#because this is one thing the mandalorian got better i'll say it

[chipthekeeper]

ANDOR credits + concept art

[slimybeth69]

Touch: Part 6

Rating: explicit (smut, language)

Summary: Din has another special 'gift' for you-- and then some unfortunate news.

tags: I'm not giving any tags or warnings for this chapter. It's smutty and angsty. Beware. You are responsible for the things you consume.

a/n: I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you read this on ao3, no you fucking didn't. It's still unbeta'd, but proofread!! I did that this time!! I also am re-working the story slightly because I CAN. Spoilers to the show and the book of boba fet and maybe the next season because I helped J. Faveau write it.

The whole day was so much fun. So different than after your arrival yesterday.

Din showed you how to fix certain things on the ship should they break while he isn't here. He also showed you the beginning stages of piloting and flying the ship were you to ever have to do such a thing.

You hope not.

Din is being mostly nice to you, and is acting like he wants to spend time with you. It's a stark contrast to how he treated you before he saw your doodles.

Din never once laid a hand on you, not even a handshake the first night you met.

It's so very subtle, his touches now that you're back— gentle ghosts of the yellow leather across the tops of your hand when he's showing you the buttons on the control panel. He had placed a strong hand on your waist to ground you so he could reach around you from behind to grab something off of a shelf.

Not innocent touches by any means, but they were different from your dynamic when the lights were off.

Things felt good, almost like they did right before you went to go 'play Jedi' on a planet you had never heard of before you got dropped off on it.

You’re not mad he left you on Ossus. No. You wanted that. You wanted to live on that planet so bad you begged him. Basically told him that you’d stay there no matter what he said. So, he made it happen for you. Din spoke to Luke and Ahsoka privately while you and the child sat in the grass, watching from afar. It was scary not knowing what their answer would be. When Din returned he said that they would take you in, only if you trained with Ahsoka.

Which was a very sweet gesture. 

Until he left you there for two years. All you did was train! Not being a child meant there was no need for the schooling and the classes that the younglings took. You trained day in and day out. Like a Jedi.

Ahsoka was hard on you, trained you like you were already strong and powerful; you weren’t in the beginning and it was hard. So hard you thought you wouldn’t make it. You did make it though— made it out stronger and faster than before. Better on your feet and more capable than you ever thought possible.

Luke and Ahsoka were so smart— almost like they knew you couldn't resist him.

They are selfish and cruel for doing that to you and Din! Neither one of them even told you they were doing it.

There is still a part inside of you that's furious that Din didn't throw things around and demand to see you! He is a bounty-hunter in a metal suit! He could have made a couple dents and holds in that sex forsaken temple!

Din is the reason you didn’t get offered a lightsaber of your own. That's the only reason. It has to be, you were such a good Jedi outside of the fact that you spoke about Din to Ahsoka daily. All the time when you weren't running until your lungs gave our or being beaten with sticks!

Whatever. You don’t even really care anymore. Barely think about not being offered a lightsaber at all. Almost never.

Right this very second though… you’re looking at the amored man you’ve been pining after for so long, and he’s standing there in only his helmet and the black pants he wears under his beskar.

Getting ready to fight you .

You have nothing but your nightgown on! What does he expect you to do?

Din The Mandalorian shakes his hands out like he’s loosening them up. You’re unimpressed with this foolishness.

This is what children do and you and him are not children. It has absolutely nothing to with the fact that you might be nervous, the butterflies in your belly are going crazy right now. 

“You want me to…wrestle you?” You wrinkle your face up at him.

Din quickly shifts his body weight from foot to foot and holds his hands up to block— the Maker- loving helmet. As if his helmet wouldn’t completely crush every single bone in every single one of your fingers.

That is not even close to where you would aim, if you were to wrestle and fight with him, like he’s asking but you’re not going to. This is a ruse of some sort, you’re sure of it. 

“Yes.” Din’s two fingers pop up from his fist and he curls them to beckon you over to him. His helmet tilts to the side ever so slightly.

This cannot be happening. He is much bigger than you. Towers over you practically. His shoulders are so broad and he is so strong! If there was one thing you never forgot, even in those two long years, is how much he held back when he touched you! He can’t be serious.

You cock an eyebrow up at him, “In my nightgown?” Looking down, you hold your white nightgown up to him -like he can’t already see it. It’s quite thin, nothing you’d wear to fight in! The fabric goes all the way down to the floor, what does he expect you to do? Really fight him in it?

“It’s white and long. And I have nothing underneath,” your voice wavers slightly as you blink at him again, still not understanding why he wants to do this. You two were just cleaning up the ship together. Picking up after Grogu, who leaves a mess in his path no matter where he’s going or coming from. You follow him around all day and don’t understand how he gets into half the stuff he does.

“I know it’s white, and long." Din starts to circle you slowly. "I can see quite well in my helmet, did you forget?"

There is a weird bashfulness to you right now. It's hard to look at him because you can't fight the smile that's curling at the corners of your mouth, so you keep your eyes on your nightgown and don't even notice that Din has started to move around you slowly.

“It's pretty on you.”

That makes the heat creep up your neck and behind your cheeks. You try to hold back that smile but it’s hard.

“Why do you want to fight?” You look up and he’s two feet to your left. You turn to face him now, “I don’t understand. I don’t think I get anything about you.” You keep shuffling your feet to follow him as he keeps circling. Again so slow, you don’t even notice. He’s so smooth. So graceful.

“You don’t need to understand.” Din speaks calmly from behind the helmet. “You like making me happy. So c’mon. Take your best shot.” He takes one step calculated step forward.

The last two years flood back to you immediately at this sudden and familiar move. You bend your knees slightly and cover your face with your fists, your elbows are tucked neatly into your sides. Just like in training. You took enough rods to the sides and ribs and chest and elbows. You eye him carefully and shift your weight to your back leg.

“Good form," Din says, taking another small step forward.

You drop your right foot back and drag your left across the floor seamlessly an a slow and deliberate attempt to put distance between yourself and the metal man. You try and read him, but it's impossible with his helmet. Ahsoka told you to always watch your opponents eyes- they would tell you where they would try to place their attack.

“You have the upper hand with that helmet.” You start to side step slowly like he is. The tension in the room is palpable. You can drink it out of the air you’re breathing. “You better play fair. I’ll be upset with you if you don’t.” You’re waiting for him to make the first move but he wont. 

“I’ll be honest, I’m rusty with my hand to hand. It’ll be good practice.” Din snickers from the modulator. You raise an eyebrow. You’ve gone two full rotations around where you had been standing before. “But…I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold. Up to you.” You think you can hear the smirk on his face behind the helmet.

“Oohh. Warm or cold. So scary .” You mock Din teasingly. You’ve mindlessly coordinated it so that with every step he takes to his right, you take one to your right at the same time. You’ve synced up your movements with his, just like Ahsoka taught you how to do. You anticipate what he’s going to do even though you can’t see his eyes or face, which is where you should look if your opponent isn’t wearing a mask. If they are, you watch their muscles. Those will tell you where they’re getting ready to strike from.

You scan his entire body quickly. His shoulder muscles are tensing and he’s going to  come forward with his left arm, you can see it. His right leg flexes slightly. The whole thing goes through your brain in a matter of milliseconds.

That’s when he takes a step towards you with speed and his left hand opens and lightly comes around and tries to swing and graze your cheek or forehead or maybe your chin. You see it coming, anticipating it in your calm mind. The top half of your body leans back about four inches, just out of his reach. 

You’ve taken note this entire time exactly where you were going to go for if he made his move and while his arm is crossing over his chest you duck quickly, just below his arm. With a very flat and stiff right hand, you surge forward and connect with the pressure point in his left shoulder.

 Din’s left arm goes limp immediately, and he makes a sound of shocked pain from under that useful helmet. It didn't help him see that coming, it sure didn't. He drops his other arm from his hYou think about tapping him on the helmet with your fingers in his defenseless position but you think that would be rude. A real punch to his ego. 

“Wh-” Din’s helmet snaps between you and his shoulder twice. “You- How did you do that?” Din’s stunned. Can’t believe you just disabled him. You. The girl. The crier. The girl with feelings and all those things. Yeah, he can’t believe you just put your hands on him like that and it actually hurt.

“ Did you not want to fight ?” You smirk at him and stop moving. Din looks down at his shoulder for a long time. Then his helmet snaps back up to you. 

“I was going to go easy on you.” Din said, pointing to his shoulder. “This isn’t easy.” You shake your head at him and shrug your shoulders. You wish you felt bad for him but you actually feel a little better for the fact that he was so cold to you on your first meeting in two years. Even if you were cold to him. Why wouldn’t you have been? He abandoned you on a Maker forsaken planet covered in trees and shrubs and mountains. Okay. The planet was beautiful. A place you wish he would have dropped you off but regardless.

“How was I supposed to know that? You just said you wanted to fight?” You’re watching him as he rubs his shoulder gently and begins to move in circles in the socket. You’re still backing away from him slowly. It’s instinctual, you’re just taking small little shuffled steps back. 

“I said I wanted to spar .” Din’s hand fell from his shoulder and now his full attention is on you. It gives you nervous butterflies. You shake your head at him and point one finger in his direction. 

“You never said spar, you said fight and wrestle. So how is that the same?” You put your hands on your hips and watch him. You see Din’s legs flex and you know what’s coming; Din is chasing you. It makes your stomach drop and your feet dance on the ground for a second as he’s running. Quickly. You sidestep him and run in the opposite direction, out of the room you’re in and down the long hallway of rooms that have little meaning to you.

Besides that there are weapons in them. You keep the kid out of there. It’s been a pretty difficult task so far. Grogu has been the most fun you’ve ever seen him. He’s so independent and doesn’t really eat a lot of bugs anymore but, oh my Maker. The kid’s getting into everything. It’s blowing your mind. The Force is making him a pain in the ass. 

Din has to skip stop when you dodge him and turn in the other direction to chase after you but you’ve already turned into one of the unnamed rooms; a place to hide? You start to look. There is nowhere and now you regret coming in here because it’s just a flat metal table in the center with a bunch of guns on the wall. 

You turn around and Din is in the doorway. He’s blocking your only exit. His hands are on the door frame and he’s an X in the rectangle that leads you to freedom. His chest is rising and falling and his helmet is looking at the floor for a moment until he tilts it up to look at you.

“Hi.” You have a sheepish smile on your face. You’re standing on the far end of the metal table. Din lets his arms fall to his side and walks in, keeping his body between you and the door. His footsteps are slow. You have no idea what he’s going to do. Jump up on the table maybe?

“Hi.” He pant’s softly. “ Why’d you run ?” He’s standing on the opposite side of the table from you. You blink at him. 

“ You chased me!” You point at him. This is so much fun. You love floating in the stars, running around the ship. Watching him be like this around you makes you feel good. Makes you feel so special and your heart is racing because you’re nervous and you love this.

Din says nothing. He just stands there at the other edge of the table. His arms are at his sides and he’s not moving. He doesn’t even look–

The table suddenly and very quickly slides to your left with a jarringly loud honking, screech across the metal floor. You jump back in shock and alarm and you're pressed against the wall behind you, before you can react Din is taking forward steps towards you. You jump to the right and try to dodge him but the room is too small and he wraps his arm around you waist and pulls you into him

“That’s not chasing.” He rasps. 

“Oh my Maker. Yes , that is exactly what being chased is.” You laugh and turn so you can face him. Din’s helmet is tilted down at you. You can feel him looking at your face. You wish you could see him. So badly you wish. Even with all your Jedi training you still want selfish things and wish to see. 

“Do you remember what we did the other night?” He asks. You nod and raise an eyebrow. What new weird thing could this helmeted man want from you? You’ve loved every single one of his weird ideas though, so you look up at him dreamily. 

“I do.” You smile and bat your eyelashes at him. “Were you wanting to do it again?” You interlace your fingers and place them under your chin. You give him your best attempt at big saucer eyes but it does not work. 

“No.” He rasps, gazing down at you. You drop the smile and frown. "Something like that." You lift an eyebrow and look him up and down.

“Oh.” You pull away from him but Din holds you closely and tightly. “What do you want then? Always wanting.” You tease him, because he's a giver. A hard giver who doesn't ask for much in return and it's honestly felt almost too easy. Like, when is the other shoe going to drop. Why does he do that? Give give give. Din has the strangest requests of anyone ever. But you don't hate them.

“I give too. I want to give you something right now.” Din starts to rub himself through his black pants. 

Maker…is it actually happening? Is Din going to give it to you tonight? Finally?

“Will you get on your knees for me? Perfect, pretty little one–in her white dress. Please?” Why does he do this to you? His voice, even behind the rasp of the modulator is so mesmerizing, especially when he talks like that . You almost don’t even feel yourself sinking down to your knees. It’s like his words hypnotized you or put you in a trance. 

You look up at him while he towers over you with his big, broad shoulders. You can’t help but smile up at him happily, happy that you’re here. One of his big, strong, calloused hands touches your cheek softly. His palm connects with it. Maker, did you send him from flames ? Like from real actual flames because he is always so hot. It used to really worry you, but now, now it’s his familiar touch in the dark when you need him. But it wasn’t dark now. He wanted you to see, and he wanted to see you with no night vision. 

“Pretty lips.” His thumb starts to rub over them, dragging them along with his digit gently. “I thought about these lips every day. Kissing them. Licking them. Putting my cock between them. ” When Din says this, between your legs starts to strum happily, like he just started your engine. “I want to be in your throat. So badly. Perfect little one , so badly.” You love the way he’s speaking to you. So nice and sweet and kinda naughty. His thumb pulls your bottom lip down gently and then releases it back up to your top lip with the softest popping sound.

You take his thumb into your mouth without asking, without him offering it. Just suck it between your lips because you just want him to know what you’re willing to give him. You slide the soft warmth of your mouth over the rough pad of his thumb. Helmet never leaves your face. You start trying to Jedi force fuck him into taking if off but you know it’s futile, you don’t have the force in you. Not even a little. You do have his thumb in your mouth though and you're sucking on it softly, trying to make him give you the real thing. Din pulls his hand away and his thumb leaves your mouth with a sucking, wet pop.

“Maker. She is perfect and beautiful.” One hand finds your hair, fingers comb through it so lovingly. So carefully. Din finds a good handful right at the top of your head and grips gently. He lets out a sigh as his other hand leaves your face and pushes the front of his pants down. You’re eager to help, gripping the sides with your fingers and pulling them down to the middle of his thigh. 

“Can I, please?” You whisper, leaning forward towards his length but his grip in your hair tightens and he pulls you away. Din’s free hand finds his base and squeezes gently. “Please?” You can’t take your eyes off of it, like it’s casting a spell on you or something. “ Please?” You finally look up to Din who’s gazing down at you still. Once you look up to him, he moves his hips forward slightly. 

The tip of his cock presses against your lip as his thumb did earlier. Gently. The hot skin pulls your lips wherever it goes and you stick your tongue out to taste the leaking drop of precome from it. It makes Din’s whole body shudder as you flick the tip along his slit and wrap your lips around the tip. You use a little suction to pull him in and then you wrap one hand right above him and start to move it slowly back and forth.

Din groans softly and lets you. You move your hand and take as much of him as you can and then slide everything but the tip out and replace your hand, jerking him slowly while you suck and swirl your tongue around it, paying special attention to his seam. You can feel him trembling at your touch. Your fist never stops moving on his shaft. 

“ Fuck - ing– Maker.” Din breathes heavily. His hips start to buck forward ever so slightly as you start pulling him deeper into your mouth as you stroke him. “Yes. Yes.” Din’s raspy modulated moan is music to your ears as he moves his hand from the base so you can hold him there. You take him until he’s in the back of your throat. “Yes. Please.” It sounds like he’s holding his breath under that helmet again. But you tease him and pull away to just the tip again. He lets out a disappointed sigh. He was holding his breath.

You stroke him again, swirling your tongue. Then you take him into your mouth again, holding him at the base. The tip of your nose touches your fist.

“It’s so perfect. So good. Yes. Yes. So good.” Din strains them out from somewhere in his throat.  He starts bucking his hips forward like he can’t control himself. It makes you gag softly. “ Fuck it’s so good,” His modulated rasp groans come from deep in his chest. Din’s only moving a couple inches. Just fucking your face softly and you let him. Your other hand comes up and wraps around the back of his leg, pulling him into you gently.

Din’s engine must be back there because his hips start to thrust a little faster, the head of his cock slipping further and further back down your throat while his drives forward start a little more aggressive. You do your best to try and relax everything inside of you. Every ounce of resistance that you have, you try and make it go away because you want to make Din feel the way he makes you feel. Mind shatteringly good. 

“Oh fuck.” Din groans deeply, his fingers grip your hair tighter. “Yes. Little one, you like taking my c-cock like this?” You look up to his helmet and he’s gazing down at you. He’s got his free hand on the wall of the ship and he’s leaning on it for support. You nod as much as you can and moan a throaty sound of pleasure. It makes Din’s knees buckle. You do it again and watch as his hand starts to mindlessly search for something he’s not really looking for on the wall.

You pull him deeper, sucking gently on the hardness in your mouth. Your tongue ungulates against the veiny skin on his shaft. His searching hand leaves the wall and finds your hair. Din pulls you down onto his cock completely, entirely. You gag but you also feel warmth in the back of your throat. It makes you cough against him but he holds you down to his base with his hand. 

It’s like he’s choking you, cutting off your airway. You relax your throat as much as you can, even though it’s kind of scary and you’ve never really seen Din like this. It’s not bad, it’s not terrible. It’s a little jarring, but you relax and you take him deeper than you thought you could. Even though you're gagging around it a little harder. The head of his cock is nestled right in the back of your throat and he’s coming. It’s like Din couldn’t help it, the way he’s holding you down onto him. 

“ Ohh-fuck– Ohhh, l-little pretty one.” Din chokes out, his hips thrusting forward while he pushes and pulls your head to and from the base of his cock. “Throat s-so perfect…come inside it– fuck.” Din’s head falls back as you feel the length of him throb inside your mouth with each release.

You are doing your absolute best to take everything he gives you but it’s impossible, you have to push yourself off of him before you either gag too hard or choke on what he’s giving you. 

The minute your hands touch Din’s waist and press against him, the grip he has on your hair softens and he pulls his hips back from your face. His cock leaves your throat and mouth with the most filthy wet squelch you’ve ever heard and you drop to the floor, coughing and choking on everything that’s built up over this escapade that you two have been participating in; saliva, Din’s release.

There is so much of it. 

Tears come to your eyes as you try and keep everything in your mouth. You swallow it quickly and continue to cough, rubbing at the drool that’s dripping from the base of your chin with the back of your hand. That was rough. Very rough. So aggressive and unexpected. It wasn’t that you didn’t love it. It was just hard. And now you’re coughing so hard you feel like you might be sick. 

Din is beside you, pants up around his waist again. His hand is on your back now but the heat from his fingertips on your shoulders is making you sweat even worse. You are already so hot. From the activity, from the coughing. It’s so overwhelming. You shrug his hand off and crawl two inches to the right of him and try to breathe but it’s so hard. Tears are rolling out of your eyes and directly onto the floor below you. 

“W-wat–” More choking. You can’t even get words out but Din is already standing, running into the dining area to get you what you’re asking for. You stay on the ground, breathing in quick, shallow gasps in between fits of sputtering and wheezing. Din’s padded footsteps on the floor of the ship and then there is a metal canteen of water in front of you. You grab at it; the top has already been twisted off for you. 

You take the smallest sip and try to quench the itch making you unable to stop this fit. The water helps tremendously, you sip and then sip again. Cough and sputter. Sip and then gulp. More gulps. It’s so good. So refreshing. Everything about this is heaven right now. You sit back on your bottom, taking in another pull off the canteen before you stop. And gasp. For what feels like ten minutes

Din is beside you again, sitting, holding your shoulders and now his warmth feels inviting. You lean into him and he braces and supports all of the weight you decide to put against him, which is a lot. You’re tired and that was physically exhausting even though you feel like you sat on your knees the whole time. Din did most of the work. His fingertips are so soft when they graze down the side of your arms, he’s being so gentle. 

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, little one are you okay?” Din’s voice is so soft now, so caring and concerned for you. You look at yourself in the face visor and see your tear stained cheeks and how flushed red they are from everything you’ve been through in the last ten minutes. Your hair is a mess and your lips are puffy and red. Din touches your cheek softly and rubs his fingers over your bottom lip. “I’m sorry.”

“ That’s what you wanted to give me?” Your voice is gravelly and deep. You have to clear your throat and take another sip of water. Din’s modulated chuckle makes you smirk. He’s gazing at you, his fingertip still touching and caressing your bottom lip while you stare into his face visor, watching his finger in the reflection. 

“I hope you didn’t hate it.” Soft. Apologetic. Sweet.

You shake your head at him and pant heavily. You didn’t hate it. Needed more warning from Din though. It’s okay. You’d do anything for him— you’re pretty sure as long as it didn’t kill you. You might though, if it meant keeping him safe. You want to keep Din safe, make sure that he always gets back on this ship with you and the green child. 

You proved to Din tonight that you could.

“You’re to stay beside me the whole time.” Din is placing Grogu's bag over your shoulder. “I’ll answer any questions you might have when we get back on the ship, alright? Try not to interrupt.” Din tilts the helmet down at you after he places Grogu in the bag.

Your head snaps down at him. “You’ve never seen me interact with one single other person since we’ve known each other. How would you know if I interrupted? I’m very polite. I wait for my turn.” You snip at him and cover the child with your fancy new robe you got from Ahsoka before you left. It’s got a nice hood that’s up over your face now. 

“Just please follow my instructions. Don’t make me regret this. You or Grogu," Din places both of his hands on your shoulders and touches the forehead of his helmet to yours. “I’m just trying to keep you safe. Please listen to everything that I tell you? It can be dangerous out there. I mean it. Listen to me.” 

Din leads you off the ship and it’s like a desert out here; so sandy and dusty but he’s parked the ship a ways away from a lake. It’s warm and the sun feels good on your face. You are enjoying all of the scenery around you.

Grogu is peeking out from behind your robe, you move the fabric a little so he can see better.

Something big, bigger than you could ever imagine breaks the surface of the water. You don’t even really see what it is. 

Just its back is huge. You could have landed the ship on the damn thing it was so big. It swims slowly and then returns back to the depth of the lake. You’ve stopped walking to watch and see that Din has not stopped walking, doesn’t notice you’re not beside him anymore. You see how close to the waters edge you are and you jog quickly to catch up to him, peering at the water out of the corner of your eye.

Din leads you into the mouth of a cave and you walk for a long time. It’s nice to stretch your legs, and Din basically told you to just shut up and listen to what he says. So you do. You’ll ask about the giant lake creature when you guys get back on the ship. You wonder where you are. Din didn’t say.

You both walk through the entrance to a large underground room. 

There are Mandalorian people everywhere. You’ve never seen this many before.

A couple in Canto Bight before Din, sure— but never this many. They’re all so tall and so intimidating in their helmets.

You try to keep your head forward and not look at any of them in particular. There is one of them standing on a platform above everyone else. They part for Din and watch as he passes. They look at you while you pass them as well. You hide Grogu behind your robe again. 

“Din Djarin.” The intimidating mandalorian woman speaks loudly. “You have removed your helmet. And what’s worse, you did it at your own free will.” 

What the fuck, Maker? Did you just hear that terrifying woman in the armor correctly? He took his helmet off? When the fuck did he do that? And who the fuck did he show because it most surely wasn’t you?

Grogu coos up to you from behind your robes— like he’s answering your silent question. Every bone in your body feels like it’s melting away and you’re having a hard time keeping your knees from giving out.

Din took his helmet off and didn’t show you? He didn’t let you see him?

You almost think about running back to the ship but whatever was lurking in the lake just outside the mouth of the cave makes you rethink.

You think you’re going to be sick.

Din and the woman are speaking and you’re trying to listen, like Din told you, but everything sounds muffled and you think your hands might be covering your ears but they’re still at your side. 

“I can visit the planet. I could bring you proof.” Din’s voice is clear in your head now.

Where is he going? Visit what planet? Why does he need to go there?

You tried so hard to listen but so many other thoughts were going through your head that it was hard to keep everything straight. “I’ll bathe in the living waters beneath the mine’s of Mandalore and bring you proof. Then by Creed; the decree of exile will be lifted and I would be redeemed.” 

Exile!? Redeemed?! What the fuck was Mando doing while you were gone?

The sand in this cave is so nice. You haven’t stopped looking at it since the woman Mandalorian said he took his helmet off. If you dare look up, the tears would roll down your cheek. This way they’re hidden in your robes at least. No one can see. 

“Then I will see you again.” Is the last thing the armored woman says!!

The long walk back to the ship is silent. A Mando specialty. Nothing but the sound of the green child babbling from behind your robe and the shifting of the sand beneath your shoes.

You cannot believe this. You thought–stupidly, it’s clear to you now– that if Mando was going to show anyone his face it would have been you. You feel so foolish. As foolish as you felt when you called him your friend after your trip to the market.

You are foolish, it’s obvious.

The ramp to the ship drops down, and you are the first one on. Quickly you're undoing your robes and letting Grogu out of his bag. You hold him in your arms for a while, looking down into his big eyes and at his wrinkly green skin.

You know Din took his helmet off for Grogu. It’s something you're sensing in your heart looking at him now.

If you wore a helmet and had sworn to do whatever Mando had to swear to wear it forever... you'd show Grogu too, for whatever reason.

That still doesn’t make this hurt any less. 

No words. No questions. Nothing.

You keep to yourself for the rest of the day, keeping busy sewing yourself a new nightgown. It was going to be short and cute for Mando but now you’ve decided to make it long. And down to the floor. Not cute. Just for sleeping. And it’ll be black. Hmph.

You sew so angrily that you stab your fingers more than once. You honestly aren’t even sewing, you’re just pulling thread through fabric with no reason or meaning behind it. You haven’t put a single thought into one stitch since you sat down. 

You hate him now. You really do.

When you thought he hadn’t shown his face to anyone it wasn’t a big deal but now…now you hate him.

It’s a tearing feeling right in your stomach. Every time you breathe or think, or even move it hurts. Brings tears to your eyes. 

Mando’s footsteps echo in the hallway towards the weapons room you’re hiding in after Grogu went to bed. You press yourself into the corner and hope he won't notice or isn’t looking for you when he walks in. 

“There you are," He rasps as if nothing is wrong. "Are we playing a hiding game?” He leans against the wall your back is on.

You shake your head side to side and go back to pretending to sew. You don’t look up at him. It’s obvious you’re mad. You haven’t said a single word to him since you got off the ship to go into that Maker forsaken cave.

Only to hear the worst news of your life so far; that he didn’t care about you enough. That you weren’t enough. 

Once you got back on the ship, you hid- just like he had said. A hiding game.

Fucking Mando!

A part of you-- it may be somewhere in your heart- is telling you to just be grateful for the man in the tin can suit who is standing in front of you.

Another part-- maybe inside your brain, as swirly and twirly as it is sometimes- is telling you to be negative. Telling you to be bitter and cold to him.

You’re jealous and feeling sorry for yourself. You know it. You don’t really care right now. Don’t know if you ever will care with how you’re feeling.

Nothing about this feels good. You had explained your feelings to him, told him how you had felt and he never mentioned any of this? Being exiled? Taking off that fucking helmet!?

Does he not remember the conversation before you left for Ossus' forsaken Jedi fucking temple!?

“I don’t feel well. I think I’m going to bed.” You stand up, gather up all your sewing in your arms and walk past him into the hallway.

Mando follows. “You’ve seemed quiet since we got back to the ship. I feared maybe you were upset with me.” Mando speaks at you while you walk into the sleeping quarters. “Are you alright? Can I get you anything? A warm compress? Water? Are you going to be... ill?”

He hesitates to say the word like it make you ill all over him!

You ignore him and instead of crawling into the bed you shared with him the night before, you set all of your sewing on your nightstand and get into your bed. The one you haven’t thought about since Mando carried you back into his bed last night.

“So you are upset with me.” Mando rasps, like he knew it all along and tilts his head to the side, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I’m not upset about anything-- what would I even be upset about?” You bring the blankets up to your chin.

You didn’t even change into your sleepwear! Just crawled right into bed with the clothes you’ve had on all day! Weren’t even trying to seem unwell.

This is the worst.

Now you wish that he had just dropped you off on Cantonica at Canto Bight, or that some man with a face had tried to make you forget about Mando. 

“I assume what was spoken about within the clan.” He rasps softly. “I was going to tell you. I just didn’t know when would be a good time.” His stupid modulator is sounding so apologetic now. 

“I’m not upset. I don’t care. Show your face to whoever you want. Don't show it--- Doesn’t matter to me.” 

Mando sighs softly from under the helmet. 

“I did it so that Grogu would know how much I cared for him. So that he wouldn’t forget me.” Mando tries to help, but his explanation makes things worse.

“It’s fine. I said I don’t care. I get it." Your voice is snappy and mean. "We never talked about the night before you abandoned me with no timeline of when you'd be back."

Mando just watches you talk from behind his helmet, never saying anything-- as always-- and you once again, feel as though you may as well be talking to your reflection alone. It's quiet for a beat before you say anything else.

"We never talk about our feelings ever so you must have none! Unless it’s for the child. Which is fine, I feel the same for him. I just don’t care to speak about this anymore.” You speak so fast trying to get all the words out as a literal planet forms in your throat. Stupid tears burn at your eyes because you do care.

It’s hurting you so badly. 

“Was–Did you–...” You can feel Mando looking into the back of your head like he’s got lasers in his helmet. You turn now to look at him. 

“What?” You snap. “What could you have to say now?” 

“I made Luke and Ahsoka let you stay... because it’s what you desired. I made that happen for you.” Mando’s talking like you’re ungrateful for what he did for you. 

"Thank you. Thank you so much for that, I appreciate everything that I learned there. I am stronger, faster, a better protector of my the child for that reason-- and I have you to thank for it. Yes." It's hard to not sound unappreciative now, when you're on the verge of tears and angry about his lack of love for you!

Mando doesn’t speak, as usual. Just watching you talk and also, probably the tears welling in your eyes. 

You roll over to hide the wet, glassiness of your eyes, "I care for you so much, and you can't tell me the same? You don't feel it?" The heat pools behind your cheeks and down your neck and into your chest. "I thought you did once," you murmur, almost silently.

“You think I don’t care for you?” Mando sounds confused.

That makes you so your blood boil; what is he confused about? What could he possibly not understand? 

“You showed Grogu your face but not me... You obviously didn’t care if I forgot you. Despite what you said last night you didn’t seem to care if I knew how much you cared for me before you left for two years.” You keep your head turned away from him because luckily it doesn’t sound like you’re crying, but you’ve got endless tears rolling down your cheeks. 

“Mando.” His voice sounds reminiscent of a time when you only called him that. 

“Yes. Mando. Because your real name should be saved for your close friends, and the people you show your face to." You hiss. "I didn’t even get to hear it from you, I had to hear it from the woman in the fucking cave! I hate caves. I hate helmets-- I hate them all so much. Every single one.” You look back at him over your shoulder with tear stained cheeks and red eyes.

“You brought me here to watch the child and to touch me. I don’t know if that’s what I want anymore.” You say quickly, the pitch growing higher and higher as you speak.

Mando stands up from the side of your bed and says nothing. He just leaves the room without a word. 

This is it.

It’s actually coming to an end. Your time with him and the child. Officially over.

tag list: @thereaperisabitch @pedrospookie @furiousmushroom @creepycorbeaux

I promise the next chapter is satisfying and doesn't end on a cliffhanger- not really.

I'm still so uncomfortable tagging people in my stories, so like I said, please tell me to fuck off if you want me to stop. My feelings won't be hurt (yes they will), and it's completely fine (I'm a big girl and can handle it).

[orcasoul]

That Time Again

A/N: Just a little (well it was intended to be little, but, oh well) drabble here because I can't help but think how Din, spending most of his adult life alone when not with the covert, and not knowing much about a woman's cycle, would be embarrassed when he accidentally thinks she's injured and feels bad for embarrassing her too. I think after the initial awkwardness, he'd be such a sweetheart about it ☺️

Warnings: Fluff, mention of periods.

Word Count: 1,333

The hunt didn't exactly go to plan, screw that, it was an epic failure! You and Din had just managed to get away by the skin of your teeth! You'd never been so relieved as when you saw the Razor Crest come into view, Din lowering the ramp by his vambrace. Once safely inside, with the ramp secure, you slump back into the cold steel wall, enjoying the icy chill seeping through your top into your sweaty skin as you catch your breath. "Well that didn't go well," Din panted as he leaned against the opposite wall.

"No shit," You shake your head through a half chuckle, half moan, "So what's the plan, now?" With his breathing finally under control Din stands tall, every bit the confident Mandalorian, even when he's not trying to be. It just naturally oozes from him. "He's scared and desperate now. He knows we're after him, so he'll keep running. I just didn't expect him to have so many men protecting him. But I'll get him, don't worry about that." Raising an eyebrow, you counter, "You mean we'll get him." "No!" came Din's curt and authoritative relpy, "It's too dangerous for you now."

"Din...," you begin protesting but he continues. "I've been doing this a long time, so trust me when I say I have to do this alone. This one just got much more complicated. I can't focus on the target and protect you at the same time. We're lucky we got out in one piece." Reluctantly you agree, but can't help but feel butterflies in your belly at Din's protectiveness of you. It's at times like this that you think, maybe he does feel the same way.

Locking that thought away you push off of the wall and begin to walk away when you hear a modulated gasp and feel Din's gloved hands grip your shoulders, stopping you in your place. "What the-," "You're hurt!" Din's voice quavers as panic grips his chest. You turn your head, utterly confused, trying to see where he's looking. What the hell? He's looking at ...my arse? "What? I'm not hurt. what are you talk-," Oh shit! Your eyes widen and your cheeks burn red as you realise what has happened.

You spin around, slowly backing away, trying your best not to stammer, but failing miserably. "Its n... not what you... you think. I'm... I'm fine." Din straightens, surprised by your weird response. "You're not fine, your bleeding. Let me-," "No!" He stops at your raised voice. "I'll take care of it. Trust me it's nothing." "It's not nothing." Now Din is raising his voice, clearly frustrated which in turn is making things worse.

Maker can't he just let it go? Can the universe do you a favour and open a black hole to swallow you now? He's really going to make you say it, isn't he? "Why won't you just let me help?" Din's asks exasperatedly, walking closer to you as you back away. "Cause it's nothing!' you insist, your stomach in knots. "Stop saying that!" Din blusterd. You drop your head into your hands, pressing the heels into your eyes, embarrassment burning through every inch of you. "For makers sake, Din! It's my period, okay. I've bled through!"

Silence follows your outburst, causing you to look back up at Din, who's stood stock still, if you didn't know any better, you'd think he was a statue. "Oh...," he mumbled, awkwardly. "Yeah... 'oh'," you scoffed. "I... I'm sorry... I didn't mean-," "It's okay," you blurted, right now not knowing what was redder, the blood on your trousers of the blood in your cheeks, "I'm just... gonna... go," you pointed over your shoulder to the fresher. As you shower, you realised that you'd been so eager to escape that situation that you'd forgotten to bring clean clothes with you. "Aw, shit," you grumble to yourself. Well, hopefully he'll be in the cockpit.

You open the fresher door, peaking around carefully. You've already had one embarrassing moment today, you don't need another. To your relief, you're alone. You sigh and look down, and that's when you see the neatly folded pile of clean clothes on the floor, right in front of the door. You smile as you pick them up, taking them with you into the fresher to change. Once you're clean and presentable, you head up to the cockpit, knowing you can't avoid each other on such a small ship. So you'll have to, as they say, suck it up. But when you open the door, your met with an empty room.

"Din?" no answer. "Din?" you shout louder, but still, no answer. That's odd. He never leaves without telling you. Maybe he's just as embarrassed as you? Maybe he can't face you right now? Before you can dwell on it any longer, you hear the ramp lowering. You slide down the ladder to the hull to see Din walking up the ramp with a brown paper bag in hand. He stops a couple of feet in front of you, the atmosphere clearly awkward.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you, Din-," you begin, desperate to dissipate the discomfort between you both. "Please don't apologise," Din lifts a hand to stop you, "I'm sorry. I didn't realise.... if I'd known, I wouldn't have...," Din clears his throat and slowly holds the bag out for you to take. "What's this?" you smile as you take the bag and look inside. Your heart melts at the sight. Inside, there are sanitary towels, tampons, a moon cup, heat up gel packs, pain relief and even a big bar of chocolate.

You feel like crying. Kriff, this man is so sweet and so kind. Could he be any more perfect? If you hadn't already fallen in love with him, you would have now. "Din...," his name leaves your mouth in a whisper, while holding in the tears. You look into his visor, hoping you're making eye contact. "You didn't have to do this. Thank you! This is... so sweet of you." "I wanted to help," he replied, softly. "I didn't mean to embarrass you earlier," he added after a moment. "It's okay," you shrug, feeling the embarrassment melt away by the second. "I think we were both a bit embarrassed."

"Yeah," Din chuckles, his shoulders losing some of the tension in them. He still feels bad about the situation, but seeing your eyes light up at his gift means the world to him, just as you do. Damn it, if only he could tell you how much he loves you. He's fearless in every aspect of his life, except when it comes to you. "Look, I don't claim to know much about 'this'," he emphasizes, "but I want you to know you don't ever have to feel awkward about it around me. We're a team, and if there's anything you ever need or anything I can do to help at this time, you can always come to me, okay?"

Your eyes soften even more and you're sure you're looking at Din like he'd hung the stars right now, but you don't care. You want him to know how much you appreciate his kindness and scincerity. "Thank you, Din. That means a lot." You can't help the beaming smile on your face right now. "You know...," you begin, teasingly, "for somebody who says he doesn't know much about 'this', you sure knew what products to look for."

"Well, I might have asked the lady working in the store if she could help me pick out the best things," Din confessed, in a playful tone. "And this?..." you wave the chocolate in front of his helmet, grinning like a fool. Din shrugged and you just knew he was grinning under his helmet too. "She also said some women have cravings, so I thought, best be prepared." "We're sharing this," you tap the bar against his breast-plate. Din chuckled, shaking his head in amusement, "Whatever you say, Cyar'ika."

[coimbrabertone]

Offtopic Offseason #2 - The Incoherent Musings of a Star Wars Fan in Big 2024.

So, being a Star Wars fan is hard.

I don't mean that for some stupid "STAR WERZ IS WOKE NOW! CHILDHOOD RUINED!" bullshit, I mean being an actual fan of Star Wars.

I want to watch Star Wars shows, I want to play Star Wars games, and I deeply disagree with the idea that Disney is making too much Star Wars stuff. No, in fact, my stance here is quite similar to my stance on superhero fatigue from the last Offtopic Offseason - and that's that people aren't sick of Star Wars, they're sick of bad Star Wars content.

Let me put it this way - the only buzz I've heard about Skeleton Crew is that they referenced something from the Holiday Special and that there's a kid from that Max Rebo species - the Ortolans, the blue elephant guys. That doesn't fill me with an urge to watch it.

Just like I haven't had the urge to finish The Bad Batch.

Just like how I haven't picked up Star Wars: Outlaws yet.

There is, however, one Star Wars project that I did engage with in 2024: the Acolyte. Yup, the show that the internet was shitting on before it even came out and the one that they managed to get cancelled despite the first season ending on a blatant cliffhanger. I want to talk about that show.

Why? Because the thing is...I don't think the show is that bad.

I certainly don't think it's any worse than Book of Boba Fett or some of the later episode of the Mandalorian.

In fact, I'd say the concept of the Acolyte is more interesting than either Mando or Boba Fett, and here's why: the idea of a woman, who had the only home she ever knew taken away from her by the Jedi, training under a Sith to get revenge is an interesting premise.

That same Sith disguising himself as her bumbling accomplice to monitor and influence her had potential as well.

The Jedi Order being this corrupt, detached organization trying to maneuver the political intrigues of Coruscant is interesting, as is the fact that the plot is ultimately set into motion by Master Sol making a series of impulsive and violent decisions - thinking they he knew better - that ended in him killing the girls' mother, Aniseya.

All of that I'm good with.

There are a few things I'm not so good with. The vergence stuff and how that relates to the twins (and them being two sides of the same person) didn't quite work with me. I also felt that some of the stuff they did with Aniseya in the final two episodes undercuts the Sol storyline, because one: she really does demonstrate she's dangerous, and two: if you're still planning on letting Osha go with them, why are you using a Dark Side ritual to turn yourself into an dark smoke monster and absorbing your other daughter while doing so?

Like if the point you're going for is that Sol broke the Jedi teachings because of his selfish attachment to Osha - later leading to Osha killing him as her fall to the Dark Side - then why are you giving him a justifiable reason for stopping Aniseya?

And I guess on some level, I question how much purpose there was to having both Osha and Mae as characters. I know this is probably approaching a sort of Ship of Theseus point where I change so much about the Acolyte that it's not the Acolyte anymore, but I feel like there was a way to tell this story with just one character rather than this split person/twin thing.

You know what, I'll commit to it - here's how I would've done the Acolyte show.

Indara, Sol, Kelnacca, and Torbin go to investigate Brendok, just like they do in the show, however, when they find the convent of Dark Side witches, they decide they need to stop them. So rather than a series of potentially sympathetic misunderstandings, it's that the Jedi saw a Dark Side threat, they got spooked, and they decided to crush it.

This is to mirror some of the other darker Jedi moments in Star Wars, such as Mace Windu saying that the "oppression of the Sith will never return" before attempting to finish off Palpatine, or the Legends lore of the Jedi bombardment of Korriban after the Great Hyperspace War, aiming to destroy it.

Neither of these things worked, sure, but it demonstrates a rare Jedi ruthlessness that could suit this story nicely.

Anyway, having lost the only family she had, Osha (who, remember, we're treating as a single person at this point) wanders the galaxy and eventually winds up at the ruined Sith Academy on Korriban - and here she finds Qimir.

Qimir plays it cool and doesn't quite reveal who he is but starts telling Osha about the Sith and feeling her out, trying to figure out if she'd make a worthy pupil or not. Qimir sends Osha through the tombs like in KOTOR or like the Sith Warrior/Inquisitor storylines in SWTOR and starts revealing more about the Sith to her as she goes on. By the end, she believes in it, is willing to become a Sith, and makes a red lightsaber.

Then Qimir sends her out to hunt down the Brendok Jedi. At this point you could probably split the show into a season one and two, where the first season, "The Acolyte" is the story of Osha being an acolyte on Korriban, and the season two would be like "The Apprentice" or something a bit less trademarked, probably, and be about Osha actually hunting down the Jedi.

And hey, maybe it's a shitty idea, but I think it would place the show better in the lore and give us an interesting perspective where we follow a Sith character who fully believes she's in the right, and because of how this version of the Brendok events played out, we can't really say she's wrong either.

Maybe all of that is a product of the kind of Star Wars fan I grew up as though. I was born in the prequel era, meaning that for me, Phantom menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith were always part of Star Wars. I grew up playing KOTOR on my dad's computer and then later watching Clone Wars and then after that getting really into SWTOR for awhile in the early-to-mid 2010s.

Star Wars to me is lightsabers and deep lore and the Jedi versus the Sith.

I guess that's why Acolyte, for all its flaws and mistakes and strange writing choices, got my attention in a way that a lot of Star Wars stories haven't.

I mean, I watched Acolyte all the way through while I still haven't felt motivated enough to watch Andor - I'm sure that for a lot of nerds, that's downright sacrilege - but that's where I'm at with this franchise.

Do you have any idea how long it's gonna take for someone to be willing to make a female-led Sith show after how the Acolyte bombed? I'll be waiting decades at this rate. I'll be waiting even longer when I ask for those characters to one: be aliens because goddamn all these species in the galaxy but the only ones that ever seem to do anything are humans, and two: be lesbian because...I dunno man, representation makes me feel good.

I guess Mother Koril checks a lot of those boxes but...she's got like fifteen minutes of screentime max and then kinda turns into a cloud of smoke and we don't see her anymore. Is she dead? Is she alive? Is she some other third thing?

Nobody knows.

And we're probably never gonna know because the show's been cancelled.

Fun times.

So yeah, these are some incoherent musings from a long-suffering Star Wars fan in 2024.

Like the meme says...

Star Wars would be so good if it was good.

[iamsherlocked-1998]

NUTS AND ENGINES

SUMMARY: A visit to the mechanic and a new beginning.

WORDS: 1200

WARNING: Nope, only that the reader is a Mandalorian here and not Din, so when I say "Mando" it´s about her.

In the bustling spaceport of Mos Eisley, Din Djarin worked diligently in his small mechanic's shop, surrounded by the hum of engines and the clatter of tools. He was aware of the fame he had built up over the past few years, known for his ability to repair all manner of spacecraft, Din considered himself a quiet and solitary figure, but affable and cheerful, content with the mild isolation of his work.

One day, a mysterious figure dressed in Mandalorian armor entered his shop, seeking repairs for her ship. He couldn't help but shudder a little, his scant knowledge of them based on perceptions from childhood when he was rescued from the ashes of what used to be his forgotten home before being sent to this piece of land to live with a relative he barely knew.

The first day she just hung around the workshop and briefly introduced herself as Mando, but an old friend from an adjacent cantina managed to find out that the enigmatic woman turned out to be a renowned and legendary bounty hunter with a reputation that preceded her. Intrigued by the enigmatic Mandalorian before him, the next day Din offered to work on the ship, eager to test his mechanical prowess.

"It could use a tune-up and my usual mechanics are taking a break, how many credits would that be?"

Djarin offered a sardonic smile.

"Well, that's something you can't know until you check it out in depth, sweetheart, but I promise I'll give you a good price" (That was accompanied by a slight wink in a crude attempt to get attention).

The Mandalorian just nodded softly and left without another word, leaving the man blushing intensely. That wasn't even close to what he regretted the most. As Din delved into the intricate repairs of the ancient ship, which could well be described as a relic, he reflected on the other, much more interesting things he could be doing, but he was still a man of his word and he wasn't going to give up. Despite the two brief interactions, he couldn't help but feel drawn to the stoic yet captivating presence of the Mandalorian warrior. Their conversations were meaningful, with an unspoken understanding floating in the air between them, especially when the woman simply rolled up her sleeves and began to help him.

"Where did you learn?" (The question surprised the dark-haired man, but he wasn't going to waste the opportunity).

"Well, when I was young I spent a lot of time alone because my uncle wasn't a man of many words and even less with alcohol, so one day I went to the city and signed up as an apprentice, that's how I earned a living and killed time".

The woman turned her visor to the ground thoughtfully.

"Is that where you got the necklace from?"

He was about to ask when she looked where the jacket was leaning, it was a kind of tool box where he kept an amulet from the worst day of his life. A mythosaur.

"No... I don't like to talk about it but your people helped me in a time of need and I preferred to keep it".

"I could say the same".

The man reached for a dirty rag to remove the oil dirt from his hands. A sigh of understanding left his lips.

"Is it true what they say, you always wear that helmet?" (He pointed to his own face inquisitively).

"This is the way".

The days passed in apparent tranquility, the young woman had become a little more vocal and was proud of having gotten a kind of laugh out of her once. However, before Din could finish his work, chaos erupted in the spaceport as a group of bounty hunters descended upon the girl, seeking to claim the bounty on her head. Instinctively, Din sprang into action, using the few skills his uncle, a man better with his fists than with words, had instilled in him, upbringing to support Mando and fend off attackers.

He and his peculiar client barricaded themselves behind a set of scrap metal. The woman had a sharp aim that made him think with pity of their targets if they weren't in this situation.

In the heat of battle, Din entered the ship for added safety while his partner dealt with several stray undesirables mercilessly. He inadvertently discovered a secret Mando had been hiding: a small, green creature emerged from a cubbyhole of sorts, looking frightened and immediately turning its face away when the mechanic approached.

"Hey... little one, it's okay" (the man extended a finger for the boy to hold, which helped, as he was able to pick up the baby and find a better place to hide).

So that was the reason the woman was so scrupulous about emptying the warehouse before starting work and always left for a while, maybe she knew someone nearby who helped her with the child.

Once she understood that the man was inside, the child's guardian (mother?) entered the ship abruptly and prepared to take off. Apparently the rescued pupil was named Grogu, he had a connection to the Force like nothing Din had ever seen before, although the Mandalorian never heard of it. This revelation struck a chord within Din, awakening emotions and memories long buried in him, when he lost his parents as a tender infant.

A few hours later Grogu entertained himself by floating Din's necklace through the air, the only thing he could rescue when the attackers were too many and left without further delay.

"He is amazing" (Djarin meant it, he understood that any self-respecting person would want to keep him safe).

"He is" (The woman used a surprisingly soft tone) "You can't go back to that place, now they will look for you too".

With no choice but to leave the safety of Mos Eisley behind, Din made the fateful decision to accompany Mando and Grogu on their journey, his heart torn between the prudence of duty and the new connection he felt towards them.

“I suppose there is no other remedy, at least for now. Would a mechanic suit you?”

The hunter said nothing but the playful clicking of fingers on the control panel expressed all he needed to know.

Weeks turned into months. As they traversed the galaxy together, facing danger and adventure at every turn, Din and Mando found themselves growing closer, their bond forged through trials and challenges that tested their resolve. In the quiet moments beneath the starry sky, Din found solace in the reserved woman’s unwavering strength and determination, while she discovered a depth of compassion and loyalty in Din’s open character that touched her heart. Casual touches turned to frantic kisses in the darkness of the ship’s belly.

Amidst the chaos of their unpredictable lives, love blossomed between the stoic Mandalorian bounty hunter and the intrepid mechanic, tying their destinies together in a story written in the stars. And as they sailed across the vast expanse of the galaxy side by side, Djarin and Mando knew that in each other they had found something worth fighting for: a love that transcended the boundaries of space and time, binding them together in a bond that was as unbreakable as beskar steel.

NOTE: This was really funny to write, maybe I'll write about this universe again, the fic is an idea of @toomanystoriessolittletime for the 8k celebration, hope you like it 🤗💕

[dumbbitchenergy17]

Clan of Three - Chapter 3

Chapter Three: Sanctuary

Plot: A Mandalorian, an infant with a history of the jedi, and a teenager with similar powers with an undiscovered lineage. An unlikely group to travel the galaxy together.

Word Count: 7.7K

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

Warnings: fighting/violence, injuries, almost character death, some wholesome moments

------

You could describe the past couple of days as the most eventful days of your lifetime. You were kidnapped, hunted by bounty hunters, betrayed and taken by the empire, killed your first person, to then be saved by the man who betrayed you, to end it all with a major gunfight getting shot at before escaping. Yeah, you were open to a boring life after all this.

“Jeez, why are you so heavy-handed!” You shout out in pain as he drags the cloth against the wound. The bullet had only grazed your arm but it is the first and hopefully the only time you were shot so it hurt a lot.

“You’re lucky it only grazed you, what were you thinking joining in the fight?” He says scolding you like you were his child, he sprays the bacta spray making you wince in pain before he wraps a bandage around your arm. He moves from your arm putting a salve along your neck for the bruises.

“It’s not like you were winning, we only got off that planet because of the other Mandalorians.” You retort and he ignores you grabbing your leg your boot already off and looking at your ankle. It was swollen a gross red and purple. He slowly rotates it and you grab the chair to focus on something else and the ship shakes slightly making Mando pause. He wraps the bandages around your ankle before standing up.

“Looks sprained, be grateful you didn’t break it.” He says moving back to the main seat and seeing the child touching buttons making the ship shake more. He grabs him moving him to his lap, “Stop touching things.” He pushes buttons pulling the holomap before a planet appears and you read the name of the planet.

“Sorgan?” You question shifting your weight keeping your foot stretched out returned back in the boot. You hope this planet had no bounty hunters ready to kill you. What you needed are a warm meal and a hot shower.

“Looks like there's no starport, no industrial centers, no population density. Real backwater skug hole. Which means it's perfect for us.” Hearing the description of the planet makes you groan. Guess no hot shower on this planet. “You ready to lay low and stretch your legs for a couple of months, you little womp rat?” He says looking down at the child and glancing back at you.

“Who you calling womp rat?!” You say and he looks forward to setting the coordinates on the hyperdrive and traveling to the planet. Soon the planet appeared your eyes widened seeing the lush green of trees and grass and wide ponds of water, something you’d never seen before. Flying over them before Mando finds a clearing landing the ship. Turning off the engine he stands up turning to look at the two of you.

“Nobody's gonna find us here. Now listen. I'm gonna go out there and I'm gonna look around. It shouldn't take too long. Now, don't touch anything.” He says aiming at the child before looking at you, “And no tampering with the ship.” You raise your hands frowning. It was literally one time and you made it better. “I'll find us some lodging, then I'll come back for you. Just stay there. Don’t move.”

“Okay go already.” You say and he gives you a look before leaving the cockpit and you hear the ramp opening up. You look over at the child understanding the look he was giving. Mando walks down the ramp pausing looking back seeing you and looking down at his foot seeing the child clutching his boot. He sighs looking up at the sky.

“What the hell? Fine..come on.” He says grabbing the child and the three of you make your way. Your eyes are darting everywhere taking it all in. Your hand traces the tall trees feeling the rough bark and the softness of the tall grass as it flows in the wind. You’ve never seen anything so beautiful before.

“Stop dragging what’s got you like this?” Mando calls out looking back and seeing you trailing back a few feet looking at the most captivating flower. You look over at him with a look of awe in your eyes as you hobble over to him still taking in nature.

“I’ve never seen this much green before.” You say and Mando looks down at you. How could he forget, you came from a desert planet and have never traveled the galaxy, this all was new to you, with the planets, the people, everything. Following the wooden path until you reach a large building the smell of meat and spices filling your nose. Sitting at a table Mando situates the child in a children’s chair and a human worker comes over with a friendly smile on her face.

“Welcome, travelers. Can I interest you in anything?” She says,

“Bone broth, for the little one, and a regular broth for the girl.” He says pointing at the child and yourself.

“Oh, well, you're in luck. I just took down a grinjer, so there's plenty.” She nods writing it down, Can I interest you in a porringer of broth as well?”

Mando shakes his head “Just the two.” The woman nods and you look around the common house seeing in the corner a woman, she had black hair styled on one side wearing green armor. You see around her armor some sort of tattoo and it seems like Mando noticed her as well, “That one over there. When did she arrive?” He nods over to the woman and the waitress looks over.

“I've seen her here for the last week or so.” She says and Mando keeps looking, “What's her business here?” 

“Business? Oh, well, there's not much business in Sorgan, so I can't say,” She hesitates to say before Mando pulls out a few extra credits to pay for the food and the information and the woman quickly accepts, “She doesn't strike me as a log runner. I will get that broth to you as soon as possible, and I will throw in a flagon of spotchka just for good measure.” She says stepping back, “I will be right back with that.” She walks away to get your food and you see Mando look back to keep eyeing the woman but she’s long gone. He stands up as the woman comes by with the food and drinks.

“Keep an eye on the kid.” He says to you before disappearing around the corner. You shrug taking a sip of your broth, the warm liquid soothing on your throat settling nicely in your stomach. This was step one in your plan next a nice relaxing shower…or maybe a hot spring. Does this planet do that? A few minutes had passed and you look at where Mando once sat and the other woman. He better not have gotten himself in a fight. Looking at the child you stand up pulling it from its seat still holding its broth.

“Come on let’s go find that idiot.” You say before quickly turning to grab the bottle of spotchka taking a swig of it. You instantly make a face the burn of the liquid making you gag. Maker, how did anyone like this stuff? Following the same way Mando had left you follow the path before you hear the sound of fighting coming from an alley. Turning down you see Mando and this random woman with their blaster pointed at each other both in a stalemate.

“Are you done?” You call out the two adults turning to look at you leaning against the wall and the child beside your feet sipping his broth. Mando sighs looking at the woman, “You want some soup?”

The four of you sat around the table with three bowls of broth in front of you all except Mando and the large bottle of spotchka that makes you shiver remembering the taste. “Saw most of my action mopping up after Endor. Mostly Ex-Imperial Warlords. They wanted it fast and quiet. They'd send us in on the drop ships. No support, just us. Then when the Imps were gone, the politics started. We were peacekeepers, protecting delegates, and suppressing riots. Not what I signed up for.” The woman who said her name was Carasynthia Dune but told you to call here Cara explains. You were surprised she was a part of the rebellion.

“I’ve heard so many stories about the rebellion, did you see the first Death Star blow-up, or was it the second one? Did you fly an X-Wing?! I heard that Luke Skywalker came from Tatooine where I’m from.” You ramble off before Mando gives you a look that has you quieting down and Cara smirks seeing the fascination on your face.

“How'd you end up here?” Mando asks and Cara takes a shot of the spotchka,

“Let's just call it an early retirement. Look, I knew you were Guild.” She says and you freeze hearing the mention of the guild.

“I figured you had a fob on me,” Mando says casually while you were silently panicking expecting this woman to grab you and the child and run off for her reward.

“That's why I came at you so hard.” Cara says and Mando nods “Yeah, that's what I figured.”

Cara finishes her broth before standing up and looking at the three of you, “Well, this has been a real treat, but unless you wanna go another round, one of us is gonna have to move on, and I was here first.” She says leaving through the main door and you look back at Mando to come up with the next plan.

“What do we do now?” You ask as Mando stays silent.

Moths fly over the lamp attracted to the only light source at night. Mando is working on repairing parts of the outside the Razor Crest, you sat beside a fire you created adding sticks every so often to keep the flames alive. The sound of engines grows louder and you look up pausing in your movement as two speeders appear before you. Mando seems to ignore them as two men climb off their bikes giving a nod in your direction as you watch them silently walk toward the bounty hunter.

“Excuse me…excuse me, sir..” One of them calls out to him and he speaks to them with his back to them continuing to fix his ship.

“There something I can help you with?” He asks and one of them nods slowly as Mando turns to face them,

“Uh, yeah. Raiders. We have money.” They say, seeking his service.

“So, you think I’m some kinda mercenary?” He asks and the two men look at him nervous to be around him.

“You are a Mandalorian, right? Or at least wearing Mandalorian armor.” One of them says pointing at his helmet the symbol of his creed, “That is Mandalorian armor, right.” Mando nods and the man turns to the other, “It is. See I told him.”

The other man speaks up, “Sir, I’ve read a lot about your people…tribe. If half of what I read is true…we have money.”

“How much?” He asks and the man looks desperate, “Everything we have, sir. Our whole harvest was stolen. Krill. We're krill farmers. We brew spotchka. Our whole village chipped in.” He holds out a bag filled with whatever credits were inside and it looked like a lot.

“It’s not enough.” He says walking past them and turning towards the fire adding more wood that you collected not liking the look of your fire as you watch the conversation.

“Are you sure? You don't even know what the job is.” The man begs and it seems he’s unwilling shaking his head,

“I know it's not enough. Good luck.” He says waving them off as you look at him surprised he was rejecting the money.

“This is everything we have. We’ll give you more after the next harvest.” They beg but Mando is final in his opinion. They sigh turning away, “Come on. Let's head back.” 

The other man sighs getting onto his speeder bike, “Took us the whole day to get here. Now we have to ride back with no protection to the middle of nowhere.” Those words make Mando pause turning to face them.

“Where do you live?” He asks and the two look at him confused and slightly offended.

“On a farm. Weren't you listening? We're farmers.” One of them says

“In the middle of nowhere?”

“Yes.”

“You have lodging?”

“Yeah. Absolutely.”

Mando nods motioning the two men to the crates, “Good. Come up and help,” The two men hop off their speeders starting to aid having gained their help, “I'm gonna need one more thing. Give me those credits.”

Now joined with Cara you traveled with the humans toward their village. The child was in a bag resting on Mando as you four sat on the back of one of the speeders.

“So, we're basically running off a band of raiders for lunch money?” Cara says looking at the two peasants back to Mando.

“They're quartering us in the middle of nowhere.” He responds, “Last I checked, that's a pretty square deal for somebody in your position. Worst case scenario, you tune up your blaster. Best case, we're a deterrent. I can't imagine there's anything living in these trees that an ex-shock trooper couldn't handle.” He says as your travel to this new village begins. It was morning when you arrived at the village. You had quickly fallen asleep on the speeder and you woke up just before you arrived at the village. Looking at the people watching you all as you arrived at the many areas of the town as they get shouted out, “Everyone, they're here!”

The speeder stops and you all board off Mando gives you a hand so you don’t worsen your leg, “Looks like they’re happy to see us.”

“Looks like.” He nods looking at the people who quickly crowd you all, children younger than you run up looking at the child in interest as he makes some noises at them causing laughter from them.

“Hi. He's so cute.” “Aw!” Some of the children say before some of the older ones that look around your age help unpack the speeder. Looking at the kids your age you watch the way they carry themselves and interact with each other talking and joking with one another. 

You follow Mando with the child into what looks like a barn, parts of it look cleared out probably prepared, a woman enters followed by a child who is clutching onto her hand, “I am Omera I hope this is comfortable for you. Sorry that all we have is the barn.” She says and Mando nods dropping his pack as the child wanders into the barn looking at the large baskets of what looks like krill.

“This will do fine,” Mando says and Omera points over to a corner that has blankets laid out,

“I stacked some blankets over here.” Poking from behind her legs is the small girl who glances at you all before hiding further behind her legs, “This is my daughter, Winta. We don't get a lot of visitors around here. She's not used to strangers. This nice man is going to help protect us from the bad ones.” She says picking up her daughter who mumbles a quiet thank you from her mother's neck. She smiles looking at you three, “Come on, Winta. Let’s give our guests some room.” The two leave as you situate yourself in the room. Mando had set up a sort of cradle for the child while you sat looking at your ankle, it still hurt to put a lot of pressure on it but you were able to walk around. What you needed was a shower or something to clean the dirt, sweat, and blood off you. You probably looked insane walking around like this. You push yourself up after pulling your boot on.

“I’m gonna go look around,” You say to Mando as you get ready to leave.

“Kid,” Mando calls out and you look back at him and you see he’s holding out his knife. You look at the knife and him in surprise, he was giving you his weapon, “Be careful. Don’t go too far out.” He says and you slowly take the blade tucking it in your belt and nodding. He dismisses you and you leave the barn just to see Omera and Winta coming over.

“Ah, we were just coming by to give some food..” She trails off never catching your name which you give. “Are you not going to eat Y/n?”

“I was actually wondering if you had a place to bathe just wanted to freshen up,” You ask and she nods pointing towards a building.

“My home you can use anything that you need, leave your clothes on the small chair and I’ll be sure to wash your clothes and have them ready for you when you are ready.” She says and you give your thanks before making your way toward her home. Entering her home seeing touches of her personality and thing that shows it was lived in especially with a child. You make your way into the room containing a large tub covered by a privacy stand, leaning over and turning the handle water pours begin to fill the room with steam. Thank the maker this planet had warm water. You strip off your clothes placing them on the chair that she must be talking about wrapping yourself in a towel. Peeling off the bandages around your arm and the ones on your face putting them aside. Dipping your hand in the water feeling it warm enough before setting the towel aside and stepping into the bath. The hot water makes you hiss slightly in pain but once you settle in you feel your muscle relax. Leaning back in the water you feel truly calm for once in the past few days. Though you weren’t dumb the knife Mando gave you rests right on the lip of the tub in case someone tries to pull something. After relaxing you dip your head under the water bringing yourself up and starting to clean yourself up. There were some natural soaps and creams you assume are homemade that you use to wash the dirt and grime off you and clean your hair. You’re extra careful around the wound on your arm it was still closing up due to the bacta spray but it had stopped bleeding which was good. The warm water felt nice on your ankle and soon the water began to chill and changed from clear water to cloudy with dirt and excess blood. Draining the water you step out wrapping the towel the smell of the soap is pleasant smelling like the trees and grass. Leaving the privacy curtain seeing your clothes moved now to the table looking clean and dry as well. How long were you in that bath? Getting dressed find a brush to get rid of the knots from your hair before you pull your boots on, tuck the knife into your belt, and leave Omera’s home. Stepping outside seeing the sun long set it now evening and you head towards the village center. Looking around at the people speaking to one another their children playing out in front of them. You spot Omera and Winta who seems to be playing with the child. She notices you as well waving you over, “I see you enjoyed the bath, you look more awake.” She says and you nod you definitely felt more awake and feeling better. You see her gaze move to your arm her eyes widening slightly.

“Your arm!” You look down seeing it bleeding just a bit, guess you were wrong about it healing well. You see her grab something from her bag beside her pulling out a bottle and some cloth. She pours the liquid on your skin and you wince slightly from the sting but you watch the wound bubble clean itself before she wraps the cloth around your arm making sure it is tight and secure. “There it should be better now, do you have any other injuries?” The cut on your cheek and temple had long healed by now with the bacta spray not as serious but other than your arm it was just your ankle.

“Just my ankle it was sprained but I’m keeping off it. Where’s Mando?” You say pointing at the foot that you were keeping your weight off and Omera nods. You couldn’t see the familiar helmet or even Cara.

“Your Mandalorian and that woman went out to gather information on the raiders. For your ankle, I may have something back at my home.” She says and the two of you stand up to head over when you spot Mando and Cara returning. The villagers all gather around ready to hear the news.

“Bad news. You can't live here anymore.” Mando says bluntly shocking them who all voice their disagreements.

“Nice bedside manner.” Cara elbows Mando who gives her a look, “You think you can do better.” Cara shakes her head stepping forward, “Can't do much worse. I know this is not the news you wanted to hear, but there are no other options.”

One of the villagers the man you met on the speeder shakes his head, “You took the job.”

“Yeah, that was before we knew about the AT-ST,” Cara says and the villagers look confused even you were. You never heard of anything like that.

“What is that?” Someone calls out, “The armored walker with two enormous guns that you knew about and didn't tell us.” Cara's retorts and the help you thought were simple raiders had become something that involved the empire. Their pleas to help seem to go unanswered the enemy seeming too great for Cara and even Mando. “This is a big planet, just most somewhere else. Trust me I’ve seen smaller.” Cara says and some of the older villagers refused angrily at the two.

“My grandfather seeded these ponds,” One of the framers says, “It took us generations.” Another but in.

“I understand. I do. But there are only two of us.” Mando points out that the difference between fighter and farmer was clear, these people were only civilians they probably never needed to fight in a war before.

“Please give us a chance there’s at least 20 here,” One of the farmers begs and Mando shakes his head, “I mean fighters. Be realistic.”

“We can learn. We can.” One of them says and they all make sounds of agreement, the idea that these people were going to learn how to fight to be raiders that had years of combat experience.

“I've seen that thing take out entire companies of soldiers in a matter of minutes,” Cara says the memories of her time in the rebellion trying to be a warning. Omera steps forward looking at Mando,

“We’re not leaving.”

“You cannot fight that thing!” Cara says pointing out into the forest and looking at Mando who was silent.

“Unless we show them how…you got two problems here,” He says out to the people, “You got the bandits, and you got the mech. We'll handle the AT-ST, but you gotta protect us when they come out of the woods. And I don't have to tell you how dangerous they are. Cara Dune here was a veteran. She was a drop soldier for the Rebellion, and she's gonna lay out a plan for you, so listen carefully.”

Cara steps forward speaking to them all. “Now, there's nothing on this planet that can damage the legs on this thing, so we're gonna build a trap. We're gonna need to dig real deep, right here, so that when it steps in, it drops,” She points out to the ground right in front of their village and the large pond, “The two of us will hit their camp. Provoke them. That'll bring the fight out of the woods and down here to us.” The plan is to lure the raiders out and trap the AT Walker forming.

“I'm gonna need you to cut down trees and build barricades along these edges. I need it high enough so that they can't get over, and strong enough so that it can't break through.” Mando calls out pointing to the large trees from the forest that would build their barricade, “Okay. Who knows how to shoot?” You look around at the crowd of people and only see one hand raise seeing it to be Omera.

The sun is bright the next day the village was very active, some are working on chopping wood to build the barricade, others were with Cara who was teaching them basic hand-to-hand combat with sticks, and Mando was teaching the villagers to shoot. With pots and pans as targets many are missing but you see Omera hit her target. Sitting on a large rock viewing all this you were carving the wooden sticks making them sharp at the ends for fighting. Silently watching while carving when you see Mando saying something to all of them before stepping away. He comes over standing beside the rock you are taller than him sitting on the large boulder.

“How’s it coming along?” He says looking at the pile of sharpened sticks that you’ve been working on for the past hour.

“Just working at it…do you think they can do it, fight against the raiders?” You ask looking at him the villagers practicing shooting and fighting but would these quick lessons be enough? Mando is silent probably thinking about the fight that was ahead of them.

“Come on,” He says holding out a gloved hand and gesturing you to come down. Dropping the stick you were working on into the pile tucking the knife in your belt, and taking his hand he helps you off the rock. You put most of your weight off your bad foot almost falling slightly if it weren’t for Mando’s hold on your hand. He starts walking towards the target practice area as the people working on shooting switches with the people training with Cara. Standing in front of one of the practice targets he pulls his blaster from his holster holding it out to you. He nods his head for you to take it and you grab it with two hands moving to stand in front of the target that is feet away.

“You know what you’re doing?” He asks as you stand silently the gun clutched between your hands. You can only picture the target being the stormtrooper in the room. The bolt hit him right in the chest dead instantly, before you followed suit with the others…and that one bounty hunter, and the man at the Razor Crest. You killed all those people. Would you have to keep doing this until you were home?

“I’ve never killed anyone until Nevarro…” You say out loud the blaster feeling like a weight in your hands. Did they have families? People to go home to? Sure they were a part of the empire and the bounty hunter was trying to kill you but they were still people. Living breathing people. His hand rest on your shoulder a grounding feeling.

“It’s not an easy thing to do…but they would have killed you. Think of that when you have to kill.” He says looking down at you, you probably were living a normal life in Tatooine. You probably had to fight to survive but you didn’t seem like a killer and because of him…because of who you are…you now were. “So stand tall, bring one foot out in front, and keep your weight balanced.” He says his hands grabbing your shoulders making you stand straight as you wipe your face getting rid of the lingering tears that clouded your vision. Looking ahead at the target you listen to his words.

“Keep your knees flexed to absorb the recoil, keep this arm straight the other supporting it,” His hand straightens your dominant arm while fixing the other one, “Make sure your main sight is in focus then move to the fine sight…remember to breathe…” His hands rest over yours before the world around you grows quiet and you can hear each breath you take in and exhale. You can feel the blaster in your hands grounding you, the dirt under your feet the vibrations of the earth. The feeling of Mando’s hands leaving yours, but another feeling. A feeling that covers you like a blanket connecting you to everything. The breeze in the air washed over you, the river flowing into the pond, the sun breathing life into the planet all around you. It connected you to it and you to it…the feeling you felt many years ago, and when you first witness the child.

“And shoot.”

The bolt hits the pan dead center it knocking over as the world grows loud again everything returning to focus as you look forward at the target down. Your hands drop down holding the weapon to your side. Your skin felt on fire a sensation you’ve never experienced before.

“You did well.” Mando says and you look up at him before nodding slightly returning the weapon to him, “Keep that up and you’ll be a sharpshooter.” You can’t ignore the warmth that fills your chest hearing the compliment and noticing the pride that was in his voice. The confident feeling didn’t leave you for the rest of the day.

Dusk arrived and the village had prepared the barricade and set up the weapons prepared and it was up to them to protect their village. Those who weren’t equipped with blasters had sharpened sticks. Mando and Cara were preparing themselves to leave while you also prepared for the battle.

“Kid,” Mando calls out as you finish bringing the children and the child inside the barn turning right outside the door.

“The kids have the child so we can focus on the fight.” You say pointing back at the open door, when he shakes his head a look of confusion was only necessary.

“No, you’re not getting involved in this.” He says and you can’t help but feel frustrated.

“But they need us, they need fighters. I can help!” You say trying to plead your case, why else would he teach you how to shoot, why did Mando give you his knife? You were meant to be out there. But he wasn’t backing down on his decision.

“You need to protect the child, that’s what you can do to help,” He says and you see him pull something out from his pack another blaster, “And if something is to go wrong I want you to take the child and get to the Crest and leave.”

“But what about the village? The people here we can’t just abandon them!” You say you weren’t about to run off and hide if the plan fails.

“What matters is getting you two off this planet away from the fight. If this is to fail you’re safer off somewhere in the galaxy than with those raiders who won’t hesitate to kill you both.” His hands are firm on your shoulders making sure you’re looking right at him and understanding his point. “You leave this planet, understand.” You nod silently biting your lip to not spill out any more words. You take the blaster holding it in one hand and he looks at you once last time before you watch him leave with Cara. He better win this fight.

The night was silently the children hidden in the barn, blankets, and baskets surrounding them as you stand by the door the blaster clutched within your hands waiting. It wasn’t until you hear the rumble of what you assume was the AT-ST that you knew that battle had begun. A loud explosion coming from outside made you jump and slight cries come from the children. The sound of gunfire further away filled the night before you felt a sense of panic fill your lungs and you turn just in time as the laser hit the barn.

The AT-ST shot out into the village hitting the homes of some of the villages until one made Omera scream out panic and pain in her voice, “THE BARN!” Mando felt something in him chill as he viciously killed one of the raiders looking back at where the barn is burning only one thought in his head, the kids.

The fire was hot against your skin as the burning planks of wood of the barely held-together barn were floating up in the air. Your hand was shaking slightly as you held the heavy planks and studs as the children ran out of the barn, “Quickly go now!” You yell out sweat dripping down your face. You’ve never experienced this much power before never trying it against something so heavy, seeing the last child out you threw yourself out rolling on the ground as the barn crumbled the flames burning bright. The rain and darkness wet all out of you as you clutched the blaster in your hands. Mando’s voice rings clear in your head, ‘I want you to take the child and get to the Crest and leave.’ but the children crying out in fear quickly took those thoughts away.

“Come on we gotta move!” You shout out holding your hand out and waving the children to follow you, one of them Winta was holding the child in her arms. Leading them through the rain and darkness hearing the battle raging just a few away. Seeing another large barn you rip the door open, “Everyone inside!” You yell as the children run inside right as you were about to enter something snatches your collar ripping you away from the door and throwing you against the mud.

Looking up seeing one of the raiders with a large blade in hand. A crackle of thunder and lightning fills the air as you roll out of the way. Pushing yourself up as the blade swings down where you once laid. The rain and mud made the ground and view hard to see but the glint of silver have you leaning out of the way of the metal. Kicking your leg out hitting him in the chest pushing him back and you look around for your blaster. Seeing it laying on the ground beside him you were at a disadvantage. Pulling the knife from your belt holding it out dodging his swipes trying to strike out being blocked by his blade. His hand pulls on your hair making you fall on the ground you go to swipe out at him but he kicks your knife out of your hand giving you a cut along your arm. You scramble backward in fear as you watch him raise the blade to deliver the killing blow. You quickly raise your hands up to block yourself when you hear him shout and the sound of him crashing on the ground. Looking up seeing him feet away pushing himself up from the mud. You see the blaster scrambling for it as he runs at you, blade raising a yell coming from him. Your hands wrap around the blaster quickly relaxing your arms and pulling the trigger. It hits him dead center and he falls to the ground. Dropping your blaster falling to your back the rain pours down on you as you catch your breath.

Forcing yourself up you wince in pain in your ankle as you grab the muddy blaster and find your knife holstering it. Looking back at the barn and back to where you see flashes of red and the blaster fire from the AT-ST whipping through the village. You clutch the blaster in your hand before racing toward the fight.

The AT-ST walker hadn’t fallen for the trap leading to Mando and Cara rushing into the pond trying to provoke it as well as fight off the raiders, “It’s not falling for it!” Cara yells out using Mando’s pulse rifle to draw its attention. Mando shoots down a raider coming by Cara punching another that was trying to attack him.

“We gotta get that thing to step forward!” Mando yells the rain beating down on all of them, his mind was torn between two places seeing the barn up in flames hoping you all got out safe and stopping this walker.

“I’m thinking!” Cara yells back, the walker looks down at the two of them bright red lights shining down and the whir of the gun preparing to fire down on them. They couldn’t dodge that in time and even beskar can’t take that large of a blast. A crush of metal fills the air and they see the legs of the walker bend in the wrong way, and the turrets of the guns bend forward to face the walker. Mando looks back, his reaction one of shock hidden behind the beskar helmet. The rain pours down on your covered in mud the flashes of lightning highlighting you. Your hand was held out as your close your fist the metal of the walker crushing more before it falls into the pond.

“It’s now or never!” Cara yells out having seen the AT-ST fall into the pond making Mando look back forward only to see you disappear in the rain. Rushing towards the walker charging a thermal detonator plunging it into the walker’s chassis and blowing it up. The explosion of the walker has the few surviving raiders fleeing back into the woods. The village cheers the battle won as Mando tries calming his beat heart the only thought in his head. What are you?

Weeks had passed since the battle, time to heal and to relax. You had expected a yelling from Mando he saw you during the battle when you were meant to be at the barn, but he hadn’t said anything of the sort patting you on the shoulder. You were showered with thanks from the villagers having protected their children and sort. Healing was a bitch though, you felt absolutely exhausted right after the battle sleeping for hours and during that time Omera had tended to you checking on your ankle you strained more, to the cut you obtained. You probably never slept for that long since being taken from Tatooine. But having decent medicine and not leaving to travel allowed you to heal properly. Soon the cut from the battle and the blaster ray during Nervarro had healed nicely scars as a reminder. Your ankle had gotten better after 2 weeks and you were up and at it taking this free time on this planet exploring. Spending your days joining in on hunts with the adults or traveling with some of the few kids around your age to visit large rolling hills of wildflowers or the large waterfalls that covered your howls and laughter. You felt carefree and happy here something you haven’t felt in the seventeen years of your life.

Mando watches the child playing with some of the kids resting against the support of one of the homes, “He’s very happy here..so is the girl.” Cara says as Mando looks further down the road seeing you with a group of teens your age, a wide smile was on your face as you listen in to one of their stories another was braiding your hair in a style he’s seen some of the women and girls in the village wear.

“So, what happens if you take that thing off? They come after you and kill you?” Cara asks and Mando shakes his head,

“No. You just can't ever put it back on again.” Mando says the rule of his creed is strict, the Mandalorian way of never revealing your face has stuck with him since he was saved by them.

“That's it? So you can slip off the helmet, settle down with that beautiful young widow, and raise your kids sitting here, sipping spotchka?” Cara says clearly seeing the connection the Mandalorian had with the woman of this village. Anyone could see it.

“You know, we raised some hell here a few weeks back. It's too much action for a backwater town like this. Word travels fast. We might wanna cycle the charts and move on.” Mando points out, it wouldn’t be long for some bounty hunter or anyone with an eye for a few extra credits to come looking out here.

“Would not wanna be the one who's gotta tell them,” Cara says, the joy on both of your faces enough to warm her heart, just a few weeks of meeting you three to gain an ally and a friend.

“I'm leaving them here. Traveling with me, that's no life for a kid. I did my job, he's safe and she’s better off here than on some desert planet. Better chance at life.” He says, he felt content leaving they were going to be safe here, but the small twinge in his chest was growing tougher to ignore. No, he couldn’t form an attachment it would never end well.

“Come on. Come on,” Cara sighs looking back at the two children and then at Mando who was walking away, “It's gonna break his little heart and she really looks up to you. You compliment her and she’s glowing the rest of the day.” Mando doesn’t look back and keeps walking.

“They’ll get over it. We all do.”

You had trailed off from the group the sounds of nature were calming around as your hands trace the rough bark, the grass brushing along your legs, it felt like a dream. The number of colors was everywhere unlike the sands of beige and tan on Tatooine. The songs the birds sing as they fly to their nest as you come across a clearing where you see a fawn eating the grass while its doe and buck watch over it protectively. You slowly crouch down watching with fascination unaware of the slow footsteps coming from behind a weapon raised to aim.

A blaster bolt rings clear in the air startling the creatures in the forest and the village right beside it. Mando stiffens Omera jumping in his grasp.

“The children!” Omera yells as they rush off to where the children as looking around in fear with some other adults but when he sees them all alright including the child his head whips to the forest.

Mando rushes through the forest his blaster in his hands when he hears Cara’s voice, coming upon a clearing where she is holding standing over a body and his blood chills maker was it yours? He lets out a breath seeing you stand out of his view and looking down at the body your eyes widen still in shock specks of blue blood from the hunter decorate your face. He holsters his gun and comes over to you grabbing you by the shoulders.

“What were you doing out alone!?” He shouts at you shaking you as your gaze is still glued to the body on the floor, he had come to kill you. You almost died. He shakes you again the shock still glued to you, “Are you listening to me?!” He yells and your eyes snap back to his he was sure you were staring right through his helmet, tears were brimming your eyes. He’s pulled off you by Cara as you turn away from the gruesome look trying to calm your breathing.

“Hey calm down,” Cara says to Mando giving him a look before glancing at you who is trying to calm yourself down. He takes a breath his anger for you fading as he steps toward the bounty seeing a blinking fob. He was right..it was going to happen sooner or later. They knew you and the child were here. You were only lucky somewhere was there before anything could have happened.

The sled was beginning to be loaded as the villagers, Cara and Mando load his supplies to be brought back to the Crest. “Are you sure you don't want an escort?” Cara asks willingly to help as they load the final items.

“I appreciate the offer, but we're gonna bypass the town and head right to the Razor Crest.” He says as Cara nods before holding her hand out,

“Well then, until our paths cross.” Mando accepts her hand both holding on shaking,

“Until our paths cross.”

You look at the small group of friends you had made, hugging them each goodbye before stepping away to Omera who smiles holding a small item wrapped in cloth.

“A salve for if you are to gain any more injuries in your travels.” She says cupping your face and trying to wipe off some of the blood that has dried on your face. You accept her gift wrapping your arms around her she quickly accepts the hug,

“Thank you for everything.” You say before you pull away moving to Cara who pats your arm,

“You look after each other alright?” She says and you nod and she rubs your arm.

“Goodbye Cara.” You get a sad smile as you climb onto the sled the child gets a hug from Winta as you watch Omera speak a few words to Mando before hugging him. He pulls away loading his rifle before climbing on as you watch the village grow smaller the villagers waving goodbye as you leave.

The Razor Crest is silent as the child sits in his cradle playing with his small ball while you were sat in your seat, your hands slowly undoing the braids down in your hair. You were happy there and how quickly it was snatched away from you. “Hey kid,” Mando’s voice calls out and you look up seeing him holding a cloth. Unlike the heavy hand, it’s lighter as it cleans the blood from your face. He pulls away putting the cloth to the side as he takes his seat not moving before he looks back at you, “I’m sorry…for yelling.” You’re staring out the window not looking at him, your hair out of the style of the people you grew to know blocking your face from him.

“Let’s just get off this planet.”

[l0thcat]

I keep thinking about TBB and how it ended. Or the whole season i should say, the ending was pretty good with a few flaws ( in my opinion ).

And you know, I'm not surprised, as much as i LOVE this show, I'm used to cartoons getting shit. Its been going on for far too long.

Its Disney AND Netflix. And here is a list of shows that were doing good, got told mid season its getting canceled, and a rushed ending.

Amphibia

The Owl House

She Ra and The Princesses Of Power ( 2018 )

Centaurworld*

My Little Pony G4* and G5

Steven Universe*

OK KO lets be heroes.*

Star Trek Prodigy*

Kipo and the age of the wonderbeasts.

The Mandalorian ( i know its not a cartoon but it has the same vibes as TBB ).

And probably many more. It sucks, so bad, for animation. And I'm saying this because i fully believe Disney or whoever was going to cancel TBB if it already isn't. They just didn't want to announce that.

Other notes:

*Centaurworld ; Was meant to be an ADULT cartoon and very much has left overs from that, however Netflix decided it was too MLP-esc so they made it for kids instead which ended up just being a bunch of fart and butt jokes. And then got canceled anyways so everything had to rush and wrap up in season 2. Which SUCKS because it is so beautiful when it can be and has beautiful music.

*MLP G4 is not Netflix nor Disney and while it did get multiple seasons and an ending, it had new writers during, i don't know, s6 or s7. And things slowly went backwards. And the end felt rushed imo. It wasn't a bad one but it didn't feel.. satisfying.

*Steven Universe ; i love Steven Universe, it was canceled because the creator got an Sapphic wedding AND kiss scene on screen, on a kids cartoon. But they compromised by after the finale they would get a spin off and a movie. The finale is good. Whats rushed here to me, was the spin off. And again, this is not Disney or Netflix, but Cartoon Network.

OK KO and Star Trek prodigy are also not Disney or Netflix ( which apparently Netflix is trying to save Star Trek Prodigy ) but also kicked the bucket.

All this to say ; there is a huge problem within the animation area and I'm tired of CEOs or whoever forcing creators and writers to cancel or shorten their stories.

The Bad Batch s3 is no better in my opinion. I loved a lot of scenes of it and I'm grateful for a lot of it and I'm not honestly sure if this is Disney or Jennifer or someone else but it really hurts.

Here is why it bothers me:

I'll just get this one out of the way first. Tech. Tech COULD have been sacrificed. He COULD have died. In a way that was actually meaningful. Omega got captured anyway, she was probably going to whether Tech went home with them or not. His death IS sad and i DO see them trying to honor it, i do. But its bad to me because it really does feel like "gotta kill the autistic person". Its really annoying when shows try to have an autistic character and then mistreat them ( She Ra 2018 as well but Entrapta didn't die but she does get mistreated a lot ). Its annoying and hurtful. Especially with the writers and such teasing his fans so strongly. There was no reason to. Its not a spoiler.

The TALKS in between that we missed. Tech talking to Phee about Crosshair. Crosshair learning about Tech's Death from Omega. Omega talking to Emerie about her brothers. Crosshair coming back with Omega, we don't even see them just silently watching him walk into the ship. Its just nothing. I'm sure i am forgetting some because it happened, SO much during this season.

What happened to Cody. Like its fine if he's being saved for another series but then perhaps say that.

Creators do not have to be extremely secretive about everything. Fans who don't want spoilers don't go looking for it. I'm not implying they need to spoil the ENTIRE plot, but saying Tech is dead-dead is not something to be secretive about, An hour long finale is not something to be secretive about, etc.

The other Clone X's, while they are very very cool and supposed to mirror CF99... they weren't overly needed honestly. It felt so rushed. Like I'm not saying they needed to be someome either, they don't need to. But i wasn't fearful or full of impact when i saw them my genuine reaction was "this is too much now". It was like if they DID decide to put Darth Vader in it at last second. Like i fully believe Omega was supposed to be home with Crosshair for a little longer and help Echo and Rex with the clones. And then these new CX clones were supposed to show up in s4 and be the ones to get her again.

The fans.. would have wanted.. season 4?...... i don't know why its so bad to want that. And honestly atp, i don't get why its so bad to have plot filler. Its BAD for series that got canceled or shortened, but its not bad for a series that you want more of, because then you get more time with them or more lore if you're lucky.

It occured to me there was not one flash back. Not one about the past. The most was Omega talking about how she watched CF99 be made and that it implied shes older ( and is ) than them. Could you imagine the emotional impact on us and for Omega, watching her, watch them grow up. I don't think Rebels or TCW really had flash backs either but they usually did it in other ways.

I'm not like.. a good writer, so maybe writers on here will disagree and thats okay, I'm open to that.

TLDR: I'm tired of Cartoons kicking the bucket too soon for far too long. I feel like The Bad Batch s3 also had this treatment and it isn't fair to the fans.

[jedi-enthusiast]

My Thoughts on Episode 2

I have now moved into my dorm and gotten more used to college life, so here is the post about Ahsoka episode 2 as promised---keep in mind, though, just like episode one these are just my thoughts upon first watching it. They may change or I may go into further detail on them in the future.

----------

Once again, the scenes just feel...so utterly hollow and flat.

There's no emotion exchanged when Sabine and Ahsoka talk---neither Ahsoka nor Sabine ever actually seem worried- (whether it's about Sabine or the map) -nor do they ever seem stubborn, defensive, irritated/angry, or anything else that you would expect.

Again, it's all just hollow.

----------

I'm gonna be honest, the villains are the singular interesting part of this show for me right now.

----------

LOTH CAT!!!

----------

So, even though other people have literally died by getting a lightsaber to the gut, Sabine is perfectly fine to be sitting up and working on a droid and moving around like...a day or so afterwards?

The fuck?

Even if her surviving is possible- (since other people have pointed out that it is, when taking other things into account) -she shouldn’t be all fine and dandy and moving around! That shit should hurt!

----------

Also, I've seen so many people point to Ahsoka telling Sabine- "no, you've done enough." -when Sabine says she can help as this badass line and saying- "yes, let Ahsoka be angry!" -but, ignoring the fact that there was no emotion whatsoever when she said that...

...how is it badass or "sticking it to Sabine" when she literally goes back to Sabine for the help she offered like an hour later?

----------

Again, Sabine should not be moving like that after getting stabbed with a lightsaber.

----------

"Yes, let's put this whole hospital full of people in danger because we can't be bothered to relocate, because of a timeline that we have not been very clear about---a timeline that may or may not have consequences, because we also haven't been very clear about why the timeline is the way it is or what will happen if it's not followed."

Wow, this show is just...really trying to make me not like or root for these characters at all.

I'm just...wow.

----------

I've said it once and I'll say it again, the villains are the only interesting part of this show right now.

Also, I fucking loved Baylan mentioning Jedi younglings and that little snippet of Jedi culture---the fairytales they were taught.

Although I do think it's fucking nuts that the Darksider, the villains, are giving us more insight into Jedi culture than the actual fucking "Jedi" of the show.

----------

CHOPPER!!!

----------

Someone else explained it better in another post- (I'll reblog and add it here once I actually find it again) -but the guy that's playing the "businessman who's only loyal to his investors- (aka he does things for greed)" -is an actor, who I think is Jewish if I'm remembering correctly, who is known for playing pretty much only Jewish characters...

...I don't think I need to explain how making his character one who does things only for greed is antisemitic.

----------

Again with the Sabine as a Jedi thing???

Non-Force-sensitives can't become Jedi---being a Jedi is being apart of a culture that is specifically centered around Force sensitivity!!!

And Sabine already has a culture, she's Mandalorian for fuck's sake!

Just-

I'm sorry, this whole fucking thing pisses me off---she better turn out to be Force-sensitive and Dave is just retconning that, because otherwise I'm going to lose my goddamn mind.

----------

"I heard your repairs were complete."

Except they shouldn't be because she literally got stabbed with a fucking lightsaber, it should take longer than just about a day to heal---with or without a bacta tank.

----------

I swear to fucking god-

Not this bullshit again.

Please, please, I'm begging, just retcon Sabine to be a little bit Force-sensitive and don't pull some "non-Force-sensitive Jedi can be a thing" bullshit. Please-

----------

"I'm a general, nothing's classified to me."

That's not how that works.

----------

CHOPPER AGAIN!!!

----------

I love Chopper so much istg, I'm at least glad my favorite homicidal droid is back in action <3

----------

LOTH CAT AGAIN!!!

----------

Ok, this scene is reminding me of it specifically, but why hasn't Sabine been wearing her armor? We literally never see her without it in Rebels and being Mandalorian is a huge facet of her identity, why has she not been wearing it?

Once again, I assume this'll be explained later, so I'm trying to hold back my judgement, but if it's not explained later then...honestly it's just confusing.

----------

Wow, so not only was the Jewish actor cast to play someone whose motivation is greed, but they also made him a bad guy...just...wow.

----------

*long sigh at Ahsoka calling Sabine "padawan"*

----------

Oh hey, the big evil bad guy station kinda fucks ngl

----------

I'm gonna be honest, Baylan---again, the bad guy---honestly shows more emotion at there being "so few Jedi left" than Ahsoka---who's supposed to be the good guy, and who's apparently just decided to take up the Jedi mantle again---does.

Also, isn't this show set before the Sequels?

So how are there "so few Jedi left" if Luke is building a new Order that's apparently successful enough to have Order 66 2.0 in the Sequels?

[absentcaryatid]

Seonghwa's Shared Passion

An ATEEZ fanfic by AbsentCaryatid

The reader makes a new friend at the mall, one just as interested in LEGO and K-pop as the reader.

2.2K words, Content note: all ages, gender neutral reader, no reader romance, lots of LEGO mentions, Seonghwa gets San as a romantic partner and the reader is very happy for them.

~

It was the day a life-changing friendship was to be born, but you could not have known that at the time. The lanky man who stood before you bore a staff tag with the name Seonghwa. You had found yourself in his warm presence due to a chance visit to the mall for a quick lunch. With time to spare afterward, you had chosen to stop over at the adjacent LEGO store to see if the 'Dynamite' BTS set was back in stock.

“Still backordered I'm afraid, and no date set for when it might be available again.” As your face fell, the rather stunning clerk nodded sympathetically. “It was a lucky thing I could get mine before the store opened on the day it dropped, a perk of working here, along with the generous staff discount. I'm in the same boat on my Star Wars Razor Crest set though, so I know the production wait can be difficult. Is there anything else I can show you while you are here?”

Picking your jaw up off the floor after recalling the cost of the Mandalorian ship and how much this guy must really like LEGOs, you managed to resume the conversation. “Thank you, no. I devour the online and print catalogs so I'm pretty familiar with all the sets that interest me.” You turned to leave then spun back with a delighted expression. “Actually, I had forgotten I want to work on a new custom build. I like to recreate music video sets from my favorite K-pop groups. Got a little bit behind in ATEEZ releases and I still have to complete last year's final video.”

Seonghwa followed your train of thought with swiftly delivered knowledge on the level of a dedicated fan. “Oh, 'HALAZIA', that one is great.” He even did a little of the hand choreography on the spot. Not particularly smoothly, but Seonghwa was a store employee and not an idol. With a self-effacing little lick of his lips as he seemed to recall what he was supposed to be doing on the clock, he then enthusiastically asked, “You thinking the wet abandoned mall or the stadium for the scene?”

“Eventually I'll build both, but want to start with the stadium because I like the effigy.”

Seonghwa grinned as he made a beeline for the minifigure accessories. “You are going to need this western hat in black then. Wait, forgive me. If you are familiar with recreating scenes for ATEEZ you probably already have the 'HALA HALA' style hat already.”

“I'm not about to raid my 'Say My Name' or 'Answer' builds on display to get those hats so I have been buying them in bulk online every time they show up in a video. Going to need a lot of yellow pennants from the knights range though, and some more drawbridge chains to repurpose.”

With the store otherwise unoccupied, Seonghwa spent the better part of an hour excitedly talking to you as he assisted in finding the best part matches for your planned LEGO build. He impressed you with his knowledge of the full range of specialized parts, an equal to your own expertise from years of play. It felt good to meet a kindred spirit who liked to go beyond the instructions with a hobby of designing free-form creations.

The surprising shared interest in K-pop also had you warming up to the engaging salesperson. You were charmed as Seonghwa felt comfortable enough to disclose his fantasy of being in the popular six-person group ATEEZ. “I like to imagine the idols in a circle dancing to 'HALAZIA' and there I would be in the center right along with them.” The joy left his face. “You probably think I am silly.”

It was the admission that your daydreams ran like that sometimes too which cemented a mutual affection for each other. You became a regular in his store rather than purchasing online, and together would pore over the Pick-a-Brick catalog on his lunch breaks whenever you were nearby. As much as you loved the conversation, you were concerned he needed time off the subject. “Are you sure you are okay with talking LEGO parts over lunch? That means you’re not really getting away from work.”

Touched by your thoughtfulness, Seonghwa beamed and lightly placed a hand on your shoulder. “This is working on a hobby with a friend. We can call each other friends by now, right?” From that day onward you would meet up outside the store for comfortably platonic meals out or visiting each other's homes. Star Wars content and music videos became a typical reason to find yourselves together when not consulting each other on various LEGO projects.

As he again admired the collection of music video dioramas scattered around your apartment, Seonghwa had been the one to suggest sharing photos of the custom builds online. He was convincing and soon you decided to go for it. Immediately popular, the images made the rounds in both LEGO and K-pop circles. Seonghwa was tickled to discover he was credited as a consultant from the 'HALAZIA' model onward, and the next development had him over the moon.

Your latest one-of-a-kind project depicting the 'Bouncy' flaming saloon set got re-tweeted by the ATEEZ account after Yeosang mentioned in a YouTube live that he had seen the impressive photographs. Seonghwa proudly told everyone in sight at work the next day that he had been in charge of procuring all the lights and the little LEGO goat at minifigure Hongjoong's side.

Getting official recognition from KQ and the members themselves felt amazing, but the high was not to last. Seonghwa had some news about rising in his career, and as a dear friend you should have been happy for him.

Holding your hands as he sat across the dining room table at his place, Seonghwa explained the situation. “I'll still be working with LEGOs, but I'm leaving sales work.”

At first you were excited. “With all your building experience, are you going to be a LEGO Certified Professional like you've talked about? Been thinking about doing that myself. It seems like such a cool job getting the budget to dream up massive sculptures for events.”

Seonghwa did that habitual thing licking his lips again, a sign you had learned to recognize as anxiety. “Actually, I have been putting off telling you this, but the job is in LEGO's global headquarters in Denmark. I'm moving to Billund at the end of the month.”

While you tried to be stoic, you were sure he could tell the reaction was mixed as he shared more details of the promotion. This was no mere desk job Seonghwa had qualified for. To become a master builder for the company was an incredible honor and very competitive, but the cost of losing his presence was hard to take.

Wanting to do something special for your friend before he left, you booked Seonghwa a session at the glamour photography studio a few storefronts down from his shop. The few times you had picked him up after work he had often mused about getting one of the K-pop makeover sessions when walking past the studio. Although he played it off as a joke at the time, you had sensed there was a serious longing there.

When you presented him the certificate for the makeover and portrait package he hugged you the longest he ever had. Once pulled back, “Thank you,” was all he could manage, but there were tears of joy in Seonghwa's eyes that said everything.

True friend that he was, Seonghwa convinced you to share the experience because being silly together was far better than alone. So after a significant amount of coaxing on his part, and a promise of dinner out afterward, the two of you agreed anything goes and put your hair and eyebrows in the hands of the artists.

Grinning at each other through the mirrors at the styling stations, you watched Seonghwa transform. He always had been attractive, but in the hands of professionals he looked like a real idol. Gone were the Angry Bird eyebrows he had regularly joked about, now elegantly shaped. Seonghwa's natural hair color had become a white-blond, and between shading and other makeup effects he had become truly stunning.

While you would love to say your transformation had been as dramatic, Seonghwa seemed to be a perfect canvas in a way you did not, but that was okay. It was still a lot of fun, especially together. You were very glad not to have missed this opportunity. It was probably the last day seeing him in person before taking him to the airport within the week.

Hair and makeup got you halfway into character as idols for the day, but trying on various outfits for the photography session completed it. Shared laughter helped reduce your awkwardness when posing, but it was Seonghwa who really took to modeling. He had always seemed poised, but watching him go through a variety of stances and gestures gave you the feeling of watching a pro at work. It was not only you, the photographer herself commented on it in a way that felt genuine and not just part of the service. The resulting portraits alone and as a duo memorialized the fun day.

Far too soon after that Seonghwa was physically gone from your life with his relocation to Denmark. Thanks to technology you could still build together over video calls at least monthly. It took some trial and error but eventually you learned wearing a microphone helped your voices carry over the sound of rustling plastic bricks. As good as the time together was, you were sorely feeling the loss of fully being together in person. Not just his warm hugs, but there was something about Seonghwa's laughter and smiles that were not fully conveyed online.

On one chat you observed a new decoration in his home, hanging behind your friend as he talked. It was a large poster with a mostly familiar image. The six-member team of ATEEZ had surprisingly grown to eight. Seonghwa and another man had been edited into a shot on the 'HALAZIA' stadium set. The spacing was a little wonky after Seonghwa's new neighbor San had used photo editing skills to flip vibrantly red-haired Wooyoung onto the other side of the lineup leaving room to insert the two new fantasy members, but to Seonghwa it was a prized possession. The poster commemorated not just his dreams and time with you getting the K-pop makeover, but also a growing closeness with San who stood alongside him in the revised image.

Meeting San had been such a boon to Seonghwa. The hesitation originally felt over moving to a new country was eased significantly when he had the great fortune to encounter another fellow K-pop and LEGO enthusiast in his apartment building. Even if the Star Wars collection was not San's favorite, no man was perfect. You had listened eagerly to weeks of Seonghwa's developing crush on his neighbor. While some people might have felt replaced, you knew your friendship was as strong as ever, and if anything, it would be great to know yet another person who shared your passions. The way Seonghwa's face lit up every time he spoke of San left you genuinely happy for him.

When Seonghwa hesitated to ask him out, you finally recommended he have San over for dinner as thanks for easing the transition to the new city. Fortunately, San had a similar level of interest and was able to ask Seonghwa out over the course of the successful evening. You cheered as Seonghwa's giddy texts came in afterward, thanking you profusely for helping him along.

It had been over a year since he had left the mall store when Seonghwa suggested you use some of your vacation time to visit Denmark. It took little convincing before you accepted. You missed your best friend, and also there was the matter of wanting to meet the person who had won Seonghwa's heart. The plane ticket would be expensive, but at his partner San's urging the couple decided you had to stay with them while in the country. Going to the LEGOLAND theme park with the lovebirds was a day you would remember forever, but there was one thing even better.

You had thought the LEGO museum would be the trip highlight. Instead, it was getting a tour of the LEGO headquarters where Seonghwa worked. The whimsical environment changed your life. From that point on you changed your career path from LEGO Serious Play facilitator doing corporate training to any role that would lead to your own employment in Denmark. Excited by your plan, Seonghwa had some suggestions for departments best suited to your skills.

It took time, but being reunited with Seonghwa as his newest neighbor after your own move to Denmark was the best feeling ever. Commuting to LEGO headquarters together and working side by side was a dream come true. Things were just as perfect at home. Just as you were not threatened by San's romantic role in Seonghwa's life, kindhearted San was just as warmly understanding of your deep platonic love for his partner. The three of you three of you remained best friends forever, united by shared interests that had brought you and Seonghwa together in the first place.

~

General Masterlist

Masterlist of Stories with No Reader Romance

[rwritingblog]

Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Rewrite (And My Relationship With Star Wars)

So I'm a fan of Star Wars which if you know me isn't surpising. What is surpising however is the fact that I'm not a lifelong Star Wars fan. Of course I knew of Star Wars, everyone knows Star Wars but for most of my life I hadn't watched a single one of the movies or seen a single episode of The Clone Wars.

I can't tell you what made me decide to watch Force Awakens in 2018 but I did. And then I watched The Last Jedi, got about half way through. Not because I wasn't enjoying the movie but because it made me want to watch the others. That didn't work at as well because I didn't know what order to watch the movies in. The first Star Wars movie is called Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope while the fourth one is called Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.

You can see where the confusion came from.

When I did figure it out I'm not going to lie it didn't capture me at first and Star Wars kind of faded out of my life for the next few years.

2020 was an odd year for everyone I'm no different. I was 17 years old who had just moved to an entirely different state in August the year before leaving all of my friends behind. I hadn't made any new ones and lost contact with my old ones. Bad year to be 17 honestly.

Now around this time a show I don't know if you've heard of, It's called The Mandalorian btw, was airing it's second season. Twitter was on fire and I didn't have anything better to do so I watched both seasons.

I fucking loved it.

Went back in watched the Original Trilogy and loved every second with them. My reaction to Darth Vader revealing he was Luke's father was this meme.

I'm not joking ethier I literally gasped and then said this meme out loud to myself.

I also had a blast with the Prequel Trilogy and the Clone Wars series. I even bought a lightsaber with money I had been given for my 18th birthday. (Yes I do in fact know how to do the obiani spin.)

And it's been four years now and I can't say any Star Wars media has captured me like the Prequel and Original Trilogies, the first two season of The Mandalorian, and Clone Wars did. (Andor and Rouge One are exceptions.) And that kind of upsets me because I fucking love this franchise man. I really do. (The cancellation of The Acolyte has not helped the matter honestly.)

There are two reasons this post and any other post I make on my Sequel rewrite.

A simple writing exercise

As an expression of love

I may not like Star Wars as it is today but I'll always look forward to what it'll be tomorrow. Force Awakens and The Last Jedi may not be my favorite part of Star Wars but they were the first Star Wars thing I saw. And for that I will always have a deep love for them and the characters within them.

With all of that out of the way. Let's Rock & Roll.

The Inspo & More!

The thing that inspired me to think about a Sequel Rewrite was the youtube video Star Wars - A Critique Of The Sequels by DX . specifically when he talks about the worldbuilding. He asks questions about where the First Order gets the money and man for their bullshit and my mind went into overdrive. It had already been rewriting Reylo scenes and going on rants about Rey's character. Thinking about the First Order seemed like the next step.

In my version of the sequels the First Order isn't a rebel group but a nation with it's own territory, laws, and govenment. The reason for this was simple; we haven't seen a war between nations in Star Wars yet. The Clone Wars was a civil war and so was the rebellion. This would be new ground.

How did the First Order Form?

Was a question I asked myself and to find the answer all I had to do was think about what would logically happen after the credits rolled on the Original Trilogy. The Outer Rim is kind of always left to the wayside by galactic powers, making it the perfect place for a now former Admiral of the Galactic Empire to hide from New Republic authorities.

It is also the perfect place for a sith to hide.

Say this Admiral, let's call him Val Snoke, meets a young sith woman named Darth Malith while hiding out in the Outer Rim. Together they form a team and take control of the Outer Rim and Hutt Space through cunning and trickery all with the goal of reforming the Empire with themselves at the head.

They also manage to grab hold of old Empire territory the New Republic hadn't gained a stronghold in. Making the First Order one of the most prominent forces in the galaxy. Darth Malith is the diplomat who runs intellgence while Snoke is responsible for the day-to-day military operations of the First Order. The Rule of Two is in full effect here.

By the time the sequel trilogy starts the First Order and the New Republic has been at war for a quite a while.

I had a section about Rey but I deleted because I hve thoughts and none of them make sense. So I'll make a whole other post just for Rey (and Kylo).

See You Soon,

Rebel

[hellhound5925]

Alright so here is something a little different for you all! I hope you like it! Please let me know!

I’m writing a new Fic under the same name as my Captain Rex one but this time it’s a Bad Batch version. If it goes well I will keep writing it. Let me know what you think!

Cyare Verd *Beloved Warrior* Bad Batch edition

Chapter One

Honestly.....this is quite literally the last place I want to be. One time, and I mean one time Cid THOUGHT she was doing me a favor and I owed her. The only thing Cid did for me was get me a job. I happened to be one of the 'lucky' ones - if you can even call it that - when the Empire bombed Mandalore. Needing the money, I guess Cid thought a favor meant throwing my life on the line for her benefit, while paying me enough to put fuel in my ship and replenish SOME rations. Cid was never my favorite, but we do what we have to do. I have a skill set she wanted and she had something I wanted.

Out of the blue she calls saying she's got a job that needs my help. I said no naturally, but then she reminded me I 'owe' her. I know damn well I could storm in there and take her and her mercs out myself...however, she does pay and I wouldn't mind some dirty work. "Fine....I'll be there in 2 rotations", "You'd better be quicker than that, I haven't got all day", the woman makes my blood boil..... "Alright, alright, Udessi (Calm down), I'll be there by morning". I end the link before she can say anything else. I really have no interest in conversations further with her.

I ready my ship (a Kom'rk class fighter also known as the Gaunlet star fighter) or the jump to hyper space. The only reason why I told her 2 days was to get under her skin. We both know I could be there as soon as I want but honestly? I love butting heads with her. I swear if this mission doesn't pay well or pan out, I'll ruin her...

————

Having spent an unfortunate amount of time at CID's before I was used to the ships coming to and from Ord Mantell. However, this time there was one I did not recognize. It looked to be an Omicron-class attack shuttle but it was definitely modified. I land my ship next to it, and head over to admire it.

I take a walk around the hull of the modified Omicron, stopping at the front to use my HUD to scan it. Standing with my hands on my hips I let out an impressed hum. "Not bad. Looks like someone did all the work themselves. Quite impressive" I say flipping my range finder back up.

"That would be because I did it" Says a voice behind me. I spin around, drawing my dual Westar-35 blasters aiming them at the source. I'm met with an individual in black and red plastoid, datapad in hand, "I'm of no harm to you" he says putting up the visor to reveal goggles. His big bright brown eyes give me a once over, "Mandalorian. It's a wonder there are any left after-". I cut him off with a loud sigh and reholster my blasters before storming off toward Cid's. I immediately start to feel bad for the poor guy. My reaction was not really called for, but the loss of my home...of Mandalore, is still raw. The open wound, being pressed by a stranger who likely has no idea what's it's like was rather irritating to me.

————

Cid's Parlor is loud and crowded - as usual. I made my way to the bar where the blue Twi-lek bartender who I haven't seen in ages immediately recognized me. "Long time no see. I was starting to think you wised up" she joked. Poor girl always listened to me complain, but I'm probably the only person here who has ever shown her any sort of kindness. "Unfortunately I'm a little low on rations to be wise" I laugh. A rather large, obnoxious man comes over to me "Wow, that must be real Beskar.......Wonder what kind of price someone would pay for th-th-that...." He slurs a little at the end. I eject my vibro blade from my vambrace and press it to his neck "Try to take it from me and I'll find out how much someone will pay for your head" My words laces with venom. The bar tender laughs and slides a shot across the bar at me. I let go of the man who was rather caught off guard. Some of the other patrons at the bar are starting but I could careless. People usually stare when they see 'one of my kind'. "Don't mess with Mandalorians" someone says across the bar. I glance down and see another group of men in black and red plastoid - must be the poor guy from earlier is with them.

I slide my helmet off, letting my blonde hair fall. Placing my helmet on the bar top, I take the shot. The bartender nods over my shoulder and I sign knowing what's coming. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes" Cid says throwing an arm over me like we are old pals. I roll my eyes "I'm not here because I want to be. Lets get on with it" I grumble. "No 'Hi Cid, how are you?'" She asks. "Nar'sheb (shove it)" I say with a polite smile on my face. She has no idea what I said to her but there's a snicker from someone close by.

————

"You know some day that attitude of yours is going to get you in trouble" Cid scolds me. "I'm not here to discuss my 'attitude'. What's the mission?", Cid stands behind her desk and crosses her arms "Fine, I need you to help out a group of fine gentlemen." She starts to explain. At this point I'm losing my patience "I work alone". "Not this time, look I'm sorry about the last job alright? You needed the credits, I had a job, but this time will be different I swear. These guys could really use someone with your skills. Dooku's private stash is being relocated by the empire and I want you to help them get as much as possible". The fact that she said Empire had my attention and attitude immediately shifts. "I thought you might like getting back at them and I promise I'll give you 20%" she continues noticing my mood lighten. "35 and it's a deal" I counter back. "Hey! I gotta pay those other guys too. I feel I'm being quite generous", "Fine 20%, Now who are these guys?", "They call themselves the Bad Batch. Wait here I'll go get them" and with that she heads out the door.

I set my helmet on her desk and lean against one of the book cases lining the wall. I fiddle with my gloves and my vambrace until the door opens. Cid, followed by 4 men - one of which was the guy from the landing zone - and a kid? Each of the men remove their helmets to reveal their faces. Clones? I stand up straight and rest my hands on my blasters. “Take it easy there Mando these are the good guys” Cid rolls her eyes after seeing my body language. The kid strolls over to me - clearly not intimidated at all - and sticks out her hand “Hi, Im Omega”. I quirk a brow at her before offering my hand, “This is the part you tell me your name” whispers Omega. “Right, Ni ceta (sorry). I’m Raven” I finally tell her. Her boldness takes me by surprise. I like this kid. Omega looks at the others who are standing there in silence. She nods my direction, and the largest one of the 4 pushes past, “I’m Wrecker! I like to blow stuff up!” He says very loudly. I shake his hand which compared to my hand - even with gloves on - looks like it could crush mine. “Wrecker, I feel that last part was not necessary” says the one from earlier - still holding a datapad. “I’m Tech by the way. We met briefly earlier” he continues. “Look I’m sorry about-“ I start before he cuts me off. “No need, it was rather insensitive of me to speak to you that way”. This causes the other two - one with a skull tattoo on half his face and the other with a socket for an arm. “So that modified Omicron is yours then?” I ask causing the one with the tattoo to now look at me. “Actually it’s my ship, the Marauder. I’m their Sargent, well was their Sargent and this is Echo.” Echo waves at me with his socket arm and a soft smile. I nod, “Look, no offense but whatever this mission is I can promise it’s dangerous. I don’t really feel like bringing a kid along with us is going to be a great idea” I say gesturing to Omega. “Hey! I go on plenty missions!” She protests. “Look, Omega. I like your spirit I do, but your a kid. I’m not going to let something happen to a kid” I explain to her. “She goes with us” Hunter says in a gruff voice, putting his foot down. I can see a little of myself in the way Omega is looking at me. She seems like a smart kid but I’ve seen enough damage the Empire has done, I’d hate to see this kid caught in the middle. I choose to say nothing and shake my head. “Let’s get on with it, shall we?” I ask grabbing my buy’ce (helmet) and sliding it over my head. With that, we all head out to the ships.

————

When I start heading towards my ship, I hear someone call out to me “wouldn’t it just be easier if we all rode together?” Omega asks. I stop and turn around “How do I know you won’t leave me behind?” I ask. I don’t really trust these guys. I mean how could I? The clones - even though it was at Palpatines hand - were the reason the Republic fell and we are in this mess. These guys seem different but I don’t have a reason to trust them. Omega, almost like she is reading my thoughts says “you can trust us, we aren’t like the others”. The others. I scoff to myself. Without saying anything I head up the ramp to my ship, gather a few things, and come back out to see Omega standing where I left her. The rest of the group must have gone to their ship. “I knew you’d come around!” She about jumps for joy before leading me onto the Marauder.

Omega shows me to ‘her room’ and tells me I can leave my bag there. I’m a little hesitant at first but I don’t have any other options at the moment. The only things in this bag are a couple changes of regular cloths and some rations. I’ve not got much to lose that isn’t my beskar these days. She then gives me a brief tour of the ship, ending at the cockpit where Hunter and the rest are talking…about me. Well, I didn’t actually hear them say anything specific, but by their body language and the way Hunter stiffens before he even saw me told me everything I needed to know. I decide to speak up, “I know you don’t trust me and that’s fine. We don’t have a reason to trust each other but once this mission is over and I’m paid I’ll be gone. You won’t have to worry after that”. They all glance at one another except Hunter, he’s watching me. “That seems reasonable” Tech says very matter of factly.

Seeing that there are no more available seats, I sit on the floor leaning against the wall. “So what’s the plan?” I ask a sliding my buy’ce (helmet) off. “Get to Serenno and scout the area.” Hunter says without looking over at me. I sigh, “That’s not much of a plan but I can improvise.” I hear a clunk and look over to see a curious Omega with my buy’ce (helmet) - she almost dropped - in her hands. “Sorry” she says when she notices she’s been caught. The rest of the batch turns to see what she had done. Hunter frowns and looks as if he was about to scold her, I give him a look before turning to her. I smile “It’s alright, you can’t hurt it. It’s already got a lot of scratches on it”. This kid makes me soft and I don’t know why. I mean she is just a kid after all. She turns it over in her hands, “where did you get it?”. Before I can answer Tech is already explaining it, “Mandalorian armor is passed down through families. Sometimes it is even reforged for the wearer.” Omega looks to me to confirm the story and I nod. “Not many people know much about my people, how is it you know so much?” I asked Tech. Wrecker lets out a loud sigh “ughhh you had to ask…” Tech gives him a looks “You see, I spend much of my time doing research and as you may know we are clones of Jango Fetts.”, “Yeah but you guys don’t look like the others” I point out. “We are….well….different. Each of us had a unique genetic modification. Wrecker is brute strength, Hunter had enhances senses, I have high intelligence, and Crosshair-“, “He’s with the Empire now” barks Hunter, interrupting Tech. “What about you?” I asked Echo. He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, “I was originally with the 501st under General Skywalker. There was an accident and I was blonde up, capture by the techno union and they made me mostly machine”. Hearing his story pulls at my softer side, “Ni ceta (I’m sorry)” I say to him. He gives me a soft smile.

“Woah” Omega interrupts the mood - thank Maker. She’s got my buy’ce (helmet) over her head, which quite honestly is kinda funny. It’s definitely too big for her. “This tech is outdated. You know, Tech could make some upgrades to this if you wanted” her voice sounds kind of funny through the modulator. I mull it over for a second, “We’ll see kid” I laugh at the image of her tiny frame with the giant buy’ce (helmet) on. I notice Hunter is watching the exchange between her and I out of the corner of my eye. I can tell by her silence she is playing with the HUD. “So how do you know Cid?” Omega asks. “You’re quite the curious one aren’t you?” I point out. She giggles and shrugs - still wearing my buy’ce. I sigh sadly, “After…..Let’s just say I was in a rough patch and needed some credits. Now I prefer to bounty hunt, but I refuse to work for the Empire”. Maker why am I spilling my guts to this girl? She’s a kid. This is probably the most I’ve ever talked about myself to anyone other than Cid. Which I know now was a mistake. Omega - reading the room - slides off my buy’ce and sadly looks at me, “Something bad happened didn’t it?”, I sigh again “I’d rather not get into it”. Hunter turns back around in his seat facing the front window. I glance over his direction this time. “What’s his deal?” I ask Omega. She looks fondly his way, “He’s really protective of me, of us really. He’s my family”. “Hold on to that kid. It’s special” I say to her. She looks at me with a smile.

I decide to lean my head back against the wall and close my eyes for a moment. I feel someone approach and a tiny head lay in my lap. I glance down to see Omega curling up to me, with my helmet still in her arms. She trusts too easily. Some day that might hurt her….like it did me….the only difference is, she’s got them and I had no one. Let’s just hope that’s enough.

Next Chapter

***A/N***

Thanks for reading! This is a little different than my last Fic but I thought I’d throw something else out there. I didn’t find a whole lot of Hunter Fics and definitely not one with a Mandalorian OC or reader so I figured I’d give it a shot. Let me know what you think!

[lol-jackles]

Have you seen season 2 of Good Omens? Honestly and season 1 I would hardly call it a masterpiece or perfect. It was just fun, sweet and kind. And the biggest plus is the cast - Michael Sheen and David Tennant. They are both extremely talented and charismatic. And they are the ones who carry season 2. The rest of the characters, although not bad, but they don't catch on. And the biggest problem is the plot. When the story revolves around the main characters the series is interesting to watch, but when the focus shifts the feeling that the series sags. Also glad that for the first time in the series we got canon(?). Of course everything didn't end happily, but the tie-in for season 3 was necessary. And in a way, I'm personally happy with this finale. Otherwise everything would have looked too sugary and unnatural. So a certain drama is maintained and that's a plus. And of course it's funny to watch the anger and frustration of the hellers who still think they've been robbed of canon from a couple who were never originally involved in each other, much less interested. Unlike Aziraphale and Crowley. Though I'll be honest, I never thought or expected them to be a couple. It takes season 3 to become a couple though. And here's my main problem. With all things considered, is all of this enough to get a season 3? I think with everything I wrote above, the series may not be renewed and I would be truly sorry not to get the story of Aziraphale and Crowley's relationship. What are your thoughts and bets?

I enjoyed season 2, though I remember thinking while watching the first four episodes "are they ever going to get to the point?". I was getting impatient and kept thinking how so many of these tv streaming series are better off as 2-hour movies (Kenobi, third season of The Mandalorian, etc).

And then it finally got to the point, it was about love.

The love between Gabriel and Beelzebub reminded me a bit of the love between Sam and Dean: selfish and honest. Gab and Beel only care about themselves and each other, they didn’t want to deal with Apocalypse2.0 and they didn’t want to protect the humans or earth. And yet Gabe and Beel showed that love could be easy if you're honest, so it was easy for them to give up everything for each other.

Aziraphale is not selfish, he is willing to give up everything he loves - his bookshop, his food, even Crowley - just to save the earth. He also wants to make heaven into the good place it should’ve have been, and he thought giving Crowley back his angel status is what he deserves, because Azi have seen over and over again the good Crowley has done and that he's actually good. But Azi doesn't understand that isn't what Crowley wants, who makes it worse by not doing a good job communicating this to Azi. Granted, they both were not truly listening to what the other is saying because they already made up their mind before the conversation started. Crowley believes Azi choosing heaven over him while Azi believes Crowley, by rejecting heaven, is also rejecting him. Despite what Azi believes, he still "forgives" Crowley.

Those two have a lot to unpack, which is all a set up for season 3. With that said, the "sad" "bittersweet" ending kind of saved the whole season for me because otherwise, as you said, it would have been too saccrhine and unnatural-ish and why I was getting impatient for the show to get to their point.

I agree the characters other than Azi and Crowley were ....just there. I was glad that Nina and Maggie didn't end up together just yet since Nina is on a rebound. Crowley thinking all it takes for human to fall in love was getting them wet and looking into each other eyes is never going to be not funny. Crowley, are you sure you didn't know Jane Austen was an author and not just a master spy?

Will Good Omen get a season 3? I read it was the #1 comedy on Amazon so the odds are in their favor. Unlike season 2 which didn't really have a story arc, they set up season 3 to be a callback to season 1's Apocalypse storyline with the Second Coming, so a foundation is already established.

[gudhoomanbean]

Stowaway Chapter 2

AN: Hi everybody! Let's goooo next chapter. I'm still busy setting things up, setting the scene, but getting Din and you to interact was definitely fun. I hope I'm able to stay true to who Din is as a character while also cracking that tough shell. Lots of slow burn and tension to come, because thats the BEST part :P. Let me know what you guys think! And should I make longer chapters? It would take longer to write and post, but if you'd prefer that lemme know :)

Warnings: Description of weapons, some tension, some swearing.

Word count: 2074

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The silence is suffocating. You just sit there for hours upon hours, with nothing to look at but a shiny helmet, green ears and the lines of stars streaking by. You don't know how he's able to sit so perfectly still for so long. And the awkwardness you feel is slowly eating away at your self control to stay silent. Eventually you can't stand it anymore.

"Am I a prisoner?" You ask, pretty sure you are, but not able to think of another question to break the silence.

That continues.

You're pretty sure he heard you. Is he ignoring you?

"Mr Mandalorian sir, I need to pee." You try again. This time you see his shoulders slump slightly, but you still don't get a response.

"I'll uh, just go downstairs then." You say, getting up. You slowly sidestep the chair while watching the Mandalorian for hints of movement. He stays stock still. You keep retreating backwards, and startle a bit when you hear the hiss of doors opening behind you. You retreat further into the next cabin and wait until the doors hiss closed in front of you and you lose sight of the Mandalorian.

For the first time in hours you're able to take a deep breath. You climb down the ladder as best you can with bound hands, and then turn to look at what you now have to assume is the urinal. Obviously this ship was not made to cater to anybody that doesn't stand up and pee. You stare at it very hard, wondering how on earth you're going to manage to relieve yourself.

"This is ridiculous." You mutter. You look around, wondering if there is possibly another solution. Your eyes land on a small round bucket type thing, and you shrug to yourself. You're no stranger to having to do things the hard way, or the gross way. Growing up on a small farming planet taught you to get your hands dirty, and your time spent as a combat medic for the Resistance made your stomach strong.

So you grab the bucket, pull your pants down, and crouch. And oh sweet stars it feels good. You hadn't realised just how much you needed to go until now. When you're finished you pick up the bucket and empty it into the useless urinal. Flushing it makes a loud sound that you're sure can be heard all the way up in the cockpit.

But if he's going to ignore you, then you're going to take advantage of it and try to amuse yourself down here. Now that one basic need has been fulfilled, you find yourself noticing another. You're so kriffing hungry. You take in the hull before you.

You didn't notice how cluttered it actually is on your way in, you just noticed wide open space in the middle. But the walls are full of stuff. Parts for the ship, nets, containers filled with who knows what. And to your left is a large locker. You move forward to open it up, your curiosity getting the better of you.

As you open the doors you gasp slightly. Every weapon known to the galaxy has got to be in here. You can't even tell what most of them are for. What on earth does someone need such a variety of weapons for, you wonder to yourself.

Turning slightly you notice a little storage locker. You press the button and it slides open, revealing a cot and a net hanging above it, that looks like a make-shift little bed for the kid. This must be where they sleep. You think about sleep, but shake youself. As tired as you are, your hunt for food is not yet over.

You start to dig through the containers, opening the smaller ones first. You're surprised at just how much of it is scraps of metal and parts for the ship. You're pretty sure you could build half a ship with all this stuff. By the time you're opening your fifth box to only find tools, you're starting to lose hope you're going to find anything edible. You groan and rest your head against the container.

"What are you doing?" A gruff voice asks close by. You jump up almost hit your forehead on his helmet. He was bending over you when he spoke, and you hadn't realised he was so close. You stumble back a bit, heart pounding.

"Are you one of those species that eats metal? The only thing in any of these containers is scraps and parts and tools." You ask him, flustered.

"Do you always answer a question with another question?" He asks lowly, taking a step towards you. You huff and hold your ground, not going to allow him to intimidate you further. You stare at him, almost challenging him.

"Only when I have important questions to ask." You say. He takes another step towards you, and you suddenly realise just how tall he is. He's close enough that if you leaned forward a little, your forehead would rest on his chest. This forces you to look up at him, and you have to actively control your rapid breathing. His proximity is slowly eating away at your resolve to not be intimidated.

"Then ask an important question." He says quietly. You suck in a breath at the implication. Like you haven't asked an important question yet. Anger bubbles up inside you, but you remain calm, knowing he's trying to rile you up. He tilts his face lower, and you can feel him looking at you through the helmet. You stare at the dark T shaped visor where you think his eyes are, willing yourself not to blink.

"Food. Where can I find food." You ask, and it comes out as a mumble. You internally kick yourself for sounding afraid, knowing you just lost whatever this interaction was. Not looking away from you, he points and your eyes follow to a container against the opposite wall. The little one right at the very top. You look back at him, and he still hasn't moved an inch. You stand there for a few more minutes until You realise grumpily you won't win this standoff especially not with your stomach beginning to eat your liver. So you take a step back and walk over to the container.

You open it and see a couple packets of rations, and while it isn't restaurant quality, you're just so glad there is actually something edible on this ship. You pick one up and open it, trying to work with your hands still cuffed and shaking from hunger. You pop a cracker into your mouth and almost forget to chew, practically inhaling the nutrition. You turn around and find the Mandalorian still staring at you.

You realise you didn't ask if you could eat the food. You blush a little in embarassment, scolding yourself for your rudeness. He didn't throw you in Carbonite, so as much as you want to fight back against his intimidating presence, you have to remember to at least be somewhat grateful to him. There was nothing that stopped him from turning the ship around and dropping you back at the transport, but he didn't.

"Am I going to stay cuffed the whole time?" You ask, and the little part of you inside that just scolded you for being rude throws a massive fit and almost walks out on you. You were supposed to say thank you. The Mandalorian doesn't say anything and only walks towards you. He stops again in front of you and you lift your hands up a little. He bends closer to you, and you feel your heart beating against your chest like a war drum.

He doesn't stop moving closer, and you're so shocked you don't remember how to move or breathe. You just stand there and stare at him with big eyes as he leans in, so that there is barely 10cm between the two of you. He continues to look down at you and your heart sits in your throat. He lifts his arm and you watch out of the corner of your eye as he reaches around you and grabs two packets of rations. He then pulls away from you, turns around and walks away, climbing the ladder and disappearing.

You stand there for a while, dumb struck. You're not sure what happened to your body in that moment, but when he was so close to you your mind just started to short circuit. You stare at the ladder where he disappeared and sink to the ground, absent-mindedly munching on your rations while pondering the great mystery of the armoured man.

What were his intentions? Why did he let you stay on the ship? Who was he? Your head was spinning with all these unknowns, and you wondered to yourself exactly who's ship you got on. You finish your rations and feel your eyes start to get heavy. At least now you know you aren't in immediate danger, so maybe some shut eye isn't so bad.

You remember seeing scraps of cloth and blankets in one of the containers, and you get up to go and pull some out. You grab a reasonable bundle and make yourself a little nest on the floor, knowing that you easily get cold. You wrap yourself up and drift off the minute you get settled.

~~~

Din climbed down the stairs with Grogu in his arms. The kid was tired and so was he, but with a stranger on the ship he was not going to be able to sleep. He reached the bottom of the stairs and saw a bundle of blankets on the floor. He walked over and saw your forehead peaking out through a gap in some of them. He contemplated you, this strange person that snuck onto his ship without him knowing.

He had to admit, you were good at being sneaky. If he hadn't gone into that chamber and seen your heat signature through the wall, he would never have known you were there. That also reminded him that he needed to be extra cautious. He couldn't let it happen again.

Grogu suddenly wiggled out of his arms and slid to the floor, waddling over to where you were lying. He pointed at you and looked up at his dad, his eyes full of questions. Din didn't know what to tell him. He knew nothing about you except that you were a stowaway, you worked for the New Republic and you were a doctor.

Were you really only on this ship because the transport was dead in space? Din had seen the state of the ship and was inclined to believe you, but years of experience warned him to be cautious around you, because anyone could lie. You were absolutely going to stay cuffed until they reached Nevarro. Grogu started to climb into the blankets and Din reached forward to stop him.

"Hey, no. That's not your bed." He muttered, trying not to wake you. He picked up Grogu who made an upset sound and reached out to try and get back to the blankets. Din couldn't blame him, you made a little bed that looked comfy as hell, but he didn't trust you, and couldn't let Grogu sleep there. He carried Grogu to the compartment with the cot and opened it up. He placed Grogu in his little hanging bed and patted him, waiting for the kid to fall asleep.

Eventually Grogu's breathing came in long deep breaths, and looking behind him, Din saw that you were also still passed out. He decided to stay here, and lie down on the cot so he could watch Grogu, and leave the door open so he could watch you too. Climbing in he lay down with a soft grunt, the aches from sitting in a chair for hours starting to feel slightly better.

And so Din stayed like that, watching his son, and watching you. Wondering what the next few days would hold, and thinking about how much he secretly had enjoyed making you so flustered when he had gotten too close. He smiled only slightly to himself, knowing that eventually you would learn that if you challenged him, you would lose.

The rhythmic breathing from his son and from you started to lull him slightly, and before he even realised he had sunk into the dreamscape.

[leresq]

Rewatching the Sequels; some notes

The sequels do a good job of showing how brutal the First Order is in a way the original trilogy never showed. These are supposed to be space not-sees and the sequels were the first to display their cruelty

Watch the Stormtrooper Paradox on YouTube, it explains my shared gripe of the idea that First Order stormtroopers are child soldiers being brushed off.

Kylo Ren is cool idgaf what anyone says. Phasma is cool. Hux is cool. Pryce is cool. The Praetorian Guard are cool. If you disregard everything else about Snoke he's cool. Btw they wasted Smoke, it would have taken one writers' meeting to come up with something better.

I didn't like how the Mandalorian just took Baby Yoda out of the plot line I thought wrapped everything up nicely but now I realise if Baby Yoda stayed with Luke then the implication is Ren killed him so nvm :)

Dave Filoni's work is really helping bridge the gap between the original and sequel trilogies

The battle of Crait although just a rehash of Empire Strikes Back is too cool to discount

The fact that Poe, Finn, and Rose's plan was the reason nearly half of the transports heading to Crait were destroyed was really interesting. If they hadn't separated they wouldn't have met DJ, and DJ wouldn't have told the First Order the plan. I wish they'd have given some guilt to the characters tho.

Holdo's sacrifice is super cool but I'm not sure about the scientifics of it all.

Being in the way of that battering ram should have given Finn some nasty burns at the very least, it was melting through metal.

Are Force projections mental or visual?? Because Ben and Rey could see each other but I don't think Luke saw Ben in the hut, which means it would have to be mental. Also C3PO saw the projection..? Palpatine had to be connecting Rey and Ben, not Snoke. If someone as powerful as Luke died by projecting himself, then there's no way Snoke would have had the power to connect two entirely different people.

Kylo Ren should have seen that the projection was fake because Luke has his lightsaber, which he snapped in half just thirty minutes ago. It could be miswritten, but I see it as Ren being so enraged that he didn't notice.

I wish they wouldn't have killed Luke, but I thought they did it right. I cried rewatching it, and I've seen the movie three times before this.

"Snoke trained you well." "I killed Snoke. I'll kill you." "You killed Snoke? Damn that's a shame, well good thing I got a jar of them right here!"

I don't mind force healing and blaster freezing, I just wish they'd tuck it into the story more neatly.

They did Rose dirty in ROS

I know Jakku already existed in legends, but Pasaana could have easily been Jakku or Tattooine.

Was the C3PO disrespect supposed to be funny? It wasn't.

Zorii should have died, her surviving literally served no purpose to the story, in fact he death would have served it better.

Domhnall Gleeson's acting is some of the best I've seen in Star Wars.

Rey Palpatine is stupid. It would have been nicer if Rey was just a nobody who became special because of her actions and determination, not bloodline.

Kylo Ren being stabbed by Rey and surviving actually makes sense because I can imagine the wound would be cauterised long enough for Rey to heal it

I think it would have been a satisfactory end if Rey and Ben Solo died

Some people are Finn x Rey, some people are Finn x Rose, we all know the truth is Finn x Poe

It's a shame Daisy Ridley's career hasn't had much luck, she's a good actor.

Rey should have said "Just Rey" in response to the old woman. She's taking agency of her own identity and not letting it be based off what other people tell her. She's not a Solo, she's not a Skywalker, she's not a Palpatine, she's her own person now.

The sequels just seem like they would have been better written by someone on AO3. They're not abysmally terrible, it's just hard to look past their shortcomings. The music, acting, and animation are the best parts.

[nimata-beroya]

MY THOUGHTS ON THE MANDALORIAN - Chapter 18 "The Mines of Mandalore"

Days late, but here it is my impressions about the latest episode. It was so great that reduced me to a screaming mess, especially with that ending. I still cannot believe it!

As I've watched the episode a few times already, this is going to be more my general thoughts on what stood out more for me than reactions to every scene. I should apologize in advance, because I'll get a bit rant-y on some points (about the fandom, not the show).

So, let's begin…

I love that Din did a pit stop in Tatooine and visit Peli (I love her so much). It was obvious that she was his go-to to find the circuit for IG-11. I've seen people complaining that that bit of trying to fix IG-11 in the previous episode is irrelevant now if Din was getting R5 anyway, and honestly, it makes me shake my head. Haven't any of you watched the trailers? We KNEW Din would fly the N1 with R5-D4 docked in the astromech port. It was obvious (to me, at least) that he was going to use him to navigate to Mandalore. Besides, astromech were made exactly for that function. IG droids were not.

I know that there's the thing about Din trusting one (1) droid, which gives all the feels, but that of bringing IG-11 back won't go to waste. I think IG-11 will be fixed anyway to be Nevarro's new marshal, which fits much better with his original function, don't you think? That'd be great because it'll mean we'll see him again and again as long as the show continues.

I wonder how many languages Peli speaks, because so far we've seen her speaking Basic, droid, Jawaese, Rodian, Frog, whatever it was Dr. Mandible spoke, and I assume she speaks Huttese too. She's a human universal translator!

And Grogu is going to say his first word this season and going to be dad, buir, or an equivalent. It'd be funny if he goes from babbling incoherently to perfect speech in a night. Extremely unnerving, but funny as hell.

Another thing I've seen in other reviews is that some people didn't expect Din going to Mandalore so soon. I was not among those. I think it's perfect. And for what we saw in the trailers, that should've been obvious too. People might think the footage in the trailers covers the whole season. I got news for you, my darlings: it does not. It covers only the first half of the season (just like it did in season 2). So, considering that, Din wasn't going the entire season going from here to there before getting to Mandalore. Remember that this season also is somewhat setting things up for Ahsoka and is upping the stakes. It's no longer only Din and Grogu anymore.

My heart melted completely when Din said "Our people" talking to Grogu about Mandalore. The whole scene is amazing. Not just because of Din including Grogu as a mandalorian, but also because we got more tidbits of his childhood. He confirmed what I suspected; that he's never lived in Mandalore, just in Concordia. And, we got a geography lesson, making canon that Mandalore and Kalevala are in the same system.

Grogu was a ball of anxiety the whole episode, first when Din sent R5 to get the readings, then when Din got kidnapped (me, too), and because of the bird-lizard thing that went after him. Poor baby!

But I can't help laughing at how fast Grogu convinces Din of anything. Repeated knocking or a whine is enough for Din to give in.

An episode where Din doesn't get his ass kicked is not a Mandalorian episode, and like in the premiere he wasn't, he got a double dose in the second 😆 And I like that he still struggles with the darksaber. We need Sabine to train him!

Live-action Mandalore, I love it. It's both beautiful and haunting, the way the crystallized rock resembles explosions. I love the design of the wreckage city, that you almost can see how it was before, especially if you've seen TCW and Rebels (mostly TCW, bc Rebels was set outside Sundari, and in Krownest).

What the hell was that thing that tried to bleed out? take bone marrow? from Din?! I don't know what it was, but first, it sounded a lot like Grievous; and I guess it needed Din's fluids to function/survive. All I know is that it was creepy as hell and well sure it didn't help Din and his trauma with droids.

Grogu being able to control his own pram is the best!. I thought at first that he was moving it with the Force (maybe for going forward) but then I realized there are controls for him in the front.

I must say that even when I'm not a fan of Bo-Katan, this episode made her bloom as an even more complex character. I love that for her. It's obvious that she has plenty of regrets for all she did in the past, but my beef with her is that, sure, she sees now all the mistakes that were made by all Mandalorians, but she hasn't spoken out loud of her part in it. She always speaks in general terms of Mandalorians but never say I did this, I was one of those, except to say I was the ruler and the Empire came and defeat me. She distances herself from her worst mistakes. Not that it isn't a normal human reaction, but it'd be nice having her owning her mistakes.

Putting my personal feelings about her aside, the scene of Bo battling that thing was awesome!!! So badass!!! The ease with which she wields the Darksaber is satisfying to watch. My favorite part is when she slides underneath the droid and cut it open. So cool!

It didn't occur to me until I heard it in a YT video, that when Bo says she didn't embarrass her dad when she took the creed might not mean that she usually displeased her dad and that specific day she didn't, which is how most people took it as. Maybe what she meant was that she DID take the creed while Satine didn't (because of her pacifist ideals), and therefore, embarrassing their father. That it's an interesting theory. I like it. It'd add more flavor to family drama (as if it didn't have enough of it 😆)

Deep down, I knew Din wasn't going to take his helmet off to bathe in the Living Waters, but he would take the rest of his armor, so he didn't sink, exactly like he did. That scene is both beautiful (as he recites the vow) and funny (the moment he sinks). Then fears hits, and I first wondered how he sunk so fast! The only explanation I can find is that the mythosaur pulled him under.

And OH MY GOD!!! The reveal of the Mythosaur was AWESOME!!! As soon as I saw the tusks, I lost it!!! This is when I became a screaming mess. I couldn't believe one of my wildest theories was true!! Since last year, when the Armorer said that the mythosaur would rise up to herald a new Mandalore, I had the feeling that Mythosaur were down in the mines, or at least one. I can't believe I was right!

[sailorsol]

Okay. So. There were a lot of interesting things in the Ahsoka series, but I still think my idea would have been a better premise, and tied a lot of the elements presented in the series together better.

We start at the end of the Rebels epilogue, with Ahsoka the White showing up to get Sabine to go on a quest. This is not long after Return of the Jedi, so we're talking ~4 years after Ezra vanished with Thrawn. Ahsoka says, hey, I have this Idea. Ezra saved my life by pulling me through a portal in this World Between Worlds. He got there through the temple on Lothal, which isn't an option any more.

But there are other portals. We know that there are other portals. We don't necessarily know where they are. So let's have Ahsoka and Sabine go off on a quest to find another one of these portals. Sabine can maybe get some Jedi lessons from Ahsoka, but I'm not sure I'm totally down with her being Force sensitive. I dunno, it could go either way on this, because also we've seen the portals needing more than one Force sensitive. We can draw this out for a while, have some of the Mandalorian stuff going on in the background, maybe Sabine having to make the choice between going to help her family or continuing to look for a way to bring Ezra back, and her dealing with the guilt of what she felt like was maybe the wrong choice.

In the background, maybe Morgan is still trying to find Thrawn, whatever. But Baylan and Shin? They're basically doing the same thing as Ahsoka and Sabine. Not for the same reasons, of course, but now we have the antagonists. Eventually we find a temple they can use to access the World Between Worlds, and Ahsoka goes in. Maybe she can have an encounter with Anakin and come to accept that he was Vader, but he had been her master too, and while she too had the potential for darkness, it was always about Choice. Anakin always had the potential to be a great Jedi, but he chose otherwise.

Ahsoka finally finds the right portal in the World Between Worlds. She finds the portal that will let her snatch Ezra off of Thrawn's ship in that moment before it goes to hyperspace, when it's too late for Thrawn to stop it from happening. A lovely parallel to Ezra saving Ahsoka from Malachor. But okay, now Ahsoka brings Ezra back out. Let's say it took them a few years to find a temple. It's 7, 8 ABY? Maybe later? But Ezra is still 18, still very recently lost his master, was just prepared to basically sacrifice himself to save Lothal.

And now here he is, in a world where the Empire has been defeated. Where Hera has a son. Where Leia is a senator and her planet is gone and Luke is trying to start a new Jedi Order and oh by the way, Master Kenobi and Master Yoda are both actually dead now. The world has moved on without him, but for him no time at all has passed. And sure, maybe Thrawn has found some way to get back, and now Ezra is sitting there wondering if he made the right choice.

Always about Choice. Sabine's choices, Ahsoka's choices (compared to Anakin's choices), Ezra's choices. Baylan and Shin make choices too--is Baylan trying to find a way to go back in time to save the Jedi? Who knows. But we could have had so much more depth and still end up with a similar result and a lot of the same world building and mythos building with a more logical story line.

Sigh. Someday I'll be a spec writer.....