#reconciling

They returned to the castle the night before feeling shaken but grateful for each other's courage.

At the fireside, Boba had admitted his wrong and been brave enough to beg for forgiveness. To beg for Din's happiness. All the doubts and fears that had almost prevented Din from joining Boba on the cliffs were dispelled with each word.

Boba loved him. Boba wanted to protect him. But it was going to be different from then on.

Din was not quite so good with words, but his response was clear enough when he rose from his perch, walked round to Boba and sank down to the spot beside him, removing his helmet.

He looks into the fire rather than Boba's naked eye. "I never meant it to go so far," he mumbles. He's thought about it every night since he fled, asking himself why didn't he insist, why didn't he teach Boba and Fennec how to treat him?

He can feel Boba's gaze on him. The hand that trails through his short hair elicits a shiver.

Boba is quiet and patient, touching him so tenderly, fingers brushing his cheek. Din catches his hand.

"There are going to be changes around here."

Boba nods. "I agree."

Din entangles Boba's fingers with his and brings it to his belly. "Peli said... " He scoffs uncomfortably. "Talking. We should talk more."

Boba's free hand turns Din's chin and then Din is gazing into dark, sorrowful eyes. It almost makes Din quail in turn, hurting for what he sees in Boba's expression.

"I want to know," Boba searches his face. "If you're hurting. If you're angry."

An involuntary smile tugs at Din's mouth. His head ducks. "If I'm... scared," he says it like a joke but they both know the truth of it.

Boba's eyes are shining with tears when Din meets his eye again, the daimyo's mouth pressed in a shallow scowl. His voice is hoarse. His thumb strokes Din's jaw. "I wanted to carve out the heart of me... knowing I made you fear me. I'll carry that shame forever."

His hand drops. Din clutches tighter to the hand still captive against his lower abdomen.

"I'm not... the greatest conversion partner," Din stammers, grateful the evening will hide most of his embarrassed blush. "But I'll try. If you will."

Boba stares at him. His eyes widen. "Din...."

"All of us," Din amends.

Boba's hushed. He shakes his head in incredulity. "I love you."

And Din's been waiting, dreading... hoping, and now that the moment is finally in front of him, he doesn't know how they ever let things get so bad that he could ever fear Boba when he could look at Din with so much trepidation and hope, too, like Din holds the secret to making or breaking him.

Perhaps he does.

Din invites Boba back to his nest that night because once he has Boba back in his arms, he can't bear to let him go.

Paz excuses himself quickly and modestly, understanding the two need privacy. Din doesn't wait to see where he goes. He trusts Paz will be fine.

He does not see Fennec on their return.

Boba holds him through the night. They talk, kiss, nuzzle and sleep, but they do not make love. Not until the morning when Boba's vambrace is beeping them awake and Din sulks without meaning to betray his disappointment.

In the aftermath, everything is different. Their scent -- the scent of Din's other alpha is finally soaked into his nest with its layers of stolen and offered belongings. He'd been so ashamed at the evidence of his need to be close to them. Now he's so grateful there is so much to cushion their bodies and soak up their scents, marking this territory and each other.

Love, not possession.

"Come with me today?" Boba asks him, tugging his boots back on by the edge of the nest.

"No more hiding," Din sighs to himself.

Boba pauses, frowning gently with a thoughtful glance. Din feels he's revealed too much again. But that's the point.

"I'll be right behind you," he says, and Boba accepts it, drawing Din's hands between his two and kissing its back with such tender longing, Din's eyes almost water all over again.

"Don't take too long," Boba says as he leaves.

In the aftermath, he stretches out, languishing in the padding of its many layers, chest brimming with gratitude. It's not perfect, but he's going to make some changes around here.