#newpath3432

Din reluctantly tore his eyes from her moonlit face to look up at the stars.  “Uhhh… I’m not sure…”. He paused as if in thought before adding quickly, “Hold on.  I’ll be right back.”

 Omera missed his warmth at her side immediately as he left her to head back into the hut, but true to his word, he returned within moments, fitting one of his previously discarded vambraces back onto his forearm.  He gestured to her as he sat down, pointing to a button on his wrist.  “Hit this one.”

 “I’m not going to set the hut on fire or blow anything up, right?”  She smiled in jest, though absolutely half-serious in her inquiry.

 “No… that's the other side.”  He grinned at her wide-eyed expression before reassuring her gently.  “Don’t worry - it’s safe.”

 She looked away from him and took hold of his forearm before carefully pressing the designated button, flinching a bit in anticipation as she did so.

 But, as promised, no fire burst forth from his wrist, and no explosions ensued…  Instead, Omera was met with a shimmering, holographic display.  It was almost like a work of art - reproductions of the stars as seen from any planet in the galaxy.  Din fiddled with it a bit, putting in Sorgan’s coordinates, and finally, a rough facsimile of their own night sky, labeled in galactic basic, appeared before them.

 “Dank farrik, Din… Your vambraces can do all that?”  Omera examined the images with incredulity.  “I’d forgotten that this sort of technology exists.  We have no need for it out here.”

 Honestly, Din had never thought much about that - how incredible it was that he held maps of the entire galaxy quite literally in the palm of his hand.  He turned to watch her face again as she swiped through the images and compared them to the stars above, enchanted by their beauty.  “Yeah… I suppose it is pretty amazing.”

 They spent quite some time like that, Omera laid back on Din’s torso, lazily flipping through the maps on his vambrace as she stargazed, asking him what he knew of the planets she could identify.

 While of course Din told her briefly of each planet’s climate and life forms, she noted a recurring theme that she hadn’t quite expected.  What he spoke of at greatest length and with the most enthusiasm was actually the people…. It turned out her lover was a bit of an amateur linguist and a student of culture.

 And everywhere he’d traveled, he’d not only learned from these people - he’d befriended them… helped them… respected their ways and earned the same in turn… much as he’d done right here in Sorgan all that time ago.  

 Without speaking, Omera flipped off the maps and pulled his vambrace gently from his forearm, placing it on the porch behind them.  She turned in his arms as he looked at her questioningly before bringing her lips to his briefly and murmuring, “You’re a good man, Din.”

 He stiffened a moment before shaking his head.  “You shouldn’t… I’m not… I’m not a good man… I need you to understand that… before I disappoint you…”. While Din had made a point in recent years to atone for his past errors, the nature of the galaxy was that true goodness was a nearly impossible goal.  He felt more like the lesser of many evils - but an evil all the same.  

 Omera knew his worst transgressions… that was true.  But still, he considered himself just barely good enough to be worthy of her affection, and any day now, she might realize he wasn’t.  Din was not insecure about many things… but this - losing her - was one of his greatest fears.

 But then she looked down as if she was shamed and shook her head solemnly.  “No, Din… Don’t put that on yourself.”  She faltered and looked up to meet his gaze, placing a hand to his chest and taking a deep breath as if in preparation.  “There’s a lot I haven’t told you… about my life before Sorgan… I want you to know… when I’m ready…”

 He didn’t respond, except to lay his hand over hers where it lay against his heart, a gesture of comfort.  Omera continued, “If you knew I’d done really terrible things in my past… would it change how you feel about me now?”

 “No.”  His answer was definitive, leaving no room for any other interpretation.  “The person I know now strives to be good… I wouldn’t fault you for your past decisions.  You did what you had to do - the Empire put us all in that position.”

 She looked at him pointedly.  Oh, he’d just proved her point, hadn’t he?  

 And just like that, his insecurity melted away.  He still feared the reckoning that might come for him one day - his past atrocities returning to serve him the punishment he deserved.  But it wouldn’t be by her hand… Omera would not leave him… And likewise, he wouldn’t abandon her when the time came to speak on her own past crimes.

 “We’re both being better… making it right where we can… together…”  She looked at him with the silent question in her eyes - Din wasn’t the only one feeling insecure.

 He brought his forehead to hers, hand at his chest squeezing her fingers more tightly in reassurance.

Checking one last time to ensure the cockpit door was secure, you turned to find Din, barely able to contain your smile in anticipation.  “Ready?”

 He grinned weakly before pulling the helmet over his head.  There was always a bit of nervous energy about him when it came time to visit Grogu, but you could tell the anxiety was getting to him this time.  It’s not every day you ask the great Luke Skywalker for a favor.  “Yeah, I’m ready.  Let’s go.”

 You’d spent nearly half a standard year putting your plans together, subtly prompting Din now and then to tell you more about his favorite childhood tradition, teasing out information bit by bit.  It had taken some time to gather the necessary materials - which you hoped bore some resemblance to those Din recalled from the treasured memories he kept of his parents - and the final piece now was simply to get some time alone with his precious foundling.  It just wouldn’t feel the same without Grogu… your family complete for a time.

 But how to go about it?  Luke had never prevented Din from taking a few hours alone with the child, but now you were going to ask for a legitimate sleepover.  Who knew what the famous jedi, so averse to attachments, would think of that.

 It had been easy to convince Din, though, of course.  

 Your reasoning: The child should have some time to get to know his second parent… 

 Din’s face had beamed at the suggestion.  He took great pride in the happy and stable ‘home’ you’d built together, and he’d always wanted Grogu to feel a part of it.  And so, he’d agreed enthusiastically to request a full night at your next visit.

 But now, the reality was sinking in that Luke might actually say ‘no’… or even come to mistrust your intentions.  You’d have to tread carefully.

 You jabbed Din lightly in the side with your elbow as you walked toward the school, giving him a little pep talk with a bit of humor sprinkled in to lighten the tense mood.  “Hey, you and me - we’re bounty hunters.  Talking to Luke Skywalker doesn’t scare us.  He’s half our age and too skinny to put up a good fight, anyway.  Got it?”

 Din chuckled lightly in spite of himself.  “Nice try, cyar’ika.  I appreciate the effort, but we’re no match for his magical laser sword.”

 You put a hand on his shoulder as you approached the front steps, now turning serious.  “I think he’ll agree, Din, and it will be so nice to be together - all of us.”

 He turned the visor to look at you for a long moment before responding.  “Yeah… It will.”

 ——————————

 The whole thing was rather anticlimactic, resolved with a small nod of Luke’s head in the affirmative once you calmly stepped in to make the request - after quite a bit of nervous fumbling on Din’s part.

 To say Grogu was delighted would be an understatement.  You’d never seen the child so excited before - nor his father… which was a delight in itself. 

 You were incredibly fortunate that Luke asked in turn for a moment of Din’s time to discuss some concerns about an imperial holdout.  You didn’t like the implication… but at least it gave you an hour or so alone with Grogu to complete your preparations.

 And did you… Once you’d explained to the child what you hoped to do, he’d approached the task with incredible enthusiasm, giddy with excitement at the idea of surprising his father.  The two of you made an absolute mess of the ship, but in the end, the childlike touch was perfect.  You hoped Din thought so, too.

 Grogu turned to look up at you with a toothy smile as Din’s footsteps sounded on the ramp…

 ——————————

 Din approached the ship with a little spring in his step.  Not even Luke’s request for help eliminating a few imperials could weaken his good mood.  His kid and his partner would be with him tonight - a family together for once.  He could think of nothing better.

 He paused as he approached your makeshift camp, scrutinizing the scene before him.  Why had you built a fire already?  It wouldn’t be dark for several more hours.  There were a few packets that looked like food items sitting nearby - ones he didn’t recall purchasing - strange…

 And he was certainly not prepared for the sight that greeted him as he walked up the ramp.  At first glance, the interior of the ship appeared a mess.  His first thought was that it had been ransacked, but the sight of you and Grogu standing in the hull, smiling brilliantly at him, set his mind at ease.  What in the world were you both so happy about?

 He slipped off the helmet and took in the scenery.  There were strings of sparkling lights hung across the ceiling and the door to the cockpit, ribbons of red flimsy intertwined. A small tree, clearly cut from just outside, sat in the kitchen area decorated with some hand drawn pictures, likely by the child’s hand, with a roughly cut star on top.  Several candles sat alight on the table, and the smell of warm spices wafted from a kettle on the burner.  Why did this remind him of his childhood?  Of Aq Vetina?  Of his parents?

 Dank farrik… He couldn’t remember the name of the holiday, but he’d told you all about it - celebrated during the colder months with a focus on the natural life cycles, represented by a tree erected in the village center… a time of joy filled with music, lights, decorations… a time to be with family…  It was his favorite time of year - and the subject of his clearest and fondest memories of his parents.

 And somehow, you’d recreated it…

 It was in Din’s nature to keep his composure at all times, stoic to the point of his own detriment.  But right now, he was absolutely and completely losing it.   Tears stung his eyes, and he could barely speak, a sob sitting at the back of his throat.  He was frozen, feet fused to the floor, as he failed to gather his wits.

 “How… You…”

 You leaned down to gather the child in your arms and approached Din quickly, embracing him in comfort as he composed himself against your familiar form.  

 Grogu reached out to put a hand to his cheek, a gesture you’d seen the child offer his father several times before.  Din calmed so immediately that you wondered if maybe the child had been using force magic all along.

 “I can’t believe you did this…”  He pulled back and looked at you incredulously, still hardly believing his eyes.

 “Do you like it?  Did we get it right?”  

 He looked around again in wonder.  “It’s perfect, cyar’ika.”  He kissed you firmly and pressed his forehead to yours.  “Thank you...”

 You smiled.  “Don’t thank me, sweetheart.  Let’s just enjoy.”

 ——————————

 It was a truly wonderful evening.

 After walking Din around the ship, allowing Grogu to point out all of his own handcrafted creations, you’d surprised them both with small gifts from under the tree - a pair of gloves for the child who would need them outside tonight and a new pair of sturdy boots for Din who rarely bought anything for himself.  To make the tradition complete, you’d gifted yourself a thick sweater to keep extra warm around the fire as the planet’s night frost settled in.

 And then you’d spent the remainder of the evening gathered together under a blanket by the fire, drinking hot chocolate mixed with a few traditional Aq Vetinian spices you’d managed to locate after a lengthy search, sharing a warm meal which you’d intended to resemble what Din described from his memories of the tradition, and taking turns telling Grogu stories of your childhoods and your bounty hunting adventures.

 Throughout it all, Din’s face shone with a kind of joy you’d not thought him capable of experiencing… and that made all of the time and effort spent on this gesture more than worth it.  This man you loved so dearly, who cared for you so purely, was happy… and that was everything.

 ——————————

 Grogu was absolutely exhausted by the time the fire went down, eyes drifting closed every few moments.  You had encouraged Din to put the child to bed while you doused the last few embers and locked up the ship, giving father and son a few more minutes alone together before you joined them in the bunk.

 But the scene you stumbled upon when you finally finished cleaning up the mess in the hull and made your way to the small bunkroom nearly brought you to tears.

 Instead of putting the child in the hammock you’d fashioned above the mattress, Din had leaned back against the bunk wall, legs stretched out in front of him, and allowed Grogu to nod off nestled against his chest, one hand caressing the child’s back as he looked down at him fondly.

 You, of course, were likely the only person in the galaxy privileged to know an unarmored Din Djarin in any state of relaxation, but you had truly never seen him quite this content with it.  You realized with bittersweet tenderness that the pair had probably never had the time or the safety to do this during their travels.

 “May I join you?” you whispered so as not to wake the dozing child.

 Din looked up at you and smiled, before welcoming you wordlessly with that trademark tilt of his head and a free arm spread around your shoulders as you scooted across the mattress to press yourself against his side.  Neither of you spoke for a few minutes, just admiring the resting form of your little ward, while Din continued to run a hand down his back and you smoothed your fingers over one of his ears, watching him settle further into his father’s warmth.

 Once sure that Grogu was deeply asleep, Din laid him gently down on the mattress between you before breaking the silence.

 “Cyar’ika, what made you think to do all of this?”

 You tilted your head and looked up at him affectionately, reaching a hand to his face to run your fingers over his beard.  “You spoke of this tradition with a light in your eyes that I rarely see.  And it makes me happy to see you happy.”  You chuckled, adding, “You see… it was rather selfish on my part…”

 He grasped your hand where it lay against his face, intertwining his fingers with yours.  “You’re anything but selfish, riduur.  I don’t have the words to tell you how much this means to me.”

 “You just said them, Din.  I don’t need anything more.  I just wanted us to enjoy an evening together as a family.”

 He stared at you lovingly for a moment, bringing your still intertwined hands to his lips and kissing your knuckles lightly before releasing them.  “I’d really like to kiss you right now.”

 You shifted to bring your face closer to his, grinning and gesturing toward the sleeping child still resting between your bodies.  “Well, just don’t get carried away…”

 Din wasted no time bringing his lips to yours, thumb caressing your cheek as your hand trailed up and down his side.   

 It was a perfect night… this beautiful companionship, the lovely sensations of being close to each other, your child resting comfortably between you after a wonderfully exhausting day… 

 You wished you could capture this moment - a portrait of your happy, little family radiating love and contentment - even if only for one night…

“Is everything alright, cyare?  You seem… upset…”  Din didn’t consider himself all that skilled in understanding others’ emotions, but Omera was stiff in his embrace and clipped in her welcome - very unlike the warm greeting he usually received when he returned from his missions.

 She looked down and replied quickly, “I’m fine…”

 “No, you’re not - I know you better than that.  Is there something going on?  Did I do something?”  Din was puzzled.  He couldn’t be the problem, right?  He’d been away for the past several weeks…

 She frowned before responding, such a strange expression on her usually bright and cheerful face.  “You were gone for a long time… and you didn’t comm…”

 Hmmm… that wasn’t really so unusual, and she’d never been bothered by it before.  “I’m… sorry… I didn’t realize it bothered you - I just get distracted by the mission…”

 She looked up at him and smirked slightly.  “By the mission, huh?”  It sounded like an accusation.

 “Yeah, by the mission.  What else would I be distracted by?”  Din was honestly just downright confused now.

 She looked him square in the face, clearly challenging him now.  “Not by your lovers?”

 Din was physically taken aback by that statement.  “Lovers?  Omera, there are no… lovers… What are you talking about?”

 “You could have women on every planet… And I could be just one of them… You’re away long enough…”  Now he understood her strange tone… it sounded a lot like jealousy - of these nonexistent paramours.

 The assertion was utterly ridiculous.  How could she think that?  He gently grasped her shoulders and spoke with some concern.  “Hey… Where is this coming from?  You know that’s not something I would do…”

 She softened a bit, less accusing and sounding instead more insecure.  “Do I?”  She paused.  “I heard some of the ladies gossiping about us… saying that I was probably just one of many… because why would you be so interested in a widowed mother on a backwater planet?”  She paused again, losing her composure a bit.  “And they made legitimate points… You’re away often and for long periods of time… visiting exotic places… and you don’t communicate much - probably distracted by someone younger and more beautiful…”

 He stopped her there, shifting his head to meet her eyes.  “Omera, I promise you that there are no lovers… I only want you… I’ve only ever wanted you… You know this.”

 She still looked unconvinced, so he continued.

 “Well, in all honesty, there is one…”

 Omera looked down, her fear confirmed.

 “She’s beautiful… one of the kindest people I know… She lives on a little krill-farming planet in the outer rim…”  Omera finally lifted her eyes to meet his gaze, realizing her stupidity.  “I think you’d like her.”

 “Kriff,” she muttered.  “I’m being so ridiculous.  I’m sorry, Din.”  She hid her face in her hands, completely embarrassed, but he pulled them away and replaced them with his own, bringing her forehead to his and chuckling with amusement, forgiveness granted.

 “It’s alright, cyare.  I’d be lying if I said I never worried about the same.”

 She met his eyes again and finally smiled.  “There really aren’t any other prospects here, Din.”

 “Are you saying that you only wanted me because no other men were available?”

 Omera laughed and pulled him in, voice nearly a whisper.  “I wanted you…” she leaned closer.  “Because the beskar is so kriffing attractive…”  He laughed against her lips as she kissed him in apology.

 “Well, now I feel objectified.”  He spoke in monotone - that dry humor only those who really knew him recognized as comedy.

 Omera leaned in close again, grinning.  “I like what’s underneath even better.”  She paused, processing what she’d just said as Din raised his eyebrows in surprise.  “I didn’t mean for that to sound so suggestive… though I suppose the sentiment stands either way…”

 He smiled at her then, genuine and brimming with affection, and the truth hit her like a ton of bricks.  She knew his smile.  He’d removed the beskar and the helmet for her, made himself vulnerable for her.  He chose her.  Not another living soul in this galaxy had been granted this kind of trust.  Who would she envy?  She was the fortunate one.

 “Omera, you are the only one there’s ever been.  There’s nobody else - and there never will be.  Okay?”

But the danger had passed, and Bo-Katan had finally dismissed him to return home.  Din’s nerves were thoroughly frayed, and he was utterly exhausted, but laying eyes on his family would make everything alright.  Knowing he’d be with them soon provided the final burst of energy he needed to carry himself to the village.  

 Finally, the cabin came into view, and he managed a smile.  Stars, he couldn’t wait to get out of the armor.

 His gloved hand went to the lip of his helmet, and he began to lift it off before he’d even unlatched the door, unconcerned in that particular moment about the neighbors catching a glimpse… only to quickly drop it back over his chin as he took in the sight that lay just inside the small abode.

 A stranger - a human male - was standing next to Omera… very closely… with a hand wrapped fully around her waist.  Din barely registered what he was seeing before his fingers moved toward his blaster.

 Jai materialized at his side immediately, pushing his hand quickly away from the weapon.

 “Din… What are you doing?”  Jai questioned under their breath, trying not to call attention, concern and confusion clear on their face.

 Their face… Why wasn’t Jai wearing their helmet?  In front of a stranger?  What was happening?

 Grogu and Winta noticed Din then and broke out into genuine smiles, exclaiming happiness and surprise at their caretaker’s sudden return.  They didn’t seem to think anything otherwise unusual was going on here.  Apparently this as yet unidentified man wasn’t a physical threat.  That almost felt worse somehow.

 Meanwhile, Omera extricated herself from the stranger’s arms and moved toward Din, reaching out to embrace him.  She appeared completely unperturbed that she’d been caught with… Who was this person?  Her lover?  He could think of no other explanation in his irritable state.  The idea made Din want to vomit - his worst fear realized.

 Was this some kind of weird nightmare?

 Omera brought her forehead to his visor briefly in greeting and then moved to turn away, gesturing toward the other man with intention as if she was about to introduce him.  But Din, now feeling uncharacteristically possessive, pulled her back to his body as his visor turned pointedly toward the stranger.  Omera belonged to him… or maybe more correctly - he belonged to her.  But anyway, the ultimate message was the same - the stranger, whoever he was, had better back off.

 Omera had never known Din to posture, but that was clearly what was happening right now… for some reason… and she didn’t like it one bit.

 She slapped his chest plate lightly and looked at him with the sternest expression she could muster against his commanding form.  “What in the galaxy do you think you’re doing?”

 Jai, still on guard, added quietly, “Seriously, Din - what’s going on with you right now?”

 Din looked between the two of them and gestured toward the man.  “It seems I should ask you the same thing…”

 “What?”  Omera’s face scrunched up in confusion.  “Din, this is…”

 But in his weariness, exhausted and upset and confused, he cut her off.  “How long have you all been hiding this from me?”

 “Hiding?” she questioned.  “Din, it was more like a surprise…”

 “What?!”  Din was lost… She was surprising him with her… infidelity?

 The stranger, to his credit, came to realize the misunderstanding just then and approached Din with an outstretched hand - cautiously, of course.  This heavily armed Mandalorian was a lot scarier than Omera had previously led him to believe.

 “Mando… I’m Eto, Omera’s brother.  It’s good to finally meet you.”

 Din froze for a moment before dropping his shoulders in defeat and humiliation with an exaggerated sigh.  Maker, he felt like an idiot.  The resemblance was in fact quite striking - the brother who’d raised her - and who’d been planning to vacation in Sorgan with his family someday soon…

 Din released Omera gently and pulled off his helmet before taking the man’s offered hand.  “Din Djarin…”  He glanced apologetically at Omera before turning back to Eto.  “Sorry… for… you know…”  He really didn’t know what else to say after embarrassing himself so thoroughly.

 “Not to worry, brother.  Just please give my wife a warmer welcome, will you?  Don’t need her having any heart attacks today.”  Eto winked and slapped Din on the back good-naturedly, poor behavior forgiven.  “So Din, Winta tells me you’re a skilled pilot.  What are you flying these days?”

 ——————————

 As it turned out, Eto and his family were some of the most pleasant people Din had ever met - a hereditary trait it seemed.  And despite his bone-deep tiredness, Din enjoyed chatting with them, gratefully sans armor, over a couple bottles of spotchka well into the late night hours, Omera at his side happily watching the two most important men in her life bond over a shared love of space travel.

 Din stopped Jai as the group retired for the night.  The teen was oddly skilled in quiet de-escalation, but Din owed them an apology nonetheless.  “Hey, you did good earlier… I’m sorry that I put you in that position.”

 Jai shrugged.  “It’s alright, Din.  I can tell you’re exhausted.” 

 Din shook his head.  “It’s been a long few weeks without you, Jai… I’ve gotten used to your company.  Or maybe I’m just getting too old to do this alone.”

 Jai smirked.  “You said it, vod - not me…”. They embraced him briefly before turning to head out to the barn.  “I’m glad you’re home safe, Din.”  

 “Me, too, verd’ika.  You have no idea.”  Din chuckled lightly and approached the bedroom.  He hoped Omera was as forgiving as the others had been.

 He stood before her nervously, expecting a verbal reprimand.  

 But instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly.  “You ridiculous man... I’ve missed you.”

 He pulled her into him, basking in the comfort of having her close again as his head fell to her shoulder.  “Will you forgive me for almost murdering your brother?”

 She smiled.  “Well, he certainly has.  I suppose I can do the same.  It makes me very happy to see you two together…”

 Din paused before speaking with reverence - allowing him to meet her kin felt… significant.  “I’m honored to know your family…”  

 She leaned back to look into his eyes, recognizing the gravity of the sentiment, as well as the awareness which was lacking - a byproduct of being raised without a sense of personal identity, she guessed.

 “You’re my family, too, Din,” she said as she pointed a finger to his chest.  “And no one could ever replace you.  Don’t let me catch you doubting it again.”  Ah, there it was - the loving reprimand.  Omera was very good at those.

 Stars, it was so easy to forget after such a solitary existence that he wasn’t just some guest in her life.  Omera and Winta and Grogu and Jai… they were his family… forever.