asleep holding one another, and eventually an alarm went off to signal that you were nearing Tython. Din hurries back to the cockpit securing his helmet, realizing it almost fell off, but you would never disrespect him as to look. You went to grab Grogu and bring him to the front with Din. 

Grogu was trying to get your attention, so when you focused on him he spoke to you. 

Are mother and father leaving me?

You shook your head holding his little hand. No Grogu, you will get to decide if you want to reach out to other Jedi.

His face scrunches up before turning back to you. Should I?

It is all your choice Gorgu. We will be here no matter what.

“What are you guys whispering about?” Din asks preparing to land.

“Grogu is just a little nervous.” You smile at your little green son. “But I told him everything will be alright. He has his Buirs.”

Din smiles under the helmet and lands the Razor Crest. The two of you walk silently up the hill and place Grogu on the top. “So what happens now?” He asks.

“Grogu decides if he wants to reach out .” The two of you let Grogu be and eventually he starts connecting with the Force. Meanwhile, a man at the bottom of the hill catches your attention and both of you go towards him.

“Hey sweetheart.” His voice makes your eyes widen. You felt like you were seeing things.

“Boba- you’re supposed to be dead.” 

Din turns to look at you. “You know him?”

“I want the armor.” He states.

Your Mandalorian straightens up and stands closer to you. “If you want it you’re going to have to peel it off of my dead body.”

You shake your head. “No he means the armor you got from Vanth. It belonged to his father’s.”

“Are you in a creed?” Din asks.

“No.” He replies. “My father was sworn in and he passed it down to me.”

“And if I kill you where you stand?”

Boba laughs and looks behind Din. “There’s a sniper up there who shoots when my body hits the ground.” Din looks and sees Fennec, surprised but doesn’t dwell on it for very long. “If you give me the armor I can help you with getting the kid and the two of you wherever you need to go safely.” 

Although Din wanted to retort, there wasn’t much time to when you spotted Gideon’s ship in the atmosphere and Grogu’s connection with the Force severed. “Grogu!” You yelled in a panic. You rushed up the hill and Force jumped up to protect your son while Boba went to grab his gear after Din let him in a panic. 

He was beyond scared and he felt like a child watching you fend off the dark troopers. He couldn’t get to you in time. One of them grabbed Grogu causing you to divert your attention and it made you drop your lightsaber. They flew away taking the both of you and Gideon’s ship fired destroying the Crest right in front of you. Your heart broke at the scene, but it hurt more to hear Din yell your name in such anguish.

When you made it up you were met with Gideon who immediately sent Grogu away from you and smiled sadistically. “Kenobi’s daughter in the flesh.” You scowled and spit at him. “Welcome aboard my ship, keep her from the kid.”

The guards escorted to you to a holding cell and cuffed you to keep you from catching hands with them. You sat in the cell and tried to connect with Grogu, but he was too weak to reach back. He didn’t have the training to do so. 

Meanwhile, Din was in despair. He held your lightsaber close and clipped it on his belt. He looked up at Boba and together with Fennec, they were going to find you.

Time passes very slowly for you and you didn’t know if days or hours had passed. Eventually, your sitting around is interrupted. “Now how did you manage to get caught like this.”

You look up and see your father’s ghost looming around. “Dad.” You whisper.

“I guess the child proves a much more difficult task than I had anticipated.” He says with a smile. “Hello my sweet girl.” 

You smile solemnly and stand up. “How- how come you’ve never come to me before?”

“You’ve never needed me before.” He says.

“Luke proves to be much more needier than you, y/n.” You see another figure pop up next to your father, and it’s Anakin. You hadn’t seen him since the celebration on Endor with the Ewoks. “That might be my fault too, heh.” He says scratching the back of his neck. “Hi y/n.”

It’s a bit overwhelming to say the least. To have your father and Anakin appear to you at the same time. “Don’t you guys only appear when I need help.”

“Well yea, kinda.” Anakin stretches. “They know you’re Obi-wan’s kid. Which woah by the way. I never saw that coming.” Your father jabs his padawan on the side. “Right. They’re going to take samples of your blood for your midichlorians the same way they’re going to do to Grogu. Before you escape the ship you need to grab every last container they have of your blood. You’ll never be free of them otherwise.” 

The doors open and the stormtroopers take you forcefully. You look to your father with scared eyes, but he soothes your fears. “The Force is with you.”

You get injected with something that makes you pass out and when you come to, you’re so unbelievably weak you can barely hold your head up. You hear a lot of commotion outside, but you’re not in the best shape to try to escape. 

The doors open anyway and you see him. “Y/n.” He breathes out. He embraces you and you try your best to wrap your arms around him. “I thought I lost you cyar’ika.”

You chuckle slowly. “Never.” He hands you your lightsaber but you can’t even grab it.

“What’s wrong?” He asks.

“Injected with... I don’t even know. Can barely move.” Din nods and picks you up carrying you out. “Grogu is on other side... I need to grab blood from them.”

“I can’t understand very well y/n.” You slide your hand under his helmet and he flinches, you place your hand on his cheek. You’ve only done this with other Force users but you wonder if it’ll work on Din, if he’s even the slightest bit Force sensitive. “Okay, I’ll take care of it.” You thank the stars and you’re able to relax a bit in his hold.

Din hands you off to Cara so you would be safe. “Maker, what did they get you with?”

“Dunno.” You slumped. “Passed out, woke up, could barely move.”

She hums placing you on a chair of the control station they took over. Cara takes out a serum from her pack and injects it in your thigh. “If I’m correct they used a serum made specifically for the Jedi they captured, and normally it’s hard to wake up from. But you Miss Kenobi, are made of steal.” You chuckle at her statement slowly gaining much more feeling and movement in the tips of your fingers. “It works pretty slow, but you’ll be better soon.”

“Thank you.” You breathe out. Your Mandalorian and Grogu come back and meet you guys. He throws Gideon to the ground and holds the Dark Saber in his hand. “Oh no.” You whisper but he catches and looks confused.

Gideon smiles at Bo’katan who looks distraught. “What’s wrong?”

“Mando.” You call out. “You defeated him in... battle. You’re able to rule Mandalor.”

“I don’t want it.” He holds it out to Bo’katan. “Take it, I yield.”

Gideon laughs. “She can’t, the sword isn’t the power, it’s the story. She has to defeat you in battle.” 

There isn’t much time to talk more about it when the dark troopers start making their way to you. “Oh Maker.” You groan. The doors shut and everyone is standing protectively. Gideon grabs a blaster and shoots, once he aims at Grogu, Din moves in front to act as a shield. Cara kicks the blaster away and kicks his body now standing near him. 

You sit up, feeling better and see an X-wing arrive. “One X-wing?” Cara says. “Great, we’re saved.” But you knew that X-wing, and the hope you clung to increases. Gorgu senses it too, touching the screen and watching. 

You then see the green lightsaber slice through the dark troopers. “Luke.” You breathed out. You had to help him. You get up slowly and grab your lightsaber from Din. “Open the doors.” Luke was on his way up through the elevator.

“Are you crazy?” Bo’katan exclaims.

“Y/n-”

“Do you trust me?” He nods. “Open them.”

You light up your blue saber and slice through the first dark trooper. You keep going until the last one in the middle grabs you. Luke holds his hand out and turns it into a fist, crushing the metal body. You fall and he wraps an arm around you holding you up. 

“Luke,” you smile.

He smiles back. “Hello y/n.” 

Happy beeps draw your attention away and you crouch down. “I missed you too Artoo.” Din rushes to you and puts an arm around your waist asking if you were alright. “Yea. This is Luke Skywalker.” Upset beeps meet you this time. “And R2-D2.” You chuckle. “Luke, this is Mando and Grogu.”

Luke nods and holds out his hand. “Come little one.” Straight to the point, as always. Gorgu hesitates and your heart breaks. 

“He doesn’t want to go with you.” Din says.

Luke is understanding of his connection but nods. “He’s asking for your permission.”

You bite your tongue to prevent yourself from crying, but it proves to be impossible when Din begins to remove his helmet. You take in a breath as he looks sadly at Grogu who touches his face everywhere he can and Din sheds a tear. He sets the green child down and he walks over to Luke with wonder. Luke picks him up and nods. 

“May the Force be with you.” And he turns around, but Grogu looks at the two of you for as long as he can. You cry silently next to Din who’s having trouble with letting him go.

Once they’re out of sight you look back at Din. “You- you have to put your helmet on, I didn’t see anything, none of us did.”

He slowly puts it back on and the rest of you shuffle quietly into Boba’s ship. The air was tense and while Boba Fett was confused, he didn’t ask. Fennec nudged you to go and talk to the gloomy Mandalorian who sat in his small space on the ship.

You knocked but didn’t get a reply so you came in and saw Din staring down at his hands sitting on the bed. “Oh, Din.” He looked towards you but doesn’t say anything. “I’m sorry you broke your creed, I know how much it means to you.” You sit next to him placing a hand on his.

“I just- I wanted you to see me differently.” He sighs. 

Your face turns to confusion. “I’m lost.”

“I wanted you to see me when we got married, when you are my riduur.” You take in a breath, surprised by his bluntness when he’s always so shy. “I know we haven’t really been together or even known each other for too long, but I find myself longing for normalcy with you. Being able to do the most mundane things like brush our teeth together or sleep tightly in my cramped room, I would love to do those things with you. Because... well, because I love you.” 

“Yooba solus ner aliit.” You are my family. You say putting a hand on his helmet where his cheek would be. “Ask me.” You say. “Ask me to marry you, Din.”

He holds both of your hands in his and looks at you. “Will you marry me, Y/n Kenobi. Whatever you want, it’s yours, I’ll give you the stars if that’s what you want.”

You giggle at his intensity. “Yes Din. But I want you, just you.” He pulls you close to him wrapping his arms tightly around you. 

“I promise we won’t be living from place to place forever. I’ll build us a home, whatever kind you want.” He caresses your hair and you squeeze him tighter. 

“Home is wherever you and I are together. I’m home right now.” It was a sweet moment between the two of you. You both found exactly what you were looking for and that was a family.

He handed you your blood samples and you squeezed him so hard he could barely breathe. You thought he wasn’t able to get them, but that would be the first time of many you would learn not to doubt the skilled Mandalorian.

You and Din got married on Tatooine with only a few friends present but you wouldn’t have minded even if it was just the two of you. When you got back to your room, your new husband sat you on the bed and took off his helmet placing it on the table beside the bed. “I wish you could’ve seen me for the first time this way.”

You run your hands all over, scratching the stubble along his face, tracing his lips, his nose, his eyes. “You’re so absolutely breathtaking Din.” He leans closer to you placing a hand on your cheek and kisses you. It’s his first kiss and he’s nervous he’s doing it all wrong, but it also feels spectacular. You’re so soft against him and sweet. You loved every moment of it, you loved him so immensely it hurt in the best possible way. You pull back and touch your forehead to his, both of you smiling ear to ear. “How did I get so lucky?”

“I think you’ve got it the other way around.” The two of you share a laugh. “Can I take you to bed riduur?”

“Only if you start calling me Mrs. Djarin.” You say leaning back.

“I think I can manage that.” And you were content throughout the night being loved by the one man you don’t think you could live without.

Although, your family wasn’t exactly complete. The two of you missed your green child horribly and you found yourselves looking for him only to remember he wasn’t with you. It was a difficult transition to say the least and one neither of you really wanted to admit that was the reality.

You and Din went back to make a little beskar armor for Grogu and give it to Luke. You got there in the new ship that Peli made for you two. It was small but you didn’t mind squeezing a little.

 When you arrived at Ossus you were met by Artoo who was supposedly leading the way but brought you to Ahsoka. It was difficult to reason with her to see Grogu, but eventually, Luke came down to see the two of you.

“We came to see him.” You tell your long time friend twiddling with your fingers from nerves.

“It’s not good for him, he still has a strong attachment to the both of you.” You nod, understanding but still disappointed. Luke looks down and sees the shiny little beskar band around your ring finger. “You got married?” He didn’t really understand the pang in his chest that hit him when he saw the ring.

“Oh! Yes! I’m sorry, I couldn’t reach you, you never answer your comms.” You say with a stern voice. “I was going to tell you.”  

Luke thought he got over the idea of the two of you a long time ago. This was the first time he’s ever felt so jealous of another being. To be allowed to have such connections with you. “That’s wonderful y/n. I’m happy you finally found a family like you wanted. Who’s the lucky man?” He’s lying, it’s not wonderful and he doesn’t know why.

You smile immediately, turning to your husband putting your arm through his. You communicated silently asking if it was okay to tell Luke his name and replies in a slight nod. “Luke, this is Din Djarin, my husband.”

The Jedi nods back to the Mandalorian. “Thank you for taking care of my friend.” This he means sincerley.

Din nods back at Luke. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to everyday.” And he smiles brightly under his helmet looking at you, both of you very unaware of the feelings of the Jedi in front of you. “Could you give him this at least,” Din holds out the beskar. “It’s his right as a foundling.” 

Luke takes the beskar and holds it to him while he watches the two of you leave holding hands and Din helping you up to the ship. There’s a lump in his throat as the ship leaves and he’s unsure why he feels this way.

“Do you love that girl?” Ahsoka asks.

Luke shakes his head. “That’s silly.” 

“Not really.” She says. “It’s kind of written all over your face.” 

“Jedi are not to have attachments, and I will not.” 

“So stubborn.” Ahsoka states. “So much like your father.” Luke stops and turns to look at her. “No one would be upset with you because you fell in love Luke. No one would blame you for wanting a family with someone.”

The young Jedi shakes his head. “No.” He says. “If it was going to be with anyone, it was going to be with her. It’s my fault. She deserves happiness, and I will be happy doing this.” He gestures to the soon to be temple.

He would not disturb your peace, even more so knowing that you loved the Mandalorian and he loved you right back. That much he could tell with ease, and that was enough for him. 

Luke did present Grogu with a choice and the little green kid ended up reuniting with the two of you again on Tatooine. When all was over, you hugged as a family for the first time and had a tearful but happy reunion. Grogu sat in his compartment on the ship while you and Din sat in the cockpit talking.

“Do you want to have kids someday Din?” 

“Only if its with you, Mrs. Djarin.” You smile silly, loving the way it sounds coming from him. You kiss his cheek as a thank you. He keeps his helmet off now around the two of you, but keeps it on for everyone else.

And that dream did become a reality a few years later after Din built the three of you a beautiful house on Endor with a big garden close to the lake. You were heavily pregnant walking outside with Grogu in your arms watching your husband tend to the crops.

“Looking good Mr. Djarin.” You call out and he smiles at you, his face free from his helmet.

“You’re much better to look at Mrs. Djarin.” He sends a wink your way and just like that, you’re flushed. “Did Luke answer your comms?”

You nod. “Yea, him and Leia are coming over a week before our baby is due. It’ll be fun to know if they’re Force sensitive like you and I are.”

Din puts down the weeds and walks over to place a kiss on your forehead. “I think the Jedi has a crush on you.” And while he’s trying not to act worried you see right through him.

You roll your eyes at your husband. “Din Djarin. We have been married for five years, I have this shiny beskar ring to prove it, I’m holding our adopted green child and about to pop out our first born. I don’t really care if Luke likes me or is even in love with me. I cannot love anyone the way I love you, the way I will always love you.”

He leans down to kiss you and he does. Every time is always a beautiful experience he’ll never get sick of. Unfortunately, he’s unable to savor it for so long as Grogu whines in your hold, feeling left out. 

“I think he also wants a kiss.” You giggle. Din leans down more to place a small kiss on your son’s head. 

“There, now please let me kiss your mother silly, thanks.” He says, quickly kissing you again as he promised.  He pulls back only to place one last kiss on your forehead and wraps an arm around you. “This is the way.” He says staring out at your home squeezing you to him.

You put your arm around him and squeeze back equally as strong. “This is the way.”