#Rest in piece paz...

[zerohirrotries]

That new Mandalorian episode hit so well!!!

Spoilers ahead!!!

First off, seeing where Moff Gideon was hiding, I called it! I pretty much at the start thought he would hide where Mandalore was.

Second.... Rest in piece Paz... I am upset he is gone.... Yet, what he did to made me have some hope... The praetorian guards return!!

Third. . . . OMG LOOK!!! When Moff Gideon was talking to more empire people, one being Armitage Hux's father: Brendol Hux!!!

Now if you do not know who Armitage Hux is he is General Hux from the Sequel Trilogy! In the Mandalorian they show his father talking about cloning!!!

Like I love how this is slowly connecting to the sequel trilogy!! I needed this so much, sure I am sad that Paz has died. . . I still have not fully recovered from the loss....

Yet, showing that Hux's father was connected to maybe the making of Snoke and other Palpatine makes the story so much more interesting.

Also hearing about them looking for Thrawn and hearing rumors about him, this is obviously taking place around the time Ahsoka is then!

Then having the praetorian guards back is actually scary! Like, they were hard to fight and they served Palpatine . . . Then hearing plans of cloning is what Hux's father wants is actually awesome in a scary way!

Sorry, I am just excited with seeing this all connect the sequel trilogy more and now even more excited for Ahsoka to come out!

Now, when can I see baby Ben Solo?!

[maybege]

What If - Part 4

Summary: Mandalore approached and you cannot help but feel like something is about to go terribly wrong.  

Pairing: alpha!Paz Vizsla x omega!fem!Reader

Wordcount: 6.2k | Rating: E (18+ only!)

Warnings: A/B/O dynamics, explicit sexual content, size kink (Paz is big-big), (semi-)public sex, oral sex (m receiving), unprotected sex, creampies, knotting, cockwarming, dirty talk, praise kink, Angst with a capital A, fluffy fluf

As we say in German “Was lange wärht, wird endlich gut” which is what I am using as my excuse for why this took so long. The truth is: depression is a bitch, real life is a bitch and creativity and time for writing are like the same side of two magnets that do not want to even go near each other. Anyway, we made it!!!

There are a few people I gotta thank for this. First and foremost the iconic, the brilliant @mostly-megan who not only suffers through all the random AU ideas I have (and there are a LOT of them) but also brainstorms with me. The Ragnar Scene and also a very (very!) lovely scene towards the end of this part would not exist without her and for that, I am very grateful. Then, of course, the ever-present, ever-lurking genius that is the Boba Tea Anon who is in the Paz trenches right there with me and encourages me in everything I do (even if it is just a – I promise one day I will do a Lord Huron Paz piece!). Also, a very special shout out to Neyo (@galacticgraffiti) who gave the Mando kids their names, suffers through The Horn Knee with me and is always there to cheer me on. And then, of course, all you Paz girlies (gn) who make me feel like a sane person while I ramble about a faceless man who appeared for a total of 23 minutes (if that) and is – canonically – dead anyway. You make sharing my writing worthwhile in the first place and I will be forever grateful for getting to share my writing with you.

And with that – on to the last part (and the new canon for me lol). Please let me know what you thought in a comment or a reblog!

masterlist | crossposted on AO3

There was a certain impatience to him you had not expected at the last meal. When the announcement came that you were approaching Mandalore, Paz – who had spent the dinner between you and Ragnar – had pulled you into his lap, his arms like iron around your body. Ragnar had wandered off to the front with all the other foundlings, expectantly looking up at the clan leaders.

You had turned your face into Paz’s neck, trying to get his scent on you. You could not believe how you had only known this man for a few days – a week, at most! – and yet his scent was the only thing that seemed to calm you down. And it was no different for him.

The alpha’s hand immediately found your scent gland and you shivered as the soft leather brushed over your skin. It did not take long until he pulled his gloves off, settling them into your lap, before resuming his motions.

The nervous energy in the room was palpable but it was practically radiating off him and it inevitably affected you as well. Where you had been excited, if a bit reluctant, a few weeks ago at the prospect of reclaiming Mandalore, now there was only a strange sense of dread in your stomach. One that even the alpha could not dissolve.

“When you wake up tomorrow, some of us will set foot on our homeland for the first time in too many years,” Briggs announced, his serious gaze roaming over the packed hall, “I cannot promise you it will be easy. I cannot promise we will all wake up to the sight of Mandalore. But we will die trying.”

You could see Ragnar looking back at his father who tilted his head. A gesture meant to be reassuring but only resulted in you questioning whether Paz would be one of those dying. You shifted nervously, causing Paz to tighten his hold on your waist.

“Calm down, love,” he rumbled quietly behind you, “It will be alright.”

Forcing yourself to nod, you gripped his large hand tightly, trying to burn into your brain what it was like to touch him,

“Rest well and rest assured that tomorrow will mark the start of a brand new era,” Briggs raised his glass, “And let us toast to our home!”

“To our home!”

Everyone lifted their glasses and the conversations resumed, a constant background roar that reminded you of the countless fates that were tied to the success of this mission. A strange feeling started in your chest, and not the kind that Paz’s presence usually caused.

You shifted again, watching as the crowd dissipated and the foundlings were walked off to bed. Their excited chatter moved down the hall and something cold clenched your heart when you watched Ragnar wave at his father.

Immediately everything quieted down. With everyone returning to their own conversations and the hall being considerably more empty now, Paz did not waste any time. His hands landed on your thighs and you managed a wobbly smile.

 “What is going on in your pretty head?” he asked you, his fingers skimming over your thighs, “You’ve been squirmy all evening.”

“Who says something is on my mind?”, you popped a berry into your mouth, grimacing at the sudden sour taste.

“True,” he laughed, “You might have just spent dinner thinking about when you can finally sit on my cock again.”

“Paz!” you gasped, “you cannot – I mean – what if –“ You glanced around with flushed cheeks, relieved to see that no one had seemed to hear his indecent theory.

He laughed again and the sound made your heart and body melt. “I will never tire of making you flustered,” he murmured, his big hands pulling you closer, “Though I actually would not mind having you cockwarm me tonight, sweet omega,” his fingers brushed the underside of your breasts and you shivered, “I would be lying if I said I could ever get enough of you.”

“I actually had something similar in mind,” you admitted shyly, slipping off his lap and enjoying the way his hands followed you and his body leant into you. As if he wanted to keep touching you, as if he never wanted to let you go. Your heart skipped a beat and you smiled.

“I … would like to try something?”

He leant back, his legs spreading with the movement and your teeth dug into your bottom lip at the sight of the obvious bulge in his pants. “Oh yeah, omega, and what would that be?”

You made a few steps away, making sure that your robe (a dark blue, just like his armour) swished around your form as enticingly as possible. Paz’s head turned to follow your movement from your place in front of him to a chair in a dark alcove, dressed in shadows where you knelt down right in front of it.

The big alapha hummed, rising to his feet, knowing exactly what it was you had in mind. “I think I can get behind that idea.”

From the other sounds that were floating through the cantina, you knew that illicit things were already well underway. Most of them likely more graphic and adventurous than what you had in mind. Still, you felt a little nervous at the prospect of sucking Paz Vizsla’s cock.

But for some reason, this was exactly what you needed. You wanted to bring him pleasure, so much pleasure.

You watched as he pulled off his cape, folding it expertly before motioning for you to stand. He dropped it on the floor, his hand steadying your elbow as you sunk down on the soft fabric. “Don’t want you uncomfortable,” he announced, before sitting down in the chair.

He looked big like this, bigger than usual. And oh so confident it already made your panties wet. His knees spread, the trunks he called thigh caging you in and you watched with bated breath as his fingers undid his codpiece, expertly freeing his cock.

He was already hard and dripping precome, the knot at the base slightly inflated and you squeezed your thighs. It was not like you had never seen his cock before and it certainly was not as if he had not fucked you before. Yet, the sheer size of him and the thought of taking him in your mouth overwhelmed you a little.

Where were you supposed to start?

But when one big rough hand closed around his shaft and Paz started to jerk off right in front of you, you could not help but to simply … dive in.

Opening your mouth as far as it would go, you closed your lips around his tip, one hand struggling to fit around him. The grunt he let out, paired with a twitch of his hips, had you smiling around him.

“Stars above,” he cursed, “Warn a man next time, won’t you, love?”

You looked up at him, teary-eyed, while your tongue licked the underside of him. Or at least the part you could reach. He was heavy in your mouth, heavy and big and he tasted of something that made you want more. Slowly, you moved forward trying to take more of him but soon enough, he bumped something at the back of your throat and you sputtered.

Before you could panic about breathing, Paz had pulled out of you, his large hand cupping your cheek while the other was still wrapped around the base of his cock. “Deep breaths, omega,” he soothed you, his hand leisurely stroking himself, “You are doing so good for, trying to take it all.”

“You’re so big,” you marvelled, wrapping your hands around him, “I want it all, alpha, I – Paz, I really want it all.”

“Want my help?” he asked, “Might have to be a little rougher, though, sweet omega, and I can smell how much that turns you on but I need you to tell me – Are you sure?”

You nodded eagerly, darting your tongue out to lick at him. “I am sure, alpha,” you murmured, pressing a kiss to the tip, “I promise.”

“If it is too much, tap my thigh three times, understood?”

You nodded again, shifting on your makeshift pillowed. Your thighs were already drenched at this point and you wondered whether you could come just from sucking him off. It seemed like you would be able to do a lot of things when it came to Paz.

His grip on your face loosened just the tiniest bit. “Open up for me,” he ordered, pulling your face towards him, “There we fucking go. Gorgeous.”

“I will never tire of this sight,” he groaned, “You struggling to take my size, trying to be so good for me,” he shifted, his hips surging forward and you smiled with pride when you did not gag this time, “Can I go deeper, love? Is that okay?”

With your position between his legs, your jaw wide open around him, you could not really nod. But Paz seemed to recognize the excited twinkle in your eye because you could hear the grin in his voice when he muttered a “Stars, you’re perfect.”

You took great care to keep your breathing even and through your nose, experimentally swirling your tongue around him every time he pulled out of your mouth. His thrusts grew heavier, his hold on you tighter and you swore you were this close to coming just from the sheer sight of his shaft covered in the sheen of you.

It was not long before he came in thick spurts on your tongue. You struggled to swallow it all, your throat working overtime as you did your best to swallow around him. “Good girl,” he praised you, “My good fucking girl.”

Your heart jumped in your chest as you licked him clean, not quite ready to let go of this intimacy.

His hand came to your chin, gently scooping up some of the come that had spilt from your lips. “Here you go,” he offered his coated thumb and you sucked the digit into your mouth without hesitation. You could never get enough of his taste.

“Let’s retire for the night, love,” he suggested, “We have a long day ahead of us.”

*

By the time you got settled in your bunk, you knew it was only a few hours before everything would start. Before you had to say goodbye.

Paz had excused himself, leaving you to get ready for bed alone before he appeared by your side, dressed completely in his armour.

“Are you okay?”

“Said goodbye to Ragnar,” he explained, sitting down on the little cot, hunching his shoulders over so he would not hit his head.

“Oh.”

Somewhere behind the curtains, someone snored.

Paz grunted when he laid down, his giant arm reaching out and pulling your back to his front.

“Is this okay?” you asked quietly, “It’s a tight fit.”

“It’ll be okay,” he murmured, grunting when he pulled the curtain closed, “I will not spend my last night without my calmer.”

“Aren't you uncomfortable?” you asked, your voice small, “With – with the armours and me and all the …”

“I will not spend my last night without my calmer,” he repeated, leaving no room for doubt. It took a bit of shuffling to turn you around but when you finally were facing him, you already felt much better. You tucked your face into his neck, breathing in his scent as he wrapped both arms around you.

Your heart was squeezing so hard in your chest that the emotional pain became physical.

What if this was his last night? What if you would never see him again?

And what if you did? Would it ever be like this again? Would he want to keep you as his calmer (or more?) when Mandalore was finally reclaimed?

Paz shifted, his large hands running over your back until one settled at the back of your neck.

“I got you,” he rumbled, “You’ll be safe, omega, I promise.”

You swallowed away the need to tell him that it wasn’t your safety you were worried about.

 *

The next morning was worse. It barely qualified as morning and you were sure you had not found any sleep. You had just been shifting all night from side to side, desperately burying your nose in his neck to soak up every little bit of his scent that he could give you.

You were not sure if Paz had slept either but when the alarms sounded in the room at the same time, it took him a minute to get up. Everyone was shuffling around the packed room silently, most of them already dressed and armoured. Ready to descend to the surface of Mandalore.

Despair was clawing at your insides. You felt like you were watching something from the outside that you knew would fail. That you knew would destroy everything you held close to your heart.

And yet, you watched helplessly as they lined up, preparing to board the ship that would take them into the atmosphere.

It was silent – eerie – as if everyone knew something big was about to happen. And you couldn’t move from his side. You couldn’t even if you wanted to. You needed to be here with him.

You watched as Paz double-checked his weapons and your mouth quirked up as you remembered how the man had seemed like a weapon on his own the very first time you had seen him. And how true it was, now that you saw guns and rifles packed to every piece of his armour that could carry it.

Your smile fell just as quickly as it had appeared. Would this be the last time you got to see him?

You had been scared a lot of times in your life. Like when your parents had taught you how to swim and you had been convinced you would sink to the bottom of the sea. Or when you had taken a bad fall in one of the hiding places and scuffed your knee. But that childish fear of creatures and heights was nothing compared to the existential dread that settled in your stomach.

It wasn’t fear that something could go wrong it was fear that you knew something was going to go wrong.

And could you really risk this?

“You, uh, you will come back, right?” you whispered, already hating how needy you sounded. But you needed to hear him say it. You needed Paz Vizsla’s words to be the ones to tie you to the hope of a future together.

“Someone already scared for me?” Paz tilted his head and while you knew this was supposed to be a joke, his voice did not sound very light. Like he knew it too. That feeling.

“Well, I mean you have Ragnar,” you shrugged, pulling the cloak closer around you, “And I mean your tribe needs you, you are a great warrior and –“

“Exactly,” he interrupted you gently. You watched as he approached you, his steps heavy and measured and you swallowed. “I am a great warrior,” he repeated with his fingers under your chin, tilting your head up to look at him, “Which is why I will come back to you.”

“But –“

“Listen to me,” he whispered, his hand cupping the side of your neck, scenting you so gently your eyes fluttered close, “I vow to the stars, I will come back to you, love.”

That was the last thing he said to you before he boarded the ship.

*

If somebody asked you what happened during the time you were waiting, you would not be able to tell them. As soon as Paz embarked on the with the scouting group, it felt like time stood still. You barely knew what you were doing. You were pacing the entire length of the ship it seemed, Ragnar keeping you company for a few of those pacing trips before he distracted himself by playing with the other foundlings.

You tried to approach your feelings rationally. You had spent a lot of your time these past few days in close proximity with Paz. He was an alpha, you were an omega, obviously there were some biological components that could have contributed to your feelings for him.

But that was exactly it. Your feelings …

At the thought of Paz not coming back, it felt like your heart ripped into two. You could not fathom a world without him in it and, more importantly perhaps, you could not fathom your life without him in it. You wanted him to come back and when all the tribes settled in their parts of Mandalore, you wanted to be as close to him as now. You wanted to spend your evening with him and Ragnar and you wanted to know what his days were like, what his role was in his clan.

Whether he wanted to keep you in his life as well.

Waiting was pure torture. Communications were cut and all that remained was the cold silence of the ship. You avoided the cockpit and strategy meetings, Briggs (thankfully) seemed to understand your reluctance and did not press you on the matter. Until Axe Woves came to warn the ship of the Imperial that had settled on the planet and the fight that had broken loose.

That was the meeting you had insisted on attending, hoping that – in whatever capacity – the stoic alpha might drop some comments about the people on the surface.

“Is,” you swallowed, “Is he well?”

The beskar-clad man, much to your frustration, said nothing at all.

Which was not very helpful.

The fight continued and troops were dispatched and you stayed, keeping the foundlings safe and quiet. In fitful dreams, you heard yourself confessing your love to him just before he disappeared never to return again. You woke up with cold sweats until you crawled into his bunk, pressing your nose into his pillow and willing yourself to think of a future in which he came back to you unharmed.

Sometimes, you could hear Sluice and Chants converse about what to do if it all failed. Whether to settle back in Nevarro was another possibility or if the tribes should stick together to find a new home.

All you could think was that you would not leave Paz on this planet.

You could not leave him.

It was morning when the announcement came. You had buried yourself in his cot, his sheets pressed to your nose as you took trembling breaths when the PA system stuttered to life, the mechanical voice echoing through the empty hallways.

You had retaken Mandalore. The air was breathable and you could safely land on the surface to meet the victorious troops.

The joy and excitement that spread through your entire body could not be described. Nothing could happen to wipe the smile off your face as you frantically searched for the one good dress you wanted to wear when you saw Paz again. You wanted to please him and kiss him and tell him you loved him. And maybe, if you were very lucky, he loved you too.

Stars, how you hoped he would.

But that elation stopped short when you set foot onto Mandalore. You could not even look at the surrounding landscapes, the fallen home of your ancestors – when you spotted the group but no Paz. A quick glance around did not reveal him either and suddenly the feeling of dread was back again.

Briggs was standing there too, and you knew the man long enough that when you saw his eyes getting glassy at your sight, he did not need to say anything anymore for the tears to fall.

This was it then.

You always wondered what it would feel like to live with a broken heart. Now you knew.

The pain in your heart was unbearable and you suddenly wished that you had never left the bunk this morning. That you were still curled up in his scent and his blankets without the knowledge that the alpha you wanted to spend your life with was dead.

“Where is my buir?” Ragnar asked somewhere behind you and you could hear it in his voice. How he tried to sound strong but he was just a child. A child without his father.

He made his way to the front and stopped by your side. You put your hands on his shoulder.

“I am sure he will be fine,” you assured him, not believing your own words, “He – he must have … another mission somewhere, right?” you looked to Axe Woves who avoided your gaze, “Right?”

Ragnar grabbed your hand. “Bu said if he is late, I need to distract you.”

“What? Why?”

“Because we're family,” he said it so effortlessly, “and because I know he will come back but you might worry and you shouldn’t worry.”

You were not sure what happened first: the stopping of your heart or the break in your breath. Paz told him you were his family? Ragnar considered you … his family?

“Do you wanna play a board game?” the boy asked and the breath rushed back into your lungs, “Bu taught me a few games for when I wait for him to come back.”

“He did?” you asked, your voice faint as you followed him back to where someone had set up a small open-air cantina at the ramp of the ship. You ignored the looks Briggs and Chants gave you. Ignored the way that Bo Katan bowed her head as if to pay respect to you as if you had something to mourn.

Not now, you told yourself as your heart cracked in your chest. Maybe tomorrow you could bury yourself in Paz’s bunk, breathing in his scent until there was nothing left but your own grief.

Tomorrow, you promised yourself, Tomorrow I will know he is dead.

*

The sun was setting over the mountains and Ragnar made no sign of stopping the game anytime soon. He had patiently explained the elaborate card game to you before dealing the cards. And then he had continued to play with you the entire day. Sometimes, people joined you for a round or two. The first had been Din Djarin – the man with the green baby. He had not said anything but you could feel the sadness coming off him in waves.

Then there had been The Armourer who had stayed for only one round, occasionally speaking to Ragnar about his helmet ceremony (the first having been interrupted only a few weeks prior). She was followed by Sluice, Bo Katan and finally, Briggs.

“Mind if I join?” the older man had asked, only sitting down when you nodded.

“Not at all,” Ragnar spoke up, relieving you of the to find the energy, “Do you know the rules?”

Briggs had left after two rounds, his warm hand on your shoulder the only indication of what he had come here to say. My condolences for your loss.

The tears had burned hot in your eyes but you forced yourself to keep playing. Ragnar won most rounds and the one he did not, you were fairly sure he lost on purpose. “No worries,” he assured you with childish wisdom, “Sometimes it takes a little longer to get the rules.”

“That is okay,” you forced yourself to smile, “How about we take a break for some food?”

“Good idea!” the boy jumped up, “I will get some of the berries and you stay here and watch the cards!”

Before you could protest, he had raced to the small buffet table.

You both welcomed and feared the moment of solitude this afforded you. It allowed you to take a deep breath, to let your shoulders and your guard fall. Maybe even a few tears if you were quick about it. You did not want Ragner to see you like this. He seemed to be determined that his father was alive and well – that he would return – that you could not bear to be the one to break his heart.

“Bu!” Ragnar shouted and you whipped around immediately. It took you a moment to find Ragnar but when you did, he had his arms wrapped around the legs of a large man. A man dressed in dark blue armour.

 “Paz,” you sighed, feeling tons lighter. Ragnar threw himself at his father who caught him though you did not fail to notice the way his legs almost buckled.

Stars he was hurt.

A new wave of panic washed over you and you did not realise you had stood up until the stoll toppled behind you. Several pairs of eyes were on you but you only cared about one.

Paz set Ragnar down and whispered something to him. You watched as the boy nodded, skipping off to Din and the Armourer. And then Paz walked towards you. Though walk seemed too weak a word for the way his heavy steps came closer and closer, his looming figure soon right in front of you.

Paz was right in front of you.

“You,” he growled, taking your hand without slowing his stride, “Come with me.”

“Paz, what happened?” you asked, trying to look him over, “Are you hurt? Did – Were those Imperials we spotted on the radar? Axe Woves and Briggs and – oh stars, we need to get you checked out and wait – are you bleeding? Where does it hurt maybe I can –“

A door swished open and you glanced around in confusion. This was not the infirmary. This was not even a proper room if the cleaning supplies on the shelves were anything to go by.

“Paz, you need – oh!” your hands gripped his shoulders tightly when he lifted you onto a surface. Was it a table? A counter? Stars, you could not bring yourself to care. Not when he was standing in front of you, panting like he had the fight of his life behind him.

Which he probably did.

Your heart clenched again, from fear or joy you could not tell.

His large hand fiddled with your dress and with a rip, your entire front piece was hanging off you in tatters.

“Alpha,” you cried, moving your hands from his shoulders to his chest, “Alpha, are you all right? I was so worried.”

The big man stepped between your open legs and you took a deep breath. The smell of adrenaline burned your nose but you could not help but notice the arousal that was in the air as well. He was angry and determined and the way he did not even look at his hands when he tugged on his belt made you glad you were already sitting down.

“Keep calling me that and I will be,” he grunted, opening the snaps of his armour and finally his fly.

Your eyes were fixated on his hand around his cock. “Pull down your dress,” he instructed instead, “I want to see your tits.”

You hurried to do so, almost ripping the fabric entirely in the process but you could not care less. Not when you had your dream of an alpha standing between your open legs, getting ready to fuck you. The ruined fabric pooled around your hips and the cool air made your nipple pebble. But then Paz was right there, the bulk of his body between yours and you could feel his cock against the inside of your thigh.

He pushed the tip of his cock against your folds, slowly circling your clit and you whimpered. Why did everything he did feel so good? “Ready?” he asked, spreading your wetness around and you found yourself wishing that you could see. That you could see how big he was against you, how his hand gripped himself, how his brows might furrow in determination and the set of his lips as he pushed inside you.

But you could not have everything in life. And for this moment, the feeling of his cock stretching your walls was enough. He was here, he was alive and he made you feel so stars forsaken good.

“Fuck,” you sighed, “Paz …”

“That’s good, huh?” he grumbled, slowly pulling out before pushing back in. You could feel your walls ease around him, your juices covering his shaft and the gland on your neck pulsed with the need to have him scent you.

He remained still for a few moments and you took a deep breath, breathing him in again and trying to get yourself to realize that he was alive. Your alpha was alive.

Paz started to move, then, and slowly pushed inside you again before building up a steady rhythm that had him deep, deep inside you. And all you could think, between bouts of pleasure, was that he was alive. Paz was alive.

“Fuck,” you whispered, your hand shaking as you gripped the edge of the table, overcome with emotion, “A-alpha, I was so scared. “

A particularly hard thrust had your hands fly around his neck. “I was protecting you,” he replied, his voice shaking, “You were never in any danger, omega, I would not allow it.”

“I wasn’t scared for me, you di’kut,” you cursed as you hastily wiped away the tears streaming down your face, “I was scared for you!”

Paz grunted at your admission, pushing inside you again and pulling you as close as he could with the armour in the way. “And I was scared of never seeing you again,” he confessed into the darkness between your faces, “That I was breaking my promise to you.”

“Wh-What,” you gasped, feeling his cock grow inside you, “Alpha, what is happening?”

“Oh fuck,” he grunted, “Sorry, ‘mega, sorry, I didn't mean to – oh shit, love, you gotta stop squeezing me.”

Easier said than done. In fact, it seemed impossible. Because as soon as you realized that it was his knot swelling inside of you, all you could think about was what it would be like to be knotted by him. Which turned you on beyond belief.

The mental image of him filling you up to the brim, the giant size of him staying inside you, made your walls flutter and your high approach so much faster. Paz’s movements did not stop and you could feel the ring at his base growing and growing, catching on your entrance with every thrust and making you yearn to keep him inside.

“Alpha, will you – Can you – oh!” he hit that spot inside you again that made your blood sing and you fell back against the wall, completely at his mercy.

And then the light went out.

Your body tensed with fright and you squeaked, thinking something had gone horribly wrong. But Paz did not seem deterred and you faintly remembered that the light switch was somewhere on his side of the room.

There was a sound you could not pinpoint, followed by a loud clatter and then his hand was at the back of your neck, pulling you to him and you squirmed at how he folded you in half, his cock still nestled deep inside you and then he was … kissing you.

You gasped, the feeling of his lips familiar against yours and everything you had dreamed of.

“Fuck it feels good to fill you up,” he murmured, the praise making your cheeks warm.

Your legs were still trembling around his hips and you tightened your hold around his neck. Your nose bumped against his scent gland. Add that to the feeling of his smile against your shoulder and even retaking Mandalore could never rival the feeling of being scented by him.

“That good, huh?” he teased you, his lips moving against your skin.

He had some stubble that tickled your sensitive skin and you gasped, the sensation opening you up even more.

And then he pushed inside you one last time as you came around him. The knot at his base swelled with no signs of stopping, locking you together as he filled you up. You shivered at the feeling of him twitching inside you, spurts of come filling you up in a way you had never experienced before, increasing the pressure inside you that made your walls clench. He continued to rut against you, causing your clit to rub against his pelvis again and again, prolonging your peak.

After what felt like an eternity, you came down from your high, relishing in the feeling of him still pulsing inside of you. It was strange, something you had never experienced before, but the closeness made you sigh contentedly against his lips.

Paz was quiet save for a few grunts, his hands grabbing your hips, keeping you as close as possible.

“I’ve never been knotted before,” you admitted between kisses.

“Really?” Paz asked, his mouth pausing on yours, “How does it feel?”

“It feels kinda nice, alpha,” you whispered, pulling his face closer to yours again.

Paz did not say anything for a moment, his laboured breath loud in the small room. Then his hands cupped your face and you could feel his eyes on you and you wondered if he was able to see you despite the darkness. Probably not, after all, it was his visor that usually enabled him to do so. But he made you feel seen with how his thumbs brushed over the apples of your cheeks, still wet with tear tracks or how his lips softly landed on yours.

“I don’t think I told you yet,” he said against your mouth, “But you are beautiful. To me, you are the – the most stunning omega I have ever seen. When I was down there – when I … I dreamt of what it would be like to see you with my own eyes.”

A flutter started in your chest. An awful flutter of hope that had you thinking of futures beyond the next few days. He could not mean what you thought he meant, right?

“But you helmet –“ you started, trying to rationalize away the hope in your voice.

But Paz had other plans. “I want to court you,” he said, sounding as determined as ever, “Stars, I want to properly court you, love, whatever that entails for your clan but I asked Briggs and –“

“What?”

“I wanted to make sure that I did everything right,” he explained, his hand warm on your back, “So I asked him about any customs I might have to know, that last night before we left and – and for a second there it looked like I would never get to ask you. But I can, love, I can ask you now. Will you let me court you, ‘mega? Will you let me spend the rest of my life with you and Ragnar and all the other foundlings the stars let us have?”

“You – you want children, too?” you asked, feeling like the breath was stolen out of your lungs, “M-more than Rganar, I mean?”

You could feel his smile against your neck, the tip of his nose buried in the valley beneath your ear. “Course I do,” he confirmed, “Ragnar is the biggest gift of my life, I won't say no to that joy again.”

A laugh bubbled up in your chest and you could feel your walls clench around him. Paz moaned, his cock twitching inside you. “Is that a yes, then?” he asked carefully, his hand wandering up to cup the back of your neck. He moved away from you,

“Yes,” you breathed out with the biggest smile on your face, “Yes, Paz.”

The scent that surrounded you made you euphoric and you realized that it had been Paz all along. That sweet scent that made your heart beat faster and a smile appear on your lips? Paz fucking Vizsla.

“Open your eyes, mesh’la,” he asked you quietly, his breath warm on your face, “Look at me, sweetheart.”

And you did. Your eyes blinked open and it took you both an eternity and a second to get your eyes used to the seemingly blinding light of the storage room. But then your eyes met his and you saw Paz Vizsla for the first time.

He had dark eyes, just like you had daydreamed, and his hair looked just as soft as it had always felt. It was matted to his forehead in places and he looked … exhausted, like he had not slept in days. There were bruises on his cheekbones and you could see some dried blood and dirt on his jaw. But all of that was overshadowed by the brightest, biggest grin on his face.

It made the corners of his eyes crinkle and you could not help but smile back, absolutely in awe of the man in front of you. What were you supposed to say the first time you saw the face of the man you had fallen hopelessly in love with?

“You are handsome,” is what you settled on finally, carefully brushing your fingertip over his crooked nose.

He huffed out a laugh, his eyes twinkling with mirth. “Thank you, my love,” he rumbled and your heart skipped a beat at him calling you his. Because you were, truly, whether you had realised it before or not, his.

“I love you,” you blurted out, feeling oddly shy.

“I love you too,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to your lips, “There is no version of this life in which I do not love you.”

“You will have to tell me about your scars,” you whispered, your eyes roaming over his face, catching on one that cut through his eyebrow, “Every single one.”

“I will,” he promised, kissing you again, “We have a lifetime for it.”

[corazondebeskar-reads]

Kinktober Day 23 - Breeding/Fancy Dress (Din Djarin)

mhi ba'juri verde

Mand'alor!Din Djarin x f!reader

Word Count: 1k

Summary: After Din is crowned Mand'alor, you make good on your promise to fulfill the rest of your vows.

Warnings: Breeding, p in v unprotected, gratuitous sappiness, throne sex, mando'a, this is basically what it says on the tin. I mostly wanted an excuse to think about what a Mandalorian gown would look like.

inspired by the Kinktober 2023 prompt list by @absurdthirst.

also on ao3

When his guards have cleared everyone out of the throne room, Din remains seated. His elbows rest on his thigh guards, and his helmet rests in his gloved hands.

You climb the steps and kneel before your Mand’alor.

He looks up and groans. “Not you, too.”

“Can you blame me, Mand’alor?” you give him a sly smile. “I’ve been on my knees for you for far longer than anyone.”

He’s exhausted. The decorum and theatricalities... he understands. Manda’yaim is returning to strength, and putting on a formal ceremony for the first Mandalorian on the throne in far too long was a smart political play.

He hates that he has to think about smart political plays.

But he looks down at you, in a truly impressive display of craftsmanship, and thinks there are some perks.

You smooth out the skirts of the gown, which is woven in and around your armor. It’s the green of your hal’cabur and the silver of his, with embroidery like liquid beskar. Some of the layers of fabric are actually coated in near-molten beskar and hardened into plates. It’s draped in thin beskar chains. No expense spared—though the decorative pieces will be remelted and used for foundlings, as is The Way.

“You look radiant,” he says. “Let me see you, cyare.”

You lift off your helmet. No one will be able to enter the throne room, not with it sealed and the guards posted outside.

Din takes his off as well and leans back on the throne. “Come here,” he says.

You climb the stairs and go to kneel at his feet, but he tugs you into his lap. “I don’t think I’m allowed on the throne,” you say.

“I don’t think you’re allowed to defy your Mand’alor, either.”

You laugh, and he exaggerates a pout.

“Are you laughing at your king?”

“Oh, no, ner Mand’alor, I would never.”

At the affected simper in your voice, he grins. It’s contagious, and you grin back before it fades into a fond smile.

“You looked so strong and sure up there,” you say, straightening the fur-trimmed cloak on his shoulders. “Someone the people can place their trust in.”

“Don’t,” he says softly. He’s heard it all from you before, and while he’s inclined to believe you, as he would trust your opinion above all others, he’s still uncertain about his suitedness for the role.

“Din,” you murmur, placing a chaste kiss on his lips. “There’s no one I’d pledge myself to other than you. Not Bo, not Paz, not anyone. But my offer to run away with you still stands.”

He smiles. You both know neither would run away from duty, but he appreciates the sentiment.

“Should we attend this great celebration in your honor? Stop Fett from giving the kid too many sweets?”

“Mmm, just a moment. I’d like to do something else first.”

You narrow your eyes. “You know I’m fully armored under the dress, right? They did not build an easy access panel for you.”

“Well, then, they’ll be dismissed.”

You roll your eyes.

“Please, cyare?”

Your protests die as soon as he's spoken. His beautiful brown eyes look up at you with love and desire. But you make a show of groaning and getting up, tediously removing your dress, holsters, girth belt, and all the panels of your armor so you can open your flightsuit and step out, completely bare.

“No access panel, but I saved you the trouble of undergarments,” you said. “You’re going to help me put that all back on quickly when you’re done, right?”

He was leaning forward, an elbow on his knee, and chin rested on a fist. The smirk on his face told you he had enjoyed watching you perfunctorily strip down. When he finished looking you over, he leaned back again and extended an arm.

You took his hand and slid back over his thighs. “This seems unfair,” you say, originally intending to tease but then feeling it genuinely when you settled on the cold beskar.

“Just this morning, you were telling me how I get to ‘spoil myself’ now that I’m Mand’alor? I’m just taking your advice.” He reaches down and pulls his cock out.

You lean back a little, sulking that he didn't have to strip naked in a frigid room also. “Okay, but really, how is that fair?”

He rubs the head of his cock over your clit until you whine, and then pulls you down onto it. You gasp, unprepared for the stretch of him.

“Still worried about if it’s fair?”

You shake your head and moan as he helps you bounce with his hands on your hips.

“Hey,” you say breathlessly between kissing and nipping at his neck, soaking up all the noises he made. “You remember when I said I wanted to wait until all this was settled?”

His hips stutter, and he freezes. “Don’t tease, cyare.”

“I’m not, ner riduur. It's as settled as it will ever be. We have a lot to do for Manda’yaim, but it feels like the right time.”

His stare is intense, pupils blown dark, and he tightens his grip on your hips. “You’re sure?”

You lean in to kiss him. “Positive.”

He pulls you in, arms tight around your back, licking into your mouth with ferocity. He sets a rough pace, leaving you to cling on with your arms around his neck while he fucks up into your wet cunt. The sound echoes in the chamber, but it won’t occur to either of you that the guards could probably hear until much later.

“Last chance, cyare. You’re going to let me put a baby in you? You want more ad?”

“Please,” you cry, grinding down to hunt down your own release.

He’s never spilled inside you before, the two of you too careful, too aware of the danger around you. But Manda’yaim is stabilizing, her people returning. And though you both love Grogu, you’ve always known there was room in your heart for more children.

You cum when he fills you, the warmth and pulse of his cock intoxicating. You’re not sure how you’ll ever go back to a different way.

He whines when you stand up. “It’s not going to take if you let it drip down your thigh.”

“Guess you’ll have to try again later.”

He does, in fact, help you redress (though his wandering hands take much longer than if you had done it yourself).

Mando'a Translations (in order of appearance):

mhi ba'juri verde - we raise warriors Mand'alor - the ruler of the Mandalorians Manda'yaim - the planet Mandalore Hal'cabur - chest plate of Mandalorian armor Cyare - beloved ner - my (ex., ner Mand'alor is my Mand'alor/my King) riduur - spouse ad - children

[djarincore]

Bethrothed

summary: You finally get to meet the knight you’re going to marry.

word count: 716

tags: royalty!au, knight!din, arranged marraige

a/n: the second part of my 500 words a day series. the letter is B for bethrothed!

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Following the sudden, tragic death of your older sibling, you were thrust into a position as your kingdom’s future ruler. The duties and obligations they left behind were piled on you all at once—suffocating you to the point of madness. You were no longer yourself, just a doll filling in the unfillable void their older sibling left behind. 

When new threats began to arise, your future as ruler seemed bleak. But, you would do anything to save your kingdom from the threat of ruin, even if it meant marrying a man you did not know. 

As you sat at the meeting table, you could only focus on the grinding of your teeth and the feeling of your mother's reassuring hand over yours beneath the table to stop the tremors in your clenched hands. You spared a glance across the table toward the sitting red-haired woman, Bo-Katan Kryze, the ruler of your neighboring kingdom, and her masked knight, Din Djarin, standing tall at her side. 

She was reading through the parchment in front of her, fingers rhythmically tapping against the table. It wasn’t fair that a flimsy piece of paper held your entire future—the kingdom’s future—in between its ink lines and you could only sit and watch it dry. The knight by her side hadn’t moved an inch since she sat down; you would have thought he was a statue if not for the steady rise and fall of his shoulders.

Your gaze lingered on the knight—he would be your future husband. The helmet he wore was intimidating, cold, and you had no idea what he was thinking; it unnerved you.  

“Why don’t the two of you take a walk and get to know one another?” She suggested. “This might take a while.” 

“Yes,” your mother chimed in, “good idea. Take Paz with you, dear.”

Your ever-loyal personal guard stepped forward and you rose from your chair with a pasted-on smile. “The gardens are lovely this time of year,” you said. Appearance was everything now that you were set to rule. 

“Go on,” Bo-Katan urged. 

The knight moved around the table and extended his arm wordlessly. You slipped your hand through his arm and lead the way with Paz trailing close behind. 

In the fresh air of the gardens, you slipped your hand free of his and dropped your smile. “It’s awfully rude to keep your helmet on, sir,” you said, brushing your finger over the petals of a red rose. “Something you’re hiding?” 

“Apologies.” The voice you finally heard was low behind the helmet and made you pause. There was no denying the rasp was attractive. When you turned to him again, the helmet was gone, tucked beneath his arm. 

Your eyes were drawn to the scruff along his jaw, the slope of his strong nose, and the deep brown eyes. He was certainly handsome and you almost didn’t want to look away. 

“That’s a bit better,” you hummed. His eyes flitted away from yours. You continued the walk down the cobbled path while Din trailed behind at a similar pace to Paz. “And there’s no need to behave like a knight with me.” You ushered him forward and when he hesitated, Paz gave him a slight shove. 

He took careful steps forward and bowed his head. 

“Are you as uncomfortable with this arrangement?” His head snapped back up and you gave him a wavering smile.

“I don’t mean to offend you.”

“Not at all.” You shook your head and approached him, resting a hand on his arm. “Strange, isn’t it? To think you know where your life is headed and suddenly everything is out of your control.” 

Your smile fell. If you had it your way, neither of you would be in this position and you’d return to the carefree attitude you once had, free of crushing obligation.

Din cradled your hand, determination set in his eyes. “Then allow me to make a vow; I will do my best to make you happy.”

Your cheeks were warmed by his words. “You’re certainly the kindest knight I’ve ever met.” You glanced over your shoulder at Paz. “No offense.”

A grunt was Paz’s only response. 

You looked back at Din with a true smile now. “And I will do my best as well.”

[chickadee-djarin]

Breathe

Fandom: The Mandalorian (Star Wars) Pairing: Din Djarin x wife!reader

Summary: Months after their escape from Nevarro, Din and the child finally return in the hopes of settling things with the Guild - and finding you.

[takes place within S1E8: Redemption]

Word count: 2.2k Warnings: mention of injury and implied canon typical violence

masterlist

Din’s ears are ringing, each step a loud drum beating in his head as they make their way through the tunnels. Most of his weight is carried by Cara, but his feet continue to falter and his thoughts are on distant memories and Karga has to grip the arm not thrown around the shocktrooper’s shoulders to keep him upright. Din tries to lead them, direct them through the tunnels but they’re as much a maze to him as they ever were – he’d always entered through the bazaar, and he never bothered to learn an alternate route. You had always teased him for that-

‘Best in the parsec, huh?’ Din could see your smile but it was blurred, the searing pain in his head only just beginning to numb. He tried to focus on you - on the memory of you - as his feet continued to drag; but his mind was betraying him. He knew you’d teased him further, scolded him for not knowing his way around the covert in case of emergency. But the memory faded as quickly as it came, your laugh barely an echo in the empty tunnels.

They took another turn and still, no Mandalorians. Still, no trace of you.

Since taking the child, every quiet moment was spent thinking of you – wondering if you’d made it off Navarro alive. Hoping. He had last seen you with the armorer; you’d stood by his side as she crafted him new armor. You’d helped him put it on, piece by piece, unaware that as you worked the armorer was crafting something for you as well. He’d set two beskar ingots aside, his request of vambraces having been made prior to your arrival at the forge. Din thought you would object – you were a healer, not a warrior – and you were not a Mandalorian by Creed. But when you’d finished setting the final piece of his armor in place and the armorer had stepped out, Din had presented you with the unpainted vambraces and you’d silently accepted them. He hadn’t told you of the job that resulted in such a pay, but he didn’t need to. High reward meant high risk, and if wearing the armor meant easing his conscious regarding your safety then you’d hold your tongue.

But he hadn’t seen you since then. He’d meant to take another job, return to the covert with more credits and supplies before finally finding rest in your shared bed. He hadn’t anticipated the gnawing guilt, the little silver ball sitting atop a simple lever to send his world upside down. And he certainly hadn’t anticipated the covert revealing themselves, forcing them to relocate after he made his escape with the child - without you.

Paz Vizsla had assured him you would be safe, though. The tribe would protect you, as they had throughout the five years since you’d been brought before them. You were their healer, the former outsider that tended to their wounded and their foundlings. You’d readily sacrificed your freedom to live among Navarro’s shadows, only leaving the safe confines of the tunnel system to gather supplies when Din was off world. And although not sworn to the Creed, you were sworn to him – you were a part of the tribe by marriage, and they would treat you as one of their own. This was the Way.

“Stop,” Din reached for the light on the side of his helmet. They’d finally reached a juncture he recognized – the memory of you standing there with a foundling on your hip crashing into him as they’d rounded the corner – and he pulled his other arm from Cara’s shoulders. “I can stand. I’ll try to find tracks.”

Again, he fiddled with the settings on his helmet. But as his visor began scanning, it returned only faint traces. Boot prints of various sizes, adult and child alike, appeared to have rushed down one of the corridors weeks ago. Din knew it was futile, but he couldn’t help wondering which set was yours.

He led them through the tunnels now, the possibility of finding you safely hidden away with the covert propelling him forward. A few more turns, another dozen sets of prints lighting Din’s visor-

And Mandalorian armor, cracked and chipped and dented, in a pile on the floor.

There little quintet stopped short in the tunnel. For a moment, they forgot about the Imperials above ground. For a moment, all eyes followed Din as he stepped forward and fell to his knees. He picked up the nearest helmet, it’s dark and empty visor offering no comfort: he recognized it, the shades of blue and gold owning to only one among the covert.

As he turned it over in his hands, Cara moved gingerly to his side. He heard her say- “We should go.”

But Din still held the helmet in his hands. He wondered if he dug, would he find your vambraces amid the pile? Or the carefully crafted diadem – the beskar braided to rest just above your brow – that he’d given you upon exchanging vows? It’d been forged from a piece of his own armor, the only thing he could gift you in place of a signet he did not yet possess.

“You go.” His voice came from a distance. “Take the ship. I can’t leave it this way.”

‘I can’t leave not knowing if she’s still alive.’

Cara made to protest, to remind him of the Imperials that would surely be closing and the little green child that needed him – but before she could speak, Din had stood and turned on Karga. The guilt he had carried since leaving Navarro; the fear of losing you that he’d carefully hidden away; it all morphed into an ugly rage and he could no longer contain the storm that was whirling within him. His hand fell to the blaster at his hip when a voice cut through the tunnels-

It was the armorer, her helmet glinting in the tunnels low lighting. She was picking pieces of armor from the floor, salvaging what she could as she spoke. Din had been a member of her covert long before she rose to lead them, and she reassured him that he was not to blame for their fate. “We knew what could happen if we left the covert.”

And she retailed exactly what had happened: the immediate arrival of Imperials, the possibility that some escaped. But she did not mention your fate and Din found he could not speak the question. Instead, they merely followed as she returned to her forge.

Karga watched with great interest as the armorer began melting down what remained of a breast plate. Neither he nor Cara, who began to move about inspecting the room, interjected as the armorer asked of the child. They heard the truth of how it came to be in Din’s care, of what it was. Still sitting in the nurse droid’s arms, the child’s ears drooped as the armorer spoke of ancient tales and Mandalore The Great and battles fought eons past. It’s big eyes followed her as she scooped the now liquid beskar from the forge, only breaking from her as she reminded Din of their creed.

Din met the child’s gaze. The armorer, with her back to them, picked up a hammer and began to craft. And with every impact she made, Din could only flinch under his helmet. He needed to find you. He needed to know whether you were safe, to return you to his side not search the galaxy for this creatures home-

‘This is the Way.’

The armorer’s words echoed in his mind, and he found himself- for the first time- at odds with them.

So distracted by his thoughts of you and of the child, he did not hear as Cara reminded them of the Imperials searching for them or as the armorer detailed an exit route. Nor did he hear as footsteps began approaching, echoing off the walls of the tunnels at a sprint.

Karga and Cara immediately moved to either side of the entryway, their blasters in hand and Din, finally, registered what was happening. He still stood behind the droid, which had turned to shield the child from view – but the armorer continued her work, barely pausing to say, “Lower your blasters.”

Cara shot a questioning look at her, but her back was still to them.

The footsteps grew louder; Cara and Karga kept their blasters raised; Din’s hand hovered over his own-

And you came rushing into the room, your breath ragged and your hair disheveled. “They’re coming, Alor, from the south entrance-”

The sight of the man in beskar – the unpainted steel covered in blaster residue and scorch marks – stole whatever remaining breath you had and you immediately moved towards him, a choked ‘ner ka’rta’ on your lips. He heard you, gripped you as you clung to him.

At the sight before her, Cara finally lowered her blaster. She motioned for Karga to do the same, recognizing now who you were – you were the Mandalorian’s wife, the one he had mentioned on Sorgan. When they had driven out the village raiders and found rest and spoken of the future, Cara had inquired of the rules surrounding his helmet. She had asked why he wouldn’t remove it, why he wouldn’t settle down on the swampy planet with the widow and her daughter.

‘I’m married,’ he had said.

Cara had asked- ‘Where is she?’

And after a beat, ‘I don’t know.’

Cara had heard the pain in his voice, read the defensiveness in his body language. She hadn’t pushed the topic further.

Now she watched as you pressed your forehead to his, heard as you spoke quietly in a language she didn’t know. But time was against you, and the armorer had nearly finished her work.

“You must go,” she said. “A foundling is in your care.”

In your relief at seeing your husband alive, you hadn’t noticed the others. Now, as Din took in your own appearance – the beskar diadem still upon your forehead, your clothes and cloak dirtied and your medical bag slung over your shoulder – you saw the others. The man you recognized immediately – you’d seen him around the cantina, seen him as he spoke with Din. He was Guild, and the grip you had on Din’s arms tightened. The other was a woman, one whose eyes met yours with an expression you couldn’t read. But the armorer’s words quickly drew your gaze away, to the droid and the small green creature in its arms.

“By Creed, until it is of age or reunited with its own kind, you are as its father,” she continued. “And its mother. This is the Way.”

Your gaze again found Din’s: you had so many questions, so many concerns. Months had passed since you last saw him and so much had happened- so many lives had been lost. But you knew, among these people, now was not the time. Not when you had only spotted the approaching Imperials minutes ago. And Din’s gaze had never left you, one arm still holding you tightly to him.

Her work now complete, the armorer turned to fully face you and Din. “You have earned your Signet,” she said to him.

As she approached, Din’s grip on you finally loosened and you stepped away. But you didn’t go far, standing before him and watching with a mixture of confusion and pride as the armorer welded a figure onto his right pauldron. When she finished, she pressed something into his hands and said- “You are a clan of three.”

This should have been a momentous occasion, one marked by celebration as was typical of a Mandalorian earning their Signet. You should have been proud of your husband – and you were – but an explosion was heard and the unmistakable sound of boots followed and there was no time for traditions.

“It’s a scouting party,” you said, finding your voice again. “They found the south entrance, they come from the bazaar.”

The armorer turned to the droid and it immediately passed the foundling off to the nearest person – the woman- before making its way down the hall. She seemed to struggle for a moment, but the armorer had continued talking to Din and the Guild man guarded the door and no one seemed to know what to do with the foundling. So you stepped forward, your focus shifting entirely to the small creature as you lifted him from her arms and held him to your chest. The movement caused the light from the forge to bounce off your vambraces, and you missed how the woman seemed to assess you.

And as you quietly cooed at the foundling, his large eyes fixed on you and his little green claws reaching for your face, you missed the way your husband watched you. How his hands tightened around the set of pauldrons the armorer had given him, unpainted and bearing a matching mudhorn. How, after months of torment, he could finally breath again.

**

A/N: Hello 👋🏻 I’m gonna preface this by saying: this is not a guaranteed return. Life got a little crazy and busy and next thing I knew two whole years had passed since I’d been active on here and writing. And work took a turn recently and I found myself restarting The Mandalorian, turning to my old comfort show while the boyfriend was at work. Maybe it was rewatching the show; maybe it’s me craving an escape from work. But I remembered this sitting somewhere among my drafts and thought ‘what the hell?’ Hope y’all enjoyed it. We’ll see if this gets me back into writing. Be pretty cool if it did, I’ve missed it. And I’ve missed y’all<3

Taglist: It’s been so long, I don’t yet know who all is still active on here - so no tags today. But as always, comments, inbox, and messages are open should you like to be added!

[dumbbitchenergy17]

Clan of Three - Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen: The Pirate

Plot: A Mandalorian, an infant with a history of the jedi, and a teenager with similar powers and a heavy role to bear. Now reunited their journeys across the galaxy are just beginning to complete their final mission.

Word Count: 6.8K

Pairing: Father Figure!Din Djarin x Platonic!Teen!Reader

Warnings: fighting/violence, injuries, some wholesome moments, father-daughter moments, Din being a protective father, romance (woah shocking)

------

The silence of the alleged Mandalorian covert greeted New Republic, Captain Carson Teva. After failing at gaining the New Republic's help from the distress call sent by Greef Karga and the people of Nevarro. Teva knew the next best place to gain help. You were all inside the covert on a relatively normal day, with no foundlings getting kidnapped, and no fighting between other Mandalorians and yourself. Following Ragnar’s rescue you seemed to be on the better side of most of the covert few though taking longer to find a liking. Grogu rests in your lap as R4 spun around in circles making happy beeps and producing giggles from the child as Bo-Katan and Din stood above you to speak to one another. A faint smile graces your face seeing the happiness in the child when a presence you didn’t recognize covers over you. You freeze your head snapping towards the direction of the covert entrance, both of the adults notice your sudden movements as Grogu coos up at you concerned.

“What’s wrong kid?” Din asks gaining the attention of some of the other Mandalorians,

“Someone’s here.”

Captain Teva exits his starfighter slowly walking towards the direction of the entrance of a cave as he holds his hands up calling out, “Captain Carson Teva, Adelphi Rangers. I have a time-pressing matter to attend to.” Appearing from the entrance Mandalorians are all armed as Paz Vizsla calls out to the Captain,

“Clear out, Blue Boy. The New Republic isn’t welcome here.” The Mandalorians on the ridge have their weapons aimed at the others at the covert entrance as the Captain keeps his arms raised, “Sorry for dropping in unannounced, but if I’d given a warning, your settlement would’ve cleared out before I ever hit the atmosphere.” He says and appearing from the crowd the silver beskar Mandalorian that he knows, followed close behind the young girl with the X-Wing. You stand slightly behind Din as he looks over Teva,

“How did you manage to find us? Mandalorians pride themselves on our secrecy.” Din says and Teva nods behind you all, “Fortunately, someone I served with in the Rebellion is amongst your ranks,” You glance behind seeing R5 beep beside R4,

“Thanks, R5.”

“The entire covert will now have to relocate.” Din explains, “Or we could kill him. Stay right here.” Vizsla comments and Din shakes his head.

“This man cut me a break once and now I’m returning the favor. Clear out, Blue.” Din responds ushering for him to leave, “Greef Karga sent this holomessage,” His hand moves to his belt and all your weapons raise aimed at the Captain your hand resting on your saber. Teva raises his hand before slowly pulling out the holomessage, “Nevarro is under siege by pirates. He’s asking for help.”

Din moves forward and you can hear pieces of their conversation as you wait for Din’s decision, “They’re about to blow Nevarro to hell.” “We don’t even have ships,” Din responds and Teva crosses his arms.

“Coruscant doesn’t care….You won’t let him die…-that the Empire is growing again.”

“-has something to do with it?” You hear Din and you see Teva shrug, “...something doesn’t smell right. Look, it’s not your fight….your friend is in danger and I thought you should know.” The man tosses the holomessage to Din as you and Bo-Katan come towards his side.

“I know you’ll relocate anyway, but you have my word, I will not reveal your location,” He heads toward his X-Wing before gazing back, “Just a warning the New Republic got their eyes out for a princess that is both Jedi and Mandalorian. Thought you might want to know in case you’re ever in New Republic territory. Sorry to intrude.” He warns you and you nod in thanks as you watch Teva leave in his X-Wing.

“So, what are you thinking?” You ask glancing at Din as he looks at the message Greef had sent, “He’s right. I gotta help the guy.” Din says worried for the old friend of Nevarro.

“You can’t do it alone.” Bo-Katan reminds him as you three return to the covert

Inside the covert cave all the members of the covert sit or stand before him. The large fire illuminates the room as he holds the Armorer’s hammer speaking to you all. You stand between Kaz and R4 as Din gives his speech, “Now, many of you don’t know Greef Karga. And those that do, fought against him when you rescued me from his ambush many cycles ago on the streets of Nevarro. Since then, he’s had a change of heart and has risked his life to save mine as well as the foundlings in my charge,” The crowd murmurs as Din tries to get them to side with him. “I stand before you to petition an intervention. To help rescue Nevarro before it’s too late. I am in no position to ask any more of you. However…” The crowd only grows louder in disagreement and Din speaks up.

“However, the enemy that decimated this very covert were Imperials, not Greef Karga’s bounty hunters. Greef Karga is now a High Magistrate and has offered me a tract of land on his independent world. Perhaps it is time for us to live in the light once again on a planet where we are welcome. So our culture may flourish and our children can feel what it is to play in the sunlight.” Din finishes his speech and returns the hammer to the Armorer as he sits beside Bo-Katan and Grogu.

“Does anyone else wish to speak?” The Armorer calls out and you lean to Kaz, “What happens now?” “It’s up to them now.” He whispers and you see Paz Vizsla stand up.

“I do.” You curse slightly under your breath ready for him to turn your potential allies against you. You knew that you, Bo-Katan, and Din could do some damage but you weren’t enough to take down all of Gorian Shard’s pirates. “I was there on Nevarro that night. I fought against Greef Karga and his hunters. I saw my brothers and sisters fall at the hands of the Imperial butchers that hunted us in the sewers. I saw many die to save the life of this tiny foundling and this jedi.” He points the hammer at Grogu and then toward you and you stiffen under his gaze before he turns toward his brothers and sisters

“And now we are asked to sacrifice yet again. The question we should be asking ourselves is, ‘Why? Why should we lay our lives down yet again?’ Because we are Mandalorians. I have had my disagreements with this man, but he risked his life to save my son. And Y/n Kryze did not give up on my child’s life even when the rest of us did. These two are asking us to take up arms in the name of a brighter future, and I for one will take up arms to fight by their side.” The crowd makes nods of agreement and you feel the boy’s hand slide into yours squeezing it as you look up at him.

“This is the Way.” He says and the covert chants the words back, “This is the Way.”

The Armorer looks around before repeating the words, “This is the Way.”

Outside Bo-Katan stands outside her ship a group of Mandalorians briefing them, “This is a Kom’rk Class fighter transport. I’ll use this to drop you in and you will operate as a tight military unit. Din Djarin and myself will reinforce from above. If everyone acts as they should, we can use the element of surprise and defeat an enemy that outnumbers us.” She explains as the group of fighters gets prepared boarding Bo-Katan’s ship while you situate R4 into the X-Wing you glance back seeing Din coming over to you.

“I want you to find Karga, and make sure the people of Nevarro are alright.” He says and you give him a look. “You want me away from the fight?” You chuckle before shaking your head, “Din I’m not a child I can handle a fight, you have people on the ground, you and Bo-Katan providing air support, and you have no person going after Gorian Shard.” You shove another bag into the compartment closing it.

“So I’m going to be that person.” You turn back to Din as he shakes his head. “Gorian Shard is a feared Pirate King it’s too dangerous for you.”

“I’ve fought Imps, bounty hunters, a kriffing Krayt Dragon for Maker’s sake I think I can handle pirates.” You say before moving towards the older man you can sense his fear and you grab his hand. “I’m going to be fine I promise.” You say and Din’s gaze is focused on your joined hands as you squeeze them in reassurance.

“You're getting too old too fast,” He comments and you laugh slightly, “I know you’re not that little girl from Tatooine...I just want you to be safe for my sake.” You smile softly wrapping your arms around his neck as the cold beskar presses against your skin, “Cuyir morut'yc ner ad.” (be safe my daughter) He whispers holding you tight not wanting to let you go. 

“Ni ratiin cuy'.” (I always am) You reassure him as he pulls back fixing your hair and checking over you one last time before nodding and stepping back. “You pull back if anything goes wrong.” He orders and you nod.

“I will,” You say, “Besides I won’t be alone.” You comment before he can question he notices the copper and white Mandalorian appearing from behind you, “We ready?”

“Yep!” You say pulling away from Din as you move to the X-Wing checking over R4. Kaz goes to join your side when a harsh grip, tougher and stronger than beskar grips his bicep.

“If anything and I mean anything happens to her. You will experience pain worse than death itself. Are we clear?” Din grits producing an intimidating presence to the much younger Mandalorian who nods sharply. He knew Din Djarin was a feared bounty hunter and he had only gotten a glimpse of what he could truly do. He heard the stories of him taking down Moff Gideon’s enter light cruiser to rescue that young girl and the infant. Din lets go of Kaz’s arm before he retreats to his ship.

“You coming?” You call out to the Mandalorian who nods reaching your ship, “Alright in.” You gesture to the pilot’s seat as he climbs in before looking around for where you would be going.

“Wait it’s only one seat, were are you going-” He doesn’t get to finish as you climb in resting on his lap and he freezes. It was a tight fit but you managed, you glance slightly at your limited space seeing him still as a statue, “You good?” You ask in a teasing tone and that snaps him out of his silence as he nods.

“Y-Yep!” His voice slightly cracks beneath the beskar as you start up the X-Wing while he settles in the seat more relaxed his nervousness is replaced with awe being inside the X-Wing. Soon the three ships depart from the covert heading towards Nevarro to rescue the city.

“Pirate King Gorian Shard is captaining a Cumulus Class Corsair carrying a complement of snubfighters. It has aerial bombardment capabilities. The N1 will distract the Corsair and her snubfighters as we drop in to liberate the planet below,” Bo-Katan’s voice comes through your comms as you travel through hyperspace, “Nevarro is an independent planet and no longer under remnant Imperial or New Republic protection. But it’s that very independence that makes it appealing for you to settle. You lived there once, hiding in the sewers. But now, you can be heroes.”

On the pirate-infested planet Nevarro, pirates pillage the city from the ground and suddenly see a starfighter fly past them. On Gorian Shard’s ship, they see on their enemy proximity warning indicator a blip appears drawing closer to the Corsair “Captain, there’s a starfighter off our port bow.” Suddenly attacked the ship rattles as the N-1 containing Din Djarin flies past them taking down the gun turrets, “Ah! It’s the Mandalorian. Man, the gunwales...launch the snubfighters. Follow him!” Shard bellows as the snubfighters as sent after the Mandalorian.

“Bold of you to return, Mandalorian. Blast that ship!” The Nikito Vane calls out to the Mandalorian as the dogfight between the Mandalorian and the multiple ships chase after him. Far off in the distance watching the sudden rescue attempt Greef Karga sees the familiar ship. “Thanks for your help, Mando.” Greef’s voice comes through Din’s comms as he dodges another ship.

“I decided to take you up on your offer for a tract of land,” Din says and Greef can see Din avoiding the fighters, “Be careful, my friend. They’ve got you outnumbered ten to one.” As one of the snubfighters chases after Din pulling back as another head towards him the two crash into each other in a fiery explosion.

“I like those odds,” Din says a smirk underneath the beskar, the child in his lap cooing from the thrill of the battle. Greef chuckles glad for the rescue, “I bet you do.”

“The Corsair’s on me. The coast is clear.” Din’s voice comes through your comms, and both yours and Bo-Katan’s ship split up. “Alright R4, take over for me.” You say as the droid begins controlling the ship as you open up the canopy the wind rushes through your hair as you climb out of the cockpit standing on the wings and you can sense the shock coming from the copper and white Mandalorian.

“What are you doing?!” He yells over the wind as R4 brings the ship to a hover far above the clouds, “Those gun turrets are still active if we try getting any closer we’ll be blown up before we can dock. So we’re going to jump.”

“Jump?!” He yells thinking you were insane, “Yes jump! We’re too small to be picked up on the sensors when we land, by the time they do notice us we’ll already be on the ship! So get up and get ready to jump!” You yell as he curses in Mando’a before climbing up and joining you on the wing as R4 closes the canopy. The wind rushes through your hair, whipping your cloak around the same as Kaz’s cape.

“Alright on my signal we jump!” You yell and you can sense the fear and stupidity of all of this, “You’re crazy you know that, mesh’la?” He yells back and you give him a cocky grin.

“I know!” You smile and R4 beeps letting you know we’re in the right position. “Alright let’s go!”

“Are you sure we can’t fly clos-Maker!” He tries turning back on the idea but quickly follows after seeing you fully send it off the ship freefalling. The wind is in your face as you fall through the clouds before you spot the ship below you. You thank the Force for cushioning your fall landing on the top of the cruiser Kaz slows his fall with his jetpack his blasters ready as you pull out your saber.

“Cover me!” You say before beginning to carve a hole into the roof of the ship, the metal falls through, “Come on!” You yell before jumping into the hole the Mandalorian follows after you both of you on the ship.

“Kaz and I are on the ship heading to Shard.” You comment as you make your way through the halls of the ship.

“Din, what’s your position?” Bo-Katan calls finishing releasing the Mandalorians over the city, “I’m over the flats with snubfighters in pursuit. You’re clear to start your run.” Din responds and Bo-Katan heads for the Corsair, with the ship, distracted the Gauntlet targets one of the engines taking it out as the ship shakes.

“There’s another ship, Captain. A Kom’rk Class fighter transport.” His second in command says as Shard looks over the damage, “They took out an engine.”

“Tell Vane and the fighters to reform for a counterattack.” Shard commands, “They’re pursuing the Mandalorian.” The second explains and Shard slams his fist on his throne,

“Then bring them back!”

An alarm blares through the ship as Shard growls, “What now?”

“Captain we’ve been breached by two enemies aboard the ship making their way to the deck.” His second explains.

“Who dares board my ship!” Shard yells wanting the two dead as one of his crew pulls up the security footage. “It’s a…Mandalorian? And a Jedi!” His second says as he watches a young girl wielding a saber taking down members of his crew the armored man providing cover.

“Kill them now!”

Making your way through a hall turning the corner barely avoiding a blaster bolt but Kaz pulls you back as it flies past your head. “Cover me!” He says before turning the corner as you follow behind deflecting bolts as he fires at the pirates taking them down. One grabs Kaz with a large knife in his hand shoving him against a wall but he’s suddenly thrown across the room and knocked unconscious when he hits the wall. Kaz looks over as you lower your hand joining his side, “Are you alright?” You ask and he nods and the ship shakes and you grab one another to stabilize yourselves.

The alarms blare loudly over your heads, “They must have taken down another engine,” Kaz says.

“We’re close to the bridge, let’s keep going!” You say the both of you make it around the corner coming into more pirates the two of you are thrown into the throngs of battle.

“Another engine is down, and shields are failing. There’s only one snubfighter left, Captain.” His second says, “The Jedi and Mandalorian are approaching the bridge rapidly.” The transmission comes in through from the last snubfighter,

“It’s been a pleasure serving you, Captain, but it’s time to part ways.” Vane says quickly retreating away abandoning the pirate crew as Shard growls out, “Vane, you coward.” The alarms blared loudly the ship shaking from the attack,

“Sir, we’re down to our last engine,” The electricity of the ship failed with the immense damage, “We have to retreat.” Gorian Shard takes over the wheel shoving his second aside and yelling at his dwindling crew,

“In a puffer pig’s eye. Open fire below!” His order goes through right as the blast doors burst open revealing the Jedi and the Mandalorian. “Kill them!” Shard yells at his crew. You deflect blaster fire as Kaz provides cover as you take down Shard’s remaining crew leaving himself and his second.

“It’s over Shard.” You comment holding your saber aimed at him as he and his second stand side by side. He stood tall glaring at the two of you his green vines of skin and beard. His mouth curls into a snarl, “A Jedi and a Mandalorian…I was certain you both were all killed off.” You glare at him.

“Call off the attack and we’ll consider sparing your lives.” Kaz threatens as Shard cackles, “I’d rather die.”

“Kid get off that ship now!” You hear Din’s voice coming through your commlink as you hear the ship get fired at, loud explosions jostle the ship. You pull your blaster aiming at the glass firing before crushing your hand into a fist as it shatters. The two of you rush jumping out of the window as the blast reaches the deck. The explosion of the ship sends a shockwave pushing you both further apart and you black out for a second. You come to spinning wildly in the air trying to get your bearings, arms wrap around your waist and you’re pulled up into the sky thankful for your Mandalorian. You both watch the flaming wreckage crash into the outskirts of Nevarro as Kaz brings you to the city gates.

Landing on the ground to cheers from the citizens of Nevarro seeing the other Mandalorians plus Din and Bo-Katan. The two of you are covered in scuff marks and Kaz’s armor is darkened by the ash and soot. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. To all of you, and especially to our fine Mandalorian liberators, to whom this planet is forever indebted,” Greef speaks to the large crowd, “Mandalorians, I know that we have been on opposite sides in the past, but that is behind us. From this day forward, I, Magistrate Greef Karga…”

“High Magistrate, sir.” His protocol droid speaks up producing a burst of laughter from the citizens of Nevarro, “High Magistrate Greef Karga, hereby cede all land from the western lava flats to Bulloch Canyon to the fine people of Mandalore. You may no longer have a home planet, but you do now have a home. Welcome.” The crowd cheers as the Mandalorians are welcomed into the city.

You have people come up to you thanking you for saving them and you nod, Greef comes over clapping his hand on your shoulder, “Always good to see you again. I’m sure you made Mando proud.” He comments, “I hope so.” You say with a smile and Greef notices the new Mandalorian standing by your side.

“And who is this? You’ve gained yourself two Mandalorian?” Greef says with boisterous laughter and Kaz chuckles slightly. “I’m Kaz Vyst, a friend of Y/n.” You see Greef’s eyes widen almost sizing up the man.

“I hope Mando approves of this ‘friendship’ of yours,” You hear the tone he puts on friendship and your face turns flush with embarrassment. Greef laughs at your expression and he claps Kaz’s shoulder, “I’m like an uncle to this one but you got my support.” He says with his new self-appointed title and your face is burning as Kaz laughs with the man. You grab Kaz’s arm pulling him away from Greef.

“Goodbye, Greef.” You say your face still hot as Greef smiles giving an exaggerated wave at Kaz, “I’m so sorry about…he’s a lot.” You say and Kaz laughs before wrapping an arm around your shoulders.

“He’s funny. I like him, I’m glad to have one of your family’s approval.” He jokes and you give him a look. “Your father is currently melting me with his gaze right now. I don’t think he’s a fan of me.” He leans down whispering in your ear and your head snaps over to Din seeing him not looking at you two. A silence suddenly covers you all as you see Bo-Katan appear followed by the Armorer. The shocking thing was her helmet off resting on her side as your eyes all follow her before she stands in the crowd of Mandalorians.

“Bo-Katan Kryze is going off to bring other Mandalorians in exile to us so that we may join together once again.” The Armorer announces to the few Mandalorians here,

“But she shows her face.” Paz Vizsla questions the female Mandalorian as the others chatter their concerns and your gaze briefly meets Bo-Katan’s before the Armorer speaks up again.

“Bo-Katan walks both worlds. And she can bring all tribes together. It is time to retake Mandalore.” You all look at the redhead as the Armorer steps to join her side, “We will bring the covert to our new covert. A celebration will be thrown for our victory and Bo-Katan’s departure.” She says before saying the famous words of the creed.

“This is the Way.” You all repeat as the first steps at returning to your homeworld are finally closer to becoming a reality.

By nightfall using a transport shuttle to bring the rest of the covert to Nevarro you had successfully created a new home. This news of returning to Mandalore had put everyone in a joyous mode and the celebration for the early victory and hopes of the future was in full swing. A large bonfire with the meat of a native animal fueling the covert, children dance around the fire, and Mandalorians tell war stories and tales of the history of your people. All cleaned up from the battle you stood beside Bo-Katan a few Mandalorians came up to her wishing her luck for her journey,

“I guess your dream of restoring Mandalore is becoming a reality.” You say you both with your cups of spotchka courtesy of Greef as a gift for saving the city. The liquid warms your veins as you see Grogu in Din’s lap as he points at the sky explaining something to him it warms your heart seeing Din act so fatherly.

“Aren’t you a bit young to be drinking spotchka?” Bo-Katan says jokingly and you roll your eyes, “I’ve been fighting the empire and maker knows what else since my teens. I think I get a pass on the drinking age.” You remark and she laughs before you both cheer drinking the blue liquor.

“So you excited…nervous..bit of both?” You ask and she smiles at the child-like smile on your face. The liquor soothed your nerves and you looked young and lively not a hardened soldier.

“A bit of both…I thought after all these years Mandalore would never be a possibility.” She says the both of you looking over the covert clan you joined and now welcomed you with open arms. “You should get your goodbyes in before we leave tomorrow,” Bo-Katan says and you look at her confused for a second.

“Your father already told me he was joining and by association yourself and Grogu.” She says and you nod. Normally you weren’t opposed to leaving, it was another adventure across the galaxy with your family and it was for something important. Bringing all the Mandalorians together to restore the planet you all thought was never going to be restored. But now you had a reason to be sad to leave, your gaze met the copper and white Mandalorian across the crowd. His armor was clean as he listened to the conversation between the members of the Shriekhawk, he must have sensed your gaze turning his head he meets yours. The two of you hold eye contact before he nods off in a direction before he turns to his companions before leaving not before getting one last glance at you.

“Don’t want to keep him waiting,” Bo-Katan says and you completely forgot she was even there. A cheesy grin is painted on her face and your face flushes from the embarrassment of staring at Kaz and the liquor in your system. You nod passing her your cup before starting to walk away when she calls out to you, “Be safe.” She gives a wink and your face burns hot you quickly rush away hearing her laughter as you move through the crowd of Mandalorians. The sounds of celebration diminish as you spot the flash of beskar on one of the higher flats. Climbing up the elevated view of the new covert’s location, the large bonfire below you as the celebration doesn’t cease with your disappearance. Kaz sits at the edge watching the festivities lost in thought.

“You know this is just like us meeting for the first time.” You call out and he chuckles slightly as you come to join his side, “Want me to be all brooding and mysterious.” He says and you shove his shoulder producing a louder laugh that warms your body.

“You’re hilarious.” You roll your eyes as he settles down it grows silent as you both watch the others and you can feel something in the air above you too.

“I’m guessing this is you coming to say goodbye?” He says and you glance over at him, “It seemed unlikely, you would stay if both Bo-Katan and Din Djarin left.” You go to say something but he stops you.

“I’m not mad… you're meant to be out, exploring the galaxy and being a keeper of the peace,” He says, “That’s what the Jedi are.” He says his gaze hasn’t moved from watching the Mandalorians.

“I’m no keeper of the peace,” You say returning your gaze to the covert as well the flames of the large bonfire gives produces such a large flame it lights the two of you on the elevated flat, “I don’t think keepers of the peace jump off ships and put myself in reckless situations.” Kaz laughs and a smile grows on your face, “No definitely not…but you’re a leader I can see that.” He says and when you look his gaze is on you as silence fills the two of you. Your mouth felt dry and you can sense the steady gaze through the beskar armor. It felt like the only time you could read him through that helmet of his.

“All those months ago, when we went to go rescue Vizsla’s son…what did you say to me at the fire?” It hadn’t felt like months had passed since you’d been a part of the covert but each day felt full of memories but it seemed to go by so fast. Most of those memories with the man before you as the tension disperses with your question. The small second of being able to read him had disappeared and you had no idea his emotion or intention behind the beskar. His hand reaches out and you feel the air stop around you as he pushes a strand of hair away from your face.

“Ni guuror gar mesh'la.” He says repeating those words from so long ago. Since then you had heard that last word, ‘mesh’la’. It had slowly replaced your name when around him. “Need help, mesh’la?” “Mesh’la, how are you.” “You’re crazy you know that, mesh’la?” It just felt natural coming from him you assumed a Mando’a nickname, you hadn’t tried asking Din or Bo-Katan it felt nice not knowing what it meant. Though it could fully mean a teasing nickname you were fine hearing it from him. You nod wanting to know what it meant, it had been eating at you since that conversation same with his questions. You wanted to be a supportive friend for whoever he had feelings for but you weren’t sure why your chest hurt at the thought of him with another.

“I like you beautiful.” He whispers and your eyes widen slightly your skin prickles and felt on fire at his words. You didn’t know how to respond and you didn’t stop him from leaning forward pressing his forehead a small thunk as it bumped into your forehead. He pulls back as your rub your forehead, “What was that?” You ask and you can feel the smile coming off him as he speaks.

“It’s a Keldabe kiss since Mandalorians can't remove their armor this was made as the gesture of…” He trails off in the end and you nod and then your eyes widen comically registering what his action just meant. He kissed you..well not like a real kiss but it’s the implication of it.

“oh…Oh.” Kaz laughs seeing your face grow flush and you shove him as he continues laughing. “Stop it that’s not funny, how was I supposed to know!” You yell and his laughter dies done as you glare at him but he knows it holds no heat.

“You’re funny mesh’la,” He says and you look away biting your lip to stop the smile from growing on your face, “Hey do you trust me?” He asks and you look back at him.

“Is this the moment where you kill me and hide my body?” You joke and he chuckles shaking his head, “Yes, now seriously do you trust me.” He says and you nod and he nods back. After a second before using his hand and forcing you to close your eyes. “This definitely feels like you’re gonna kill me.” You say.

“Keep them close please.” He says and you go silent and you were certain with how quiet it was he had left you. You hear the hiss of his helmet before it’s placed on the floor your frozen knowing he was showing his face right now in front of you and what was stopping him from becoming an apostate was your trust. He trusted you enough to remove his helmet in front of you.

“Kaz…” You whisper out into the air and you hear a shaky breath coming from him, “Yeah..” His voice is crisp and clear in front of you.

“If you wanted to take off your helmet we could have gone back-to-back you didn’t need me to clos-” You don’t get to finish as his lips meet yours and you’re frozen. You didn’t know what to do your hands glued to your lap you force yourself to squeeze your eyes shut so they don’t open in surprise. His lips were slightly cracked but soft and just as quickly as he did it he was pulling away. “Wh…What was that?” You ask slightly out of breath not even realizing you were holding your breath.

“A kiss..?” He says and you shake your head, “I know that but…why I thought...I don’t know what I thought!” You throw your hands in the air your eyes still closed and he laughs and it’s like music, “I thought Mandalorians weren’t allowed to take their helmets in front of anyone.”

“They can’t…but it’s more of not showing your face than having it off,” He says and you nod softly as his hand cups your face, “I really like you Y/n Kenobi-Kryze.” He says. Your heart was pounding in your chest and it felt like it could burst at any moment. You didn’t understand love or falling in love. But you understood being with him, hearing his laughter, having him by your side, talking into the early hours of the morning backs against each other. You didn’t understand love but you understood him and what being with him could mean.

“I…I like you too. Kaz Vyst.” Your voice is shaky your confession out in the air unable to take it back. You were freefalling with nothing to catch you, you were in uncharted territory but you weren’t nervous. You wanted to freefall…you wanted to explore this. You slowly raise your hand accidentally hitting his chin as you both giggle before you feel his face, his jaw felt sharp as you trace his features trying to picture what he looked like. Your hand meets his hair and it felt short on the sides with more length towards the top. Your hand returns to his face cupping his cheek your finger running along his cheekbone as his hand pushes your hair back. Leaning forward trying to peck his lips missing catching the side of his mouth and he laughs as you bury your face into his chest embarrassed.

“Stop it I can’t see where I’m going anyway.” You say and you can feel Kaz’s smile as he pulls your face up to be looking at his. “It’s cute mesh’la.” He mumbles and you feel him lean closer and you feel a breath on your lips just a brush away from connecting as he whispers.

“I’m going to kiss you now.” He murmurs teasingly and you huff, “Funny.” Your lips met briefly just for a few moments before he retreats slightly a silence holds over you two before a force pulls you back together. It was like fireworks and warmth spread over your body as you kissed him. Your hand cupping his cheek the other clutching his shoulder while his hand holds the back of your neck the other holds your side keeping you close. The air was ripped from you but breathed back into your lungs as his lips moved with yours. It was awkward and uncoordinated but it made your heart pound and you felt alive for once in your life. You both pull away and your eyes flutter but Kaz is faster his hand slamming over your eyes shrouding you in darkness.

“Sorry!” You yell, “I didn’t see anything!” You promise as he breathes rapidly from his creed almost being broken because of you. His hand covers your eyes before he chuckles lightly and his laughter is contagious as you laugh in the open air.

“I’m lowering my hand alright.” He says and you nod keeping your eyes close when he lowers it his lips meet yours again and you happily accept. Your hands find placement in his hair your fingers running through the locks of hair as he cups your face with such delicacy.

“She’s where?!” You hear Din’s voice yell out from the bottom of the flat and you both disconnect Kaz quickly pulls on his helmet and when you hear it come on fully you open your eyes and quickly stand up and he follows. He holds your hand as you spot Bo-Katan holding back Din from looking for you. “I have to go or he’s going to kill you.” You say and Kaz leans forward his forehead bumping against yours.

“I’ll see you before you leave.” He says and you nod before sadly having to pull away taking one last glance at the Mandalorian before you’re racing down the ridge once again running into Din who’s followed by Bo-Katan. You quickly throw on a neutral expression as you look at the older Mandalorian.

“What’s up with you?” You give him a look and you see behind Din, the female gesturing at your hair and you nonchalantly fix your hair. “Where were you?” Din asks looking over you.

“Just getting some fresh air…I told Bo-Katan where I was going.” You say and Din looks over at your grand-aunt who quickly covers you. “I try telling you…went all protective-father mode.” She comments and you smile looping your arm with Din and Bo-Katan pulling them back into the celebration.

“I’m fine, you found me. Come on I want to celebrate before we leave.” Dragging the two adults to the celebration. Your mind still reeling with the moment on the ridge your vision catches the Mandalorian on the ridge watching you a smile graces your face and soon your vision breaks when you’re brought back to the festivities.

Far away from Nevarro in deep space, a lone X-Wing comes up on the remains of a destroyed ship. Shining a light on the ship seeing the hole in the side of the ship and pieces of wreckage floating around the shuttle. Teva gets into contact with a fellow pilot to speak of the news, “Captain Teva to Lieutenant Reed.” Static fills the comms before a voice comes through,

“Reed to Teva.”

“I found a derelict Lambda shuttle. The hull was breached. The vessel shows evidence of being attacked. Any reports in the area?” Teva explains looking over the ship from his position. “Um, there’s a record of a missing craft in the region. The details are classified.” Reed explains and Teva knew he needed to investigate further,

“R7, launch probe.” The droid releases a probe as it draws closer to the wreckage, “I’m sending you a transponder signal. Why don’t you bounce it through the flight logs at central command?” Teva says watching the screen showing the probe’s point of view.

“It’s a New Republic prison transport.” Reed says and that catches Teva’s attention, “Check the departure times.” He requests and he hears Reed’s shocked huff,

“I’ll be damned. Flight times match the ship transporting Moff Gideon.” The news of this ship being involved with the Moff adds more questions to the confusion puzzle, “I knew it. He never made it to trial,” Seeing the wreckage of the interior of the ship seeing the deceased New Republic officers but no side of Moff Gideon’s body, “There don’t appear to be any survivors. And Moff Gideon’s body is missing. This was an extraction.”

“Who were the perpetrators?” Reed asks as the probe beings scanning a blue light examining the hull of the ship, “Scanning. I’m only seeing the remains of the flight crew. There appears to be something embedded in the cabin wall. Get in close on that.” The probe moves closer analyzing deeper into the ship the object in the cabin wall. 

“It’s a fragment of beskar alloy,” Reed says the data coming in from his side as Teva sits in the X-Wing in silence more confused than it started. He had just interacted with the Mandalorians the same culture that was almost whipped off the face of the galaxy because of the Moff. The princess with Jedi and Mandalorian ancestors amongst their ranks brutally assaulted the same Moff that he needed medical treatment from the New Republic before he could be transferred for trial. None of it made sense but the evidence was in front of them. The only culture that was known for that same beskar alloy.

“Wait, are you saying that Moff Gideon was taken by… Mandalorians?”

[pagesfromthevoid]

Cowboy Like Me | d.d. | Bonus I

Din Djarin x princess!reader

Word Count: 2.0k

Warnings: Nada

Author’s Note: Thriving on the idea of defending Din’s honor against the Armorer <3

Series Masterlist | Talk to Me!

The Apostate

“Is there a reason why your covert decided to live on a planet with such violent creatures?” She asked as she piloted the Crest over the waters.

Din was manning the blasters, taking aim to put a stop to the reptilian creature that had interrupted the ceremony of the foundling. It would be his first time returning to the covert since they married –since saving Grogu –and he knew that his arrival was going to be less than exciting. While it wasn’t necessarily unusual for Mandalorians to marry outside their clan, she was not a Mandalorian herself and he wasn’t sure how the rest would feel. More importantly, he knew he would be facing consequences for the things he had done in the last several months.

“I’m not sure,” he answered truthfully, having blasted a hole through the creature and watching pieces of it explode across the beach. “Land over there.”

He pulled back from the guns, making his way back to the passenger seat. Grogu sat there, and he lifted the child into his arms as he peered out the window down at the covert who watched her land the ship. He had been teaching her how to navigate –her and Grogu, really –and how to pilot the ship. If anything because he liked seeing her behind the controls. But because she insisted she learn, in the very possible chance that they needed another getaway.

Shutting off the engines, she stood and held her hand out to him with a reassuring smile. “All will be well,” she promised as he stood, taking her hand in his.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t quite sure about that.

The Armorer stood beside Paz Vizsla, and the remainder of the tribe were scattered behind them as Din and his princess, with Grogu floating behind them, set foot on the beaches. Din greeted the Armorer with a nod, ignoring Paz who was staring him down. And Din knew he was. Because that's what Paz always did when Din was around: size him up.

“Din Djarin, you have returned with the foundling,” the Armorer greeted, motioning towards an opening in the mountains. “And the Princess of Senex.”

“Yes; the child chose to leave with me instead of remaining with his own kind.” He nodded as she stood up a bit straighter beside him. “And we married a short time ago.”

“So I have been told,” the Armorer murmured as they made their way into the forge. “Alas, there is nothing I can do for you here, Din Djarin. You are no longer Mandalorian.”

Even knowing that this was coming, Din’s chest constricted as the Armorer confirmed his transgressions. However, his princess seemed confused and almost offended as she cocked her head to the side.

“What do you mean? He has followed the Creed –he did not show his face until after we were married,” she argued, taking half a step forward. “We exchanged the Mandalorian vows; I am his riduur. You must recognize that –,”

“You are his riduur, princess,” the Armorer stated. “However, he has removed his helmet willingly. Had I known when he came to me, I would not have smithed your dagger, as he is an apostate.”

His princess and the Armorer stared each other down for several moments before she finally turned to him. She was searching for answers in his visor, as if trying to find his gaze. Waiting for some sort of explanation. And there were several –many of which involved her.

“When I saved Grogu,” he explained. While it killed him to detail his transgressions against the Creed, she deserved to know. But he didn’t want her to know how deeply he broke it for her. “I had to remove my helmet, and allow several people to see my face.”

She didn’t look convinced, however. Turning back to the Armorer, Din could see that the diplomatic side of his wife was coming out. He wondered if she knew she was using that royal ability of hers to speak, or if it simply came naturally to her.

“He removed his helmet to save a foundling. Is that not the highest honor of the Creed? To save a child?” The Armorer did nod once, but said nothing. “Should that not, then, outweigh the removal of his helmet, as it was necessary to fulfill the Creed?”

As if Din couldn’t fall even more in love with her, she had to go and fight for him in a battle of words. But he didn’t deserve her defense, as he knew what he had done. He knew why he was truly being excommunicated from his people. 

“He is not exiled for saving the foundling,” the Armorer continued. “You are aware of the Creed, princess. Which suggests you are aware that he cannot remove his helmet in the presence of any living being.”

Her brow furrowed as she considered what was being said. The Armorer stood, watching them both carefully, as the princess slowly turned back to Din, realizing what any living being meant.

“Din,” she murmured, her eyes searching his visor for any sign of misunderstanding. “Din, you said –if I didn’t see you –,”

“I know what I did,” he admitted, looking down at her. And he did know. He knew that removing his helmet –for any reason –would break his Creed. He knew the entire time; there were no loopholes. No way around it. He knew. “I know what I did, and I do not regret it.”

The Armorer watched them as his princess’s eyes welled with tears. And Din wanted to comfort her; wanted to draw her in, promise that it was not her fault. He knew what he was doing when he agreed to cover her eyes that first night on Sorgan. He knew what it meant when he removed his helmet and allowed himself to kiss her. It was not her fault; it never would be. 

He turned to the Armorer, holding his head high. “Were I to bathe in the Living Waters of Mandalore, would I not then be redeemed?”

“It is impossible; Mandalore has been lost.”

“But I would be redeemed, would I not?” He pressed, and the Armorer stared at him for a long time. “If I were to bathe in the waters and bring proof –would I be Mandalorian once more?”

“You would.”

“Then you will see us again.”

Their return to the ship was silent, with the only sound being the crunching on sand beneath their boots. She was angry; Din knew she was. She was easy to read on a good day, and even easier to read on a bad one. It was one of the many things he liked about her –she wore her heart on her sleeve and protected it deeply. 

“I think this is our first argument,” Din joked as he sat in the pilot’s seat, flipping the switches of the control panel.

“Is it an argument if I haven’t scolded you for being so careless?” She countered, and her tone was nowhere close to how joking he was. 

“I told you,” he reiterated, turning to face her. The teasing was gone, and he sat in front of her, posture straight as he turned serious. “You did not force my hand, you did not make me remove my helmet. I knew what I was doing. I knew what I was doing long before I even did it.”

She watched him for several moments, leaning back in her seat with her arms crossed over her chest. Din took her silence as a sign to continue his side. “The day I found you –when you pulled me through the market on Nevarro –I knew I would not deliver you to your mother. I did not know I would marry you –but I knew that, when you protected me, the one hunting you, from the droids your mother sent after you, that I was done for. When you pressed against me in that alleyway; that moment.

“I broke my Creed,” he continued, reaching out to take her hands in his. “I broke my Creed because for the first time in my life, I wanted to be selfish and I was. And now, I am married to you and I will be redeemed.”

She stared at him for a long time, her eyes brimming with tears. But she leaned forward soon enough, pressing her forehead against the steel of his helmet. “I wish you would have told me,” she scolded still, but her voice was soft and trembling. Guilt ridden. And that killed Din, because he knew she was going to feel bad for his choices regardless of what he told her. “If I had known…I could have waited, Din. I would have waited to kiss you, if it meant not breaking your Creed.”

“You could have waited, perhaps,” he reminded her, bringing his hand up to rest against her cheek. His thumb ran over her cheekbone. “But I could not have waited any longer.”

———

Taglist (CLOSED): @r4iner @sgt-morgan @mingeniee @darling1darling @teriolan-blog @venusfalling @double—take @sunshine96 @lovelessprick @mxtokko @ellepascal @waddafaknik @c-ms1ut @kokoirne @sl-ut @munsons-queen @intense-sneezing @geekrenaissance @dilf-din @tizylish @ruleroftides @aheadfullofsteverogers

[sulphuryasecretcloset]

The tell-tale heart

It’s the first night together after Corin had reclaimed Din and the little bean from Tiem’s clutches. Despite doing little but resting all day, Corin still feels beat up and sore, which means he’s deep asleep in Din’s arms when it happens.

Din shoots up into a sitting position and half-flails as if trying to reach something he can’t see. Equally as sudden, the light is switched on and it floods the bedroom with horrible brightness, blinding Corin and leaving him horribly unprepared for Din diving down to grab a hold of his face and touching it with almost a bit of desperation.

“Are you okay?” Din blurts out.

Horribly confused, having no idea what is happening, Corin stares at his reflection in the t-visor and nods as much as the hands will let him.

“You’re okay?” Din demands to know, even though Corin just confirmed he was and Din can easily see for himself. He touches Corin’s face some more. “You’re really okay?” His hands are shaking.

“I’m… fine.” Corin offers with some hesitation and a lot of concern. “Are you?” What is going on?!

Din is out of breath, sounds more breathless than after hunting down a tricky bounty, and it isn’t just his hands that are shaking, it is his entire body. And he can’t stop touching Corin’s face. “You’re okay. You’re not... You’re... You’re okay.”

And that is when Corin’s brain finally activates and puts the pieces together. “Did you… dream?” About him dying. He can only imagine what Din had gone through yesterday being blind and helpless while Raga and Paz had tried to jump-start Corin’s stupid heart, not once but twice. If the roles had been reversed, Corin would be having nightmares too.

Din doesn’t answer the question, just keeps studying his face a bit longer before switching focus and gently places his fingers to Corin’s chest, where the bones had been broken due to the efforts to save his life.

Seeing how distraught Din is, Corin has to do something. Say something? But what? Words are weak against the horrors of the night, he knows by personal experience, but there has to be something he can do? Especially as it is Corin’s fault that Din is traumatized like this. How can he convince him his heart is fine now? Din won’t believe him if he simply says he’s fine. How can- Wait. Maybe if he…

“Din.” Corin moves up to ease the reluctant Din into lying down again. “I’m okay. I promise.” He settles on his back and manoeuvres Din to rest his head on his chest. “I’m okay. Adjust your settings and listen to what’s under your head; my heart is working just fine. Listen to my heart beating. Can you hear it?”

Din sluggishly presses something on the side of his helmet not resting against Corin’s skin and adjusts his position a little so his head is on top of where Corin’s heart is going nice and strong.

“Can you hear that? I’m right here with you, Din.” Corin whispers. “Just listen to my heart. I’m fi-” No, he can’t use that phrase. That would probably just set Din off again. “I’m okay, Din. Everything is okay.”

Din shudders, curls a little closer and hugs him a little tighter. He doesn’t say anything, but Corin’s stupid suggestion does seem to help as he slowly relaxes and keeps listening to the sound of the steady heartbeat until it carries him back to sleep, and luckily the bad dreams stay away after that.

Until the next night. Though, this time Corin knows what to do and Din listens to the sound of his heartbeat again until the dread leaves his body once more and he can drift back to sleep.

Eventually the nightmares start to fade as the incident grow more distant, more time goes by between the bad dreams until they go away entirely, but after a stressful day Din will still occasionally rest his head on Corin’s chest and listen to his heartbeat for his own enigmatic reasons.

Corin doesn’t mind. At all.

[kalevalakryze]

Last Line Challenge

Rules: in a new post, show the last line you wrote (or drew) and tag as many people as there are words (or as many as you feel like).

Thanks to @machinerismsx & @bosooka & @btwxsixesandsevens for the tags !!!!

so I'm actually going to offer two lines/snippets, because I literally just finished a snippet for the Shin Tano AU discord and the piece that's in my folder from the Western AU that can be found here!

Shin Tano AU Act 4 (Mentions of NSFW!)

Being able to press their head into the soft warmth of Sabine’s chest, the blonde finally released a heavy sigh. “Thank you-“ “Dude-“ fingers tapped against her chin until their eyes met once again. “We’re married, you don’t have to thank me for sex- and also, you ate me out-“ “And I’m thanking you for the meal, you’ve done it before-“ Sabine paused, cheeks warming as her head turned. “Hey, sometimes I forget you know Mando’a, and that was years ago- I can’t be blamed for things I said when I was someone’s prisoner-“ a finger pressed accusatorily into their shoulder, though there was no real malice in her words. “A bitch was going through it, leave me alone.” “Didn’t you have a meeting with the Mand’alor?” Shin leaned back with a smirk on their lips, wiping the drying slick from their chin with a mischievous grin. “Dude, they were going into the armory to fuck, you saw them-“ “I was more focused on dinner, actually-“ Sabine winced as she remembered the sight of broad shoulders and soft fur brushing past her. “Yeah, something tells me the Mand’alor was too-“

Reforged Chapter Two

"Why should we listen to her?!" Someone spat from the thick throng of their group, a fiery glare sent towards the redhead as she shifted on her mount. The question seemed to unsettle their entire squad as several other poorly muted conversations cropped up, all loudly asking the same thing. Before Din could break it up, Paz was pulling himself onto a boulder against the mountainside, still carefully nursing his injured arm. "We'll listen to her because that is my son!" His steely gaze rounded into Bo-Katan. "And because it is the way our people have survived, ya'll know these kids are all we've got!" His hand raised to remove his hat, greasy hair falling in his face as he bowed his head to the outsider. "Now you two get up that mountain, and show those sons'abitches what happens when you fuck with a Mandalorian." With the fire under their asses relit once more, Bo-Katan was able to lose herself in the familiar ache of her muscles as she scaled the cliffside, Din only feet below, and the rest of the covert only growing smaller the higher the pair went, searching for safe handholds and letting rocks clatter the rest of the way down.

No pressure tags! @femmefighter & @stellanslashgeode & @loreensdarling

[piltover-sharpshooter]

Rest in Peace, Akira Toriyama.

I feel almost silly for being so devastated by the news of the passing of a man I've never met in real life, but there is no quantifiable way I can explain how much Dragon Ball meant to me as I grew up, how it defined me, gave me confidence, helped me when I was down, how it was silly, and terrifying, and exciting, and emotional. How it made me want to be better.

I could talk at lenghts about what a true master of his craft he was, how he revolutionized manga, how few pieces of media could claim to have hit like a meteor and change the landscape as his works did...but none of that is what matters to me.

What matters is that a young argentinian boy would come home from a tough day in school and be cheered up by Dragon Ball Z. That smile he'd put on my face was one of millions. And for that I'll always be thankful.

Gracias por todo Akira Toriyama, fuiste un angel.

Descansa en paz.

[whumpy-daydreams]

An Unexpected Reunion

Masterlist

Previous Next

CW: ref to past abuse, ref to torture, swearing

Rowena spent a month in temporary accommodation. It wasn't that she didn't like living with the others, but it was a constant reminder of what had happened. Emma and Shaan were moving out anyway - together, which wasn't a surprise.

The staff had been helpful in setting her up in an apartment in her birth city. Perhaps it was a stupid move, a sentimental move, but it was the only place she truly knew and liked.

The flat was small and the landlord was a dick, but it was in a good location, high up overlooking a small district of cafes and charity shops.

She'd got a job in one of the coffee shops a couple of streets away. The other employees were friendly enough, even if they did look at her weirdly when they thought she couldn't see. But they never asked what happened.

Rowena spent the rest of her time drinking or rebuilding her strength, turning half of her apartment into a makeshift gym. Bur doing push-ups wasn't enough to reassure herself that she would be able to win in a fight.

...

Paz took a deep breath as he paid the entry fee to the fighting pit. It had been two years since Rowena had left. A whole year after she should have returned.

He'd pieced together some of the pieces. Some of it he'd suspected years ago, though he'd never told her his theories. But trying to find a hitman (hitwoman?) was not easy. There were only whispers, the odd post on some dark-web forum, brief news stories about businessmen who ended up dead.

It was a whisper that had brought him here. A tale about a girl who was raking in money at some grimy underworld fighting pit. Paz just hoped he was wrong.

The stadium was packed, sweat and blood filling the air, mingling with screams and loud bets. Paz pushed through the tightly packed bodies, the spectators too engrossed in the fight at hand to give him a second glance.

It was obvious the fight had been going on for a while. Both people in the ring were panting, covered in bruises and dried blood as they circled each other, fists half raised. Paz's heart sank.

Her hair was shorter and there was a gauntness to her face that hadn't been there the last time he'd seen her - but it was her.

...

Rowena was tired. And sore. This was her third opponent of the night, and the fight had gone on for almost ten minutes. Time to finish this up.

She dodged as the man lunged forward with a sloppy jab, bringing her shin up into his stomach. He grunted, stumbling back. From there it was easy: cross, hook, uppercut, and he was down.

Cheers and groans erupted from the crowd as money exchanged hands. The ringmaster stepped forward, holding Rowena's arm up as he paraded her around the grimy ring.

"Anyone else want to try their luck against tonight's champion?" he shouted over the din, when someone in the crowd caught Rowena's eye.

"Shit," she muttered. "I'm done. Get some fresh meat in here, I'll take my money in a minute." The ringmaster didn't bother hiding his scowl but let her go, quickly beckoning two more men into the ring.

...

Rowena was in the corner taking the bloody tape off her knuckles when Paz found her.

"Rowena?"

"Hello Paz." She didn't look at him. He exhaled heavily.

"What- Jesus, Ro. What the hell? Hello? That's it? It's been two years." Paz hadn't expected this. He hadn't expected to feel angry.

"What do you want me to say?"

"I don't know - 'oh my god, Paz, I've been looking for you', or 'sorry I left you with no information', or 'I missed you'. What happened?"

"Is that it?" Finally Rowena looked at him, eyes hard. "Hi Paz, I missed you, sorry I was forced to leave. Are we done? Good." She turned away again, pulling on a plaid shirt.

"No, that's-" he took a deep breath, his voice softer. "That's not what I meant. What happened to you? Where have you been?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes!"

"Why? Why does it matter so much to you? Why do I-" Rowena's voice hitched in her throat.

"Because you're my friend, Rowena. Because you're funny and strong and brave. I've spent months looking for you. When you didn't come back I was so scared you were dead. And then I find you in an illegal fucking fighting pit and it's like you don't even want to know me..."

Rowena's fingers twitched though she stayed still. "I thought it would be easier." Paz struggled to hear her over the din, but he could still make out the strain in her voice.

"That what would be easier?" he pushed.

"Everything. I only ever put you in danger."

"I can look after myself, Ro." She laughed; a cold, dry chuckle. "Just because you're some assassin that I'm completely helpless? I'm not a child." Rowena tensed as he mentioned being an assassin and spun to face him. Now it was Paz's turn to laugh. "Yeah, I worked it out. Not so fucking stupid after all."

"You know jack shit about me. About what I had to do to protect you." Her words were like venom in her mouth. "And now you have the nerve to tell me I'm cruel?"

"For the record I never said you were being cruel - but even if I had, you've killed people-"

"It's not like I had a choice, Paz."

"Bullshit! Everyone can choose to do the right thing."

"I tried." Paz rolled his eyes and Rowena stepped towards him, hands balled into fists. "No. Don't roll your fucking eyes. Because when I said no Marcus threatened you. Told me how he'd make me watch as he cut bits off of you."

Paz almost stopped breathing, but Rowena wasn't done. She turned around, pulling her shirt down to reveal the scars that ran down her back.

"I got these because I was friends with you. Because I dared to have a single friend." She turned back to face him and he noticed her tears were wet with tears. "So don't tell me I had a choice or that you can take care of yourself or that I'm the cruel one."

She stared at him for a second before grabbing her things and storming off, grabbing the stack of notes the ringmaster had left for her.

Paz just felt numb. She was right. He didn't know anything about her. His best friend of nine years and he had no idea who she was. You know she's funny. That she's strong and brave and that she got hurt to protect you.

The smell of blood and sweat drifted after him out of the fighting pit as Paz ran after Rowena.

tag list - @i-eat-worlds

[maybege]

Welcome Home

Summary: Your favourite time of day is when Paz comes home.

Pairing: roommate!Paz Vizsla x fem!Reader

Wordcount: 3.5k | Rating: E (18+ only!)

Warnings: Modern AU, Free Use Arrangement AU, Roommate AU, explicit sexual content, oral (f and m receiving), (un)requited pining, dom!Paz, sub!Reader, size kink, lil bit of cockwarming, dirty talk and a little bit of verbal humiliation

Long time, no see when it comes to this AU! I love how I said I would only write little blurbs for them and now this is the second piece over 3k 😂 Anyway, I hope you all had a nice weekend! Let me know what you think of this story in a reblog or a comment, they are truly the best fuel to keep writing 🥰

masterlist | crossposted on AO3

Asking your roommate for a free-use arrangement was the bravest and best thing you had ever done.

Watching Paz Vizsla getting more and more confident as a dominant, however, was the most beautiful thing you ever got to witness. And you never wanted to share with anyone. Because while you had suspected (known, really) that he was a natural dominant when you first met, he always made it a point to be careful with you.

And he truly. He was so careful, so gentle and made sure you felt safe, happy and satisfied before he tried new things. Even then, said new things were introduced slowly and with care. And every time he did you felt like you were falling in lust a little bit more.

“There is something very peaceful about not having to worry about how someone fucks you because you know they do it right,” your friend Chants had once said about one of his situationships. Now, years later, you finally understood what he meant.

Because Paz Vizsla, your roommate, your friend, the man of your dreams (and also your heart but it would take time for you to admit that out loud) fucked you so good that you could trust him to fuck you any time he wanted.

Like now, weeks after your initial conversation, when you were standing in the kitchen making dinner.

Paz always came home after you and though you usually made your own meals, sometimes you cooked for each other. This was your plan today, too. You wanted to spend as little time as possible on chores and as much time as possible … together.

Wearing only a very long shirt and lace panties, paired with the fuzzy socks to keep your feet from freezing on the tiled floor, you were jamming to the newest hits on the charts when you could hear the front door open.

It did not take long before two warm hands landed on your upper thighs, a large body hovering behind you. His stubble ghosted over your neck and you tilted your head to the side, allowing his chin to rest on your shoulder.

“What are you doing?” you asked breathlessly, watching as his hands moved to the front of your thighs, pulling you back against him. His body was large and warm. Even the cool fall air caught on his clothes did nothing against the simmering heat that started in your belly.

“Just saying hello,” he murmured, his hands bunching up your shirt. His lips landed on the spot where your shoulder met your neck and you hummed. “Turn the stove off,” he ordered and you did without questioning him. The sauce was almost done anyway.

His mouth never left your neck as he dragged you away from the counters. “How was your day?” he asked you, turning you around so you were facing him, “Did the presentation go well?”

“Uh, yeah,” you nodded, your brain fuzzy from his soft kisses, the blinding grin on his face and his rough hands on your thighs. He crowded you against the table and you could hear the newspapers fall to the floor before he pushed you on the flat wooden surface.

“Paz,” you giggled, your hands buried in the soft hairs at the back of his neck, “What are you doing?”

You squirmed when you finally came face to face, his large body hovering above yours. He had not shaved in a while and looked like a lumberjack in his flannel shirt and the black one underneath it. His breath washed over your face and your finger brushed over the crinkles next to his eyes.

“I’m eating you out, what does it look like?” he grinned, his teeth nipping at your bottom lip before his mouth started wandering down down down.

“Paz,” you whined, your back arching off the back, “Paz, I need you.”

“Patience, sweetheart,” he teased you, looking up from where his fingers were circling your nipples over the fabric of your shirt. “Let me play with you.”

And playing with you was what he did. He mouthed at your tits through your shirt before gathering it up, his hands gliding over your thighs and belly before finally landing on your chest. You were already dripping wet before his fingers pinched your nipples, p

His mouth closed around your right nipple and when his tongue flicked against the sensitive peak, your hands flew to his head, trying to keep him there or get him to where you needed him most, you were not sure.

“You're so good for me,” he murmured against your sternum, “Such a pretty little slut just for me, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” you gasped, spreading your legs for him. The chair scraped over the tiles as he sat down on the kitchen chair and you squeaked when his hands gripped your hips, pulling you to the edge.

“Yes, what?” he rumbled, his dark eyes fixated on where his thumbs dipped into the crease between your legs. The contact made you shudder in the best way and you bit your lips, trying not to come from just the barest touches.

“Yes, I am your pretty little slut,” you repeated his words, feeling the heat rise into your cheeks as you stared at the stained kitchen ceiling.

“Lift,” he tapped your butt, his fingers digging into the soft dips of your hips and you did, letting him pull the lacy underwear down your legs. You could hear the flimsy fabric land somewhere on the floor to your right but you could not care less when you had this dream of a man between your legs.

“Spread for me,” he instructed, his voice gruff, “Let me see you.”

You could not remember an instance where a man had wanted to look at you like that and, just for a moment, you found yourself a little shy.

“Nuh-uh”, he commented your hesitation, “None of that. Let me see that pussy, sweetheart. It’s mine to play with, isn’t it?”

His words sparked heat into your core and you nodded, spreading your legs wider apart. As if to reward you, his fingers swiped through your wet folds, circling your clit until a trembling gasp left your mouth.

“Yeah, it is,” he murmured as if to himself, his thumbs spreading you wide apart. The feeling of his hot breath on your pussy made you had you like putty in his hands.

“Paz, please …”

“No begging, sweetheart,” he chastised you with a grin, “Let me enjoy, hm?”

Before you could answer (or, let's be real, beg) his mouth closed over your clit and sucked. Your eyes rolled back and you did not know what to do with your hands. Your right one gripped the edge of the table while the other found Paz’s back of the head, your fingers burying in the soft dark curls on his head.

His hands splayed on your hips, pulling you into his mouth as his tongue dipped into your folds. Everything he did, and soon, you were on the precipice of something great, something wonderful, something –

“Paz!” you gasped, your hands tightening and your back arching, “Right there, oh! P-please -!”

He hummed against you, the vibrations doing something delicious to your clit and then his finger joined, steadily brushing over your opening just the way you liked, and you were free-falling, unable to do anything but chant his name over and over again.

Paz did not let up, though he did slow down a little, pressing soft kisses to your cunt and inner thighs until you felt like you could breathe again.

 “Wow,” you breathed, your chest heaving as you started at the ceiling, “That was … “

“I know,” he replied, pressing a quick kiss to your inner thigh before slipping your legs off his shoulders, “Got you all come drunk already, huh?”

You wanted to have a witty comeback to that, you really did. But Paz was rising to his full height now, standing between your legs fully clothed while your shirt was still bunched up above your tits and he looked glorious like that.

Inevitably, your gaze drifted lower to where he was straining against his jeans. You watched with a racing heart as his hand rubbed over the bulge and if your legs weren’t still trembling from your orgasm, you would have dropped to your knees and begged him to take him into your mouth.

But even without words, Paz seemed to get you.

“Not today, love,” he murmured, the nickname sending a thrill through you, “I’m gonna have you suck my cock another time.”

“Thank the stars,” you breathed out a laugh, “I might have fallen asleep with your cock in my mouth.”

Your laugh dissipated at the intense look in his eyes. “Don’t threaten me with a good time,” he hummed, leaning closer against you as his hands caressed the side of your legs.

You tried to ignore the thrum of pleasure the suggestion caught in you, still in awe at the deep dark fantasies he awakened in you. Paz looked very satisfied, very cocky and it didn’t help that your legs were still shaking and his fingers tapped under your chin, making you look up at him. “Good girl,” he praised you with soft eyes and kissed you, long and slow.

Leaning your body weight against him, you wrapped your arms around his neck, enjoying the feel of his tongue against yours, the stubble rubbing over your chin. Kissing Paz was everything you had ever fantasised it to be and more.

Which also explained the pout on your lips when he pulled away from you.

“I, uh, I got something for you,” he explained, his lips swollen from your kisses. Too distracted by the sight of him, you only realised what he had said until he presented you with a little box. You recognised the logo from the jewellery store in the mall and your heart skipped a beat and then completely stopped when you saw the gold chain nestled within the black velvet.  

“Paz,” you gasped, still reeling from the orgasm, and brushed over the delicate chain links, “That is beautiful.”

“I thought this could be your … the necklace, you know?”

You nodded, remembering the signal you had agreed upon to make your little arrangement easier.

“It's like a choker.”

Like a collar.

Paz seemed to know what you were thinking because he suddenly became bashful. He rubbed the back of his neck, the free hand still on your thigh, “You can – you can choose something else, if you like, of course. But I saw it in the mall at lunch and I just … knew.”

“I love it,” you hurried to say, fiddling to get the necklace out of the box, “Can you put it on?”

His body got closer as he leaned to look behind you. Thick fingers brushed over your neck as he closed the tiny clasp of the delicate metal. It lay perfectly at the base of your neck, golden and frail, perfect for everyday wear. And yet, it made you feel sex. Wanted. Pretty.

“Thank you,” your fingers ran over the delicate band, “I love it, Paz, truly.”

“And remember –“ he started.

“I can always take it off whenever I want to,” you finished the sentence for him, a knowing smile on your lips. He wore the matching one, his hand gently closing around your throat as he kissed you again.

And just like the choker, something in your heart locked into place.

*

As time went on, you could sense how he grew more confident and self-assured in your new arrangement and you, in turn, felt like you could finally breathe. You wore the choker day and night – a circumstance that neither of you commented on but you were sure he noticed.

It wasn’t that you felt like you had to. You knew that Paz would always respect your choices. But when you had first thought about taking it off, it just had not felt right. You liked the arrangement you had. You thrived in it.

You thrived in coming home and being dragged into his bed or him coming home and coming straight to you. That must be your favourite part, really. Him coming home and using you any which way he liked. Both of you ending up on the couch afterwards, talking about how your respective days had been.

It was like that today. It had been raining and you had used your day off to curl up on the couch and read one of the books on your tbr list. Slow music was playing in the background and you were pondering whether to light up one of the scented candles your colleagues had gotten you for one of your birthdays when you noticed the time.

Paz was usually home by now and even though you were not his girlfriend (which was totally absolutely perfectly fine with you, of course), you grew worried when the hours passed, the sky grew darker and no Paz showed up.

You were way too eager when you finally heard the key in the lock. Sitting up from your place on the couch, your book completely forgotten, you felt bad when you saw the grimace on his face.

His steps were heavy and raindrops gathered at the tips of his curls. Piece after piece of clothing came off until he was working on his belt and you knew what was about to happen.

“Come here,” he instructed calmly, his eyes fixated on your necklace want you to suck my cock, okay?”

With a quick nod, you set your book aside and walked over to where he sat down in the armchair. The image of his big hands getting rid of his belt and freeing his cock, paired with his stoic silence had your thighs clenching. He was already half-hard and you could not wait to get your mouth on him. How could  

He spread his legs so you could scoot in between them and you did, dropping to your knees on the beige carpet. “Welcome home,” you whispered before giving him a careful lick.

“Stars, that’s just what I needed,” he sighed, his hand cupping your cheek, “that pretty little mouth on my cock. You’re doing so well for me, aren’t you?”

You slipped your mouth on his shaft and hummed around him in agreement. He was growing in size and your jaw already started to ache as you tried to push him to the back of your throat as far as you could take him. Which wasn’t very far, to be honest.

Wriggling your tongue under his head, you pulled off him until only his tips remained. He was heavy and hot and your hands found their way to his thighs, trying to steady yourself as you sucked on him. The taste of his precoma was salty on your taste buds and you pushed forward again, your brows drawing together in a frown when your throat closed up again.

“I know I’m very big, sweetheart,” Paz cooed, leaning forward. His hand wandered to the back of your head and you felt surrounded by him in the best way, “Can you try to take me a little deeper? Can I try to fuck your mouth?”

One of his rules was verbal consent and so you pulled off him again, taking in deep breaths before you managed a happy, “Yes.” You smoothed your cheek against his thick thigh, remembering the time he had you get him off by just sucking on his balls, “Please fuck my mouth, Paz.”

Paz did not smile but he looked relieved. Relaxation took over his expression as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders and that was even more of a reward than feeling him come on your tongue.

“You are perfect,” he praised as he gave himself a few pumps, “When I am too deep you are going to tap my thigh three times, alright, sweetheart? Just like we practiced.”

You nodded eagerly, demonstrating how you had done it before by tapping his inner thigh three times. He hummed in approval before cupping your face. You straightened your posture, the long shirt dropping over your ass as you leaned forward just as he pushed his cock inside you.

His thrusts were deep and strong and tears sprang into your eyes as you relaxed your throat as far as it would go. Neither of you broke eye contact and there was something so sexy about seeing him in merciless control, making use of your throat as much as you would let him.

“One day I'm gonna see how deep I can go,” he groaned as you choked on him, “Have your head hanging off the edge of my bed, see if we can make that pretty throat bulge, make that choker stretch, hm?”

He continued thrusting, the sounds of your gagging seemingly only encouraging him and making you wetter than before. You must have looked like a mess by the time he pulled out of you.

“Want to come on your face,” he announced and your hand wrapped around his shaft immediately. He was slick with your saliva as you jerked him off and not for the first time did you wonder how you had managed to fit him inside your mouth at all.

A rough hand wrapped around yours, squeezing it tighter and soon, Paz jerked himself off with your hand. The sounds were filthy and forbidden and all you could think was that you had never seen anything hotter than Paz completely out of control.

“I’m close, sweetheart,” he warned you, his voice hoarse, and you opened your mouth in anticipation. Your eyes stayed on him, but the contact broke when he threw his head back. He looked completely undone and the knowledge that you did that, you made him lose control, put a smile on your face.

Ropes of come splatted onto your face and neck and you pushed out your tongue, trying to catch a taste of him. His hand made you milk him of all he was worth and with the tears across your cheeks, the drool dripping down your chin and now the come over your face and chest, you felt deliciously filthy.

“Pretty as a picture,” he mumbled when his movements let up, his chest still heaving. He must have had a meeting, you realised when you spotted his unusual-for-him getup. He was wearing black slacks instead of jeans and a white dress shirt with the first few buttons undone. He looked all proper and put together if it weren’t for his softening cock in his (and your) hand. And you just sat here in your lounge shirt, splattered in come and lips swollen from sucking his cock.

“Why don’t you take a picture then?” you asked, cheeks flushing with the idea of him actually doing that. Why did the thought of Paz putting you, covered in his come, as his phone background make your heart skip a beat?

“No need,” he winked, “If I want to see you like this I'm just going to have you suck my cock again.”

You gasped in shock while he laughed, tucking away his cock which almost made you pout.

“You good, babe?”

“Yeah,” you mumbled still flustered at how cocky he was with no effort at all. Yet there you were, flustered, needy, out of breath and happier than you had ever been, trying to seem like his proximity did not make you think of futures, houses, barbeques in a garden and cuddles, “I was thinking of ordering pizza today?”

Paz nodded, getting up. You were still kneeling on the floor, finding yourself mesmerised by his size, your gaze following him up, up, up and up until you met his eyes. Maybe you were still somewhere off in subspace, in that little niche in your head where you were not quite ready to let go of this moment between the two of you, where you were not quite ready to … return to everyday life.

With one look at you, Paz must have come to the same conclusion because he knelt in front of you with a soft handkerchief, gently cleaning you off, and you found yourself leaning into him.  

“How about,” he cupped your clean face and pressed a kiss slow to your jaw, “Ordering pizza and a movie? We can cuddle and if you want to we can try that thing you’ve been pretending to google secretly?”

Your eyes widened with surprise – not at being caught, it was only a matter of time, after all, but at the enthusiasm and confidence with which he suggested it. “Cock warming?”

The grin he replied with made his entire face light up. “Yes,” he confirmed, his tongue licking over his lower lip, “And if you’re real good I might even let you come.”

Before you could reply, he pulled you in for another kiss that had you both tumbling to the floor. You shrieked with laughter, loving the way his hands already dipped under your shirt, and how your legs fell over his hips.

This type of homecoming was way better than what you had before.

[dindjarindiaries]

Security - Chapter 67: The Capture

summary: Conflict arises on Mandalore as Astra, Din, and the rest of the scouting party find themselves running into their worst nightmare.

warnings: canon-typical violence, injuries (incl. blood), references to trauma, angst, strong language

rating: T

word count: 5.546k

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chapter 67: the capture

By the next morning’s daybreak, Astra and Din have already been briefed on the new plan. The Armorer is to take the wounded and weakened survivors to the rest of the fleet on the Gauntlet while the rest, most notably their captain, bring the scouting party to the Great Forge. They’ve just helped the Armorer get the wounded aboard when the captain calls to his brethren.

“Onward, Mandalorians!” he commands. “To the Forge!”

Astra, Din, and Grogu stand alongside Bo-Katan as the glider heads further and further away from where the Gauntlet’s now taking off. There’s an ache trapped between Astra’s chest and the beskar armor that covers it. The ship is getting closer to the fleet, where the rest of the Mandalorians continue to wait for them; Where her daughter waits.

Part of Astra wishes she was on that ship right now, heading back to take Zora in her arms and never let her go.

Then the touch of Din’s hand upon her back grounds Astra to reality again, and she doesn’t regret a single effort spent helping him and his people. After all, they’re her people now, too. Astra turns her head to look up at him and the way his visor tilts at her convinces that everything will be okay. Din touches his helmet to her forehead before he steps away to lead the group back towards the rest of the scouting party.

The four of them are on the upper deck looking out at the Mandalorians gathered below when Grogu comes to Astra’s side. She turns her gaze towards him and watches the wrinkles on his tiny forehead multiply. Grogu coos, a question Astra doesn’t need to translate to answer.

Astra just smiles the best she can. Grogu closes his eyes and no later does Astra earn a strong sensation of relieving warmth in her chest. It’s too overpowering to have been caused by Grogu’s energy alone. Astra’s smile becomes more genuine when Grogu reopens his eyes and gives her a hopeful glance. She takes one of his little hands in hers and brushes her thumb over it.

“Thank you,” Astra whispers to him. She lifts her hand to brush her fingers along his ear. Grogu coos as his big brown eyes light up at her.

Astra’s almost surprised by Din taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. She turns her head towards him and finds comfort in the dark void of his visor. Din’s voice is low when he speaks to her. “I felt it, too.”

Astra smiles before her gaze falls to her feet. She hears Din’s armor rustle as he steps even closer to her side and waits patiently for her. Astra tries to piece together what she wants to say in her mind, but each one comes with an apology.

Din’s free hand presses underneath Astra’s chin to urge her to lift her head once again and face him. He keeps his gloved fingers there, encouraging her to seek refuge in him. Astra’s more than grateful to oblige. “It’s okay.” Din’s voice is so soft it crackles through his modulator. He adds a reassuring nod. “I’ve been worrying about her, too.”

Astra sighs and lets her vulnerability show for only just a moment. “Will it always be this way?”

“It will.” Din huffs with amusement and gives her hand another squeeze. “Who are we if not worriers over our loved ones?”

Astra laughs with him and closes her eyes, steadying herself with a breath. “You’re right.” She meets Din’s visor again. “She’s okay.”

“And she’ll continue to be.” Din nods once more before he lowers his hands from her and stands where he was before.

It’s not long before they’re pulled aside by Bo-Katan to discuss the Great Forge in more depth, as well as strategy for multiple contingencies. Grogu has since gone to join the other Mandalorians as they watch Paz and Axe play a board game. Astra checks up on him over her shoulder every once in a while, but what grabs everyone’s attention isn’t from Astra’s own observation. It’s from the heightened volume of Paz’s and Axe’s voices.

Din shares a look with their small group before he stands and makes his way over to the railing. Bo-Katan and Astra follow, and Astra’s close enough to Din to hear the sigh he lets out at the sight of Paz standing with his vibroblade drawn. Astra’s eyes widen as she looks up at Din, who returns her glance with a reassuring tilt of his helmet.

Astra furrows her brow at her husband. “Shouldn’t we do something about this?” she whispers to him.

Din sets a hand on her back and gestures with his helmet to the brewing fight. “Let’s wait and see.”

Astra’s attention snaps back to Paz just in time to watch Axe lunge towards him. The two go back-and-forth with pushes that quickly turn to punches. Astra’s brought back to the duel she witnessed between Din and Paz, though thankfully, the stakes are much lower for her in this one.

Once the fight has gone on longer than expected, Din exhales and lowers his hand from Astra’s back. He swings his helmet towards Bo-Katan. His voice is low when he speaks to her. “Should I step in?”

Bo-Katan shakes her head at him. “Neither side can step in.” She raises her brow at the sight in front of them. “It was bound to happen sooner or later.”

Din shifts his weight between his feet and doesn’t respond. Astra crosses her arms over her cuirass and moves herself closer to his side. Her gaze watches him rather than the fight, but when she follows where his visor is looking, she discovers the real reason for his strong unease. Right near the heart of the fight is Grogu, who wears an expression of distress within IG-12 as he watches the two Mandalorians fight.

Astra’s about to make a move to take Grogu away from the chaos when he takes the initiative of stepping directly towards it. She has to hold back a gasp when he steps between two swinging vibroblades held by the fierce warriors. She’s only a moment from activating her jetpack to make her way down to Grogu when IG-12’s arms push Paz and Axe away from each other.

Grogu’s tiny finger begins to spam the “no” button. “No. No. No. No. No.” A worried stitch sits between his enlarged and pleading eyes.

The tension leaves Astra only when Grogu’s actions get the two warriors to successfully stand down. The shame is clear on both their faces at the fact a child had to step in between them. Paz and Axe share an almost apologetic look before they walk away from each other once and for all.

With the threat to Grogu now eliminated, Astra lets herself smile in pride of their son. She glances up at Din just as he sets a gloved hand on her shoulder, the tilt of his helmet a hint to the smile that’s also shining underneath his beskar.

Her attention is drawn to Bo-Katan when the heiress speaks to them. “You taught your apprentice well.”

Din shrugs and gestures to Astra. “He didn’t learn that from me.”

Astra scoffs and nudges his armored shoulder with her own. “That’s simply not true.” She nods at Bo-Katan. “He taught Grogu very well.”

Din swings his helmet in his shyness. Astra chuckles and watches as he nods in Grogu’s direction. She turns her head and sees Grogu nodding back at him.

Astra grins at Grogu and looks up at her husband once again. “He’s ready to be an apprentice.”

Din tilts his helmet at her. “This adventure’s not over yet, rid’ika.” He softens when he glances at Grogu again. “But I agree with you.”

Astra’s about to say more when a whistle stops her from doing so. “There!” one of the survivors calls out from above them. “On the starboard bow!”

All the Mandalorians on the deck below them rise to approach the starboard bow. Concerned chatter makes its way around the ship while Astra rests her hands on the railing in front of them to get a better view. Din sets a careful hand on her back as he steps alongside her to do the same thing.

That’s when they all see the rock structures in the distance moving. The jagged rocks reveal themselves to be spikes on the back of what’s shaping up to be a massive, and no doubt dangerous, creature.

The Mandalorians prepare for battle and Din wastes no time at Astra’s side in making his way down to the lower deck. She follows him closely, her eyes widening in horror as the horizon disappears and crumbles into crashing rock. The creature emerges from it with a roar that makes the entire vessel shake.

Everyone races to take defensive positions while the survivors attempt to steer the ship away from the massive creature. Their efforts are in vain when the creature rocks the ship so hard that the Mandalorians get knocked from their feet. Din grabs Astra’s waist just in time to cushion her fall however he can.

“Abandon ship!” the survivors’ captain calls out.

Astra and Din make it back onto their feet while the others start to jetpack away, but there’s only one thought screaming in her mind. “Grogu!” she cries out in panic.

Din tries to clear a path for both of them through the masses to get to Grogu, but before they can even get close, both Paz and Axe work together to lift Grogu off the ship. Astra doesn’t have time for relief. Din takes her by the hand to lead her off the ship with him just before the creature’s tail destroys the ship in one blow. Without a helmet, Astra’s face gets hit with small pieces of the debris, causing her to lift her free arm to guard herself the best she can.

They follow the others towards the mouth of a cave. Din and Astra land just outside as the others do, but rather than going right inside, Din quickly turns to Astra and holds her face. “Find Grogu!” he urges her, raising his voice above the commotion.

Astra nods and doesn’t hesitate to comply. The warmth in her chest at the way he stays to help those behind them is overshadowed by her panic as she hops inside the cave and looks for IG-12’s tall figure. Astra doesn’t hold back her deep exhale of relief when she sees him flanked by Paz and Axe just a few paces away. She approaches him and takes IG-12 by the shoulders. “Are you okay?” she asks him.

Grogu coos in the affirmative, yet wrinkles his brow as he points at her face. Astra takes a moment to wipe her gloved fingers over a stinging part of her face and finds a small streak of blood left behind.

“I’m all right,” Astra assures her son. “It’s just from the debris.”

It’s not long before Din makes it over to them. He sets a hand on each of their shoulders. “You good?” he asks, looking between them. They both nod, but Din’s helmet tilts with dismay as he lifts a hand to the side of her head. “Your face is bleeding.”

“Just a couple of scratches.” Astra sets a hand over his. “I’m fine.”

The creature’s roar rocks the cave around them, causing everyone to brace themselves. “We’re not far,” the captain raises his voice to inform the group. “We need to go further down.”

The Mandalorians begin to follow his orders. The captain remains where he is to make sure everyone’s made it ahead. Din, Astra, and Grogu stay together as a unit while they follow the others, making their way deeper into the cave. The further they get inside, the more the rumbling subsides, promising safety in a way that makes Astra’s chest loosen just a bit more.

The twisting tunnels eventually open up into a massive clearing. The group, propped up on a tall ledge, slows as they look out at the wide-open structures in the rock. Grogu coos with curiosity behind Din and Astra as they continue to keep him shielded. Some of the Mandalorians remove their helmets as they stride ahead and observe the space around them. Astra looks up and her jaw drops open at the complexity of the structures that rise tall above their heads.

Din takes a quick glance at Paz, who’s since taken his place alongside them. “Where are we?” Din questions.

Axe becomes the one to answer. “This is what’s left of the Great Forge.” His voice is tense as he goes on. “This was once the heart of our civilization.” He pauses, and Astra exchanges a look with Din. He keeps himself close enough to her side for it to brush against his own. “But the fires have been extinguished since the bombings.”

“You lived here?” Paz asks.

“We all did,” Koska responds.

“We never left,” the captain adds. Astra watches the way he regards the space with such reverence and appreciation. “Survived by migrating along the surface until the war ended. Some tried to explore below, but none survived.”

Silence blankets the area for a moment, but it’s quickly broken by a distant whooshing. Din takes a step forward as his visor rises. “Jetpacks?”

Every head turns at Din’s words. Astra’s eyes start to widen as she spots the group of approaching fighters. “More survivors?” Axe suggests.

When they get closer, his question is answered. “Those aren’t Mandalorians,” Bo-Katan warns, setting her helmet back over her head. The group follows suit and draws their weapons. Astra’s blaster is in her hand and firing without a single moment to waste.

The armored fighters fire without hesitation at the Mandalorians, causing both Din and Astra to continue shielding Grogu with their own armor. Once they’re closer, their white armor becomes apparent, causing the group to fall upon a horrifying conclusion. “They’re Imperials!” Axe says the truth for all of them.

Din turns to Grogu and urges him behind one of the rock structures. “Take cover!” he instructs their son, who obeys without question. Astra and Din continue to remain in front of him as they counter the Imperial attack.

“How did we not run into them our first time here?” Astra asks Din, raising her voice over the firefight.

“We got lucky,” Din remarks. “It makes sense that those TIE interceptors found us on Kalevala, though.”

Their conversation is interrupted by Axe giving a warning to them all. “They’re wearing beskar armor!”

Astra watches Din’s demeanor change even more at those words. His body tenses with volatile anger that Astra doesn’t dare try to control. Wearing beskar without bathing in the Living Waters or taking the Creed is a violation Din takes very seriously. His first meeting with Cobb Vanth proved that.

But this truth also creates a dangerous problem: These Imperials won’t be taken down nearly as easily as the typical stormtrooper.

“We’re pinned down,” Din calls out. “We need backup.”

“I can make a run for the fleet and get us reinforcements,” Axe volunteers.

“No, it’s too far,” Bo-Katan insists.

“I can make it,” Axe assures her. “It’s our only shot at taking the planet back.”

And staying alive, Astra holds her tongue.

“There’s a split in the ceiling there,” Paz observes. “I’ll lay down cover.”

Din and Astra provide extra support as Axe makes his run. He successfully flies his way out of the cave, providing Astra with a moment of relief. It turns to thick dread when a realization falls upon her. “How will he communicate with the fleet?” Astra asks Din. “The atmosphere’s still cutting us off.”

Din tilts his helmet. “Then he’ll fly through it.”

Astra’s brow lifts in disbelief. “Will he make it?”

Din dodges a blaster bolt and reciprocates the blast. “We’ll find out.”

Astra takes a glance around to see more and more Mandalorians falling at the endless rain of blaster fire. The Imperials still have the high ground and the advantage of moving around more easily. Some of them even start to land on the cliff the Mandalorians are pinned to, overpowering them in a way that makes fear claw at Astra’s chest for the first time in too long.

One Imperial tries to fly directly at Din, Astra, and Grogu, but Din doesn’t hesitate to approach him first. He uses a single arm to tackle the trooper to the ground before blasting him over and over again. It’s only when the trooper’s motionless that Din returns to Astra’s side.

“This isn’t a sustainable position,” Astra tells him, her voice strained with worry. “We’re way too exposed here. They’ll pick us off way before backup arrives.”

“I know,” Din agrees. “But…”

He pauses when a shocking shift starts to turn in the tide of the firefight. The Imperials start to fall back, sprinting away from the Forge and the attacking Mandalorians. “They’re retreating!” Paz confirms the sight Astra still can’t bring herself to believe.

“Advance!” Bo-Katan commands the group. She leads the way into the tunnel the Imperial troopers have started to escape through.

“For Mandalore!” some of the group starts to call out while they file behind Bo-Katan.

Din turns around to face Grogu. “Okay, kid,” he’s gentle yet urgent with his words. “You’ve gotta keep up.”

Grogu nods, and the three of them take off without another word. Astra stays at Din’s side with Grogu close behind them, following the lead of the rest of the group. The more they go on, the more Astra notices Din preparing to advance to the front. As badly as she wants to join him, she forces herself to listen to her motherly instincts. “Din,” she calls for him, earning his attention even as they continue to run. “Go ahead to the front. I’ll stay back with Grogu.”

Din gives her a quick glance. “Are you sure?”

Astra offers him a nod and the best smile she can manage. “I’m sure. That’s where you’re needed.” She takes his free hand and gives it a quick squeeze. “Be careful.”

“You too.” Din lifts their entwined hands to his cuirass. “Ni kar’tayl—.”

“—Gar darasuum.” Astra finishes with a fond nod of her head. Din releases her hand and sprints his way to the front, causing Astra to steady herself with a breath as she glances at Grogu. “You’re doing great, ad’ika! Stay with me, okay?”

Grogu nods and keeps IG-12 in stride with her. The tunnel transforms from a cutout in the rock structure to an Imperial-reinforced walkway. The structures alongside them remind Astra all too well of Star Destroyers and light cruisers, like the one she’d once been imprisoned on. She keeps Grogu close at her side and buries her worries in favor of shooting at any of the lingering Imperials. Astra doesn’t have much work to do with Din plowing through them at the front, using his body as a shield. She’s struck with the conflicting feelings of admiration for his strength and worry.

It’s not long before the tunnel at last opens up into an expansive space where the Imperials start to take flight with their jetpacks once again. The group continues to shoot after them, but stops with nowhere left to go. Astra struggles to see from where she stands in the group, but when the group stops shooting in favor of looking around, her stomach drops with dread. All she really needs to see is the collection of TIE fighters docked above their heads to understand what’s happening.

“It’s a trap,” Astra breathes to herself in disbelief.

“What is this place?” Bo-Katan asks aloud.

A hiss from behind them confirms that a blast door’s just locked them inside. Astra’s body finally catches up to her mind as she starts trying to fight her way to the front. “It’s a trap!” she exclaims. Her blood turns to ice when she notices where the threshold of the next blast door is.

And Din’s standing on the other side of it.

“Din!” Astra cries out. “It’s a trap!”

Din whips his head around to face her, but it’s too late. Astra gets to the blast door just as it falls, causing her to run right into it. Her body shakes with a mixture of anger and fear so intense that it consumes her. There’s no way for her to get to him. “It’s an ambush!” Din says the words that only make Astra’s heart fall even more. Now, she’s forced to watch as the Imperials descend upon Din and the other three Mandalorians he’s trapped with.

They’re outnumbered, with no cover and no way for the rest of the group to get to them. “No,” Astra chokes the word out, looking away from the sight only to search the walls for a control panel. “Is there a panel?” She’s in denial the more she goes on. “There has to be a way.”

Astra’s attention is drawn from the things around her when the light of the flames from Din’s gauntlet light up the small space. He’s fighting for his life, and she’s being forced to watch in the cruelest way. The other Mandalorians alongside him have already fallen in defeat, leaving just Din with at least eight Imperials advancing on him.

Astra bangs her fist on the transparisteel of the blast door. “Din!” she calls out. She doesn’t know what else to do or to say. Her body’s in fight or flight and it only intensifies the closer the Imperials get to her husband. The others are still joining Astra in her efforts to take down the blast door somehow, but it’s an impossible task.

One of the Imperials catches Din’s wrist with a fibercord whip. He tries to shoot them down, but there’s too many other troopers to worry about. Astra hits the transparisteel with both her fists, now, the adrenaline masking the ache her desperate actions create. She hits it with all her strength, watching as another fibercord whip catches Din by his neck and pulls him back.

“Din!” Astra’s well aware of the fact her calls for him won’t do anything, but she can’t stop herself. She pulls her fist back to give the transparisteel a full-powered punch, repeating the action over and over again until the skin of her knuckles even underneath her glove goes raw.

Din’s flamethrower stops when his second wrist is caught, leaving him defenseless once and for all. He doesn’t stop fighting even as the Imperials cross over each other to pin Din’s arms against his chest. Astra can only see red when they start forcing Din to his knees, and she’s quick to reach for her vibroblade. She brings her arm back with the intention of hitting the weapon hard enough against the transparisteel to break it, but the motion’s stopped by someone’s grip behind her. Astra fights it until they start to speak to her.

“No,” IG-12’s voice pleads with her. Astra turns her head to face their son, whose expression is just as devastated as Astra’s own. “No.” Grogu lets out a desperate coo, as if he’s begging for her to stop.

Astra nods at him, the action as numb as the sheathing of her vibroblade. She turns back to the sight of Din through the door, who’s now been fully forced to the ground. Bo-Katan sets a hand on Astra’s shoulder, but she can barely sense it. Her attention’s been drawn to someone who’s just landed a few paces away from Din, dressed head-to-toe in black beskar. Their helmet is decorated with red accents and sparse black spikes.

“Disarm him,” their modulated voice demands.

Din struggles against the two Imperials at his sides as they pull whatever weaponry they can away from him. His jetpack and blaster get thrown aside, along with his vibroblade and all of his whistling birds. Astra hasn’t felt this helpless since she watched the cyborg do the very same thing to him.

She should’ve listened to Din’s warning about returning to Mandalore.

The figure in black approaches Din in a sinister stride. Astra’s gloved hands curl up into fists, with one stinging from all of her desperate punches. Once they stop, they tear their helmet from their head, revealing their identity and making Astra’s heart sink into the depths of her being.

Moff Gideon. Moff fucking Gideon.

Astra tries to make another move for the transparisteel, but both Bo-Katan and IG-12 hold her back. Her chest is heaving from anger, desperation, and trauma. She hasn’t seen this man ever since he tried to kill both her and Grogu, and now, he’s taking her husband. Even the blast door between them doesn’t hide Din’s own growl as he’s forced to look up at Gideon.

“Thank you for gathering the Mandalorians into one place,” Gideon begins. Bo-Katan’s hand lowers from Astra as she stares him down through her visor. “You were a talented people, but your time has passed. However, as you can see,” Gideon lifts his arms to show off his armor, “Mandalore will live on in me.”

Astra can’t look away from Din, who once again tries to fight the Imperials’ group on him. They keep him pinned down.

“Thanks to your planet’s rich resources,” Gideon goes on, “I have created the next generation Dark Trooper suit forged from beskar alloy.”

He walks even closer to Din, until he’s standing right in front of him. Astra has to fight her hardest not to try to break through the door once again. Gideon looks at Din as he continues. 

“And the most impressive improvement is that it has me in it. You see, every society has something to offer.” Gideon looks up at Bo-Katan through the transparisteel. “The cloners. The Jedi.” Grogu coos in sadness behind Astra. “And even the Mandalorians.”

The group starts to rustle with unrest and volatile anger at Gideon’s vile words.

“By aggregating the best of each, I will create an army that will bring order to the galaxy.” Astra sees Din trembling with the same fury as herself. “Why don’t we take your fleet off the board while we still have the element of surprise?”

Just when Astra thought it couldn’t get any worse, her own breath goes sour in her lungs. Zora. Din must fall upon the same realization, because now, he won’t stop fighting to free himself.

“Activate the interceptors and bombers,” Gideon orders.

“No!” Bo-Katan gasps in panic.

The Imperials are quick in preparing themselves to get to their ships. Gideon smirks in pure delight and victory. “In but a few moments,” he states, “the Purge of Mandalore will be complete.”

Astra stumbles back a step, her mind now plagued with thoughts she can’t begin to process. Zora was supposed to be safe with the fleet. We thought this through so many times. Astra’s caught by IG-12, and she turns to look at Grogu again. Despite the horrors at hand, Grogu offers her a reassuring look, as if he’s trying to convince her that Zora will be okay. Astra maintains her strength for him and focuses back on Gideon and Din, her anger once again taking precedence.

“It looks like I’m not the only one with new armor,” Gideon says, his gaze now meeting Astra’s own. “Did they give you that after what happened when we last met, Princess?”

Astra sneers at him. “Fuck you.”

Gideon raises his brow, amused. “What a vulgar thing for someone of your rank to say.” Gideon’s gaze falls to Din. “Is that the mouth you kiss?”

“Proudly,” Din doesn’t hesitate to answer.

Gideon begins to smirk at him. “Makes sense with how quickly your family’s grown.”

Din’s voice is a growl more hostile than Astra’s ever heard him before. “Don’t you fucking dare talk about my family.”

“Trust me, we’ll have plenty of time to talk about them.” Gideon nods at the Imperials at Din’s sides. “Take him to the debriefing room.”

The Imperials close in on Din to lift him from the ground and drag him away. Din doesn’t stop fighting even once. Astra wants to do the same, but she also doesn’t want to give Gideon the satisfaction. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath in a lame attempt to calm the wave of rage that crashes against her over and over again.

“I should have killed you when I had the chance,” Bo-Katan speaks up.

Gideon turns from where he’s been watching over Din’s removal to meet Bo’s visor. “Bo-Katan.” His voice is light with amusement as he goes on. “We have to stop meeting like this.”

Bo-Katan takes a threatening step closer to the blast door. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Gideon smiles. “Let’s stop the pleasantries, shall we?” His smile drops as he starts to approach the door. “I believe this is the part where you return the Darksaber to its rightful owner.”

Gideon stops and stares Bo-Katan down. She lifts the Darksaber in her hand as if she’s teasing him.

“Now, surrender the Darksaber, and tell these people that this planet is mine.”

Bo-Katan looks over at Astra. She nods at their ally, her patience just as worn as the Mandalorian leader’s. Bo then nods at Paz, who speaks on their behalf. “This is the Way.”

Astra stays at Paz’s side when he leads the group in firing their weapons. She extends her blaster and fires while Bo-Katan makes her way to the door behind them and starts to cut a way out with the Darksaber. “Open the blast doors,” Gideon orders. “Kill them.”

Gideon sets his helmet over his head and flies away just as the blast door opens. Astra watches him and raises her voice loud enough over the firefight for him to hear her. “Coward!” She focuses on protecting Grogu while also making a vicious attack on any Imperial she can reach, using a fluid rotation of her blaster, her vibroblade, and her fibercord whip.

There’s a trail of at least three Imperial troopers at Astra’s feet by the time Bo-Katan gives her command. “Move out!”

“Move out!” the Mandalorians echo.

“Fall back!” Paz insists. “I’ll cover the rear!”

Astra’s tempted to keep killing as many Imperials as she can grab, but for Grogu’s sake, she takes him by the arm and urges them towards Bo-Katan. “Go, go, go!” the Mandalorians continue to call out. They climb out of the circular hole Bo’s carved one-by-one, reentering the tunnel. Astra urges Grogu out before herself.

While they wait for Bo-Katan and Paz, Astra pulls Grogu aside and holds IG-12 by the shoulders. “Grogu, ad’ika,” she says, her voice breathless but certain, “your father and your sister need our help. We need to be at our best for them. Okay?”

Grogu nods, cooing to agree with her. He closes his eyes for a moment before he points towards the direction in which they took Din.

“Can you sense where your father is?” Grogu nods once again. Astra sighs in determination and nods. “Good. Very good.” She starts to deflate and glances over her shoulder at the thought of her daughter.

Bo-Katan’s approach keeps Astra from going on. “Come on,” Bo urges the two of them. “We have to go.”

Astra wrinkles her brow, but obeys the command. “Where’s Paz?”

Bo-Katan’s helmet stiffens. “He’s not coming.”

Astra grabs Bo-Katan by the arm. “What do you mean, he’s not coming?”

Bo-Katan holsters one of her blasters to take a gentle grasp on Astra’s wrist. “He’s sacrificing himself for us. I tried to convince him not to.”

Astra’s gaze falls to the floor. She swallows hard and can barely speak past the lump in her throat. “So many losses.”

“I concur.” Bo-Katan and Astra move forward with Grogu at their side. Bo continues to glance over at Astra. “If you two want to go after Din, you should do it now.”

Astra wants to fall apart just at the sound of his name, but she keeps herself strong. “But, Zora…” Astra can’t make it past her name. The look she gives Bo-Katan is nothing short of desperate.

“We’ll take care of the fleet, including your daughter,” Bo assures her with a firm hand upon her armored shoulder. “Go get your husband.”

Astra takes a deep breath and nods. “Thank you, Bo-Katan.”

Bo returns the gesture. “This is the Way.”

Astra somehow manages to smile at her. “This is the Way.” She wastes no time as she focuses her attention on her son. “Are you ready, Grogu?”

Grogu nods, his brow now etched with pure determination. Astra offers him the smile she’d shown Bo-Katan and lifts her blaster.

“Lead the way.”

Grogu closes his eyes and does what she says, his IG-12 suit using an impressive amount of speed as he takes Astra to wherever Din’s being held. All she can do is focus on him and pray to the stars that they’re not too late.

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[mando-abs]

I’m tellin yall

Bo Katan is going to betray Din for the throne

If the betrayal of Elia Kane wasn’t enough foreshadowing for you, Bo staring at the Mythosaur piece at the end of S3E4 is.

What really caught my attention to this theory (besides her looking at the mythosaur wall fixture) was the juxtaposition of the zoom in on her face at the end of Episode 3 with the final zoom on Elia Kane. Bo is being really nice to Din lately, enough so that people are spreading romance rumors (of which I am not touching on bc that’s shipping related). They are building the Mandalorian unspoken reliance that is tradition and clearly on display in Episode 4. This trust building is similar to what Dr. Pershing and Elia had.

Much like Dr. Pershing and Elia, Din and Bo are pursuing calls to action they feel in their mind is the right thing to do. Din (like Pershing) is taking on the Mand’alor title for the “greater good” of his people despite his reservations. Bo believes (or at least has believed in recent past) that the darksaber belongs to her and her family. She has yet to redeem and prove herself in front of her people. Is it selfish? Yeah. But as long as her people are prosperous, no harm no foul. I don’t think she’s against the possibility of stepping on Din’s toes if her gaining the darksaber brings balance to the Mandalorians.

The only comparison to Elia I’m not 100% with for Bo is severely injuring or attempting to kill Din. I don’t think she’s that malicious (definitely not fascist evil). In fact, I’m not even sure if Bo Katan really knows that she’s gonna try to battle the darksaber from Din just yet. I don’t think this is some master plan that she’s been stewing on. If so, then we haven’t gotten a lot of evidence to support that. It’s only been after seeing the mythosaur with her own eyes and understanding the Legend surrounding it does she start getting the illusions of grandeur of becoming Mand’alor once more.

But what about Paz? Excellent point.

We kinda already saw that? I mean obviously Paz and the rest of the Vizsla clan have some serious hang-ups. But Paz already tried and failed to duel the darksaber into his hands. Paz isn’t an idiot. He knows when to quit, when he’s ahead, and when to trust others (however begrudgingly). Bo does not. She must put the weight of Mandalore on her shoulders and she will forgive and try again until she dies. She may enlist help, but she is always the leader. And that’s why she’s gonna try to win the darksaber from Din

Bonus point: In one of the dozens of Mandalorian Season 3 interviews I watched, Pedro Pascal said that he “trusts Bo with [his] life.” And personally, since he keep the reveal of Grogu and return of Luke a secret from EVERYONE, I don’t trust the lil shit (affectionate). I think he said that because it was the opposite and he thinks it’s funny.

[autumnwoodsdreamer]

WiP Wednesday

A piece of the still-in-progress chapter 24 of The Lighthouse Keeper

. . . . .

As zero hour loomed closer and closer, Din found it increasingly difficult to sleep.

But rather than pour his energy out pacing the ship flat (a diversion he had grown all too accustomed to on this journey), he turned to a more productive task.

He tended to his armour.

With Grogu snug in the scarf-sling, he set out the plates and pieces before him. He cleaned, he polished, he restocked and reset, all the while explaining, instructing, as if the little one should know, should learn how to take care of armour as well.

He knew the child was not retaining anything he was saying; the routine and the cadence of his voice soon lulled his son to sleep but he continued even after he felt the little head rest heavy on his chest.

It was still difficult to reconcile the paradox of it all: this armour was forged from pure beskar—beskar looted from his fellow tribesmen and then gifted to him by their murderers as a reward for a deed most foul; beskar he had redeemed not once but twice as he wore it to save a foundling and to fight the man who had led the Great Purge.

With the backs of his fingers, he traced the iron heart in the centre of his cuirass, followed the line curving down and away, watched the low lights of the cabin bend against his reflection.

This beskar had such a long story to tell.

He wondered who would give it voice, centuries from now. Would they tell how he, in one single action, both forfeited his right to wear it and absolved himself? What feat of his would they ascribe the jaig eyes on his helmet to? How would they interpret the lone red pauldron?

One hand holding his child steady against his chest, he bent forward and lifted the mismatched pauldron from the set.

He had worn colour before.

In growing up and in training, he wore a deep, sturdy blue to align him with the Vizsla Clan. When Jai died and he lost his tie to the proud name, Din scrubbed the majority of the colour right off and replaced it with a dark red: a colour he maintained for nearly twenty years.

But the pure silver of his complete beskar’gam was no accident.

It was not born of laziness or vanity; it wasn’t left alone simply because he couldn’t afford paint. When she presented him his new armour, the Armourer had offered to help him paint it but he declined.

Silver, like any colour, conveyed a meaning.

Seeking redemption.

Yes, he had found that redemption; he could and he did wear the armour with a clear conscience now. But the silver was still right.

Paz, apparently, disagreed; as did Sabine.

They could have painted any piece.

They could have painted the entire set.

But they chose this pauldron—the one bearing his little clan’s signet; the one plate forged before he wrote his greatest sins—they chose it and they painted it red, giving him something greater than guilt to carry.

[anonymousewrites]

Clan of Three (Book 3) Chapter Thirteen

Father Figure! Mandalorian/Din Djarin x Teen! Reader

Chapter Thirteen: The Trap

Summary: The Mandalorians begin to scout Mandalore and come upon a fight.

Mouse Note: Summary Translation: Shit's going down

            The following morning, the Armorer took some of the surface survivors of Mandalore to the cruiser above the atmosphere. They were too weak to continue, so while the rest of the scouting party and the stronger trio of survivors continued, she would ensure the Mandalorians were taken care of.

            On the surface, the large ship-speeder rolled over Mandalore with the Mandalorian tribes tense on the deck. Most kept to their own groups as thunder rumbled in the skies above, but Paz and Axe were playing a board game. Axe moved a piece, and then Paz did.

            “You can’t move an enforcer like that,” said Axe.

            “It’s a flank jump. And you’re about to submit,” said Paz.

            The tension of the conversation caught the attention of every Mandalorian on board.

            “But only the Wing Guard can flank jump,” argued Axe.

            “The Enforcer moves like a Wing Guard when it’s flanking,” said Paz.

            Axe huffed. “These primitives make up their own rules for everything,” he muttered. Koska and a few other Nite Owls chuckled.

            They just don’t know when to shut up, thought (Y/N), narrowing their eyes.

            Paz stood up at the insult and drew his vibroblade. The tension was palpable, and the Mandalorians tensed, their natura fighting instinct piqued.

            “Serious?” questioned Axe as if he was the bigger person when he had in fact lowered himself to insults first over a game.

            “Submit or fight,” said Paz.

            (Y/N) stood carefully from their seat, and from below, Mando and Bo-Katan emerged to see the argument ensuing.

            “Can you believe this?” said Axe, still pretending he was more mature.

            He jumped up with his jetpack and kneed Paz in the face. He landed and grabbed his own dagger. Axe and Paz lunged for one another, grappling and punching as other Mandalorians watched eagerly.

            “Should I step in?” asked Mando.

            “Neither side can step in,” said Bo-Katan. “It was bound to happen sooner or later.”

            Paz and Axe were still swinging at one another, their fight not ending anytime soon. Both were tough warriors. Neither would bow to the other until absolutely unable to continue. Each time one was knocked down, they got back up and retaliated against the other. They grabbed their daggers and darted towards one another.

            “No! No! No!” Grogu slammed IG-12’s button over and over.

            (Y/N) agreed with him and threw out their arms. The Force pulsed around Paz and Axe. They froze in place, unable to continue their fight.

            “No. No. No,” repeated IG-12.

            Axe and Paz managed to turn their heads to stare at Mando’s two adike.

            “Are you guys so eager to destroy our efforts that you’re going to start repeating your mistakes already?” remarked (Y/N), narrowing their eyes. “What does it take for you guys to see this is bigger than your different traditions? Put your pride aside for Mandalore, for Maker’s sake.” They dropped their arms, and Axe and Paz were freed. They glared at one another, but they backed off. Neither wanted to seem like the person to start Mandalore’s infighting again.

            “You taught your apprentices well,” said Bo-Katan, smiling as she looked at Grogu and (Y/N).

            “They didn’t learn that from me,” said Mando. But that didn’t make him any less proud.

            “There, on the starboard bow!” alerted the scout from above, interrupting any further discussion and possible arguments as everyone turned.

            A creature was rising from the rocks they were nearing. The Mandalorians stood and drew their weapons. The creature raised its head and roared. It raised its tail, about to slam down on the speeder.

            “Abandon ship!” ordered the captain.

            “Let’s go!” ordered Axe.

            Paz supported Grogu in IG-12 and Mando scooped (Y/N) up as the Mandalorians activated their jetpacks to fly to safety. The ship exploded behind them as the creature slammed down on it.

            “This way, this way!” shouted Bo-Katan, gathering her people towards a cave to get underground. “Hurry up, faster!”

            “You good?” asked Mando, his voice worried even through the modulator.

            “Yeah,” said (Y/N), and Grogu pressed the “Yes” button.

            “Go, go, go,” directed Bo-Katan, and the Mandalorians headed farther down into the cave system.

            The rumbling of the creature only receded once they were deep under the surface of Mandalore. The Mandalorians calmly continued on, even when the path opened into a large cave where one side of the trail was a cliff face and the other a cliff itself, dropping endlessly down into the earth. City ruins. In the center of the large hall was a tall metal structure, towering over everything else.

            “Where are we?” asked Mando.

            “This is what’s left of the Great Forge,” breathed Axe, shocked he could ever return to this place. “This was once the heart of our civilization.”

            (Y/N) could understand. The Force moved around this room as if many great people had served in it and found peace. Indeed, the armor of the Mandalorians had been forged there, so it made sense. Like the Living Waters, it was a symbol of the Mandalorian Way.

            “But the fires have been extinguished since the bombings,” said Axe.

            “You lived here?” asked Paz.

            “We all did,” said Koska.

            “We never left,” said the captain of the survivors. “Survived by migrating along the surface until the war ended. Some tried to explore below, but none survived.”

            (Y/N) froze suddenly. “Buir…” they said.

            Mando was instantly on edge, their tone light and worried. Bo-Katan recognized it as well and turned to them.

            “Something’s here. It’s…bad,” said (Y/N), their hands traveling to their belt and weapons.

            “Bad?” asked Mando.

            (Y/N) nodded. From beside them, Grogu pressed a button. “Yes.” He sensed it too.

            “Something dark hangs over Mandalore, growing as we speak. You must be prepared to fight.”

            Mandalore the Great’s words reverberated within (Y/N).

            Bo-Katan frowned before she heard a soft whooshing. “Jetpacks?” she wondered.

            “More survivors?” asked Axe.

            “They’re not Mandalorians,” said (Y/N), grabbing their blaster.

            The Nite Owls donned their helmets, and no sooner were they protected than the shooting began. The troopers shot from where they flew, pinning the Mandalorians to the rock behind them.

            “They’re imperial!” shouted Axe.

            “Take cover,” said Mando, pulling (Y/N) and Grogu with him. He stood in front of them, shooting at the troopers. (Y/N) shot around him carefully.

            “They’re wearing beskar armor!” shouted a Covert Mandalorian.

            Sure enough, blaster shots were bouncing off the imperial’s armor.

            “We’re pinned down. We need backup,” said Mando urgently.

            “I can make a run for the fleet and get us reinforcements,” said Axe.

            “No, it’s too far!” warned Bo-Katan.

            “I can make it. It’s our only shot at taking the planet back,” said Axe. He was willing to risk everything for Mandalore.

            “There’s a split in the ceiling!” alerted (Y/N), jerking their head up.

            “I’ll lay down cover,” said Paz.

            He hauled up his machine gun and fired rapidly. Several enemies went down, the beskar alloy not holding up at that distance with that firepower. Axe jumped into the air and flew up into the crack as even more troopers landed to attack. The Mandalorians were still pinned, and several of them were fighting against injuries already. Screams echoed as some fell off the cliff. They were unable to gain real cover as the troopers attacked from all sides and flew around.

            Mando punched one and shot him in the chest, killing him. Bo-Katan blocked and sunk her dagger into another. (Y/N) rolled to the side as one trooper shot at them and shot back. Another attacked from the side, and (Y/N) threw their dagger into his throat. As he stumbled back, they Force-pulled it to them again before the trooper fell over the cliffside. They turned and pushed several advanced troopers from the cliff, panting at the exertion. One by one, the Mandalorians took a number of the enemies down.

            “They’re retreating!” called Paz.

            “Advance!” cried Bo-Katan.

            “For Mandalore!” shouted the Mandalorians, running forward.

            “Okay, adike, you’ve gotta keep up,” said Mando, checking on his kids first. Grogu and (Y/N) nodded before the entire family ran after the rest of the Mandalorians in the charge.

            They ran through the caves until they reached a metal tunnel. (Y/N) narrowed their eyes. It was very imperial architecture. Something was amiss, far more than just a squadron of troopers. The darkness surrounding Mandalore was there.

            Mando, Bo-Katan, and Paz led the group around a corner and attacked the troopers waiting there. (Y/N) wanted to be up there fighting, but Mando kept them carefully behind him as the Mandalorians advanced. (Y/N), however, wasn’t having any of that.

            They advanced with Mando, dodged and attacking with equal deftness. When Mando and Bo-Katan barged through a group of troopers, (Y/N) leapt forward over the troopers and attacked from the back. Their dagger and blaster flashed through the air as they shot and slashed. They pivoted and ran forward again with Bo-Katan and Mando as they chased the next group of troopers. They ended at a large landing pad in a cavern, and the squadron of troopers jumped into the air, soaring away as the Mandalorians shot at them.

            With no enemies in range, they looked around. It was a full imperial base below the surface of Mandalore. That was the darkness, (Y/N) knew it in their bones.

            “What is this place?” wondered Bo-Katan, keeping her blasters up.

            (Y/N) lurched as the Force thrummed. “It’s dark,” they said. “We need to go. Now.”

            They turned, but as soon as they did, the doors to the tunnel slid closed with a resounding thud. It was a trap. Bo-Katan, Paz, Grogu, Mando, and most of the scouting party were trapped between two doors while (Y/N) and a small group of Mandalorians were on the landing pad. Instantly, blaster shots rained down on the group trapped outside. Several Mandalorians fell from the shots.

            “It’s an ambush!” shouted (Y/N), dodging behind a box and firing from behind it.

            Behind them, Paz and Bo-Katan fired at the glass in an attempt to get through to their compatriots. Grogu banged on the window, trying to get to his sibling. Mando fired his blaster over and over at the window, desperate to get to (Y/N) as the rest of the Mandalorians fell. They raised their arms and pushed as many troopers as they could back, but several shot grappling wires that fastened around their arms. The troopers flew overtop, crossing (Y/N)’s arms, and pulled down. (Y/N) fell to their knees, still thrashing.

            “No! No! No!” Grogu banged on the window and pressed IG’s button over and over.

            “Ad’ika!” shouted Mando.

            “(Y/N)!” said Bo-Katan worriedly.

            (Y/N) twisted as two troopers approached and sunk their dagger into one’s exposed knee. He fell, but the other grabbed (Y/N) and forced them down again. Another grabbed their dagger and blaster before they could cause more damage, and the wires around their wrists tightened, keeping them from moving their hands. A group of troopers leveled their weapons at them in case they tried anything. (Y/N) couldn’t use the Force and didn’t have a weapon. Still, their anger and ferocity radiated from them. They were not beaten yet, not until they were dead.

            The Force murmured, and the Darksaber’s whispers grew louder behind the door, both whirling around (Y/N) with support for the fight in their heart. (Y/N) wasn’t down yet.

            “Ad’ika!” came Mando’s cry again, banging on the window with enough anger to shake the world. His kid was in danger; he needed to get to them. He couldn’t leave them in harm’s way. “(Y/N)!”

            “No! No! No!” IG-12 buzzed incessantly.

            From above the platform, a man in pure black beskar-alloy armor flew down. He landed with an ominous thud. The Mandalorians within the tunnel tensed, and (Y/N) glared. The armor was styled to be a twisted Mandalorian design. They hated seeing the Empire disrespect the Mandalorians in such a way, making their ways the Empire’s.

            “Their weapons,” said the modulated voice.

            A trooper dutifully passed the beskar dagger and blaster to the Dark Trooper. He threw the blaster away, but he tucked the beskar dagger into his belt. (Y/N) glared fiercely. They knew he would use it to make more of his despicable imperial alloy to pervert the Mandalorian ways further for the Empire’s benefit.

            The Dark Trooper walked forward, each step reverberating through the cavern menacingly. He brought his hand up and removed his helmet in a fluid motion. Moff Gideon. He smirked at (Y/N) before looking up at Bo-Katan and Mando.

            “Thank you for gathering the Mandalorians into one place,” he said. “You were a talented people, but your time has passed. However, as you can see, Mandalore will live on in me.” He grinned in perverse pleasure at twisting Mandalore to his will.

            But Mandalore will never bow to you, thought (Y/N). Not as long as I’m here. They had sworn to kill him. They would do it. They would protect Mandalore from Gideon’s darkness.

            “Thanks to your planet’s rich resources, I have created the next generation Dark Trooper suit forged from beskar alloy,” said Gideon proudly. He stepped forward and gazed condescendingly at (Y/N). “And the most impressive improvement is that it has me in it. You see, every society has something to offer. The cloners. The Jedi. And even the Mandalorians. By aggregating the best of each, I will create an army that will bring order to the galaxy.”

            Gideon’s eyes flicked up to Bo-Katan, and his smirk grew even more sickeningly wide. “Why don’t we take your fleet off the board while we still have the element of surprise?”

            (Y/N) trashed against the troopers holding them, their ferocity still mounting as their determination to protect their family and the Mandalorians matched it.

            “Activate the interceptors and bombers,” ordered Gideon.

            “No!” shouted Bo-Katan.

            Around the cavern, stormtroopers ran to ships and loaded in. They had the firepower to destroy the Mandalorians above the atmosphere with the element of surprise.

            “In but a few moments, the Purge of Mandalore will be complete,” said Gideon.

            His words were cold and sent icy chills down the Mandalorian’s backs as the dire situation grew worse before their eyes. (Y/N) just grew hotter with resolve and barely restrained ferocity.

            Gideon jerked his head towards (Y/N). “Take them to the debriefing room.”

            The stormtroopers forced them up to their feet, and they glared at Gideon. Their Ushti markings creased with their eyes, sharp as the knives they wanted to drive into Gideon’s chest.

            “I’m going to kill you,” said (Y/N). Their gaze was pure fire, but their words were ice cold.

            “You swore that once, and yet your situation hasn’t improved much since then,” said Gideon cruelly.

            (Y/N)’s hand curled into a fist, and beyond the sealed doors, the Darksaber quivered at Bo-Katan’s side. “I’m going to do it. I swear on Mandalore the Great and all the Mandalorians who came before that I will kill you.”

            Gideon narrowed his eyes and jerked his head to the stormtroopers again, who dragged (Y/N) away. They just glared at him with even conviction. It was nearly disconcerting how thoroughly they believed they would kill him.

            “(Y/N)!” shouted Mando through the window as they were dragged away.

            “Now that’s handled…” Gideon turned back to the trapped Mandalorians. “Bo-Katan, I believe it is time for you to surrender the Darksaber and to tell these people that this planet is mine.”

            “We fight for Mandalore,” said Bo-Katan. “Now!”

            “This is the Way.” Paz lifted his machine gun and began firing at the window.

            Bo-Katan darted to the second sealed door and activated the Darksaber. It was heavy in her hands, but as she protected Mandalore, it lightened slightly as she pushed it into the heavy metal barrier keeping the Mandalorians trapped.

            “Open the blaster doors,” said Gideon. “Kill them.”

            The doors keeping the troopers from the Mandalorians opened. Paz was the first line of defense as Bo-Katan cut a whole in the sealed doors. She kicked it open.

            “Move out!” she ordered.

            Mando pushed Grogu through quickly, guarding his kid. He needed to get to (Y/N) quickly. He had no time to wait.

            “Move out!” said the Mandalorians, shooting as they backed up to escape the trap.

            “Fall back! I’ll cover the rear!” said Paz nobly.

            In a few moments, it was just Bo-Katan, Paz, and Mando left. Paz kept firing as more troopers flew down, replacing anyone that fell to his machine gun.

            “We’re clear. Fall back!” said Bo-Katan.

            “Come on. We’re not leaving you behind,” said Mando.

            Paz looked back at them for a moment before slamming his fist on the blast door controls. The doors shut once more, leaving him exposed on the landing pad. “Go. There are too many.

            “No!” said Bo-Katan and Mando, rushing forward to the window.

            “Save your ad’ika, Din,” said Paz. “Protect Mandalore. This is the Way.”

            He turned back to his fight and began firing once more, never stopping or withholding as more and more troopers surrounded him.

            “This is the Way,” murmured Mando before he and Bo-Katan obeyed Paz and ran to the hole in the other blast doors.

            Paz remained behind to defend Mandalore to the end of his life.

l

            The Mandalorians hurried back through the tunnels of Mandalore.

            Bo-Katan was quick to radio Axe. He was the only one getting close to the fleet. They needed to know the fight was coming to them. “Moff Gideon is alive,” she said. “He’s gathered his forces, and he’s using our home world as his base. They’re sending up fighting to destroy the fleet. Evacuate everyone! Use the capital ship as a decoy. We can’t beat them in the air. We have to beat them on the ground.”

            They arrived at a split in the path and Mando stopped. Bo-Katan turned to him questioningly.

            “I need to find (Y/N),” said Mando. “I can’t leave them with Gideon.”

            Bo-Katan nodded in understanding. “Protect your ad’ika,” she said.

            “Yes,” said IG-12.

            “This is the Way,” said Mando.

            “This is the Way,” said Bo-Katan. She and the Mandalorians split off and ran one direction.

            Mando turned with Grogu and ran the other. (Y/N), I’m coming.

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