#platonic mando

[frownyalfred]

Jason finally giving into affection re: Bruce but he does it Mandalorian style. which is to say he headbutts Bruce so hard he breaks his nose and then presses their foreheads together while Bruce bleeds everywhere. somehow this is cathartic for them both.

[m00ntunaart]

They’re on their way to f**k your sh*t up.

Is this not their dynamic? Am I wrong? Are you gonna look at me and tell me that I’m wrong?

[slavhew]

terminally annoying to kind of endearing

[anonymousewrites]

Clan of Three Christmas Special

Father Figure! Mandalorian/Din Djarin x Teen! Force-Sensitive! Reader

Christmas Special

            “The last time we were on a cold planet, we were chased by spiders,” said (Y/N) as they walked with Mando. Grogu was safely in Mando’s hands and burrowing into his robes due to the chill.

            “We haven’t crashed, and we’re just refueling,” said Mando. “This is passing the time.”

            “Mm,” said (Y/N), looking around. “What are they doing?”

            Mando scanned the crowd. Fortunately, none of them seemed aggressive or violent. Everything appeared to be safe, so Mando let them keep walking. His adike meant the world to him. Their safety was of the utmost priority.

            However, (Y/N)’s eyes shone curiously around at the festival. People were putting up lights, sweet smells filtered from mugs and baked goods, and little trinkets were getting wrapped up in paper and bows.

            “I think they’re getting gifts,” said Mando. “Some planets have gift-giving festivals.”

            “Cool,” said (Y/N). “I like all the decorations.”

            “It’s bright,” said Mando.

            “People like light,” said (Y/N), shrugging. “Especially when it’s cold.”

            Mando glanced at them, reminded that his ad’ika was unusually well-spoken at times.

            “What’s the weird stuff on the tree?” said (Y/N). “Do they think it’ll grow metal?”

            “At times” was the key phrase. “It’s more decorations,” said Mando.

            “Aha,” said (Y/N). They leaned closer. “Yeah, I don’t think anyone would be stupid enough to think a tiny starship would grow a bigger one if it was attached to a tree.”

            “You have powers to heal people and move things with your mind,” said Mando.

            “Yeah. Those makes sense,” said (Y/N). “I use energy around me.”

            “Verd’ika, that makes very little sense to most people,” said Mando.

            (Y/N) shrugged. “Should we get something to eat or do something with the festival?”

            “Food,” said Mando, knowing that keeping (Y/N) from wandering off and inevitably finding trouble was the best option.

            He was proud of their strong sense of justice, but their supernatural senses always led them to people in trouble, so they got involved in the trouble, and that meant a fight. Mando was too protective to just let it happen.

            “Okay,” said (Y/N), walking into a café. It wasn’t often they got to sit somewhere warm and not filled with seedy individuals—at least, when they weren’t on Mandalore—so they were going to embrace it.

            Sure enough, the entire place smelled sweet, and when they sat down, their waitress appeared with a cheerful smile. Mando just asked for whatever people at the festival wanted, and she was happy to oblige, bringing a pot of brown liquid and a plate of biscuits.

            Grogu was happy to bite into a biscuit—or, as the woman called them, “cookies.” They had white, red, and white designs drawn on them, and (Y/N) gazed at them before biting in.

            “These are good,” they said. “Sweet. I haven’t had ‘sweet’ in a while.”

            Mando nodded. He was glad he could give them something nice occasionally. He knew (Y/N) was happy and thriving as they grew stronger and stronger with the Mandalorians, but he also wanted them to have times where they could be soft. He wanted them safe.

            Grogu babbled and motioned for a cup. Mando smiled beneath his helmet and poured a glass of the liquid for Grogu. Happily, Grogu picked it up and drank. He smiled, pleased with the taste.

            Curious, (Y/N) poured a mug for themself. They took a sip. It was hot, and it warmed their stomach. “I like this planet. I like their festival. They make great food and drinks.”

            “We’ll come back sometime,” said Mando. With Mandalore growing again and his deal with the New Republic, he had more freedom. He had more time to take care of his kids and give them the life they deserved before they were grown up and independent.

            “Nice,” said (Y/N). They took another bite of their cookie. “So, what is our next assignment? New Republic or Mandalore?”

            “Mandalore,” said Mando. “Some of our new allies are having some issues with pirates, so we’ll be helping them prevent further problems.”

            “Oh, pirates,” said (Y/N). “So…they won’t go quietly?”

            “This is not an excuse to fight,” said Mando.

            “I need to put my training to practical test, right?” said (Y/N).

            “You shouldn’t go looking for fights,” chided Mando.

            “I’m not,” said (Y/N). “But pirates robbing innocent people means they’re looking for a fight. I don’t put up with that.”

            There was the sense of justice. That was why the Force had gifted them with such power and Mandalore the Great had chosen to speak to them. (Y/N) could be stereotyped as a troubled teen looking for a fight, but they were also someone who wanted to put things right in the world when they were wrong.

            “I know,” said Mando. He was so proud of his Verd’ika.

Taglist:

@im-making-an-effort

@gr33n-d00dles

@alexpangender

@painstakingly-juno

@treehouse-mouse

@theurbannoodle

@pedropascalsidechick

@dmitrytherat

@dilfsaremyfavourite

@snowy-violet

[selvnite]

I actually agree with her... like this goes for any ships in the show. I think it'd take away from what's great about The Mandalorian if they focused on any sort of romance within the main cast.

[armoralor]

Let Sabine Wren have a lightsaber gun.

[bigolialragu]

the armorer

[missriyochuchi]

I think once you accept Arthurian legend as the model for The Mandalorian, this season’s inclusion of Bo Katan makes sense. Other people have pointed out the hallmarks so far: Din’s shining armor, the chivalric code summed up in “This is the Way,” Din slaying a krayt dragon and wielding a magic sword (although I argue the Darksaber is both Excalibur and the Holy Grail). You could even make a case for Grogu as Merlin. What's missing is fealty to a lord or lady-in-waiting.

Bo Katan’s heritage wasn’t always named in The Clone Wars and Rebels, but in Mando, it's a big and constant deal. She’s The Heiress, the princess from a mighty house, the noblewoman who didn’t abandon her people. Lady Bo Katan is both King Arthur and Lady Guinevere, and Mandalore is Camelot. IDK if I would go so far as to say Din is Lancelot, but after “I will serve you until your song is written,” he’s definitely one of her knights.

And so, you can view their dynamic through courtly love conventions: she sends him on quests and inspires him to fight while his love is categorically unconsummated. Not unrequited, she recognizes their relationship, but the lady was often married and of higher rank, the point being she was beyond his reach and yet his devotion was singular and energizing. Both DinBo shippers and nonshippers are valid because courtly love behaves romantically and platonically; it works precisely by having both kinds of love exist in tandem simultaneously, each complementing and complicating the other.

[eloquentsisyphianturmoil]

Headcanon that Miriel and Finwe was a lavender wedding but when Elwe went and got bewitched by Melian Miriel said ‘if we’re gonna do this, let’s do it properly’, did it too properly, died, and left Finwe to marry some preppy straight girl to distract himself from the trauma.

[frownyalfred]

me letting Bruce and Dick do a little keldabe in my non-Mando fic: it’s what they deserve

[triplehmunson]

𝐏𝐎𝐕: Your ex-boyfriend Pedro complains to his "best friend" since he began to invent gossip where they said that you were cheating on him with a friend of yours, everything turned into chaos and the worst thing is that Pedro believed those lies and they ended up on bad terms.

[fulcrum-art-fox]

Me anytime I have to explain to anybody why I ship Bo-Katan and the Armourer: in my defence have you watched any of their scenes?!?

[anonymousewrites]

Clan of Three (Book 2) Chapter Eleven

Father Figure! Mandalorian/Din Djarin x Teen! Reader

Chapter Eleven: The Test

Summary: (Y/N) gets their first experiencing fighting with a Jedi, and Ahsoka makes a decision regarding them.

            Morning came, and so did Ahsoka’s tests. As the sunlight tried to filter through the heavy cloud cover, Ahsoka took (Y/N) and Grogu to a larger clearing to see what they were capable of.

            “Let’s see what knowledge is lurking in your minds,” said Ahsoka to Grogu and (Y/N).

            Grogu cooed, but (Y/N) frowned. “I don’t have any training.”

            “Instincts can show someone potential in the Force,” said Ahsoka. She looked at (Y/N). “And there is a strong presence around you.” She smiled. “But we will begin with Grogu.”

            Mando put Grogu down on a rock, and Ahsoka faced him with a small pebble in her open palm. Carefully, she floated it through the air to Grogu. (Y/N)’s eyes widened at the precision with which she could control her abilities.

            “Now, return the stone to me, Grogu,” instructed Ahsoka. Grogu didn’t move.

            “He doesn’t understand,” said Mando.

            “He does,” said Ahsoka. Grogu whined. “It’s okay. The stone, Grogu.” Grogu dropped the stone to the ground. Ahsoka sighed. “I sense much fear in you.” Grogu babbled. “He’s hidden his abilities to survive over the years. Let’s try something else. Come over here.”

            Grogu glanced at Mando, and Mando nodded at him to go to Ahsoka, but Grogu didn’t move. “He’s stubborn.”

            “She wants you,” said (Y/N).

            Ahsoka nodded. “I want to see if he’ll listen to you.”

            “That would be a first.” But Mando stood by Ahsoka.

            “I like firsts,” said Ahsoka. “Good or bad, they’re always memorable.” She picked up another stone. “Now, hold the stone out in the palm of your hand. Tell him to lift it up.” (Y/N) watched carefully as Mando listened.

            “Alright, kid,” said Mando. “Lift the stone.” Grogu looked at him, confused.

            “Grogu,” said (Y/N), and the kid perked up.

            Mando straightened and tried again. “Grogu…Come on, take the stone.” Grogu huffed. Mando sighed. “You see? I told you, he’s stubborn. They both are.”

            (Y/N) shrugged. He wasn’t wrong.

            “Try to connect with him,” said Ahsoka, watching the interactions. She was testing just how deep the bonds among the three ran.

            Mando was silent until he reached up and took the lever head from his pocket. The familiar silver sphere glinted in the slight sunlight as Grogu watched. “Come on, Grogu. Go ahead.” Grogu raised a hand. “That’s right. Take it. Come on. You can have it. Come on.” The silver sphere flew to Grogu’s hand. Mando grinned beneath his helmet, and (Y/N) smiled. “Good job! Good job, kid.” Mando swooped in and held the kid up. “That’s right. I knew you could do it.”

            Ahsoka nodded. “(Y/N), your turn.” She held out a stone in her upturned palm.

            (Y/N) shifted and looked away. “I’m not trained. I can’t do that.”

            “I’ve seen you do it,” said Mando.

            “On accident,” said (Y/N) sourly. “Grogu’s had years of training.”

            “You’re strong,” said Mando.

            (Y/N) glanced at Mando. They didn’t want to disappoint him, but they couldn’t do it. They could barely clear their mind when they tried to. How could they do this?

            “You have much anger,” said Ahsoka calmly.  “Let it go. Focus on allow the Force to move within you rather than trapping it.”

            “Verd’ika,” said Mando. “You can do it.”

            (Y/N) took a deep breath and focused on the certainty in Mando’s words. If he truly believed, (Y/N) wouldn’t let him down. They raised a hand and focused on the stone in Ahsoka’s had. Come on. They breathed deeply and allowed them to sense the world around them. A slight shift caught their attention, and the rock shook in Ahsoka’s hand.

            “You’re almost there, Verd’ika,” said Mando.

            The rock shot from Ahsoka’s hand to (Y/N)’s. They stared at it in surprise as Mando put a hand on their shoulder.

            “I knew you could,” said Mando.

            (Y/N) couldn’t help a smile as they looked up at him.

            Ahsoka looked at the three of them. They were a family, with a bond deeply ingrained. They wouldn’t leave one other without making the decision themself. “You all have a strong attachment,” she said, catching their attention. “I cannot train them.”

            Mando handed Grogu to (Y/N) to face Ahsoka. “What? Why not? You’ve seen what they can do.”

            “Their attachment to you makes them vulnerable to their fears,” said Ahsoka. “Their anger.”

            (Y/N) looked down in angry shame. What were they supposed to do, push out all emotion and connection? They cared about Mando and Grogu, why was that wrong? Sure, they had anger and fear, but they also felt joy and love. They weren’t a danger to others with those emotions even with their abilities. …Right?

            “All the more reason to train them,” said Mando.

            “No,” said Ahsoka sharply. “I’ve seen what such feelings can do to a fully trained Jedi. To the best of us. I will not start these children down that path.”

            “Why are emotions so terrible? What if we learn to handle them?” questioned (Y/N).

            “It is too much of a risk. You could fall to the Dark Side too easily. Better to let your abilities fade,” said Ahsoka.

            (Y/N) narrowed their eyes in frustration. Dark Side? What the hell was that? Why was everyone intent on telling them who or what they could be? (Y/N) would much prefer for someone to just teach them how to control their abilities and then they could decide what to do after. Because their Force powers weren’t going away. They were growing stronger. In (Y/N)’s mind, it felt riskier to leave them without any control. At least if they had control, they wouldn’t hurt anyone they cared about by accident.

            “I’ve delayed too long,” said Ahsoka, turning away. “I must get back to the village.”

            “The Magistrate sent me to kill you,” said Mando. Ahsoka paused. “I didn’t agree to anything. And I’ll help you with your problem, if you see to it that Grogu and (Y/N) are properly trained.”

            Ahsoka considered. She could observe them more in battle, truly gauge their affinity for the Light or the Dark Side of the force. She sensed there was more to (Y/N) than just the anger. Below the surface rested a calm focus, not for revenge, but for a purpose. If Ahsoka had to choose someone to not fall to the Dark Side even with anger, she would have to choose this Ushti. However, until she saw them in a fight, when pure instinct and their heart guided them, Ahsoka couldn’t be sure. She wanted to believe in the teenager and the child before her. So she would give a chance.

            “Very well,” she said.

l

            “She has a small army of guards armed with A350 blaster rifles, two HK-87 droids, and a hired gunfighter,” explained Mando as their group walked back through the forest to get to the village. “He reads ex-military to me. Combined, not even your laser swords would be able to protect you from all that firepower.”

            “Lightsabers,” corrected Ahsoka, gesturing to the hilts of her weapons. “But true. However, don’t underestimate the Magistrate either.”

            “Who is she?” asked (Y/N). “She offered Mando a staff of pure beskar to kill you.”

            Ahsoka crossed her arms. “Morgan Elsbeth. During the Clone Wars, her people were massacred. She survived and let her anger fuel an industry which helped build the imperial starfleet. She plundered worlds, destroying them in the process.”

            “Yeah, it looks like she’s still in business,” said Mando.

            “When you were in the city, did you see any prisoners?” asked Ahsoka.

            “Three villages were strung up right before the gate of Elsbeth’s home,” said (Y/N).

            “We must find a way to free them,” said Ahsoka.

            “A Mandalorian, an Ushti, and a Jedi?” asked Mando.

            Ahsoka smirked. “They’ll never see it coming.”

l

            Under the cover of darkness, Ahsoka, Mando, and (Y/N) (the Child was back at the Razorcrest to remain safe) crept towards the village walls. Ahsoka calmly walked out into the open to draw the guards’ attention. Sure enough, an alarm sounded as soon as they spied the Jedi approaching and they shot down at her.

            Ahsoka was faster, and she leapt up the wall and ignited her lightsabers. She defeated the men on top easily and sliced through the gong ringing the alarm. Within the village, the hired guns filtered out into the street, and Elsbeth watched as her gates opened. She held the beskar staff in her hand tightly as she walked forward.

            Ahsoka descended from the wall and stood in the dirt street to face the mercenaries and Magistrate. The gunmen aimed, but Elsbeth raised a hand to stop them. Ahsoka walked towards them calmly. Ahsoka stopped and threw down Mando’s signet, removed to enhance her ploy.

            “Your bounty hunters failed,” proclaimed Ahsoka. “Tell me what I want to know. Where is your master?”

            “Kill her,” ordered Elsbeth.

            “Love to,” said Lang.

            The blasters fired, and Ahsoka leapt up into the air. She blocked the blasts with her lightsabers, the bright lights swirl through the air in hypnotic motions. She ran over the roofs, and the men followed her. Elsbeth was left staring darkly out at her village. She turned and walked back into her home.

            “Execute them,” she ordered to the remaining guards, who aimed at the prisoners hanging around.

            They aimed, but two red blaster shots hit them first. Mando and (Y/N) jumped down from a roof and killed the guards. From between the houses of the village, there were bright lights as Ahsoka cut down her opponents. Mando and (Y/N) worked quickly as they started to open up the prisoners’ cages. Mando and (Y/N) pushed them towards the waiting homes of friends and family.

            Lang emerged from the village and glared at Mando and (Y/N). Ahsoka stood on a roof behind them. She jumped away into the courtyard of Elsbeth’s home.

            “So, you threw in with the Jedi,” said Lang in disgust.

            “Looks that way,” said Mando.

            From the courtyard, the sounds of a true battle could be heard.

            “Who do you think’s gonna win?” asked Lang. “Could be your side…could be my side.” He was beginning to approach.

            “Verd’ika. I need you to avoid this fight when it comes,” murmured Mando. (Y/N) was good, but Lang was older, more experienced. He could be a match for Mando in a fight.

            “I got no quarrel with you, Mandalorian, Ushti,” said Lang.

            “That’s far enough,” warned Mando. “Go, Verd’ika.”

            (Y/N) sensed it wasn’t the time to argue. This time, it was a clear strategic move. Mando needed (Y/N) to be safe so he could focus. (Y/N) nodded and dodged away. They planned to head to the walls and leave the village again, but they stopped as they felt something. They looked up at the inner walls where Ahsoka and Elsbeth were battling inside.

            (Y/N) took a deep breath and listened to their instincts. Finding a notch in the wall, they lifted themselves up. Gritting their teeth, they took a deep breath and pushed up. They managed to grab onto the top of the wall and pull themself up. Below, Elsbeth and Ahsoka were lock in a fight, Elsbeth blocking each of Ahsoka’s attacks with the beskar staff. She twisted the spear, and Ahsoka let go of one of her lightsabers. That didn’t deter her, however, and with a single blade, Ahsoka was equally as deadly as she was with two.

            (Y/N) jumped down into a tree and hopped to the ground. They saw Elsbeth pushed Ahsoka back and reached for their blaster. They paused as another instinct took over, and they didn’t stop to question it.

            Ahsoka narrowed her eyes as she braced herself and pushed back against Elsbeth’s staff as she pressed down. A sudden light blinded them both, and Elsbeth stumbled back and clumsily blocked as (Y/N), holding Ahsoka’s lightsaber, swung down at her.

            Ahsoka stared for a moment. That was the instincts she had been waiting to see. However, the results were strange. (Y/N) still held anger, but it was sharp and the flames of it seemed to burn away distraction as it cleared into a perfect calm for battle. The lightsabers still reacted favorably to them. Ahsoka’s blades were of the light, and yet they were willing to work with (Y/N). Ahsoka peered past the anger to see the truth. (Y/N)’s anger was not pure rage. Behind it rested a calm, focused purpose. Their passion rose from the desire to protect others from the pain they had endured. Their light shone bright enough to burn, and that was why it emerged as anger.

            If they found control of those emotions, (Y/N) had a chance.

            Ahsoka stood by their side and faced Elsbeth. “We overwhelm her but don’t kill her. I need to ask her a question.”

            (Y/N) nodded, still focused. They attacked. Elsbeth dodged and blocked Ahsoka, but then she would have to turn and parry (Y/N). She couldn’t keep up with both. She gritted her teeth as (Y/N)’s hit sliced her arm, and Ahsoka kicked her down. The beskar staff fell to the side.

            Ahsoka glared down at the Magistrate. “Stay down.” She looked up at (Y/N). “Make sure the prisoners are alright and Mando handled Lang.”

            (Y/N) nodded and handed back Ahsoka’s second lightsaber before hurrying off.

            Ahsoka looked down. “Now, where is he? Where is Grand Admiral Thrawn?”

l

            Morning arrived, and the village celebrated its freedom with fervent joy, cheering and dancing in the streets as the Jedi, Mandalorian, and Ushti headed to the gate.

            Ahsoka held out the beskar staff to Mando. “I believe this was your payment.

            “No,” said Mando, shaking his head. “I can’t accept. I didn’t finish the job.” He was ever noble and honest.

            Ahsoka smiled. “No. But this belongs with a Mandalorian.”

            (Y/N) smiled. They knew they liked Ahsoka for a reason. Mando reached out and took the staff.

            “You two should head back to your little friend. I’m sure he’s lonely on that ship,” said Ahsoka.

            “Wait here and I’ll get him,” said Mando.

            (Y/N)’s heart sank as they watched Mando head off to get Grogu. This was it. He wanted to push them into the Jedi’s path. Now that they had met a Jedi, it didn’t seem terrible. They liked Ahsoka, really. But…(Y/N) didn’t want to leave Mando. That part didn’t feel right. The Force felt right in their soul, but Mando felt right for their heart, and they just couldn’t figure out why they couldn’t have both.

            “I sense confusion in you,” said Ahsoka, calmly reading (Y/N)’s thoughts.

            They furrowed their brow and shifted, feeling vulnerably open. “Yeah, well, a lot’s happening.”

            Ahsoka’s gaze softened. This was a child trying to navigate a world that tried to hurt them at every turn. To still have so much light was a testament to their resilience and determination, even if fueled by pure passion. Ahsoka would not let them lose themself to confusion and heartache.

            “Trust yourself,” she said. “Find inner peace. Even if you make mistakes and take some paths you end up leaving, allow yourself to be guided by the Force and find peace. I see a bright light within you. Trust yourself to wield it.”

            “Even if I’m vulnerable to anger and fear?” questioned (Y/N) distrustfully.

            “It is a new age. Perhaps the old ways of thinking need to be expanded,” said Ahsoka. “The Light speaks to you, no matter your emotions. I see that in your heart and fighting spirit. Trust yourself to be guided with it.”

            There was no certain outcome, and after losing her master to the Dark Side, Ahsoka could not help but be apprehensive in the face of any anger in those Force-sensitive souls, but Ahsoka saw something in the teenager, and she would not be the one to stamp it out.

            (Y/N) stared at Ahsoka. They could feel the honesty of Ahsoka’s words and the weight of their importance. But they also felt empowered and determined. (Y/N) was still nervous, unsure of leaving Mando and the family they had created, but they could feel a purpose within themself, and they understood the wisdom of Ahsoka’s words.

            Ahsoka turned away to face the woods. “Come.”

            “Aren’t we waiting for Mando and Grogu?” asked (Y/N), confused.

            Ahsoka didn’t give an answer and began walking in the direction of the Razorcrest.

            (Y/N) huffed. Are Jedi always vague and mysterious?

l

            (Y/N) jogged ahead of Ahsoka into the clearing to see Mando leaving the Razorcrest with Grogu in his arms. (Y/N) ran up, intent on at least having a moment with him before they had to leave.

            “We were coming,” said Mando.

            “I know,” said (Y/N). “I just…I wanted to see you properly before saying…” The words stuck in their throat.

            Mando hesitated before patting their shoulder with awkwardly restrained affection. “I would never just leave you. You know that.”

            Ahsoka watched them from below. She had made her decision. “You’re like a father to them.” She put the plain truth out in the open, and Mando and (Y/N) turned to face her in surprise. “I cannot train them.” She would not be the one to break up this family. They weren’t ready yet.

            “You made me a promise, and I held up my end,” said Mando.

            (Y/N) looked up at him, the hurt at feeling unwanted evident on their face. Mando wished he could take back the words as he saw their eyes.

            Ahsoka looked at the three. “There is one possibility. Go to the planet Tython. You will find the ancient ruins of a temple that has a strong connection to the Force. Place Grogu and (Y/N) on the seeing stone at the top of the mountain.”

            “Then what?” asked (Y/N).

            “Then you and Grogu can choose your path,” said Ahsoka.

            Trust in the Force to guide you. (Y/N) knew her advice.

            “If you reach out through the Force, there’s a chance a Jedi may sense his presence and come searching for you,” explained Ahsoka. “Then again…” She crossed her arms “…there aren’t many Jedi left.”

            “Thank you,” said Mando.

            Ahsoka nodded and glanced at (Y/N). “How about you take Grogu onto the ship and get ready to leave? We’ll only be a moment.”

            (Y/N) looked between Ahsoka and Mando in confusion but nodded and took Grogu from Mando. They glanced back as they headed into the Razorcrest, but they didn’t stay to eavesdrop.

            “Mandalorian,” said Ahsoka formally. “Look out for those children.”

            “I won’t let anyone hurt them,” said Mando, fiercely protective.

            Ahsoka smiled. Good. He cared about them. “I know. But they need guidance. (Y/N) in particular. Grogu has been trained for many years; (Y/N) has not. They have the instincts to help people, but they also have great anger within them. Guide them to not give into it. They can do great good.”

            Mando looked up at the ship. “(Y/N) is a good kid. They’re not going to lose themself.”

            Ahsoka shook her head. “Not as long as they have guidance.”

            “I will bring them to someone to guide them,” said Mando.

            Ahsoka nodded. “May the Force be with you.”

Taglist:

@im-making-an-effort

@gr33n-d00dles

@alexpangender

@painstakingly-juno

@treehouse-mouse

@theurbannoodle

@pedropascalsidechick

@dmitrytherat

@dilfsaremyfavourite

[sroop]

guided (i)

"This is my puck, so either we both go together, or you stay behind." It's her way of saying: kriff off.

Author's Note: always wondered about the Mandalorian with an apprentice and wanted to write a bit about what I think Din would try to be as a mentor. This is definitely not the most canon accurate and Grogu isn't mentioned

Summary: Bounty hunting is precarious, even more so when it becomes personal. Din is determined not to let his apprentice learn that the hard way.

next

{}{}{}{}

Reyza is a good listener. Which was inconvenient because Din was a good listener too, and that meant it was mostly just silence between the two of them.

Normally, Din enjoys the quiet. He's used to nothing but the hum of the engines, the rattling of the carbonite system, or the firm whoosh of atmosphere thrumming against the ship. Even the more talkative quarries he brings on board are quickly silenced. So it's not the quiet that unnerves him, just the fact that it's silent when someone living and breathing and certainly not encased in carbonite is within arm's reach.

Plus, Reyza's silence today seems... cool. Din has been privy to companionable silences before, even from Reyza, herself. Today, she's faraway somewhere, and he's not so sure if it was just as simple as an off day for her. He tips his helmet towards her, watching.

"We don't have to go."

"We do. We should."

Din frowns beneath his armor and glances at the navigation system. Only a few hours before they reach Corellia. From what he's gathered about Reyza, she was either born on Corellia, or spent some harrowing years on it. He's not entirely sure if she was anywhere near their destination, Coronet City, or if she had even seen it before; but he was willing to put down a hard bet that she had, judging from the begrudging determination in her voice. He sighs too quietly for the modulator to pick up.

"Run interference from the ship."

That has her snapping to attention, all the distance and distraction of the last few days crashing in the face of the present. Din can't see her face, but he can imagine she's livid.

"What?" she growls.

"Run interference from the ship. Nonnegotiable."

There's a cold pause as Reyza races to find the right words for the Mandalorian. He was treating her like she was a child, as though she hadn't saved his life on multiple occasions or survived on her own as a full-fledged assassin long before he had ever made himself known to her. And the word nonnegotiable ate at her ego and insecurities in a way she was reluctant to admit, even internally. She could take care of herself. She could take care of this bounty, even alone. Reyza ground her jaw.

"This is my puck, so either we both go together, or you stay behind." It's her way of saying: kriff off.

"I'm not staying behind, you don't have the firepower. I'm not taking you with me until you're honest about what's bothering you about this bounty. It's dangerous to be distracted," Din replies. His voice is level and Reyza resents his composure.

But he's right. She's not childish enough to deny that, and certainly not naive enough to believe that she was above the dangers of human emotion under pressure. She glances at him guiltily, feeling a little juvenile.

Maybe it was a good idea to stay on the ship and let Din handle this one himself. She wasn't exactly rearing to see the city again, or the people in it. But she also hated the idea of standing by on a mission so personal to her. Reyza was left a simple choice: confess, or stand by.

The words feel slow and heavy in her chest, crawling their way up her throat and complaining about it the whole way up. It was like vomiting, but worse.

"I wasn't born on Corellia, I know that's what Karga's file on me says. I was born somewhere else, don't know where, and I was abducted to Corellia when I was really small." She huffs through her nose and shrugs. "I was there until I escaped, and that's all. I went to Nevarro, started working for Karga-" she shrugs again, "- and you know what happens next."

Din mulls over the brief story. It contained the absolute minimum amount of information she could have given, but he knew what it was to want to forget.

"Coronet City?" he asks.

"Yeah."

He recalls briefly why he had taken Reyza on as his apprentice in the first place. It wasn't just Karga complaining that the Nevarro guild would have no reliable hunters once he decided to retire. It was the starburst sigil she wore on a silver chain around her neck.

He'd recognized it immediately as the mark of Polaris. In their heyday, before the Empire, they'd been a deadly force of assassins and spies. A network spanning galaxies, infiltrating and plucking fate strings so expertly that it was unclear where their influence started or ended. But somewhere along the way, their name faded and the work of their assassins dwindled and they became more myth than reality. Almost like the Mandalorians.

Except Din was willing to assume that the Mandalorians valued their foundlings and assets a little more dearly than whatever or whoever it was Reyza went through.

"Polaris?" he asked, a pitch quieter.

"Yeah," she answers, a beat slower.

Reyza's knees go to her face and she spends the rest of the flight curled to her right, away from Din and his pesky questions and unfortunate truths. Reyza wonders what this means. Was her answer acceptable enough for him to deem her not a threat to their mission? Was he waiting for more? Was she still stuck a passenger on her own bounty hunt? Leftover irritation scratches at the back of her neck and she bristles again. Stupid Mandalorian and his stupid, self-righteous moral high ground. She turns to glare at him.

"It's my puck," she declares again, though she's not quite sure to what end.

Din chuckles under his helmet. Gods, for someone more competent than most, she could be such a child.

{}{}{}{}

Thanks for reading, and I'd love to hear feedback!

[anotheronleft]

Every few days I see this again, so I may as well reblog it.

They’re on their way to f**k your sh*t up.

Is this not their dynamic? Am I wrong? Are you gonna look at me and tell me that I’m wrong?

[oflgtfol]

throwback to that one bobadin fic i was writing in a frenzy last year immediately after the bobf finale, about din being aro and them being in a weird romantic or maybe not, qpr or maybe not, relationship together. and then i like never finished it. its like maybe 80% done but i just never finished it