#Maia the not-Jedi

[the-mandawhor1an]

Where did Maia get her first lightsaber from? Will we find out?

Woop woop, the first Maia Monday and we run right into (possibly) the biggest plot hole in existence.

To give the short answer: We don't know, and we'll probably never know (because keeping lore in mind, the original plan of how she stumbled upon them doesn't make sense)

Okay, let's talk about lightsabers for a minute.

I have to make a clear distinction here between the "original" Maia, whom I will refer to as "Maia Prime" from now on, and the Roleplay Maia, aka the one whose story I'm writing here on Tumblr.

Why do I have to make that distinction? Two reasons:

Maia Prime's sabers have an origin story, whereas Tumblr Maia's don't (yet?)

Maia Prime's sabers are different, both in materials and blade color

I'll start with Tumblr Maia:

Her saber is a split saber, which means it is two sabers (of equal length) that can be combined into a saberstaff (a double-bladed saber)

Think Cal Kestis:

Maia has so far only used one of the sabers while fighting (*cough* up until Chapter 10). The blades are lavender-colored, so ironically a little similar to the ones in the GIF, just a little more blue-tinted. This, in return, makes the blades look white-ish in yellow envorinments (like on Tatooine)

The metal is dark, kind of anthracite. Perhaps the dark-grey tint of Din's armor.

How she got it, we don't know so far. In fact, Din in the RP never asked so I didn't have to think about it. (Zaddy istg if Din asks her now I will bite your ass)

Now we talk about Maia Prime

The biggest difference is the blade color, it is also a split saber. Maia Prime's blades are ultramarine, a dark, rich in-between color or blue and purple, or lorvingly called

Why did I change the color to lavender? Well. I knew some day I would cosplay her and this intense dark blue will look TERRIBLE in pictures

See what the saber does to Ani's face? Yeah, a darker blurple blade would make the situation even worse (tbh I love that they used LED-lit sabers in the Obi-Wan Series but the blue sheen on the faces was a little distracting)

Also, the metal.

Maia Prime has saber hilts made of Beskar.

Does it make sense? Fuck no. Was it cool and a little self-indulging? Fuck yeah.

Maia Prime got these sabers as a parting gift from Raymond. He left them with the contact that would bring her away from the facility. It's her most prized posession and also holds sentimental value.

Why does it not make sense?

Where did Raymond get Beskar from? Where did he get kyber crystals from?

Looking a little further into the lore behind how a Jedi chooses their saber crystal, that's where things get a little tricky. The Jedi doesn't really choose their crystal. The crystal chooses the person (which is why the Darksaber is a little Diva, btw)

That's why it doesn't make sense why Raymond could just give his daughter sabers willy-nilly. Even if we forget that the resources are hard to get by, the chance of stumbling onto the right crystals is sheer impossible.

Now, as the Darksaber also 'allows' more than one wielder, the crystals could get used to Maia.

Mostly the availability of those resources is what made me scrap the idea of Raymond gifting the sabers to her. Combine that with Din and any member of the covenant freaking out about Beskar forged into a weapon. I also thought about making Raymond an undercover ex-Jedi, but then again... why would I?

Well, that concludes the first episode of Maia Monday, aka "Wolke yaps about Maia for too long"

Thank you very much for the question! 💜

[captainkirkk]

✩ WEEKLY FIC ROUND-UP ✩

All the fics I’ve read and really enjoyed in the past week-ish. Reminder: This list features any and all ratings and themes. Please look at tags and warnings on ao3 before reading.

Marvel

Held Together by Spiderwebs by TunaFishChris (+ podfic)

Steve is not coping well in the twenty-first century. At all. Three months after the Chitauri invasion, he decides he's had enough.

But just as he's about to end it all, he runs into the new hero in town.

Ted Lasso

Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered by mardia

Ted Lasso: Schrodinger's Witch.

Or, the one where AFC Richmond are leading the Premier League table, and Trent Crimm and the rest of the British press are slowly losing their minds as a result.

what comes in threes by emelinelou

“It’ll take two seconds,” Higgins says. “I like to keep up to date with all the players, you know. I just thought, well, you moved recently. And your emergency contact.”

He pauses here, and Jamie raises an eyebrow. His emergency contact? He’d probably filled out some joke response last time, hadn’t he. Fucking Queen of England, Boris Johnson’s wife, something good.

“Oi, let’s see it then,” and Higgins passes over the paper like it’s a live bomb, and Jamie scans down to where he sees his own handwriting sitting over a few dotted lines, and, well. It sure ain’t the Queen.

or: Jamie goes through a series of unfortunate events, changes his emergency contact a few times, and considers the possibility that maybe, actually, letting other people help isn’t all bad after all.

Clone Wars

Take a Knee by lilbuddyBD (Note: Read the warnings on all the fics in this series before starting it, because holy shit)

Part 1 of Broken Pieces (Shine)

There is a Jedi on Kamino. Jango can't just let him leave, now can he?

The Goblin Emperor

Drinks With Friends by searchingforserendipity

The emperor of the Ethuveraz and his nohecharei walk into a bar -

Well. Beshelar limped, mostly. Cala supported him, an operation made somewhat more difficult with how they insisted in keeping Maia safely between them.

[auntie-venom]

Fan Fiction Recommendations

I figured I’d take the time to put down some of my favorite fan fictions for anyone who wants them. I am only putting up completed series, with a few exceptions. And I’ll add more as I think about it. Make sure to give the authors lots of love! They deserve it!

Also, let me know if any links do not work.

Star Wars

✶ Alpha-17 ✶

➤ Alpha-17/Female Reader

Yours

By @wanderinginksplot

Rating: Teen and Mature Reader was assigned to Kamino to do some administrative work for the senate, and when her presence draws some of the clones to try their inexperienced flirting with her Alpha volunteers to scare them away. This story single-handedly turned my attention towards Alpha works. It is a slow burn filled with great banter and I really enjoy Alpha’s characterization here.

➤ Alpha-17/Female Reader

Alpha & “Doc”

By @wings-and-beskar

Rating: Explicit Reader attempts to have a peaceful shower but has to deal with Alpha-17’s presence and persistence to be around her. Absolutely sexy series that I hope gets more fics added to it! Just Alpha’s begging alone in the second story had me faint.

✶ Rex ✶

➤ Rex/Female Reader

Hierarchy of Needs

By @zinzinina

Rating: Explicit Reader is a Jedi on a mission with Rex when a toxin affects them both causing them both to seek relief. Fuck-or-die? YES, PLEASE! I love this trope, ESPECIALLY when it is written as well as this. It is sexy, passionate, filled with yearning, and we end on a sweet note, which I love. 

➤ Rex/Original Female Character

Stories

By @aggy72

Rating: Explicit Cori is a documentarian and follows the adventures of the 501st where the Captain unexpectedly falls for her. Filled with great relationships, banter, and found family, this is a truly beautiful saga of love and perseverance

✶ Wolffe ✶

➤ Wolffe/Female Reader

A New Tomorrow

By @enigmaticexplorer

Rating: Mature and Explicit Reader does a favor for Plo Koon where she ends up as Commander Wolffe’s assistant and they do not like each other. This is a slow-burn, tension-filled, antagonists-to-lovers series that had me in a chokehold for a week while I read it. I laughed, I cried, I stared out a window and thought for hours about it. Alli writes Wolffe so well and I can’t recommend her enough.

➤ Wolffe/Female Reader (Original Female Character)

No Strings Attached

By @cyarbika

Rating: Explicit Reader/Cherise is the owner of 79’s and Wolffe is a cocky asshole that just pisses her off. This series has made me cry and text my IRL friends to rant and rave. Phenomenal Wolffe characterization and beautiful writing. Has antagonists-to-lovers where he falls first she falls harder. Please read it so we can talk about it.

➤ Wolffe/Original Female Character

I Need You

By @ulchabhangorm

Rating: Explicit Sadhbh struggles to keep her growing feelings with Wolffe hidden after they originally agreed to be just friends with benefits. This fic is filled with yearning and passion and completely hooked me! The whole series of one shots have me eagerly waiting for the full Sadhbh/Wolffe story that Maia is writing and I cannot get enough!

✶ Wolffe and Fox ✶ (No Clonecest)

➤ Fox/Female Reader, Wolffe/Female Reader (No Clonecest)

I trust him, and he trusts me

By @enigmaticexplorer

Rating: Explicit Reader is in a relationship with Fox when Wolffe interrupts an intimate moment and it sets in motion a new dynamic. This sexy oneshot explores the way trust translates into intimacy and I related to it on a molecular level. Hot and sweet, just how I like it.

✶ Fox ✶

➤ Fox/Female Reader

Shadow Play

By @wizardofrozz

Rating: Explicit Reader is a senator and is in a secret relationship with Fox, and they have a pretty public fuck. This is just such a hot oneshot.

➤ Fox/Original Female Character

After a Fashion

By @aggy72

Rating: Explicit Sylvi is the designer who makes all of Senator Amidala’s wonderful gowns, and she keeps running into the very stern Commander Fox. This story, as with most of Aggy’s fics, has a chokehold on me. The fic is beautiful story of love filled with banter and phenomenal characterizations.

✶ Gregor ✶

➤ Gregor/Original Female Character

The Deal

By @aggy72

Rating: Explicit Ashla is the chosen medical carer for Skirata’s commandos and is lovingly set up with Gregor by her new chosen family. this story is filled with love, angst, and family that warm my soul! Aggy really has a way to my heart with her stories.

✶ Kix ✶

➤ Kix/Original Female Character

Martyrs and Kings 

By @dystopicjumpsuit

Rating: Explicit Dr. Maree Finnall helps Kix find answers to what happened to his long-lost brothers after he wakes fifty years into the future. While it is a love story, Kix is rightfully filled with angst. Seeing him work through his grief of losing his brothers while being the last clone standing is heart wrenching. 

✶ Fives ✶

➤ Fives/Female Reader

Heartbeat

by @ariadnes-red-thread

Rating: Explicit Reader and Fives are trapped with death coming for them and they take to opportunity to die without regrets. The passion and tension of this oneshot is delicious!

✶ Tech ✶

➤ Tech/Female Reader

Scientific Purposes

By @doublesunsets

Rating: Explicit Reader discovers Tech accidentally recorded a private moment of hers and when confronted she challenges his claim that it was for scientific purposes. Author plays into Tech’s curious nature and uses reader’s body for discoveries. It is hot and has great back and forth between Tech and Reader.

➤ Tech/Female Reader

the beast against the wall

By buryustogether

Rating: Explicit Tech is exposed to a toxin when he protects Reader that makes him lose his inhibitions. Phenomenal sex pollen story that leads to a feral Tech, and I am OBSESSED.

➤ Tech/Female Reader

The Quarry

By Littlelady1121

Rating: Mature Reader is a target to bring in to Cid, but there is more to her than it seems. Minor slowburn with a wonderful found family story with great characterizations. 

➤ Tech/Female Reader

Nighttime Variations

By @bring-backup-99

Rating: Explicit Reader meets Tech when he stays at her inn, and they hit it off. This is a great balance of sexy and sweet! She does a great characterization of Tech and if you like her work and want to get kinkier I’d recommend her Bad Choices series as well. 

➤ Tech/Female Reader

Quick And Dirty

By @eyecandyeoz

Rating: Explicit Reader helps Tech do repairs, and clean up afterward. Sexy one shot with some fun back and forth between our favorite info dumper! Candy has a bunch of hot one shots and gorgeous artwork as well!

✶ Howzer ✶

➤ Howzer/Female Reader

Doctor’s Orders

By @grampsoninspace

Rating: Explicit Captain Howzer is a cocky flirt to the Reader Medic, and it goes his way. This was fun to see a lee burdened more flirtatious Howzer and had some great tension building with some hot smut!

✶ Cassian Andor ✶

➤ Cassian Andor/Original Female Character

Starlight

By @joeybelle

Rating: Explicit While on a mission Cassian gets strong-armed into helping a medic escape the Empire, and it doesn't go to her plans at all. Slow burn and tension galore, along with angst. The sequel is unfinished but I hope upon hope one day she will continue it!

✶ Din Djarin ✶

➤ Din Djarin/Female Reader

Rough Day

By @no-droids

Rating: Explicit Reader signed up to be Grogu’s babysitter and got involved in a fuckfest with the kid’s father. The tiktok famous porn with plot, Mando fic everyone talks about. It truly is a well-written story amongst the smut!

➤ Din Djarin/Female Reader

Be-all and Endor

By: @djarins-cyare

Rating: Explicit Reader is a technician on Endor when the Mandalorian crosses her path and she decides to help him Insanely well-written saga that explores culture and the universe of Star Wars.

✶ Poe Dameron ✶

➤ Poe Dameron/Female Reader

Nine

By @foxilayde

Rating: Explicit Sexy oneshot of a boiling point moment between friends Poe and Reader and then it's just smut central. Love the banter and the idiots-in-love so much.

➤ Poe Dameron/Female Reader

The Bet

By @no-droids 

Rating: Explicit Poe and Reader make a bet on who can stay abstinent the longest, when they try to get the other to fold the tension begins to snap. One of the hottest smut fics I’ve ever read. I use this as a way to convince my IRL friends to start reading fanfiction.

➤ Poe Dameron/Female Reader

Directions

By @zinzinina

Rating: Explicit Reader admits shes never climaxed with a partner before and Poe is determined to change that. This is a beautifully written friends to lovers smut oneshot that I just love to bits.

Moon Knight

✶ Steven Grant and Marc Spector ✶

➤ Steven Grant/Female Reader, Marc Spector/Female Reader

Red Flags

By @astroboots and @thirstworldproblemss

Rating: Explicit Fantastically written story about dating Steven while not knowing about Marc (and Jake) and all the red flags with dating someone hiding a part of themselves. Full stop my favorite Moon Knight fic to date, and I even make my non-fanfiction reader friends read it.

➤ Steven Grant/Female Reader, Marc Spector/Female Reader

fallen from heaven, grown on earth

By davosmymaster

Rating: Mature Marc asks his long-time friend to watch over Steven as he lets him be the primary front. Reader falls in love with Steven after pining over Marc their entire relationship and it causes some ANGST. Lots of yearning and a happy ending.

➤ Steven Grant/Female Reader, Marc Spector/Female Reader

Stuck

By @zinzinina

Rating: Explicit Reader stops by Steven’s place to bring him his lost badge when Marc answers the door and seduces her. Just a sexy little two-shot that I like to reread a lot.

✶ Steven Grant, Marc Spector, and Jake Lockley ✶

➤ Steven Grant/Female Reader, Marc Spector/Female Reader, Jake Lockley/Female Reader

Gift of Min

By @astroboots and @thirstworldproblemss

Rating: Explicit An ancient aphrodisiac spirit is released and reader has to help Steven through it. Another fantastic piece of work form these two, and it is in one of my top five tropes! Absolutely so hot and passionate.

Triple Frontier

✶ Francisco "Catfish" Morales ✶

➤ Francisco "Catfish" Morales/Female Reader 

Something New

By @prolix-yuy

Rating: Explicit Reader hires a sex worker after a period of loneliness brought on by divorce. This whole series is absolutely soft and wholesome while being so sexy.

Kingsman

✶ Jack “Whiskey” Daniels ✶

➤ Jack “Whiskey” Daniels/Female Reader

Whiskey & Westworld

By @prolix-yuy

Rating: Explicit A universe where the Kingsman characters are robots in the Westworld Theme Park when Reader comes to visit. This story is so well written and the tension build-up is delicious.

➤ Jack “Whiskey” Daniels/Female Reader

Harder to Hold

By @brandyllyn

Rating: Explicit Reader becomes the seduction target of Jack Daniels and she doesn’t understand why. The sexiness and espionage in this fic is so fun!

Ghostbusters

✶ Egon Spengler ✶

➤ Egon Spengler/Female Reader

Masters of Sex (The Mood Slime Experiments)

By @psychokinetic-ectoplasm

Rating: Explicit Reader helps out Egon with the mood slime experiments. Just gloriously filthy smut that develops into feelings.  

Dragon Age

✶ The Iron Bull ✶

➤ Iron Bull/Original Female Character

Gina and the Iron Bull

By Lexi Banner (jinbaittai)

Rating: Explicit After an accident in another universe, a woman ends up in Thedas during the time of the Inquisition. I am a SUCKER for someone falling into another universe, and this is a long hot romance.

✶ Cullen Rutherford ✶

➤ Cullen Rutherford/Female Commander Shepard 

The Two Commanders

By Katieee

Rating: Explicit When Commander Shepard destroys the reapers, she wakes up to find herself in Thedas where her biotics are mistaken for magic. Again, I love fish-out-of-water stories where someone from a different universe ends up in another, and I also love to see Shepard be a badass. Takes place over a series of years and is just a fun read.

[fandom-friday]

Thank you so much to everyone that submitted recommendations this week! A comprehensive list of this week’s submissions can be found under the cut! Recommendations are organized by show/media, and any main pairings will be listed after the title.

💕 = 18+ content 🟪 = contains spoilers of a currently running show

Fics:

The Clone Wars: It Only Takes a Spark (Purge Trooper Cody x f!Inquisitor Reader) by @vodika-vibes 💕 Time After Time (Commander Cody x f!Reader) by @the-rain-on-kamino Theirs (Commander Fox x f!Reader x Commander Wolffe) by @vodika-vibes 💕 Don't Stop on My Account (Commander Wolffe x f!Reader) by @dickarchivist 💕 One Spotchka Too Many (Captain Rex x f!Reader) by @twistedsarchive Captain Rex x OC Nia Ficlet by @eternal-transcience 💕 The Last Word (Fives x OC Mal Darroch) by @ariadnes-red-thread Shattered Sunrise (Mace Windu x OC Danica Morrow) by @pickleprickle The Choices We Make, The Paths We Tread by lildropofmagic (AO3) The Number Lads by @jgvfhl

The Bad Batch: The Hostage by @kybercrystals94 Freeze Thaw by AnEchoInHere (AO3)

The Book of Boba Fett: 💕 This Tender Love (Boba Fett x f!Reader) by @daimyosprincess 💕 Worth the Risk (Boba Fett x f!Reader) by @daimyosprincess

Star Wars Original Trilogy: Revelations by shOokspeared (AO3)

Republic Commando: 💕 Off the Grid (Niner Skirata x f!Reader) by @the-rain-on-kamino

Batman: Lavender Blood by @starkskypines

Hetalia: Axis Powers: Grey Skies Over London by Gemini Star 01 (ff.net) Every Generation by Gemini Star 01 (ff.net) Gutters by Glassamilk (ff.net) Ditches by Glassamilk (ff.net)

Call of Duty: 💕 Riptide (Price x f!Reader) by @the-californicationist

Crossover AUs: Edward's Babysitting Service (Hetalia: Axis Powers X Fullmetal Alchemist Crossover) by orphan_account (AO3) Conversations With Patronizing Jerks (Hetalia: Axis Powers X Star Wars Crossover) by @basketofnova

Art:

The Clone Wars: Republic Troops 501st Poster by @boggsart Clone Wars Band Art by @pinkiemme Captain Rex Art by @vivaislenska Captain Rex Art by @kheimerios Captain Rex Art by @rackcty Mace Windu Art by @mudpuddless Fives and OC Elara McTavish Art by @aliettali OC Kazi and OC Daria by @eyecandyeoz (from I Yearn and So I Fear by @enigmaticexplorer) Clone OC Atlas Art by @orionfrommars

The Bad Batch: Bad Batch Selfie Art by @collophora Happy Ending Bad Batch Art by @mroddmod Hunter and Omega Art by @blxem1lk Hunter Redesign by @snw-faatuatua 🟪 (TBB S3) Hunter Art by @soularsss 🟪 (TBB S3) CX-2 Art by @notnyxxy Tech Art by @rexxdjarin Tech and Phee's Children OCs by @nightskyfoxyy A Place to Hide by @the-rain-on-kamino

Star Wars Original Trilogy: Young Boba Fett Art by @mrs2224

Jedi: Survivor: BD-1 Art by @eriadus

Batman: Batman's Boys by @inverted-typo

How to Train Your Dragon: Meatlug Art by @spacenintendogs

Call of Duty: Wraith by @bluegiragi

GIF Sets:

The Book of Boba Fett: Kia Kaha, Kia Maia, Kia Manawanui by @bobafettdaily

[clayvedevs]

WTA Hunger Games Simulator

We've already had one hunger games, yes, but what about a second hunger games? You heard that right folks, instead of doing my uni work, i've made the executive decision to put the WTA top 24 in Situations. The aforementioned Situations being survival of the fittest in a death trap of an arena. So almost like playing on Rod Laver Arena in the 40 degrees Australian Summer before the retractable roof. So, ladies and gentlemen and other, I present to you your cast:

And away we go!

Day 1

And already, the action is actioning folks. While most people have their flight instinct switched on in a fight or flight situation, Anna Kalinskaya isn't most people. Still not over the Dubai final, she mortally injures Jasmine Paolini, leaving her to die. Ons Jabeur is also killed at the hands of Daria Kasatkina. I guess the power of friendship didn't manage to save them. But wait, there's more. Donna Vekic ruthlessly mows down Carolina Garcia.

Qinwen Zheng, a master Jedi, knows that the only way to victory is through the high ground. Anna Kalinskaya continues her reign of terror, taking out Barbora Krejcikova and Daria Kasatkina with Danielle Collins. Both Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff already are questioning their sanities, which, mood. Victoria Azarenka, practising archery, may be a threat later on, someone should keep an eye on her. Emma Navarro also gets her first superfan. But by far, the biggest development is Aryna Sabalenka, 3rd seed, has been taken out..... by herself! Yes, she tried to poison Marketa Vondrousova's drink but mistook it for her own. Inconceivable! 6 cannon shots can be heard in the distance. Rip Jasmine Paolini, Ons Jabeur, Caroline Garcia, Barbora Krejcikova, Daria Kasatkina, Aryna Sabalenka.

Night 1

In a great showing of American-Canadian solidarity, Leylah Fernandez and Coco Gauff shelter together. Even though it's night, the action doesn't stop, as Bia Haddad Maia kills Madison Keys, who had been minding her own business till now. Jessica Pegula also doesn't die at the hands of Victoria, who keeps Jessie alive. Anna's reign of terror ends as she and Marta Kostyuk pull a Romeo and Juliet. Sort of. I mean, the both die in the end so it's basically the same. And Donna Vekic is proving to be a cold-hearted killer, strangling Danielle Collins with a rope. Both Barbora and Daria's killers have been killed tonight.

Day 2

Donna Vekic has an injury. But what else is new. Maria Sakkari also sprains her ankle. However, the no. 2 seed, Coco Gauff has also gone out with a bang, with it taking 3 people to kill her. Interestingly, Jess and Victoria, having gone from one keeping the other alive despite begging to be killed to working together. Dream team? And speaking of dream teams, Jelena Ostapenko and Elena Rybakina have put aside their differences and are on the prowl. Everyone watch out! 5 cannon shots can be heard for Madison Keys, Marta Kostyuk, Anna Kalinskaya, Danielle Collins, Coco Gauff.

Night 2

Lots of action tonight, as Victoria and Jess and Leylah are killed by Bia, Liudmila Samsonova and Emma. Dream team over smh. And while we're at it, whilst they worked together during the day, unfortunately, Elena and Jelena couldn't go on like this, with Elena begging for death and Jelena killing her. It was either gonna be this or taken out by her immune system. Rip Rybapenko, you were bigger than the whole sky.

Day 3

And it's time for the feast!

And the no. 1 seed and defending Roland Garros champion, Iga Swiatek is out alongside Marketa Vondrousova! It's just grand slam champion thing, you wouldn't get it. Liudmila has also died, this time due to untreated injuries. And this is why knowing first aid is important kids.

Donna Vekic, in a showing of mercy, spares Emma Navarro's life after beating her, even though Emma is the reason she sprained her ankle the previous day. She's turning into a formidable person to meet in the arena. Could she win it all? More action as Maria Sakkari has also suffered a devastatinig loss to berry bush. Can't a girl just live her life? And it's the most death we've had, with a whopping 7 cannon shots being fired for Victoria Azarenka, Jessica Pegula, Leylah Fernandez, Elena Rybakina, Liudmila Samsonova, Iga Swiatek and Marketa Vondrousova. I can't believe it's only the third day.

Night 3

After sparing her life during the day, Donna convinces Emma to snuggle. Love truly wins. Someone should've cuddled with Maria as well. And Jelena Ostapenko has been given explosives, a terrifying thought for everyone.

Day 4

It's only Day 4 and we've had another double suicide. Yes, Qinwen Zheng and Jelena Ostapenko both die, another tragedy, like uhh Antony and Cleopatra. And in a dramatic twist, after sparing her life and even cuddling together, Emma Navarro has forced Donna Vekic's hand: making her choose to kill either Bia or Maria. Maria has become the victim of this couple's spat. 3 cannon shots can be heard in the distance for Qinwen Zheng, Jelena Ostapenko and Maria Sakkari.

So now, we're down to just 3 tributes. All three underdogs who all have an equal chance at snatching victory. So who's left? Will Emma "daddy's money" Navarro prove to the world that she's the no.1 american nepo baby? Will it be Donna "Last Call" Vekic who will make a timely appearance on the top step? Or will Beatriz Haddad Maia bee the one to lift the trophy? We will find out after the break.

[INSERT AD HERE]

And we're back!

Night 4

Emma has been awoken by nightmares, which could be related to her partner (in crime), Donna, dying while trying to one up the system. A truly Hamlet and Horatio move. Bia just vibing though, starting a fire and roasting s'mores. We're down to Emma and Bia, battle of the North vs South America.

Day 5

Oh my god that was brutal. Emma, channeling her inner Donna Vekic, mercilessly mows down Bia. Honestly, i'm at a loss for words that was remorseless. 2 cannon shots can be heard for Donna Vekic and Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Congrats queen on your second ever totally legit title that definitely counts. Now go out there and slay in real life

[maiaspen]

Hey “Oblivion Gin” readers!

I swear to the Force that I am working hard on the finale for you! 💚 My writing confidence took a bit of a hit last month. I am human. I go through feels, sometimes inconvenient ones.

Thank you to all of my readers for continuing to support and encourage me. I’m hoping to have the story finished this month. 💪

Here’s another little teaser for you. The scene picking up where my last teaser left off. Here

I also have glorious supporting art by @kana7o to treat your eyes 😏

Please remember that this is a very rough draft, what ultimately makes it onto ao3 will be heavily scrutinized 🧐 these are just the raw words as they pour out of me. 

Thank you all for your support! I can’t wait to share the full finale with you 💚💚💚

xo Maia

💚🍆💚🍆💚🍆💚🍆💚🍆💚🍆💚🍆💚🍆💚

Chapter 9 excerpt…

Anakin doubles his already quite doubled efforts to hustle, weaving pedestrians and commuters on citibikes and landspeeders. He’s aware that his surroundings are Coruscant-rush-hour-level-of-loud, and that it’s daylight; but only because Orea Dea’s singular sun has teamed-up with the Force to highlight his Jedi targets.

Entering the crowded spaceport, Anakin decelerates to a sneaky jog. The Force insists that he assess the situation before drawing his lightsaber and trimming Fisto’s tentacles (and testicles).

The pair of Masters are standing – huddled shoulder-to-shoulder– next to a cargo freighter that looks like it’s being prepped for take-off.

To Anakin’s tremendous relief, Obi-Wan’s posture is strong. He’s handsome as ever, fair head and facial-hair have been groomed to perfection. He’s dressed in his boots and tunic, which the medical staff was kind enough to launder. All of the sweaty-oily-mulchy- bloody souvenirs from their crab droid and ass face battle royales have been cleared away. Obi-Wan looks the epitome of a proper Jedi Master. But Fisto . . .

The droid wasn’t exaggerating.

Anakin gasps as bewilderment sweeps like a blizzard through his mind, whiting-out thoughts of all else but what Fisto is wearing. Or rather– not wearing.

(Thank you @kana7o for this Fisto sketch💚)

The Nautolan is clad in a darkened leather toga – a toga that looks like it’s been sized for Master Yoda. The skirt portion brushes his thick thighs, barely concealing his dignity. If there is a gust of wind – or if Fisto even raises his arms to stretch – everyone in this spaceport will see his cock and balls! Unless he’s wearing underwear, which Anakin strongly doubts. And the green bastard is wearing the toga like he’s doing it a favor. His muscles are bursting out of the garment. Those chiseled biceps and pecs belong on a Holomovie screen (probably a porno), not a public spaceport. There are younglings milling about!

Has the Nautolan been working-out obsessively the whole time they’ve been hospitalized? Gaining muscle and losing modesty?! Even from eight meters away Anakin can count his eight abdominals.

The ‘outfit’ includes knee-high strappy sandals, which accentuate his strong calves, and even– is that a collar? And, yes, Fisto is wearing a collar. A leather one with a metalloid loop. It’s like he’s begging to be latched by some kinky leash.

Master Kit Fisto is hotter than fire. He’s center-of-a-sun, liquid magma hot. How his toga hasn’t burst into flames, Anakin does not know. And, right now, Obi-Wan is reaching upward . . . laying a hand on that bulging bicep and squeezing—

“MASTER!” Anakin screams as though Obi-Wan is touching liquid magma! With a mighty Force-leap he closes the distance, landing before the Masters and snatching Obi-Wan’s hand. Anakin holds his Master’s hand to his chest like he’s saved it from a brutal roasting.

Obi-Wan makes a face like Anakin has pissed in his morning tea.

So, Anakin counters: pushing his bottom lip out, going for the most adorable pout he can muster. The kind of expression that always softened his mother’s irritation when he was late for their evening meal. To Anakin’s surprise, Obi-Wan actually blushes. Really blushes. Anakin is certain his rouge can be seen from outer space. Did touching Fisto actually burn him?

Suddenly, Anakin can feel his Master’s Force signature again – vibrating and sizzling like it’s super-heating. But Master Kenobi quickly regains control of his dermal blood vessels and his shielding, retaining the aurora of one who is cool and centered.

“I’ll take this back, thank you,” Obi-Wan says as he pulls his hand from Anakin’s grasp. He then offers a small but earnest smile, adding: “It’s good to see you up and about again, Anakin.”

“Thank you, Master. I can say the same to you–” Anakin starts, intending to ask what-in-all-the-hells is going on, when Fisto clears his throat.

The Nautolan grins broadly, teeth glinting like pearls under the sunlight. Anakin orders himself to keep looking at Fisto’s teeth. Not lower, not lower. “It is indeed good to see you both up and about,” Fisto declares. “I spoke with Master Windu this morning. The Council is sending a team to sluth-out what happened to the senator’s shuttle. They will arrive tomorrow, at which time you two are to take their transport back to Coruscant. I’m afraid our little shuttle is officially out-of-commission.”

Anakin processes Fisto’s words out loud. “So. Master Fisto, you won’t be . . .” he pauses. Pushing the obnoxious optimism from his voice is like trying to shove against a stubborn bantha. “ . . . you won’t be joining us on our voyage to Coruscant?”

Fisto smirks as though he is a stubborn bantha. “No.”

Anakin’s signature surges like a double nova! He barely resists cartwheeling all over the spaceport! He and Obi-Wan will be traveling back to Coruscant together and alone.

And are they spending the night here alone, too? Or is Fisto in his ‘little slut get-up’ going to be the third wheel?

“What’s with the, um,” Anakin waves his hands vaguely about Fisto’s ensemble. “The whole . . . whore look? And where did you get that outfit anyway? Are you going somewhere dressed like that?”

Obi-Wan cringes at Anakin’s words, but Fisto’s already broad smile only widens. “I’m being deployed. Immediately,” Fisto points to the nearby cargo freighter. “It’s an undercover mission. I’m being smuggled to Nal Hutta as a pleasure slave. I’m to be sold upon landing to my . . . target. I cannot divulge any further details, you understand. And, Skywalker, the Council has wardrobe sources on nearly every Republic planet,” Fisto says as though Anakin should know that. Which he does, he just didn’t know that the Republic’s sources kept skimpy togas on hand.

The weight of Fisto’s words take a moment to sink into Anakin’s brain, but when they do . . .

Anakin shakes his head, wanting the weight to be gone. “Hold on, the Council is sending you alone?”

Fisto nods. “They are.”

“Kit is quite capable of handling himself,” Obi-Wan interjects carefully, sensing Anakin’s . . . what? His concern? No. No way. He’s not concerned for Fisto safety. He’s fucking thrilled that Fisto is going away. Far, far away.

Anakin scoffs, though the sound comes out as more nervous than he’d intended. “Yeah, of course. I mean, obviously. But . . . is the mission dangerous? Are you going to have to perform sex duties and–?”

“Anakin. Kit cannot share any further details with us,” Obi-Wan scold-reminds, though Anakin can now sense that his Master is concerned. Obi-Wan turns his attention back upon Fisto, and smiles with warm reassurance. “I am glad for this opportunity to see you off, Kit.”

“Me too,” Anakin says, then turns an accusatory glare upon his Master. “Though, how come neither of you were planning to include me? I couldn’t sense you, Master. And if I hadn’t returned to your sickbed when I did, and interrogated that awful droid, then I may not have even found you on time.”

Obi-Wan lowers his voice as though trying to sooth a hostile assailant: “I needed to have a private word with Kit–”

Anakin intercepts his Master’s defense. “A private word, huh? Is that the only private thing you needed to have?”

Obi-Wan’s eyes narrow fractionally, but his smile doesn’t falter. “Besides, Anakin, the medical droid reported that you were occupied.”

Uninterested in Obi-Wan’s paltry excuses, Anakin turns his accusatory glare upon the scantily-clad Nautolan. “And you! Couldn’t you have changed into that on the freighter instead of schutta-strutting around this port?!”

Amusement flickers over Fisto’s signature and within his eyes. “The droid crew has been programmed to thoroughly shackle me upon boarding. While I am an apt-multitasker, I’m afraid that I cannot undress and redress with my arms, legs and neck bound.” Fisto looks to the cargo freighter, which is flashing its ‘five-minutes-to-launch’ warning. He reaches behind himself, and Anakin only now notices that Fisto is wearing a leather satchel. He rummages within the satchel until he finds something that makes his signature ping with delight.

“Ah, here,” Fisto pulls out the half-empty bottle of Oblivion Gin. “The Council has granted you both the evening free. You have orders to relax, and I am ordering you to . . . indulge,” his grin thins into a cheeky smirk. “Enjoy.” Fisto hands Obi-Wan the bottle. Obi-Wan accepts the gin as though Fisto is giving him a writhing whip-snake.

“Oh, oh . . . really, I cannot accept. This is far too . . . generous,” Obi-Wan almost sounds flustered.

“I insist,” Fisto pushes the bottle at Obi-Wan with oomph, and he begrudgingly accepts. “A shot or two will do you good, my friend. And you,” Fisto’s dark eyes find Anakin’s, flaring with equal parts challenge and warning. “You may need three or four shots.”

“ALL ABOARD!” A mechanical voice blears loudly from the cargo freighter. “WE WILL DEPART IN TWO MINUTES.”

Anakin opens his mouth to say something . . . say thank you? Say goodbye? Say good luck? But it’s suddenly like all of this planet’s air has been sucked away into space, and no words come out.

Anakin feels Fisto’s large, cool hand on his right shoulder, offering a brief squeeze of reassurance. Then he watches as Fisto grants Obi-Wan the same gesture, which Obi-Wan returns.

“My comrades,” Fisto says those two words in a way that makes Anakin’s heart-clench, though he doesn’t know why. “Our physical bodies do not have forever,” Fisto’s gaze sweeps from Obi-Wan’s to Anakin’s and back again. Under the brilliant sunlight Fisto’s blacker-than-black eyes are not black at all. They are a warm honeyed-gold, flecked with blue from the sky. “Time is short, and most of ours is filled with brutality and turmoil . . .” he flashes those too-perfect teeth. Again. “So, go on then, fill as much time as you can with happiness.”

“ALL ABOARD! WE WILL DEPART IN ONE MINUTE.”

“May the Force be with you,” Fisto bids them, then turns on his sandaled heels, tentacles bouncing, and sprints for the freighter.

As Fisto rushes away his toga skirt flares upward and –

By the Force.

Fisto is definitely not wearing any underwear. And his bare ass . . . well, it looks just as holoporn-worthy as the rest of him. The Nautolan probably possesses the two most flawlessly firm green globes in the galaxy. And, really, Anakin expected nothing less.

Several nearby senients squeal in horny delight – like they’ve been flashed by some celebrity heartthrob. An older female Rodian swoons and sways on her feet like she’s about to faint. Fortunately her traveling companion steadies her, though his jaw has nearly dropped to the walkway.

Anakin is surprised to hear himself laughing, and, damn, it actually sounds and feels . . . good. “May the Force be with you, too, Master!” Anakin calls after Fisto, straining his voice over the whirring engine and roaring thrusters.

“May the Force be with you,” Obi-Wan barely whispers. Anakin doubts Fisto even heard him, though he’s certain that the Nautolan feels the sentiment.

Anakin and Obi-Wan watch as Fisto’s tentacles disappear up the closing loading ramp. Within three heartbeats the freighter launches into the bright sky, fading away toward the outer rim.

Anakin’s mirth fades along with the freighter. A new concern has wriggled into his brain. “Does Fisto even have his lightsaber? He can’t possibly be keeping it inside that satchel. The first thing the slavers will do is search his belongings.”

Obi-Wan frowns thoughtfully. “He would not be storing it in the satchel, no.”

“Then where . . .”

🍆💚🍆💚🍆💚🍆💚🍆💚🍆💚🍆💚🍆💚🍆💚

My next update with be the final chapter! 🥲

[persimminwrites]

Min HEY! for the 👗 ask game, how about Calla and the start of the clone wars?

Or if that doesn't fit then, Peaches a year after order 66 🥰?

MAIA!!!!! thank you for asking MWUAH MWUAH i loved thinking about these i shall answer BOTH <3333

so i did an initial design of calla's jedi robes here and i do think that she would be wearing something close to this even initially at the onset of the battle of geonosis (since we see most of the jedi in their traditional robes during this battle in the movie)

without going into too much detail (because this will get so long lmao) - after geonosis, the 77th battalion forms. its an intelligence and espionage battalion and calla acts as a sort of "free agent" (along with rawl eventually) under the direction of cyrus her master! her first mission is a recon mission pretty shortly after geonosis and i would expect her usual clothes would start becoming a bit sleeker, less flowy and the color scheme would change depending on the environment or location she was in/needed to blend into. i would love to eventually draw some concepts of her clothing evolving over the course of the war!

and omg peaches!!!! love to think back on peaches. even though peaches isn't really a fully formed character to me i do have some thoughts!!! i think that a year after o66, sinker would be excellent at making clothes and boost would be a superstar at embroidery so i can imagine that all of their clothes would have more and more lovely embroidery and sinker would get the chance to improve his sewing skills and build up everyone's wardrobe. while on the farm i think overalls would absolutely be the way to go especially if peaches is still in charge of maintaining equipment!!!! (od1 is definitely still complaining about all of the laundry they have to do) i had a thought at some point in the past that it would be fun if they all got a set of bounty hunter armor and im STILL obsessed with these designs and i think if i had to pick a design for peaches it would be the 10th image <3

tHANK YOU AGAIN FOR ASKING SENDING KISSES AND LOVE AND HUGS MAIA MWUAH MWUAH

[rexxdjarin]

Potentially angsty! What about Mari during Umbara 👀? Too angsty?

Send me an episode/chapter/scene/ect. and I'll tell you what my OC was doing during it

Ahhhhh hi Maia my absolute beloved 🥺🥰🩷

So this is something I absolutely plan on covering in unwritten but..

But Mari is extremely, extremely worried about Rex during this specific campaign. She usually hears from him after a couple of days and this time she goes weeks without hearing from him. She is an absolute nervous wreck. She cries…a whole lot. She finds out from Padmé that Anakin had to leave and that they were left with a different jedi and that’s all she knows.

Until he comes home. In the middle of the night he comes in to her apartment. He’s numb and he’s silent. Like usual he never cries. That’s not his way. She hears the doors slide open and knows it could only be one person. She’s so relieved and excited to see him but when she runs out of her room into the hallway and sees the tattered armor and him standing their like a ghost of his former self she stops in her tracks. She knows something’s wrong. She knows.

She approaches with caution. She holds the side of his battle worn, dirty and blood stained cheeks, she tries to hold his gaze, to find the light in the his eyes. There’s nothing. He’s dark and cold and scared. He’s so scared and sad. His steps carried him here probably on adrenaline and gut instinct. She pulls him into a hug and keeps him there for a long time. He doesn’t move other than to wrap his arms around her to receive her.

He doesn’t speak. He’s so so tired. She walks him to her bed, he follows in silence. She tries to strip him of his armor and he stops her. He can’t bear to remove it. something happened. Something bad. She can tell. She lets him lay down on her bed and props his head up in her lap. She watches his eyes slowly and groggily hood closed. He falls asleep somehow.

And Mari stays up the entire night watching over him, knowing she needs to prevent whatever nightmare he’d just endured from revisiting him again in his dreams. She lets him rest in her lap.

He wakes up at day break. He still can’t talk. Cant explain it. She doesn’t ask him to. She brings him to the shower and bathes him, lets him hold her. He changes into casuals she keeps in her place for him. She feeds him gives him whatever he can handle which isn’t much.

And finally he tells her. As calmly as he can. Just so that she knows. She doesn’t ask questions. Just lets him explain. She knows there’s nothing she can do about it. She lets him be and lets him live and breathe. He sets the pace and lets her know what he can handle. It’s mostly just cuddling and napping.

He doesn’t leave until later that night and he tells her he’s grateful to have her and he can’t thank her enough for protecting him. With a final quiet I love you he leaves her there to head off on another mission. They are both changed and she cries for him behind closed doors and mourns for the men he lost because she knows society won’t.

She can’t take his pain away. She can’t make things better. But she can shoulder it. She can feel it too. That’s more than the rest of the galaxy is willing to take on for clones and that means more to Rex than he can ever describe. And it’s how he knows he is fully and truly in love with her.

[the-mandawhor1an]

It's wednesday my dudes

What do you mean it's wednesday again? (thanks @beefrobeefcal for tagging me and therefore kicking my ass to write 💜💜💜)

Well...

I've been a little busy in the last days, as some might have realized (who am I kidding here)

Yesterday was my rp anniversary and I'll be at Comic Con on saturday and still tweaking shit on my costume (yes you will get pics!) and the end of the month is approaching, which means chapter 9 is due

I'm doing my best to get it done by saturday. I'm at 8k words right now, two scenes are still missing. (Maybe I'm scratching one of the scenes for the sake of getting it done in time, we'll see)

It might end up being more than 10k of 'Din being an idiot in love and not realizing'. The yearning is there. Here's a little snippet:

»Can I ask you something?« he hesitantly asked. Now that he had the chance, he didn’t want it to go to waste. »You just did,« she smirked. »Go ahead.« »Is it true that Jedi have to live by strict rules?« He felt his heart rate pick up. Maia had mentioned a few things about why she didn’t want to be part of the order, had it still existed. »What rules are you referring to specifically?« He took a deep breath. »No attachments, neither possessions nor relationships are allowed. As a Mandalorian, I fail to see how loyalty to someone can be seen as bad.« 

Stay tuned! I'm working on it with all the energy and time I can spare QwQ

Worth mentioning here: Marcus A. isn't forgotten, I just want to put the long fic as my top priority.

Taglist: @jennaispunk @whocaresstillthelouvre @burntheedges @rivnedell @roughdaysandart

@djarins-wife

» Click here to be added to the tag list «

Npt for the moots: @mountainsandmayhem @sizzlingcloudmentality @joelmillerspillowprincess @pedgito @burntheedges

@whocaresstillthelouvre @rivnedell @jksprincess10 @morallyinept @clawdee

@studioghibelli @evolnoomym @jennaispunk @penvisions @beefrobeefcal

@guiltyasdave @pedrospatch @mrsmando @djarins-cyare @djarins-wife

[random-writerings]

Introducing My Queer OCs

Happy Pride Month! I wanted to do something special for Pride but I've been so caught up in assignments, essays and exams that I completely forgot to prepare anything. So instead, here's a little introduction to (some of) my queer OCs. 🏳️‍🌈

Connie Winter - Bisexual

Love interest: Bucky Barnes

Growing up in the 1920s/1930s meant that Connie never really questioned her sexuality. She knew she was attracted to men and that was all that mattered. Besides, every woman thinks other women are hot too, right? And everyone has at least a little crush on Peggy so it's not weird that she does too, right? It's not until she wakes up in 2012 and starts catching up on important social issues that she finally has the language to identify herself.

More about Connie here

Halley Castor - Pansexual

Love interest: Poe Dameron

Halley has always been quite open-minded and has had a number of relationships with aliens from different species. So of course, when it comes to humans, gender doesn't really matter to her.

More about Halley here

Imara Dhawan - Lesbian

Love interest: Natasha 'Phoenix' Trace

Imara knew she liked girls from a young age. When she was a teenager, she realised she had absolutely no interest in boys and she was worried about how her family would react. Her sisters were very accepting but it took her parents a while to come to terms with her sexuality. Even after they did, she still had to keep it a secret from her extended family who live in India. She’s quite a private person anyway so she doesn't really mind. She is also not out to anyone in the Navy. The first person she comes out to is Nikki, who assures her that the Dagger Squad are good people and they won't care. She still doesn't feel the need to properly come out. Instead, the Squad figure it out by themselves after she and Phoenix start dating.

More about Imara here

Kris Fletcher - Bisexual

Love interest: Deke Shaw

Out of all my fics with queer OCs, I would say Kris’ is the one where sexuality is discussed the most. It's an important part of who she is and, being a historian, she is very interested in queer history. Like Joey, she knows what it's like to feel othered even before she becomes an Inhuman. Her previous relationships also play a significant role in how her character develops and so are discussed often. In the year between S5 and S6, she really bonds with Piper as they often make jokes about being queer. Her sexuality is also important in S7 as the bigotry associated with different time periods rears its ugly head. This is especially relevant in 07x07 (the 80s episode) as it takes place at the same time as the AIDS crisis.

More about Kris here

Kore - Demisexual

Love interest: Druig

Kore has never been romantically interested in anyone; she is put on Earth with the other Eternals to do a job and that's it. Her focus is entirely on protecting humanity. That is until she forms a deep friendship with Druig which slowly turns into something more.

More about Kore here

Maia Callis - Demisexual

Love interest: Obi-Wan Kenobi

Maia is only 18 when the fic starts and, being so young, she doesn't feel ready for a serious romantic relationship. She previously had a ‘relationship’ with a childhood friend, Atlas, on Alura, but it wasn't really anything serious. She's too busy trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life to be bothered with romance. Then, once she joins the Jedi Order, she believes that romance is completely off the table for her. She is fine with this at first, dedicating her time to studying the Jedi way and teaching Anakin and Suria. It's only when the Clone Wars begin that she realises her feelings for Obi-Wan are not simply platonic.

More about Maia here

Mari Park - Bisexual

Love interests: Dick Grayson and Donna Troy

Mari’s relationship history is complicated. She dated Dick when they were teenagers and training to be Batman’s sidekicks together. They broke up shortly after starting college, then Mari and Donna started dating. But Mari broke up with Donna after she realised Donna still had feelings for Garth. After the Titans disband, Dick and Mari start dating again, only to break up around the time of Tony Zucco’s death. Dick leaves for Detroit without saying goodbye and Mari does vigilante work on her own for a while. Until she sees Robin on the news and goes to Detroit to investigate.

More about Mari here

Dividers by @theprideful from this post

[baba-fett]

🌻! And I love your new profile pic 😍

send me a 🌻 and ill just tell you whatever the fuck i want

thanks maia!!

I really don't get a lot of the Jedi hate I see. Like were they perfect? no, but if you watch star wars and see them vs the sith and don't see the Jedi as the good guys you are MISSING THE POINT

[clonesimpextra]

Uncomfortably personal question for Amara 👀!!

Would she ever give thought to leaving the Jedi Order? If so, why?

I love this question, Maia, because I've thought about it A LOT.

One the things I played with when planning the current arc of ASP was Amara leaving the Order. I had an entire storyline that revolved around that leading up to Order 66. I still think it would make for an entertaining story.

But the more I wrote about Amara, especially with some of the one shots I did last year, I realised that it would take something HUGE for her to leave the Order; something more than just doubts and a small bit of fear. Like with Ahsoka, the Order is Amara's family and the clones have become an extension of that. So far, neither have done anything to make her even consider giving that up.

Of course, this isn't to say that could never happen. There are still about two years between now and Order 66. A lot happens that will likely test her resolve. We'll just have to see what she makes of it :)

[surv1vra]

𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆  𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋  𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐒  .  .  .

andie  nash  .  .  . 911  the  twin  daughter  of  bobby  nash  via  a  relationship  prior  to  dating  and  marrying  marcie.  a  single  mom  to  son  jamie  and  a  firefighter  &  paramedic  recently  transferred  to  the  118. 31  years  +  stephanie  arcila

noah  nash  .  .  . 911  the  twin  son  of  bobby  nash  via  a  relationship  prior  to  dating  and  marrying  marcie.  former  marine  turned  homicide  +  burglary  detective  recently  transferred  to  the  lapd. 31  years  +  miguel  gomez

ash  strode  .  .  . scream  son  of  billy  loomis  and  wendy  strode,  older  half  brother  to  sam  carpenter.  framed  for  ghostface  attacks  in  the  town  he  lived  in  as  a  teen  and  spent  a  few  years  in  jail  before  being  released  after  evidence  proved  he  was  just  a  victim.  meets  sam  and  becomes  close  to  his  half  sister. 26  years  +  tunji  kasim

logan  stilinski  .  .  . teen  wolf  (not  tied  to  my  stiles)  older  sister  of  stiles,  abducted  when  stiles  was  a  child  by  a  werewolf  and  turned  into  a  werewolf.  killed  her  abductor  and  became  an  alpha  before  returning  to  society  when  her  brother  was  a  teenager. 24  years  +  poppy  drayton

celia  valentine  .  .  . btvs  dhampir  twin  daughter  of  angel  and  buffy  summers,  like  her  mother  she  is  destined  to  be  a  slayer.  she  was  put  up  for  adoption  as  a  baby,  after  their  mother  was  forced  to  sacrifice  their  father. 18  years  +  carlson  young

liam  valentine  .  .  . btvs  dhampir  twin  son  of  angel  and  buffy  summers,  he  was  put  up  for  adoption  as  a  baby  by  their  mother  after  she  was  forced  to  sacrifice  their  father. 18  years +  alex  fitzalan

noor  karimi  .  .  . the  boys an  experimental  assassin  created  by  vought  during  the  cold  war,  turned  into  a  former  cia  agent  before  she  went  into  hiding. 43  years  +  sarah  shahi

ani  solo  organa  .  .  . star  wars  daughter  of  han  solo  and  leia  organa,  and  younger  sister  of  ben  solo  who  became  kylo  ren.  ben  and  her  fought  when  he  started  to  destroy  their  uncle's  new  jedi  academy  and  she  was  left  for  dead  being  found  by  her  father  and  uncle  and  hidden  away. 24  years  +  melisa  asli  pamuk ari  levin  .  .  . the  olympians  son  of  hades,  born  before  thalia  was  born,  and  while  he  is  a  forbidden  child  of  the  three,  he  was  taken  to  camp  and  works  as  a  councellor. 18  years  +  milo  manheim hensley  winchester  .  .  . supernatural  the  nephilim  daughter  of  dean  winchester  and  archangel  michael  via  a  female  vessel.  created  to  be  the  ultimate  weapon,  and  vessel  for  michael. 21  years  +  madelyn  cline

jack  carmichael  .  .  . fandomless  former  new  york  homicide  detective  turned  private  investigator  and  mystery  writer.  hired  by  the  nypd  years  after  termination  as  a  consultant  due  to  popular  rise  in  his  mystery  novels. 42  years +  joel  kinnaman

zavi  morales  butcher  .  .  . the  boys/gen  v  born  super  daughter  of  billy  butcher  and  a  vought  scientist  &  supe.  adopted  by  a  nonsupe  family  before  they  found  out  what  her  supe  powers  were  and  taken  in  by  billy  until  rebecca's  disappearance  where  she's  left  with  his  aunt. 20  years +  maia  reficco

zeus  adan  romero  .  .  . original  apocalypse  lore  zeus  reborn  &  first  incarnation  post  rebirth.  The  gods  and  goddesses  have  no  memories  of  who  they  are,  not  knowing  that  they  are  reborn  gods  and  goddesses,  only  when  they  are  all  reborn  and  together  will  they  remember  their  identities. 45  years  +  pedro  pascal. kayce  parson  .  .  . original  werewolf  lore  alpha  werewolf  of  a  pack  in  montana,  father  to  a  teenage  girl  and  has  a  genetic  disorder  causing  him  to  go  blind. 32  years  +  luke  grimes. karim  .  .  . original  vampire  lore  vampire  turned  during  ancient  egypt  by  the  first  vampire  ever  created. unknown  age  +  zeeko  zaki

[persimminwrites]

I hope you don't mind about this ask, I just have SO MUCH to say about A Borrowing of Bones!!!!!!

Right so I love how Shadow has been introduced, how they are immediately shown to be a merc and have I ever said about how your descriptions come across really well, like I can easily imagine it?! But also how they're shown to be brusque and yet there's that little glimmer of affection peeking out AHDHAKDBDFJSJDH

Also I'm really interestes in how Shadow got this way, begrudgingly working with the Jedi while trying to keep the Force at arm's reach 👀 and not letting themselves feel lonely? Oh I WONDER!

Oooohhh the Wolfpack are hereeee

The way you describe their on file pictures are 🤌🤌 of course Boost would be grinning he's so cute 🥺😍 Crescent my beloved he seems so anxious 🫂 obviously Wolffe is scowling there's no way he'd be happy to have his time interrupted for yet another staff photo lmao

“I’m Comet. You can probably tell which of the grumpy assholes is Wolffe, and -”

🤌🤌🤌

Boost and Comet are so sweet 😘

Also when Shadow and Wolffe start to get into it I was like:

10/10 perfect I'm going to love their sniping and snapping so much haha

Min I am so so happy after reading this!!! 😘😘😘

MAIA !!!!!!!!! LISTEN

"no way he'd be happy to have his time interrupted for yet another staff photo" im screaming youre so riGHT LMAO the photographer was probably shaking in their boots lmaooo

also yeah ngl comet has stolen my heart. i mean boost is FOREVER best boi bUT comet !!!!!! so much love!! in my heart for the wolfpack!!!!

and thank you for loving crescent (⁠人⁠*⁠´⁠∀⁠｀⁠)⁠｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+ he is an anxious bean and boy is he gonna have it rough !!!!! i created him just to make him suffer what a travesty

[rexxdjarin]

Hey Julie! For the OC ask game! How about 35 and/or 48 👀?

OC Ask Game - Relationships Edition!

MAIA MY BBY💕 thanks for asking my about my beloved blorbos.

35. What moment did they realise that they were in love?

When Rex returns from Umbara. Shattered, broken, and questioning everything he's ever known. Mari is there for him, not because of any duty or anything, but because she cares for him deeply as a human being. And that touches his heart. He can't even speak after the atrocities he was made to unknowingly commit by a jedi ? he thought he could trust. But Mari doesn't ask him to. He spends all night being held by her, nurtured and protected, even when he has nothing left in him to offer her right then. When his duty calls him away the next morning, they take one last look at each other and what they communicate to each other without words is an unspoken 'I love you' so powerful that it bonded them together for life.

48. Do they get on well with each other’s family? Is family important to them?

Mari gets along beautifully with the 501st. They adore her. As do most clones who meet her because they know how much she fights for them. Since all of Mari's family is gone, Rex never knew them. But as time goes on, they realize nothing is more important than family. Especially when order 66 happens and Rex's brothers are forced into service to the Empire. Everything they do during Captain's Log is for Rex's family.🥰

[the-mandawhor1an]

The future

Chapter 10 – Guided by the stars, connected by the force

Masterlist

⇐ Previous chapter | Next chapter ⇒

Chapter summary: Din and his allies infiltrate Gideon’s cruiser to rescue Grogu. When all seems lost and their lives in danger, two ships approach. Is this the reunion Din is hoping for, or just the Jedi Grogu had called out for?  

Warnings: Canon-typical violence; Gideon is a dick as usual; angst angst angst; the helmet comes off; Jedi ex machina;  FUCKING KISS ALREADY!!!!; Bo-Katan hits us with the lore; jealousy; fluff; the return of the bathtub; only one bed; 

Words: 12.2k (I’m sorry I can’t stop yapping)

A/N: Alternating POVs in this chapter, peeps! I’ve ultimately decided against doing one block of just Din and then jumping back in time to show where Maia has been, having POVs change like cameras would in the series makes more sense (also could be my roleplaying background playing a huge part in this). The bathtub scene never happened in the roleplay, if anyone is interested I can yap about this more on Maia mondays. I hate dialogues, y’all. 

With the help of Dr. Pershing’s shuttle, making it onto the cruiser wasn’t too hard. While his allies made it up to the bridge to cause a distraction, Din took a different route towards the brig to save his foundling. There was little intervention by Stormtroopers. The Darktroopers, however, made Djarin worry. As Pershing had just let them know, the newest iteration were no longer humans. It was droids. As if it wasn’t stressful enough to infiltrate an Imperial cruiser with only 5 people, Din would have to face droids. 

On his way towards the holding cell, Din just happened to stumble upon the bay where the Darktroopers were stored. To his luck, it seemed he had just made it around the corner when they had finished charging and made their way towards the hallway. »Osik,« he cursed and practically threw himself against the door controls, shutting the doors before all of them could make it into the hallway. The closest droid to the front had just enough time to react to hold the door ajar and slipped out, leaving all of the other machines locked behind the heavy doors. In an instant, the Mandalorian was on edge. They would break the doors and if he didn’t manage do decommission the one currently opposite of him, he’d be broken too. 

Upon first contact, Din was thrown across the hallway, sliding along the reflective floor like he had weighed nothing. Thank the stars for the padding under his armor which softened the blow at least a little. Pulling the blaster out, he took a few shots at the droid, desperate to find a weak spot, but being unsuccessful. Every shot just ricocheted until his enemy was just opposite of him. It grabbed Din’s arm and twisted it, forcing him to let go of his blaster. The droid’s other hand grabbed the human by the throat and lifted him up, pressed him into the wall behind him. It rammed its fist into the Beskar helmet again and again, right in the center of the visor, slowly denting the metal wall further and further with the force of the impact. The bang of metal on metal was unbearably loud in Din’s ears, the vibrations causing a headache. Perhaps he would come out of this with yet another concussion. 

Despite the noise and lack of oxygen he had to escape the Trooper’s death grip, one way or another. Behind his opponent he saw the other droids working to break the doors in, the small transpari windows already cracking. He had to be quick. He aimed his flame thrower into the droid’s midsection, hoping to melt some key component to destroy it, but to no avail. What came to his rescue, however, was said droid flinging him through the air once more, which allowed Djarin to catch his breath and attempt to open the air lock. Before he could pull the lever, however, he was pulled away again. The Trooper decided it would now use its blaster against Din, who had no choice but to activate the whistling birds. It felt like a waste of this weapon, and it probably was, but he needed the time to whip the spear out from behind him. 

He rammed the Beskar weapon into the droid, just beneath the head, and let out a relieved breath when he saw the glowing read eyes flicker and turn off. Just before the doors’ integrity was too compromised, Din opened the air lock and saw all of the other droids get sucked into space. He took a few steadying breaths before he continued onward. After this confrontation, there was no more playing nice for him. 

This came rather unfortunate for the two Stormtroopers that stood between him and his child. Their deaths were considerably quick, but brutal nonetheless. All Din wanted was to grab Grogu and get out of here. The rescue looked to be over when he reached the controls to open Grogu’s cell door, but when they opened, he found none other than Gideon with Grogu. He was holding a strange blade in his hands, black but at the same time glowing. The closest weapon he could have compared to it was a lightsaber, but then again, it didn’t look like the one he had seen Maia use. Maia… if only she had been here with him now. But then again, would she not be in danger, so close to Imperials? 

»Drop your blaster, slowly,« Gideon ordered, and Din didn’t hesitate to do as he was told. »Kick it over to me.« The blaster hit the wall somewhere behind Gideon. Djarin wanted to make his reasons clear, so he said »give me the kid.« The Moff didn’t budge, waving the blade above the child’s head. »He is fine where he is.« He waved the blade a little more, the low hum the blade made sounded somewhat like a lightsaber. »Mesmerizing, isn’t it? It used to belong to Bo-Katan.« Go figure. So this was the blade she had mentioned back on Trask. The darksaber. 

»I know you’ve been traveling with her. A friendly piece of advice, assume that I know everything. Like the fact that your little wrist launcher fired its only salvo. Or that – to my disappointment – Maia is no longer traveling with you.« Din’s heart sank. It wasn’t so much that Gideon mentioned Maia, it was more that he was disappointed. That only confirmed for Djarin that the Imperial had some kind of plan for her. Maybe the experiments they had witnessed on Nevarro. »Where is this going?« he rather asked the Imperial. 

»I’m guessing that Bo-Katan and her party have arrived at the bridge and are looking for me, or more specifically, this saber. And, in their frustration to not find me, have killed everyone on the bridge, like the murderous savages you are,« he responded. He was probably right. Din didn’t react to it much, he focused on the child. Grogu was surprisingly calm, given the situation, but the child was most likely exhausted. Who could blame him. »And now they’re beginning to panic. All Bo-Katan is here for… is this.« Gideon held up the saber. »Do you know why?« He didn’t even wait for an answer. »Because it brings power. Whoever wields this sword has the right to lay claim to the Mandalorian throne.« Din didn’t care much for power or a throne, but it made sense why Kryze was so adamant about getting it back. »Keep the blade, I just want the kid.« 

And for the first time, Gideon was surprised. Perhaps he had thought he could get Djarin with the outlook of power and a title. He had miscalculated. The pause was long and a little awkward, but ultimately, he deactivated the blade. »Very well. I already have what I want from him. His blood. And because the other donor I had in mind has decided to … not stay with you after her little interjection on Nevarro, there’s no more blood we can study.« Din really tried his hardest to not let any kind of emotion slip. Gideon didn’t need to know that he would absolutely kill him if he ever laid hand on Maia. »This child is extremely gifted and has been blessed with rare properties that have the potential to bring back order into the galaxy.« Sure, like they had tried with the mothers and ultimately failed. Gideon looked over to Grogu, then back to Djarin. »I see your bond with him. Take him, but you will leave my ship immediately and we go our separate ways.« 

Din went to grab Grogu, but of course Gideon had to ambush him. A fight broke out, ending with Gideon on the ground and Djarin deciding he would spare the Imperial’s life. The Moff would get a trial, probably an execution at the hands of the New Republic. 

Gideon’s plan suddenly revealed itself when they had made it up to the bridge. Din had the saber in one hand, Grogu on the other arm, when he guided his captive towards the others. Suddenly it made sense why Gideon was so surprised by him declining the to take the blade. He wanted Kryze to turn against Djarin, who was now the rightful owner of the darksaber anyway. Of course, Din tried to surrender the blade to Kryze straight away, but she snapped at him. She would have to win it in a fight, otherwise her claim to the throne was illegitimate. 

They could and probably would have bickered further, hadn’t it been for the radar to alert them about approaching vehicles. Said vehicles turned out to be the Darktroopers Din had already forgotten about at this point. Of course they would return in the most unfortunate moment: When it looked like they had won. 

Din had struggled immensely fighting one, now they would have to deal with multiple. Neither blasters nor his other weapons had done much harm, only the spear had really helped. And they only had one, maybe two weapons to damage the droids; if the saber could actually cut through anything as Kryze had said. He had to think about something quickly. About 10 were marching towards the bridge, while others spread across the way to the hangar just in case the group made it out the bridge alive. He looked over to Grogu. All of this could’ve been prevented had Maia stayed. But then again, they had mutually agreed to split, as to not risk his creed, which he had broken either way at this point, and for her to gain control over her emotions. As much as he hated himself for the thought, he wished she was here with them, a last line of protection for Grogu. Could she maybe hold out for a little longer than the others would? She hadn’t been scared of the dragon either. Would a lightsaber help with the droids? Probably. 

And with every bang of the droids’ fists against the heavy metal blast doors, with every creak the steel made under the impact, slowly bending until it would ultimately burst, Din’s heart sank a little deeper, until the realization had settled in properly. 

Maia had abandoned him despite her promise to be there for him and Grogu. They would die at the hands of droids. And his foundling might survive, but would have to witness his protector be killed, just like Din had witnessed his parents die. 

If only Din had the same intuition a Jedi had. He would have known that Maia would keep her promise.

»I can sense the tension in your body. You’re nervous,« Luke said over the radio, causing Maia to roll her eyes. »Thanks for mentioning it. Putting attention to it isn’t helping. I can feel Grogu and it’s agitating me. He’s scared.« Ever since Grogu had channeled himself in an old Jedi monument, Luke had been able to sense him and now they were so close, she could too feel what was going on in the child. 

»I can feel it too. It won’t be long until we’re there,« Skywalker tried to soothe her. It wasn’t helping too much. Grogu was one of her concerns, the other she didn’t want to talk about. Din would be there and she wasn’t sure what to expect when they met again. It had been some time since they had separated. While it felt like it had been forever, it was a couple of weeks at most. If even that. The moon she had been on with Luke had shorter days, she imagined, and she had never bothered to count how many sunsets she had witnessed there. How long had it been for Din? Did it feel like less when he was in space most of the time and he had no natural day-night cycle? 

Back on the bridge, the radar alarmed them of approaching vehicles once again. Two spots came closer and Bo-Katan looked at the screen. »Two life forms, an X-Wing and an ARC-170.« Cara Dune sighed »oh great, we’re saved.« »Incoming crafts, identify yourselves,« Bo ordered via the radio, only to be ignored. Din looked to Bo-Katan, then towards the ships they could see fly past the bridge. Could this be their salvation? The helmet turned to Grogu, who was a little more alert now, looking over to his protector and his ears twitching. 

As the ships landed in the hangar, the banging on the doors stopped. It was as if the whole bridge was holding a collective breath before Fennec finally broke the silence. »Why did they stop?« Did it matter? Din looked over to one of the security monitors. All of the Darktroopers had in fact stopped in their movements, not only the ones right behind the blast doors. They all turned at the same time, now all of them facing the hangar. The group closest to the strangers started walking, a different camera showing the cloaked figures exiting their ships and walking towards the main exit. 

The sight of lightsaber blades was familiar to Bo, so it was no wonder she immediately said in disbelief »those are Jedi?« Din’s helmet snapped around towards Kryze, not sure he had actually heard right. Jedi? Was it Maia after all, coming to save him and Grogu in the last second? 

Maia walked next to Luke, one saber in each hand. »We’ll find out if the training was worth it now, huh?« Luke chuckled. »These are droids, I’m a little insulted if you struggle with them after training with me.« She shook her head in amusement despite him being right. A droid shouldn’t be too much trouble, unless one decided to blow up in her face again. »I will look for a terminal,« she announced when they entered the first hallway. »I need to check my file.« 

»Are you sure you need to find out about your past? There will be no gain from it, all it will do is cause pain.« Luke wanted to shoot her a look, but the blaster fire called for their attention. The droids weren’t too much of a problem for them, equipped with sabers that easily cut through these machines and the ability to throw them if they came too close. »Nothing,« Maia responded, throwing the scrap she had turned one of the troopers into through the hallway. »Nothing in my file could be more painful than what the Empire had made me go through.« »I can’t tell you what to do and I won’t try,« Luke reminded her, swinging his saber with an ease that was astounding. »You should focus on the future, your past can’t be changed.« But if she couldn’t change the past either way, why would it change anything about the present to know? »I’ll think about it.«

Din walked over to Bo-Katan, who still had the two Jedi on the monitor. They made fighting these machines so easy, cutting through them like it was nothing. He could neither make out the blade colors, nor any features on the strangers. They were almost the same height, not necessarily tall compared to the Troopers they were fighting. Deep down he wished for one of their hoods to just fall back so he could see if one of them was in fact Maia. He so desperately wanted her to be here. None of the fighting styles looked like what he had seen Maia use. The stranger with one blade used stronger swings. 

One of the two steered away from the path towards the bridge. Why would they separate? Then again, it looked like the Troopers had no chance against them, maybe one was here for a different reason than Grogu. Gideon must’ve realized the droids’ inferiority to the Jedi at the same time. Taking out the blaster he had hidden away underneath his cloak, he took a few shots at Bo-Katan. Of course, her armor deflected the shots and she remained unharmed. As if Din could sense what he would do next, he leapt towards Grogu simultaneously as Gideon aimed at the child. The child was fine. 

Seeing both of his plans fail, Gideon turned the blaster upright underneath his chin, only for Cara to hit not only the blaster out of his hands, she landed another blow to his face to make sure he behaved. He wouldn’t get the easy way out. She sat him down on the steps again. Din’s ribs were pulsating with pain from just throwing himself on the ground, but it was fine as Grogu was okay. The small child had climbed up one of the tables and had his hand on the monitor, showing one of the Jedi coming towards the bridge. Just as the stranger had entered the elevator, they saw the droids in front of the blast doors grab their blasters. 

Maia wanted nothing more than to just run up to the bridge and jump into Din’s strong arms. She wanted to cover the helmet in kisses, but then again, she was nervous. Scared to face him again after he had – quite cruelly – sent her away last time. Perhaps looking for her file was a distraction, a detour she took to have some time to think about this. Luke was likely right about her past, but then again, the three days with Din had impacted her in a way. If there was a family still out there looking for her, she needed to know. She would have to find them. Looking for a terminal wasn’t too hard, and she went to work. 

Up at the bridge, it didn’t take long for all of the Troopers to be turned into expensive scrap. It was a little impressive and intimidating at the same time, seeing someone deal with almost a dozen of these at the same time while Din had struggled with just one. Especially when Din saw them squeeze the last droid into a brick with the force, he was certain that person was a Jedi, a strong one at that. 

Grogu extended his hands towards the door and looked over to Din. The helmet dipped to face the child, and he picked the little one up. There were no words needed, the child’s reaction to the stranger told the Mandalorian enough. »Open the doors,« he ordered, but no one moved. »I said open the doors.« Fennec was the first to regain her voice. »Are you crazy?« With a sigh he sat the child down again, opening the doors himself. 

The mist of escaping hydraulic fluids and dust engulfed the stranger, their light saber coloring the clouds around them bright green. They were not particularly tall, but their presence was imposing, just like Tano’s had been. The blade of the light saber retracted into the hilt and they clipped the metal to their belt. They pulled down their hood to reveal a fairly young looking man with dirty blonde hair and friendly blue eyes. Contrary to what they had just seen him do, he looked harmless. »Are you a Jedi?« Din asked, to which the stranger nodded. »I am.« 

The stranger extended his arm, offering a hand to Grogu, who just shyly looked in between the Jedi and his protector. The child cooed and looked to Din, let his ears drop a bit. »He doesn’t want to go with you,« Din translated. Maybe he didn’t want Grogu to go, either. Letting the child go would mean he’d be all alone again. He’s gotten so used to being around someone, would it be worse now, with both of his Jedi companions gone? 

»He wants your permission,« the man opposite of him explained. »He is strong with the force, but talent without training is nothing. It is dangerous.« »I understand,« he replied. It was the same with Maia, all over again. 

Maia lifted her head from the terminal as if she had heard her name despite being alone in the room. She listened for any sound, her eyes darting around the room. Nothing. It was no use to stay here anyway, the whole database had been wiped and she was not equipped to restore deleted files. Closing her eyes, she felt for Grogu and Din up there. The pain that radiated off of the Mandalorian was intense. 

The green eyes shot back at the screen. Why did it matter? Her past was nothing more than a few 1s and 0s at this point, the family she had 25 years ago most likely dead anyway. Her future might be up there on the bridge, broken-hearted and alone. »Let go,« she reminded herself and she left the room, walking towards the elevator that would lead her to Luke, to Grogu, and hopefully, back to Din. 

»I will give my life to protect the child, but he will not be safe until he masters his abilities,« their savior continued up there, and the Mandalorian had to remind himself once again, that this was necessary. Grogu needed to learn how to handle his abilities, how to deal with his emotions, even if that meant that his protector would feel abandoned. Din picked up the child to speak to him, say farewell. Grogu fussed and kept reaching for the air towards the hallway behind the other man. Not understanding what the child wanted to tell him, Din turned him around so the big, brown eyes looked at him. »I’ll see you again, I promise,« he told the little one, gathering all of his strength to not break down. He had to be strong now. 

Grogu just stared at him, reached his tiny hand forward and touched the helmet. Din would lose him too. First Maia, then his ship and his home, now his son. They would all leave him. He understood what the child was hinting at. He removed the helmet, slowly and carefully as he just had one hand to maneuver the metal off of his head, but it felt right. It didn’t matter now after all, he had already broken his creed back on Morak. 

What harm would it do for the child to see him before they said farewell?

Grogu stared at his protector and extended his hand once more, touching Din’s cheek and then resting his tiny hand on his jaw. Din closed his eyes, trying to memorize the feeling. Whether the child had intended it or not, it was the same spot that Maia had touched when she and Din kissed, and for a moment, it was like she was here with them. 

»Alright pal,« Din finally said, having to tear himself out of this moment before he told the Jedi to get lost and rather take Ahsoka’s advice. »Don’t be afraid,« he said softer, his voice cracking because he heard a little sniffle from Grogu. He sat the helmet and his foundling down, watching as he waddled over to the Jedi and the astromech next to him. The droid seemed awfully delighted to see the small, green child, chirping and wobbling on the spot. It just so happened that at the same time the elevator in the background dinged, but Din was too distracted, exchanging a look with the human, who then leaned over to pick Grogu up. 

And just when he thought he would be alone, he saw a familiar face in the hallway. 

Maia was so focused on Luke picking up Grogu that she didn’t even register the other people on the bridge at first. There was a man opposite of her master with short, dark brown hair and a pained expression on his face. She didn’t recognize him, maybe he was just a companion. The silver armor he was wearing didn’t even register in her mind, all she was focused on was his face and the tell-tale sting she suddenly felt when the brown eyes darted over to her. It was as if electricity shot through her when the dots connected. She froze, her eyes immediately glossing over with tears. »Din?« she asked, fully aware it had to be him, the armor and the sensation in the back of her neck giving her the confirmation she needed. »You took your helmet off,« was all she could say. 

»I did. For him, and for you.« As soon as she saw him take a step towards her, she ran over to him and practically crashed into his chest, wrapping her arms around him. Finding it a little hard with the jetpack and the spear on his back, she rested one hand just below the jetpack, the other on the back of his head. If she had more time she woul have removed her gloves to feel his hair, but this happened so suddenly. 

Din buried his face in the crook of her neck, looking for evidence she was really here and this wasn’t some cruel illusion. Her much shorter hair brushed over his face and he could make out the familiar scent on her, providing enough confirmation that she was back to soothe his broken heart. »You’re here,« he whispered against her skin and pulled her closer, almost lifting her off of the ground. This was a lot to handle at once. 

Sadness, grief, but also the faint shimmer of hope that had kept him going, and love. Din wouldn’t be alone after having grown so used to being around others. It also gave him hope that he would see Grogu again some day, that he would come back to him, just as Maia did. She had her face halfway in his hair as well, her eyes pressed shut otherwise she would start crying. »I told you I’d be there if you needed me,« she reminded him, a single chuckle escaping. 

Their heads separated from each other and moved back just enough so they could look into each others eyes properly. His were red and irritated, glassy and so were hers, welling with tears but none yet rolling down her face. Safe to say they both were happy to see the other, and they didn’t care if anyone saw. Din knew his allies would know to let them have their moment, and Luke was too fascinated by the two interacting, knowing that Maia and the Mandalorian shared a bond only few could relate to. 

It was Skywalker who called for Din’s attention, feeling his job done here. »I’ll keep my promise,« he assured Din, watching as Maia unraveled her arms from the other man to stand to his left. »Grogu will be safe with me.« He nodded towards Din, then turned his attention to the brunette. »Remember what you’ve learned,« he reminded her one last time. Her head tilted to the side, leaning against Din’s pauldron and her eyes sparkled when she replied »I won’t forget it. May the force be with you, and with you, Grogu.« She extended her hand, offering Grogu a finger to hold onto for a moment to say goodbye. She knew the child would be safe with her master. He had cared for her so well, she had no doubts Grogu would do well with him, given the child was willing to learn. 

Grogu practically hung over Luke's shoulder when they walked over to the elevator, waving at his protector and friend. Perhaps he wasn’t waving and rather reaching for them, but both adults knew this was the best way for the child to get adequate care. 

This moment could have been so bittersweet, so wholesome and tragic at the same time; if it hadn’t been for Gideon to ruin it by opening his mouth. »Oh, isn’t it lovely,« he swooned, but his voice dripping with disgust. »One foundling leaves… and another returns.« Maia rolled her eyes and turned to find the Moff on the ground, where he belonged. His bloodied nose told her that this wasn’t his first uncalled for comment. Din took hold of her hand, causing her to wonder if he wanted to stop her of if he just wanted to be close. Their hug could’ve been longer, she agreed. 

»You deleted my file,« she accused the Imperial, confused why he would refer to her as a foundling. Din and her were obviously closer, and she was a little too old to be adopted, right? »I did, with great pleasure, actually,« Gideon replied, returning her intense gaze. »I was a little disappointed you didn’t arrive with your Mandalorian friend here, but as it would turn out, you are as predictable as I had thought and would show up either way. I just wanted to have the opportunity to tell you that you won’t ever find your parents.« 

Suddenly, Din holding her hand was very welcome, because she could squeeze his hand and he could return the gesture, reminding her what was actually important right now. »Then speak,« she ordered, causing the Man opposite of her to grin. »You’ll never find them.« She raised an eyebrow, did he even have information? »Tell me something new.« »Your parents must be dead, either of natural causes or killed, by the Mandalorian we neutralized to get to you.« His words didn’t even register properly before she felt her heart stop. What? 

»Oh, I’m sure it’s tragic to hear,« he continued, reading the confusion in her face with ease. »He died fighting if that is any soothing to you. Who knows how long you had been with him before we found you.« There was only one conclusion for her, Gideon was trying to agitate her, antagonize her until she lost control again. He was lying. Mentioning a tragic death of her parents at the hands of a Mandalorian while three of them were in the room with her made sense. As much as she hated to give it to him, Gideon was a smart man, but she had changed. 

»Maia,« Din softly spoke to her and squeezed her hand, he felt her fingers tremble. She turned to him, her eyes were a little less friendly this time. It was obvious it was affecting her and even if Djarin wasn’t too concerned about her losing control this time, he wanted to ground her. Did Din know? She thought about it for just a second. »He’s not lying, is he?« she asked and he felt his own chest tense. 

Did he want to just tell her? Did she even want to know? »I saw your file. I found it on a terminal in an Imperial base. It got destroyed with my ship, I wish I still had it.« It sounded like a confirmation, even if Din was reluctant to actually say it. It made sense, in a way. Despite having a rather traumatic experience with Fett she felt safe in Din’s presence, but it could’ve been because of their bond. The sound of Mando’a was familiar to her, even if she had little inclination what the words meant. It would explain why she felt all warm and fuzzy when he called her mesh’la. 

“Oh how noble, a Mandalorian willing to risk his life, wasting time in an Imperial base just to find a little intel on his friend. Removing his helmet for a child he will never see again. Does it feel good? Do you feel special?« Gideon practically spit and Maia wondered why he was still allowed to breathe. »Tell me, 414, do you actually believe you’ll have a future with him?« That stung. She thought she did, she knew it. It was easy to guess the soft spot she had for the Mandalorian, given everyone present had seen how they ran into each other’s arms. Worst of all was referring to her by her ID, something Gideon did on purpose. 

»Jedi, Sith, what does it matter. You could have been so powerful thanks to us. What would that Mandalorian have done with your talent? There were no Jedi left after Order 66 that could have taught you. See what we had made you do, turn a whole research complex to nothing more than dust with one wrathful outburst.« Would he ever shut up? »Has he seen what you can do? Does he know how many died because of you when you were still a teenager? How their pleas fell on deaf ears in your blinding rage and no one survived?« Gideon’s lips formed a devilish grin. He wanted the others to be wary of her, scared and avoid her. Part of Maia struggled to keep her composure, the sound of bending and creaking metal roared through the ship, widening Gideon’s grin even more. »I take that as a no, but why would you care, huh? What are a few humans to you?«  

»Don’t listen to him, he wants to provoke you,« Din suspected, still holding onto her hand. Was he scared of her? Gideon scoffed »of course I want to provoke her.« Finally, one of the women offered to silence Gideon, her threat did not deter him from speaking, though. »Do you realize how pathetic you all are? A failed science experiment, a Mandalorian that breaks his codex for a child and a girl,« he looked over to the other women. »Heiress to the throne of a destroyed world, and the only item to strengthen her claim is in the hands of a friend; and her sidekick. An assassin working for the traitor Fett, and don’t even get me started on you, Dune.« It was a lot to take in at once, but the name Fett rang a bell. Boba Fett? 

With a sigh Maia finally let go of Din’s hand, walking over to kneel beside Gideon. »Maybe we are a pathetic bunch and you might think you’re superior to us,« she addressed him, placing a hand on his chest armor and pushing down, leaning in to push him into the steps beneath him. Part of her wanted to just off him, but he didn’t deserve to be let go so easily. »At the end of the day, you are the one in cuffs right now. I won’t be your instrument, nor am I the monster you want the others to see in me.« Finally, Dune took Gideon and left with him. The Imperial would be on trial with the New Republic and would get what he deserved. A nice long prison sentence, hopefully. 

The tension left Maia as soon as the elevator doors had closed and she could finally face Din again, who still had his helmet off. As much as she didn’t want to be stuck staring at him, she couldn’t help it, there was so much to take in. »What did my file say?« she asked him. »Do you want to know now?« They could talk about it when they were on their own, but Maia couldn’t wait. And as she would soon find out, she did good to want to hear it now. »They stumbled upon you during a patrol. You were about 4 years old and clearly showed signs of force sensitivity. You were with a Mandalorian at the time, they neutralized him.« »Neutralized. What a nice way to phrase killing yet another father of mine.« »I’m sorry,« Din touched her arm, trying to soothe her, but more gestures from him and she would start crying. »It’s okay. I have closure. We should leave.« She didn’t have to ask him twice, it had been quite a lot for one day for the both of them. Din grabbed his helmet, but before they could walk through the blast doors, the red-haired Mandalorian addressed her. »Maia, is it?« »Yes?« »I might know something about your family,« she explained. »You mean the Mandalorian that found me?« She shook her head. »Does the name Rayssa ring a bell?« Rayssa? The brunette furrowed her brows, it felt familiar, but it was a name. She could’ve heard it anywhere. »It might.« »I figured, you look just like her.« »I don’t understand,« Maia mumbled, and yet she somehow did, judging by how her throat became tight. »I’ve met a Mandalorian once who had lost both husband and daughter. Right around the time the Empire must’ve taken you in.« Now Din also turned around to speak to the other woman. »Are you sure?« he asked. They exchanged a look and she nodded. »I am, the similarity struck me as soon as Maia appeared here. I wouldn’t have mentioned it if it hadn’t been for Gideon.« 

»Wait, I’m Mandalorian?« Maia found it hard to believe, as much sense as it made. »You are and both of your parents were. Your name is Arana Vizsla, you were born on Mandalore to one of the oldest houses our kind has. One of your ancestors, Tarre Vizsla, was both a Jedi and a Mandalorian too. He forged the darksaber.« Eyes shot over to Din with the last sentence and he looked down to the saber hilt. »Then she should have it,« he responded after a moment, motioning to grab the hilt, but Kryze stopped him. »Di’kut! She would have to win it in combat, I’ve told you. Until someone defeats you, the saber is yours.« Maia didn’t understand anything, neither who Tarre Vizsla was, nor why Din suddenly had a weapon that looked and sounded like it was a lightsaber. And was that a Beskar spear on his back? And she was certain that there was another Mando’a word in there, and she would have to ask him what it meant. 

It was a little too much at once and she looked over to him, brows downturned and eyes big. »Can we please leave?« How was he still holding up so well, had they not been through a lot too? All she wanted was some time to process all of what just transpired as well as finally having him all to herself. There was a lot for them to talk about after the realization had finally settled in that they were reunited. »Let’s go,« he nodded towards the elevator. With a nod towards Kryze and Shand, he had said goodbye and walked alongside Maia towards the elevator. This must’ve been a lot for her to deal with, but he was happy she was back with him. It looked like she would stay this time. 

As soon as the elevator doors had closed and the lift set in motion, Maia pressed the e-brake and turned around to fall against Din’s chest again. He pulled one arm around her and pulled her in, buried his face in her hair once more. »I missed you,« he quietly confessed. He wasn’t sure how uncomfortable it was to hug him with the armor on, but she didn’t complain about any pain. She buried her face in his cape and sniffled, making him pull her even closer. »I’m sorry,« she mumbled into the fabric, barely audible if he hadn’t been so close to her. »It’s okay,« he reassured her. »You’re here now, that’s what matters. It’s a lot for you to take in right now, I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you about your dad at a better time, when we were on our own.« He felt her head move in a soft shake no. She leaned back to uncover her face to look at him. Her eyes were a little red now, making the green of her irises seem even brighter. Yes, this definitely was his favorite color. 

Maia freed one of her hands from its glove and cupped his cheek, stroking him with her thumb. The stubble of his beard felt rougher than on Tatooine, had he shaved just recently? »I’m exhausted but I’m fine. Aren’t you tired?« There he was and she took him in. He was handsome, more so than she had thought. Not that it mattered much as her feelings had been there before she knew his face. »It’s a little weird to suddenly see a face with the voice. I’m sorry if my staring is a little uncomfortable,« she explained. »Does it feel weird now that there’s no metal between us?«

His eyes were dark, much darker than she could have imagined even if he had told her. They were beautiful, mesmerizing. Like an endless ocean, dark and mysterious. »It is,« he confirmed with a soft nod. »No one has seen my face since I took my creed and suddenly there’s so many. Today, and also back on Morak where I had to remove my helmet in front of a whole room of Imperials. But it was worth it. Grogu is safe.« She felt for him and rose to her tiptoes to place a kiss on his cheek. He closed his eyes, his head twitching sideways ever so slightly. »If it felt right to take the helmet off, it probably was. Grogu might not understand what you’re sacrificing, and I might not understand fully myself, but it means a lot to me. One could even say you’re quite pretty underneath that bucket,« Maia told him with a soft smile on her lips. He smiled too, but there was still a bit of pain in his eyes. 

»You think I’m ‘pretty’?« »In a masculine way. Your smile is infectious.« They just stayed like this for a few seconds, looking at each other, faces so dangerously close. Maia really wanted to kiss him again, but she felt this wasn’t the right moment. Din was just as overwhelmed as she was, processing Grogu was now gone and possibly grieving. She would stay. They would find another time to kiss if he wanted to. She grazed the skin on his cheek one last time before she took her hand back, letting go of him entirely. »I assume the ARC is yours and you have a spot for me? We could also take one of the lambdas,« Din inquired. It was justified, she thought, Luke’s X-Wing couldn’t accommodate another adult. »It’s not the Razor Crest but I can take a copilot in. Do you have an idea where to go?« She loosened the brake on the elevator and they descended. 

»I lost everything when my ship was destroyed.« Din didn’t have to tell her again, she remembered when he reached out for her. His voice had sounded so broken. »We should get some money, I don’t carry that much with me. Maybe I have to take on some bounties for the time being.« »We might find you another ship, but you’re right, we’ll need money.« Bounty hunting? Would he be able to take her with him, or would she have to stay behind because it was safer? »You can be the pilot for now,« she let him know, stepping out when the elevator reached the level that would take them back to the hangar. »I don’t want to just take over your ship,« he said, but it really was no big deal. »Don’t worry. You know where to go, it just makes sense that you fly there. You’re probably the better pilot anyway. I’m … just okay.«  She walked beside him, taking the opportunity to take his profile in. Din seemed to be in thought, but he felt her eyes on him. »There is a space port I want to travel to next. Some of the Mandalorians, the covert that once was on Nevarro, might be there. The port is called Glavis, it’s a gigantic ring structure.« Maia nodded. Sounded like a good lead, and now that he had mentioned his covert, she had an idea. »Might they know my family?« 

It was possible, she wasn’t the first Vizsla Djarin had met. There was one in the covert, Paz. Perhaps he was related to her. »If anyone knows, it would be the armorer. House Vizsla is big, though.« He didn’t want to put her hopes up. If Kryze knew her mother, he had the suspicion that Rayssa had not been a child of the Watch. »You take the news relatively well,« he added. Maia shrugged »It is weird to suddenly just … be one of them. It explains why it feels so familiar to me, though, and maybe why I was so opposed to the Jedi codex from the beginning. Maybe I remembered my family deep down. It’s hard to accept, don’t get me wrong, I think I just have to let the news settle.« »It will take some time.« »Will you take me on your hunting trips? If it’s safe?« Din hesitated. »It’s hard to say when it’s safe. It can change within a second, sometimes I have to be spontaneous.«

They walked past the Darktroopers, which were nothing more than piles of scrap now. Din had struggled so much with one, he was so lucky Maia and her master had arrived just in the right moment to save them all.  »You mean like you had to be with the dragon?« A sly grin crept up to her lips and he jokingly rolled his eyes. »I doubt there will be dragons.« They finally reached the hangar and it was time for him to put the helmet back on. There he was again, just how she had known him. Still, it was a little sad she could no longer look at his pretty face. »Last chance: Is it okay I’m flying?« His modulated voice was so much rougher than his unfiltered voice was. The tone didn’t change much, but it lost a lot of its warmth. »Unless you steal the ship and abandon me it should be fine.« He chuckled and shook his head. »I won’t, don’t worry.« 

They boarded the ship, Maia struggling to climb up the ship until she ultimately just jumped up there. As soon as the cockpits were closed, she opened up the radio channel so she could talk to the pilot. »How long will it take us to get to Glavis?« Din flipped a bunch of switches, starting up the engine. »A few hours. You can rest if you want to.« »I don’t think I can,« she sighed. »I could really use a shower and something to eat, maybe I can find some rest afterwards.« She really wanted a warm shower. Hot water on her skin and a perfect little occasion to just let all of the tears out she was holding back right now. While Din agreed they needed to rest, they would have to see how far his credits could take them. »One after the other. We’ll get some food and then find somewhere to stay. Deal?« »Deal.« 

It had gotten quiet back there, and Din asked after a few minutes of silence »Maia?« »Mh?« she sounded exhausted. If only he could’ve hugged her again. »Do you want me to let you sleep?« »I don’t think I can. My thoughts keep racing.« »Do you want to talk?« »About my thoughts?« 

He smiled underneath the helmet and leaned back. »About anything you want. I’ve missed your voice.« 

»I can tell you what I’ve been up to ever since we split.« »For example. I take it that the voice you had been talking about ended up being that Jedi?« He almost referred to him as ‘that guy’. He hadn’t put any thought into it earlier, but he was a little anxious knowing Maia had stayed with him for all this time. He must’ve been around her age too, and a Jedi, just like her. 

»Luke felt a disturbance in the force because of me and offered to help. I guess you could say I found the Jedi before you did.« Din chuckled. »You could put it that way.« So, Luke was his name. Not Master, not his last name. Luke. »He took me in and trained me. It was all we did while you and Grogu were out in the galaxy, probably experiencing one adventure after the other.« Oh how right she was, but most of these adventures had been anything but exciting. »Grogu and I have been through a lot,« he confirmed, his voice a little heavy with grief. The little troublemaker was gone. With Luke, who had spent a lot of time with Maia before taking his foundling in. 

Maia bit her lip, sensing she had struck a nerve when mentioning the child. It was a fresh wound, she didn’t want to keep reminding Din. But there were some things she wondered. »How did you even find the seeing stone? We could feel Grogu so clearly and from what I’ve been told, these old monuments aren’t on any map« »I found a Jedi. Ahsoka Tano.« Did the name ring a bell with Maia? »I helped her free a village and in return she told me about the stone.« 

So he had met a Jedi. Of course Maia had no idea who this woman was, but it didn’t matter now. But if she was a Jedi, »why wouldn’t she take him in herself?« Din sighed. Maybe Maia should change the topic. On the other hand, maybe it helped him to talk to her about this. She knew what Grogu would deal with now. If there was anyone that could help Din soothe his guilt, it was her. 

»She refused,« he explained. »It sounded personal. She said his attachment to me was too dangerous. Her recommendation was to just let his abilities fade and train him like I would a foundling. But I felt like that wasn’t right.« There was a bit of silence from the other end. »I didn’t even know we could lose our abilities,« Maia mumbled. »I doubt you could. You are a Jedi now, right?« 

Maia thought about it. Technically she was. »I haven’t thought about it to be honest. I passed the trials, so … that should make me a Jedi? I – If you think Grogu could have stayed with us, he couldn’t. Just as I had to leave, he will need some distance.« She thought Din had ulterior motives. He did, but his thoughts weren’t even with what she had told him just now. He had wondered what this would mean with her attachment. If she was even allowed to have feelings for him. The way she hugged him, even the way she looked at him, made him think there was something. Something he reciprocated.   

He hadn’t expected this kind of reply, but after an awkward pause he said. »I understand.« Maybe he would have to ask more directly next time. But how could he without stumbling over his words? He pressed his lips together, hoping she would just tell him in due time. »So,« he started. »What are the trials?« 

»Six tests to prove you’re ready to become a Jedi. That you have all the qualities needed to become a warden of peace. It’s trials of skill as well as testing the mind and resilience of an apprentice. For example one trial is enduring great physical pain.« She couldn’t even finish her thought before Din interrupted. »He hurt you?« Her heart sank, that’s not what she had wanted Din to think. »No, he didn’t. My injury on Nevarro was my trial. I – sorry. Bad example. It’s just one of the easier trials to explain.« 

Din took a breath, now realizing himself that his demeanour was a little too much. His jealousy got the better of him in this moment and he just wanted a good reason to justify not liking Luke. »So you trained with him all day?« That was a lot of time to spend with a man. She had only taken three days with him to get him to kiss her. »I did. It was a little strange, I have to admit, but we’ve gotten used to being around one another all the time. It’s better than being abandoned.« That stung. Whether she intended or not, it felt a little like she blamed Din for sending her away. And now she had stayed with a guy for the entire time they had been separated. »You must’ve grown close,« he suggested, dreading his words as soon as they had left his lips. He was a little too exhausted to not let the jealousy overtake him. 

Maia picked up on it. »I would say so. I consider Luke a friend.« Was that enough? Maybe she should change the topic. »Who were the two Mandalorians with you?« »Bo-Katan Kryze and Koska. Her sister was the last ruler of Mandalore before the planet got destroyed.« »How did you meet her?« 

So he told her. From picking up the frog lady on Tatooine, to their little stop on Maldo Kreis with all of the cave spiders and the adventure on Trask. At first Maia was quite responsive, asking questions ever so often, but her interruptions turned to more and more silence. By the time he told her about meeting Ahsoka, Maia was unresponsive and had likely fallen asleep. Maybe listening to him offered the distraction her mind needed. Something to focus on while she fell asleep. 

They made it to Glavis some time later, Maia waking up from her nap when she felt the ship touch ground. While it felt good to get some rest, it was nowhere near enough and she was a little disoriented. She almost fell when she jumped out of the ship. »Let’s get you some food, mesh’la.« Din had his helmet on, who would’ve guessed, and called her mesh’la again. She was pretty to him, even if she looked a little sleepy right now. They walked away from the landing platform, finding a little shop where Din could buy something to eat for the both of them. Maia had regained her energy a little while walking, looking at the credits in his hand. »How much do you have left? Is it enough for a bed?... two beds«

»I don’t think so but maybe we can arrange something. Pay part of the cost now and the rest after I have found a bounty contract. Some cheap motels might be willing to make a deal.« Din didn’t need much to be comfortable. He had lived in his ship for the past couple of years, mostly. »Can I make a counter offer?« Maia asked. The thought of a dirty, run down motel room was a little disturbing, even if she didn’t have to worry about her safety too much. »Sure,« Din shrugged, taking the two containers of stew and continuing the way down the street. »I could abuse my power and get us a nice hotel room. And a bathtub.« »Alright.« That easy? Ultimately it was safer to get a nicer room, and Djarin was curious if she actually could just get them a room for free. It might come in handy in the future. 

Fueled by Din’s permission, Maia guided him towards the less shady part of the station. More and more neon lights showed up on the buildings, tinting everything in pink and blue. Every hotel they passed looked ridiculously luxurious and definitely out of their price range and he wondered by which criteria Maia looked for the perfect accommodation. His heart sank a little when she entered one of the giant hotel towers. He couldn’t even stop her before she halfway jumped on top of the reception to wave her hand in front of the front desk personnel, a humanoid woman. 

It was a little scary how her eyes unfocused as soon as Maia had raised her hand. »You’ll give us a key for the best room you have. With a whirlpool. No one will bother us, we don’t have to pay, and you’ve never seen us. As soon as we are in that elevator, you will delete the security footage.« Din’s helmet turned towards Maia, who did this with an alarming ease. Had she done this before? How must it feel to be influenced like this? He looked over to the receptionist, who slid a keycard over. »Suite 1217 is on the 12th floor. Please enjoy your stay.« 

The brunette turned to him, keycard in hand and a wide grin on her face. She and Din walked over to the elevator, his facade breaking as soon as the elevator doors had closed. »That was a little creepy.« »How else would we get a suite?« »A normal room would’ve been fine for me.« He didn’t need it. He was fine with just a mattress if he had to be honest. »I’m sure you’ll think differently when we’re inside.« The elevator dinged and they were on the 12th floor. She opened the door to the suite and it was … big. They had a table, a bed, and a ridiculously large window that showed the neon-tinted city beneath them. 

Din set the two containers down, removed the spear and jetpack and took off his helmet, sitting beside the table to eat before he would walk all over to inspect the suite. Maia sat with him and they ate. The stew was warm, and while it wasn’t the tastiest meal he ever had, it was satiating. They had a small kitchenette in here, so they had plenty of drinking water as well. »How’s the food?« he asked her in between. »It’s okay. Better than the stuff I had in the recent days,« she explained. Nutri-bars were really anything but tasty. They both smiled. 

Din finished his serving first and he leaned back into the chair. »You can have the shower first.« Maia nodded. »Thank you. I hope it has a tub at least, I want to be cooked a little before I go to bed.«  

After the small but satisfying dinner, Din started taking off his armor while Maia entered the bathroom and was greeted with the blinding white light. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust until she could make out everything. A toilet, a shower, even a washer was installed here. The latter’s presence surprised her, but this was a suite after all. Next to the door hung bathrobes of a very soft and fuzzy bright white fabric. 

Behind a semi-transparent wall, there it was, the whirlpool she had specifically asked for. She dimmed the light to be less offensive to the eyes and debated for a second if she should take the opportunity and use the washer. She quickly undressed and chucked her clothes in the machine, delighted it even had the option to tumble dry. She took one of the robes and went behind the privacy screen. There it was, the pool, flush with the ground level, hidden behind transpari steel that probably was mirrored from the outside. The neon lights were also visible from here, but less stark. Maybe the window in here was tinted for more privacy.

It didn’t take long to fill the pool up with water and she entered the warm bath, leaning on the edge to watch the neon lit city outside. Ever so often she’d see a ship fly by in the distance. The port was busy and yet it was so quiet up here. 

After a while there was a knock on the door. »Maia?« »You can come in,« she answered. Din entered and looked around for a second, somewhat relieved that she was behind that matte screen. »Do you mind if I take a shower? Doesn't look like you need it right now… I can’t see you from there either.« »Go ahead. You can put your suit in the wash, I haven’t started the cycle yet. Don’t worry about me, there’s nothing new to see here for you. Still tattooed, and the back is still covered in scars.« She heard the zipper of his vest, thought for a second about him undressing just a few meters away from her. She closed her eyes and rested her head on the arms she had crossed on top of the pool edge. 

Din wasn’t too amused to hear her talk like this. His voice was softer when he replied »scars tell a story. It’s horrible what you went through. The scars are a testament to the horrors you’ve endured. You survived them. Every Mandalorian would tell you that you’re so strong for persevering.«

Maia scoffed. »Strong. All the Empire did was make me weak and unstable.« For a second the rustle of his flight suit halted. »You’re not weak. Don’t say that.« 

»Of course I am. I’m emotional. Spiteful. I can barely contain myself if I feel like crying. Worst of all, I was isolated for so long, I barely knew how the world worked. I still struggle with it sometimes.« 

»You’re loving despite all of the trauma. They couldn’t take that away from you. It’s commendable.« 

»What is it worth to be loving in such a cruel galaxy? I’m a broken person. My body is mangled. Who could love that?« 

»Maia…« he came closer to the privacy screen. She turned around, seeing his silhouette through the semi-transparent material. He didn’t dare to move a muscle when he heard the water swirl around her moving body. He knew she could see him. »Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your body is still worthy of worship.« 

He just stood there, letting his words marinate. She blushed, undoubtedly so, too taken aback by his words to even speak. While she couldn’t see his face through the screen, she saw his shoulders rise and fall with an audible sigh. His head dropped just the slightest bit as he continued. »I think you’re beautiful… if that matters.« He knew it did. She knew too, but she didn’t say it. 

Din showered in silence, his clothes as well as hers in the wash while both of them enjoyed the hot water separately. There was an uncertainty in the air Maia couldn’t deny. Was it because of all that happened on the cruiser? Gideon’s words still lingered, taunting her and effectively ruining what should have been an important moment in her life. She and Din were reunited and yet she wondered if there was a future with him. She had feelings for him, she had known for a while, and it seemed he did too. But it was a lot. He had broken his creed, with the nice side effect that she was now allowed to see his face, but the consequences would find them soon enough. She had suddenly found a part of herself she had lost so long ago. 

What if Gideon was right?

When the washer let them know their clothes were clean and dry, Din exited the shower, dried off and opened the machine to take out their clothes. Maia, halfway asleep in the warm water, listened to the rustle of him putting his clothes back on. It was Din’s voice, now soft and silky, that pulled her out of her half-dazed state. »Are you okay in there?« She slowly blinked and raised her head to watch him through the privacy screen. »I’m just relaxing, don't worry about me. I haven't drowned yet, it's just so cozy in here.« Maia bit her lip before the invitation to join her in the bath could escape. As enticing as the thought was, Din wouldn't do that with her.

Or would he?

»Din?« »I’m still here.« She saw his silhouette behind the screen, watched as his unruly hair moved when he turned his head towards her. »What are we?« she asked. His shoulders tensed visibly, before he took a breath and replied »whatever you want us to be, cyar'ika.« So she wasn’t opposed to attachments despite being a Jedi? Seemingly taken aback by his own response, Din left the bathroom relatively quickly, leaving Maia to marinate in this feeling of breathlessness. At least she avoided inviting him into the water this way. 

Cyar’ika… she was certain she had heard this word before, but where? And why was Din so adamant about using Mando’a when he knew she didn't understand it. It only ever came out of him in kind of emotional moments. 

She closed her eyes and focused on the word. She heard it before, she knew she had. A different voice, still male, echoed deep in her mind. 

‘Cyar’ika where are you?’ the male voice called out, only to have a female voice reply, ‘We’re in the kitchen, cyare.’ She watched as a woman with long red hair appeared in her peripheral, and then a man joined in. There wasn't much to be seen, dark hair and the rest of his features were obscured. It was like looking through water. Were tears in her eyes? ‘How is the little one doing?’ the man asked, promptly lifting Maia from her seat. And there it was, an unfamiliar face that slowly became clearer as it came closer. ‘She’s been crying ever since you left,’ the woman explained, wiping the small child’s cheeks with her fingers. She was beautiful, and she in fact looked a lot like what greeted Maia in her own reflection. A large hand rested on the child’s back when the man pulled her up to his face, practically burying it in the child's belly. ‘I’ve missed you too, my little star.’ ‘Think you can handle two girls being obsessed with you now?’ the woman teased, causing the man to erupt in laughter. ‘Of course I can. I love you, cyar'ika.’ ‘I love you too, cyare.’ 

Maia opened her eyes, confused what she had just experienced. That was, she was certain, a memory of her parents, pulled back to her conscious because of Din. Tears began to well in her eyes, partially from the sighting of her parents, partially because that meant that Din had just used a term of endearment.

It was finally time to leave the tub, her hands had pruned significantly and the sensation in her finger tips was uncomfortable. She put on her panties and her undershirt and tried to regain her composure, to no avail as Din must've felt the heartache radiating through the bathroom door. Another knock came from the door, but instead of answering, Maia opened the door, her eyes glassy and facing the floor. 

With his thumb and index at her chin, he gently pushed her head upright. »What’s wrong?« His voice was a mere whisper, barely loud enough to hear over the single sob that escaped her lungs. »I’m sorry,« she replied, barely able to contain her voice. »It’s just too much.« She knew she worded this wrong when he let go of her. His hand wandered to her upper arm, resting on her skin as a means to comfort her. His hand was warm and surprisingly soft on her skin. »Do you want to talk about it?« was all he asked. Din was certainly as overwhelmed with the situation as she was, not much of a talker himself usually. Before he had met her, actually. 

»I’m trying. Trying so hard to be good, to not let my emotions rule over me again and ever since I've been back, all I feel like is crying. I was fine with forgetting about my past to focus on the future. Now I know a bit about my past and all it does it haunt me. My parents are most likely dead anyway, like Raymond.« Another sob shook her, tears running down her cheeks. »You just gave Grogu away and have your own grief to deal with, and now you're stuck with me, alternating between crying and a lovesick teenager.« 

There it was. A little confession of feelings, wrapped in between self-pity and justified sadness. 

Finally she found the courage to look at him, his beautiful features tinted in blue, pink and purple. Din looked down at her, his breathtakingly dark eyes staring into her soul. There was a softness and empathy in his down turned eyebrows. »Can I –« he began but sighed and pulled her into his arms, caging her in an embrace. His forehead rested gently against hers. She wrapped her arms around his back and leaned in. Din's chest was so warm and welcoming, only his shirt and hers separating them in this moment. It felt good to be caught in a hug, feeling his heart pound against his chest and hers as well. »Mesh’la,« he began after a moment of silence, pulling her even closer when he felt her lean in. »There’s nothing that could feel better than having you with me right now.« 

She hugged him a little tighter as one of his hand caressed over her back. »I'm sorry about your parents. I'm sure you had a lot of questions and it's unfortunate that they're not here any more. I will help you where I can, I promise.« His head moved away from hers, allowing him to look into her eyes again. »I know that Grogu is in safe hands and that he might return one day, just like you did.« 

She watched as his eyes wandered downwards to her lips for a second. There was a traitorous sparkle in his eyes before he leaned forward and stole a kiss from her. Before she could reposition her hands, however, Din pulled back. His cheeks had turned colors, now a nice shade of red, presumably. It was hard to tell when the whole room was tinted purple. »I’m sorry, was that okay for me to do?« 

She took both hands from his back, cupping his face in them. »Never apologize for kissing me,« she hushed and leaned in for another kiss, more passionately this time. His hand landed on the back of her neck and pulled her in closer. It felt like time was running in slow-motion when their lips connected, sparks flying and her heart rate quickening. She leaned back to allow herself to take a breath. When her eyes opened she saw Din lick his lips before smiling at her. »I’ll remember. I could get used to this.« Did he know what he did to her with just these few words? It seemed he wasn’t done whispering sweet nothings, either. »You’ve turned my world upside down, cyar’ika. Are you aware of that?« 

Maia stroked his cheekbones, trying to find the right words to respond. Because frankly, all she wanted was to kiss him over and over again. »We’ve both sacrificed a lot for this, cyare.« Her hands wandered down his chest, feeling his heart pound underneath his ribs. His heart was racing, as was hers. »You’ve said we are what I want us to be,« she began, trying to find any change in his expression. All she could find was affection. 

His stance was clear. »If you want me, you can have me. If you don’t, we should stop this; I’m sure you can guess which I would prefer.« His hand was still on her neck, his thumb tracing over her skin. »I want to be upfront, I don’t know what my future will look like, but I’d be happy if you were part of it.«

As much as her impulse told her to reply with an ‘I want you’ or say no for a joke, she chose her words more carefully. »Guess that means ‘you and I against the rest of the galaxy’, huh?« He chuckled and nodded. »This is the way.« Her head tilted to the side when she repeated »the way?« Instead of explaining it, Din leaned forward and kissed her forehead. »We should go to bed, it was a long day and we can’t stay here for long in the morning.« He was right, but Maia dreaded having this moment end. 

»No fighting about the bed this time around?« she asked and let go, slowly walking out of his embrace. »Unless you’re not willing to share,« he replied. The bed was definitely big enough for two adults to comfortably sleep in. Something told her a smaller bed would’ve done fine as well, as she would probably take the opportunity to be as close to him as she could. He allowed her to crawl into bed first, and the first reaction she had was to practically melt into the mattress. »Oh kriff I should go back downstairs and get us this room for an entire week,« she whined into one of the numerous pillows, not properly registering when Din also snuck under the cover. Judging by the groan he let out, his back must’ve not had the pleasure of such a soft bed in a while. If ever. »Would you? Stars, I don’t think I’ve ever slept in a bed as soft as this.« Din looked over to her, didn’t have to say much. He was on the side, all it took was for him to raise his arm and she scooted in, snuggled right into his chest. It was a pity that neither him nor her smelled much like anything besides the hotel soap. Still, Maia had her face buried in his shirt and his face was in her hair. »Good night, cyar’ika,« he whispered into her hair, to which she replied »good night, cyare.« 

Notes underneath the chapter whaaaaat 

I don’t really want to add any more of my blubbering, the chapter is long enough as is (and actually I had to split it, there was SO MUCH MORE supposed to happen but I realized this would be a 20k+ chapter. no one needs that) 

I want to take this little break down here to show something that is awfully fitting with the setting in this chapter. My dear friend Rocket (whos also obsessed with Pedro and the color purple) posted a Din piece some time ago and I just… I gasped. 

Do you see the vision? Neon lights (aka Bi lighting) and Din without the armor???

HELLO??? THAT IS DIN IN THE SUITE OKAY 

Props to Maia for not undressing on the spot because gurl I would 

Give Rocket some love: