I’ve been tagged in a number of WIP Wednesday posts over the last few weeks by several people (some more than once 🙈 sorry). Off the top of my head @djarins-cyare @djarinmuse @handspunyarns I think… could be remembering wrong, and if so, my apologies. Regardless, thank you for tagging me!
So finally, since I’ve been… not writing… here is a the single line I was motivated to write this morning before my kid spontaneously returned from a sleepover and cut my writing time short. Such is mom life.
From the next chapter of A Marriage of Convenience:
It might have looked like the preamble to a love scene in one of those spicy romantic holovids when Din moved to hover over your body and unbutton the silk pajama top you were wearing, but you knew better.
Open tags! Anyone who’s interested, please share a line!
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Unfortunately, the man in the flimsy white armor seemed intent to stay right where he was for the long haul.
You didn’t mind, really. Din was by your side, and for once in these past few dangerously eventful years, you’d been truly in sync - slowing down a bit, spending more time at home in Nevarro or visiting Grogu, and being exceedingly picky about jobs. Money wasn’t tight these days, and as you aged, safer work was looking more and more attractive to you both.
Secretly, though, you wished Din could see the advantages of stepping away from this kind of work altogether. But the warrior at the core of his being was not ready to admit that it was time.
Snippet from the next chapter of A Marriage of Convenience. It’s weird, but it’s meant to be humorous and will relate to some issues that come up with intimacy. Warnings for references to penile physiology. Remember these two have an intimate but non-sexual relationship.
Enjoy embarrassed Din! 😉
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“Did you really think I couldn’t feel it, riduur?” You added, cocking your head comedically, “It’s not exactly a small thing.”
He huffed, this time a bit humorously. “Oh, gods…”
“I mean… it’s not like you’re humping me every morning…”
That got a real laugh, against his will almost, and you inwardly expressed your gratitude to the Maker.
“Please…” he chuckled. “Don’t ever say those words again.”
“Okay,” you replied with a grin. “But promise me you won’t start shying away from me in the mornings. Waking up in your arms is the best part of my day, and I’d much rather be poked in the back by your erection than give that up.”
“Yeah, never say that again, either,” he responded pointedly before softening his stance. “But… I won’t. It’s the best part of my day, too.”
“Are we good?” you asked gently, smiling up at him.
“This conversation will haunt me for the rest of my life, but yeah,” he agreed, placing his hand over yours on his chest plate. “We’re good.”
More queer excerpts from my fics, this time from A Unique Bond, in honor of pride month.
Din and Rya in this story were best friends growing up in the covert. Both are aroace and uninterested in relationships, but the armorer has commanded their bond. The relationship remains a truly platonic partnership with familial vibes.
Here are a couple excerpts regarding their very aromantic feelings for each other and Din's experience of lovelessness.
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“I’m not sure that he’s capable of feeling love - at least not in the same way most people do. He’s just… different…” She sighed. “It’s okay, though. I love him enough for the both of us…” Maker, did she really just say that? It was time for her to put down the spotchka, too.
Cara predictably latched on. “So this is an unrequited love story…”
“No, not that kind of love… It’s like… a combination of the love you feel for your best friend… and the love you feel for your family… I can’t think of a better way to describe it right now. And I know that he cares for me, too - in the best way he knows how.”
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"We took vows, and I meant them… This might not be a conventional, intimate marriage, but I am committed to you. And if I could have that peaceful life, I’d only want it with you… ”
Rya smiled broadly - he’d never revealed so much of his feelings before. It was nice to hear that the commitment to this partnership was mutual. “I’m sorry, Din. I didn’t mean to make light of our bond. I just want you to be happy.”
He slid off his helmet before responding. “Rya, besides my parents, you’re the only person who’s ever made me happy.”
Gosh, now she was grinning like a schoolgirl. If it was anyone else, she’d think he was flirting, but this was not romance. This was kindred friendship - something so much better.
“You make me happy, too, Din. And I’m very thankful for our bond - even if it isn’t as intended.”
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“I’m sorry, Din. I never meant to suggest that you don’t have feelings…” she apologized, “just maybe different ones...”
He reached up to run a hand through his hair. “It’s always been clear to me that I don’t feel emotions the way other people do. The word ‘love’ feels like… too much? At least the way my brothers were using it back then to describe the girls they wanted to… you know…” He shook his head, uncertain. “But there is a kind of emotion that I know I felt for my parents that I think must be similar to what most people describe as ‘love’... and I feel that same way for you, too.”
Rya couldn’t help a small, fond grin. These were probably the sweetest words she could hope for coming from him.
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Yet another queer excerpt from A Marriage of Convenience in honor of pride month!
Din and Cyar'ika are discussing their relationship the day after finally consummating their marriage (which in this universe is simply allowing her to remove his armor), and they're discussing more intentionally what they both want out of this.
Here is their discussion of romance and its place in their partnership.
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“There’s something else I was thinking about this morning. I wonder what you think…” He stilled, letting you know he was listening. “Do you view our relationship as romantic?” Oh, maker, this felt like a trap. But of course it wasn’t - he knew you better than that. You added, as if reading his mind, “There’s no right or wrong answer, by the way. I’m not entirely certain myself.” Okay, definitely no trap here. Was it romantic? Did he even know what that felt like?
Once again choosing complete honesty, he delved into his muddled thoughts on the matter. “Well, I’m not sure that I even know what romance or being ‘in love’ is supposed to feel like… but friendship doesn’t adequately convey what I feel for you, either… I’m not ‘committed’ in this way to Boba or Cara, for example… I’m not interested in kissing or touching or sharing space with them… I’ve only ever wanted those things with you. But honestly, I’ve never thought of us as being romantic, either, even though I love you and enjoy being physically close with you. Calling it ‘romance’ just feels very strange to me. I wish there was some other word we could use to describe this.”
You chuckled. “Din, I was thinking the exact same thing - something that’s not quite platonic and not quite romantic. I think that’s as accurate a description as we’re going to find. Anyway, thanks for indulging me.”
“Well, since we’re married, people will assume what they will - but it doesn’t matter. We know what we are to each other…”
“Oh, and what’s that?” you asked affectionately, placing a kiss to the corner of his mouth.
He chuckled. “I think we just established that we have no idea…” He kissed you between words, happy to get back to comfortable affection after an emotional morning. “But if I had to put words to it… I’d say we are… close friends… partners… family… some sort of otherwise unclassified lovers…”
You broke the kiss then, snorting with laughter. Maker, you loved this man, especially this side of him, reserved only for you.
“Din, do you remember when we first discussed marriage? You were concerned that I might miss out on the love of my life, and I insisted that such a person didn’t exist.” He nodded and chuckled lightly. “But you were right in front of me the whole time…” You ran your fingers over his beard affectionately. “It never occurred to me that the love of your life doesn’t necessarily have to be a romantic one. It could be ‘otherwise unclassified’.” You smiled broadly. “But no less real.”
Gods, you touched him - nobody ever did that. He struggled to appropriately respond, stumbling over his words. “No, no… there’s no need…” he replied. Was his voice really high right now? “I’ve had plenty of near misses with this one…” he gestured toward Grogu. “So it was my pleasure…”
Pleasure!!?? What a dumb and awkward thing to say…
Series Masterlist Main Masterlist
Summary: Din didn’t see you coming, or… one fateful trip to the market and a platonic night together changes everything.
Notes: This fic was unexpectedly inspired by the opening scenes of “Anyone but You” - I loved the sweet, companionable dynamic featured in that first night together and imagined Din meeting someone who brought out the lighter side of his personality. I do not take it on the circuitous route taken in the movie, though. Din and reader will get their shit together a whole lot quicker here.
Warnings: Language.
Word count: 1.3k
Read on AO3
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You had to go… like really bad.
Your first day of work in the field office on Nevarro had gone quite well, but there had been one teensy little problem. You had no clue where to find the freaking fresher and nobody around after lunchtime to ask. So you held it. All day.
There wasn’t even enough time to run home to your small cabin on the outskirts of town when you finally left in the early evening. Your bladder was about to burst at the seams.
You looked around as you exited the building for any establishment likely to have customer facilities before running across the street to a small indoor market as quickly as your feet could carry you, praying to the Maker that you could manage to hold it for just a few more minutes.
Upon entering, you grabbed the first item within your line of sight, a small loaf of bread, and booked it to the checkout line…
…which traversed the entire length of the store.
Kriff.
Time to resort to begging.
“Excuse me, sir?” you attempted, approaching the cashier who was busy with a customer. “May I use your fresher? I promise I’ll buy this. I just really have to go… like immediately.”
He didn’t even look in your direction. “You pay first, then you get to use the fresher.”
“Please,” you begged, crossing your legs in a vain attempt to keep the urine at bay.
He simply pointed behind him to a sign which read ‘Fresher for Paying Customers Only’.
“Damn it!” you exclaimed in frustration, then muttering to yourself under your breath. “I’m going to wet my pants. And then I’ll have to walk all the way home like that. Fuck!”
“She’s with me,” you heard a distinctly staticy male voice say somewhere behind you. “I’ll buy the bread, too. Let her go to the fresher.”
You turned to see what stranger had intervened on your behalf.
A Mandalorian - decked out in full armor and faceless, metal visage with a small, green child in his arms. You’d never expected such a contradictory sight, but who were you to question it? This man just saved your dignity.
The young cashier, suddenly alert and attentive, subtly bowed in the man’s direction. “Of course, Mr. Djarin. I didn’t know she was with you.” The teenager finally looked at you and thrust a key in your face. “Go ahead, ma’am.”
You took it without ceremony despite your annoyance with the boy, and even as you rushed to the back of the store, you took a moment to mouth a sincere ‘thank you’ to the mysterious man who subtly nodded back in recognition of your gratitude.
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Damned Grogu’s cute face. Nobody could resist it - not even the teenage attendant behind the register who offered the child free samples of those kriffing blue cookies.
Din didn’t dare refuse. If he did, the treat would find its way into Grogu’s mouth instead by way of the force which he still preferred his son not use around aruetti.
As they sat at a small table in the dining area of the store, Din’s thoughts turned back to you - the desperate woman he’d never seen before begging to use the fresher. Did you not know about the public facilities right in the center of town? What were you even doing here in Nevarro? It wasn’t exactly a bustling tourist destination.
Perhaps he needed to do some sleuthing, make sure you weren’t a threat.
It couldn’t possibly be that he just wanted to know more about you… your age… marital status… No, of course not. He was just Nevarro’s sworn protector… It was his job… obviously…
The fact that you were both beautiful and appeared appropriately middle aged like himself had absolutely nothing to do with it.
“Mister… Djarin…?”
Din was startled out of his musings by your voice and looked up to see your lovely face beaming at him.
“Thank you again for your help,” you started, taking one of his gloved hands in yours for a moment before letting go. “Stars, I’m so embarrassed… But please, let me pay for your groceries. You can even keep the bread - I didn’t even need it.”
Gods, you touched him - nobody ever did that. He struggled to appropriately respond, stumbling over his words. “No, no… there’s no need…” he replied. Was his voice really high right now? “I’ve had plenty of near misses with this one…” he gestured toward Grogu. “So it was my pleasure…”
Pleasure!!?? What a dumb and awkward thing to say…
To his great embarrassment (and relief), you laughed. “I suppose it’s not every day you get to save a grown woman from wetting her pants.” Ah, so you were funny, too… not that he was keeping track of your attractive qualities…
Grogu, bless him, intervened then to save his father’s dignity, reaching out to you with a cookie in hand.
“Why, thank you, little one. I would love a cookie.” You took it from him and placed it in your pocket. “I’m not hungry right now, but this will be a very fine dessert after my dinner tonight.”
Good with kids - check… and smart enough not to actually eat something that had been in Grogu’s grubby hands.
The child made a series of hand gestures in response, and Din was forced to translate. “He says ‘you’re welcome’ and…” A sigh emanated from the vocoder. “... he wants to know where you came from… Grogu, she doesn’t even know us. We shouldn’t ask personal questions.” Says the man who wanted to investigate your background.
Din looked back up at you apologetically before adding, “I’m sorry - he’s very curious. You don’t have to answer that.” But he hoped you would.
You smiled - and stars, he might die if this conversation didn’t end soon. He was getting redder and redder under the visor.
“Well, Grogu, it’s very nice to meet you. I am new here, just started a job directing the agricultural field office - see if we can get more vegetation growing so that Nevarro never goes hungry for healthy produce.” So you were smart, too… check… “Today was my first day, and silly person that I am, I let everyone go early to enjoy the pleasant weather before they could show me where the fresher was located…” And kind… another check… not that he was counting or anything.
Grogu gave her a toothy grin in response - he found this woman quite nice and funny.
“They’re uhmmm…” Din started. Why was he struggling so much to speak? “They’re in the building next to the magistrate’s office - public facilities…”
“Oh!” you exclaimed, knocking yourself lightly on the forehead. “That makes a lot of sense. Thank you.”
He cleared his throat awkwardly. “You’re welcome…”
You stared back at him serenely for just a moment, sparking his heart rate, before holding out your hand. “I’m Flora… nickname…”
Din’s hand moved to take yours of its own accord, and he responded dumbly, “Din… real name…” Maker…
Grogu looked up at him through scrunched eyes for a moment before bursting into a delightful fit of childish giggles, and you couldn’t help following suit. Din finally gave in, allowing himself to take this all as lightly as you were, despite his humiliation with the entire interaction, chuckling softly under the helmet.
Din didn’t have many light moments like this. Could he have more?
“Din… and Grogu…” you said as you regained your composure. “It was very nice to meet you. Thank you again for helping me out. I hope we run into each other… often.” Well, that sounded promising… and terrifying…
He didn’t trust himself to say anything more, so he simply nodded as you turned away and walked out the door.
The moment you were out of sight, Grogu began furiously signing in his direction.
Din sighed - Grogu was too insightful for his own good. “Yes, kid, I like her… No, we can’t follow her - that’s creepy… Yes, I know I do that all the time, but those are bounties - not innocent women… Stars… ok, fine…”
Summary: Din didn’t see you coming, or… one fateful trip to the market and a platonic night together changes everything.
Notes: This fic was unexpectedly inspired by the opening scenes of “Anyone but You” - I loved the sweet, companionable dynamic featured in that first night together and imagined Din meeting someone who brought out the lighter side of his personality. I do not take it on the circuitous route taken in the movie, though. Din and reader will get their shit together a whole lot quicker here.
Reader is middle-aged and ‘beautiful’ in Din’s opinion, otherwise should be nondescript.
Warnings: Language, brief angst, misunderstandings, sexual content (non-explicit), references to past death and grief, allusions to past sexual trauma. Minors DNI.