#but my heart breaks with the idea that Grogu

[thollandneedy]

Princess Leia Situation- Peter Parker

A/n: I always wanted to write this one, since i watched Friends for the first time. I hope you guys enjoy!

Warnings: Sexual but not a smut; Cursing; Awkwardness

Summary: Y/n tries out a sexy costume for Valentines day, but it goes wrong

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Bellah’s Masterlist 🪻

Peter's bedroom door was closed, as he needed privacy at that moment. Peter's mouth descended slowly between wet kisses and hickeys on his girlfriend Y/n's neck, while the girl guided his head down her sensitive body with her hand. The girl could feel the slight pressure between her legs, and her boyfriend's heart beating hard against her chest.

The sexual air was very palpable, but lately Y/n seemed to be preoccupied with routine sex. Apart from the fact that it had already been an argument with her boyfriend, the girl had been searching every day for ways to improve their sexual relationship, but no idea seemed to be enough.

They had tried positions like 69 or a tantric massage, but nothing seemed to please Peter very much. Since they had started having sex in their third month of dating, he had always tried to show off his skills or introduce different objects to stimulate his girlfriend better. The brunette wasn't hard in bed, but he liked to learn more about his tastes every day by trying different things on his own or with Y/n.  St. Valentine's Day was approaching, as was the anticipation of a fuck he would never forget.

"'Babe?" Peter caught the eye of his girlfriend, who seemed to have lost her way.

"Hmm?" Y/n focuses her eyes on Peter, who looks at her with a slight smile.

"What were you thinking?" The boy uses one of his fingers to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, then kisses her. 

"Just about your Valentine's Day present. I want our night to be perfect."

"My darling." Peter looks at her lovingly. "Don't worry about it. It's already going to be perfect because it's you, so whatever you have planned, don't put so much pressure on yourself." 

"I know." The girl let all the air out of her chest as she replied, still staring at the image of her boyfriend with a white blouse clinging to his muscles. 

Fuck, he was so damn hot

"Sorry to break the mood. Can we go back?" The girl asks, receiving a silent affirmation in response.

Peter melted into Y/n's lips once again, bringing one of his hands up to the girl's exposed thighs and squeezing. His fingers were dangerously close to her crotch, causing a sly moan to be uttered. Y/n's body seemed to vibrate at her boyfriend's touch, making her raise her waist in search of the intimate touch she so desperately needed.

"I'll take care of you, love." The brunette slid his fingers between the girl's legs, letting all her worries go to waste when he found that perfect spot. 

(...)

Valentine's Day, and she still hadn't thought of what to do.

It seemed like everyone on earth had an idea for later, but she hadn't planned anything much, since Peter was going to cook for her in his apartment. Y/n woke up mentally yelling at herself, because as well as being in finals week, she hadn't liked the present she'd bought for her boyfriend. The white bag on her desk in front of the window was a reminder.

I shouldn't have bought a Grogu mug, Y/n thinks.

The silence in her house was customary, but she realized that she had woken up two hours before her lesson, giving her time to watch television and eat cereal like a child watching a cartoon. The girl in the pink sweater and slippers got out of bed, headed for the kitchen to prepare her cereal and watch Friends, as she did almost every day. Letting the streaming channel choose a random episode, she ran to the cutlery drawer to get a spoon, and finally settled down between pillows and a warm blanket. 

At the end of the episode, and the cereal, his brain exploded with the best idea he could have come up with. With an optimistic smile, Y/n kissed the television and laughed.

"Rachel Green, you're a genius. I love you" The girl in pajamas says to the screen, and runs to her room to change.

Later that day, in the apartment left by May so that Peter and Y/n could spend the night alone, the girl was tapping her feet frantically. The spaghetti bolognese seemed to go down her throat like water, not even giving her time to chew it properly. The lights were off, with only a few candles that smelled of pine cones. Peter, with a worried frown, asked:

"Are you in a hurry?" The brunette laughs to himself, and can hear Y/n's heart beating faster when she is asked.

Y/n brings her eyes up to his, staring at him with her mouth smeared with red sauce. The girl silently denies it, letting out a laugh covered by a napkin. Peter leans against the table, reaching out with the napkin to wipe the rest of the sauce off his girlfriend. The girl smiles, looking down at her black-heeled feet and long-sleeved burgundy tube dress. 

"You look beautiful today, you know that?" Parker compliments her.

The girl lets out a nervous laugh, looking down at her handbag on the kitchen worktop. 

Oh, fuck me

"You look wonderful as always." Y/n returned the compliment to her boyfriend, who was wearing a black polo shirt.

The student picked up the glass of white wine in front of them, raising it with the intention of making a toast. Coughing dryly, Y/n copied his boyfriend's action, smiling forcedly at him. Parker had never been much of a drinker, but he couldn't deny that wine always helped him calm down before sex, or even put him in the mood when he wasn't.

"Here's to us. May we spend every future Valentine's Day together from now on." The brunette said, causing a shy smile from his girlfriend, who still had her legs flapping under the table.

"To us" The girl clinked glasses, then drank the wine in one swallow.

"Shall we go and exchange gifts?" Peter stood up, picking up the two empty glasses and empty plates from the table covered in a gray cloth with gold details.

There was no escape

"Umm, of course! That's it, let's get to the presents. Of course" The girl straightens her babylissed locks and puts them to one side. 

Peter sits down in front of her at the table once again, but now with a small black and white bag with a red handle. As much as he would have liked to hide the brand of the bag, any woman could recognize that it was from Sephora. 

"I snooped through your Sephora bag, but you had more than 100 items curated and I still haven't been promoted to work in another area with Stark." Y/n laughs. "So, I preferred to give you this" Peter hands the bag to his girlfriend, watching her expectantly as she opens it.

"Peter! I really loved it." Y/n smiles as she finds a highlighter and a Fenty gloss. The girl stood up, walked over to her boyfriend and hugged him.

"Well, yours..." Y/n looked once more at the bag that held the mug. "It's not here right now." Y/n tries to explain.

"You can give it to me later, love. No problem." Peter nods.

"No! It's not that, I need you to wait in your room, so I can give you the present."

Peter makes a curious face, but not for a million years would he turn down a sexual offer as a Valentine's Day present.

"All right" The brunette heads for his room, closing the door and waiting for the gift his girlfriend has prepared. 

Shit! Fuck!" Y/n looked in her other bag for the mysterious gift she had rented from the costume store the afternoon after her last lesson. Stumbling over her own heels, the girl locked herself in the bathroom at the end of the corridor, cursing herself for coming up with such a miraculous idea at the last minute. 

Her hands tried to add a bun to her hair, securing it with bobby pins that fell to the floor because of the cramped room. 

"Shit!" Y/n curses as she loses the clips on the floor, then bangs her head against the sink.

The gold bikini seemed small in relation to her breasts, so she tried to make them fit without them slipping out of the factory. Her hands tried to make them fit, but every now and then, the knot on her back came undone, or one of her breasts slid to the side. When she looked in the mirror, her hair still didn't look the way it needed to. The side bun looked more like a bird's nest than a space bun. Groaning in discontent, Y/n grabbed her cell phone from the closed toilet and tried to do another type of hair that wouldn't cost her soul to make it perfect.

Peter, on the other hand, was undressed on his single bed, trying to find some position to receive his girlfriend. He didn't want to look like a sexy fireman on a calendar cover, but he didn't know where to put his hands, or even if he was going to cover himself with the rumpled sheet on his bed. 

A few minutes later, he was distracted by his cell phone, which was vibrating with Twitter notifications. As long as Y/n was taking, his lack of concentration meant that 15 minutes passed too quickly. Lying on his stomach with a pillow on his chest, the brunette commented on posts and was distracted by memes that appeared on his timeline every five minutes he slid further from the beginning.

"Peter?" Y/n's voice called his name, causing the boy to drop his cell phone and leave the shooting game he was playing on his cell phone.

"Yes?" The brunette lay down on the bed, covering most of his body as if he were already ready for bed, and switched off the main light in the room so that his lamp would be the only source of light in the room filled with posters and books.

Peter's bedroom door slowly opened, revealing his girlfriend's body in the most iconic Star Wars bikini. His girlfriend's breasts were perfectly embraced by the golden part of the bikini, while her waist was covered only by a long red skirt with golden details at the top. Her hair was in a messy braid, but nothing really said how Y/n looked. Even though many of the details were poorly finished, and especially the top was too small for her breasts, Peter looked at her as if she were too perfect for him. The boy cracked a slow smile, and his eyes seemed to pop out of his face with every step closer to his girlfriend.

"Y/n" Peter said, processing the surprise his girlfriend had given him. And without even realizing the movement of his body, one of his hands went to his mouth in an expression of surprise.

He hated it

Oh my God

He hated it or he thinks I'm pathetic

"I know! I know, it was a stupid idea, I'm sorry." The girl closes her eyes in frustration and shame. "I bought you a grogru mug, but I wanted to do something better because you always make everything for me so perfect, and I know how much you like Star Wars and I thought it would be cool to do the same as Rachel did in Friends and" The girl is cut off by a quick kiss.

"I don't have the hots for Princess Leia, but you look stunning." Peter holds both of the girl's hands, looking her up and down.

"Really?"

" Yes." Peter smiles. "And by the way, I broke my favorite mug last night. I really needed another one." The brunette smiles, which is answered by a loose laugh from his girlfriend.

"Aren't I an idiot?" The girl shrugged, looking at herself once again.

"Not at all." Peter replied, using his index finger to lift the chin of the girl, who watched him with innocent eyes. "Are you going to let me put my lightsaber on you now?"

"PETER!"

[theidiotwhowritesthings]

Howdy, so I don't know if you have seen The Last of Us, but if you have, you know the scene where Joel saves Ellie from the hospital and he just ploughs through everyone and its like wow -///-

I just think it would be a really cool like drabble if this was a Din x reader fic? Only if you wanted to write it though!! Also I'm so happy that I'm on your taglist for inevitable because I jump to read it every time that I see that I've been tagged, it has me in a chokehold and the way that you write the reader is so damn good.

Your writing is something that brings comfort to me every week, and the way you interact and talk to your followers is so sweet. I love coming back from a stressful day to sit down somewhere comfortable to enjoy your work.

Anyways thanks for reading this ramble of an ask and I hope that you're doing well :)

[a/n]: combining some stuff here! this is for the anon who asked for this scene AND for @cockscombkingdom who asked for a fic in Din's POV where he takes care of reader and keeps her safe. I started with the plan to make this very sweet and fluffy and I'm not gonna lie a little darkness seeped into it. my bad.

also in case it isn't abundantly clear i am a joel miller apologist thx

Din Djarin x Female!Reader

Warnings: Violence, death, injuries, mild dark!din (if you squint and/or have a problem with murder)

Word Count: 1,440

Summary: You were selfless. You gave and you gave and you gave. The universe planned to only take more, but Din Djarin would be damned if he let it.

LOOK FOR THE LIGHT

.

"you'd just come after her." -Joel Miller (TLOU)

.

Din was worried about you. He was always worried about you because you were always on his mind. It couldn’t be helped. Somebody had to because it seemed like you were perpetually too worried about everyone else. Din admired that about you. He always had. You went out of your way to help anyone and everyone who approached. You had a heart that was always willing to give, and it left you too little to use for yourself.

When the two of you first began traveling together, he noticed that about you. Sometimes you’d get so preoccupied watching Grogu you’d forget to eat. Peli had once put you to work, organizing her tools as part of the payment to fix the Razor Crest, and you had been so focused on getting the work done well that you had taken no breaks and ended up dehydrated and weak under Tatooine’s hot suns. It’s why the mission he was delivering you to made such simple sense to him. You were special, is what you told him. Din knew you were special, felt it, but it was for very different reasons. According to you, there was something in your blood, some type of cell, that could cure a lot of people of some terrible, terrible disease spreading through a world in the Outer Rim.

Din tried to keep his distance from you. Tried to not get attached. But you were so selfless, that it naturally brought out his protective side. He couldn't help but care for you, but caring for you as a responsibility had quickly turned to loving you along the way. Din didn’t know a lot about love. Didn’t have much experience with it, lust was easier to grasp, and that left him confused most of the time. Din had no idea how to express what he felt for you, how to explain it in words, so he did the only thing he could do. Din took care of you. Kept you safe when he stopped to pick up quarries, made sure you remembered to eat and drink water, reminded you to go to bed and when you would eventually forget anyways he’d carry you there himself. Din didn't know what love was supposed to feel like, but what he did know was that being without you made his heart physically ache and protecting you brought him happiness. 

Maybe that’s all he needed to know.

‘It’ll be okay.’ You had promised him with a smile that made your features glow. ‘Shouldn’t take long.’

That had been hours ago. Din delivered you to the medical facility as he had been hired, but when you hadn’t come back out he sought after you. It’s why he now sat in a small room, Imperials flanking the door, as he simmered in disdain. Something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong.

“Mandalorian.” A man stepped into the room. A doctor from the looks of it with thin, round rimmed glasses. The name ‘Pershing’ pinned to his lapel. Din stayed silent. “I was under the impression that you had been paid. Was there an issue?”

“No.” Din replied. “Where is she?”

Dr. Pershing paused and shook his head as if confused. Din tilted his head a bit, an obvious threat in body language, and the doctor was smart enough to realize this. He nervously cleared his throat. “She is being prepared for her operation.” Din narrowed his eyes in confusion. You told him they’d just need your blood. “There is no reason for you to stay.”

“I promised her a ride back.”

There was a tense silence that filled the room at his words. Din watched the doctor squirm where he stood and he needed no further clarification. He shoved up from the table, prepared for a fight, when the Imperials leveled their own weapons at him before he could reach his blaster.

Dr. Pershing held his hands up in a placating manner. “She will be a hero. After we drain her of all her blood, we can make a cure. There’s a 65% chance this will work and save the people of this world.” Din was fuming under his armor. Drain your blood? They were going to kill you. They were going to kill you for something that only had a 65% chance of even working. “She will not be in pain! She’s been put under! She will not feel a thing, and we did not scare her with the news.” Din staggered back as if he had been physically hit. Was this man saying… Dr. Pershing confirmed Din’s thoughts. “We did not tell her this would kill her. We spared her that misery. She went under anesthesia peacefully.”

The words echoed in Din’s head loudly. As if a bomb had gone off right beside him and left him deaf and blind. He walked on autopilot as the Imperials escorted him through the building toward the exit. They were going to kill you. They were going to kill you for a shot in the dark cure. Din was literally paces to the door when his boots stilled. The Imperials shoved him, tried to get him to move, threatened to shoot him, and then Din snapped.

With the practiced precision of a bounty hunter and Mandalorian who spent most of his life in a fight, Din spun and cut down the Imperials in one swift movement. The darksaber glowed angry in his hands, casting threatening shadows down the hall. Never before had the sword worked so well for him, but as Din marched through the facility it was practically an extension of himself. Blaster fire pinged off his beskar and he did not hesitate. If a person stepped into his path he eliminated them. Cold. Ruthless. A predator. Din stalked the medical facility searching for you, and he left a wake of death and destruction in his path.

When he finally caught sight of you, through a window into some kind of clean room. Din felt his heart flutter in his chest. The first twinge of emotion since starting this rampage. It was a reminder of why he was doing this. A reminder that his actions were necessary.

Din stormed into the room, his eyes not leaving your unconscious form as you laid on a table in a hospital gown. The staff in the room panicked in a flurry, and one of them⏤ maybe the doctor maybe a nurse, Din didn’t even register who the kriff it was⏤ rushed him in a poor attempt to stop this onslaught. Din cut them down without blinking. Without taking his eyes off of you. The second you were in his arms, Din felt marginally settled. He wasn’t going to lose you, couldn’t lose you. Din had sworn to himself that he’d take care of you, it was all he knew how to do, and he wasn’t going to stop for the sake of anyone.

Not even the sake of a world.

As Din carried you out of the building it occurred to him that he may be dooming an entire population of people. This world’s chances of survival were dropping from 65% to 0%. He knew that he should care. He knew that this information should bother him. That it should make his steps more hesitant and make his chest ache in indecision, but it didn’t. His choice had never been more clear to him. It was either this world or you. Din was choosing you. He’d always choose you.

When back on the ship, Din had only carried you a few steps when gasping could be heard. He turned around to see Dr. Pershing at the end of the ramp holding a blaster at him. The man was breathing hard, face red, as if he had sprinted all the way here to stop this from happening. Din had to admire his dedication. The man believed in this cause so much he was willing to go head to head with a Mandalorian who had just single handedly cleared out a medical facility. 

“I can’t let you do this.” Dr. Pershing snapped. “You’re dooming this world if you take her!”

A blaster fired. Dr. Pershing stumbled back, a hole in his chest, and Din held his blaster firm in his hand. Your legs draped over that arm had hidden his weapon well. A strangled gasp left the man’s lips and he collapsed into a motionless pile. Din shook his head, responding to a dead man’s words, “I don’t care.”

Din would protect you under any and all circumstances.

 Was that love?

[tintinwrites]

say it somehow | Din Djarin x Reader

Request: “Maybe it’s the first time they have ever really been in a fight and they aren’t quite sure how to apologize after. Of course they do apologize. It can be as fluffy or smutty as you feel comfortable! Thank you so much! I appreciate it!” - Anon

A/N: I hope this is good for you! This is what came to my mind when I thought on this request…and there can absolutely be a smutty and/or fluffy part two where they finally really say what they mean :)

Rating: T

Warning: Canon-typical violence and injuries. Angst. Some naughty words.

Word Count: 2,664, apparently!!

Summary: You and Mando fight for the first time and apologize in your own ways.

GIF Credit: ^^^^

You knew Mando meant it when he told you to stay on the ship with the baby, but you saw how big the quarry was. You were there, in the cantina, and you saw with your own eyes that he was with a group of men that were just as large as him.

Mando was a skilled fighter who seemed to be able to get out of any situation barely harmed, but all you could imagine as you watched the baby sleep in his hammock was your companion getting smashed into the ground by several men who could snap him like a twig.

And it scared you. More than it should have, really, considering you were just his companion.

You knew that’s what he viewed you as; a glorified babysitter at best, a slight burden that he had to take with him at worst. He’d never treated you like the latter, yet the thought would creep into your mind when he had to get you food or help you in any way.

Not that he needed to help you that often. By no means were you as capable as him, but you had some combat training and you could easily hold your own. It’s just that everyone needed a helping hand at some point, and in your opinion, he was included in ‘everyone’.

He was more important to you than ‘everyone’.

You were moving before you could think, grabbing a blaster and making sure Grogu was secure inside the ship before you started the trek back to the cantina where you left Mando. Your heart was pounding so hard you could feel it as you considered the idea that you may be too late, that you were going to find nothing but empty armor and a still helmet.

You were half-relieved and half-terrified when you found them all outside of the small building; bulky, towering Mando, who had never looked so small before. His armor usually made him out to be so imposing, but not against these guys.

You ducked behind a forgotten landspeeder as you listened in, counting four men including the quarry himself. They were angry, yet calm. Telling Mando it would be in his best interest to keep walking and to let this one go.

Movement in your peripheral vision grabbed your attention and you saw a fifth man, just as big as the rest, sneaking quietly behind Mando.

They weren’t going to let him go without a scratch even if he gave up.

If you called out to warn him, the other men would pounce. If you tried to shoot the fifth man, it would likely end in the same result.

You took an idea from their book and started to sneak closer to the cantina, hiding behind landspeeders and crawling by dead bushes, pressing your back against the building when you made it there and slowly sliding across it behind the oaf. You saw a crate used for transporting goods turned over by a door, likely where the owner or their staff would sit to take a break, maybe to smoke some spice.

You reached for the small dagger you kept in a compartment under your pants before you put one foot on the crate, using it as momentum to fling yourself onto the giant man’s back with an unfortunately attention-grabbing cry.

The breath was knocked out of you as your chest hit a back so firm and muscled it was like running into a wall. You nearly slid off him, but you managed to wrap your arms around his thick neck.

Mando turned to look and stumbled back at the sight of the extra man, quickly pulling out his blaster and putting himself in a position where he could view all five of them.

Then he saw you. His helmet snapped up and you were sure he wasn’t thrilled, but you couldn’t think of it now.

You kept one arm around the man’s neck so you could use your free hand to sink the knife into his shoulder. He roared in pain and easily flung you off before you could pull your weapon out, sending you flying back.

All hell seemed to break loose as you slammed into the ground and slid a few feet back in the dirt, trying to press your hands into the dry soil to stop yourself from going further. Meanwhile, the other four men had descended upon Mando who was using his dodging skills and good aim to escape their hands and fists.

You didn’t stop until your back hit a stack of crates, which crashed to the ground all around you; all you could do was lift your arms above your head to keep from getting hit detrimentally, hissing in pain when the crates would smack your scraped palms.

When the rain of crates faltered and you could gather your bearings, you could see the man you attacked was stalking towards you. A glimpse behind him showed Mando had taken down the quarry, but was trapped in the grip of another.

The man before you ripped the dagger from his shoulder like it was nothing and you flinched at the accompanying squelch, stumbling over crates as you tried to move to your feet quickly.

Not quick enough. A hand gripped the back of your shirt and lifted you into the air, tossing you in the opposite direction where you landed a few feet away from Mando and the others. You heard him call your name, and looked over to see two of him and two of the man that was holding him, watching as he managed to ram his helmet back into his assailant’s chin.

He called your name again, this time as a warning, and you looked back to see a dagger coming towards you.

You rolled out of the way just in time for it to slice through your pants on your outer thigh, slicing you just enough for it to hurt like hell. It was better than having the blade in your thigh, though.

He made a swipe at your face and stumbled when you leaned out of his reach, giving you the opportunity to fumble with your blaster. You missed the first shot, but the second one hit him square in the face. He froze in place for just a moment before his shoulders slumped and the dagger fell from his limp grip, and he started to fall…toward you.

You squeaked and rolled away just in time for him to fall beside you with a loud thud. Two down, two to go.

Various parts of your body protested as you rolled onto your knees and staggered to your feet, finding Mando in a fight between the last two men. The one he’d hit had blood dripping down his chin, so you knew he would be a little disoriented. You decided to take him, as Mando gathered an insane amount of strength to flip the other onto the ground.

Two blaster bolts went off at once and then all was silent.

You smiled in relief and turned to go to Mando, but he swept past you to assess the quarry, presumably to see how he could get him back to the ship. “That was one hell of a fight, huh?”

He didn’t respond. Mando was quiet, but he usually didn’t ignore what you said unless it was some joke he couldn’t bear to admit was funny.

The air felt thick and awkward, and you were becoming acutely aware of all the parts on your body that hurt as you holstered your blaster. You stood for a moment, shifting on your feet, before you moved to help Mando with the body.

That was when he stood and you had to step back to make room for him, wanting the planet to swallow you whole for some reason as he just stared at you for a long moment. “I told you to stay on the ship.”

You blinked for a moment then raised an eyebrow. “Thank you so much for helping me take down five men twice my size, especially the one sneaking up on me. Oh, you’re welcome, Mando, it’s no trouble at all.”

He just sighed in a more frustrated way than you’d ever heard before and shook his head, turning his attention back to the quarry.

It felt…weird. He’d never been angry with you, not really. Annoyed, sure, but this quiet anger seemed to just be rolling off him. He wasn’t the type to get properly angry and neither were you, so you’d usually be calm and gentle with each other.

That was why you liked him so much. He never snapped at Grogu and he never lost his temper with you; it was attractive to you, just like his humor and his voice and all those other non-physical things he allowed you to know about him.

Only a few seconds ticked by, but you found your own anger blooming with each passing one, maybe because you were offended. Maybe because you were hurt.

Maybe because you looked up to him and admired him and wanted him to think of you, but he seemed to think you weren’t capable of holding your own.

“You clearly needed help and I’m perfectly capable of fighting, you know that. I’m not fragile.” You crossed your arms over your chest.

He was quiet for a moment, shoulders tense. “I didn’t say you were.”

“Oh, really? So you’re acting like a jerk because…why?”

He stood to his full height again and spun around to face you. “Remember that you travel with me. I gave you an order and you disobeyed me.”

Now your anger fully bloomed; is that what you were? A subordinate that he used for tasks he deemed small enough? “You’re not my superior!”

“If I tell you to do something, it’s probably in your best interest to listen.”

“You don’t know that! I didn’t listen this time and what happened? I kicked ass—”

“And you got hurt.”

You looked at your scraped palms and the bleeding gash showing through your pants, scoffing slightly. “So what? You get hurt all the time.”

“You got hurt,” he said again, tone different in a way you couldn’t read beyond your own anger.

“So what?!”

“It’s different.”

“How is it different?”

“It just is!” His voice was raised, not quite a yell, and he sighed again as if he was trying to back down.

You were too mad, shaking your head. “If it’s not because I’m incapable, then what is it? Everyone gets hurt, that doesn’t make me a bad fighter or something, so what is it?”

He didn’t answer and just stared at you for long enough that you turned in a huff, storming back to the ship. Your anger was quickly turning to tears and you managed not to cry until you were safely inside, staying quiet so as not to wake the baby.

You were so mad, but you weren’t really. You were hurt, assuming that his reasoning was because he just viewed you as a babysitter.

It was your fear, wasn’t it? Being very little to him when you thought so much of him.

You shook your head and wiped your tears away, grabbing the medkit so you could sit down and tend to your injuries. You cleaned your thigh and put a bacta patch on it first, wanting to stop the bleeding before you turned your attention to the more minor injuries.

The inevitable bruises on your body from hitting the ground would have to heal on their own, you supposed.

You were struggling to clean your hands when Mando appeared with the quarry, dumping the body out of sight before he returned. He crossed the length of the ship and tried to grab your wrist, but you yanked it out of his reach.

When he hesitated and tried again, you let him bring your hands closer if only because it was hard for you to take care of them since they were both hurt.

There was something extra gentle to his touch as he wiped dirt and blood from your hands, and you wonder if he felt guilty. His guilt in turn ate away at you for snapping at him like you did and now the air was tense again, but different.

He smoothed bacta gel over your palms and would slow down when you flinched or whimpered in pain. “I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

Now that you weren’t as angry, you could hear the things he didn’t say and the lilt in his tone. He meant that that was why he told you to stay because, while he knew you could fight, he didn’t like when you were hurt.

Some kind of warmth spread over you, the hope that he felt about you the same way you did about him.

Hope and guilt.

An apology seemed to get stuck on your tongue, wanting to tip over but too embarrassed to apologize to someone like Mando. You opened and closed your mouth a few times before you decided on, “I didn’t mean to be so angry.”

“I know.” He wrapped your hands to allow the bacta to work its magic. “And I know you’re capable. You did help.”

“I don’t like the thought of you being hurt either,” you said with these little hints of desperation and yearning and gentleness, unable to stop it like you stopped your apology.

You never knew what expressions he was making, but based on the tilt of his helmet, he seemed perplexed. Like no one had ever cared about him being hurt before and he thought it was strange, that it didn’t matter. “Thank you.”

He put everything back in the medkit and turned to put it away, but you grabbed onto his arm before he could move away. “I mean it.”

You weren’t sure why you wanted him to know so badly. Maybe just so he’d know he was cared for or so your feelings would be a little more implied.

Or you were hoping that he would say something too, something to tell you that you had a chance with this seemingly unattainable, untouchable, just-out-of-reach man.

His hand gripped onto your arm in return, but he said nothing. Unreadable, as always, but the squeeze of his fingers planting more seedlings of hope in you that maybe he just didn’t know how to say it. Just like neither of you seemed to know how to apologize.

You would have to communicate through a gentle touch here or a meaningful word there, too shy and awkward and frightened to dare to be fully honest. What if it wasn’t meant to be? What if one of you lost the other?

Is that what Mando meant deep down when he said he didn’t want you to be hurt? He didn’t like seeing you hurt, no, but maybe he was afraid to lose you.

That was why you couldn’t stop yourself from helping him, fearing that he’d gotten in over his head this time and that would be it.

His arm fell away, but your hand stayed in the air for a few moments before you lowered it into your lap. Feelings implied, but not confessed.

Part of you wanted to blurt out that you liked him as more than a companion and friend, another part of you wanted him to turn around and tell you the same thing, but you were both just silent.

Perhaps it was for the best. Maybe he didn’t feel the same way, or the two of you wouldn’t work out so you’d have to go your separate ways, or something in your wild lifestyle would tear you apart.

It was very likely that it could hurt you both to admit your feelings so it was best to just pretend you didn’t feel them at all.

But you did feel them, and keeping them to yourself hurt anyway.

[papurgaatika]

All The Quiet Nights You Bear

Pairing: din djarin x gn!reader

summary: Din Djarin is not warm, he does not drink hot drinks, or sit in steamy baths. But for you, he can try.

Tags: angst, din djarin my sweet boy,, bathing, yes this is just giving Din a bath, fluff, hurt/comfort but I'm hurting all of you and comforting him, mention on Din's mother, angst with a happy ending, tooth-rotting amounts of intimacy, non-sexual nudity, no use of Y/N and no description of reader

word count: 1.8k

A/N: Before I start! This is my first official fic that wasn’t a bullet-pointed list I keep in a locked notes app on my phone so I am begging y’all to please be gentle with me. I want to give a MASSIVE shout-out to @joelsdagger for not letting me off the hook and making sure I stick with this, literally would not have been able to do this without her. So the fic: basically I got in the shower one day and thought about Din just being soft, and thus this was born! Fair warning that I Will by Mitski was in heavy rotation while writing this. I literally love him like a real person and he makes my heart hurt and I want to take care of him, so I got self-indulgent. I also don't really know the star wars universe so this is me making shit up as I go!! Anyway!! Peace and love from me I hope y'all love it as much as I do!!

Din Djarin is cold. He slept under the thin sheet he kept in the bunk of the crest for years, his beskar was always cool to the touch, he took cold showers. The idea of warmth never put him at ease either. It seeps into him, clinging to his body under his armor, reminding him of his blaster right after setting it off. He wants to crawl out of his skin anytime he finds himself on a dry planet, sweltering under its suns. 

Din wasn’t used to just how quiet life ended up being on nevarro. Grogu was in school most days, there was relative peace in the area, yet he still found himself clinging to his old self. Never relaxed, always on edge like he was waiting for a fight to break out. You find yourself watching him more closely, recognizing his routines, wanting to put his mind at ease. But how could you? He still took cold showers, quick and precise about it. Never lingering to enjoy the feel of water on his skin, never stopping to relax.

He thinks that the last time he truly took a hot shower was before he took the creed, when his parents were still alive, when he was only Din Djarin the boy, not a mandalorian. It hurt him to think about it, to picture his mother. Her face had grown fuzzy in his memory after decades without her, but he could feel her. The way her eyes were always soft and warm, her voice like the gentle rain that lulled him to sleep when he was young. He missed her. He missed the way she used to hum while warming the water for his bath, the smile on her lips when he would run up to her. He had tried once, to take a warm shower, to try and remember the oils his mother used to use when he was young. It had ended in him slouched over in the bathroom, the steam almost too much, silent sobs tearing through him. So no, din djarin did not take hot showers. 

But you? You were warm. So warm he felt like he was melting every time he even thought about you. The way you kissed his fingers, the gentleness you have while holding Grogu, the look in your eyes when you lay with him. You were all warm showers. The steam that tumbles after you when you open the door lingers around you like it's trying to surround you, to crowd your senses, to be all over you. Everything that din wants to do to you. He would chase after you throughout the whole galaxy if it meant you would say his name, soft and sweet like he was being saved just by hearing it. 

You were the only warmth that he craved. The only heat he allowed himself to enjoy, to truly want. And so when you call him over to the bathroom, voice soft and gentle, he comes. He will always come to you. You smile when he enters the room and takes in the scene in front of him. The bathtub full of water, steam rising from above it. You, with an expression warm enough to rival the water, eyes locked on his. “Come here,” you whispered, taking his hand in yours. He was uncharacteristically slow to move towards you, but you stood there, hand still waiting for his. Your hand took his, your thumb tracing over the side of his fingers so soft he could barely feel it. “Din-” you whisper looking up at him, “let me take care of you, sweet boy” 

That was your boy. The one you were working so hard to melt, to make him soft around the corners. It was rare that he wore the armor anymore, his days usually spent at home with you and Grogu, the need to hide no longer necessary. You bring his knuckles to your lips as a silent promise to be gentle, to not let him break. “Is that okay?” you ask, hand still holding his. 

He nods, not trusting his voice nearly as much as he trusts you, and you smile. God that smile. Din Djarin would live in that smile if he could. The only smile he thinks will be in his mind like his mother’s. You reach for the hem of his shirt, not pulling at it yet, just letting your fingers rest on top of it waiting for any indication that he was okay with it coming off. You hear a small hum leave his throat and you help him take it off. This was a sight you would never tire of seeing. Tan and broad, his tummy soft under your fingers likely because of your cooking, and god was he beautiful. “Always so pretty to look at” Your fingers trail on his chest. You place a kiss over his heart, a gentle reminder that it was yours and that yours was his. 

You watched as he removed the rest of his clothes, admiring the vision that he was. Yours, yours, yours. You nudged him to the bath, waiting for him to get in. He didn't think he could do it. It was hot. It was like the ones his mother gave him. It was not like him. He was not soft or warm, he was cool and hardened from years of fighting. But it was like you. It was for you. And for you, he could do anything. He let out a soft hiss as his feet hit the water, the temperature still taking him by shock slightly.

“It's okay, just relax. I've got you” Your words pulled him from his thoughts, looking over at you with a tilt of his head.

 “You’re not getting in cyar’ika?” he sounds disappointed, almost like he wants to beg you to hold him, but you shake your head at him. 

“This isn’t for me din, just want to help you relax okay?” You move to sit on the stool you put behind the bath, grabbing the basket full of oils and shampoos and letting them fill both of your senses. You use a cup to grab some of the water and pour it over his curls, the strands dampening and sticking to the back of his neck. You take the time to press a soft kiss to his head, nose and lips wet with the water. You pop open the bottle of shampoo you had fought to find. Din rarely spoke of his life before the creed, but you knew enough to set out on a search for it. The aroma of the shampoo grew easier to smell when you poured it into your palm, sandalwood and something almost citrusy being massaged into his hair. Your nails rake over his scalp and press into his forehead where you know he gets headaches. A soft groan leaves his lips, his eyes fluttering shut. 

“Is this alright my moon?” you whisper, not wanting to disturb the peace that had settled into the room along the steam of the bath. 

“It’s perfect my sun,” he replies, words uncharacteristically soft for him. A small smile finds its way to your lips as you continue to massage the soap into his hair before rinsing it out, taking care to not get it in his eyes.

 “Scooch up, I'm gonna do your shoulders” You dip your toes into the water, legs resting against his thighs before grabbing the soap and a washcloth. 

“So pretty for me Din,” a kiss on his neck “always so perfect,” another one above his collarbone “don't know what I would do without you.” a third kiss on his shoulder, right above a scar he had gotten over the course of his career. You let the soap run down his back gently, watching the bubbles drip down and hit the water. You rub small circles into his skin with the washcloth, running water over it to rinse off the soap, before moving to his arms. Even before you had seen his arms, you had known that he was strong. Hunting bounties all day, fighting, piloting the crest, had led to his arms and hands being known for violence, for having blood on them. But not to you. To you they were the ones that draped across your body at night, the ones used to hold your son while you were out in the markets, they were warm and strong and perfect. They shielded you and protected you, and while you didn’t think you could do the same for him, you were willing to try. Your fingers trace patterns over the scars and freckles he has, goosebumps forming on his skin.  He is sitting in front of you in the bath, the water so hot at one point, that his skin is a little red. Your hands are in his hair taking time to wash it, to truly wash it. Your nails rake against his scalp as the shampoo lathers, before you rinse it out taking care to not get it in his eyes. You massage the conditioner into the ends of his hair, before leaning down to press kisses onto his shoulder. 

“Thank you for letting me do this for you my moon” you murmur resting your chin on his shoulder. He lets out a soft hum that you can feel as you’re pressed up behind him. “Thank you for doing it, my sun.” you can feel the water growing colder than you would like under the two of you, so you make quick work of rinsing the rest of the conditioner out of his hair, lightly curling a few strands around your finger as you finish. Neither of you wants to make a move to get out, the warmth of each other making the water’s temperature almost obsolete, but a sneeze betrays him getting a giggle from between your lips, and din swears it’s the sweetest sound he will ever hear. He can feel your lips curled into a smile as you let your forehead fall to rest on the back of his shoulder and shake your head. 

“Time to get out I think,” you say, reaching over to grab a towel for yourself before stepping out and pulling it around yourself. Din stands next, taking his towel from your hands and wrapping it around his waist before pulling you into him, a surprised “oof” leaving your mouth as he holds you against his chest. You blink up at him, eyes twinkling at just the sight of him and raise an eyebrow waiting for him to speak. 

“Thank you cyar’ika,” his words tremble slightly as he takes a deep breath “Really, this was amazing.. Thank you.” He presses a chaste kiss to the top of your head before letting one of his hands capture yours, interlocking your fingers together. “Anything for you my love” you whisper back before nodding softly to your shared bedroom “Come now, let’s just rest for the day.”

[happy-beeeps]

Day 4: Lights

Summary: Din takes a day out of hunting to start a tradition with you and your little family.

WC: 750

Warnings: none except I blindly ignore the timeline but shhhhhhh there’s way more time between tbobf and s3 in my brain.

You’ve never been to Kashyyk before, a place filled with so much natural beauty and desperate to find peace that it’s somewhat mind boggling to imagine a quarry even deciding to come here.

Din had said this much was true, that it was this beauty and peace that led the more nonviolent quarries this way. The people who didn’t want a fight, who half hoped to blend into the trees and just spend the rest of their lives surrounded by nature. You could understand that, sure. You’d been so blissfully happy with Din and Grogu, if you were separated from them with no chance of reunion, you could imagine simply wanting to spend your remaining days in the quiet.

The thought send a pain to your heart, and you tighten your grip on his arm as the two of you trudge through the fauna, Grogu wrapped firmly against your chest.

“There’s a settlement where we can camp up here, I’ve got a contact on Tatooine who’s tribe lives this way, the quarry isn’t far, no use running after him today.”

You raise an eyebrow at him, “you’re not trying to just ‘get this over with?’” Your hands coming up to draw air quotes around the words.

He shrugs half heartedly, “you wanted a vacation.”

“I thought maybe we’d go to the casino, spend a night in Canto Bight but sure,” you send an elbow to his side teasingly, but rest your hand on his arm, “this is perfect.”

It’s nearly nightfall when you approach the village, and the lights start to flicker into view the closer you get. You’ve never seen a Wookie village before but this is remarkable. Strong, sloping wooden bridges and ramps are wrapped in vines twinkling with bright amber lights. Woven baskets and lamps hang from the branches of trees, each one filled with candles and flame and something sparkling. Even the trees themselves dance with twinkling lights.

A tall female Wookie makes her way down the ramp closest to you, breaking away from the others standing on a platform elevated nearly a dozen feet in the air. She, and the others, are dressed in long crimson robes, and you can hear the sounds of drumming, chatter, and singing from all around you.

Din moves to greet her, speaking slowly in basic and moving his hands in a similar form of signed language that you’ve seen him use with the Tusken people. “My family and I are grateful for your hospitality during the holiday. She has never celebrated Life Day before.”

The Wookie responds, and then turns to you, offering her hand. You gratefully accept it and squeeze tightly, while she speaks to Din. He slowly translates her words for you.

“My name is Krowo. I am chief here. Your partner,” Din stumbles over the translation, you can imagine a blush across his cheeks, “Is an associate of Kryssantan, we are happy to host you here during our most joyous day! Please, celebrate and enjoy all that this village has to offer.”

You smile at her, “thank you, Krowo.”

She bows her head briefly before walking back up the ramp, where you and Din follow.

It’s beautiful. You’ve never seen anything like it. All around Wookiees, and a few other rogue sentients, mill about, drinking and eating and singing and laughing. You’ve hoisted Grogu out of his wrap, placing him firmly on your hip so he can look at the sights around him. He’s fascinated by the lights, so the three of you observe the festivities from a corner alcove, a small balcony wrapped in the twinkly vines and topped with a few hanging lamps.

“This is really something Din.”

“It was your idea.”

This surprises you. “What do you mean?”

“You said something about traditions the other day, about being a family. Thought we’d get here in time for the holiday.” He moved to wrap an arm around you, and tuck a gloved finger into Grogu’s hand, outstretched to the lights. “Felt like as good a time as any to start.”

You don’t really know what to say, surrounded by this much love and family and joy. Surrounded by your own family, celebrating a holiday cemented on tradition and bonds. So all you say is “thank you,” and you mean it.

You know he can tell, and you know he knows what you really mean. He says nothing back, and you close your eyes as he presses his forehead against yours, enveloping yourself in the sensation of him, and a feeling of immeasurable love.

[lionlena]

His Curls (PedroPacalxreader) part 3

You are sick, but Pedro comes to the rescue. It's just sweet and fluff.

3.

It was Friday and you were supposed to spend a wonderful weekend with Pedro, but everything was going wrong.

You've been feeling bad since morning. You had a headache, you were cold and you were coughing. You barely made it all day at work. Even holding the scissors required unearthly strength from you.

When you got home you realized you were sick and you had to cancel your meeting with Pedro. It really broke your heart. In a week he was supposed to start filming the 2nd season of "The Last of Us". You knew it meant a long separation.

Pedro answered on the first signal.

"Hola, princesa!"

You almost sobbed heared the joyful tone of his voice.

"Pedro... We have to cancel..." You had to take a cough break. "...our weekend. I'm sick."

"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry."

"I'm sorry," you whispered.

"Shh, it's not your fault. Do you need anything?"

"No" you lied.

You knew you had an almost empty fridge. You were supposed to do some shopping after work, but you were too tired.

"Okay. Take care baby."

"Bye, Pedro."

You groaned and laid down on the couch and curled up in a ball. You felt bad. Not only because of the disease, but also because of Pedro. You wanted to see him so much. You sighed heavily and turned on whatever TV show came your way.

*

An hour later you heard the doorbell ring. You had no idea who it could be. You barely made it to the entrance. You opened the door and...

"Your personal doctor has come to the rescue!"

You were so amazed. Your boyfriend, Pedro Pascal, stood in the doorway with two shopping bags.

"But how?"

You let Pedro in. He put the bags in the kitchen and walked over to you. He took your face in his hands.

"Honey, I literally heard you crying over the phone and... I know when you're lying. So I assumed you needed everything."

He started emptying the bags.

"I bought orange juice, I got noodle soup from your favorite restaurant, I bought a thermometer and medicine for fever, cough medicine... And... Close your eyes."

You obeyed his command and felt him place something soft in your hands. You opened your eyes and saw a green hoodie with Grogu ears on it. You squealed satisfied. You'd be jumping for joy if you were healthy. Pedro was clearly pleased.

"I was going to give you this before I left, but I figured now was a better time."

You cuddled up to him and sighed as he wrapped his strong arms around you.

"Thank you, but... You shouldn't be here. You might get infected."

"Don't even say that. I won't leave you." He kissed the top of your head. "You will now eat the broth, take your meds and go to bed."

You groaned in dissatisfaction.

"I hate lying in bed."

Pedro shook his head.

"That's why I'm here. I'll be your personal warm blanket and pillow. What does that sound like?"

"Much better."

*

Once your stomach was full, you took your pills and headed for the bedroom. As soon as Pedro lay down next to you, you climbed onto his chest and started stroking his hair. Pedro chuckled and asked:

"I don't know why you're so obsessed with my hair?"

"Because I'm a hair stylist? And your hair is sooo soft and beautiful..."

More shivers ran through your body and Pedro pulled you closer to his body. You rested your head against his chest and sighed. Your fever was still high, and it made you mumble.

You always haved that. When you had a high fever you would start saying stupid things like you were drunk.

So it was also this time.

"I'd like to dye your hair pink? Yeah... Piiiink" you whined. "You would look sooo good with pink hair."

Pedro laughed slightly. Well, he was still worried about you, but your sleepy mumbling was so sweet.

He ran his hand across your forehead and murmured.

"Pink? Okay, honey, but why don't we get back to the pink thing when your fever drops."

"And purple..."

Pedro kissed the top of your head.

"Okay. Whatever you want."

Satisfied that she is so close to you and agrees with you, you finally closed your eyes and fell asleep.

*

Two hours later you woke up and Pedro was lying next to you, leaning on his elbow and looking at you. You stretched and rubbed your eyes.

"How do you feel?"

"A little better... A lot better, actually."

"That's good, but I'll stay with you all weekend anyway and look after you ."

"Thank you."

You were so happy to have someone so wonderful and loved by your side.

"As for the pink hair..."

You opened your eyes wide and Pedro laughed.

"Did I say that out loud?"

He nodded.

"I promise I'll let you do it someday. Just not now. I doubt they'll let me play Joel with pink hair... Hmm, maybe when I be filming The Mandalorian. After all, I wear a helmet anyway."

You started laughing and hugged him. He was gorgeous and... He'd really look good with pink hair, or purple, maybe blue? You had so many crazy ideas in your head.

*

Part 1: His Curls

Part 2: His Curls 2

[arielstruggles]

Random Din Djarin thoughts/HCs

WARNING: CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT (mdni)

a/n: i love star wars and the mandalorian in particular but i'm not the most knowledgeable person about the universe and these are basically just my thoughts.

He is definitely touch starved. Like he has no idea feeling somebody's warmth so when you first hold hands he gets a boner. His hands roam over your body. (sorry not sorry)

He has a bit of experience here and there and had a couple of relationships but not much since he can't show his face before he gets married.

An ass man. %100. Like his hands immediately finds their places on your ass.

At first he is so distant and he does not name what you two have because he thinks you will ask him to show his face and he will end things between you two. He just sees it as a bodyly pleasure. He does not kiss you or eat you out at all. You blow him and you two have just rough sex.

You masturbate together, like watch each other and come together.

But he is a sentimental guy. So the more you respect his boundaries the more he wants to know about you and with time he falls for you. Your smile, the way your voice comes out high pitched when you get excited... he feels warm and fuzzy. And it takes time for him to acknowledge the depth of his feelings. So you start love making too.

He remembers small details about you. Your favorite color, your favorite flower.

A little bit cocky. He knows hoe easily he can turn you on.

He has moments that he wants to be rough, in those moments he does not hold anything back. ANYTHING. With your consent obviously.

He dreams about kissing you, feeling those soft lips of yours on his.

But for a long time he does not even offers you to use a blindfold or anything. You just simply do not kiss. And you don't ask him to do that.

But one day he offers to use a blindfold because he wants to devour you which unlocks new kinks e.g.: bondage. He feels more in charge and all. He kisses every part of your body, he licks, bites as if he is starving. He eats you out for hours, makes you come on his tongue, more than once because like please, he never ate someone out and needs skin to skin contact.

A little too blunt which may break your heart sometimes.

Seeing you taking care of grogu somehow makes him feel domestic. And you move to a cabin eventually. (season 3 spoilers)

Not into long aftercares he just cleans you with a wash cloth.

Takes good care of his ship like cleans and tidies it religiously.

Takes you on little dates in different planets if he has time but like it does not happen so often.

Not the most romantic guy ever but still affectionate.

He is smart, really smart.

He loves being a power bottom

Whispers dirty words in your ear when you are in public to make you flushed and considering how sexy his voice is, it works. "are you gonna be my pretty little slut tonight?"

After a while he does not even use blindfold to kiss you, he just asks for you to close your eyes and you do duh.

He loves when you grind on his thigh, especially on the beskar plate on his thigh. One day when he sits on the cockpit in pitch black outer space you sit on his thigh and slowly start rubbing on him and he does not say anything which sort of encourages you to continue and after a while you hear his breath picking up, moaning.

Loves when you cook for him because he does not like cooking fancy stuff.

He wants you to spoon him.

He eventually proposes you and shows you his face after getting married. He has a a hard time with getting used to walk around you without his helmet at first.

Okay that's it for now thanks, bye!

[kyberblade]

Back To You (Din x Reader) - Part 18

A/N: I banged this out in about a week, folks. It just flowed. I honestly did not expect it to be this long, but as the rest of this series has gone, I had an idea, sat down, and like 85,000 other things happened, too. We have so much going on, action, adventure, romance, drama, Mayfeld…. ✨ This was so fun to write, you have no idea. Based on a poll, the people have spoken. One massive chapter. (Aka: Back by popular demand: my Din Rot. 🧟‍♀️) Our poor reader is going through it, folks. Through. It. But we see here there’s always light at the end of the tunnel, if only we’re willing to take a look around and find it. (And having a shiny Mandalorian to point it out helps.) 😌 (Also, once again, there is some lore in this that @writerlyhabits wrote in a fantastic short, and I loved it so much, I asked if I could use it.)

(This takes place right where the other one left off and goes to the end of episode 2x7/15, The Believer.)

I do not own Star Wars or it’s characters. Sadly. But I carry them in my heart. Does that count for something? My soul says yes.

Warnings: Tooth rotting fluff, Grogu being the cutest thing you ever did see, * and Din is once again a warning in and of himself in this one. Typical show violence. Swearing. Space swearing. Grogu is a menace. * * (I’ll remove these warnings when hell has frozen over bc idk what you’re talking about, Grogu is perfectly safe and totally not with Gideon right now, what do you mean? 😬) Arguing? Mando’a. Show dialogue, so spoilers? (But if you’re here, you know how this works.) Lots of angst. Tears.

Word count: 23,774 (I said what I said. We are IN IT. BOOM.)

As always, thanks to @grippingbeskar for encouraging me, looking over this for me, and being the one to introduce me to Din fanfiction in the first place, getting me hooked. You are fantastic and I always love our chats.

And for @fordo-kixed-rex, you deserve so much more than a shoutout for reading all 75 million iterations of this massive chapter from start to finish, and helping me in between. You’re a real one, friend. This series would not have gotten this far without you.

Also thanks @what-the-heckin-heck for helping me try to find a place to break this into two parts, and @littlemissmanga for reading over part of it for me! And @deceiver-of-gods for helping me with the Mando’a!

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Xxx

“And then you’ll need to-”

“I’ve got it, I’ve got it,” Cara cut Din off, ignoring his huff of annoyance. “I have a little more going on up here than you give me credit for, shiny.” Gesturing to her head with a grin, she just continued to stare at Din as he met her gaze in silence, the two trading an unspoken vow.

Finally Cara turned to you. “You, however, need to come with me.”

“What?”

“I need muscle.”

“Then send him.” You pointed at Din. “Guy sees me being the strong arm he’s just going to laugh.”

“You have no idea how scary you can be, do you?” Cara mused. You cocked a brow. “Just ask him.” She tilted her head toward Din.

You scoffed. “That doesn’t count.”

“No?”

“No! We’re a clan, family, togeth-” you cleared your throat. “He is just afraid of me on instinct now.” 

Despite clearly being something, there hadn’t been time for you and Din to sit down and have any sort of discussion about what exactly you were to each other. You didn’t want to assume, but it seemed pretty clear where things were left. Regardless, saying it openly in front of other people before saying it in front of the person who needed to hear it first seemed in poor taste, so when you stumbled over ‘together’ and caught Din’s amused head tilt, you rolled your eyes.

“Mesh’la, the reason Gideon still has a bounty on you isn’t because of your connection to me, although I’m sure it doesn’t help. It’s because he’s afraid of you.”

“Why would he be afraid of me?”

“Oh, maybe because every time hunters get close, they get dead.”

You simply blinked at Din for a moment before your eyes darted back over to Cara, flitting between the two as you began to protest again. “No, he’s-”

Cara leveled you with a look.

Looking to the side, glaring at nothing in particular, you groaned. “Okay, fine. I’ll go.” You turned your glower on Cara. “Just stop with this whole judgyness thing.”

She got to her feet with a smirk. “Only if you two stop with the whole, ‘I’m an idiot’ thing.”

Din stopped you at the top of the ramp down onto the planet, piles of scrap as far as you could see. The giant creature-like machines similar to what had lifted the Crest out of the water on Trask lifting junk high overhead. The memory of those days made you smile sadly before turning your attention to Din. “If he tries anything….”

You scoffed. “Cara’s right there, Din. And you’re here. I’ll be fine.”

He huffed. “No. I was gonna say, punch him. Drop him. I don’t care. Don’t kill him, but….” You chuckled softly. “Whatever he tries, you do it first.”

“Do it first, but don’t kill him. Got it.” You nodded once. “But what if he tries to kill me?”

Din sighed. “Make it hurt. I’ll make him regret it after he wakes up.”

A mischievous grin turned up the side of your face, Din’s helmet tilting to the side playfully. “I can get on board with that.”

Following Cara down the ramp, Din went back into the ship. 

“You’ll have to remove your weapons,” a guard droid buzzed monotonously.

“That’s not likely to happen,” you said lowly, a quiet laugh painting your tone.

“You’ll have to remove your weapons,” it repeated. “Prisoners could grab them and start a riot.”

“You have a weapon,” you pointed out, gesturing to its baton. 

“Per code seventy five, sub section two, paragraph three of the New Republic’s prison charter, I am-”

“She’s a Mandalorian. Weapons are part of her religion.” Din’s modulated voice behind you caught you off guard.

She’s a Mandalorian. She’s a Mandalorian. She’s a Mandalorian. She’s a Mandalorian. She’s a Mandalorian.

It echoed in your head as everything else seemed to stop. Were you really? Did Din really mean that? Or was he just saying that to try and get you out of a sticky situation?

No. No, he didn’t throw around mention of the Creed lightly. It was sacred to him. Special. The code by which he lived his life and how he’d grown up. He wouldn’t just throw that around for the sake of a droid.

Glancing over at him, it was as if he could read your mind, and you supposed it must have been clearly written all over your face, because he gave you a single nod that you understood. You’d seen it a million times before. Learning to read the man under the beskar had been priority number one since coming onto the Crest…. Oh, who were you kidding. Since the day he walked into your bar.

He called you Mandalorian.

The droid’s head swiveled his direction. “That is not part of code seventy five, sub section two, paragraph three of the New Republic’s prison charter. In fact, I do not know of any rule that-”

“It’s fine, Mando.” Walking up the ramp toward him, you unfastened your belt, handing it to him. “Rules are rules.” Slipping your blaster with the mudhorn on it out of the holster slyly, you winked at him. “Keep these safe for me.” Turning back toward Cara and the droid, making sure to keep the blaster behind your back and out of sight, you tucked it into the back of your pants quickly, adjusting your top to cover it as you went back down the ramp. “Let’s go.”

Cara glanced at your belt dangling in Din’s hand, the smallest smile twitching up her cheek before her face fell flat again. She turned, beginning down the aisle between piles of junk, and you stayed a few paces behind her as she followed after the guard droid. Her face was pulled into a serious, no nonsense expression you tried to adopt yourself, but a smirk kept trying to tug one side of your mouth a little further north.

Creatures from all different species turned to watch as your little group passed by, eyes following as you turned corner after corner. They all had ankle binders on one ankle with blinking lights that reminded you of the tracker on the Crest. Your mind started to spiral for a moment, but you quickly steeled yourself against that thought. Before you could fully switch it off, though, a small pile of junk tumbled down off a nearby heap, creating a small landslide and sending a group of prisoners scrambling away.

The guard droid ambled over to investigate with a few others, all of them trying to corral the prisoners back to their stations, when Cara slid up next to you.

“That you?” She mumbled lowly next to your ear as she pretended to survey the pile of junk behind you.

“What do you mean?”

The look she leveled on you was highly amused but told you you shouldn’t be.

“We’ve all seen it the last few days. You’re hurting.”

Breath stuck in your chest, you looked back over at the scrambling guard droids as they waved their electric batons at some unruly prisoners. Blinking away the sudden wave of tears, you listened to Cara go on. I’m so sick of crying.

“It’s okay.” She lightly set a hand on the top of your shoulder, removing it just as fast. “You-”

“We’ll get him back, I know, I know, everyone keeps saying that.”

She let out a huff, pulling your attention back to her as she smiled softly. “I was going to say you lost someone. I know a little something about that.” 

Your eyes zeroed in on the teardrop tattoo on her cheek, something in your gut dropping low at the realization. “Cara, I’m sorry-”

She held up a hand for you to stop, but you didn’t.

“No, here I am moaning about losing one person and you lost your whole planet, I-”

“Loss is loss,” she said softly. “The quantity doesn’t matter. It’s the quality.” Her head tilted affectionately when you sniffled quietly. “One little green magic baby is worth every bit as much as my home world. Especially your little green magic baby.” She held your gaze. “His soul is one of the purest things I’ve ever seen. So bright, and full of joy. And good.” Cara let her hand stay on your shoulder this time. “While yes, that’s something he has naturally, it’s also something that has to be nourished, and it started with just him and Mando, but then you came along….” She smiled. “You came along and he flourished.”

Her eyes looked over your shoulder, the approaching footsteps of the guard droid making your spine go rigid. “But shutting yourself off, letting whatever is inside your head that caused that,” she nodded towards the pile that had shifted in your distraction, “take root…. Don’t let it win. You’re stronger than that.”

“I don’t think that I am,” you mumbled so softly you barely heard yourself.

“I know that you are.”

The guard droid walked past the two of you and kept going, Cara pulling you along as she fell into step behind the droid. Stopping a few yards later in front of a pile of scrap and a lone prisoner sending sparks flying with some tool you didn’t recognize, the droid called them down, and you realized this was who you were here for.

Standing off to the side, one hand on your hip, ready to slide back to your blaster if necessary, you watched the exchange between Cara, the droid and who you supposed was Mayfeld. His eyes pulled over to you once or twice, something sparking in his expression as he looked at you from head to toe before quickly turning back to the droid as it threatened him with the electrified baton. 

You let them continue to do all the talking as you hovered a few paces back. This was Mayfeld? He didn’t seem like much. Sidling up beside the guard droid, you tried to look intimidating, like the bouncers back on Coruscant in the higher end bars on the upper levels. Turns out you didn’t have to try very hard, one quick look at your vambraces and your hand hand drifting toward the blaster tucked into the back of your pants as you arched your brow, and he folded easily, following after Cara.

Mayfeld stumbled slightly, but you didn’t believe it for a moment, especially when he suddenly was just fine when you were a mere few steps away. “So you’re here as muscle, huh?”

“Something else I should be here as?”

He grinned slyly. “Well, I could think of a thing or two if I really put my mind to it….” Turning around the last pile of scrap, Mayfeld pulled up short when he saw Boba standing at the bottom of the ramp. “Oh.” He truly looked terrified. “You know, for a second,” he mumbled, “I thought you were this other guy.”

The guard droid turned to leave just as Din started down the ramp, emerging from inside the ship like a shadow.

Mayfeld sucked in a breath, the grin melting off his face in record time and his entire body going rigid at the sight.

As you walked past him you mumbled, “I’ll bet you thought it was him.”

Mayfeld scoffed in disbelief, watching you walk past as you smirked, passing Din at the bottom of the ramp and continuing up till the top where you leaned in the opening, arms crossed over your chest and ankles crossed leisurely.

“Mayfeld,” Din said easily.

“Hey, Mando,” the man dragged out the words with nerves. “Long time.” He chuckled nervously over the words, glancing at the other members of the party. “So what, you came here to kill me?”

Cara’s jaw ticked. “All you need to know is I bent a lot of rules to bring you along.”

Mayfeld held his ground, much to your surprise, and you watched his spine straighten under Cara’s distrustful gaze as you let your head thump back against the ship softly. “Why am I so lucky?”

She leaned toward him slightly. “Because you’re Imperial.”

Shaking his head, he took a step back, inclining his head incredulously. “Hey, that was a long time ago, all right?”

“But you still know your Imperial clearances and protocols, don’t you?” Din closed the distance between them slowly, his voice low, almost threatening.

Mayfeld looked back at the scrap yard over his shoulder almost longingly before looking back at the ship with a sigh as everyone walked up the ramp.

“I’d take the deal if I were you.”

His eyes snapped to you. “Yeah?”

You nodded.

“Isn’t that just what someone setting a trap would want me to think, though?” He grinned slightly, looking more at ease. He was toeing the line between the bottom of the ramp and the grimy soil of the junkyard planet, looking up at you where you still stood at the top. 

You watched him shift his weight for a moment before trying your best behind the bar smile you hadn’t had to use in months. It put people at ease and got you the best tips. And it seemed to work like a charm yet again as Mayfeld took an easy step closer. “Do you have any other options?”

Din walked around the corner carrying your belt still laden with weapons just then. “Mesh’la, you’re going to want this back.” He didn’t spare Mayfeld even a glance, but you knew this was purely for his benefit, and it made an amused smile tug at the corner of your lips, taking over any attempt at putting him at ease.

“Thank you,” you murmured, taking it from him with one hand, and untucking the blaster from your waistband with the other. “Hold this for a second?” He nodded, taking the blaster from you while you reattached the belt around your waist where it belonged. You felt in balance again, more whole with the weights at your sides, the mudhorns adorning your hips. But not complete. No, so long as the kid was missing, so would be a part of you.

Looking back up at Mayfeld, you jerked your head toward the ship. “You coming?”

His eyes danced over each weapon hanging from your belt, his throat bobbing as he swallowed in trepidation. “Now I see why you were the muscle.”

Din chuckled softly as he finally turned to acknowledge the other man again. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

Xxx

Din spun in his chair at a small console on the large deck of Boba’s ship to face your small party of five, Cara sitting across from Mayfeld and Fennec, you across from Din, and Boba up in the cockpit made it six. “We need coordinates for Moff Gideon’s cruiser.”

“Moff Gideon?” Mayfeld’s eyes went wide. “Yeah, forget it. Just take me back to the scrapyard. I’m not doin’ that.” He scoffed, slumping back in his chair with his arms crossed. You studied him. He truly seemed afraid. As he should be. Gideon was a formidable foe. But for all you’d heard of the elusive Mayfeld, the man retreating into himself before you was not what you expected.

“They have his kid.” Cara’s voice was soft, her gaze holding Mayfeld’s without even blinking.

The man hesitated before he spoke in a matching small voice, “The little green guy?”

Cara’s lips twitched up slightly. “Yeah, ‘The little green guy’.”

“Grogu.” Mayfeld looked over at you with an arched brow. “His name is Grogu.”

He turned to Din. “You pick that out?” His tone was dry, but his features were pulled tight in amusement he was trying to conceal.

The Mandalorian sighed. “No.”

You rolled your eyes. “A Jedi spoke to him in his mind and then told us.”

Mayfeld blinked rapidly as he stared at you for a long moment. “I’m sorry what?”

“A Jedi-”

“No, yeah, I got it,” he waved his hand at you, staring down at his feet. “But wait, why did the Jedi tell both of you? Why were you there?” His eyes narrowed as they flicked over your face. “You his bodyguard or somethin’?”

You couldn’t help the smirk tugging at the side of your mouth. “Or somethin’.”

Staring at you for another long moment, Mayfeld finally shook his head and turned back to Cara. “So…. I help you guys get him back, you guys let me go?”

“That’s not how this works.” She didn’t even hardly let him finish before she answered.

He scoffed lightly, narrowing his brows at her. “Well, then what’s in it for me?”

“You get a better view.”

Fennec gave him a sympathetic look before glancing your way. Understanding was written all over her face. What was her story? She quickly pulled her eyes over to Din, then the floor, schooling her features back to something neutral. Then she lifted her gaze back to Cara.

Mayfeld had simply stared at Cara the whole time after Fennec had broken eye contact with him. “All right, but here’s the thing. I can’t get those coordinates unless I have access to an internal Imperial terminal.” Oh great. This is over before it’s started. How are we- “I believe there’s one on Morak.”

Din went stiff. “Morak? There’s nothing on Morak.”

Mayfeld sighed, talking quickly. “It’s a secret Imperial mining hub, okay?” He looked down at nothing in particular, his voice lowering. “If you can get me in there, I can get you the coordinates.”

After a loaded moment of consideration, Din turned to the console and pushed a button. “Fett, punch in the coordinates to Morak.”

Boba’s voice filled the ship. “Copy that.”

You watched them all exchange ideas as you sat perched in a seat, crate in front of you strewn with blaster parts. Scrubbing at the trigger mechanism for an unneeded fifth time, you looked down to see it sparkle in the low light of the interior of Boba’s ship.

Din kept glancing at you from his spot across the way, he thought he was covert, but a man in brilliant shining armor can only do so much. 

I’m fine, you mouthed the next time he looked over, snorting softly in laughter when he straightened in his seat at being caught.

He began signing to you in Tusken, the other members of the party looking on in confusion, but he didn’t seem to care a bit.

“That’s the fifth time you’ve cleaned that blaster in an hour. Any cleaner and you could cook with it.”

You rolled your eyes, setting the parts down to sign back, “Maybe that’s what I’m going for.” Your hands immediately began to cramp as they no longer held the same position, anything other than clutching at parts suddenly felt unnatural, and you glared at Din. “You did this on purpose.”

He shrugged. “Got you to take a break, didn’t I?”

“I don’t need a break….” You grumbled, picking up the cloth you’d been using to scrub the parts with, tugging at a stray fiber coming loose. “I need to…. To….”

“To what?” He encouraged softly.

“Do something!” You almost yelled. Looking around at the party wide eyed, you slumped back in your chair, lowering your voice. “Sorry. Sorry, everyone. I just…. I don’t do this whole waiting thing well. I…. Kriff. Sorry.” You turned back to your blaster, in as many pieces as you felt. “Just go on, I won’t do it again, I promise.”

After a painful moment of silence, Mayfeld quietly cleared his throat. “I do the same thing. I could probably disassemble and reassemble my blaster with my eyes closed at one point.” You looked up to meet his eyes, still fiddling absently with parts, and saw nothing but sincerity. 

You shrugged. “I used to tend bar back on Coruscant, so I stayed pretty busy. I’m not used to so much downtime.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Mayfeld held up a hand. “You…. I thought you looked familiar!”

Narrowing your eyes at him, you dropped the piece in your hand in favor of focusing on this conversation.

“Lower levels? Next to the, uh, uh….” He shut his eyes, face screwed up in concentration, index finger wagging in front of him then tapping his chin in thought. His eyes shot wide open, finger shooting up triumphantly beside his head. “Next to the docks, the docking bay. The sign is broken?”

You smiled fondly, remembering the little hole on the wall bar. “Still is.”

“Yeah!” He cried excitedly. “I went there once or twice to meet up with some buddies.”

Narrowing your eyes again, you studied him closely. “I think I remember you now. Didn’t you come in with Nem?”

He pointed at you in joy, slapping his thigh with the other hand. “That’s the one!”

“Yeah, Nem and a purple Twi’lek.” Both Din and Mayfeld went rigid at the mention of the woman. “She was crazy.”

“Yeah,” he said, his voice distant. “We, uh, we parted ways not too long after. Too much for me.”

You smirked. “Had nothing to do with the fact that you’re serving time?”

Mayfeld tossed his head from side to side. “Well, that, yeah, and that she is also.” He turned to Din. “Do you wanna tell her, or should I?”

“Tell me what?”

“I already told you about the prison job gone wrong.”

“Oh that was this job?” You pointed at Mayfeld. 

“Hey, don’t look at me,” Mayfeld protested, hands held up in surrender before one was pointing at Din. “It was his crazy ex that killed the guy.”

“I see,” you were trying so hard not to grin at how uncomfortable Din looked. “That part was conveniently left out.”

“I told you the Twi’lek killed a guard,” he countered.

“That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it.”

“This is all very amusing, and we can continue this conversation later,” Boba’s voice came over the loudspeaker on the ship from his spot in the cockpit. “But can we get back to the matter at hand for now?” The doors to the cockpit opened and he appeared, coming down the ladder. “I did an initial scan of the planet.” Walking over to the nav, he pushed a button and a holo appeared. “This is what you’re talkin’ about, right?” He pointed at a spot and it zoomed in on a large building.

Mayfeld swallowed when he saw the image, but nodded, taking a step closer. “Yeah, that's the refinery right there.”

Leaning her hands on the console, Fennec bent toward the spinning graphic. “Wonder what they’re refining in there.”

Boba began to scroll through the different specifics of the information. “Looks like rhydonium. Highly volatile and explosive.”

Mayfeld snorted. “Yeah. Kinda like these two, huh.” He chuckled, gesturing to you and Cara with his thumb. When no one laughed, his features melted back to neutral staring at the holo. He glanced at you quickly, doing a double take when he saw your smile of amusement, his own small grin tugging up his cheek slightly as he focused back on the projection.

Cara reached out when he wasn’t looking and shoved your shoulder with a look.

“Anything else, old man?” Arms crossed over your chest, you took a step closer to the hologram.

Brow arched, Boba turned his head toward you slowly. “Excuse me? I’m not that old.”

“Tell that to your face.”

The bounty hunter whipped his gaze toward Mayfeld, both brows arched high. “Come again?”

Mayfeld looked up at the man with wide eyes, stuttering for a moment before he shrugged. “I said this ship is a nice place.”

Boba narrowed his eyes, flicking them between you and Mayfeld before turning back to the screen and continued scrolling as he mumbled, “They have anti-aircraft cannons protecting it.”

“And a platoon of security forces.” Fennec pulled away from the holo, turning to the group with a tight expression.

Din was having none of it. He walked up to the floating blueprint, staring at it, and you got lost as its reflection spun in his visor. “So we go in quiet. Let’s go get a closer look.”

As everyone went their separate ways, Boba to the cockpit with Fennec, Cara escorting Mayfeld back to their seats as he tried to jerk his arm out of her hold mumbling, “Is that necessary? It’s a ship, where am I gonna go? Ow!” you sidled up to Din next to the nav. 

Studying the spinning hologram as it rotated lazily, you spoke softly. “It’ll work, Din.”

“I know.”

“It has to.”

“It will.”

“What if it doesn’t?”

“Mesh’la….” He reached out to put his hand on your upper arm, but you pulled back out of his reach.

“Not right now. Sorry. I just…. I….” Eyes cast down to the floor, you finally brought them up to catch the T of his visor, barely recognizing your own reflection. “I’m going to go reassemble my blaster.”

Din sighed softly, but nodded as you gestured over your shoulder with your thumb. “Let me know if you beat your time.”

Pausing for a second, you stared at him, a small smile working its way up the side of your face, before it fell once again and you went back to your crate.

Mayfeld was talking lowly with Cara off to your side. “Mesh’la. Is that her name?”

You swallowed down a laugh as Cara choked on her own spit. 

“Yeah, just go ahead and call her that. It’s what she goes by.” 

It took everything in you not to lift your head and glare at Cara.

The hull of the ship fell silent in the hum of hyperspace as Boba and Fennec came back down, Din taking his seat across from you as you finished the last adjustments on your blaster once again.

“What was your time this time?” Mayfeld asked, and sounded genuinely curious.

You shrugged. “I don’t know, wasn’t paying attention. Just trying to keep busy.”

He smiled easily. “Well it seemed faster if you ask me. The troopers on Morak aren’t ready for the likes of Mesh’la.”

If it was possible, you’d say the hull fell under even more silence, every eye turning on Mayfeld, wide and disbelieving. 

“What?” He barked out, turning to each face, his brows drawing together. “That’s her name, isn’t it?” His voice faded along with his expression and his mouth opened and closed a few times before he turned toward Din and mumbled a quiet, “That’s not her name, is it?”

If you had to guess, Mayfeld was probably about to wet himself as Din slowly turned his head to look at him. 

A glance over at Boba showed his eyebrows would have been in his hairline if he had any hair.

Jumping to your feet, you dashed between the two men silently staring at one another, your back to Din before he could get to his feet, but you felt him begin to rise behind you, the slow drift up of Mayfeld’s eyes confirming your suspicions. “You don’t get to call me that,” you said softly.

“What, is it a special nickname or something?” 

Tossing your head side to side before nodding, you smiled gently. “You could say that.”

“Di’kut,” Boba muttered under his breath. (“Idiot.”)

Mayfeld’s attention turned to the bounty hunter. “What, is that another one?”

The other man nodded, not missing a beat. “Yes, it’s just for you.”

You and Din had to contain snorts of laughter, tucking your head towards your chest to try and conceal the grin that wouldn’t stop. 

The gears in Mayfeld’s head were turning. “Oh. So I can tell people I have a Mandalorian name now.” He beamed with pride.

“You should definitely do that,” Fennec spoke for the first time since coming back down, a grin working its way up her face, too. 

“How do you say it again?”

“Di’kut,” Din said slowly and clearly, chuckling when Mayfeld repeated it a few times. 

“What does it mean?”

“It’s not really translatable,” you offered after a loaded moment. “It’s just understood.”

“So any other Mando will know what it means?”

You nodded. “Anyone who speaks Mando’a will know.”

“And probably a few who don’t.” You couldn’t help but snicker at Fennec’s mumbled comment turned toward Boba’s back and meant only for those beside her.

Turning to face the wall behind you to conceal your broad grin still plastered on your face, you tried to take a deep, calming breath, but it quickly devolved into more snickers. Din came along, patting you on the back with a mumbled, “Are you okay?” but his words bounced so severely with restrained laughter it only made you worse, and you had to tuck into his cowl to hide your growing snorts of amusement.

Fennec was chuckling quietly, her face still angled slyly into Boba’s back, while Boba smiled kindly at Mayfeld. 

Cara, on the other hand, didn’t understand what the word meant, but knew it wasn’t good, and was blatantly grinning like a fool at the whole exchange, her feet propped up on a crate in front of her.

Mayfeld grinned, oblivious to the snide exchanges behind beskar clad hunters. “Wizard.”

Xxx

Standing on the top of a cliff looking down at a road on a remote jungle planet, you looked around in wonder. It was so green. And you’d bet there were fireflies here somewhere. 

“There aren’t,” Din mumbled, stepping up beside you.

Peering up at him, having to squint in the bright sunlight, but also because you wanted to narrow your eyes at him accusingly, you asked quietly, “Aren’t what?”

“Fireflies. I already looked it up before we left the ship.”

Your jaw dropped. “How did you-”

He turned to look down at you, his head tilted slightly. “You’re like a book, mesh’la. Easiest thing to read.”

“Easiest thing to read,” you scoffed, turning back to look over the edge of the cliff. “I’m not easy, I’m Huttese if I’m anything.” Turning back to him, pointing an accusatory finger close to his visor, you lowered your voice further, grumbling. “You’re easy to read.”

“Even with the helmet?”

“Especially with the helmet. You have one look.” You imitated the beskar’s flat expression. “Just,” your face fell flat again. “It’s like learning Mando’a the first time.”

Din huffed out an amused laugh. “Oh, really?”

“No,” you finally grumbled, turning back to look over the edge of the cliff again, arms crossing over your chest. “But it still wasn’t that difficult.” Your weight shifted to one leg and you cleared your throat. “Had you figured out after your first few visits to the bar.”

“That soon, huh? Am I really that easy?” Din was just poking at the krayt now, with a small, small stick.

“Oh, honey, the easiest.”

You laughed at Cara’s response as she made it to the top of the hill, her arm snaking around Din’s shoulder playfully.

“What are we talking about?”

Din looked at her for a long moment before he grunted, shook his head, and shrugged out of her grasp.

“Oh, don’t be like that, shiny!””

Din rounded on her, his face inches from hers as a smirk climbed her face.

“Told ya he wouldn’t let anyone but you get away with calling him names like that. You owe me fifty credits.”

Din’s head swiveled over to stare at you, head slightly tilted to the side.

You shrugged, turning your attention to Cara. “Ah, nope. I only owe you half.” Her eyes snapped off the back of Din’s helmet to meet your amused gaze. “You called him shiny on the ship before we picked up Mayfeld, and he didn’t say anything, so….”

Din turned back to Cara, waiting on her response.

“That’s true….” She mused, eyes flicking back over onto Din, before meeting yours again. “But he was distracted.”

Shrugging once more, you scuffed your foot on the ground, “I mean, if you wanna get technical, that’s true. So I win and you owe me fifty.”

Din looked straight ahead with a sigh, his shoulders deflating in defeat.

“No!” Cara didn’t even hesitate. “No. Half is fine.”

“Is that settled?” Din’s voice was tired, making you chuckle.

“Yes. The others are here now, anyway.”

The three of you looked to your left to see Mayfeld leading Boba and Fennec up the incline, the two of them exchanging looks as he huffed and puffed from the trek.

As he stood near the edge, surveying the valley below, hands on his hips, he took a deep breath. “Wow! That is high!” Blowing out the breath on a long huff, he bent over and leaned on his knees, his face scrunching up like he ate something sour. “Let’s land closer next time.”

“Let’s not need a next time,” you mumbled, your mood taking a sour turn at the comment like his expression.

He turned to you, nodding, having the decency to look sheepish as he stood up straight again, his breathing finally back to something close to normal. “I’m not gonna need long inside, so once I get the coordinates, you guys gotta get me the hell out of there.”

Boba nodded as he stepped closer to the edge and peered down. “You get to the roof. I’ll drop in and pull you out.”

Another of the large transport vehicles rumbled past on the road down in the valley, all of your heads following it as it disappeared into a nearby tunnel to the left. 

Cara cleared her throat, taking a step back toward the path down the steep incline. “All right. Mayfeld and I will swap out for the drivers in the tunnel.”

Mayfeld planted his feet, hands coming up to gesture while he spoke. “Hey. As much as I’d like to take a road trip with Rebel-dropper here,” Cara’s face twisted in a face that was not amused, “that’s not gonna work.”

“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?” Her tone was wearing thin.

You stepped between Mayfeld and Cara, gesturing her back with your hand when she went to step forward. “I think what my friend here is trying to say,” you looked at her pointedly over your shoulder before looking back at Mayfeld, “is could you please give us a little more detail about why it won’t work?”

He nodded, his gesturing continuing. “Well, because these Remnant bases are set up and run by ex-ISB. If you get scanned and your genetic signature shows up on any New Republic register, you’re gonna be detected, and it’s guns out.”

Turning to Cara, you held her gaze firmly. “I’m not on any registers.” You turned to face Din. “I’ll go.”

Din just looked at you, no words needed, you all understood. No.

Ignoring your suggestion completely, Din moved on to the next subject. “We don’t have time for this. Fennec will go.”

She shook her head. “No. I’m wanted by the ISB. I’ll trip the alarm, too.”

Din sighed, looking over his shoulder at the other Mandalorian. “Fett?”

“Let’s just say they might recognize my face.”

Narrowing your eyes at the green beskar, your mind began to wander as you pondered his words…. He did look familiar. And in more than just the “I met you for five seconds when I was twelve” sense. But whenever you saw a familiar face in your memory, they were all in your childhood, on the streets of Coruscant. All in white. Troopers. Clones. 

In fact you’d seen a few since being with Din on the Crest, old war veterans sitting against deserted city walls with signs asking for aid. You’d tossed a few credits when you could, a ration pack if you couldn’t, a smile and kind word if the other two were running dry. No matter what you had to offer, a smile and thanks was always waiting for you in a warm and similar voice. Kind, kindred, soft, but broken…. So, so broken. And each with the exact same face. Give or take a few years.

But Boba looked older than most of them. Could he be…. No. But…. Your head hurt. 

Boba turned his visor to you just slightly, just enough to catch your eye, and tilted his head to the side knowingly.

You raised your eyebrows at him and he just simply bowed his head gently in acknowledgment, something so small anyone else that saw it would think he was just nodding off or something. All you could do was blink at him, his shoulders shaking slightly in silent amusement. Shaking your head to clear it, you tuned back in to the conversation at hand.

Mayfeld was still going on about the vehicle. “Great, so it’s me goin’ in alone.”

“Or I could go, too. It’s a good idea, Mando, and you know it.” It didn’t hurt to try again. He didn’t even bother to look at you this time and somehow that hurt more. The anger boiling under your skin since the kid was taken starting to simmer again despite your best efforts.

Cara and Mayfeld began to bicker yet again as Din used the scope off of one of his rifles to look at another truck driving by. 

“I’ll go.”

Mayfeld scoffed, laughing quietly. “Hey, buddy, I might be good at fast-talking, but I don’t think I can explain away a guy in a Mando suit to Imperial guards. So, unless you’re gonna take off that helmet, it’s gonna be me goin’ in alone.” His eyes fell on you as his voice softened. “Or say goodbye to your little green friend.”

Din’s hand closed around the scope as he lowered it back to his side, the leather of his gloves creaking under the effort. “You’re not going alone. I’m coming with you. But I won’t be showing my face.” 

Something about seeing Din under as much pressure as you, in as much pain, made your turmoil lessen slightly. Was that horrible? It wasn’t that you felt good that he was suffering, too. In fact it was the opposite. You felt the need to be strong for him. Be strong when he couldn’t. When he shouldn’t be. He was allowed to break, too.

Mayfeld ‘s expression was sour. “And big scary green Mando is out?”

Boba sighed. “Yes.”

“You sure, old timer?”

The bounty hunter’s voice had grown tight. “I’m almost as young as he is.” He tilted his head toward Din on his right.

“That’s why he keeps the helmet on.”

Both beskar clad men took a step toward the man, stopping when he slunk back around to hide behind you.

Mayfeld looked like anything else was preferable to spending time alone with Din. “Let’s circle back around to her idea,” he pointed at you. “She can go with me.”

“No.” Din didn’t even hesitate.

So neither did you. “Yes.”

He sighed, turning to you. “Stop.”

“Let the lady make her own decisions, Mando.” Mayfeld’s hands were resting on his hips. 

You mimicked his posture, hands going to your own hips as you glared playfully at Din. “Yeah, Mando. You know I’m going with you. That’s not negotiable. You need me.” All around you, every member of your party looked down as little pebbles and twigs began to float up off the ground, suspended in the air while you and Din stared at one another. You let them fall abruptly after Din let out another sigh in resignation, grinning at him in triumph. 

Mayfeld simply stared at the ground with knit brows for a long moment before asking bluntly, “What just happened?”

“Maybe someday I’ll tell you,” you put your hands on his shoulders and turned him to start back down the path towards Boba’s ship. “But for now we need to regroup and get ready. This needs to happen soon.”

“I mean, I don’t have anything but what’s on me now,” Mayfeld started, the twist of his smirk making you want to roll your eyes. Here we go. “The clothes on my back are all the ray of absolute sunshine over there would allow me.” He gestured toward Cara over his shoulder with his thumb. “But that could change really quickly if you wanted….”

Suddenly Mayfeld was stumbling ahead of you, and bright silver beskar catching the sun came up in your peripherals.

“What’d I do?!” Mayfeld objected, rounding on Din.

“I’m not quite sure,” Boba said from the back of the group, “but if you do it again, I have a very nice carbonite chamber you can make the ride home in when we’re done.”

Mayfeld gulped loudly, eyes going wide as his steps froze. Like the flip of a switch, his features twisted into amusement, a tense laugh bubbling out of his chest. “Nah, you’re joking. ….right?”

Boba had moved up from the back and fell into step beside you, his tone nonchalant as he continued to address Mayfeld. “It’s very real. I can have Fennec show you, if you’d like.”

Swallowing roughly, Mayfeld mumbled something about how he was fine and turned to continue toward the ship.

Inching closer to you, Boba leaned down to speak lowly next to your ear. “It’s very real, yes, but also very broken at the moment.” You smirked as he lifted his head back toward Mayfeld. “I think you’ll especially love the shuk'yc aspect of it.” (“Broken down.”)

You chuckled at the ribbing the bounty hunter was giving the man. “Be nice,” you mumbled toward the green beskar to your right, your threat clearly more of an acknowledgement of the game he was starting than an actual admonishment. 

“Shuk-” After stumbling over the word, Mayfeld groaned softly. “Can someone explain that in a way I will understand?”

“I’m sure they could, but where’s the fun in that,” Cara mused as she walked past.

You shook your head. “This is osik'la.” (“Messed up.”)

Boba laughed. “It’s fun to jurkadir ti.” (“Mess someone around.”)

Mayfeld had turned back around to face the group and was walking backwards. “That’s not funny, guys.”

You ignored him, speaking exclusively to Boba. “Yes but the di'kut can’t understand it.” (“Idiot.”)

Stumbling as he continued to move backwards, Mayfeld righted himself, glancing over his shoulder as he prattled on. “What are you talking about? I heard my Mando name. That’s my name. I know that much. Are you guys talking about me? Come on!”

Boba shrugged. “Kaysh mirsh solus. What more can you do?” (“He's an idiot.” (Lit. “His brain cell is lonely.”))

“Hello!” Mayfeld dragged out the word in annoyance.

You smirked. “True.”

Boba turned to Mayfeld. “Just singing your praises.” His visor landed back on you. “Aren’t we, mesh’la?” (“Beautiful.”)

Mayfeld pulled up short. “Wait. I’m confused. Why isn’t Mando trying to murder him for calling her mesh- that name?” He stumbled over the word, stopping short when he thought better of trying to say it again. Turning to Din, hands on his hips, he raised his brows expectantly.

“I kinda like him. You on the other hand….”

Mayfeld tossed his hands up letting them come back down to his sides with a slap, a wry smile twisting up his features. “Ok. I see how it is.” He spun in a half circle away from everyone before turning back to look you and Boba straight on. “Ha ha, let’s keep Mayfeld in the dark - that’s not fair, guys! I’m a member of this group, too!”

“You’re right….” Boba mused quietly, tilting his visor down to meet your gaze. “Me'vaar ti gar?” (“What's new with you?”)

Looking up at him, you grinned. “Naas.” (“Nothing.”)

Mayfeld just stared, taking a deep breath through his nose, arms crossed over his chest, and his left eye twitched slightly. He turned to Din once again. “What are they saying?”

Din leaned in slightly and said in a dry tone, “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”

Mayfeld leaned back away from Din.

You laughed, bumping your shoulder into Boba’s side. “Vor'e, ruug'la jag.” (“Thanks, old man.”)

“U'tabi, ad’ika. Ori'buyce, kih'kovid gar. Gedeteya Ni guuro gar.” (“Tread carefully, little one. All helmet, no head. Be thankful I like you.”)

You turned your gaze up to his visor, finding it tilted to the side teasingly. “Gar gedeteya Ni gana jate aalan, ba'buir. Copaani mirshmure'cye, vod?” (“You be thankful I have a good mood, grandfather. Are you looking for a smack in the face, mate?”)

He shrugged. “Haatyc or'arue jate'shya ori'sol aru'ike nuhaatyc. Gar cuyi copikla….” (“Better one big enemy that you can see than many small ones that you can't. You’re, cute….”)

You dropped your jaw. In Mando’a that last word was reserved for children, using it for a woman meant you had a death wish. Narrowing your eyes at him, you lowered your voice in playful warning. “Slana’pir, ruug’la jag.” (“Piss off, old man.”)

Boba laughed softly, but before he could respond, Mayfeld turned to Cara, asking loudly, “Can you believe this?”

Cara looked at him with a disarming smile as she said clear as day the one thing Din had taught her in Mando’a, “Ne shab'rud'ni.” (“Don't fuck around with me.”)

Mayfeld turned and walked off several steps, tossing his hands in the air again. “Oh, kriff all of ya!” He rounded on Boba. “How do you say ‘kriff you’ in Mando’a?”

“Copaani mirshmure'cye, vod?” (“Want a headbutt, mate?”)

You choked on a laugh, turning it into a cough as you turned to the side.

Narrowing his eyebrows at the green Mandalorian before shaking his head, he turned back to the group, pointing at Boba. “What he said!” Then quieter, “I think.” As soon as he’d said that, he made his way over to Fennec, falling in step with her as you all continued toward Boba’s ship. “You know what they are saying?”

She nodded, not looking away from the path. “I know enough to get by.”

“Then-”

She interrupted him with a smirk. “Ner burc'ya…. Val bid mirdala.” (“My friends…. They are so clever.”)

“What?”

“No, I won’t tell you.”

Mayfeld turned in a slow circle, glaring daggers at all of you in turn. “When this job is done, I never want to hear another word of Mando’a ever again.”

“Koor,” you agreed with a nod, grinning when he turned his glare squarely on you. Looking at the ground to try and contain your glee as you walked past him at the bottom of the ramp, you mumbled a quiet explanation, “Deal.” (“Deal.”)

“You know what,” he grumbled, looking like a pouting child. “You can all go kiss a krayt dragon.”

Silence filled the spaces left between all of you, heavy and awkward. Sighing as you came to a stop at the top of the ramp, you turned to face your petulant new friend. 

But before you could say anything, Din broke the silence with an easy, “Better than getting swallowed by one.”

Mayfeld scoffed. “How would you know?” He stared at Din, his expression quickly melting to wide eyed disbelief, his voice along with it as he mumbled a quiet, “How would you know?”

“Or being partially digested by a sarlacc.” 

All heads slowly swiveled to look at Boba in silence.

After another long moment, Mayfeld turned to Din. “Oh, don’t tell me you….” Din shrugged, making Mayfeld wince before turning to Boba. “And you….” 

Silence once again settled around you all, this time filled with loaded looks and amusement.

Holding his hands up by his head in surrender, Mayfeld looked at the ground, shaking his head. “I’m not even gonna try anymore….” He started up the ramp, mumbling, “I will never live up to my Mandalorian name. I’ll never be deserving of di’kut….” 

Fennec walked past him, grinning as she offered, “Oh, believe me…. You already are.”

Xxx

Cara, Mayfeld, and Din left the ship to go to a spot a little further up the hill from the lookout. It was directly above the tunnel so the four of you could easily drop down onto the next transport.

“You coming?” Din stopped after a few steps, looking over his shoulder at you with a small inquisitive tilt of his head.

“I’ll be right behind you.”

Once they were just out of sight, you turned to Boba as he came up beside you, taking the earpiece he extended your way.

“Are you sure you want to do this, little one?”

Adjusting the small electronic in your ear, a faint beep signifying it had connected to his comm once you had let it settle for a moment, you stared down the path where the others had disappeared. “No.” Looking up at the tall man with kind eyes, you smiled softly. “But I have to.”

Din had no idea about you taking the comm in with you. It wasn’t a big deal, all things considered, not as much as you actually going into the base with them the way you intended to. But if you got caught with any sort of communication device, any sort of interrogation you’d receive would be ten times as worse than if you just wandered onto the base. It’d look more like you were gathering intelligence, which was the goal of being here, yes, but you were just going in to clear a way to the roof as a way of escape. Din and Mayfeld were the ones gathering the intelligence. If Din knew you had an earpiece, he wouldn’t let you go, most likely. 

“Channel three, if you get kicked out for some reason.”

You turned to Fennec as she spoke, appearing seemingly out of thin air on your other side. Nodding in understanding, you made sure your weapons belt was tight. “Channel three, got it. Otherwise we’re secure? Or do I need to worry about some sort of code?”

“This isn’t espionage….” Boba’s tone was highly amused.

“Actually, it kinda is….”

After an exchange of loaded looks, all three of you chuckled quietly.

“Long live the Empire,” Boba mumbled sarcastically as he turned to walk away.

“You should leave those here.” Fennec’s ever quiet tone made you pause, turning to her in question. She gestured to your belt.

“You want me to go in unarmed?” The scoff fell out of your mouth before you could stop it.

With a roll of her eyes, Fennec shifted her weight to one side before looking at you pointedly. “No. But if you go in loaded to the teeth with beskar, a loaded belt, and-”

“I’m not loaded to the teeth,” you protested, hands on your hips. “I’m not Mando.”

She huffed, pointing at each thing. “Vambraces - beskar vambraces - loaded with probably five or more weapons on their own. Saber. Blaster number one. Blaster number two. Knife….”

“Okay, okay, I get the point.”

“….Rifle on your back. Probably a vibroblade in your boot like Mando has and tries to pretend no one knows is there….”

You arched a brow. “You done?”

“….And it’s purely speculation, but you may or may not have a blaster in the waistband of your pants.”

“That was just to collect Mayfeld.”

Fennec huffed. “Please. You don’t trust him as far as you can throw him.”

“Considering my abilities, that’s actually pretty far….”

Fennec turned to leave, but you reached out, lightly grabbing her forearm to stop her.

“Wait, wait. I’m sorry. You’re right. I mean, no, it’s not in my waist anymore, but I’ve kept something on or near me at all times. But not just since Mayfeld…. Since…. Uh….”

Her features softened. “Since the kid.”

“Yes. No. I mean, not just since he’s been taken-”

“I know what you mean.” Her free hand came to rest on your upper arm softly, a kind smile pulling up her face. “Ever since the kid, period.” You nodded. “I wouldn’t understand if I hadn’t met Boba. Mandalorians are fiercely protective of anyone they deem family, beyond blood, beyond any bond I’ve ever seen.”

“Aliit ori'shya tal'din.” You mumbled the saying you’d heard Din recite to the kid time and time again, looking down at the floor before bringing your eyes back up to meet Fennec’s. “I’m not Mandalorian, though.” (“Family is more than blood.”)

She grinned. “Don’t discount yourself so quickly. Besides, that doesn’t matter. You’re family.”

Holding her gaze, your eyes went wide. “I have to get him back, Fennec. This has to work. I-”

“Then choose two weapons to take, and I’ll hold the rest here on the ship, stash them somewhere safe until you get back.”

“Two?” You whined. She arched a brow at you. “Fine,” you grumbled, turning down to inspect your belt.

In the end you opted to take the knife Din had originally etched the mudhorn on tucked safely in your boot, and the first blaster that had gotten his signet as well. 

Unclipping your saber and second blaster, you handed them to her. “I’m leaving the belt on. Need my hands free.” She nodded. “Don’t lose these.” If looks could kill…. Then Fennec would be twice as deadly right now. Taking the rifle slung over your shoulders off, you thrust it into her waiting hand, watching sadly as she set it against a nearby crate before turning back toward you.

She held her hand out, waiting. After a moment of no movement, she trilled her fingers against the air. “Vibroblade.”

“Oh, come on!” She smirked at your complaint. “You’re leaving me defenseless!” Tugging the spare blade out of your other boot, you smacked it into her waiting palm. Waving a finger at her, your face turned stern. “You’re not getting my vambraces.”

“And your plan to cover them is….”

You thought for a moment. “Jedi mind tricks?” Your voice went up at the end, going slightly squeaky, and you cursed yourself silently.

Fennec’s face fell flat, her hand extending toward you once again, waiting.

“Nope. No way.” You leaned closer. “I’m Mandalorian, remember?” She took a deep breath through her nose in an effort to stay calm. “Weapons are part of my religion.”

“You’re not going to stop, are you?” She kept her voice flat, but a smile was tugging up one side of her face, betraying her true feelings.

You smirked. “What do you think?”

Xxx

“Where’ve you been?” Din wasted no time once you caught up with the small group on the edge of the cliff, quickly ducking onto your stomach on the ground beside him. You had to shove Mayfeld to the side with your shoulder, earning a grunt from the man, but he acquiesced, scooting to make room.

Before you could answer, your mouth opening as you took a breath, Din’s visor dropped down to your waist. “Where’s the rest of your weapons?”

You turned to meet the hard stare of his T, arching a brow as you waited. “You gonna let me talk now?”

A soft grunt was his only response, making a small smile work its way up your face.

“Fennec thought it best I leave most of them behind, just to be safe.”

A deep sigh in your ear had you biting the inside of your cheek to not react.

“Dropping me right in the rancor pit, I see….” Fennec’s dry tone made you want to laugh, but you just cleared your throat instead, looking down to the road below.

Boba’s warm chuckle drifted into your ear next. “Don’t worry, Fennec. I’ll protect you if the Mandalorian takes offense.”

“I can take care of myself, old timer.”

Boba groaned. “Not you, too. I saved your life, you know. You could be a little nicer to me.”

“I don’t know. Has a nice ring to it….”

Their argument continued, drowning out Mayfeld as he began to ask questions as well. Then Cara as she told the two men to butt out.

Closing your eyes to try and focus on at least one thing, you finally snapped. “Guys!”

“What?” Three voices beside you said in unison with two voices in your ear. 

Snapping your eyes open, you stared ahead blankly, trying to figure out what to say that could appease all five people waiting on your response.

“Now’s not the time. Focus. Please.” You gestured down at the road with one hand. “We have a small window in which to do this.” The ground began to rumble beneath your palms. “And here it comes.” 

The four of you exchanged looks as the transport drew closer, dropping down onto the roof once it began to pass into the tunnel. 

Keeping low until the top of the ceiling opened up enough that you could stand hunched over, then making your way to the front. Once you were over the cab, you flung the hatch open and held it back for Cara as she dropped down, catching the drivers off guard.

After a few grunts and the sound of a fist colliding with cheap armor sounded a handful of times, you stuck your head down into the opening. “Need any help?”

Cara pushed the limp body on her right to the side and grabbed the lever directly in front of her, yanking it back with a loud huff. “No, I’m fine, thanks.” She stumbled a bit as the vehicle lurched to a stop.

“Just making sure,” you lilted teasingly as you pulled back from the hatch, gesturing Din and Mayfeld forward from where they had stayed in the back to keep watch on the road. Cara calling your name drew you back into the small cockpit. “Yes?” Everything was upside down from the way you were perched.

“Actually, you wanna help me get these guys outta here?”

You just blinked at her for a minute, confused, until she huffed again, lifting her hand and wiggling her fingers teasingly at you in the way she did when she talked about the kid and his powers. 

You sighed, rolling your eyes as you flipped over yourself, dropping into the small space beside her.

“Thank you,” she sang happily, a wide grin on her face as she yanked the drivers door open to reveal Din and Mayfeld down on the ground already waiting. She tried to shove the body with her foot, but it hardly budged. 

“Safety belt, genius,” Mayfeld mumbled, reaching out to click it open, the body collapsing further forward without the restraint. 

Cara grumbled at him, gesturing him around to the passenger side with a jerk of her head.

When he didn’t move, Din gave him a gentle push around the front of the transport. “Go around. I’ve got this one.”

“But I wanted to drive,” he grumbled as he made his way around.

You unclipped the passenger side safety belt, the unconscious body slumping forward into the dash as Mayfeld opened the door. “You can, but let’s get them out of the uniforms and tied up first. We’re on the clock.”

Mayfeld wiggled his eyebrows. “Kinky.” He tried to yank the body, not making much headway, and looked across to see Din and Cara not even attempting to touch the bodies. “A little help here?”

“Step back,” you tried to wave him away, but he stood close to the door, making you sigh in frustration. “Di’kut, step back.”

A grin slowly spreading across his face, he stepped to the side with his hands held up in surrender.

“Finally,” you mumbled, lifting both hands to your sides and flicking your wrists outward as if you were shooing a bug, making the bodies fly out of their respective sides and onto the ground. “I’m not helping to get them naked, that’s your job.”

Din was already pulling the whipcord from his vambrace to bind the guard at his feet.

Mayfeld rolled his guard over by nudging his shoulder with his boot. “Hey, Mando. Got any to spare?”

“I do.” You stepped to the passenger side, pressing a button on your vambrace to let the cord spool onto the ground. 

As the two men set about taking care of the troopers, you stood behind Cara as she messed with switches all over the console. “This thing going to explode when they put it back in gear?”

She snorted a laugh. “No. The rhydonium is still stable, and the engine is all in order, no fail safes that I can see.”

“No trackers?”

She looked over her shoulder at you, smiling gently. “No trackers.” Leaning closer, she whispered, “Hey, by the way, what does that mean anyway?”

“What does what mean?”

“Hey, look! Who am I?” Both of you turned toward the sound of Mayfeld’s voice to find him in the trooper helmet, his voice dropping ridiculously low as he monotonously said, “This is the way.”

“Idiot,” Cara mumbled, shaking her head.

You grinned and said lowly, “If you already know, why’d you ask?”

Her eyes shot up to yours, a laugh barking out of her chest before several more came out to meet it. 

“Mesh’la?”

Turning at the sound of Din’s voice out the driver’s door, you saw him holding out a hand toward you to help you out of the vehicle. Taking his hand, you jumped down beside him, looking up at him with raised brows.

Mayfeld came around the corner dragging the other guard before tossing him beside the one Din had stashed in a nearby corner for Cara to deal with once you all left. He threw the uniform at Din, stooping down to pick up the drivers set off the floor of the transport where the Mandalorian had left it before disappearing behind one of the massive tires to change. After a moment, his shirt came flying from behind the huge wheel, landing squarely on Cara’s face. 

She whipped it down, glaring at the tire, then at you, rolling her eyes when you held your hands up in surrender. Turning, she jumped back into the cockpit.

“Mayfeld is gonna die someday and no one will question anything because everyone will know it was Cara.” Turning back to Din, you chuckled softly as you asked, “I’m assuming you want me to stash your armor in the bag as you go to save time?”

He nodded. “It’d help.”

You returned the nod, following him to a secluded outcropping of wall he could step behind for privacy before taking the large bag he offered you and turning your back to him. Both to keep watch, and out of habit knowing he’d be removing his helmet.

Quickly and efficiently he removed each piece of beskar, handing it to you over your shoulder to set delicately down in the bag, making a mental note of the order. They were in such a way that they nestled into one another, stacking neatly. 

Next, his flight suit was passed to you. Setting the bag down by your feet, you folded it quickly but neatly. 

Placing it in the top of the bag, you shook your head. “You know, come to think of it, I’ve never seen you fold anything.”

“I know how to fold.”

“Name one thing you fold on a regular basis.” No answer. “This must have been before me, because I have only ever seen you remove your cape, and when you do, it’s in a ball shoved in a corner somewhere on the Crest.”

Din grunted.

A piece of material brushed your arm before disappearing, then reappeared along with a sigh from the Mandalorian behind you.

Turning toward the cloth you saw his cape and cowl, folded into a nice…. Ball. You grinned as you narrowed your brows at the wad of fabric in your hand. “How….”

He chuckled. “Years of practice.” 

Tilting your head before you took a deep breath to ask another question, he cut you off. 

“Not one word,” he grumbled, his voice bouncing as he stepped into the trooper flight suit. 

“I didn’t say anything!” You protested, taking his gloves as he handed them to you over your shoulder. “Will you switch your helmet so I can help you with this shit armor, please?”

Din sighed.

“Is there a problem?”

“It…. smells.”

You couldn’t help but start to laugh, the sound growing when Mayfeld contributed.

“You, too?” His voice echoed off the walls of the tunnel from a few yards down where he sat in the opening of the drivers door, tying the laces of his boots. “Oh, my God, this guy reeked! His gloves are still wet…. Ugh!”

Screwing your face up in disgust, you turned around to face Din, doing up the top of the flight suit he still had open. “Okay. Well, then, let’s just get done what we can, and do that last. How’s that sound? We need to hurry, though, so I’m sorry, but you won’t get long.”

“I’ll take what I can get,” he mumbled, one ungloved hand coming to rest on your hip, lingering there before he gently pushed you to the side as he reached for the trooper armor behind you. 

Jaw dropped in shock, you shoved his shoulder. “Fine. Do it on your own.” Turning to march off dramatically, you were stopped by a finger in the collar of your shirt as he laughed softly.

“Help me, please. I’m sorry.”

Grumbling, you grabbed the chest plate. “I’ll help you,” you mumbled. “Put this on upside down. See how that helps.”

Once each piece was settled, all that was left was the helmet. 

“Okay, take a deep breath while you can, then put that ugly bucket on.” Closing your eyes, you held out your hands, waiting to take the beskar dome when he was ready.

A hiss of the mechanism sounded before it was placed in your hands, another mechanism quickly reengaging.

“Mesh’la.”

Opening your eyes, you came face to face with a trooper, and despite expecting it, you jumped. “Scary.” Din huffed. “You sound different.”

“I’m trying not to breathe too deeply.”

You grimaced. “What does it smell like?”

“You don’t want to know.”

Setting his helmet in the bag, you didn’t like seeing it staring back at you without Din inside of it. Cinching the bag tight, you went to lift it, but there was no way you’d ever be able to, it was too heavy.

“I’ve got it,” Din said softly, swinging the bag over his shoulder as he walked back toward the transport. He hadn’t taken two steps out from behind the wall when Mayfeld began to chuckle.

“Look at this. Oh, the shame. Now, that right there is worth the price of admission.”

Din ignored him, continuing on to Cara, stopping a few feet in front of her as if to say, “Well?”

She grinned, her voice tight from trying not to laugh. “Wish I could say it looked good on you, but I’d be lying.”

Mayfeld was still chuckling softly from his perch in the drivers side door, so you made your way over there, by all appearances, nonchalantly, while Din and Cara continued going over the plan once again. When you were close enough, you peered up at him, enjoying the way his chuckles began to slowly fade. “What’s so funny?”

“Are you not seeing what I’m seein’?” He pointed toward Din.

Looking over your shoulder before turning back to him, you arched a brow. “I see two men wearing the exact same uniform.”

He scoffed. “Well then you’re not seein’ what I’m seein’. He-” Mayfeld was cut off by an unseen force tugging him precariously close to the edge of the doorway he sat in, and it was a several foot drop to the ground below should he…. fall.

Taking a step closer to his flailing form, you leaned into him a bit. “You were saying?”

Wide eyes landing on yours, Mayfeld swallowed roughly. “He looks great. That’s what I was gonna say. Fits him like a glove. Second skin. Anything else?”

You pulled him forward about an inch, smirking when his eyes screwed shut. “I haven’t decided yet….”

“Mesh’la.” The Mandalorian’s tone was flat, and unamused.

“No, let her finish,” Cara added quietly. “This is my favorite part.”

“Hey, guys.” Mayfeld sat up and glared at you, the expression faltering when you arched a brow at him. “Still on the clock.”

As Din walked past the drivers side to get to the passengers side, Mayfeld tisked. “What would they say on Mandalore?”

“Di’kut, for one,” you grumbled under your breath, turning to face Cara. 

Fennec and Boba had been largely silent since you had asked everyone to focus, thankfully, but this comment sent warm laughter into your ear from the earpiece. 

“Whoops, sorry, ad’ika. Bumped the button on the comm while I was moving something,” Boba’s voice came through softly. “But as long as I’m here, just know we’re listening and ready to help if- when you need.”

You scoffed quietly, turning so Cara wouldn’t question you. “When I need it? Your confidence is overwhelming.”

Boba’s tone was amused, the sound of his pilot’s chair creaking and you could just picture him leaning back in it lazily. “Just call me optimistic.”

“I’ll call you something, old man, but it won’t be optimistic-”

“Did you say something?”

Turning to face Cara, finding her brows raised at you in question, you coughed, patting your chest a few times as you shook your head.

“No. Just swallowed wrong or something.”

Boba chuckled in your ear. “Careful, ad’ika. You need to be better about this whole covert thing, you’re about to be in a base filled with troopers. What are you going to do then? Start sneezing?”

Rolling your eyes, you took a step closer to Cara. Before you could bid her goodbye, however, Mayfeld began talking again, ribbing her as he climbed into the drivers seat.

“You know, it’s a shame you’re not comin’ along with us. You got such a sunny disposition. Can’t imagine how much fun you are in one of these.”

Nodding to Cara, you turned to head for the transport, but her hand on your elbow stopped you. A quick glance at her face showed this conversation had violence in mind. 

“Hypothetically,” she began, licking her lips as she took a deep breath before going on, “if I were to…. Dispose of Mayfeld, could you - hypothetically, of course - use your Force powers to reanimate him so I could do it again?” She trilled her fingers on Force powers like she always did, making you snort. 

“Hypothetically?” You turned to look at the man in question settling into the drivers seat, Cara’s gaze following along and glaring daggers as she nodded.

“You have twenty seconds to give me an answer before this is no longer hypothetical.”

Tilting your head to the side, you crossed your arms over your chest as you continued to study the man behind the controls. “And if the answer is no?”

She shrugged. “Then he had a nice life.”

Shaking your head, you tucked a laugh into your chest. “I know it pains you, but I need his help right now, Cara.”

“I know, I know, I was only kidding.”

“No, you weren’t.”

“No, I wasn’t.”

You put a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s get through this, then we can revisit these…. Thoughts.”

“Promise?” She asked hopefully, but you knew she was teasing. She’d never actually follow through on the threat.

“I will do no such thing.”

“I thought you were my friend!” She called to your back as you climbed into the vehicle. 

Din reached out a hand from his spot in the passenger seat to help you up. Taking it with a smile up his way, you hauled yourself up and called back over your shoulder, “Friends don’t let other friends commit atrocities!”

“They do if they love each other!”

Turning around to face her, you cocked your head to the side as you ducked down to see her through the opening. “Is that what you’re doing right now? Loving me by helping commit atrocities?”

Her face was comically screwed up in mock offence. “Hell no! This is for the kid. There’s nothing more of a just cause in this galaxy than that.”

“Are you two done?”

You glared at Mayfeld’s mumbled question, tripping as you turned to climb the rest of the way in, knocking his seat forward slightly.

Cara was glaring at him from her spot beside the transport, and she quickly turned to you. “Just give me two minutes.”

One of the guards tied up beside her began to stir, and without looking, she hit him in the back of the head with the butt of her rifle, sending him slack once again.

“You have a job to do, Cara. And so do we. Go.”

As the door sealed shut, you saw her roll her eyes through the viewport, hoisting the bodies in each hand and dragging them in the direction of Boba’s ship. What was going to happen to them? You had no clue.

Mayfeld was staring at the console looking a little lost. “What’s goin’ on here? Power coil, motivator….”

You leaned forward, reaching over his shoulder and flipping the proper switch to start the engine.

He glared up at you as he grumbled, “I was gettin’ to that.” Pressing a large lever forward, the transport lurched forward, the light at the end of the tunnel getting closer. “And we are off.”

Xxx

Mayfeld couldn’t let the silence sit for long. Turning to Din as he adjusted some controls, he tilted his head back slightly. “Hey, how’s it feel?”

Din, of course, was silent. He stared straight ahead, not moving an inch aside from the bumpy road jostling you all slightly, and it made you grin.

“Huh?” Mayfeld prodded after a moment. “I mean, c’mon, man, you still get to wear a helmet, right?” When Din still didn’t respond to him, he shook his head. “All right, you know what? I’m takin’ this thing off.” Reaching up he tugged off the helmet. “I can’t see anything.” He set it between him and Din and stared straight forward at the road, something in his voice going softer than before. “I don’t know how you people wear those things. And by ‘you people’, I do mean Mandalorians.”

Shortly after leaving the tunnel, your earpiece buzzed quietly with Fennec’s voice. “Phase one, complete. We’re in.”

Boba came next, all business. “Copy. Standing by.”

They went quiet after that, and you were thankful. You needed this time to try and get your head into the right mindset before going into the base.

Mayfeld kept glancing over toward Din, almost nervously. Finally he offered a quiet, “Feels better when it’s off,” gesturing toward his head where the helmet had been.

Din finally turned toward him slightly, looking at him, and the smile Mayfeld offered was nothing but relief. A smile that said, “Thank you for not killing me, I'm just trying to make conversation.”

After that Mayfeld must have been content with that response, because the cab was silent for a long while. You watched the green scenery pass by outside in a blur, startling at Din’s voice on your right.

“Mesh’la?” He wasn’t looking at you, but you nodded for him to go on anyway. “Go over the plan again for me once. Please.”

Mayfeld huffed in amusement, shaking his head as he mumbled, “The Mandalorian says please. Someone alert the Senate! Something big is goin’ on.”

Ignoring him, you leaned forward between their seats, bracing a forearm on each headrest. “We get in, I sneak to a supply closet for a disguise and get to the roof, clearing a path for the two of you….”

Leaning further forward as you trailed off, all three of you peered out the viewport at the hulls of burned out transports much like the one you were in sitting on the sides of the road. Not only were they burned out, it looked like they had exploded. Twisted metal and tires sitting in heaps. 

The vehicles comms clicked on and a man’s voice said, “Juggernaut Four, you’re running a bit hot. Be sure to watch your cargo heat limits and speed.”

Another male voice clicked on, “Copy that, Three. We hit a couple bumps. Thanks for the heads up.”

“Don’t worry about the rhydonium.” Din’s voice was one he used on the kid whenever he would fuss. It seemed to work on Mayfeld as he glanced up from studying the read out for the haul. “As long as you drive steady, you’ll get us to the refinery.” Din turned his head to look at you. “Clear a path for the two of us to….”

You shook your head. “Clear a path, that’s it.” You met the gaze of his imposter helmet. “Once I’m on the roof, I’ll let Boba know, and-”

“How will you let Fett know?”

You winced as Fennec’s voice filled your ear. “Just so we’re clear, that was all you.”

“Yes, thank you, Fennec, I am aware-”

“Fennec?” Din’s voice rose as he went to get to his feet but you pushed him back down by his shoulders.

“Stop.”

“Are you wearing a-”

You tapped your ear with a small smile, keeping one hand on his shoulder. “It was my idea. I knew I’d probably need help in the base, and that way once I was up top, things could run smoother. Fennec and Cara are going to be focused on taking down any troopers in the way, they don’t need to be worried about comms. Let me worry about it.”

He went to stand again, but you wouldn’t let him, needing very little pressure to keep him seated in the awkward position of the cockpit. “Mesh’la, if they catch you, and find that earpiece, they won’t just send you to some max security prison. They are going to think you’re a spy and torture you first. You may not even make it to a prison.”

You can hear the pain in his voice. He’s scared. There wasn’t much in this galaxy that could frighten a Mandalorian, but somehow you managed to mash it all up into one situation and throw it at him when he wasn’t looking. He wasn’t just scared, you realized. He was terrified.

“I already lost the kid. Don’t make me lose you, too.”

Holding his gaze as long as you could, you appreciate somewhere in the back of your mind that Mayfeld has been quiet for so long.

“You’re not going to lose me. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Mesh’la-”

“I kick ass, remember?” You tried to smile, but it was wobbly. The world began to swirl through unshed tears you tried to rapidly blink away. “I learned that from a good friend of mine. A good, good friend.” Lowering to your haunches, you took his helmet in your hands, tilting his forehead against yours. Swallowing a wave of emotion down, all you could manage was a whisper. “I learned that from you.”

Shuffling closer to him so your knees were touching his, you leaned into him a little harder, his forehead still firmly pressed to yours. “I need you to trust me. I need you to have a little faith, because I know I can do this. I need to do this. For the kid. And for me.”

Din took a deep breath in but you started talking again before he could. “No. This once, I need you to listen. I’ve done what you’ve asked since coming on the Crest, and before you start, I know, I know, you’re just trying to keep me and Gro-” You couldn’t say his name. Clearing your throat, you swallowed roughly before trying again. “To keep me and the kid safe. Now it’s my turn.”

With a sigh, Din slumped forward, his shoulders rounding in defeat. “I don’t like it.” He sighed again. “You’re right, but I don’t like it.”

“I’m sorry, did you just admit I was right?” Leaning back to look at his visor, you smirked. “Can I hear that again, a little louder please?”

Din groaned as he sat back in his chair. Bringing his hand up to rub his forehead in exasperation, he let his head thump back against the headrest then rolled it slowly to look at you. “No.”

You grinned at him. He wasn’t happy, but he was on board. Patting his knee, you pushed off of him to stand up. “Channel three. When you’re done and you need to know how to get out, channel three.”

Mayfeld kept glancing between the two of you and the road.

“What, di’kut?” You sighed, one side of your mouth quirking up when you saw Din’s shoulders shake in gentle laughter. 

“Ah, nothin’,” he waved you off, returning his focus to the controls before glancing your way again. When he saw your quirked brow, he rolled his eyes. “You two together or somethin'?”

Neither you nor Din responded.

“No kiddin’!” He looked forward. “I was just joking, but,” he shrugged, “hey if it works, it works.” His fingers drummed against the controls. “The last person I had a sort of relationship with was a crazy Twi….” He grinned, his eyes darting toward Din briefly before returning to the road. “Then again, you were with her first, so what does that say about you?”

Din turned his visor on Mayfeld for the second time since getting in the vehicle. “It says the same thing that it says about you,” he grunted out. “Only difference is I corrected my mistake as fast as I could.” He turned slightly to glance at you before looking back at Mayfeld. “And luckily she was willing to make a mistake by choosing me.”

“Was it?” Mayfeld asked after a moment of silence passed, and you realized he was talking to you, face turned slightly your way to keep his eyes on the road. “A mistake?” 

“I think it’s the easiest decision I ever made.”

Mayfeld huffed. “Stop dodging the question. Was it a mistake?”

“I don’t think you can make a mistake when you’re following what’s clearly the way to go.”

“Being shot at and, this is just me speculatin’ based on what I know of Mando, but spending days at a time in silence, hopping from planet to planet…. You sure that’s what you want?”

“No, that’s not what I want….” You grinned. “Good thing that’s not how it is.”

“Paint me a picture then.”

Din turned his head slightly to look at you, but didn’t say anything. He was curious what you had to say, too.

“We aren’t being shot at because we’re too busy shooting at them, for starters.” Mayfeld scoffed but you went on. “Some days I wish for silence, especially about hyperdrives, because get this man started,” you gestured to Din with your thumb, “and he won’t stop until he’s finished.” Din gently shook his head in amusement. “And as for planet hopping, yeah, that’s true. But I love that part. I’ve seen more in the last few months than in my entire life.”

“Is that it?” Mayfeld ribbed, looking over at Din quickly. “That’s all you’ve got going for you?”

You leaned over toward his chair, bracing your arms on the back near his head as you got close to his ear, talking in a low voice. “Not even close. But I don’t think that's any of your business now, is it?”

He swallowed roughly. “No, ma’am.”

You patted his shoulder lightly, making him flinch slightly as you smirked. “Good man.” Instead of standing back up in the back of the cab, you lingered near the back of his chair, leaning on your elbows on the headrest. 

After a long moment Mayfeld turned to Din with wide eyes. “Look, Mando, I’m so sorry. Can we just forget about this? If I had known-”

“Would it have changed anything?” Din sighed.

Mayfeld turned back toward the road, eyes flitting between it and Din nervously. “Well no, but….” Din sighed again, making Mayfeld flounder. “Well, I would have been more sneaky about it, at least. I would have only done it behind your back, I value my life.”

Din turned to look at him slowly. “If you valued your life you would know it’s not me you have to worry about.”

Glancing up where you still leaned on his chair, Mayfeld’s mouth opened and closed wordlessly, hanging open when you finally spoke. 

“Could you have been more sneaky about it with me, please? I’d rather not be privy to it either.” You didn’t bother to look down at him, staring out the viewport in boredom.

He slowly turned his head up to look at you. “Mandalorians are mean.” Shaking his head in disbelief he turned back to the road. “No, you know what? I have more to say. I….” He trailed off when he looked at you over his shoulder, spying your blaster hanging on your belt, a rifle taken from one of the drivers on your back, his eyes widening as they drifted up to find you floating a random manual hand tool from a compartment you’d found tucked beside you. He scoffed. “Oh, I’m so scared. What are you going to do, float me to death? Make me fly?” You smirked at him broadly, unhindered as the tool spun lazily above your palm. Flinching, he mumbled ‘I’m sorry’ rapidly a few times under his breath as he adjusted his weight in his seat. He faced forward again, clearing his throat before he spoke normally again. “Point taken.”

Letting the tool come to a stop, you set it back in the compartment it came from as you peered through the viewport, a small village coming into view. It reminded you of one of the first places you ever went with Din, the small town of Mos Pelgo on Tatooine.

Building’s barely bigger than the transport you were in lined the road for a short distance on either side, a handful of people milling around, going about their daily lives. While Mos Pelgo obviously had echoes of the Empire still clinging to its remote walls, this village was still steeped in Imperial influence. 

No one looked happy, nothing looked cared for past the best of their abilities, which you knew was limited because of the chokehold the Empire kept them under.

Thinking of your time on Tatooine brought back memories of the kid, and any pleasant mood you’d found yourself in quickly began to melt away. Your stomach sank more as you watched Din’s head turn to watch a group of young children sitting on the edge of the road, his mind obviously somewhere along the same lines as yours. 

Of course, Mayfeld couldn’t let the silence sit, but for once, you were thankful. It offered a distraction from the spiral you found yourself slipping into. 

“Yeah. Empire, New Republic. It’s all the same to these people. Invaders on their land is all we are. I’m just sayin’, somewhere someone in this galaxy is ruling and others are being ruled. I mean, look at your race. Do you think all those people that died in wars fought by Mandalorians actually had a choice?” He looked over at Din, but when he didn’t actually get a reply, he went on. “So how are they any different than the Empire?” He scoffed. “Look. If you were born on Mandalore, you believe one thing, if you’re born on Alderaan, you believe somethin’ else. But guess what?” He reached out and softly tapped Din’s arm with the back of his hand. “Neither one of ‘em exist anymore.” Din actually turned to look at him, and he shrugged. “Hey. I’m just a realist. I’m a survivor, just like you.”

Din’s voice was low. “Let’s get one thing straight. You and I are nothing alike.”

“I don’t know. Seems to me like your rules start to change when you get desperate. I mean, look at ya. You said you couldn’t take your helmet off, and now you got a stormtrooper one on, so what’s the rule? Is it that you can’t take off your Mando helmet, or you can’t show your face? ‘Cause there is a difference.” When Din once again said nothing, Mayfeld went on, happy to continue talking. “Look, I’m just sayin’, we’re all the same. Everybody’s got their lines they don’t cross until things get messy.” He glanced at you over his shoulder, holding your gaze for a moment before his eyes fell to the floor then he turned back to the road and went on softly. “As far as I’m concerned, if you can make it through your day and still sleep at night, you’re doin’ better than most.”

The man’s voice clicked on over the comms of the transport again. “Control, this is Juggernaut Three. We might be comin’ up on some route interference…. Control, control! We need a new-” Blaster fire sounded over the comm before he was cut off by his own screams. They filled the cabin, bouncing off the walls of the small space before stopping all together. 

Alarmed, Mayfeld sat up straighter, turning toward you then Din. “What was that?”

A female voice soon filled the cockpit, calm despite the situation. “Please stand by for reroute.”

No sooner was her voice gone than a giant fireball exploded not too far in the distance ahead of the transport.

“Juggernaut Four has been destroyed.” That same female voice, calm and collected once again announced.

Scooting forward in his seat, Mayfeld’s eyes were wide. “‘Destroyed’?”

You clutched the back of Din’s seat tightly, your fingers digging into the headrest as a wave of loss washed over you. Not for anyone you knew, but whatever had happened to cause that explosion, it sent a ripple through the Force, and almost brought you to your knees.

“Juggernaut Five, maintain speed and course. Proceed with caution-”

Mayfeld scoffed loudly, speaking over anything else the woman said. “‘Proceed with caution’? Is she serious?”

The man’s voice returned over the comm. “Control, this is Juggernaut Three. Requesting…. Abort! Abort!” Screaming once again filled the space, along with blaster fire over the comms, followed by another explosion, and this time you couldn’t help but lean forward with a small groan.

“What’s wrong?”

You waved Mayfeld off.

“Mesh’la?” Din wouldn’t let you push him away like you had your other companion. “Tell me. What’s wrong?”

Taking the rifle you’d taken from the original transport guards off your back, you tossed it to the side with a clatter. It suddenly felt too heavy. Too hot, like it was burning your skin. “I’m fine. It’s just…. Loss. So much loss. I didn’t expect to-” You stumbled as Mayfeld swerved to miss the fiery remains of a transport in the road, Din reaching out to try and stabilize you from his seat, and the rifle skittered across the floor.

A thud on the back right of the transport pulled all three sets of eyes in the cockpit that direction, Mayfeld deciding to stare that way instead of at the road as he barked, “What the hell was that?”

Din looked at the little screen showing a rear view of the vehicle. “Pirates. Keep driving. I’ll take care of it.” He got to his feet and lifted the window portion of his door up. Chatter in a language you didn’t recognize drifted in from the rear of the transport where Din aimed his blaster and began shooting.

Mayfeld kept looking between the road and the Mandalorian. “Are you seriously shooting a blaster near rhydonium?”

Din must have realized the risk because he stopped shooting and just watched before pulling back into the cockpit, closing the window before he headed to the ladder. “They have thermal detonators.”

“Terrific.” Mayfeld’s dry tone made your lips quirk up.

“Of course they do.”

“Just keep it steady.” Din started up the ladder, popping the hatch once he was at the top.

“Get these guys off us! Get ‘em off us!” Any calm, cool and collected Mayfeld had disappeared and was now replaced with frantic and chaotic Mayfeld. 

At the top of the ladder Din looked down at you as you started to follow him up. “No.”

You scoffed. “That gets funnier every time, Mando.”

His top half outside of the hatch, he shot at one of the pirates, and it must have landed, the thermal detonator flying off with him and detonating, sending the back of the transport swaying from side to side precariously, and setting off all kinds of alarms. Mayfeld finally got them all back within normal ranges, the red readouts finally going green once again. 

“They’re trying to blow the rhydonium,” Din called down.

Mayfeld rolled his eyes. “You think?” Then as an afterthought, “You should have left me in prison!”

Din started to come down, closing the hatch as he went, but stopped short when more shouts in that same alien language sounded from the back of the transport, opening it once again. Several impacts sounded as you assumed multiples of them landed on the vehicle, making Din spring into action, climbing back up.

He paused, looking down at you where you’d begun to climb the ladder once again. “Stay.”

Looking up at him with wide eyes, you just stared for a moment before proclaiming loudly, “I am not a tooka!” But he was already gone, out on the roof, so you crossed your arms and did as he asked.

One blaster shot went off followed by multiple clicks of a blaster failing. “Oh that is not a good sound.” You’d never scrambled up a ladder so fast. You got to your feet on the roof of the transport just in time to see Din throw the faulty blaster at the pirates. 

In an almost comedic moment of silence, both Din and the pirates were frozen, staring at one another, then they all leapt into action at once, two of them trying to pry open a back compartment while the one in front charged Din.

They collided in just a few steps, Din reaching out and wrestling the staff out of his enemy’s hands, using it to knock him forward with a well placed swat to the back. The pirate stumbled towards you, and you tried to step out of the way just as Din kicked him in the lower back, sending him careening the rest of the way to you. The pirate tripped over your foot that was a split second too slow getting out of the way and rolled down the front of the transport, under the wheels, making the vehicle bump violently as it ran over him.

You and Din met each other’s gaze in silence.

“Well,” you said finally. “That went well.”

Din groaned, rolling his head as he turned back to the remaining pirates.

Closing the distance between you, following him to the end of the transport, you went on, “See? You need me.”

Din turned to look toward the front of the vehicle when it hit a large bump, blocking your view of the back, and neither of you saw the pirate coming up behind him until he was smashing Din’s left pauldron with his staff, then the vambrace, making Din drop to his knee. When the pirate went to strike again, Din reached out with his left hand to catch the staff, and you took the chance to strike, punching the thug in the face.

The pirate began to wobble, looking up at the sky like he was seeing stars in the middle of the day, and Din took the opportunity, letting go of the weapon with his left hand and instead using that arm like a bar, bracing it against the thug, his other hand flipping the body up and over his shoulder, and off of the transport.

There was one left.

Reaching down to pick up the staff the last one had dropped, you flipped it in your hand to face the right way. “Hey, Mando.”

He turned to you, catching the staff when you tossed it to him, orienting it properly, then throwing it at the remaining pirate. It hit its mark, leaving the roof of the transport trespasser free.

The pirates on their little hovercraft following along behind let out a war cry.

Din turned toward the hatch, calling down to your reluctant travel companion. “Mayfeld! Pick it up. Drive faster!”

The transport lurched as Mayfeld did as he was asked, Din reaching out to help stabilize you with a hand on your elbow, and you did the same, both of you stumbling closer to one another.

“It looks like they had the same idea,” you yelled, watching as the hovercraft quickly closed the small distance you’d gained. Soft alarms blaring from the cockpit got your attention, and you took a few steps toward the hatch. “What’s going on?”

Mayfeld answered quickly, “I don’t think faster’s a good idea!”

Din tilted his head at you from where he was standing further from the hatch, as if to ask what was said. 

Lowering to your haunches by the top of the hatch, you repeated, “It’s not a good idea!”

As Mayfeld slowed the transport down, it lurched once again, sending you leaning precariously, and you had to rise to your feet to get the better of the momentum pushing you toward Din.

“What are you doing?” The Mandalorian barked toward the hatch.

“Bad, bad idea,” you reiterated under your breath, catching sight of the pirate ship closing the last few feet left between them and the transport. 

Din readied himself, lowering into a fight stance, sending his fist into the gut of the first pirate who approached before moving onto the next. 

The momentum sent the pirate hurtling toward you, and without thinking, you slid between his legs and popped up behind him, elbowing him in the kidney like Din had taught you - well, you hoped that’s where his kidney was, they weren’t humans, but they were humanoid - and it sent him stumbling further forward.

“Get down! Down and right!” 

You didn’t think twice, just did what Din said, side stepping to the right and ducking your head, and not a second later the pirate was on the ground after Din had smashed one of the staves over his head.

“Don’t you have a blaster? And what about your knife?”

You grinned. “Now where’s the fun in that?”

Out of nowhere, Din turned and punched a pirate in the face, but the one he’d knocked out in front of you was back on his feet and tackled him from behind, knocking him to the ground. As he tried to get up, the one he’d punched swung their staff at Din, and he was just able to avoid it. When they tried again, he ducked, and they ended up hitting the other pirate square in the face, each reaching out for the other to avoid falling. Once Din got back to his feet, he headbutted the one with the staff, and elbowed a third, turning to punch the one that had knocked him over off the transport.

He turned to the side and couldn’t see you. “Mesh’la!”

“I’m right here!” You yelled from right behind him, making him whirl around, sighing in relief. “I have to get out of sight. We’re getting close to the base. They’ll notice someone out of uniform.”

He nodded. “Go. I’ve got this.”

Your eyes went wide. “Duck!”

As he dropped to the ground in front of you, a staff came hurtling through the air, narrowly missing him even in his crouched state. Leaning back out of the way, you avoided being hit yourself, pulled it out of the ground by your feet, and charged the pirate quickly closing in on you. Whacking him in the head once, you spun to avoid a vibrio blade he pulled, bringing the staff down on his hand to make him drop it. Spinning the other way, you swiped the staff against his legs, knocking them out from under him and sweeping him down onto his back with a thud. As he tried to scramble back up, scooting back on his elbows and pushing with his feet, you stood up and gave him a shove with the staff, sending him flying off the edge of the transport. 

Turning to Din, your eyes wide, you rolled your head sarcastically. “Yeah. You’ve got this. Clearly!”

Before he could get to his feet, a pirate came up behind him, grabbed him, and flipped him onto his back, holding his head over the edge of the vehicle.

“Where are you all coming from?!” You grumbled.

You took a few steps toward Din, but he stopped you, pointing behind you as he struggled against his captors. Turning, you saw a lone pirate prying open the rhydonium storage at the end of the transport and setting a thermal detonator.

You sighed. “It never ends.”

Din started struggling more and headbutting, one of his captors going flying over the edge, so you focused on the lone man at the end. 

Breaking into a sprint, you closed the distance in a few quick strides, using the Force for a little extra and launching, taking the pirate down like you did the guard on Corvus, wrapping your legs around his shoulders and using the momentum to pull him down. Grabbing the thermal detonator in the process, you sent the pirate flying with a kick to the back and threw the detonator after him.

The fireball sent each hovercraft into another explosion, a chain reaction of heat making the transport veer wildly. 

The blast sent you and Din back, both of you landing in a heap of limbs, you against his chest. “I’m so glad you’re not in beskar right now. That would hurt.”

He was groaning. “I had it under control.”

You rolled your eyes. “Obviously.”

“Uh, Mando, I gotta stop. I can’t cross at this speed.” Oh yeah. You’d forgotten about Mayfeld. 

Din was pushing you to your feet just as more hovercrafts appeared, all of the pirates clicking on their thermal detonators and letting out war cries. “Go. Go!”

You pushed his hands away from you. “I’m not leaving you!”

Grabbing your wrists, he stopped you, and made you look at him straight on. “No, you’re not. Now go.”

Nodding, you pulled back toward the hatch, taking one final look toward Din over the edge before you’d let yourself drop back in.

He sighed and stood up, lowering into a fight stance just as green streaks rained down from the sky, making him jump and duck his head, the scream of TIE fighters following soon after.

You ducked into the cockpit as the TIEs flew overhead, turning to watch them through the viewport. 

Mayfeld let out a cry of triumph, pumping his fist in the air. “Whoo!”

“Woah, woah, hands on the controls, di’kut.” You patted his shoulder condescendingly, grinning at his annoyed glare shot your way that quickly melted into a grin to match your own. 

As the base loomed large in front of the transport, you peered up at its massive walls, swarms of troopers pouring out of every opening to aid in the recovery of their haul. Melting back into the shadows of the cab, you watched troopers of all types manifest before your eyes. 

Din dropped down beside you. Making his way to his seat slowly, his movement stilted, he groaned with each step, and let out one long moan when he finally sat.

Mayfeld looked at all the troopers with awe. “Never thought you’d be happy to see stormtroopers.” Maintaining his cover, he offered them a salute.

“Never thought they’d be able to hit something.”

Both men chuckled at your response, Din moaning with the effort. 

Reaching out you put a hand on the back of Din’s shoulder to keep your hand concealed to anyone looking through the viewport, focusing on his pain, his injuries, letting your energy flow into him and pulling on the negative energy radiating out of every wound. You could feel him slowly relaxing as each bruise healed, skin knit back together, and bones found their way back to their original positions. 

Until his breath hitched in his chest. “That’s new,” he mumbled lowly. 

“Ahsoka mentioned it while you were sleeping. Explained how Gr- the kid did it, so I thought I’d try. Never quite been able to, but I’ve been practicing. Especially since…. Since he….” You swallowed roughly. “Since Tython.” Patting his shoulder once, you withdrew your hand, stepping further back in the cockpit. “Something clicked.”

Pressing all the way to the back of the cab, you mumbled into the earpiece, “We’re in. I’ll let you know when I’m at the top. Have to wait for a clear spot to get out of here and then find a disguise.”

Boba’s voice came back all business. “Copy that.”

“Got it. We’re in position, ready when you are,” Fennec added.

As the transport pulled into the base, you tucked back into the shadows of the cockpit. Pulling on something you’d never thought to try before, you manipulated the air around you to make you only appear as a shadow to anyone taking a closer look. It seemed to be working as one stormtrooper did a double take, looking right at you before moving on, satisfied that he’d only seen a trick of the light.

Din pretended to be fiddling with something between him and Mayfeld, messing with his armor, and taking a step closer to you as his companion disembarked the vehicle to rounds of applause. He looked right at you, standing directly in front of you and reaching beside your head with his right hand to fiddle with a panel, appearing busy to anyone looking in. He was too smart to be fooled by your shadow play, able to see you plainly, tilting his head slightly when you looked up to meet his gaze through the trooper helmet.

“I’m assuming you’re doing something so they can’t see you?”

You nodded. Concealing your form was one thing. Hiding your voice was another.

“Will you be able to maintain it?”

You only hesitated a moment before nodding, but he caught it, and sighed heavily.

“Mesh’la….”

Opening your eyes wide, pleading with him to trust you, you reached just a little further, speaking into his mind for only a moment.

“Everything will be fine, Din.” His breath caught in his chest at the sound of your voice in his head. “I can do this. Now go and find the kid.”

Din leaned forward just enough to touch his forehead to yours briefly, making your breath hitch.

“Do that again when you’re back in beskar. This is just…. Weird.”

He chuckled softly at your voice once again lilting into his consciousness. When he pulled back, withdrawing his hand from the panel beside you, he lightly trailed gloved fingers over the top of your shoulder and down through the ends of your hair. “I’m gonna go find our kid,” he mumbled. “Don’t get caught.”

Our kid. I’m gonna go find our kid. Our.

You couldn’t help the grin pulling up the corners of your mouth. “See you at the end, Tin Can.”

Xxx

It didn’t take long for the crowd to disperse once Din disembarked the transport. They all moved around Mayfeld and the Mandalorian as one body, congratulating them on a job well done for the Empire, giving you ample room to slip out unnoticed and make it to a dark corner, still using the Force to help conceal your presence. 

It was the same principle as causing misdirection with sound, only this was misdirection with visual cues, causing shadows and light to bend a little differently than they normally would, making a person's mind fill in the blanks with something they expected to see instead of what they actually saw. 

Not difficult to do, but a long one to maintain. Which is why you needed to find a disguise fast. You had already felt a large drain when you had healed Din, plus all the little things to show off and mess with Mayfeld, your battery was starting to run on low…. But there wasn’t time for that. You couldn’t stop, not until Grog- the kid was safe. 

You’d almost said his name.

For the third time today alone you’d almost said his name.

Sure, when you were with other people, it was fine, you could distract yourself, forget about it, and move on.

But by yourself….

By yourself, here, in the camp of the enemy that held him…. With nowhere to hide and no one to hide behind, no one who understood, or tried to and said they did….

That made everything bubble up in you all over again, everything you had been working so hard to tamp down, to ignore for days…. It was just under the surface again, and it was angry.

Suddenly a new wave of energy washed over you, and you felt your jaw set determinedly.

This was for the ki-

For Grogu.

Let’s go.

You saw someone walking nearby. Stepping into their path, you held your ground when they stopped, pulling their gaze up to meet yours. "I need your help.” The woman looked alarmed, her face quickly screwing into anger when she realized you weren’t base personnel. Reaching out, you put a hand on her shoulder. "Stay calm."

"I'm calm." Her voice was monotonous, her features flat as she fell under your suggestion.

"You're going to show me a supply closet with uniforms then forget you saw me."

"I'm going to-"

"Now!'

"Now."

Boba began laughing over the comm in your ear as you followed the soldier with your head down. “Oh, that's gotta come in handy. Have a few people I need you to meet….”

You rolled your eyes.

In just a few short steps you were at the supply closet, about to send the officer on her way with no memory of your encounter. But then you realized all of the spare uniforms were troopers, none with a high enough ranking to get you where you needed. Turning to the woman, you saw her high level clearance badge and made a split second decision.

“Get in the closet.”

She did what you asked without question.

“I need to borrow your uniform and clearance card.”

The tiny space, close quarters, the unneeded pressure on you knowing their exit counted on you getting a coat…. Everything started to spin slowly. 

The officer wasn’t moving quickly enough for you. “Hurry!”

Your control must have slipped in your haste, because the officer suddenly stopped, shaking her head as if to clear a fog, and looked at you with wide eyes. After a short stare off she reached for her comm, but only was able to click it on briefly. “This is Officer Leraay! I need help in the supply closet on level one! I repeat, I need-”

But she stopped, dropping the comm and suddenly clawing at her throat with eyes wide as she gasped for air. It wasn’t until her wild gaze fell on you that you realized you were the one causing her to choke. 

“Officer Leraay? Are you there? Which supply closet, there are a few….” The comm buzzed a muffled reply on the floor. 

Leaning close to the officer's face, you spoke quickly and quietly. “I’m going to stop, and you’re going to tell them it was a false alarm.”

The officer's eyes were defiant, but she nodded.

Releasing whatever hold you hadn’t even realized you’d had on her, she gasped for air, scooping down to pick up the comm. “F-” she coughed wildly. “False alarm. The door was ajar on closet three, I thought we had some mischief makers, but I checked it out. All’s well.”

“Want me to send backup to guard the door in case it was someone and you just scared them off for now?”

Officer Leraay looked into your eyes confidently once again. “Yes. Please do. Long live the Empire.”

The comm clattered to the floor as she reached to grab at your forearm that was now wrapped around her neck from behind. She scrambled against your chokehold, gasping for air, and…. Laughing?

“You rebels are so….” She grunted. “So stupid. It’ll never work.”

“I’m not a rebel,” you hissed in her ear. “I’m a bartender.”

You let her fall to the floor in a heap when she finally passed out. “And it’s working just fine.”

Fennec’s laugh filled your ear. “Wait, that story you told Mayfeld was true? You’re actually a bartender?”

Pulling the uniform off the officer, you sighed. “Yup. Born and raised on Coruscant, and worked in that bar since before I was old enough to legally serve alcohol.”

“You owe me a drink sometime. It’s been a while since I’ve had an honest to goodness drink I didn’t want to throw in someone’s face instead of enjoy.”

“You got it,” you huffed, pulling on the regulation cap. Poking your head out of the door and checking both ways, you mumbled as you started down the hallway, “I almost said Mandalorian instead of bartender.”

“Why didn’t you?” Boba’s voice made your steps falter for a moment before you pressed on, turning left to go up a set of stairs.

“Uh, because I’m not?” Stopping at a dead end with two options to turn, you sighed. “I need directions. Left or right?”

A moment passed as the beep of the holo projector sounded from Boba’s end. “Left.” Turning that way, another set of stairs appeared and you took them, winding up higher and higher toward the roof. “What makes someone a Mandalorian? Beskar? You’ve got that. A signet? Got that, too. A clan? A purpose? Tenacity? A sense of honor and a Creed?”

“You can stop anytime….” Another dead end. “These bases are laid out like a womp rat’s brain…. Left again?”

“Right.” You started to turn to the left but pulled up short when Boba huffed in amusement. “No, right.” Rolling your eyes with a sigh, you turned and went the opposite way. 

Boba chuckled softly to himself, mumbling about your womp rat's brain comment. Some more beeps. “This right, then another, then stay straight until you see another staircase and that one will take you to the roof.” You nodded even though he couldn’t see you, walking past a group of stormtroopers. “I’m just listing things I know about you, ad’ika.”

Turning the next right, you came face to face with two troopers guarding the door to the hallway you needed, making you pull back and lean against the corner you just came around, your head thumping back against the wall. “Hang on. Gotta take care of something.” Adjusting the uniform, you held your head high and went to walk straight through the doorway.

“Halt.” One of the troopers held out a hand, stopping you from going any further. “Authorized personnel only.”

You scoffed. “I’m aware, trooper. Which is why I’m trying to get through. I am authorized personnel.”

“Gonna need to see some ID. Chain code?”

Nodding, you went to lift your arm for him to scan, but right as he brought the scanner down, you twisted and gripped his forearm, turning your body and slamming your back into his chest.

He hit the wall next to the door with thud, his armor letting out an exaggerated hiss from the impact, almost a high pitched whine, and it made the corner of your mouth quirk up briefly. The trooper let out an oomph but it was cut short when you flipped him over like Din had the pirate you’d punched on top of the transport, and he landed at your feet in a moaning pile of limbs.

“Stop!” The other trooper was shouting, aiming and taking shots with his blaster, but thoroughly missing you every time. 

“Knew it was too good to be true,” you mumbled as his fifth shot ricocheted off the wall feet from your head, the next two bouncing safely away from your sides as he continued to miss from mere steps away.

Flicking the blaster out of his hand with a wave of your own, you turned on him, pushing him back into the wall and keeping him pinned there with an unseen force. 

As the first trooper tried to get up, drawing his blaster, you swiped it from his hand before whacking him on the back of the head with the butt of the weapon, and sending him crashing to the floor in an unconscious heap. 

Turning to his friend still struggling against the wall, you got close to his face. “Are there any more guards stationed on the way to the roof?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Oh great, a personality.” You pressed him further into the wall, taking a step closer yourself. “Are there any more guards?”

“I-”

“Ah-ah-ah,” you scolded playfully, a sly smile turning up your features as you wagged a finger in front of his helmet in admonishment. “Be completely honest, now.”

“I will be completely honest,” he droned.

You gestured for him to continue after a moment of silence. “Go on.”

“No.”

Smiling sweetly at the trooper, you nodded once in approval. “Thank you.”

Releasing your hold on him, he slumped down the wall, stumbling forward and leaving himself perfectly open for you to reach out and smash him in the back of the head with the butt of the blaster like you had the first, sending him down beside his friend.

“Are you done?” Boba’s dry tone made you roll your eyes. 

“Would you have done better?” He chuckled at your sarcasm. Getting back to the conversation from before, you tugged the troopers just out of sight then continued down the hallway. “I have no Creed, old man.”

“I’m not that ol-” He sighed heavily, making you grin as he went on. “You’ve sworn to protect your Mandalorian and that child, have you not?”

You stayed silent, taking the last turn and set of stairs.

“As I thought.” Boba’s amused tone made the corner of your mouth twitch up. “You’ve sworn your own Creed. You are Mandalorian. Just like the shiny one said.”

Fennec chimed in quietly, her tone smug. “You’re also more than a Mandalorian to Mando, but that’s another discussion we don’t have time for right now.”

“She has all the time in the world. She just has to make it to the roof. Please, go on.”

Their quiet laughter filled your ear as you took the last hallway, staying straight and flying up the last set of stairs. “Now guys? Really? Can we do group therapy later?”

They just kept laughing, making you shake your head as you pushed open the door to the roof. “I’m on top.”

“Is it clear?”

“It’s about to be,” you mumbled, pulling off the officer’s uniform and rolling your shoulders once you were back to your base layers, glad to be back to yourself.

“Can you do this without any weapons?”

“Oh, absolutely, old man. The question is, what will you give me?”

“Won’t you simply enjoy the pride of a job well done?”

“No,” you said simply, kicking the uniform to the side. “I need-”

Alarms started blaring around the base, a male voice monotonously announcing over the speakers, “Security to main commons. Security to main commons.”

Heaving a heavy sigh, you let your forehead fall onto your forearms where they were braced on the wall you crouched behind. “Really guys?”

“How do you know it wasn’t someone finding the troopers you left behind that set off the alarm?”

Slinking up behind a group of troopers who still hadn’t scrambled into anything resembling a formation, you got close to the nearest one, tapping him on the shoulder. “When I get back on your ship,” you punched the trooper when he turned around, dropping him to the ground. “I’m going to hold you down,” sticking out your right leg you swiped the legs of the trooper next to the first before he could react, “and show you how a bartender expresses annoyance.” Pulling your arm back forcefully, you elbowed the trooper trying to sneak up on you, sending him to the ground.

Boba laughed. “Can’t wait.”

Another trooper got the jump on you, wrapping his arms around you from behind and keeping yours pinned at your sides. You tried to shrug out of his hold, but it wasn’t working. Reaching your leg up you twisted just enough to pull your knife out of your boot and swipe at the troopers forearms. He recoiled with a yelp, letting you go and you whirled around to face him, blinking rapidly when he dropped suddenly.

Fennec’s soft voice came over your comm. “You’re welcome.”

You never even heard the shot. How far away were they?

“Thanks,” you mumbled, tucking the knife back in your boot. “Now, old man, back to what I was saying.”

“You mean threatening?”

“Did Mando ever tell you about the time I blew up an alley?”

“That’s not a threat, nau ki’bas’ika, that’s amusing.” (“Little light bug.”)

Growling in aggravation, you charged another trooper, taking him down like the last pirate on the transport. It was your new favorite move, and it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Din kept making comments about it. Nothing at all, you thought with a smirk.

Leaping into the air at the last minute, you wrapped your legs around his shoulders, pulled him down, took his blaster and flipped it to stun before you dropped another three troopers nearby.

“That still counts as a weapon.”

“No. No, it’s not one of mine so it doesn’t count.”

“That makes no sense, nau ki’bas’ika, but okay. By those rules you used your knife, so….” He tisked.

“Kriff,” you muttered, throwing the blaster on the ground out of the reach of the troopers. “Dank farrik.”

“What? What did I miss?” Din’s voice crackling over the comm made you stop in your tracks, everything else falling away as you focused on the sounds of his breathing. It was labored, there was blaster fire, and Mayfeld was screeching like a drowning Wookie, but they were alive. “Mesh’la?”

“Nothing. Everything.” You smiled. “I’ll fill you in later.”

“Your little riddur has just lost a bet,” Boba explained gleefully. (“Partner.”)

Another shot whizzed by you, making you spin to follow the bolt, a trooper dropping mere feet away from you. “South wall, halfway up.”

“Fennec!” You cried exasperatedly. “Thank you, again, but can you give me a little warning please?”

“Don’t keep getting caught, then.” It sounded like she was trying not to laugh. “Drop.”

You did as she said with a groan of annoyance, ignoring the chuckle she finally let loose as a trooper thudded on the hard ground right beside you.

“They’re like bugs! Where are they all coming from?!”

“Stay down.”

You’d begun to get up but dropped back onto your stomach, covering your head with your hands. Several shots fired in succession, then silence. Turning to look over your shoulder, you thought better of it and stopped, shaking your head as you got back to your feet. “I’m not even gonna look.”

“You’re welcome…. Again.”

“Yeah, yeah, I owe you a drink, Fennec, I know.”

“A good one.”

“The best.”

All the joking fell out of her tone. “We’re on. Start your run.”

The beeps of the console and the engine firing up filled your ear as Boba confirmed, “On my way.”

“Fennec, you and Cara focus on them. I’ve got it covered up here.”

“Well, we’ve got it covered down here,” Din’s voice countered.

“Too bad, Tin Can. Fennec, help them.”

“Sorry, Mando. She’s promised me a drink.”

Din groaned in understanding. “Can’t argue with that.”

“Sorry you didn’t get to take the quiet way out,” you offered Din, running to the edge of the roof.

He huffed out a laugh. “That’s okay. We’re taking the scenic route.”

“The scenic route?!” Mayfeld’s voice boomed in your ear, making you wince. “Was this always the plan? Because I was not included in these discussions.”

“Oh, you mean like I wasn’t included in that whole thing you just pulled down there in the main commons?” Din’s tone was dry.

Mayfeld chuckled nervously. “Look, I got us out in one piece, didn’t I?”

“That’s still being proven,” you mumbled. Helping Din and Mayfeld up over the edge onto the roof, you all ducked when a new wave of troopers began shooting at your small group. 

One of the troopers tried to sneak around to the side but was quickly dropped by your friends sniping on the ridge.

“Osik! Di’kut!” You hissed. (“Shit!”) (“Idiot!”)

Mayfeld turned to you. “What?”

You looked at him wide eyed. “Oh. Sorry, no I-” you waved your hands as you explained, ducking further below the outcropping the three of you had dodged behind as more shots bounced off the top. “I meant ‘shit, these troopers are idiots’.” 

He nodded. “Oh.” Then shook his head and stared at you. “What?” 

It took you a second, but you stood up once the blaster fire slowed, running for the edge when you heard Boba’s ship approaching. “Have I ever mentioned how smart you are?”

Mayfeld’s steps stuttered. “Huh?”

You stared at the tree line far below with wide eyes before schooling your features and turning back to face him. “Yeah! Mando mentioned you thought of that plan to stall in the main commons. Brilliant move, di’kut. Brilliant.”

He smiled. “Oh, you liked that, huh?”

You turned back toward the edge as Boba’s ship flew over, the ramp lowering. “Mmmm…. It was a plan.” Running at a full sprint, you stepped up onto the edge and leapt across the gap onto the lowered ramp of Boba’s ship. 

Turning once you found your footing, you held out a hand toward the two men, yelling over the roar of the engines. “Jump! I’ve got you!”

Din was the first to jump across, not even hesitating.

And to his credit, neither did Mayfeld, but he did let out a terrified yell the whole way across. Din helped him up and further into the ship as Boba began to fly off.

Mayfeld paused, turning back to the base with a haunted look before motioning toward Din. “Hand me that cycler rifle.”

You knew that look on Mayfeld’s face. You saw it every time you looked in any reflective surface lately. He was fighting his demons.

Din handed him the rifle leaning just inside Boba’s ship, and looked at you with a shrug.

You watched as a Mayfeld lifted the rifle, braced it against his shoulder, and took aim. 

With a single shot he took out one of the transports filled with rhydonium parked on the roof, making it explode in a ball of fire and causing a chain reaction that left the base in flames.

“Nice shot,” Fennec mused in your ear, and you could hear Cara’s bewildered hum of agreement from somewhere beside her.

Mayfeld turned to head into the ship, pausing in front of Din and meeting his visor. “We all need to sleep at night.”

Din turned to face you, finding you staring down at the base with your arms crossed over your chest. “Come on, mesh’la. We need to go and strap in.”

“It’s my fault.”

He took a step closer, his chest brushing along your shoulder. “What do you mean?”

“The officer I got the uniform from, I…. I knocked her out, left her in a closet. Now with the base going up, I…. She may have gotten out if she wasn’t unconscious, or at least had the chance to run, but because of me…. If I hadn’t….”

“Hey, get your asses in here and strapped down.” Mayfeld yelled to be heard over the roar of the wind rushing around the open ramp. “They’ll be sending TIE fighters soon.”

Turning, you walked side by side with Din, his hand on your lower back as you went to the first two available seats, Din beside Mayfeld and you across from both of them, quickly strapping in.

Boba’s voice came over the comms, “We got company.” Alarms were blaring. “Hang on.”

As the ship took a sharp turn, Din grunted, his arms flailing comically in the abrupt gravity shift.

“It’s not your fault,” he ground out.

“What’s not?” Mayfeld asked.

“She thinks that if the guard she got the uniform from dies in the fire you set because she was unconscious and unable to move, that it was her fault.”

Mayfeld turned to you with knit brows, groaning as Boba took another sharp turn. “No, no, that’s all me. It would be my fault. I set the fire.”

“But I-”

“Doesn’t matter,” he cut you off. “It’s mine. You can’t take it from me. I own that.” The ship evened out, and he sighed in relief. “You worry about that little green guy. Yeah, him and brown eyes over here.” He jerked his head toward Din. “Let me worry about that other stuff.”

“Brown eyes, huh?” You narrowed your brows at Din.

“I’ll explain later,” he said so lowly you barely heard him.

Xxx

You stayed in the main area of the ship, reattaching your weapons to your belt while Din and Mayfeld changed back into their own clothes. 

Of course Mayfeld was ready long before Din was, since he didn’t have all the armor to put back on. He sidled up to you with a small smile, watching you polish your blaster before seating it back in its holster. 

You opened your mouth to say something but stopped and shook your head.

“What?” He asked curiously.

“No, no, never mind.” You waved him off.

“What?” He laughed over the words. “What is it?”

“You said you didn’t want to hear Mando’a ever again.”

“Yeah, well,” he shrugged and rolled his eyes, “it’s grown on me.”

You grinned. “Burc'ya vaal burk'yc, burc'ya veman.” He narrowed his eyebrows at you. “You want me to translate?” (“A friend during danger is a true friend.”)

He thought for a moment, looking down at the ground before he smiled. “Nah.” Pulling his eyes up to yours, it was the first truly friendly, open, and honest expression you’d seen on his face since meeting him days ago. “Nah, I’m good.” He leaned in closer to you, his voice lowering near a whisper. “I think I get the gist.” Standing up straight, Mayfeld’s face took on a mischievous look. ��Hey, Mando! Your girl here just professed her undying love for me!” Sending a wink your way, Mayfeld was grinning from ear to ear.

“Yeah?” Mando called from around the corner where he was still attaching his armor.

“Yeah! What are ya gonna do about it?”

“Well….” He came around the corner, adjusting his vambraces. “Killing you sounds like the obvious first step.”

“Me?” Mayfeld asked in shock. “What about her?”

Din shrugged. “Everybody makes mistakes.”

Glowering at Mayfeld, you reached out and shoved his shoulder. “That’s the last time I’m nice to you.”

“No, don’t say that,” he grinned, starting down the ramp. He paused, turning to face you one more time. “But, just…. Will you answer me one thing that’s been bothering me?”

You sighed. “I’ll try.”

“Why’s the little green guy so important to you? I mean besides him?” Mayfeld pointed at Din.

“She’s his buir,” Boba said, walking past from the cockpit and down the ramp. He paused halfway down, turning to clarify, “He’s her son.” (“Mother.”)

Mayfeld’s head snapped back from Boba to you, looking you up and down quickly, eyes wide. “Your…. Are you a changeling or somethin’?”

Boba came back in, hooked a finger inside the front of Mayfeld’s shirt and dragged him down the ramp.

“So how old are you really? ‘Cause I could have sworn….” Mayfeld trailed off when Boba turned to him with an arched brow. “….that you didn’t look a day over….” The second brow shot up. “….the weather is great here, isn’t it?”

“I take it back,” you mumbled, watching Boba pull him down the ramp. “There may be some disagreement over whether it’s Cara or Boba that ends up doing him in.”

As his voice trailed off once they were near the bottom of the ramp, you turned to Din. “Why’d he call you brown eyes?”

Din sighed the heaviest sigh you’d ever seen him give. “I had to remove my helmet for the scanner to scan my face.” He just stared at your wide eyed expression before he went on. “Then one of the higher ranking officers roped us into drinks before I could get it back on. To cover for me, Mayfeld said everyone just called me brown eyes.” He saw the smile starting to turn up your face, and held up a finger in warning. “No. Don’t even start.”

“Oh, yes. That’s going into my rotation.” You reached out to place your hand on his forearm. “But, Din…. You showed your face. What does that mean?”

“I…. I don’t know. Technically the machine isn’t a living being, so it doesn’t count, and if you want all the loopholes, it wasn’t my helmet, all the others who saw me are dead-”

“Except Mayfeld.”

“I can fix that.” His hand went to his blaster.

You laughed. Really laughed, head tossed back and eyes shut for the first time in weeks. “No, Din.”

He groaned in annoyance. “He handed me the helmet back at the end and told me he never saw my face, so I guess I owe him, anyway.”

Both of you started down the ramp. “So how were drinks with an Imp?”

Din grunted, making you laugh. “Didn’t even get to finish my drink.” 

You smirked, thinking back to all the times at the bar he’d slide you his drink when his contact would never show. “That’s nothing new.”

Cara was talking to Mayfeld a few feet from the bottom of the ramp.

“The saber get you?” Cara laughed.

Mayfeld just blinked at her. “What saber? Did you see the look she gave me? Also, she must be a changeling, because scary green Mando said-”

Cara whacked him on the back of the head. “She’s a Jedi, you idiot.”

“Oh, great, a Mandalorian and a wizard. What a lovely couple.”

“Gets the job done,” you mumbled close to his ear, making him jump in surprise. “And no, I’m not a changeling, di’kut. Not all families are made. Some are found.”

Nodding, Mayfeld turned to Din. “Well, looks like it’s back to the scrap heap.”

Din sighed. “Thank you for helping.”

Mayfeld turned to you, pointing at the Mandalorian. “You’re good for him. Keep doing whatever it is you’re doing. You make him better.” He looked back at Din with a grin, lifting his hand to scratch at the back of his neck. “Yeah. Uh, good luck gettin’ your kid back.” Turning to Cara with a smirk, he held out his hands cupped together like they were bound. “All right, Officer, take me back.”

Cara’s expression was tight as she studied him for a moment. “That was some nice shootin’ back there.”

Arching a brow at Cara, you made your way back up the ramp, leaning on the opening at the top like you had at the junkyard. 

“Oh, you saw that? Yeah, that, uh, that wasn’t part of the plan.” He shrugged, a pleased grin tugging up one side of his mouth. “I, uh…. I was just gettin’ some stuff off my chest.”

Letting out a huff through her nose, Cara rolled her eyes as she turned to face Din, making it look like the sarcastic movement of her eyes had set her body in motion. “You know, it’s too bad Mayfeld didn’t make it out alive back there.”

Din nodded. “Yeah, too bad.”

Looking between them, Mayfeld looked alarmed. “What are you talkin’ about?”

Cara glanced at him and sighed heavily before trying again, her tone tight as she spelled it out. “Looked to me like prisoner number three-four-six-six-seven died in the refinery explosion on Morak.”

His eyes shot open wide. “Does that mean I can go?” He looked between them. “Huh? ‘Cause I will.”

You started laughing softly before yelling at him playfully. “Oh, get out of here already!”

Mayfeld turned to look at you, grinning at your raised eyebrows before turning back to the other two, and taking a step back when Din jerked his head to the side to motion him away. “All right. Okay.” He chuckled, walking gingerly at first, as if they would take it all back, then his steps turned stilted for a few strides before he broke into a brisk walk. He looked over his shoulder once, meeting your gaze with a confident grin as he came to a stop. “Bye, mesh’la.”

Din took a step toward him, hand on his blaster, making Mayfeld take another quick step away, holding his hands up in surrender as he smirked.

“I’m goin’, I’m goin’.” Looking at you one more time, he winked, then turned and started walking quickly again.

“Bye, di’kut,” you called after him.

He froze, shaking his head gently, but didn’t turn around, just kept going and disappeared over the ridge.

You turned toward Din, finding him looking at you with his head tilted in question. “What? You know what it means.” You smirked, pushing off the wall and heading into the ship. “He still doesn’t.” Laughter began to bubble out of your chest. “But I wish I could be there when he finally does figure it out. I would pay good money to see the look on his face.” You walked past Fennec. “Now about that drink I owe you….”

Xxx

It was the end of the whole mission. You had the coordinates, and were on your way through hyperspace to recruit more help.

But for now, you just needed to rest your eyes…. Just for a moment…. All the little uses of the Force today had caught up with you, and the physical exertion of fighting a wave of troopers….

“We’re recording,” Boba said softly, pushing a button on the small control panel Din had been sitting at on the way to Morak. 

You let your eyes drift shut as you listened to Din’s voice while he recorded his message to Gideon. His threat to Gideon. His promise. 

“Moff Gideon. You have something I want. You may think you have some idea what you are in possession of, but you do not. Soon, he will be back with me. He means more to me than you will ever know.”

Xxx

Turning, you strode out of the cantina, ignoring Din’s calls at your back.

“Mesh’la!”

Finally a gloved hand wrapped around your elbow, pulling you to a stop, but not before you ripped your arm out of his hold.

Rounding on him, you turned to stare at his visor with a flat expression. “What?” 

But you found no one there. Instead you were in a black void, surrounded by mist creeping in all around, the thick haze closing in on all sides as you turned to try and find a way of escape.

As the fog curled around you, its tendrils wrapping around like fingers, it took on a soft green glow, and a faint hum you couldn’t quite place filled the air. 

It dawned on you just as the haze parted to show you a tiny little silhouette you’d recognize anywhere.

A saber. The hum was a saber.

“Kid!” You called, running toward the shadow, but just as you reached him, bending down to scoop him up, the figure evaporated into more green mist, falling through your fingertips as you stared at your empty hands.

A gloved hand on your shoulder pulled your attention away. You turned to Din, but you wouldn’t look up. Somehow you knew his helmet was off, so you screwed your eyes shut and kept your face turned down just to be safe.

“Open your eyes, mesh’la.”

You’d heard his voice unmodulated many times, but for some reason, this time it caught you off guard, and you couldn’t find the words to respond. 

You pulled away just a bit, mouth opening and closing but nothing came out. Your eyebrows narrowed in confusion, eyes still tightly closed.

Din reached up and put his gloved hands over yours on his face gently, pressing them down, threading his fingers through yours and clutching them tightly, the leather of his gloves creaking as he did. He spoke quietly, his voice almost a whisper as he said it again, almost pleadingly.

“Open your eyes.”

Taking a deep breath, you let your eyes flutter open, finding the courage to lift them.

The world began the shake gently, Din evaporating in front of you just like the kid had, turning to mist between your fingertips.

“Mesh’la.”

How could you still hear his voice? What-

“Mesh’la, wake up. You’re going to get a stiff neck if you sleep there.” A hand on your shoulder shook you gently.

Blinking your eyes open, quickly squinting under the low lights of the hull of Boba’s ship, you groaned softly, screwing them shut once again as you lightly shoved Din away with a hand on his chest. “Go away.”

He chuckled softly, scooping you up and carrying you with one hand under your knees, the other around your back. “Good thing I’m not deterred so easily.”

“I was having such a strange dream….” You grumbled into his neck as you tucked your face further into his cowl to hide from any remaining light trying to wake you up.

“Want to talk about it?” He sat on the floor in a secluded corner of the main hull with a groan, his back leaning against the wall as he situated you in his lap, holding you close.

You smiled as memories of the early days of your adventures came back, almost exactly this same position against some rocks on Tatooine.

“It was green, and foggy, and…. You were there. The kid, too. But not really. You were both apparitions. You took off your helmet and told me to open my eyes….” Din froze underneath you, his thumbs lightly tracing patterns on your arms stuttering before beginning their lazy draw again. “I’m sure it was just a weird manifestation of everything that happened on Morak. Just my brain processing everything…. Brown Eyes.”

Din huffed out a laugh. “Probably.”

You yawned. “I’m going to go back to sleep now, if that’s okay.” Burrowing further into his neck, you frowned when you felt him adjust your head slightly, but smiled when you felt the cool touch of beskar lightly kiss your forehead before he tucked your head back where you’d had it.

“Sleep, mesh’la.” His voice was low, and almost there himself. “Sleep.”

Xxx

Tags to come!

[winniethewife]

Outcaste (Din Dijarin x OC)

Reunited

Last chapter ~ Next chapter

Words:1284

At first Din was getting updates from Althea regularly. Sometimes daily. Messages and holo-vids. But as time went on she got busier, less updates, less time. He missed her more than ever, it was hard to be alone again. It had been almost a year since Din had really heard from her. When he ended up Rescuing the Child. A weird little green Jedi. He knew he had to find Althea. She was a Jedi. She would know what to do. Right? He decided it was time to look for her again and started searching for her across the galaxy. He was a man that had always been able to solve any problem and he was determined to solve this one as well.

After spending a lot of time looking with little success he was on Tatooine and was trying to get Pele to not do something to his ship when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. A group of Mandalorians, at the head of the group was a familiar set of armor. White with blue markings, the symbols of Clan Kryze and the royal house. And two lightsabers on either side. It was her. It was really her. His heart almost exploded inside of his chest upon seeing her, he couldn’t have been happier to see her again. He called out to her

“Althea!” he shouted before breaking up into a full out sprint towards her, his eyes were on her and only her. He couldn’t wait to be able to hold her again. He was running as fast as he ever had in his entire life just so he could reach her as soon as possible. Pele held the child and called out confused behind him but he didn't care. As he ran she turned to the sound of her name.

“Din! Din Djarin!” Once she saw who it was her helmet was in the dirt and she was running to him her long blonde hair cascading out of the loose braid she had put it up in and blowing in the wind as she ran. Din let out a laugh of joy as he ran to her. When he finally reached her it felt like the best moment of his life. She looked so beautiful and he couldn't believe just how lucky he was to have found her again and to be able to be with her again. He grabbed her lifting her easily into a loving embrace, he was so relieved to see her and so happy to be with her again, holding her close to him, never wanting to let her go.

“Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum. Ni cyar’ika” She said laughing through tears as she wraps herself around him. He couldn’t believe just how lucky he was that she was back, and he also couldn’t believe just how lucky he was to be able to spend his life with her. He truly loved her with all of his heart

“My lady, you have no idea just how much I’ve missed you.” He gently lowered her back to the ground and gently wiped the tears from her eyes

“If it's anything like I missed you it must have been most painful. My heart has been breaking every day we've been apart.”  She touches her forehead to his helmet. And she's smiling widely. When he felt her forehead against his helmet his heart melted. And he knew he couldn’t help but love her even more. He could tell how happy this had made her, the smile on her face said it all. He was finally back with his lady and that thought alone made him feel complete. The other Mandolorians are waiting behind her. And Pele and the child have followed behind Din. One of the Mandolorians had picked up her helmet and was dusting it off. They hold each other close for a moment longer before the child wanders over and looks between them. Althea looks down at him.

“Hi there little guy.” She says smiling she lets go of Din just to get down on his level. “What's your name?” The child babbles at her. Din watched as Althea got down to the child’s level and watched with interest.

“Grogu. You've been keeping him busy right?” She picks Grogu up and holds him on her hip. The Mandolorian holding her helmet tries to get her attention but she waves him off “It can wait Axe.”

 “He's been a great companion ever since I found him, even if he is a bit of an eating machine.” Din said with a laugh as he spoke in a playful tone

“He's so sweet. I'm glad you haven't been totally alone then.” She smiles and laughs as Grogu starts to play with her hair. “We have so much to catch up on.” The Mandolorian behind her tried to get her attention again. And she sighs. “Okay, I have to report back to Aunt Bo-katan I get it!” She snaps at him. She looks over at Din with a sad smile. “Are you busy? Do wanna come along?”

“I would never pass up the chance to go with you” he said with a smile as he looked at her, he couldn’t help but feel his heart melt for her once again. He really was so lucky to have her, he wanted to be with her always, follow her anywhere, be together at all times.

Althea smiles at him then looks to the other Mandolorians, she grabs her helmet and puts it under her arm as she walks on. The other Mandolorians follow her and Din. They walk out of town and there's a ship. Bo-katan and a few other Mandolorians stand around as they approach.

“Aunt Bo! Look who I found in town.” Althea calls out as they approach. Bo-katan smiles and nods to Din before remarking.

“Are you here to take my niece Din Djarin?”

 “If she is willing to go with me, then I am willing to travel anywhere by her side. I will guard her with my life, and do so honorably.” Din says with a steady cadence, this was an oath, a promise of the up most importance.

 “The Lady of Kryze deserves only the finest protector by her side. And she deserves nothing less than the best” The Madnolorian Althea had called Axe says with a steady tone as he examines Din with a skeptic gaze. Bo-katan shook her head and mad a motion to call him off.

 “Does everyone just keep forgetting I'm a Jedi and I can take care of my damn self.” Althea mutters as she blushes.  As several of them laugh, Althea rolls her eyes before she hands Grogu to Din before jogging over to the ship, to grab her things. Bo-katan looks to Din.

“I entrust her to you, she’s the only family I have left and she’s very deeply in love with you. She hasn't stopped talking about you.” Bo-katan says simply before continuing “She is the future of Mandalore. If we can ever take back our planet she will probably follow in my sisters footsteps. She will be a duchess. But right now I can't stop her from traveling the galaxy with the man she loves.”

 Din wonders if that’s the future Althea wants, to lead a people. She would be a great leader, but would she be happy? He wanted to believe so, at least if he was by her side. Then just possibly. Before he has a chance to express these thoughts aloud, Althea returns, a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. And he knows, they have an adventure ahead of them.

~

Masterlist

Tanslations:

Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum. Ni cyar’ika : I love you my darling.

Tags: @soft-girl-musings @queerponcho

[the-starry-seas]

bobadin time travel au? 👀

-sithfox (but this is my main lol)

oh hi!

that's one of my more vaguely-thought-out AUs but it holds a place in my heart all the same.

TLDR Boba's daddy issues get him to track down a Jedi artefact that allegedly travels through time. However, what it actually does is travel through universes. This is an established relationship AU so of course Din goes with him (this is in the interlude while Grogu's with Luke and Din is having his Sad Dad Time).

They get put in a universe where Jango survived Geonosis, because it was Boba who died in that universe. Jango thinks someone's fucking with him by using Boba's name and comes in all hot, ready to rip their head off, and it's deeply confusing for everyone involved (but worry not, everyone comes out of it in one piece).

I have... zero idea about most of what happens in the middle. But I do know that it ends with Jango leaving his universe to go back to theirs with them, cause he lost everything worth staying for when his little boy died. The version of Boba that's still alive clearly needs a version of Jango that's still alive. Jango gets to work through his feelings about seeing his son die (and hates every minute of it) and Boba gets to work through his feelings about seeing his dad die (and hates every minute of it).

have a lil snippet from Din's POV

"He still has nightmares where he begs you not to leave him and I-" He cuts himself off, fingers curling around the edge of the counter. Control. He needs to get himself back under control. He thinks back to the long-yet-short hours he and Boba spent together during the search for Grogu, and the breathing patterns the Armorer taught him so he could bring himself back from the brink of panic. It takes the span of three long, trembling breaths before he can let go.

"When I see him in pain, it breaks my soul."

The weight of the sentiment necessitates the use of Mando'a rather than Basic. It's not the kind of thing you just blurt out to anyone listening. And even though it's just the two of them here, Din can't help but feel like he's baring his heart to half the galaxy. He feels strangely seen.

"I love him. And I can't just watch him hurt without trying to make it better somehow. There's nothing I wouldn't do for him, just like there's nothing he wouldn't do for me."

[theidiotwhowritesthings]

I am IN LOVE with your writing!  I’m a dedicated reader! 💓💓 thanks for taking the time to do it!

Hear me out. Reader pulls a 24 hour shift in the local clinic on a busy day and we get a protective worried din?

He would also be busy but he would definitely pull reader out and make her take a nap AT LEAST. 😂 anyway, I just thought that would be cute to think about.

I hope you have a wonderful day and keep up the good work! 

[a/n: anybody wanna guess how many times it took me to try and post this b/c tumblr wanted to keep glitching and destroying it?? FUCKING FOUR. lord, im gonna go scream in a pillow. anyways, thanks anon for the great idea! also pls consider this my apology for the cliffhanger that i am so sorry (but not really) for.]

'A FRESH START' DELETED SCENE

Din Djarin x Female!Reader

Warnings: reader overworks herself, mentions of injuries (burns specifically) but not in great detail

Word Count: 1,934

Summary: Everyone needs a break, and Din is hell bent on ensuring you don't skip yours.

#MID 17: TAKE A BREAK, DOC

[so not between chapters, but a scene within one of the time breaks in chapter 17.]

.

"be with someone who will take care of you. not materialistically but take care of your soul, your well being, your heart, and everything that's you." -unknown

.

Trying to get the emergency clinic established was not easy. You agreed to the job, and Karga had given you free reign. The High Magistrate was essentially allowing you to run the clinic as you saw fit. Which in part was fantastic because it gave you incredible freedom, but it was also your worst nightmare. All your training had taught you was how to handle the medical aspect of an office. The business and organization side was a whole other issue. Especially because the people of Nevarro were not understanding that this was for emergencies only. 

“My ankle hurts.”

“Alright, when did this start? When did you get hurt?”

“I twisted it while jogging three years ago.”

“You⏤ Wait, what?”

In order for this to work the way it needed to, you’d have to focus on actual emergencies only. Alone you would never be able to handle the patient load that would come with servicing an entire city. Plus, you really didn’t want to. The amount of time it would take to even attempt that was insane, and Din needed your help with Grogu.

So, the plan would be to establish that this clinic was emergencies only, emphasize it to everyone who walked in the door, but for today you’d manage all the small, routine problems.

Just for today.

By lunch time, you had already seen 47 patients. None of which were emergent. In fact, the biggest injury was a young man who had dropped a glass plate at home and accidentally cut his hand. He needed four stitches. 

“Aayla?”

“Four more in the waiting room, doctor!” Aayla called out without even having to be asked the question. She was a gift from the Maker today. Already, you had decided to try training her more in depth medically and hire someone else to work the front desk. “You also have a guest.

“What?” You breathed, barely able to catch her words.

Aayla didn’t need to repeat herself because that was the moment Din swept into the room with the same confident strut he naturally seemed to have. At the sight of him, you couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief as your lips curled up into a smile.

“What is going on?” Din asked as he drifted closer to you. There were still two patients sitting on cots waiting for you to finish with them, but Din commandeered your attention by settling his hand on your lower back and staring down at you. Even through the helmet you could feel his concerned gaze. “Why are you so busy? I thought you were hired for emergencies only.”

“I was, but apparently nobody told all of Nevarro that.”

Din stiffened. “Did Karga⏤”

“No. I don’t think he tricked me into this or that this was on purpose.” You said quickly. “And everyone who comes in, I’m telling them that from now on it’s emergencies only.”

“But today?”

“Today, I am seeing every Nevarro citizen.” You chuckled. “You want a check up, Mando?”

“Ner kar’ta,” Din shook his head, “Have you taken any breaks at all?” You shot him a sheepish smile. “Come. Let’s get lunch.”

“I can’t. I’ll just get further behind.” You mumbled. Din looked like he was ready to argue with you. In fact, his hands even drifted to his hips as his head tilted. You had seen him take on the same stance before lecturing Grogu. You wrapped your hands around his forearm and gave him the most reassuring smile you could muster. “It’s fine. I’m just sorry I’m bailing on you for lunch.” He sighed. “You poor thing, now you’ll have to spend more time with Mayfeld.”

Din huffed and you chuckled. Aayla called out that more people were filling the space, and for a second you thought the Mandalorian Marshal was considering sending everybody home just so you could have a moment for lunch. You squeezed his forearm. 

“Fine.” Din grumbled.

“Also, I know this won’t help my argument or convince you of anything, but,” You scrunched your nose with a small wince, “Do you think you can pick up Grogu today?”

Din seemed taken aback based on his voice alone, “How long do you plan on staying?”

You knew his question was one more focused on the concern of you staying here for too long versus him being upset that you couldn’t get Grogu. When you shot him another sheepish smile he just grumbled under his breath in Mando’a. Din caught you off guard by leaning forward to lightly rest his forehead against yours for a second. 

“This conversation isn’t over.” Din said simply and you just chuckled in response.

He squeezed your hand once before leaving and you were forced to return to the patients you had. Ten minutes passed at the most, you got two patients out with Aayla’s help, when Din’s heavy footfalls returned. You glanced over your shoulder to see he was holding a bag of food. He crossed the space to set the bag in your hands and you peered in to see it was your favorite sandwich from the local shop. Your eyes glanced back up at him with a grin. The warmth of being seen and known settling in your chest.

“Eat.” Din said firmly.

“Thank you.” You replied. “I’ll eat it as soon as⏤”

“No.” He interrupted. A tilt to his head and a challenge in his voice. “I’m not leaving until I watch you take a few bites. At the least.”

You rolled your eyes, in good nature, and handed him the bag so you could wash your hands in the sink off to the side. On your way back to Din, you asked Aayla to bandage one patient’s knee and get imaging of another patient’s hand. Din had already pulled out your sandwich to set on the desk you had brought into the corner. Before you could reach for it, Din pointed to the desk chair. With a chuckle you dropped down into the seat, the first time you were off your feet all morning, and only then did Din push the sandwich toward you. 

“Thanks.” You said after your first bite. More sincere than your last. Din was leaning against the desk beside you. Close enough that your arm could press against his thigh if you moved it over even an inch. “You didn’t have to do this.”

“Apparently, I did.” Din chuckled. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have eaten at all.”

You couldn't argue. Instead, you just shook your head, “Not gonna lie, I always did have a bad habit of getting caught up in my work.”

“Why does that not surprise me?”

“Doctor, can you take a look at this?” Aayla called out.

You quickly took one last, large bite of your sandwich before standing. Din pushed off the desk to tower over you again. He nodded. “I’ll pick up Grogu, but if you’re not home by 5 I’m coming back to drag you home.”

“Is that a threat or a promise?” You teased.

Din leaned over to lightly tap his forehead against yours and you chuckled. He reached over to pick up your sandwich and held it up towards you. You raised an eyebrow at him, but he didn’t budge. Rolling your eyes, you leaned over and took another bite. Holding a hand over your mouth, tucking the food into your cheek, you spoke. “Happy?”

“Yes. Be careful. Message me if you need anything.”

You watched him leave with a bemused smile.

Never before had you been so acutely aware of the saying ‘when it rains, it pours’. Today had already been stressful and busy so it would make sense that at 4:25 in the afternoon an actual emergency rolled in. Nothing to test and stretch your skills like having to handle a trauma case after a full day of working. There had been an incident, on the other side of this world deep in the lava plains, where a group of smugglers got a bit too close to a river of lava with their weapons and nearly blew one another sky high. 

The least injured of the three had flown them in. She had some superficial burns all along her left side. Then the other two had third degree burns that required some serious fluid replacement. You didn’t stop working, barely paused to take a breath, until all three were stable and resting comfortably. Only then did you drop down into your desk’s chair and rest your head on your arms with a sigh. 

About twenty minutes later, a pair of hands settled on your shoulders, squeezing in comfort, and you would’ve been startled if you didn’t recognize the creak of Din’s leather with the comforting smell of his flight suit’s detergent and the polish used on his beskar. 

“What time is it?” You groaned.

“8:42.”

“You’re nearly four hours late.”

Din squeezed your shoulders once more before letting a hand settle on the back of your neck. You found the weight of it grounded you. “I got here at 4:50. Saw you were busy with something important. Left then came back.” His thumb caressed your skin, and you pushed your head up to glance at him. Din had the hand not on your neck resting on the desk. “You alright?”

“Just tired.” You mumbled and rubbed your face with one hand. “Grogu?”

“He’s with Peli. Missed you at dinner though.” Din replied. “He acts up when you’re not around.”

“No, no. He’s a perfect angel, always.”

Din snorted at that, and the sound made you chuckle. You glanced over at the cots that held the three smugglers who slept soundly. All their vitals still stable. Din’s hand slipped down to rub your upper back soothingly. “You coming home?”

“I can’t. Not until the emergency shuttle gets here to pick those three up.” You sighed. “They have to be at a facility with a higher level of care than just me.”

“‘Just you’ saved their lives.”

“You know what I mean.” You shrugged. “You should go though.” Din tilted his head. “There’s no telling how long it’ll take for the ship to get here. I already sent Aayla home. I’m just babysitting right now. You should pick up Grogu and head home. Get some sleep.”

Din shook his head as if it were the stupidest thing you had ever said. He gently wrapped his hand around your upper arm and pulled you up from your seat. You let him drag you along to the fourth cot in the room which was currently empty. “You sleep. I’ll babysit.” 

“Din…”

He lightly pushed down on your shoulders until you were seated on the cot. You stared up at him in question, but he just shook his head. “If something changes with their status I’ll wake you.” Din pushed you down a little further so you were laying down. The moment your body hit the relatively soft bed you felt yourself sink into it with exhaustion. Din went to walk, but you grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the cot as well.

“You can babysit while laying down, can’t you?”

“My armor isn’t gonna be much of a pillow.”

“Neither is this cot.”

Din chuckled and dropped down to lay beside you. You rested your head on his chest, the cool metal of the beskar biting into your warm cheek, and just sighed. It hadn’t occurred to you how tired you truly were until now. Din had an arm wrapped around you so he could grasp your shoulder with his hand and use his thumb to trace patterns there.

“Take a break, doc.” Din hummed. “I got you.”

taglist:

@aheadfullofsteverogers @yyiikes @kneelforloki @c-ms1ut @sgt-morgan @luthienaliceisilra @fawn-kitten @missbabyjay @coldlamaspersonspy @dilfsaremyfavourite @jamesbuckybarnes @yorkeylover @teawrites01 @emily-roberts @djarinxore @impala1967666 @shelbyteller @faithrenner @dindjarindude @dankfarrick29 @rh1nestonecowg1rl @garbo-lesbo @anythingforattention @tearfulsolace @onceinamando @catharinaroxastova @uwu-i-purple-you @modiddys-blog @stagerightlauren @mini-bees @xxinvisblexx @adoringanakin @sagegreensensei @spidey-3 @sydney-1209 @thepascalofus @hrtsforpascal @banana-lol @daybleedsintonightfall11 @lil-dragon-draws @guccistardust @ideajpeg @harriedandharassed @leithatnight @elfamosotoga @damnzelsoul @the-anchored-sailor-girl @morks-watermelon @katelynmarieyt @taylorann2013 @chonkercatto @dheet @liadamerondjarin @fallinallinmendes @missdicaprio @jennaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa @alphaash99 @djarinsmixtape @pcrushinnerd @closedaddition @thelovelyhann @harrys-sunflower-bakery @mayaaaaah @theway-thisis

[brujitaadinbo]

I come in advance to congratulate all the mothers and all the women who carry out their motherhood tomorrow. With all my heart I hope it is a good stage in your life, full of blessings. Because motherhood will be desired or it will not be.

It makes me very sad when there are women who attack others, just for being mothers or because they somehow had to assume the role. First of all RESPECT because the fact of being a mother does not make you less of a woman or does not take away your value as a person, it does not make you less.

Tomorrow, here in Mexico is a day that is immensely celebrated for the mothers of every Mexican home, who fight against all odds to achieve their dreams and those of their children. This role should not be romanticized or idealized, because at the end of the day, everything in this life has its ups and downs, its good and bad sides. But we should not minimize this great work, the work of a mother, whether or not it is your children, because only we know what can be experienced and suffered for a child. I love all those girls very much, who raise their children, against all odds.

And I will not get tired of applauding, of recognizing their work and the love with which they raise and shine so much.

And I'm sorry; but I'm going to mention Bo Katan in this post, because she DECIDED on her own to interact with Grogu in a motherly way, Although no one demanded it of her, although there is no formal relationship with Din, although she is a fierce warrior with a volatile character, even though she is the leader of Mandalore.

It was a free decision that she made, SHE chose, without being forced to do anything. Because at the end of the day she feels something for Grogu, she empathizes with him, regardless of whether or not she feels something for Din or whether they are together in the end or not. She identifies with Grogu and supports him and on her part, she will support and protect him, Din and even herself know that well.

That is the beautiful thing about our freedom as women, our freedom of choice, of wanting to play a role, breaking the classic stereotypes or not allowing ourselves to be fooled by "false empowerments." We have the freedom of choice to be mothers or not, by blood or not. And no one can come and tell us otherwise. Because they are processes of our lives that, if we want, we can live them and delve into them. And if we don't want to, we can put them aside.

I have no idea if outside of Mexico they also celebrate mothers, but if not, feel included. They deserve all the love and greatest blessings in life.

Happy mothers day. this is the way.

[hunnythebee]

Stow Away

Chapter 7: Sleep Talking

Jo is struggling with the fact that Mando is beginning to open up and get closer to her. Conflicted about opening up herself Mando leaves for an overnight excursion, leaving Grogu in her capable hands. After a long day, Jo falls into a deep sleep. Little does she know, she talks in her sleep.

Tags: Mando x oc, Mando x ofc, sleepy sex, light dom/sub vibes, aftercare

Warnings: Canon Violence, flirting, threats, nightmares, crying, questionable consent at first but quickly becomes consent (consent is sexy), somnophilia, cock warming, PIV, gentle choking, possessive, creampie

Chapter 6 | Chapter 8 | Masterlist

A/N

Writing this chapter has been a wild ride. I rewrote it entirely, twice. Edited more times than I can count, but I think I am finally satisfied. Also another update on AO3, I think I have finally decided to start cross-posting my work. I just have to figure out how. Its gonna be great. Can't wait to see y'all next week!

Enjoy!

Everything changed after that night on Lothal. Mando became more relaxed around her. He would roam the ship while in deep space wearing nothing but his flight suit, slightly undone, and his helmet. When they would eat, if he was seated before her, he would begin lifting his helmet before she could turn away. Jo could have sworn she had caught a glimpse of his scruffy jaw once, but she would never admit it. He had explained the extent of his Creed to her, and she respected it. Just because she respected it didn't mean she had to like it.

Mando also began to engage with Jo more. He would start conversations with her, asking her questions about her life. He also grew into the habit of touching her more. A hand on her thigh whenever they were seated next to each other, a gentle hand on her cheek, brushing her hair behind her ear. What really shocked her though, was this morning’s interaction.

“Where did you grow up?” he asked after lowering his helmet back down from eating his breakfast. Jo took a beat before responding. She hadn't told anyone about her childhood, and she still wasn't ready to. Not yet. She opted for the safest route.

“I was born on Naboo.”

“Hmm…" his gaze was fixed on her, making her feel as though she was about to be interrogated, or that he might pry further, instead he gave a simple nod at her answer, "makes sense.”

“What does?”

“Nabooian women are always beautiful.”

She froze mid-bite, the anxiety of confrontation melted away, and she smiled.

Is he flirting with me?

She abandoned the bite and cleared her throat. “What about you? Where were you born?”

“Aq Vetina.”

“Not Mandalore?”

“No, I was a foundling, taken in by a Mandalorian warrior during the Clone Wars.”

“I had no idea.”

“It’s okay. I don’t talk about it with people, but you’re special.”

Jo’s cheeks turned pink at his words and a small well of guilt opened in the pit of her stomach. He was willing to be transparent with her, yet she couldn't do the same for him. A silence fell between them and he stood up to collect the plates as usual, this time she stood as well instead of handing him her plate. They both entered the galley, and dispensed with the plates. He moved to pass behind her, or at least that's what Jo thought he was going to do. Instead he placed his hands on her hips and pressed against her ass.

"Don't think for a moment that what we did was a one time thing, sweet girl." His voice was deliciously low and close to her ear. "Soon."

Jo’s heart nearly stopped. She leaned hard against the counter in front of her which caused the Mandalorian pause.

“You good?” he teased, pulling her tighter against him.

A meek, “Mhmm,” was all she could muster.

He lingered a moment longer, she couldn’t see it but knew he was smirking. He knew exactly what he was doing. He had desperately wished he could have fucked her again after that night on Lothal, but there had been no opportunities. The bounties had been particularly difficult and their break on Takodana had put him behind.

He finally moved on to preparing to leave for the hunt and she followed after collecting herself. He strapped his rifle to his back and turned to face her before leaving. She expected some kind of instructions to be given. Something along the lines of ‘stay on the ship’ or ‘don’t be seen’ but instead he reached out and pulled her against him.

His arms wrapped tight around her waist. It took her a moment to realize what was happening, but her arms were already instinctually around his shoulders. He squeezed her tight to his chest, and she hugged his shoulders tighter. They stayed like this for a moment, her head resting on his shoulder. Breathing in his aroma, and letting the memory of him imprint on her. He pulled back slightly, his gaze fixed on her through the visor. She stared back at him, searching for eyes she knew she would never see. He finally broke the silence.

"Close your eyes."

"What?"

"Close them. I won't say it again."

She did as she was told and closed them. The familiar hiss of his helmet depressurizing filled her senses as she realized what was happening. He cradled her face in his hands and pulled her in for a kiss. He hadn't kissed her since that night. He hadn't done anything like this since that night. She happily sank into the kiss and out of her mind. This kiss was different than last time, sweet and soft, not as desperate as before. They finally parted and he put the helmet back on. She opened her eyes and looked at the Mandalorian.

“I’ll be gone overnight,” he spoke softly. “Feel free to explore the village, just keep yourself hidden.” A hand brushed a stray hair behind her ear. “Especially your hair.” He walked off the ship and stopped at the end of the ramp to turn back, “Also, you’re welcome to my bunk tonight.”

“Be safe!” She shouted after him and he nodded in response.

Jo spent another hour on the ship, straightening up and dancing to music. Once Grogu finally woke, she fed him quickly and then placed him in a satchel on her hip. On the opposite hip she attached a hip holster for a vibro-knife and picked one from Mando's arsenal to take with her. Jo had no intention of using the knife, but it made her feel safe to have it anyways. She wrapped her head with a scarf, covering her hair and the lower part of her face. Finally she grabbed a cloak she had brought with her when she left Tatooine. Jo pulled the hood up and disembarked the Crest. Whilst exploring the village she came upon a marketplace. An alleyway filled with adobe alcoves and stalls adorned with colorful awnings and woven fabrics. Vendors called out from their stalls, advertising their wares in basic. One stall in particular caught her attention.

A twi'lek woman greeted Jo, "Bright Suns traveller, I see you are wearing a headscarf. I have many beautiful scarves, ones that would compliment your beautiful eyes. Come, come see." The shopkeep gestured to several tables where scarves of a variety of textiles and patterns were neatly on display. Jo selected a few headscarves and hoods, and decided to purchase them, given that having to cover herself was becoming more common. She thanked the woman and went about her shopping.

After exploring for a few hours, she decided it was time for a break. She found a quiet spot near a large pool of water and allowed Grogu out of his carrier. He sat in her lap while she fed him some kettle-popped grains that she had purchased. While he was happily munching away, a old quarren man approached Jo.

"Ex-excuse me. I hate to be a bother, but how much?" The man inquired.

Her eyebrows scrunched together as she glared. "How much... For what?"

He laughed as if she was the one asking an absurd question. "How much for your rare critter? I've never seen a creature like it! I must have it for my collection. I am willing to pay handsomely, name your price."

She stood up, placing the child into the satchel and shifting him so that he was resting behind her. "He is not for sale. He is a child, and he is under my protection."

He cocked his head to the side and scoffed, "My dear, everything in this galaxy has a price." He reached a hand out to touch her, and she caught him by the wrist with one hand and unsheathed her vibro-knife with the other. Jo held the knife to his throat, beneath the tentacles protruding from his jaw.

"Fine. Name your price." She shook with anger as she echoed his request back to him. "How much are you willing to pay for your own life, old man?"

The quarren's chest rose and fell with rapid, anxious breaths. "Apologies. I will leave you in peace with your... Son. No need for threats." He held his hands up in surrender, and she relinquished her hold on him.

She kept her knife firmly in her grasp as she watched him back away. It wasn't until the man had disappeared from sight that she finally re-sheathed her vibro-knife and checked on Grogu. His ears perked up when they made eye contact.

"Everything is okay little guy. I won't let anything happen to you." She patted him on the head and he cooed happily. "How about we finish the shopping and head home?" She froze at her own words. Jo hadn't given it much thought but, she was starting to feel more at home on the Crest than she had anywhere else since... She shook the thought from her mind and returned to the present, focusing on the young one on her hip. He was still happily cooing, waiting for her to begin the trek through the marketplace once more.

Mando had left her a substantial number of credits to be able to purchase necessities, which she took full advantage of. She returned to the ship at sunset, hands full of bags of bursting with food. It was nearly dark when she finally made it aboard. She placed the food down on the floor and closed the ramp behind her. Grogu was set down onto the floor and proceeded to waddle around the hull, searching for something shiny to play with most likely. She left him to his own devices and began to put away the food she had acquired. Since she had joined the Mandalorian's 'crew', the pantry had gone from sparse to bursting. Cooking was one of her favorite pastimes, and it was much easier to do when there was variety. Once that was done she prepared dinner for herself and Grogu, something small since it was just the two of them. They ate and he fell asleep, leaving her to her own devices. She stared at the closed door of Mando’s bunk, debating whether she was going to take the offer to sleep in there. She hadn't been inside since Lothal. 

Jo decided that a shower, regardless of where she would sleep tonight, was in order. As she washed herself, she found the bruises he had kissed into her skin several nights ago. They were mostly faded, but the memory still lingered. She traced over every single mark, reveling in the fact that there was evidence that he had been there. Jo realized she had been in the refresher for so long that her fingers were pruning. She turned off the water and dressed in a silk night dress that Peli had given her that she had 'lyin around'. It was one of the nicest things Jo had ever been given, so she didn't ask any further questions about the origins. She exited the fresher and took a deep breath to gather her nerves.

Fuck it.

She brought the egg-shaped crib with her into Mando’s bunk and the door hissed shut behind her. She crawled into his cot, which was definitely more comfortable than hers. His scent was everywhere, but hung especially heavy on the bunk. Jo let herself imagine he was lying beside her. She drifted to sleep to the thought of his arm draped over her waist and his body pressed up behind her.

She dreamt of him, of Mando. His face was always hazy in her dreams, the only visible feature was his scruffy jaw. He’s holding her on Naboo, and professing his undying love and loyalty to her. She stood on her toes to press a kiss to his lips, and he lifts her completely off the ground. The pair of them fall backwards into the meadow and the dream morphs into something much steamier than it had started as. Clothes were being thrown off each other. Burning hot kisses being pressed against one another. Their moans of pleasure echoing through the field as they gave into it completely.

Jo was moaning in her sleep. A wetness pooling between her thighs. She was grinding her hips against nothing, desperate for a sense of real friction in her dream world. Unbeknownst to her, the Mandalorian was bearing witness to all of it.

It was dark and he was back earlier than he had anticipated, but he could make out her body in his bed perfectly. She was wearing something he had never seen on her before and he liked what he saw. He wasn't sure what he should do in a situation like this. In truth, he was planning to just sleep in her cot for the night, let her rest peacefully. Then she began speaking in her sleep and all rational thought left his mind.

"Mando..." She moaned loudly, "Need you...Don't stop." Jo continued to whimper and moan while he carefully removed Grogu from the room and quietly stripped down. He climbed into the small bed with her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her backside against him. She grinded her hips against his aching erection, lighting a fire in his veins. He grinded against her in return, letting out a ragged breath at the friction. He pressed soft kisses to her neck as he reached a hand between her legs. As his fingers made contact she let out a shaky breath.

"Fuck, what I would give to know what you're dreaming about that would make you this wet." He gently pulled the hem of her dress up over her ass, and dragged his tip through her wetness. Another loud moan left her lips as he sank his hard cock deep inside her. She was soaking wet and so warm. He let his cock just rest inside her for a long moment. The feeling of her pussy clenching and pulsating around him was something he wanted to fully enjoy.

"Please," came her voice in the dark, different than when she had spoken in her sleep before. This time it was a pleading whisper, heavy with lust and sleep. She grinded back against him, an intention there that hadn't been there before. She was awake. She was grinding and begging, desperate for him to move. The fact that she was this needy for him made his head buzz. Experimentally, he brought a hand up and grasped her throat with a gentle pressure. She bit her lip and moaned loudly at the new sensation.

"Keep begging for it, sweet girl. Convince me you deserve it." He growled into her ear.

"Please fuck me. Need your cock so bad. Want you to take me. Only you." She whimpered, pressing against him as much as possible. Her last two words nearly took the wind out of him.

Only you.

He began to pump into her with a slow, aggressive pace, burying himself completely in her with each stroke. He pressed his mouth to her neck and moaned.

"All. Fucking. Mine." Punctuated with each rough stroke. Her moans were unbridled, her mind still in the fog of sleep. She gave her body to him completely. She wanted him to make her his. She craved this.

"All yours. Fuck! Don't stop."

"That's it, come for me. Come on my cock mesh'la." He continued fucking into her, his pace never faltering as she fell apart for him. Her orgasm ripped through her, a blinding heat crashing over her, but he didn't stop. Instead he began fucking into her faster, he groaned against the skin of her neck.

"Where... Where should I..." He couldn't manage a full sentence, his ecstasy clouding his mind. Jo reached behind her and grasped his hair tightly.

"Inside. Want you to fill me up."

"F-fuck. Are you-"

"I'm safe, come inside me. Please." Mando sank his teeth into her shoulder as he came. His release coated her walls and dripped out around his cock. He was huffing and panting. He pulled out of her and she felt it slowly drip out of her. Jo hummed happily as she sank back into the pillow, her body relaxing completely. As she started to drift to sleep once more she felt a shift behind her which pulled her back from the edge.

"Stay," she whimpered, grasping for him in the dark. He grabbed her hand a placed a kiss to her palm.

"I will, but first I need to clean up the mess I have made." He laughed lightly.

"Fine. As long as you promise you'll be back."

"I will always come back." He disappeared for a few moments, and when he returned he had a towel with warm water. She was almost completely asleep at this point, so he wiped her thighs clean for her. He readjusted her dress and threw on a pair of boxers. Mando climbed back into the bed and held her tight as he followed her into sleep.

She was dreaming the same dream again. They're on Naboo and he's confessing his love. She stood on her toes to press a kiss to his lips like before. This time the dream turned, she pulled back and her gaze was met with red eyes. He gripped her tight, bruising her skin with the force. She screamed trying to pull away, it’s no use though. She was too weak in his grasp, unable to run away. The world fell away from beneath her and she awoke in the familiar bunk. She bolted up, startling Mando awake.

"What's wrong?" He asked, his voice a mix of sleep and panic. She was choking on sobs and shaking uncontrollably. Hearing this woke him up entirely. He pulled her into his arms and gently stroked her hair. "Shh… it's okay sweet girl… you're safe. It was just a dream."

She buried her face, her voice muffled by his shoulder, "But it wasn't… it was him…" He cradled her against his chest. He still wasn't sure what memories plagued her, but it didn't matter. She was obviously upset.

"I'm here now. I've got you. I won't let anything happen to you." He promised softly.

Jo was too delirious to process his words, but her body responded. She relaxed into him and her breathing slowed. They remained like that, her in his arms with Mando stroking her back. Once her breathing became slow and rhythmic again, he relaxed. He cradled her face with his hand as he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Ni Kelir cabour gar mesh'la." He whispered softly.

I will protect you beautiful.

Chapter 6 | Chapter 8 | Masterlist

[sofasoap]

How badly is Heartbreak going to break my heart? (The answer is very, it's okay.) What spawned the idea? Was there something specific?

Shattering your heart.

Joking. It will take you on roller coaster ride but I ( 99.9% of time ) only write Happy ending 🤭 so don't worry your heart wouldn't be completely broken.

Good point.. I think I was influenced by a lot of great Din fic writers out there

( again, thanks @deakyjoe and @groguspicklejar ) but I think my biggest influence was @sprout-fics ' The stowaway ' series ( praise the series!) Thank you Em for writing such a great series.

I ain't great writer that can write a long series,but I want to write a story about a strong independent woman that can stand up for herself and stand against the waves ( cliche I know ) and combining the cheesy trope of being Grogu's caretaker...and here we are.

It was my first long series, nothing spectacular bit I am very proud of it 🤭

Thank you for your ask!!

[letthewhumpbegin]

Sandstorm - The Mandalorian

Fandom: The Mandalorian Characters: Din Djarin, Grogu Prompt: this was written based off this amazing piece of art! Requested by: anonymous (by wish of the requester) Warnings: some angst, but otherwise no warnings.

A\N: contrary to my other pieces, this isn't a whumpy piece. Some angst, but mainly just cute stuff 😇

Din looked ahead in concern at the huge reddish-brown cloud at the horizon. He knew exactly what that was: a sandstorm. Nothing out of the ordinary on a desert planet like the one he was on now, but this sure looked like a big one. It would be at least another mile and a half back to where he had left the Crest, and Din was fairly sure the storm would overtake him before he made it back.

No, it would be wiser for him and Grogu to seek shelter someplace else, and wait it out until the storm had passed. Din's eye fell on an abandoned trader's hut a few hundred meters to his left. It looked unkempt, but at least still somewhat solid. And since they were in the middle of nowhere, with not much else around, it would have to do.

"Come on, kid." Din lifted Grogu off the ground and into his arms. "We're taking shelter for a little while."

Din quickly made his way over to the hut. It took some effort to break the small wooden door down, which lead him to believe the structure was at least still mostly strong. Din closed the door behind them, barricading it with a few big rocks which had clearly been used for that purpose before.

The hut consisted of only one small room. There was no furniture, apart from one rectangular wooden bench placed against the back wall. The tiny window in one of the walls provided the only bit of light inside.

Grogu cooed softly as Din set him down on the floor. "I know," Din grumbled, "I don't like it either, but it's better than getting caught in that storm." Grogu softly brabbled in reply, but finally sat himself down on the sand-strewn floor.

Din realized they could be here for a while. It was impossible to tell how long the oncoming sandstorm would last for, but it sure looked like a big one. He sat down on the wooden bench. It creaked softly under his weight, but held him easily.

While Grogu busied himself with playing with a few pebbles lying on the ground, there wasn't much for Din to entertain himself with. He watched Grogu play for a while, but slowly felt himself get more and more drowsy. The sounds of the storm coming ever closer didn't bother him much, nor did it make him feel uneasy. Maybe a nap wasn't such a bad idea. If ever there was a good moment for it, this was surely it.

Din looked longingly at the rest of the bench beside him. Grogu seemed to be calm and enjoying himself, and he couldn't easily wander off somewhere, so he shouldn't have to worry much about the child's safety.

Din slowly took off his helmet and placed it quietly on the floor. He ruffled his flattened hair somewhat, before stretching himself out on his stomach on the bench. Resting his head on one of his arms, he turned his face to the wall. Grogu had seen him without his helmet on, but it still felt unnatural to Din.

He relaxed his muscles and closed his eyes. The soft sound of the pebbles ticking together, combined with the thunderous sound of the sandstorm closing in on them, was the perfect lullaby to drag Din to sleep.

---

Din wasn't sure how long he slept, but when he woke up the sandstorm was fully upon them. Sand swirled in through the small glass-less window and hurricane-like winds stormed around the hut, but the structure held on strong.

Din was about to let himself drift back off to sleep again, when there was a soft tug on his sleeve, and he immediately realized that was what had woken him up in the first place. He slowly propped himself up on his elbows, and peeked over the edge of the bench he lay upon to look underneath it. His heart sank when he found Grogu sitting there, looking absolutely terrified. The child's drooped ears and wide eyes told Din everything he needed to know.

"It's alright," Din soothed, reaching a hand under the bench. "We're safe here, no need to worry." Grogu gave a scared squeak and wrapped his tiny hands around Din's fingers. "Nothing's going to happen, buddy, I promise," Din reassured once more. "Come up here, it's okay." Grogu shook his head, making his big ears flap. Instead his hands wrapped even tighter around Din's fingers.

Din looked deep into those big, black eyes. He could see the fear in them, and most certainly Grogu's determination not to leave his safe space under the bench. "That's fine," Din assured, tone fatherly, "you can stay there. Just hold onto my hand." Grogu cooed softly, which Din took as a confirmation.

Din lay back down on his front again, head resting on one arm and face turned to the wall. His other arm limply hung over the edge of the bench, so Grogu could continue to hold onto his fingers for reassurance. Din felt the child's soft hands squeeze around his fingers, clinging on for support and comfort. If it provided comfort to Grogu, than Din let him. And somehow it comforted Din, too, and he fell back asleep within minutes.

---

A single ray of sunlight shone into the hut through the tiny window. It hit Din across the shoulders and the warmth of it slowly woke him up. He stirred, groaning softly as sleep left him. The fact that there was quiet all around now, meant the sandstorm had well and truly passed them.

His arm hanging over the edge of the bench felt heavy, and somehow he felt like he couldn't quite move his hand. Din slowly raised his head to look under the bench. The initial frown on his face quickly vanished and was replaced by a soft smile when he saw why his hand was immobile: Grogu.

The child was fast asleep with his head resting in the palm of Din's hand resting on the floor, and he didn't look anywhere close to waking up.

Din smiled to himself. He never would have thought he would come to care for Grogu as much as he did. But when he saw Grogu like this now, sleeping sweetly and seeking comfort with him, Din realized how much of a unity the two of them had become and to what lengths he would go to protect Grogu.

Din carefully rearranged his body somewhat on the bench, mindful not to move the hand Grogu had curled up against. The sandstorm was over, and normally Din would have jumped up and continued his way at first opportunity, but not now. Right now he would wait for Grogu to wake up. They weren't on a high profile mission, so staying here for another hour or so wouldn't make a difference.

But, Din had to admit, the real reason he didn't want to wake Grogu up was that he had grown to care deeply for the little creature. Secretly, Din liked the way Grogu slept with his head in the palm of his hand. So Din would wait and let Grogu sleep.

Request from my prompts list Useful Links Section | Writing masterlist

[elliewillicms]

So I just read that according to the director Din isn't even the main character of the Mandalorian anymore so that fucking sucks

Anon, when I saw the news, I started typing up a whole rant and deleted it to choose peace, but since you mentioned it. I'm going to talk about how angry I am about this. Just from watching the new season and seeing Din's nonexistent character arc. I'm not surprised at all they officially have told us Din is not The Mandalorian. Which is. Wow. Like what. What a stupid fucking idea. I don't care what they say Din Djarin will always be THE Mandalorian to me.

Do they know they can focus on the Mandalorian as a people while not sidelining the main protagonist??? You would think Din, a Mandalorian who is open to all different creeds, grew up as a foundling, broke the creed, has a Jedi son, and won the darksaber could maybe represent him as being capable of reuniting all the Mandalorians. They could have explored The Mandalorians through Din's character it was right there with him breaking his creed and having the darksaber, but nope rewriting the basis of the show seemed like the best idea. Why are they obsessed with writing shows and sidelining their protagonists? People have loved this show because of Din and Grogu's relationship who was this change for??? To take away the heart of the show is what I think I'm the most hurt about. I wasn't the biggest fan of Grogu coming back, but I thought okay they're showing us how close they are that Grogu chose to be with his dad over Jedi training. And I was genuinely excited to see how their relationship has changed now that Din knows that he doesn't have to give away his son again. But now it's almost like Grogu never even left in the first place so what was even the point of him coming back?

I'm just angry that they weren't upfront about this season not being about the same Mandalorian we have watched for the past two seasons cause you would have never guessed that just by seeing the promo. I don't think my expectations of the main character staying as the main character isn't too high, especially when my expectations quite fairly came from the ideas that they set up in their own writing in s2. Anyways the version of s3 that lives in my head is so much better but fr depending on how this season ends I might not see myself rushing to watch s4 as I did with s1 and s2.