You and Din discuss your vision, and when everything finally seems as it should be, a few unexpected guests arrive.
âWolfieâŚâ his voice came through like a whisper. Your vision was clouded as you tried to find yourself.
âCome on, Starbird⌠please,â he sounded worried, his arms wrapped tightly around you as you took in a harsh breath, jumping against him.
âEasy⌠easyâŚâ he spoke softly, grazing his fingers along your cheek.
âDinâŚâ you coughed, blinking your eyes open in the dimly lit room.
Tatooine, you were on Tatooine.
âDin!â you shot upwards, turning to face him, your eyes wide open as you stared into his deep, brown ones, âI saw them!â
âSaw who, Starbird?â he asked, straightening himself.
âA Mandalorian and a Jedi,â you breathed heavily, placing a hand on his leg.
âThatâs⌠not⌠possibleâŚâ he furrowed his brow, staring at you intently.
âI saw them, Din!â you half shouted, tears beginning to well behind your eyes, âMaker, donât let us end up like them.â
You were on the verge of hysterics, each memory from the vision replaying itself inside your mind.
âStarbird, calm down,â his voice was hard, âI donât know what youâre talking about.â
You took a deep, shuttering breath, trying to find a starting point where you could explain what you saw to him. Where could you even begin? It was like a flood of everything they endured and felt, and it hit you like a tidal wave all at once. Their memories crashing against you and pulling you under with the pull of a thousand moons.
âThe jedi who lived here⌠Master KenobiâŚâ you began, âHe loved someone named Satine⌠I think she ruled Mandalore.â
âIâve heard stories of her,â Din interjected, âShe was⌠unliked⌠by the mandalorians who took me in.â
You let out a discontented sigh, âDin, I donât think everythingâs as black and white as each side makes it out to be. They⌠loved each other⌠oh Din, they really, really loved each other⌠but they couldnât be together. The Jedi arenât allowed to hold feelings of possession⌠of love⌠and the way of the Mandalore pins them as natural enemiesâŚâ
âThings have to change,â he spoke suddenly, a determination in his voice.
âSomething is coming DinâŚâ you spoke softly, âI can feel itâŚâ
He brushed his thumb across your cheek, his brown eyes piercing your soul, âTell me what you feel my beautiful little bounty.â
The nickname earned a chuckle from your lips, then you let out a sigh.
âItâs like a deep breath before a long exhale,â you whispered, your eyes growing bleary and out of focus, âLike⌠still water before the tempest breaks the surf.â
âLike weâre just⌠waiting?â he acknowledged your analogies.
You gave him a nod.
He inhaled slowly, his tongue gliding across his plump, lower lip.
Then he moved, slowly⌠timidly⌠closing the small space between the two of you.
His breath ghosted against your face as he opened his mouth the speak, âThen letâs make the most of it, Starbird.â
He pressed his lips to yours, pouring every ounce of love he held for you into the kiss. It was slow⌠desperate⌠passionate.
Your hands wrapped around the back of his neck, pulling him as close as you possibly could.
His larger hands gripped your waist, forcing your body flush with his. Both of you moving forward, as if trying to will your bodies to become one, lips never separating.
His tongue swiped your lip, begging for the entrance you so achingly longed for.
This kiss was a dance, a waltz of sorts, two entities perfectly in sync with one another⌠emotion cascading from one body into the other in complete rotation.
Begrudgingly you parted, gasping as you both tried to catch your breath.
âDin,â you rasped into his dark curls, his nose buried in the crook of your neck as he breathed you in.
His hand moved slowly, tangling itself in your loose, tousled hair, âDonât say anything,â he pleaded, trailing small kisses along your lower jaw, âJust be here with me⌠After everything weâve been through, Starbird⌠please⌠just be here with me.â
You felt your lashes wet with the reminder of the agonizing past and the intensity of your love for this man. The one who you had tried to save by disappearing. Never again⌠You could never leave him again.
So instead of responding you just nodded, his lips now moving down the side of your neck, tracing the contours of your collar bone as he eased you onto your back, lifting your hips to position your body beneath his.
You wanted him, his grip on your thighs was bruising as he continued to kiss down your still naked body.
The realization of how long you had been without clothes suddenly hit you, sending a wave of shivers across your skin.
You had no idea how long it had been since you blanked out from your vision, but it couldnât have been more than a few hours.
You had spent so long, hiding every inch of skin you could, but with Din⌠it was natural⌠so natural that it hadnât occurred to you until his lips made you feel more naked than you had ever been.
âI can hear the wheels turning,â he smiled against your breast, âBe here, StarbirdâŚâ
âMmm⌠sorryâŚâ you whispered, âI just⌠realized how far Iâve come.â
The words caught in your throat, and he noticed the subtlety, leaning up to look you in your eyes.
âListen to me, darling,â his voice had a slight rasp to it as he spoke, âYouâŚâ he placed a kiss to your forehead, âAre so strong⌠the strongest woman Iâve ever known.â
âDin,â you could feel the tears welling in your eyes again, but he silenced you with a kiss.
âJust listen,â he breathed against your lips, âSo strong,â he began trailing kisses down the column of your throat, âSo⌠beautifulâŚâ his hands delicately traced your outer thighs, âSo⌠braveâŚâ he ground his hips down then, his growing arousal evident against your leg.
âI love you,â he spoke then, moving his hand around, reaching between your thighs where you needed him the most⌠âI love youâŚâ he whispered again, his fingers trailing softly to meet your entrance⌠âBe here with meâŚâ
You couldnât help the desperate moan that escaped your lips as he finally touched you⌠his words awakening something deep within you⌠a heat you knew you could control.
He responded with an anguished growl that vibrated through your chest as he used your slick to push one finger inside⌠teasing you in a way that was far from cruel.
You jerked, clutching the back of his head as he moved the singular digit slowly⌠rhythmicallyâŚ
âPlease,â you gasped⌠âPleaseâŚâ your voice was needy, your chest already heaving with desire as he kissed every inch of skin he could find.
You didnât even know what you were begging him for, you felt closer to him than ever and you wanted to hold this moment in your heart for all eternity.
He slipped the second finger in, the stretch burning your already aching center.
He suddenly curled them in a beckoning motion, moving so slowly that your body began to shake beneath him.
You bucked your hips slightly, using your small hands to try and pull him up for a kiss, but he instead moved himself farther down.
You let out a whimper as he removed his fingers from you completely, using both hands to grip your legs as he pressed eager kisses against your inner thighs. You could hear him panting between each one, he was losing control⌠his lips leaving trails of dampness across the sensitive skin⌠almost devouring youâŚ
The sound of the two of you breathing ragged echoed throughout the hut, his eyes never leaving yours.
You couldnât take anymore⌠you were here.
Maker, you were here with him, and there was nowhere else you would ever want to be.
You gripped his shoulder and pulled him up to you, with a strength that would have caught him off guard if he was so overwhelmed with need.
The second your lips touched his, he sheathed himself completely within you.
You bit his lip, trying to hide the scream that escaped your lungs.
He knew your body so well⌠he knew everything about you⌠so fucking well.
You dug your nails into his shoulders, trembling as you kissed, trying to keep yourself from disappearing into the abyss of euphoria that the sudden fullness brought you.
He groaned against your mouth, pressing his thumbs into your waist as he began moving.
You pressed your lips to his, starving for the taste of him. He seemed equally as ravenous as he fought for dominance.
He slows down even more, if that was even possible, pulling his face away from yours, and then he just⌠looks at you.
His coffee, brown eyes stare intently at every inch of your face. He seems entranced and almost comes to a complete stop inside you, his body only moving with each breath he takes.
You look up at him, your eyes half lidded as gently drags his thumb across your kiss swollen lips, the soft tips of his other fingers grazing the heated flesh of your cheeks.
You reach up and rest your hand delicately against the side of his face, he leans into it⌠closing his eyes for only a moment as he kisses the edge of your palm.
Then, with a flutter, his eyes open again⌠and heâs still just⌠staring⌠as if heâs seeing you for the first time.
Your body aches for him to move again, but at the same time you never want this moment to end.
Him⌠buried to the hilt inside you⌠filling you so completely that you fear without him youâll just become an empty shell.
An endless void of longing.
Youâre completely lost in your love for him, and he seems to be reciprocating that feeling in every way.
Then it occurs to you, itâs as if you were both chiseled from the same hard stone. Carved carefully without the slightest chip in sight⌠made perfectly for each other to fit as one.
No one could ever fit as well with the other.
The thought makes your body contract around him, and he lets out a shuttered breath, edging on a snarl. You canât help yourself, unconsciously lifting your hips against him.
It feels so perfect that an obscene moan of his name escapes your lips, and he grips the sheets beside your head so tightly his knuckles go white.
You can see the tension in his shoulders as his back arches slowly, the want rippling through his body.
âStars,â he rasps, the look of contemplation flickering across his expression as he too never wants this moment to end.
You have a thought, perhaps a reckless one, but in this moment, you have very little control over yourself.
Your fingers find his temple and you press gently, pushing through the barriers of his mind with the force. Youâve never tried this before, but it just feels so right.
He tenses further, his brow furrowing slightly as he feels your power try to enter his mind.
You give him a reassuring, hopeful nod, your eyes pleading with him to trust you⌠he gives in⌠relaxing slightly and telling you itâs okay.
You push the feeling into his mind⌠creating a link to your thoughts⌠his eyes well up slightly at the sharing of emotions youâre feelingâŚ
I love you Din⌠you whisper into his mind through the force⌠then as he relaxes further, his eyes lost in yours⌠you show him the way it feels⌠the ache between your thighsâŚ
And as if it becomes to much, he pulls your hand away and just kisses you, even deeper than before⌠itâs all teeth and swollen lips and he begins moving at long last.
His hips grind deeply against you, hitting the spot inside you that makes you see stars⌠your eyes roll back as he takes the opportunity to press his blazing mouth against your shoulder⌠sinking his teeth in to stifle his own moans.
You wrap your legs around his waist, refusing to let him pull far enough back that you could lose this feeling.
His hand on your waist tightens as the other comes up suddenly to place your hand back against his temple, he tangles his fingers in yours, still nibbling your neck, holding your hand there.
âShow me,â he gasps, âShow me how to make you come undone.â
You moan out, your body tightening at this newfound curiosity, you push slightly into the force, directing his attention to the throbbing bundle of nerves currently pressed tight against the base of his cock.
âAh,â he grits, untangling his fingers from yours, his fingers find their way to your swollen clit, gathering the slick dripping from you like a fountain, and he begins making soft circular motions.
âDin,â you choke out, suddenly helpless against him, âFuck⌠yesâŚâ
He presses harder and you can feel the smirk on his perfect lips buried against your neck.
His movements grow stronger, faster⌠then he starts moving his hips again⌠pumping into you impossibly deep⌠matching the rhythm of his fingertips.
Heâs touching you better than youâve ever been touched⌠itâs as if by showing him where you needed him most, the force suddenly gifted him with an even more perfect understanding of your body.
You clench around him, gasping and moaning into the air.
âThatâs it,â he moans back to you, his voice the loveliest sound youâve ever heard, encouraging you over the edge.
Your stomach tightens as you erupt around him, digging your nails into his shoulders so tightly youâre almost sure youâve drawn blood, something youâll apologize for later.
In an instant, his own body tenses, and with one final thrust, he cums with a salacious wail of your name.
Itâs warmth, and heat⌠and fire⌠filling you to the brim as he collapses against you.
This⌠this is what life was meant to be⌠you press shaking kisses into the top of his head.
This was coming homeâŚ
You donât know how long you lay there before you feel your eyes grow heavy.
Youâre body was completely exhausted⌠emotionally⌠physically⌠even the force felt as if it was in dire need of an afternoon nap.
You giggled softly at the thought, causing Din to stir.
He must have drifted off as well.
He pulled back, placing soft kisses against your forehead as he removed himself from you completely.
He shifted to your side, enveloping you in his arms as he held you close, shimmying the covers over the two of you.
Neither of you said a word as you both drifted off to sleep, too exhausted⌠too overcome⌠to do anything else.
Home.
This⌠was home.
--------
Din heard it first, his eyes opening suddenly, finding you sleeping soundly in his arms.
His beautiful girl, so exhausted and perfect in his arms.
He gripped you tighter, thinking he must have been dreaming.
But then he heard it again.
âLittle witchâŚâ the hard accented voice spoke in a sing song kind of way⌠one that seemed eerily familiar⌠âCome out, come out, little witch.â
Dinâs body instantly went rigid, tightening around his lovely wolf-cat so hard it caused her to open her eyes.
âDin⌠what are youâŚâ She began but he silenced her, placing a hand across her mouth as he motioned his head towards the door.
âLittle witch, we know youâre in there,â the manâs voice spoke again. Realization dawning on Din as he listened⌠he knew that voice, âWe just want to talk.â
Wolfie shook her head free from Dinâs hand. Her eyes wide with panic.
Din made a hand motion from his mouth to the air, telling her she should probably respond before the people outside decided to barge their way in.
Her eyes widened but she complied.
âWhoâs we?â She yelled towards the door.
âItâs just me and my associate,â the voice spoke again, sounding impatient, âDonât try anything rash, little witch.â
âGive me a minute,â she yelled, shrugging at Din as he stared at her with wide eyes and a concerned expression.
âWhat am I supposed to do?â she whispered. Standing to grab one of his shirts from the cupboard on the side of the bed. She slipped on a pair of tight black leggings as he began to dress behind her.
She was tightening her boots and could hear the familiar clink of the beskar, as he armored himself.
She turned then, placing a hand on his back, âDin, I think you should stay insideâŚâ
âThereâs no way in hell Iâm doing that,â he whispered, his voice hard and determined.
âDinâŚâ she sighed wrapping her arms around him, âJust stay her, you can watch from the window⌠whoeverâs out there⌠I donât want them to feel more threatened when they see a Mandalorian in full armor in attack mode.â
She let out a soft chuckle as he sighed. Giving a nod before pulling his helmet on.
She stood slowly, placing her saber spear next to the entrance of the hut, din pulled out a blaster, telling her he was ready.
As she exited, he moved to look from a small slit in the window, it was like seeing two ghosts. Boba Fett and Fennec Shand⌠but what could they want with his Starbird?
He didnât know why, but his grip tightened, as he observed the exchange from the shadows.
âHow can I help you?â she asked, her body looking so small beneath his oversized shirt.
She looked simple like this⌠like just another settler on Tatooine.
âWe need to talk,â Fennec spoke, her voice as hard as ever.
âYeah, that was mentioned,â his ferocious little wolf-cat quipped, rolling her eyes slightly. He had to silence the chuckle that begged to escape his lips.
Fennecâs posture tensed, as she eyed the girl with venom in her eyes.
âWeâve been watching you, little witch,â Boba Spoke, âYou thought you could hide forever?â
âIâm flattered?â Wolfie raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms, âBut I really have no idea what youâre talking about.â
âOh, cut the bantha shit, witch!â Fennecâs eyes narrowed as she took a step forward.
This was getting heated, Din gripped his blaster tighter, he knew the duo⌠but their alliance went as far as saving the kid⌠then they all went their separate ways⌠he wasnât sure how far his standing with them went.
âYouâve been a thorn in my side for long enough, little witch,â Boba spat, âYouâre coming with us. Examples need to be made.â
âIâm not going anywhere, baldy!â He watched his Starbird stand taller as she held her ground, this was going on long enough.
âFett, stop!â he called out through the modulator, moving to step outside.
The man was clearly caught off guard seeing the Mandalorian again, as was Fennec, her eyes widening.
âMando,â she spoke, her words stuttering, âWhat are you doing here?â
His Starbird turned to him, confusion evident in her features.
âIâm with the girl,â he spoke.
Boba straightened, âStand down Mandalorian, my dispute is with her not you.â
âAnd as I said, Iâm with the girl,â Din growled, âWhat is the dispute here?â
âThis little witch,â Boba hissed, âHas been stealing cargo from my transports for weeks.â
âYour transports?â Din asked.
âThings have changed around here Mando, the Hutts are no longer in charge,â Fennec narrowed her eyes again.
Din had never been more grateful for his helmet in his life, he didnât want the duo to see the panic and worry currently overtaking his features.
âCan I speak to the two of you⌠alone?â he asked, turning to face the girl, who still seemed just as confused.
âOkay,â she gave him a nod and turned to reenter the hut.
Boba motioned his head to the side, signaling for Din and Fennec to follow him out of ear shot.
The walked some distance, the hut becoming a small shape in the background before any of them spoke.
âWhat are you doing with that girl?â Boba broke the silence as they stopped walking.
âItâs a long story, Fett,â Dinâs voice was firm.
âGive us the short version then,â Fennec spoke plainly.
âThe empire had a bounty on her head, I made a different call,â he didnât want to reveal more than he had to, in case they could use it as leverage.
âThat seems to be becoming a habit of yours, Mando,â Fennec laughed low in her chest, smirking at him.
âWhat if she had a reason to do what she did?â He spoke, changing the subject.
âWhat reason could she possibly have?â Fennec hardened.
âShe had to make a deal⌠to survive here,â Din lowered his voice, âShe had to make an exchange with the Tuskens.â
Boba seemed to think this over, as if trying to find a way to use this to his advantage, but the complications it would bring would far outweigh the benefit.
âShe stole from my transports Mando, examples have to be made,â he finally spoke.
âWhat kind of example do you plan to make?â Dinâs voice cracked through the modulator; Fennec caught it.
âYou care for the witch, donât you?â her eyes widened.
Boba placed his hand on her shoulder, speaking before Din could respond, âLetâs take this back to the palace, Iâm sure we can⌠negotiate something there.â
âI wonât let you hurt her Fett,â Din hissed, his body tense.
Boba shook his head, âAs I said, letâs negotiate,â he turned to his associate, âFennec, get the girl.â
âWith pleasure,â she smirked, gripping her rifle and walking back towards the hut.
âIâm coming with you,â Din began walking too, âIf she feels threatened, thereâs no telling what sheâll do.â
âIâm not afraid of some tiny, little witch,â Fennec rolled her eyes.
Din couldnât help the laugh that escaped his helmet, âIf only you knew.â
The trio finished the walk in silence, when they reached the hut, Dinâs heart ached as he knew what he had to do.
The girl was pacing, her eyes watering with panic as they entered. He moved quickly to her.
âStarbird,â he spoke low so only she could hear, âJust do what they say for now.â
She looked up into his visor, her eyes pleading with him for reassurance as she gave him a small nod.
âAlright, little witch,â Fett spoke first, âWeâre taking you back to my palace, there we can negotiate what to do with you.â
Din wanted so badly to wipe the smirk off of Fennecâs face with the blunt end of a blaster, but he owed the pair everything. Thanks to them, the kid was safe with the Jedi.
Wolfie turned to Din, trying to hold her ground, but when he gave her a nod she crumbled.
âAlright,â was all she said, her eyes darting to her saber by the door.
âIâll grab her things,â Din said, his voice completely devoid of all emotions.
Fett pressed his lips into a thin line, motioning for Fennec to cuff the girl.
If her eyes werenât panicked before, they were now. The last time someone besides him restrained her, she was with the empire.
Din moved swiftly to her side, placing a hand out to block Fennec from reaching her.
He could hear his Starbirds breathing behind him as fear began to work itâs way through her body, âIâll do it.â
She reached out then and gripped his forearm, âPlease, let me do it,â he spoke, his voice cracking again.
Fennec and Boba shared a look of wonder at each other before she finally passed off the cuffs to him.
He turned slowly, âItâs okay, be here,â he whispered softly. She chewed her lip but stuck her wrists out, unable to speak.
He clasped them on as gently as possible, rubbing his thumbs on her palms after he did, hoping she felt the safety of having him nearby. He strapped her saber spear to his back and turned to face the other people in the room.
âLetâs go,â the modulator spoke.
Fett gave a nod, and the four of them exited the hut, climbing aboard the transport they had waiting.
âIâve got you,â Din whispered against the girlâs ear, âIâve got you.â
Debt or no debts⌠owed or repaid⌠heâd never let anyone touch his girl again.
All they want is attention. They want to see you hurt. That is their goal. If we choose to stop giving them that power over us, if we choose to ignore their hurtful words we will find peace. If we donât stop arguing with them and putting their trash on display for everyone to see, not only are we helping them achieve their goals but we are also wrecking the beautiful museums that we are working so hard to build.
Evil people will still be evil and no amount of shaming, cussing out, or disciplining will ever be able to change that.
Letâs take back our site. Letâs take back our confidence as writers and artists. Letâs put the trash where it belongs; in the trash can. We donât need their noise, and they donât deserve a place among the beautiful stories and art youâve created.
STOP ANSWERING THE HATE AND LET IT DIE OUT FOR GOOD.
I love you all and Iâm tired of seeing good people be hurt by disgusting ones. đ§Ąđ§Ąđ§Ą
I am so overwhelmed and thankful that this is spreading. Keep it up! Keep it going! Weâre taking back our creative spaces and silencing anon hatred once and for all!
I absolutely had to share these beautiful minimalist covers for my fanfics from the beautifully talented @dank-farrik-things (aka my bestest friend in the whole wide world).
If you haven't read her amazing stories, pretty please hop on her blog and check them out because they are immaculate. And also feel free to check out any of the titles above if you haven't yet.
EXCEPT This Respite from Death. That fic is coming soon!
Summary: He was devastation in beskar, and an apocalypse without it.
NOTES: Sorry for the delay!!! I hope the wait was worth it, this is my longest chapter yet!TW: training battles, submissive Din, riding, smut smut smuttttt
also I may trigger some clone wars trauma, I'm not sorry.
He watched carefully as she stood on shaky legs, her face still flush with desire as she tried to straighten her flight suit.
She was beautiful. The light of the two suns radiating against her skin through the windows of the small, borrowed hut. It lit her up in a way he hadnât seen, even through the lack of color his visor allowed.
He was back to her, part of him remorsed in the way he had taken her so roughly almost moments before, but she gave herself away. She liked it. She had been just as desperate for him as he had been for her.
Still, he could have reigned in his emotions a bit⌠but just the sight of her had forced everything to the surface.
The metallic jingling signaling the nearing of the Tusken Raiders got his attention. They were close.
She was so calm about it all.
She expected them.
Nothing confused him more than that.
Few people saw the Tuskenâs as they truly were, a hard people, surviving and protecting their history. Protecting their belief.
Maybe she didnât see that though, maybe she was only trying to survive.
His blaster held tight in his holster, he checked to be sure as he stood. He could protect her if the need should arrive.
âMaybe⌠you should stay in here?â she asked, standing just behind the doorway, waiting to open it.
Her tone seemed uncertain.
âNot happening,â the tone of his own modulated voice was full of a need to protect what was his. Protect his Starbird.
She let out an exhausted sigh, âJust⌠donât do anything rash.â
With that she pressed the button to open the door of the small hut. The suns almost blinding in black and grey.
He followed her beyond the threshold where six Tuskens sat atop extremely large Banthaâs.
One let out a shocked growl, clutching his gaderffii stick and raising it high above his head.
The small group seemed suddenly tense, and just a Din was about to raise his hands to speak to the Tuskenâs in their native tongue, he felt a small hand on his forearm.
âLet me,â the girl spoke kindly, giving him a reassuring glance before raising her own arms to the creatures.
Her hand motions, along with the sounds emanating from her throat were almost enchanting. Each sentence was flawless, and honestly, he struggled to keep up with what she was saying.
He was in awe. How many more surprises would this girl bring into his life? How long would she let him stay to find out?
His own thoughts made his chest ache as he could do nothing, but simply⌠watch her.
âThey wonât hurt you,â her voice finally broke through, sounding like a symphony compared to the harsh guttural tones of the Tusken language.
His attentions were drawn from her as he eyed the six Tuskenâs dismount and walk cautiously to the trailer of supplies she had waiting.
âProtection,â she placed her arm on his shoulder, âI give what I can, and they keep watch, they had a similar deal with the previous owner of this home.â
Tuskenâs were a hard people, they didnât like or trust intruders on their land. Why would they look out for one girl, when they could simply⌠take anything from her?
âWhat made them agree to that?â Dinâs modulated voice echoed out lowly, so only she could hear.
She shrugged and smiled softly, âNot every Tusken is the same. There are old tribes, tribes who have lost too many warriors to battles over the moisture. I donât take from the land, but I can take from people⌠discretely⌠and give the supplies to the Tuskens, sparing them a battle. In exchange, they⌠protect me,â his Starbird let out a giggle, âIt sounds ridiculous, but somehow we manage.â
âI leave you,â he coughed, âYou leave me, for a month⌠and become a thief?â
Her face grimaced at the word⌠thief⌠âDin,â his name was a whisper on her perfect lips, âIâm not a criminal⌠Every where in the galaxy there are people being ruled, whether by governments or just⌠circumstance. I have no home; it makes no difference for me. Every where I go, I am an invader on someoneâs land. But rather than take advantage of it, I can help these people⌠coexist⌠in a way, with their own invaders.â
Her words resonated in his mind, of all the people she could have reminded him of in this moment, it was Mayfeld. Din watch as the man struggled between right and wrong, and found a way to sleep at night. Maybe thatâs what she was doing, facilitating a lesser evil in order to find peace on this barren planet.
Her face turned towards the sound of a horn blowing, her eyes glazed and distant as she stared towards the hills. He hadnât noticed it until this second, just how strong she looked. Hardened, physically and emotionally. He had always thought she had an ease to her, but her tranquility was stronger now, almost as if it was glowing from her skin. This is who she was always meant to be, whatever she had been doing on this planet was healing her, shaping her. Her brows twitched slightly, struggling to hide whatever emotions she was feeling in this moment. She had never looked so beautiful. She was his, she reassured him. But she was changing. Would she always be his?
Suddenly he had a thought, she was stealing from somebody, there were crime syndicates all over Tatooine. If she was stealing from the wrong person, theyâd come for her. He felt anger rise to his cheeks, grateful for the beskar hiding his face.
âWhat happens when the people youâre stealing from come for you?â his voice was a growl as he stood straighter beside her.
âThey think Iâm a witch,â she sighed, âI donât think theyâd risk it, and if they do, Iâll just have to be ready.â
This was insane, deluded⌠she was so smart, but this was⌠this was dangerous. He was about to open his mouth to argue with her when a wide smile spread across her cheeks. He followed her eyes to the rocky ridge just beyond her new home. More Tuskens⌠but not just the men⌠the women and children too. Ornate veils and the slightly ghoulish uniformity of the children, their genders indistinguishable.
As they approached, the males raised their gaderffii sticks high in the air and let roars bellow deep within their chests.
He had camped with the Tuskens before, but rarely had he seen the interactions of them as a whole.
One of the faceless children ran up to her, wrapping itâs small arms around her lower legs. If he was any less perceptive, he would have missed the subtle way her expression changed. She was smiling, but something in her eyes broke with the unexpected contact.
They had never discussed it before, but it was so obvious in that moment. She wanted what they had; she wanted a family. But the fragility in her eyes, it was the same one she held when Grogu was in her arms. But something about the way the soft glow of the setting twin suns, illuminated the realization for him.
The cruelty of the empire truly knew no bounds. Whatever they had done to her, would follow her for the rest of her life.
--------
âFocus,â Dinâs modulated voice broke whatever haze you were drifting off to. The heat was blazing, you were exhausted. You had nearly stayed up all night with the Tuskens. Speaking in the ways they knew, playing with the children.
Fatigue was taking over your muscles, and each movement reminded you just how desperately you wanted sleep⌠and to get out of whatever this was that Din was forcing you to do.
âIâm trying!â you sighed, as he reached a gloved hand out to help you get back to your feet.
You pushed the sand from your clothes with your left hand, clutching a makeshift wooden training saber, you had made to equal the length of your own true saber, in your other hand.
âYou know,â you began, âWhen you offered to help me train last night, I didnât expect it to be this soon.â
âIs that why youâre holding back?â his tone, even through the modulator, sounded like a challenge.
âI am not⌠holding⌠back,â you growled, your grip tightening around the wooden hilt.
You were, however, holding back.
How could you not? Images of him, on the ground, covered in blood⌠from wounds you gave him⌠had plagued you almost every night since you left. You couldnât take that risk again.
But sometime between the Tatooine Sunsets and the Ardees, your mind had become just foggy enough for you to agree to his help.
You didnât anticipate for him to come at you full force, as soon as the two suns rose.
âYouâre a bad liar,â his voice was smug as he readied himself back into position.
âAnd you are a cheaterâŚâ you rolled your eyes, motioning to his helmet.
âI never cheat,â his body became rigid.
âOh yeah?â you smirked, âDoesnât that thing calculate all my moves and weaknesses?â
âTo an extent, but youâre still holding your punches.â
âIâve already told you, Iâm not!â you almost whined, trying to will your feet into their starting position.
Before you could steady them, he came at you, with his own makeshift staff, it wrapped around your back before you could react and pulled you tight against his chest, unable to move as he looked down at you.
âI know how strong you are,â his voice was low, sending a shiver through your body, âNow show me.â
He lingered against you for only a moment before he released you with such a speed you stumbled on your feet.
Before you could speak, he was already back at his starting position.
âTâŚtake your⌠helmet off,â your voice shook at the request, âPlease.â
He hadnât taken it off since he found you, not even when you slept.
If you could just look into his eyes, maybe youâd realize it would all be okay. Maybe youâd find the strength to⌠let yourself go around him.
âI canât,â he swung his staff towards you, and you blocked it with your own, holding them tightly against each other as the two of you began to circle your feet. This was a dance. A dangerous one.
âDin, Iâve already seen you,â you began but his words cut yours off.
âThis has nothing to do with the creed,â his voice was low, his tone undetectable.
âWhat then?â you pushed your staff as you turned, trying to get him to relent the pressure, but his position held strong.
âYouâll get distracted.â
âYou really think Iâm gonna let myself get all starry eyed and distracted when youâre literally knocking my ass in the dirt?â you rolled your eyes.
âItâs not that,â he shoved his staff, pushing you back, you struggled to regain your bearings taking the opportunity to swing⌠and miss⌠at his feet.
âWhat is it then?â you growled, swinging now towards his torso, but your staff only hits wood as he blocks you⌠again.
He let out a loud sigh as the two of you entered into an endless round of swings and blocks.
âTake it off Din,â your voice was a command as you pushed and held your staff against his, inches from his chest.
âMake me,â his low challenging voice sent a wave of heat to your core.
You let out a sound somewhere between a scream and a roar, pulling your staff from the pressure of his, ducking just in time to miss the release⌠you arched backwards, putting everything into the next swing, aimed straight for the helmet.
Another block. How was he so fucking quick?
Always, so fucking quick.
âThere she is,â you could hear his smirk, even beneath the modulator. He was egging you on, in more ways than one. Your breath quickened as you pulled back, giving him a glare that could only be described as a combination of frustration and desire.
You stumbled backwards as he readied himself.
âAgain,â it was a sharp, breathy command. You tightened your grip, stepping back⌠trying to discretely put some kind of distance between the two of you. You planted your feet firmly in the sand and without giving yourself a moment to think, you charged forward. He stood taller, you saw the way his large hands wrapped around the wooden hilt of his staff⌠making you swallow hard as you pushed off the ground, willing the force within you to carry you higher than normal, and with your legs outstretched you wrapped yourself around his neck.
He dropped the staff, reaching up to support your weight, wrapping those strong hands that made your throat ache with lust around the outside of your thighs. You flexed and squeezed, holding yourself steady on his shoulders, wrapping your hands around his helmet.
He was clearly caught off guard, giving you just the right opportunity.
But then again, that speed of his. He planted a right hook on your left thigh, causing you to lean forward into his helmet. Another hit, as he gripped your other side tightly, his fingers pressing into the soft flesh at your left side.
He was relentless, leaving you with no choice but to use the backside of your elbow to land ruthless hits on the top of his helmet. Hoping the repeated motions would stun him long enough for you to grip the base of it and pull it off.
You could hear the reverb of his low grunts with each hit, the way he almost moaned as his own hits lost their power.
This was it, your chance. You tightened your thighs around him even more, and quickly pulled the beskar from his head.
You threw it to the ground and before it even landed, his hands were on your ass, pushing you forward as his nose pressed against the fabric of your trousers, forcing the coarse material to graze the place you needed him the most. You could feel the smallest hint of breath against the wet pool he was creating, and just as you drew a sharp breath, he leaned forward. Throwing your back against the supply cart just outside your hut.
Your grip around him faltered just enough for him to pull back, placing a strong, gloved hand around your throat, pinning you beneath him.
You struggled against his grip, wrapping your hands around his wrist, trying to pull his hand away.
âTold you⌠distracted,â he growled down at you. Your eyes finally catching a full view of his face.
A dark, jagged scar, crossing straight down his left eye. One you had caused. You froze, no longer struggling against him.
He let up his grip, giving you space to inspect him fully. His brown eyes bore into you, regret and worry painting his expression. Your memory flashed, the sight of him, blood pouring from the wound beneath you⌠when you had lost control.
Never again, you would never lose control again. You had spent a month harnessing your powers to ensure that fact. You had rigorously trained your mind to keep that from happening.
He was clearly self-conscious of letting you see it, but you could feel it⌠you could feel how he was worried more about how you would feel about yourself seeing it. Not how he looked physically.
You could also feel the guilt, creeping itâs way through the recesses of your mind, the guilt he wouldnât want you to feel, the guilt you had spent a month trying to subdue.
You swallowed the lump in your throat, willing the words to come out. To apologize profusely with every ounce of your soul to him. But before you could speak, he interjected.
âItâs not your fault, Starbird,â his voice was soft, breathy. Sounding every bit as beautiful as you remembered it did, without the distortion from his modulator.
âThis is what happens when I lose control Din,â you stood from the supply cart, âThis is why I have to hold back.â
âNo,â he took a step forward, shaking his head, âI know you can control it; I trust you Starbird.â
âYou shouldnâtâŚâ you let out a sigh, âI canât even trust myself.â
âAnd that is why you hold yourself back,â he smiled softly, taking another step towards you. He reached out, placing an outstretched palm against the center of your chest, âIjaat gar kar'ta, cyar'ika⌠Verd ori'shya beskar'gam.â (âHonor your heart, darling⌠A warrior is more than his armor.â)
He pulled you into his arms, pressing your cheek into the cold beskar of his chest. One of his hands stroked the hair at the back of your head, as he pressed a kiss to your brow.
Your heart ached in your chest, as an idea came to your mind. You didnât want to dwell on what had happened, but you were angry with him. Angry that he hid himself from you. You understood, of course, but it didnât make it right.
âDin,â you whispered against him, âWhy did you hide it?â
You traced your fingers down the stiff fabric protecting his ribs.
âI knew youâd feel guilty, and you shouldnât,â his tone was sincere, you couldnât help the smile that crept to your lips as you continued trailing your fingers down, slowly⌠carefully, until your fingers landed on the side of his utility belt, resting above the pocket where he kept a spare vibroblade concealed.
âDistractedâŚâ You echoed his earlier words, looking up at him, he gave you a curt nod.
âTraining canât afford distractions,â his voice was hard, this was it. You had to follow through with your idea, if only to change the somber mood that had overcome the two of you. You had to prove to him that you had been paying attention.
âI like training with you,â you smiled up at him, trying to hide the glimmers of guilt still in your eyes. You leaned up and pressed your lips to him, walking him backwards the short distance to the wall of your hut.
Your lips parted as his back hit the rough stone, âIf only you could learn not to hold back,â he raised a serious eyebrow.
âI wasnât doing it on purpose,â you whined, your lips planting a soft kiss to his throat, his eyes closed for just a moment as you slyly wrapped your fingers around the blade, âI wonât do it again.â
âNever again?â he hummed as you pulled your lips away from the warmth of his neck, and quickly, so quickly he had no time to react, you flipped the blade in your palm and pressed it against his throat. Pinning him against the wall.
âNever again,â you smiled, letting the blade drop to the ground as you turned on your heels and made your way into the hut.
You could feel the prideful smirk on his face follow you inside, and you tried to swallow the guilt you felt for using such a heartfelt moment to your advantage.
This was, after all, what he wanted.
You took a sip of caf from the cannister on the counter as you heard him enter. His steps didnât stop until his body was pressed hard against the back of yours.
His warm breath lingered along the side of your neck, âIâm so proud of you⌠ruthless as you are.â
âIâm so sorry Din,â you whined as you heard him taking off his gloves.
âNever apologize,â his bare hands moved your hair to one side as he planted a soft kiss on your neck, âYou saw your opportunity, and you took it.â
Your body shivered with the warmth of his lips on your sensitive skin. This was wrong, it was out of place. But maker, did it feel so right.
âDin,â you let out a gasp as his hand gripped your waist.
âMmm?â he questioned, pressing against you so hard the small counter was biting into your hipbones. âI wonder what else youâd take if given the option?â
He spun you around to face him, his eyes blown out with prideful lust, âYour heart?â
He trailed kisses from your cheek down your neck, âAlready yours,â he groaned, âTry again.â
âYour mind?â you whimpered as he traced your collar bone with his lips.
âYours,â he whispered, âAgain.â
âYour body?â you giggled, his hands climbing up your ribs, finding their way towards your breasts.
âAlways yours,â he nipped the side of your neck with his teeth, âYouâre getting closer.â
âMy body?â you couldnât help but laugh, as you gripped the sides of his beskar to steady yourself.
âNever lost,â he chuckled in response, âNeed a hint?â
âPlease,â you almost begged, your head falling backwards, exposing more of your throat to him.
He bucked his hips against you, his hardening length hitting you exactly where you needed it. Lighting a small fire in the sensitive nerves between your thighs.
You let out a quiet moan, trying to find the words, âYou said it wasnât your body.â
âItâs not,â he bucked again, holding himself against you, leaving you writhing for him.
âWhat then?â You gasped, your voice pleading with him. Whatever game he was playing, he was taking too long.
He let out a growl, taking a step back from you to unstrap his beskar, leaving you in silent agony, only able to watch him.
It took an eternity for him to undo the straps. The silence was deafening as your body begged him for answers.
âPlease tell me,â you whined as he finally pulled his shirt over his head, leaving his bare chest glistening with sweat in front of you.
He stepped forward, pulling the zipper of your flight suit tantalizingly slowly down, exposing your breast. The small breeze in the hut causing your nipples to harden instantly.
He didnât say a word as he lifted you, wrapping your legs around his waist as he led you to the small bed of the hut, laying you down.
You expected him to crawl over you, to crowd your body with his⌠to feel his unbearable strength above you.
But he didnât.
Instead, he laid down on his back beside you, breathing heavy.
You let out a frustrated groan as you rolled over to face him.
âDin, answer me!â you were getting angry, but couldnât help but trail kisses down his chest, âPlease.â
His silence was infuriating, as was the absence of his touch, as he watched you.
If he wasnât going to answer you, youâd find a way to make him.
âFine,â you rolled your eyes and straddled his hips with yours, âDonât tell me.â
You lowered yourself against him, gasping as you felt his hardness through the double layer of fabric, his trousers and your flight suit⌠pressing against your center.
He smirked up at you, throwing his head back as you ground yourself against him.
âThat,â he finally spoke. You pressed your hips harder into him, forcing him to gasp.
âStill your body,â you moaned, holding yourself in place.
âNo,â he sighed, âYour pleasure⌠take your pleasure from me.â
âWhat?â You raised an eyebrow, frozen above him.
âI know what you want,â his voice was low, âI could smell it as soon as you took my helmet off. Now take it.â
His words sent shivers through you, hitting you with a sudden realization. He wanted you to take what you wanted from him. He knew you were aroused the moment he pressed his nose against your clit outside, with your legs still wrapped around his head.
He knew you needed him to bring you to release, but he wanted you to take your release.
Fine.
You finished unzipping the front of your flight suit, shaking it from your shoulders, leaving your top half as bare as his own. His eyes widened as you freed your breasts completely, you took his hands and led them to the pillowy flesh, squeezing them with your own, letting them fill his palms.
âFuck,â he growled, unable to peel his gaze from the sinful act you were forcing, quite literally, into his hands.
You let out a soft moan, grinding your hips back and forth along his length, the fabric causing a delicious friction between your bodies.
âThere she is,â he echoes his earlier words, arching his back and bucking up against you, âDonât hold back.â
You pulled his hands back, dropping them to his sides as you stood from him, your small stature almost towering above the bed, âTake off the rest,â you whispered, trying to sound as confident as you could motioning to his flight pants.
He listened quickly, undoing the buttons and leaning forward to pull them from his ankles. You watched his arousal spring free from its material prison, forcing the heat within you to grow as you shimmied out of the rest of your clothes.
He sat frozen at the sight of you, completely naked in front of him.
âOn your back,â your voice sounded more confident this time as he obeyed, moving backwards on his elbows. You crawled over him, trailing kisses up his thighs, to his lips as you positioned yourself over him.
âThatâs it,â his low voice encouraged you as you wrapped a hand around his cock, lining him up with your entrance, âTake it.â
You teased the head of his cock, letting him feel the warmth of how slick you are, he bit his lower lip. You had never seen him like this, he was always the one holding so much power over you, but he was giving that power over to you.
Your heart picked up its pace at just how much he was trusting you in this moment.
You slid your hips down slowly, feeling each inch of him stretch you open. You could see him struggling to hold still as you reached the base of him.
Completely sheathed within you his breathing grew ragged, you gave yourself a moment to adjust to his length before leaning forward and placing your hands on his chest.
âFuck,â he gasped when you finally began to move. You started slow, dragging your hips backwards and forwards⌠watching his breaths catch deep within his chest as you chased your own release.
âHold me,â you begged him as you picked up the pace, taking his hands and placing them on either side of your waist.
âYouâve gotten so strong⌠my commanding⌠little⌠goddess,â his words came between grunts as he urged you on, you could feel the sparks burning inside you, the heat they brought could only be described as divine.
He could feel you tightening your walls as you worked your way closer, âThatâs my girl⌠take what you need from meâŚâ
âDin,â you gasped, placing a hand on either side of his head, steadying yourself as you rode him mercilessly, faster⌠and faster still⌠until the sharp tingles began to erupt in your pelvis.
âUse me to cum, Starbird,â he begged, closing his eyes as he leaned his head back, holding himself as still as possible.
You placed a hand on his cheek, âOpen your eyes,â you demanded, âYou wanted this⌠you have to watchâŚâ
His eyes sprang open at your almost dominating tone, he could only nod as he watched you throw your head back, your walls becoming impossibly tight around him as you bounced your body up and down.
You were close, you felt his grip on your waist tighten, the small act pushing you over the edge as you stiffened above him, letting out a sound so wicked that Din couldnât help but roll his eyes into the back of his head.
You could feel the waves of ecstasy ripple through you, but it wasnât nearly enough. You needed him, you needed him to move⌠you needed the punishing pace you knew he was holding back within him.
âDin,â you moaned, âI need you⌠please⌠please I need youâŚâ
He sat up quickly, wrapping his arms tightly around you, pulling you too his chest as began pushing his hips up into you⌠His fingertips were bruising the soft skin of your scarred back as he placed open mouth kisses to your neck.
âDonât stop DinâŚâ you gasped between the aftershocks of your orgasm, âDonât you dare stop.â
The growl that came from his chest was monstrous as he pumped himself as deeply as possible, and then some.
You dug your nails into the back of his scalp to steady yourself, sweat making your skin glide against his perfectly.
He bit down on your shoulder as he began to destroy you from within.
He was devastation in beskar, and an apocalypse without it.
His moved one hand from your back, placing it between the two of you on the lowest part of your stomach.
âMaker,â he hissed, âGive me your handâŚâ
You did as he asked, carefully sliding your hand down his chest to rest on top of his own.
He shifted, placing your hand beneath his and pressing it to your stomach.
âCan you feel me? Can you feel how strong youâve gotten?â he whispered against your neck as he slowed down⌠thrusting long and deep.
You could feel the movement of his cock beneath the skin and muscles of your abdomen⌠the rigid outline moving up and down.
You buried your face in his hair, trying to stifle the endless sounds escaping your lungs, tightening at the feeling of him against your palm.
âI feel you,â you gasped, moving your hips to match the pace he was building, as you pressed your stomach harder, feeling him stiffen at the outside pressure.
You could feel the second orgasm building as his movements became erratic.
âCum with me, StarbirdâŚâ his voice was shaky as his hand left yours, his thumb pressing against your overly sensitive bundle of nerves, rubbing quick circles that sent sparks throughout your being.
You tightened more and more⌠as pumped harder⌠deeper⌠bruising your walls as he spilled himself inside you⌠just as you flooded yourself around his cock.
He held you there on his lap, both of you trembling in euphoria. He buried his face in your chest⌠placing quick gentle kisses on every inch of skin within his reach.
âI can never be without you,â his words were a whisper, âPlease⌠donât make me⌠ever againâŚâ
The desperation in his words was gut wrenching, but his feelings mirrored your own.
âI wonât Din,â you paced a kiss into his dark curls, âI donât⌠exist when weâre apart.â
His arms tightened around you as he threw himself back, pulling you with him. The bed shook, causing something to fall from behind the modest headboard.
âWhat was that?â he couldnât help but chuckle, trying to look behind him.
You giggled, raising yourself from him, aching at the lost of his warmth inside you.
You leaned over, looking to the floor where the object fell.
âItâs a box,â you raised an eyebrow curiously, âIt looks⌠like beskar?â
âHmm?â he hazily questioned you, making his exhausted body roll over to look with you, âYes⌠thatâs beskarâŚâ
âThereâs something inside of itâŚâ you placed a kiss on his shoulder, shifting to rest against his back as he stared down at the object.
âHow do you know?â he pulled your hand from his shoulder, placing small kisses along your knuckles as you placed your chin where his shoulder met his neck.
âI can feel it.â
âThe force?â he kissed your palm, neither of you looking from the metallic box.
You nodded against him, âYou have to open it.â
âWhy?â he raised an eyebrow, finally turning and grazing his nose against your cheek.
âPsychometry,â you groaned, leaning into his soft grazes, âIâve been practicing⌠and whateverâs in there⌠it feels⌠sad.â
He leaned back, placing another kiss on your cheek, âPsychometry?â
You shifted from behind him, laying down on your back, pulling him next to you.
âItâs a gift from the force⌠or a curse⌠I havenât decided,â you sighed, âI never knew what it was⌠You told me before⌠that I run on instinct, but itâs more than that. I can feel⌠emotions⌠intentions⌠memories⌠I just thought I was crazy, until I came upon it in on of the Jedi who used to live hereâs texts. He spoke about a Jedi, I think his name was Vos⌠who had the ability to read objects⌠So, Iâve been trying⌠there are so many memories hereâŚâ
You trailed off thinking of all the things you had felt within this hut⌠all the things that made you feel safe⌠grounded to this place.
âHey,â Dinâs voice was soft as he placed a hand to your cheek, âWe donât have to open it.â
âWe do,â you smiled, âIt feels⌠important.â
He nodded, understanding, âNow?â
You gave him a nod back, âNow.â
-------
He sat up slowly, his body exhausted with pleasure. He leaned forward and picked up the small beskar box. It was unlike anything he had ever seen.
Beskar was for protection, not for trinkets. Why did a Jedi have such a thing?
He pulled it onto his lap and slid open the top. There was a pauldron on top, white⌠it looked old⌠like trooper armor, but older. Maybe it was a relic from the clone wars?
âDoes this look⌠Jedi to you?â he asked, feeling the girl move to sit beside him. He turned to look in her mysterious eyes as she gazed down at the object.
âThatâs the symbol for the old Jedi order,â she whispered, pointing to the red signet painted on the pauldron, âLuke showed it to me before IâŚâ she cut herself off, stirring at the memory.
âWhy is it here?â he asked as he gently removed it from the box. Beneath it lay a small beskar broach, with a pale blue gem in the center. It reminded him of the necklace his wolf-cat fought so hard to get back from the empire. The one he got back for her.
âIs that beskar?â the girlâs voice broke his trance.
âIt is,â he gazed down at it curiously, âBut Iâve never seen anything like it⌠itâs not armor.â
âPlace them on the bed,â her voice was a whisper, she seemed worried as she looked down into the box.
He did as she said, placing the box between them.
She took a deep breath, nibbling her lower lip in contemplation.
âWhat is it my love?â he asked, searching her eyes for answers.
âI need you toâŚâ she pinched her brow, âHold me⌠and donât let me go⌠no matter what.â
âWhat do you mean?â he was concerned now.
âI have to look⌠but I canât⌠control my body when I do.â
He nodded at her; he would do anything for her. This Jedi stuff was all still so new to him. He didnât understand how it worked, âWhere do you need me?â
She took a moment to analyze their surroundings, âSit there,â she pointed towards the center of the bed, against the wall.
He shifted, not hesitating to do as she said.
She stood slowly, climbing into his lap, she gave him a long kiss⌠her lips moving passionately against his, sending waves of emotion through him. Then she turned her back to him, leaning against his chest.
He reached over and grabbed the box, placing it into her lap as she motioned.
âArms around me, Din,â she began taking in quick breaths, âHold on tight.â
âI wonât let you go,â he reassured her, wrapping his arms around her chest.
She took a long slow breath, closing her eyes as he leaned over her shoulder to watch. Then she placed one hand on each object.
Everything went still and silent for a moment, and then her eyes sprang open, galaxies of stars swirling within them.
âStarbird?â he asked, but she didnât answer⌠she was gone somewhere⌠her body stiffening against him as her knuckles went white around the objects.
He held her tighter, just as she asked.
Just as his queen⌠asked of him.
--------
âWell, Master Kenobi, my shining Jedi knight to the rescue once again,â a womanâs voice echoed through your mind, you were in a room somewhere⌠surrounded by windows⌠windows that looked like the symbol in the center of Dinâs chest armor.
âAfter all these years, youâre even more beautiful than ever,â you knew this manâs voice, it was the man whose home you had currently sought refuge in.
The walls blurred and suddenly you were outside somewhere, you tried to blink your eyes to focus better, a city moved around⌠no beneath you⌠finally you were able to spot the two figures speaking.
It was the man you had seen in transmissions⌠Younger, handsome, armored in white, with the pauldron from the box on his shoulder⌠Next to him stood a beautiful woman, regal, standing tall in her ornate headdress, the small round jewel of beskar closing the fabric around her neck.
âItâs so good to see you again, Obi Wan, despite the circumstances,â she spoke, looking to her feet.
âYour peaceful ways have paid off. Mandalore has prospered since the last time I was here,â the Jedi spoke to her.
This was Mandalore⌠this was the land of Dinâs people⌠Was she⌠Mandalorian? She didnât have a helmet on, her face bare for all to seeâŚ
You needed to search deeper.
Suddenly you were in a cell of some kind, your heart began to race at the close confinement, it was only you and the woman. She seemed to be meditatingâŚ
Just then the door slid open, and a Mandalorian entered.
âHere to do more of your masterâs bidding?â she asked, barely opening her eyes.
The Mandalorian removed his helmet, revealing the Jedi, âI do my own bidding.â
She gasped, her blonde hair whirling around behind her, relief flooding her eyes, âObi Wan?â
She flung herself into his arms, and he returned the gesture, wrapping her in a tight embrace. You could feel the love emanating from the duo. The strange sanctuary they could only find in each other.
âAre you alone?â she asked as she took a step back.
âYes,â he looked behind him, âThe Jedi Council and Galactic senate will be of no help to us here.â
He grabbed her hand and pulled her from the cell, making sure the coast was clear as the two reached a control panel.
âI trust you have an escape plan?â she asked.
âAs always, my dear,â he smiled, putting the helmet back on. He cared for her, the Jedi werenât supposed to love, but it was clear between the two of them.
You watched as they entered a lift, unable to keep their eyes from each other as they fought their way out.
Deeper, you thought, there was something deeper⌠something that created the sadness you felt.
The stars flashed around you; you were in a cold room⌠the dark side was here⌠this was it⌠this was the placeâŚ
You followed behind Obi Wan, his wrists shackled.
âYour noble flaw, is a weakness shared⌠By you and your duchess,â a growling voice spoke, you looked up to see a Dathomirian, lifting the woman with the force, âYou should have chosen the dark side, Master Jedi.â
His voice was a hiss as she struggled against his power, Kenobiâs face growing panicked as he was forced to look on.
You wanted to scream, you wanted to fight this, but you were a ghost in their memories⌠helpless as you looked on.
âYour emotions betray you,â the Dathomirian hissed, âYour fear⌠And yes⌠your anger⌠Let your anger deepen your hatred!â
Obi Wanâs face grew wicked with it as he stared the monster down.
âDonât listen to him Obi,â the woman choked against the force wrapped around her throat.
âQuiet,â the monster growled.
âYou can kill me,â Obi Wan offered, looking to his feet, âBut you will never destroy me. It takes strength to resist the dark side⌠Only the weak, embrace it,â he growled.
The Dathomirian, grew agitated by Kenobiâs remark, squeezing his farce harder around the womanâs throat. You felt a tear fall from your cheek.
âIt is more powerful than you know,â he protested.
âAnd those who oppose it, are more powerful than youâll ever be,â Obi Wan challenged him, âI know where youâre from,â there was compassion in the Jediâs eyes, âIâve been to your village, I know the decision to join the dark side wasnât yours. The night sisters made it for yââ
âSilence!â The creature roared, âYou think you know me? It was I who languished for years, thinking of nothing but you! Nothing but this moment! And now⌠the perfect tool for my vengeance is in front of usâŚâ
The woman began to struggle more and more, Obi Wanâs face couldnât leave hers as he could do nothing but watch⌠you could feel his heart breaking into a million pieces.
âI never planned on killing you,â the Dathomirian continued, âBut I would make you share my pain⌠KenobiâŚâ
Obi Wan struggled against the people holding him, one landing a blow to the back of his head.
The Dathomirian ignited the dark saber⌠the one Din had in his possession⌠using the force to bring the woman to his side as he plunged the blade into her stomach.
Everything fell silent as Obi Wan could do nothing but watch the woman he loved fall to the ground, choking on her last bits of life.
You fell with him as he caught her, âSatineâŚâ his voice was soft⌠as he scooped her into his arms, brushing the loose strands of hair from her eyes as she continued to gasp for air.
âRemember, my dear Obi Wan,â she placed a weak hand to his cheek and he closed his eyes, leaning into the touch, âIâve loved you alwaysâŚâ her voice was a whisper, fighting to keep her eyes open, âI always willâŚâ
She fell limp in his arms as you felt the force leave her body, he brought her hand to his lips⌠covering her frail hand in soft kisses⌠holding her close to him.
âDo we kill him now, brother?â another Dathomirian spoke.
âNo,â the murderer sat in a throne, âImprison him below⌠let him drown in his misery⌠Take him to his cell to rotâŚâ
You willed your body to move⌠to get away from these memories as their entire lives flashed before your eyes⌠The love they shared⌠the loss he endured⌠A Mandalorian and a Jedi⌠Mortal enemies⌠fighting the stigmaâŚ
Summary: Hiding on Tatooine, you get a very, unexpected reunion.
Warnings: SMUT, depraved, dominant Din, Frustration, Cockwarming, Choking, Rough Sex
âI need to go,â Din spoke through gritted teeth. He had been on the Jedi moon too long; his body had taken much longer than anticipated to heal.
He had refused to reenter the bacta tank.
Fighting every day to try and go after the girl.
âYouâre still not fully recovered,â Leia spoke, a nearly motherly edge to her tone.
âI donât care, itâs been a nearly a month, Iâm strong enough to go after her,â he argued, fighting the pain in his heart.
He was lying, he knew he was.
He still fought headaches and had lost a lot of his physical strength resting and healing.
âYou donât even know where to find her!â Cara chimed in, it had been her suggestion the night the girl left, but she fought to keep him grounded every day since.
âI know where to start,â Din sighed, rubbing his chin hard with his palm in frustration.
âAnd where is that?â Leia snapped a bit at him, tired of having the same argument nearly every day.
âTatooineâŚâ Dinâs voice was nearly a whisper.
A flash of voices haunted his memory as he spoke the planetâs name.
You remember TatooineâŚ
Where are you going, Starbird?
I wish we never left that desertâŚ
Tatooine Din⌠Weâve got to go to TatooineâŚ
His voice. Her voice⌠tangled together in his memory.
He didnât know exactly how, but he knew she would have gone there. Atleast for a time.
âWhy would she go to that maker forsaken dust ball?â Cara rolled her eyes.
He didnât know what to say, he was too reserved to tell them thatâs where they fell in love.
That it was the place he wished to go just as he thought he was dying.
That it was the first place he saw her power or held her in a way that wasnât carnal.
But he could say she mentioned it⌠during what everyone was now dubbing as âThe Incident.â
His frustration grew more each day that passed, and he wished they would just call it what it was.
It was his loveâs grief at the thought of losing him.
It was a battle between her choices.
It was her desperation.
But more than anything it was her love.
Her love for him, pushed her so far down that she became more powerful than any of them seemed to understand.
Luke entered the small room that the trio had been seated in, avoiding Dinâs penetrating gaze.
He knew something that he wouldnât tell anyone.
No matter how hard Din almost begged the Jedi to tell him, he just seemed to avoid and evade the subject all together.
Leiaâs husband had been distant as well, but something told Din it was for a far darker reason.
âBe mindful of your emotions,â Luke spoke to the room, âItâs painful in here.â
âWill you tell this tin can that heâs not ready to leave this planet? That the girl left, and thereâs no way he can find her, in his condition⌠even if he searches the entire galaxy?â Leia huffed at her twin, clearly annoyed.
Luke sighed; he had seen the girlâs path.
He searched for it during his meditations.
He knew their destinies were far too intertwined for them to be apart.
She had been making progress on her path.
He felt it every time he sought out her force signature.
âItâs not my place to tell a Mandalorian what to do,â Luke spoke simply. It was time, it was true that Din was still not completely himself, but it was possible she was the only one who could help him feel complete again.
He turned then, staring Mando directly in the eyes.
Din felt him, saying something silently⌠agreeing with him.
âSo thatâs it then?â Cara rolled her eyes; she was on Leiaâs side⌠clearly.
Luke nodded, still staring at the Mandalorian, scar still across the skin of his left eye, he was marked forever from that night, âThatâs it then.â
The energy in the room shifted immediately.
Dinâs hope and relief.
Leiaâs annoyance fading into acceptance.
Caraâs ferocity turning to fear and worry.
Luke⌠remaining somewhere in the middle like he always was.
Din stood abruptly; his muscles stiff as they continued to heal.
He moved quickly out of the room, he had to find the kid⌠this was the part he dreaded.
But Grogu was growing every day, he would understand.
And they would always see each other again, Din had promised that, and he didnât break his promises.
-------
You wiped dust from your forehead as you focused in the dim light on the pieces of metal in front of you.
Taking the smallest screwdriver you had been able to scrap up, you tried to tighten the even smaller screws necessary to form the housing for your motherâs crystal.
You had been so focused for hours that you nearly jumped out of your skin when the alarm on the holo clock went off.
âKriff, already?â you sighed, jumping up and walking the short distance to the kitchen area of the small hut where Luke had sent you.
You remembered when you were following the coordinates, he had given you, unsure of what you would find.
It was a modest home, the force radiated from it⌠a Jedi had lived here⌠a good⌠powerful Jedi had hid away here.
You felt the ghosts of him everywhere.
You had managed to find bits and pieces of his life, still inside his home.
He had been a General during the clone wars and survived the mass slaying of the Jedi by the Empire.
You had found holos of him, stored in random data cards and chips.
He had been a handsome, wise looking man, who had been too marked by war and violence⌠devastated by loss.
He became a hermit in this place, almost the same way that you had.
The light surrounded the hut, keeping you safe.
You had even found old Jedi texts hidden in the floorboards, grateful you had grown up on Alderaan and knew the languages well enough to read them.
You felt yourself grow stronger every day, more peaceful, the force pulsing at a constant.
But not a second went by where he wasnât on your mind.
You kept yourself busy, rarely stopping to rest.
Rest brought the agonizing nightmares.
All the pain and loss you had ever seen ripped through you nightly.
On the rare instances you were so exhausted you couldnât force yourself to stay awake any longer.
You were growing thinner on this planet, skin darker from the binary suns, but you were aging⌠you felt it.
You shook your thoughts away as you grabbed a package of food you had prepared.
You picked it up and went outside.
They were already waiting for you, two Tuskan Raiders.
There was a small tribe of them nearby, you had made quick negotiations and even a friendship with them upon your arrival.
They had instantly taken to you when they realized you werenât afraid and spoke their guttural hand signal language.
They liked you so much they had sent out two members every night to patrol around your hut, they were protective of you.
Either that or they liked the large, weekly supply run you made to them.
They were just⌠creatures⌠trying to live in this galaxy the same as the rest of us.
Survivors who got a bad rep.
Yes, they were a brutal and dangerous race, but only because they had been forced into it.
To survive.
As you smiled and handed the two Raiderâs the food you made them for the night, you wondered if Din were here, how heâd react to your newfound⌠partnership with them.
Conversation wasnât necessary, you had grown accustomed to each other.
They took the food happily, and you gave each other a nod, clutching your vest around you in the cool evening air of the desert planet before making your way inside.
You stared at the training droid, too tired to practice now.
You had been too exhausted to continue focusing on the repairs needed for your saber any longer as well.
You sighed.
âMeditation it is then,â you whispered to yourself, sitting down on the ground and crossing your legs.
You channeled the force, eyes closed. Reaching out into it. Relaxation overcoming you as you explored the galaxy around you, finding enough peace for you to drift off into a deep meditative state.
Mind empty.
Only the force.
--------
Din stood at the ramp of his nameless ship after gathering supplies, everyone had gathered around.
He was holding Grogu close, âIâll come back soon kid,â his voice broke, âI promise.â
Grogu cooed up at him, he understood.
âI have to find her,â Din whispered. And somehow, he could feel that the child was missing her as well.
He pressed his forehead to his small green one, âYou be good.â
Grogu mumbled his usual indiscernible words and Din let out a soft chuckle as he handed him to Luke.
âWill you...â Cara started but Din already knew what she was going to say.
âIâll send you a holo as soon as I find her,â he nodded slipping his helmet on.
She smiled, her eyes disappearing into slits as she patted him firmly on the shoulder.
âBe safe,â Leia spoke, Hanâs arm around her as she held her growing belly.
Din simply nodded.
âMay the force be with you,â Lukeâs voice was calm, his eyes distant as ever.
âAnd with you,â Dinâs modulator cracked as he turned to climb the ramp. Closing it behind him.
He sat in the cockpit, flicking all the switches to start his ascent to the atmosphere.
He took a deep breath as he broke through, grateful to be back in what felt like home to him.
He entered the coordinates for Tatooine, breaking into hyperspace.
He watched the stars streak by in white lines, and he thought of her, just as he had every day since she left.
He was unsure of what emotions would be in store for him if he did find her.
He had gone back and forth between heartbreak, longing, love, angerâŚ
He still couldnât understand her reason for leaving, she had told him through her force that it was because she loved him.
But if you love someone, you donât abandon them when they need you the most.
He had woken up alone.
He had struggled to heal⌠aloneâŚ
He took a deep breath, removing his helmet and placing it in the copilot seat.
âYou disobedient little bounty,â he growled low in his throat, âIâm on my way.â
--------
âBut what if he comes looking for you? I donât want any trouble,â Peliâs voice came shrill as she helped you load up supplies.
She often helped you come up with the more difficult to find things for your weekly run and you took a landspeeder to her hangar to pick them up.
Same time.
Every week since you landed on Tatooine.
You had been so nervous when flight control had told you to land here.
You were trying to hide, not catch up with old acquaintances.
âHeâs not going to come,â you sighed in slight annoyance. She asked the same thing every time you visit.
âYeah, but what if he does,â she squinted at you as you loaded the last bit of cargo.
âThen you do exactly like weâve discussed Peli,â you sighed putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder, âYou havenât seen me, you donât even remember me⌠play completely stupid.â
You had done so much to avoid being recognized, both by Din and by the empire should they send anyone.
The Tuskanâs had given you a blue plant, and when you crushed it into a paste it stained your light chunk of hair a brilliant green blue.
âYou know Iâm not so good with the lies girl,â she shook her head.
You gave her a soft smile, âLet one of the pit droids do it for you.â
She laughed harder than she should have at your joke as you said goodbye, climbing into the speeder.
âSame time next week?â she yelled over the sound of the engine.
âOf course, Iâll comm you the list when I have it,â you gave each other a silent nod as you sped off through the desert, back to your small, secluded hut in the middle of nowhere.
The long ride always either cleared your mind or filled it with thoughts of him.
This time though⌠it was different.
Something shifted in the force.
Something you hadnât felt in a long time.
You slowed the speeder to a crawl, the feeling overwhelming your senses as you threw yourself off before it had completely stopped.
Gripping the sand, you let out a series of hard gasps.
No⌠it couldnât be.
You had become so sensitive to the force⌠so familiar to your surroundings that this stood out.
It pushed you to panic⌠as you clambered back on to the speeder, getting home as fast as possible, as far away as possible from the feeling of himâŚ.
Dinâs energy signature was no longer on the Jedi moon, and you feared for once, Peli may have jinxed your situation.
Thank goodness your hut was so far out in the desert; he may just get lost trying to find it⌠if he was coming here.
Your chest ached the entire rest of the journey home. You missed him, but you had done it all to protect him.
And that was worth every drop of pain it caused you.
Knowing you could never hurt him again.
You slowed the speeder to stop directly outside the hut as you began to finish loading the supplies. You wouldnât meet the Tuskanâs until dusk, which gave you a few hours yet.
You decided to spend it making the final addition to your saber.
It was a bit unorthodox, but you were some special kind of unbalanced right?
Luke had projected into you instructions, a map for you to follow in order to create your own version of the ancient weapon. You had made plenty of mistakes, trying to get it just right.
But it just wasnât the same as a spear.
You were so much more comfortable with them.
Between a crack in the wall, you pulled out the sharp half of the spear Din had given you. The one your powers had snapped in half.
The memory shot a fresh pang of guilt to your stomach, that you tried to breathe away.
âIf I canât be with him⌠atleast a piece of him will always be with me, right?â you asked the air around you for reassurance as you picked up the hilt of your saber taking them both outside a safe enough distance from the hut as to not compromise it.
You focused your energy on creating just enough of a flame to weld the two together. You had been practicing almost daily on your control and were proud of how far you had come.
You heated the beskar until it was red hot, a shine at the end letting you know it had changed itâs state of matter.
And then you carefully blunged them together, the broken end of the spear to the rear of your saber hilt.
You held them together until the redness disappeared.
Holding it tightly, you tested itâs weight.
Unbalanced, but perfect.
Unbalanced, just like you.
--------
âHeyyyy, uh⌠Mando⌠What brings you here? No trouble I hope,â Peli spoke nervously as he descended the ramp of his ship.
âWhere is she?â his modulator cracked, his voice determined and without much patience, even for his old friend.
âShe?â Peli raised an eyebrow, pretend confusion obvious in her tone.
He sighed.
âThe girl,â his modulated voice was a bit calmer but still held an impatient hardness to it, âThe one I brought here before.â
âWhatâd you do Mando? Lose your copilot?â Peli laughed trying to ease the situation into distraction.
Mando took a breath, pointing a blaster towards one of the pit droids, âI know she was here Peli.â
He could almost smell her, but he didnât want to admit that outloud.
âHey hey! Thatâs a bit dramatic, donât you think?â she said shooing her pit droids with her hands, telling them to go.
âThe girl Peli, I wonât ask again,â it was insane how the bounty hunter came back out⌠so naturally.
âListen, I donât know anything about your girl,â she lied, he could tell by the way her face twitched, âBut I have heard rumors about a woman whoâs taken up a residence on the edge of the dune sea. Sheâs a bit of a hermit, the local kids think sheâs a witch.â
Leave it to her to tell him, without actually telling him.
He groaned, knowing that was all the information he was going to get.
âSpeeder bike?â he said, softening his tone a bit.
âSame place as usual,â she rolled her eyes motioning just outside the hangar door, âYou gonna pay me this time Mando?â
He threw a bag of credits at her and made his way to the speeder bike.
Angry at the lengths she was going to in order to hide.
Angry that she had left him in the first place.
But a new feeling was taking hold as the speeder made its way to the dune sea, a heat in his stomach.
Desperation.
Unyielding desperation to be close to her again.
He tried to shake the feeling, shifting uncomfortably as he grew closer and closer to the dune sea.
He had been riding for a while now and he couldnât help but think just how little she must have wanted to be found, there was nothing around for what seemed like an entire Parsec, which was of course an exaggeration.
He saw a small glimmer in the background and quickly slowed the speeder to a halt behind a rocky outcropping.
He crouched on his stomach, using the scope of his blaster to inspect the shimmer in the distance.
âDank farrik,â he grunted as it focused on a hut, nearly disguised in the sand.
He panned the scope to the left and he saw it.
A dark flight suit on a small frame, sleeves pushed up, an intricately sewn vest over top it.
She seemed frailer than he remembered, but somehow stronger at the same time, her dark hair thrown into two messy braided buns proved it was her though.
Even in the black and grey of the helment, she looked beautiful.
She was layered in sweat and sand, working hard to load supplies onto a trailer.
âWhat are you doing Starbird?â he whispered, almost wondering if he should get on the speederbike and leave.
She seemed okay.
But he couldnât.
He was too desperate, in more ways than one.
He tossed the rifle back over his shoulder, deciding it best to continue the rest of the way on foot.
If she heard the speeder sheâd probably run.
And that was something he couldnât afford right now.
--------
You could feel the force growing stronger as you tried to push it aside and continue loading the supplies for the Tuskan Raiderâs and their families.
But you could almost feel eyes on you.
You felt as if you were being watched.
You wondered if you should blow the horn your very protective friends had given you, but you didnât even know if you were in danger.
You couldnât tell if the watcher was good or bad.
The emotions of it seemed far too scattered.
You reached your hand into the trailer, feeling your saber there, complete in itâs new glory.
Though you had wished to test it out in a few practice runs, not in actual combat if thatâs what this⌠watcher wanted.
You took a deep breath, focusing in on the world around you.
Listening to it.
Trusting your instincts.
FootstepsâŚ
HeavyâŚ
METALâŚ
FOOTSTEPSâŚ
There was only one person in the entire galaxy whoâs force felt this way.
And even though you had tried to deny it, there was no denying the sound of his footsteps as he trudged through the sand.
If it hadnât been for the force you would have completely missed them.
He was always so quickâŚ
So silent.
More machine than man.
And just then the steps stopped.
And you could feel him closer to you than you had since leaving.
âDin,â you acknowledged, staring into the supply trailer, refusing to turn and look at him.
If you did, youâd break.
He stayed silent, and for a moment relief wanted to wash over you, maybe this was all in your head.
But then a modulated breath came from behind you.
âTurn around,â his voice was hard⌠you had never quite heard it have that severe of an edge.
Not in the time you had known him.
You had never heard⌠thatâŚ
All you could do was shake your head, you couldnât⌠you wouldnât turn around and face him.
âNow,â he demanded.
âNo!â You shot back quickly, he fell silent, shocked by your resistance.
You fumbled your hands together, shifting nervously on your feet.
A long missed heat arising in your core.
You hadnât even seen him and he was already destroying you.
âWhat brings you this far in the desert?â You didnât know what to say, your cheeks turned red when you realized just how ridiculous that sounded.
âYou know what I came forâŚâ his voice was a low, modulated growl⌠was he standing closer to you?
âDin⌠IâŚâ you tried to start but he cut you off.
âWhy?â it was all he said, his voice sounding somehow hard and broken at the same time.
âWhy⌠what?â you whispered, your breath catching in your throat.
âWhy⌠Did you leave?â He was serious, you looked to your feet. His shadow⌠very large⌠and very imposing behind you.
âDin⌠I had to keep you safe⌠I couldnât keep hurting youâŚâ you could feel the tears threatening in your eyes.
He let out a long sigh and you could feel the cold beskar against your burning back⌠through the fabric of your flight suit.
He was impossibly close⌠you tried to take a fumbling step away from him, only making it to the wall between your door and the supply trailer before two gloved hands came up, pinning themselves on either side of you.
You were trapped.
You could have ducked and got out but you found yourself frozen, his body holding you there.
And you could feel your entire body turning into a furnace.
Desperate for him as the heat enveloped your core
And you knew, youâd give in.
You were his completely.
You could no longer fight it.
--------
He couldnât help the fire in his belly as he moved so close to you.
You smelled like sweat, and devastation.
You were trying to run, to get away from him.
He couldnât let you.
Not again.
He needed you in the most feral and carnal of ways.
His helmet was able to pick up the rapid beating of your heart as he placed both hands on either side of you.
He still hadnât seen your face, but he didnât need to⌠you were here⌠right in front of him⌠aching for him just as much.
He was so angry with you. So desperately angry and hurt.
He needed you to feel it.
âYou were always faster than me⌠so impossibly⌠fast,â you whispered, breathlessly frozen where you stood.
He took another step forward, pressing the beskar to your skin.
âDinâŚâ you whispered⌠begging him to take a step back⌠or begging him to crush you beneath the weight of his lust.
You looked so beautiful⌠the sweat glistening from your skinâŚ
âYou want to run like a fucking bounty⌠then Iâm gonna treat you like a fucking bounty,â his voice a low growl. The modulated tone sending chills over your body, despite the sweltering Tatooine heat.
He was aching⌠throbbing for you⌠he knew his cock was already glistening with precum beneath his armor.
He couldnât hold back.
He grabbed your wrists with one hand as you whimpered into nothing.
In a swift⌠so fucking impossibly quick⌠maneuver he applied the force cuffs he had used on you so long ago.
Their slightly uncomfortable pressure sent a wave of arousal through your entire being.
And you let him.
You couldnât even put up a fight.
Not when he was right here⌠so⌠devastatingly close.
He grabbed the waist zipper of your flight suit, usually needed for⌠less intense purposes⌠and pulled, sending the lower half to bunch around your thighs⌠leaving you partially exposed⌠right outside in the sunlight⌠where anyone could see.
âDin⌠weâre outside,â you tried to get him to see, but he just pushed you against the wall, clicking his tongue.
âDisobedient⌠little⌠bountyâŚâ the twist on your intimate nickname was like a shockwave directly to your thighs.
He put a gloved hand to your mouth, âBite.â
The word was a hard, directive order and you immediately did as he said, teasingly biting the tip of his glove.
He groaned as he watched, sliding his hand out, the glimpse of his golden skin further fueled your desperate want.
He slid his hand between your exposed thighs.
âYou run away⌠but your still so⌠wet for me,â he loved it, he was growing harder and harder as his fingers drug through your slick.
âS..Stilll⌠loâŚlo-,â you cut yourself off, letting out a moan as his fingers moved to your slit, teasing your entrance.
âSay it,â he all but spit at you, venom in his tone, âSay itâŚâ
You shuddered into the wall, as he ever so gently teased your swollen clit, âStilll⌠fuck⌠stillâŚ.â
âYou can do it,â he pressed harder, eliciting a violent string of moans from your throat.
âFucking love you Din⌠I still fucking⌠fuck⌠love youâŚâ you were gasping, panting against the wall, hands frozen behind you as he stopped his ministrations.
âGood girlâŚâ he growled removing himself from you, leaving you a shaking, panting mess.
The light jingle of metal is all you heard before he spoke again.
And all at once, impatiently, he was on you, pressing his cock hard through your entrance.
No warning, just fully sheathed in an instant, you could feel him in your stomach⌠burning with the stretch. Full of sensation.
You screamed, loud⌠and he grabbed your hair pulling your head backwards so you were looking up at him.
He moaned behind the helmet, seeing your face completely fucked with lust, almost drooling on yourself, your pupils completely blown out.
Fucking perfect⌠he thought to himself.
Not moving his hips he just looked down at you, holding himself deep inside you.
He was so angry with you, so so hurt⌠you were his⌠you were made for each otherâŚ
How could you run from this perfect⌠feelingâŚ
You were tightening around him as he looked down at you.
He let out a devious chuckling moan, âGonna cum around my cock before I even start moving?â
He was taunting you and you shook your head to say no against his strong grip.
He wrapped his free hand across your waist, holding you to him.
âI think you can,â he groaned, struggling to hold himself there.
You found yourself trying to move against him, to get some kind of stimulation, but he was so so strong.
He slid the hand on your waist up your stomach, squeezing your left breast hard, his cock twitching deep inside you as you moaned against him, staring upside down at the black visor.
Then he moved his hand further up, palm across the plane of your throat, pushing against it as his large hand reached a finger into your mouth.
You closed your lips around it as he traced his finger on your tongue.
His lower palm still holding pressure on your throat.
It was so⌠depraved that you could feel yourself close to the edge⌠he wasnât even fucking moving.
Just holding you there⌠watching you⌠pressed impossibly deep.
He seemed to feel you find your way closer because he spoke in that gravely⌠raspy tone that you loved so fucking muchâŚ
âIf you cum now⌠Iâll fuck you into oblivion⌠right here⌠against this wall where anyone can see,â and he squeezed⌠squeezed your throat so hard you saw stars, your body completely tightening as you let out a sound you didnât even know you were capable of.
He was just as shocked as you, feeling your warmth flood itself around his cock, your pussy squeezing so hard it almost pushed you out.
âOh fuck,â he groaned, his voice listless and pleasure filled, he jutted his hips into you, pushing himself another inch you hadnât known he was capable of, the stimulation making you jerk forward.
He followed you, you were pressed tight against the wall, his beskar stinging your ass.
The stone of the hut stung your limbs as he let go of your hair.
âMmmm⌠gonna take⌠real good care of youâŚâ he groaned, finally pulling his hips back and beginning to move, one hand on your hip, the other clutching your cuffed wrists.
He moved slow and with purpose, almost pulling completely out⌠then jamming himself as deep as humanly possible in an instant.
He did this over and over again, the obscene sounds of your slick filling the air around you.
His modulated grunts sent waves of vibrations through your body.
âYou belong⌠to meâŚâ his voice almost broke, as if he could cry, but his desire was overwhelming his pain.
âMmm⌠yoursâŚâ you groaned, meaning every word⌠how could you ever leave this?
âIs this too much?...â he was still jutting into you slow, and incredibly hard⌠âCan⌠stop⌠if ⌠it isâŚ.â
The rasp in his voice was desperate as he seemed to be fighting his own guilt.
You didnât want him to stop⌠in fact you wanted⌠needed⌠more⌠and you knew he did too.
âDonât you dare stopâŚâ you pleaded, determination in your voice⌠âFucking give me⌠more.â
That set something off within him. His body tensing as he held the back of your neck.
He set a blinding rhythm then.
His pace was so quick you couldnât tell where he was inside you until you felt the aching slam into your cervix.
It was fucking carnage.
He was letting everything out, and you loved it.
Your legs were beginning to wobble, but he held you so tight you didnât need them for support.
He slammed his cock in and out of you, both of your moans so loud you were sure someone could hear the two of you from the opposite side of the dune sea.
You were tightening again, your body shaking almost violently as he moaned against you, âCumâŚâ
His single word gave you all the permission you needed as he fucked you through your orgasm, heat and sparks taking over your body as you collapsed against him.
He didnât slow his motions, and you were pretty sure the only thing holding you up was his cock stuffed inside you.
âGood girl,â he groaned, his hand tracing lightly against your throat, petting you, âOn your knees, little one.â
His last sentence caught you off guard, but he slid out of you, leaving you feeling empty.
âKnees⌠now,â he demanded⌠as politely as he could manage.
He helped you to your knees, you were too blissed out to do it yourself.
He turned you to face him.
âTongue⌠outâŚâ he groaned, taking his thick shaft into his ungloved hand.
You stuck your tongue out as far as you could, his gloved hand grabbed the side of your face gently as his thumb explored the wet warmth of your mouth, his other hand stroking his length in a maddening rhythm.
You moaned up at him through heavy lashes, as he trembled and twitched down at you.
He removed his thumb from your mouth, replacing it with the head of his cock, completely drenched in your own slick.
He groaned at the sight, jerking his cock hard against your tongue.
âPlease,â you said from your throat, unwilling to move your tongue and distract him and he lost it.
Spray thick, white ropes of cum all over your tongue⌠your mouth⌠your face⌠even some down your throat.
He gripped the wall to stabilize himself, completely wrecked as he lingered there for a moment.
You slumped back on your heels, too weak to move anymore.
Once he caught his breath, he looked down at you.
âPerfect,â he gasped, trying to help you to your feet, but you could hardly move. Everything was so so⌠stimulating.
âPoor girl,â he whispered, âIâm so sorry.â
You shook your head, âLoved,,, itâŚ. LoveâŚ. You.â
And with that he pulled you into his arms, like one of the brides in a bad holofilm movie.
You rolled your head into the cold beskar of his should, too cock drunk to move⌠too completely fucked to notice anything but the feeling of him around you as he lead you into your own home.
âI love you too,â he gave you a light squeeze before settling you down into your bed in the corner of the room. The two of you completely drunk on the ecstasy of each otherâŚ
You felt he weight of him sink down beside you, using his cloak to wipe you clean, the gentle motions causing you to twitch against him.
âShhhhâŚâ he whispered through the modulator, âYou need rest.â
âCanâtâŚâ you groaned through half open lids, noticing the suns fading outside the window of your hut, âRaidersâŚ. Need⌠supplies.â
He stiffened next to you and you let out a blissful, exhausted giggle, hearing the soft jingling in the distance.
The decorations they put on their banthas.
âStars,â he whispered, âWhat have you been up to, my beloved girl?â
Summary: You wake up and see the consequences of your emotions.
You hadnât even noticed how tightly you were gripping Dinâs hand until the coolness of it was ripped from yours.
You struggled to open your eyes.
Exhaustion was an understatement.
This was⌠something more than that.
You tried to call out for him but the words were caught in the sandpaper that was your throat.
âChewie, weâve got him, can you carry her?â
Leia? That was⌠Leiaâs voice.
The wookiee growled loudly as you suddenly felt your body being shaken as it was engulfed in his soft, strong warmth.
It was somehow comforting, even though you were completely unsure of what was going on.
The voices around you were muffled, your ears ringing slightly. Not loudly, but enough for everything to seem distorted.
The only sense you seemed to be able to experience completely was the slight rocking as you were carried⌠somewhere.
Only grasping bits and pieces of the conversation around you.
You could hear Artooâs beeping, trying everything you could to open your eyes, if only just a crack.
But it was futile.
Fatigue and pain were taking over all of your senses.
The only thing you were able to do was bury your face in the coarse fur of the wookiee as you felt yourself slip off once again.
--------
âI couldnât save them,â Han whispered mostly to himself when only he and Luke remained in the cramped quarters of the med bay.
The admission stabbed his heart deeper as he spoke it allowed, staring down at the Mandalorian and the girl as they lay almost lifeless.
She would pull through, but the Mando was comatose in a bacta tank.
The girl had suffered not much more than a few scrapes and burns, mostly it was exhaustion and smoke inhilation keeping her under.
âYou did save them,â Luke pushed the feeling through the force towards his friend, trying to calm the self-deprecating atmosphere Han was flooding the room with.
Han shook his head, âNo kid, I didnât.â
Luke knew Han was right, but all the same it didnât feel his place to confirm his admission.
âYou know,â Han drew a long breath, âAfter everything Iâve seen, youâd think my skepticism of the force would have disappeared long ago, and in some ways it hasâŚâ
It wasnât like Han to speak so openly, not to Luke any way. And the sudden tone of his words called Lukeâs full attention.
âBut I saw it in there, I actually saw it with my own eyes,â Hanâs eyes were fixated on the sleeping girl, âThe dark⌠the light⌠all of itâŚâ
Luke tilted his head in curiosity, âYou saw it?â
Luke had felt both a collapse and an apex in the force within the temple, but it had been completely clouded by the girlâs grief and her separation from the reality of it all. His main priority during the confusion of what was happening had always been to make sure they were both still breathing.
Han nodded slowly, his eyes growing more distant.
âWhat did you see, exactly?â Luke could read the fear on his friendâs face and it made him feel somewhat empty.
âPromise you wonât tell Leia?â Han probed, not wanting her to worry.
âOf course not,â Lukeâs tone was simple, reassuring the shocked man standing only a foot away.
âI saw them⌠I saw it⌠Two sides,â Hanâs voice was cracking as he tried to explain, âI saw those I know to be dead, blue and emanating protection into the air around them.â
âProtection?â Luke quirked an eyebrow.
âThere were monsters there Luke,â Han shuddered at the memory, âHorrible, insidious⌠creatures⌠deception and malice leaking from every part of them⌠they were grabbing her, trying to pull the kid somewhere dark⌠and hopeless.â
âThe dark sideâŚâ Luke affirmed Hanâs words.
âI donât know how she got out of it Luke, I couldnât save her⌠I couldnât make my way to them, it was all beyond me,â he finally turned to look Luke in the eyes, âIâm no hero, kid.â
Luke drew a deep breath, looking down at the two still figures as they rested, the Mandalorian was somewhere beyond even the reach of the force⌠but the girl, the little wolf-cat as her friend so cheerfully called her⌠she was present, radiating light, but battling guilt.
âSometimes the galaxy doesnât need a hero, it just needs⌠people⌠people who know right from wrong,â Luke tried to console Han the best way his Jedi mind could think to.
Han pursed his lips and gave a nod, gripping Lukeâs shoulder before turning and leaving the room.
When Luke knew he was alone, he moved to stand next to the girl, hovering a hand over her restless mind, trying to send out peace through the force.
She had no reason to feel guilt, if anything this was all his fault. He pushed her, even when he knew he shouldnât have. His words had slipped and spilled to her a secret she was not yet ready to learn.
Her breathing slowed as she seemed to feel the calmness, he was willing her to accept.
His sister had been right, sometimes⌠the Jedi can be wrong⌠and sometimes, legend becomes truth.
He gave the two bodies one last look before leaving the room himself, leaving them to find their own peace, together.
--------
Your eyes struggled to open, every part of you felt heavy.
Limbs trapped at your sides as you tried to will any movement into them.
But it was all⌠so heavy.
Your throat felt raw and swollen as you tried to take a deep breath to manifest more energy.
Then a sudden thought flew to the forefront of your mind.
No, not a thought.
A person!
âDin!â You choked on the word, your throat completely annihilated, as you flew to an upright position, gasping. Your eyes stinging, even though it was only starlight coming in through the window.
It took a moment to adjust, but your realized where you were, the medbay in the Jedi temple. It was evening, the sun had long disappeared beneath the horizon of trees.
You stared out for a moment, trying to regain your bearings and catch your raspy breaths.
Then you felt it⌠him⌠or at least, some hint and semblance of his energy signature nearby.
You turned your head slowly, seeing the bacta tank to your left.
NoâŚ
This couldnât beâŚ
You tried to stand, to go over to it, but your legs were still far too heavy to lift.
âNo,â you whispered to yourself as you saw the profile of his face beneath the glass and steel.
Your body was exasperated but⌠your mind⌠your being seemed to feel renewed⌠awake⌠strongâŚ
This was the force Luke had been trying to show you.
It was so intense, this new feeling and acceptance of it that you almost fell back to the bed in overwhelmed exhaustion.
You decided fighting it would be useless, and instead you had to acknowledge it⌠feel it.
The world buzzed around you as you tried to focus, if you couldnât physically move your body the few feet to the left necessary to see him⌠than maybe you could make your mind⌠your energy to do it for you.
You took a few, deep, shuttery breaths as you closed your eyes, focusing on the bacta tank, a soft blue projecting from your physical being, shrouded in force energy.
You felt it float the small distance, curious as to why it was suddenly coming so easy to you.
It was as Din had reminded you on several occasions⌠you ran on pure instinct.
And this⌠felt natural.
You could feel your body becoming lighter as you rose on shaky limbs, your projection of the force guiding you to the bacta tank.
You stumbled a bit, catching yourself against the cool glass. Worried for a moment you might harm the man inside with the slight shake it caused.
Din was suspended in the liquid, a life support hose forcing breath into his lungs and the sight broke you.
You could make out the scar on his left eye, still trying to heal, despite the help of the bacta.
Remembering the sight of him bleeding in your hands sent a wave of emotions through you as you felt the sting of tears on your chapped skin.
You placed a hand to the glass as you wept, staring at the man who was always covered in armor⌠almost more machine than human⌠so unwillingly exposed behind the glass.
His chiseled muscles were on full display, a sight that had always been reserved for you⌠and only you.
It felt so wrong for the sacred view of him to be so⌠out in the open.
You pushed some tears from your cheeks as you clung to the glass.
âIâm so⌠sorry,â your voice cracked as you whispered to him, âItâs all my fault⌠I⌠I did this to youâŚâ
You searched for any signs of movement in him, his golden skin seemed pale in the blueish hue of the thick liquid.
There were none.
Legs still wobbling, you clung to the glass for support, making your way to the monitor on the side.
His heart was beating⌠weaklyâŚ
His oxygen levels seemed somewhat stable, but that could have been the tubes.
His brain activity⌠to say it was weak would be an understatement.
He was in a coma, and you put him there.
You clutched a hand to your chest, trying to gain control of the tears that kept falling.
You placed your other hand, palm open to the glass, closing your eyes you took a deep breath, trying to find his life force.
You focused on him, whispering his name into the air that filled the room, the sound so quiet and yet reverberating off of every surface.
âStarbirdâŚâ his voice echoed softly, from some dark place. You began feeling the pale blue light as it came in waves from your physical body, but with it tangled a soft white light⌠it was him⌠his force tangling itself with yours, letting you know he was still alive.
âStarbirdâŚâ his voice spoke again with more urgency.
âDinâŚâ you spoke back with your mind, âDin, Iâm so sorry.â
Itâs all you could say, its all you felt, you were wracked with guilt.
âNo,â his voice was a low whisper, âThis wasnât your fault.â
It was, it was and you knew it.
âDinâŚâ you tried to protest but his soul cut you off.
âNo⌠listenâŚâ he spoke hard and determined, âI donât know how long I can hold this, listen to me, please.â
He was begging.
I couldnât make him beg, but you did.
Kainâs cruel words echoed in your mind, pushing an ache deep within your heart.
âWasnât⌠your fault,â Din reiterated, âI knew the risk when I tried to stop you, Iâd do it again⌠just to⌠just toâŚâ
His voice was fading.
âJust to what?â you cried out, âDin, just to what?â
âHave to save you, always,â he was fading in and out, âAlways have to keep you safe.â
âNo,â you protested, âKeeping me safe comes at much too high a cost.â
âStarbird,â he was determined, weak but determined, âI will pay that price time⌠and time again⌠lâŚâ he seemed to be struggling on the next words he would say, âLo⌠love you⌠t-too⌠too much.â
You froze, all your energy focused on maintaining the beautiful tether of your two forces intertwined.
He had never said it, neither of you had⌠not so explicitly.
He loved you.
He did.
You began to worry if this was another trick of your own mind, your own grief but⌠something in you knew it wasnât.
âLove you⌠love you⌠I love you Starbird,â he began repeating, and it took everything for you not to climb into that bacta tank and hold him close.
âI⌠love you too Din,â you did, finally admitting it out loud to him. But the admission came with itâs own implications.
You loved him.
And all at once you knew what you had to do.
You had to as much for him as he had always done for you.
Had to keep you safe.
His energy shifted to a kind of peace at your words.
âI have to protect you Din,â you whispered through the force, âIâm gonna keep you safe, okay? Iâm gonna keep you safe from everything⌠including me.â
You choked on the last words, the realization of the next actions you would take hurting more than anything ever had in your entire life.
And that was saying something.
You had to get through it, without completely breaking.
âStarbird⌠Donât,â his force seemed to plead with you.
You swallowed down tears, nodding though he couldnât see you.
âDonât do thisâŚâ he said again, knowing you too well.
âI have to Din, I have to keep you as safe as you keep me,â you forced strength into your words, âI love you, I have to do this⌠itâs the only wayâŚâ
Stars, nothing had ever hurt so kriffing bad.
âN⌠noâŚâ his voice was almost fading completely.
âShhhh,â you pushed calmness towards him, âShhh⌠itâs going to be okay, save your strength my love⌠you have to heal⌠for the kid⌠for me.â
âYou⌠wonât even be here when I wake up,â you could feel the loneliness in his words, barely discernable as his voice faded.
âI will always be with you Din, in the safest place for both of us,â you clutched your palm to your heart, sending the image through to him in shades of white and blue.
âGoodbye Din⌠Please donât try to find me,â you sobbed as you severed the link.
He was still alive⌠he was healing⌠and he would be safest if you just⌠kept a distance.
You opened your eyes, taking one last look at his serene face⌠was his brow furrowed? Had his expression changed since your reached out to him?
That shot urgency through you, if he was moving his physical body, even enough to change his expression that meant he could wake up at any moment.
If that happened, you wouldnât have the strength to go.
You had to hurry, and quietly⌠You refused to let anyone stop you.
And while it killed you to go without saying goodbye to anyone.
You knew it was the only way you could go.
--------
Luke felt it, a strong light in the force pulling from the medical facilities of the temple.
She was awake.
He opened his eyes, breaking from the intensity of the meditation he was currently engaging in.
âSheâs going to leave,â he said to no one out loud, everyone in the temple was asleep, save for him.
âYou have to let her, young one,â his first masterâs voice startled him, coming from somewhere within him.
âBen?â Luke questioned.
âWe are all with her, as we are with you Luke,â Obi-Wanâs disembodied voice has a peace to it, âYou know what you must do.â
Luke nodded, the starlight reflecting in his eyes.
âGuide her, help her⌠but let her go, she has her own journey laying itself out before her and this is a necessary part of it,â he instructed to Luke.
âYes Master,â Luke, a master himself, one of the last Jedi masterâs, felt strange referring to him this way.
âShe will go to Tatooine,â Benâs voice was quiet but insistent that Luke hear him, âGive her the coordinates to my old hut⌠she will find everything she needs there to help her continue on this path.â
Luke nodded as he felt the force shift, his old master disappearing as he uncrossed his legs and moved to rise, making his way to the medbay.
Her force was tangling with the Mandalorianâs he realized as he walked, she was able to reach him where even Luke could not.
âYouâre full of surprises Wolf-cat,â he smiled to himself, refreshed with the realization of just how wrong he had been.
--------
You crept through the halls of the temple, trying to find the exit in your still somewhat dazed stupor. The blue light seemed to be guiding you, pale and indiscernible to the naked eye⌠but not to you.
You could see stars and the silhouette of trees beyond an opening, and you checked the halls for any signs of life before sprinting to it.
As soon as your barefeet touched the grass you paused, digging your toes into the soft terrain of the moon.
The cool, crisp air swirled around you as the galaxy shivered with you, hope was coming from every inch of you.
Hope for a new day.
Hope for a better life for those you loved.
Hope for Din to get through this, and always be safe.
âGoing somewhere?â Lukeâs voice caused you to spin around on your heels, suddenly very aware of the medical gown you were still wearing, not very exposed, but the material was thin.
âNâŚNo,â you tried to deceive him, but he saw right through it.
âI know,â he looked deep in your eyes, he did⌠he knew everything, and you could feel it, âWalk with me.â
He turned, knowing you would follow him.
The pace was slow, as you looked at his back with an eyebrow raised.
âHow did youâŚâ you began but he cut you off.
âThe force speaks,â he sounded so matter of fact, blunt in his candor.
You walked mostly in silence until you reached a stone circle just outside the makeshift hangar.
âSit,â Luke motioned to one of the flat stones, softened with moss.
âLuke, I donât have time,â if Din woke up, or anyone else found you⌠you didnât stand a chance.
âYou do,â he insisted, sitting down and crossing his legs on a flat stone opposite the one he motioned to, âSit, quickly now.â
You did as he said, mirroring his position, palms resting on your crossed knees, modesty slipped away as curiosity took over.
Luke didnât even notice, the Jedi never did.
âI have one more lesson to teach you,â he spoke calmly, closing his eyes, motioning for you to do the same.
You followed his instruction.
âSteady your breathing,â you had meditated with him before, during your short training.
You did as he said, âYou are strong with the force, but I cannot take you as a Padawan fully, the Jedi texts forbids it at your age⌠but your gifts are too rare⌠too precious to be allowed to go untrained.â
You understood, and he felt it.
âIâm going to speak quickly, pay attention because I do not have time to stop what I need to tell you,â Luke made sure you understood before he began a lengthy important monologue, âYou let go, and Iâm proud⌠You did something Iâm not sure many Jedi could come back from, the force chose you, the light has chosen to protect you⌠just as you chose it in order to save those you care about⌠The Jedi Code forbids attachment, but your bond was formed before this new path was designated towards you. Be mindful of your attachment.â
You began feeling projections from Luke, his force guiding you, showing you illustrations of his words.
âThe force of all the Jedi who have passed, lives in you as it does me, that is why when you chose the light⌠your strength came to full fruitionâŚâ he continued, âThe ancient texts describe a race of Jedi whoâs power lied within their imbalance, and so I must briefly but wholeheartedly apologize to you for trying to push you to deny all of your emotions.â
âItâs okay,â you willed it to him through the force.
âTatooine?â he raised an eyebrow.
How did he⌠how could he know that?
âThe force speaks,â he seemed to hear your thoughts, âYou have a long journey ahead of you, open your eyes, come with me.â
As you opened your eyes, he was already standing, hand outstretched to help you up.
You walked beside him towards the hangar as he spoke, you could see Artoo waiting for the two of you at the entrance to the modest hangar.
âYour secret will be safe with me, I will not tell anyone where you are going,â he was being honest, and you knew that.
He held his hand out to Artoo who beeped and gave Luke a small data stick with his small mechanical arm.
Luke placed the data stick in your palm, âThese are coordinates, a safe place you can stay⌠you will find many things⌠necessary for this path here.â
You were too bewildered to question him, simply nodding in shock as you continued taking in all of the information, he had to give you.
He placed a palm on your shoulder, staring directly into your eyes, âTrust your instincts, your feelings will not betray you, listen with the force.â
He place his hands on either side of your face, projecting one final thing into you.
A series of green flashes entered your mind, instructions⌠a path laid out before you.
Knowledge being passed instantly from his mind into yours.
You knew what you had to do⌠you knew everything.
The transfer stopped in an instant, and you gave Luke a determined⌠awakened nod.
âGood,â he reassured you, âAlright, I have a few more things for you.â
He stepped to a cabinet behind him.
He pulled out a medium sized, silver orb and a helmet.
âThis is a training simulation droid,â he spoke, âWhen your saber is ready, you can use this to teach yourself how to wield it, be careful.â
You nodded again as he pushed them into a large brown duffle.
He reached in again, pulling out what looked to be clothing.
âFlight suit, and vest⌠the younglings made them for you, hoping to give them to you when you woke up,â he smiled at the thought, âBut Iâm sure they wonât mind if I give them to you myself, your boots are here as wellâŚâ he searched the cabinet, âAh⌠hereâŚâ He placed them all into the duffle as well.
âNowâŚâ he seemed to think, âThis is important Wolf-Cat,â he looked at you serious, âGive me your hand.â
You did as he said, he pushed something cold and familiar into your hand.
When you opened your palm, you saw your motherâs necklace, the one she had given you, the light blue kyber crystal glowing almost brilliantly⌠you had never seen it shine so immaculately.
âWe found it in the Mandalorianâs utility belt when we transferred him to the bacta tank,â Luke spoke solemnly, âBut⌠youâre going to need it now.â
Emotions began to run through you as you clutched it tight to your chest.
âThere are credits, and a few blasters in this duffle as well, enough to help you make your way,â he was speeding up his words, sensing the urgent need to help you leave before anyone woke up as the sun began peaking low on the horizon.
âYour spear,â he frowned, looking down at it, âIt⌠broke in two when youâŚâ
You knew what he was going to say, your gift from Din⌠pure beskar⌠melted in your flames.
You reached out and took the half with the sharp end from him, âWill you make sure he gets the other half?â
Luke raised an eyebrow, curious as to your reasoning.
âBeskar⌠belongs to the Mandalorians,â itâs all you could say, not even fully aware of your own reasoning for splitting the two pieces, it just felt right.
He gave you a somewhat understanding nod.
âDo you know how to fly a Y-wing?â he prodded.
âYes,â you spoke quickly, the sun rising further.
He zipped the duffle, throwing it over his shoulder as he grabbed the back of your shoulder pushing you towards an older model, pain chipping.
âIâm afraid this is the only ship I can spare⌠or bare to part with,â he sighed, âIt doesnât look like much, but Iâve completely replaced all the electrical components.â
âItâs perfect,â you reassured as he threw the duffle into the small cargo hold just at the base.
âHurry now,â he ussured you in, handing you a starfighter helmet as you climbed into the cockpit.
It felt strange behind the controls, shoeless and without a flight suit, but there wasnât time.
Youâd change when you got to Tatooine.
âSheâs fueled up,â Luke spoke quickly, âYou should make it without having to stop, now go.â
He slapped the side of the ship, metal ringing.
Muscle memory took over as you flicked the numerous switches, starting the small ship and closing the glass dome.
Luke moved a safe distance away as you began the preparations to move forward onto the runway.
âLukeâŚâ you willed to him through the force.
âYes?â he responded instantly.
âThank youâŚâ you meant it with all of your being. Gratitude emitting from your chest in waves.
You looked to your left and saw him nod, âIâll keep them safe.â
You nodded in response as you pushed the controls forward, making a safe distance away before lifting off into the atmosphere.
âGoodbye,â you whispered to everyone you cared about on the ground below, âIâm so⌠so⌠sorry.â
-------
He tried to call out to her, unable to speak.
His throat was full, and he choked against the intrusion, something forcing air down his throat and into his lungs.
He tried to blink awake, but there was fluid⌠thick⌠stinging his eyes.
He thrashed within it.
He had to get to her.
He felt weak, but pushed himself, gathering all of his strength to his limbs.
Moving his legs, his feet pressed hard against the glass either side of him.
Reaching his arms up he felt his palms against the cold steel.
This was a bacta tank, he hadnât been in one in years, but he remembered the way it felt.
StarbirdâŚ
He reminded himself as he used his legs as leverage, pushing himself upward so the top would release.
He felt it give and quickly grabbed the rim of the tank, holding on with one hand as he took a deep breath through the respirator, using his other to yank it free.
Quickly he grabbed the top with his other hand, pain shot through his entire body.
But it didnât matter.
He had to get to her.
He summoned every last ounce of muscle he could find and pulled himself up from the tank, falling in a loud, slippery calamity to the hard floor.
âStarbird,â he gasped, gripping at the bed in front of the tank to get to his feet.
He used the blanket to wipe the bacta from his eyes.
The sunlight on the horizon was stinging, but he didnât care.
His body shivered at the sudden chill he felt.
Cool air on wet skin.
He took a step, falling again.
âNo,â he scoffed to himself, âNo, get up.â
He pushed once more, throwing himself to the window, the undeniable sound of a ship taking off sent waves of heartache through him.
He gripped the sill of it, trying to focus his vision as he saw it.
Breaking the atmosphere was a lone Y-wing, it was her.
He could feel the emptiness that came with her departure.
She was no longer there, filling him with her presence.
She was too far away.
âShe⌠leftâŚâ he could feel tears starting to form in his tired eyes, dizzy with agony both physical and emotional, âShe actually did itâŚâ
His throat felt like sandpaper as he spoke aloud to himself.
âNo,â he choked, it was all he could say.
He had been too late.
He wasnât there to stop her, to keep her safe.
He slid to his knees, pressing his back against the wall, too weak to continue standing as he sobbed into his hands, body shivering but he didnât care.
Pain wrecking through him.
But it didnât matter.
She was gone, and he could feel himself dying inside.
Part of him wished he had died, then he wouldnât have to endure the pain of being⌠barely too late to stop her from leaving him.
âGoodbye,â he heard her voice whisper somewhere deep inside of him, âIâm so⌠so⌠sorry.â
He felt himself crumble, the strong Mandalorian, an indestructible weapon of pure beskar, vulnerable and heart broken.
His body destroyed, his mind aching, his heart completely shattered.
âPleaseâŚâ he begged to no one.
He couldnât understand what was happening.
Why⌠noâŚ
How⌠she could do this?
She was all he had ever needed in this entire maker forsaken galaxy, and she just⌠abandoned him.
He felt completely alone, slipping to his side on the floor, knees curled to his chest as he fought every kind of pain imaginable.
He remembered her soul⌠tangled with his⌠pleading with her⌠telling her that he loved her. Over and over again.
The words replayed in his mind.
He took a few shuttering breaths as he tried to focus himself against the ache, tears still flooding from his eyes.
He was lost.
Hurt.
Confused.
AloneâŚ.
And it made him⌠angryâŚ
The realization made him calm a bit as the door opened.
Cara flew in, crouching in front of him, yelling for help.
âMando, hey⌠hey,â she soothed, placing a hand on his shaking shoulder, âItâs okay, itâs okay, youâre okay.â
He shook his head weakly as she slung the blanket from the bed over his body.
âNo⌠she⌠sheâs gone,â he swallowed his tears.
Cara raised an eyebrow, looking to the window.
Din could see her smirking from his blurred vision and the look stunned him.
How could Cara be soâŚ
âOh little Wolfie,â her low chuckle interrupted his train of thought, âYou kriffing stupid⌠stupid girl.â
He opened his mouth to question her, so shocked at her reaction that he was frozen, completely still.
But Caraâs eyes crinkled into those cheerfully annoyed slits, like she had a private joke to share with him.
She leaned in closer, whispering it like a secret.
âPoor girl,â she laughed in a feminine baritone, âThinking she could outrun the best bounty hunter in the galaxy.â
He knew she meant him, and suddenly the anger and pain gave way to a new purpose.
âStupid⌠stupid girl,â she laughed as Luke and Leia ran in to help get Din into the bed.
He stared out the window as they moved his body around, trying to get him cleaned up.
It was painful, and he felt tired, but he didnât care.
All he cared about were Caraâs words.
She had been right.
If anyone could find her⌠knock some sense into her⌠it was him.
I donât know if itâs me but on the Better Choice master list Chapter 10 is loaded with Chapter 9 and I donât know if thereâs a way to read Ch. 10 as itâs straight to Ch.11 after that.
âMama⌠Papa⌠Is it really you?â you felt the tears burning in your eyes as you stared in disbelief at the two figures standing a short distance away from you.
âWhat do you mean little wolf-cat?â Your fathers deep, raspy voice boomed from that warm place within his chest, âOf course itâs us!â
He chuckled softly as your mother eyed Din with a wondering look.
Every detail of them was as you remembered, their bodies tangible and only a few feet away.
You felt Dinâs hand rest itself reassuringly on your lower back as he all but pushed your legs to move forward.
âCome in sweetheart,â your motherâs soft voice beckoned towards you, âSomethings troubling you, and I want you to tell me all about it.â
She finished her words just as the space between you closed, linking her arm in yours and using her own momentum to pull you the remainder of the way into the small hut.
Your chest ached as you pushed beyond the threshold. It was so familiar and yet somehow different at the same time. The scent around you was overwhelming. Spices and fragrances of your motherâs cooking filled your nostrils.
It had been ages since you could remember such a delectable aroma.
âTake a seat dear,â your father ushered as Din reached forward and pulled a simple wooden chair out for you. No doubt hand carved by your father.
Your knees felt weak as you slowly sank down to the hard surface, removing yourself from your motherâs grasp as Din squeezed your shoulder softly, taking the seat next to you.
Your mother turned to the small kitchen and poured drinks into two glasses before placing them in front of you and Din.
You glanced up at her a bit confused, âYouâre not having anything?â
She glanced quickly, wearily at your father. It was so subtle that someone with less observational skills would have missed it completely.
Your fatherâs brow seemed worried as he shifted in his chair, quickly hiding it with a smile.
âOh Wolf-cat, weâre not the ones who just trekked through the forest,â he chuckled softly, âThe two of you must be famished.â
Something about the tone in your fatherâs voice made you feel slightly uneasy as you brought the cup to your lips.
You eyed Din from the side as the lukewarm liquid climbed down your throat. He drank it with ease.
This wasnât something the Mandalorian usually did, he always did whatever he could to keep his senses completely unclouded.
He was a mechanical machine.
Always on high alert.
You swallowed hard, the alcohol your parents kept in the house had always tasted like shit.
You smiled at a memory of you and Cara, steeling off in the night, trying to fool the classy cantinaâs of Alderaan into letting you in. And when that failed the two of you would sneak around the back entrance. Desperate for the taste and the feelings the renowned wine would give you.
âWhat are you doing Wolfie?â Caraâs voice echoed from somewhere outside you. It was a whisper, projected so loud it made you flinch.
You shuddered her voice away, the reaction not lost on your parents or Din. He gripped your thigh beneath the table, his touch soothing and reassuring you.
He knew something was off, you both did. What was real?
âSweetheart,â your mother furrowed her brow, concerned, âWhat is it exactly thatâs troubling you?â
You took a deep breath, looking down at your hands in your lap, fidgeting slightly. Dinâs large hand still laying gently, comforting you.
He moved his thumb slightly, coaxing you to look over to him. His beautiful brown eyes penetrating your own deeply.
He seemed to ask without words, if you wanted him to try and explain it for you.
The only response you could give was a faint nod.
He placed a soft kiss to your forehead as you looked back down to your hands.
âShe woke up this morning, and she seemsâŚâ his voice drifted as he tried to find the words, âShe seems lost.â
You could hear your motherâs chair shift against the dirt floor beneath you.
âShe⌠has gaps in her memories⌠and seems⌠confused?â he ends the phrase as a question. Heâs unsure how to explain it himself.
âI see,â your father says softly. Deep in contemplative thought.
âDin,â your mother spoke up, clearing her throat, âI wonder if we might have a moment alone with our daughter?â
Your head jerked up, you werenât sure why exactly, but you were almost afraid.
Afraid to be left with these⌠ghosts⌠only they werenât ghosts right?
They were here.
They were real.
Right?
âOf course Zaredea!â his voice cracked slightly when he addressed your mother by her name.
He stood slowly, bringing you to your feet as well.
âIâll be right back, my beloved girl,â he smiled, a smile that sent a thousand aches through your heart as you followed him to the door.
He motioned his head for you to follow him outside, and you did so⌠without question.
âI promise, itâs all going to be okayâŚâ his voice was soft as he pulled you in tightly once you had made it beyond the door.
You felt his heart beat hard⌠too hard⌠in his chest against your ear⌠it was almost erratic in rhythm.
Contrasting strongly with how calm and composed he seemed.
âIâm scared Din,â you allowed yourself to finally whisper outloud.
âMe too, Starbird⌠me too⌠please⌠youâre the only one who can save me,â his voice was strained and broken, causing you to leap back horrified as you looked at him.
Another flash of his face, ashen and bloody. The gouge at his right eye forcing tears to your eyes. When you blinked one away⌠it was goneâŚ
He was once again untouched, tan skin glistening to perfection in the filtered sunlight beneath the canopy of the forest that engulfed this moon.
âHey, hey!â He took a hesitant step forward, his palm outstretched towards you, âWeâre going to figure this out my love, I swear it.â
You shook your head a bit too violently, getting a grip on the world around you, desperate to change the subject, âWhere will you go?â
He chuckled softly at your deflection, âIâm going to go see my parents, just over there, theyâre waiting for me already. Somehow they always knowâŚâ his laugh became heartier as he pointed behind you towards a hut at the end of the village.
A man and woman stood, cloaked in crimson clothing, their faces blurred.
You couldnât make them out in detail⌠but perhaps that was the truth of it all.
You had never known them⌠was it the distance that distorted their faces? Or was it just the honesty at the core of this reality surrounding you?
You shook the though from your head as he pulled you in to kiss him.
It was hungry and tired all at the same time.
Your lips fitting perfectly together but tainted by a metallic taste you fought to ignore.
He finally pulled away, placing a gentle kiss to your forehead as he wiped the hint of tears from your cheeks with his soft thumbs.
âIâll be right back,â he whispered, you believed him. Watching as he slowly made the walk to his parents, glancing back every few steps, nodding each time in reassurance.
When they took him in his arms, it felt wrong to keep staring so you turned once more to face the door of your parentsâ hut, gathering your breath before you stepped back in.
âItâs just a dream,â you whispered to yourself, half-convinced as you pushed through the opening, âDin will be right back.â
--------
Han handed Leia the pair of binocs just as he, Luke, and Chewie approached. She quickly put them to her eyes, trying hard to see through the window, but her height and the height of the flames proposed an obstacle.
âI canât see a thing through these flames,â she huffed, throwing them to the ground.
âMaybe I should just throw another rock?â Han raised an eyebrow, sarcasm edging his tone.
A sarcasm obviously lost on Luke.
âNo!â he all but shouted in response, âWeâre not going to hurt her, we donât know what could happen!â
âIt was a joke kid,â Hanâs tone regained itâs seriousness before he turned to Leia, who was staring intently at the building, âSo what do we do? Just wait?â
She took an exasperated breath giving him a nod, âWe just wait.â
Han placed his hand softly at her shoulder, âI wish there was more I could do.â
âWe all do,â Luke interjected, âBut for now, itâs like Leia says. We just wait, for the flames to dip lower and give us a chance.â
The four stood close together, ready for anything the wall of flames could give them, Leia rested her head against Chewie, growing exhausted from all the staring and waiting.
And staringâŚ
And waitingâŚ
But also feeling, feeling the two life forms inside the ruined temple, one growing stronger, one growing weaker.
But still alive.
They were both still alive.
Drowning in the force that filled the walls.
A force so strong, none of them had felt it before.
--------
You sat at the table, the silence deafening as you watch your father fidget and stand.
You stared up at him, your mother as visibly shocked as you were.
âIâm sorry my love, I canât do this⌠I canât do this to her,â his voice was broken as he stared weepy eyed down at your mother.
âOgwrenn⌠you know we have to, you know what she stands to lose,â her voice was a whisper but you still heard every word, confusion ripping through you.
He shook his head, âI know, I know⌠I thought I could⌠but I just canâtâŚâ
They seemed to say something to each other with their eyes, and your mother understood whatever he was getting at as he squeezed her shoulder and left the room.
âMama, what is it?â your voice cracked, concerned and disjointed.
âSweetheart,â she whispered, broken, as she reached across the table to grab your hand in hers, âWe⌠need to talk.â
âAbout what?â you almost sounded defensive, âAnd why is it something that terrifies Papa so?â
âShall we go for a walk?â your mother suggested, deflecting your question, âIt may be better if I show youâŚâ
You pursed your lips, giving her a hesitant nod.
You would do anything to understand what was going on, to understand why you couldnât remember anything.
Why all of your memories were so differentâŚ
The two of you made it outside, your mother pulling the door behind you, taking your arm in hers as she leaned against you, happy and safe as you walked to the foot of the village, you couldnât see Din anywhere and you were unsure of where she was leading you.
Once you got to an unfamiliar path, she led you on, finally speaking, âI know thatâŚâ she contemplated her next words, âYou know something isnât right about this place little star,â she stopped walking.
âOr thereâs something not right with me,â you retorted giving a small chuckle with no heart behind it.
âOh sweetheart,â she pulled you to face her, looking into her eyes, glistening with hidden tears, âThere is nothing wrong with you, and the fact that people always seem to tell you there is⌠is perhaps exactly how you ended up here in the first place.â
âWhat do you mean mama?â your voice broke, searching her for every answer, one of the only people you had always been able to trust.
âThe universe has delt you a bad hand of Sabacc, little star,â she gave you a reassuring nod, âBut that does not mean you have to be broken, that does not mean that there is something wrong with you.â
âMama, I donât know what hand itâs dealt me,â you admitted feverishly, âI donât even know whatâs real, itâs like Iâm waking up from a nightmare, the worst nightmare⌠years of my life⌠horrific years⌠and now I canât even remember anything but them.â
âThatâs because there is nothing else to remember,â your mother searched your eyes to see if her blunt statement sparked any realization in your own.
âNoâŚâ you let out a soft gasp, âThis place is⌠perfect⌠itâs real⌠I can feel you, I can smell the leaves, itâs⌠no.â
âItâs too perfect, dear,â she sighed, leading you deeper into the woods until you reached a row of distorted trees⌠they were blurry, but not from distance⌠they were inches from your face, but seemed somehow smudged.
âWhat is this?â you asked, reaching out to touch one as your hand seemed to float straight through it.
âThis is the boundary,â she answered simply, âA place youâve seen, but never been close enough to get the details just right.â
You shook your head, âThat doesnât make any sense.â
âEverything here, everyone here, is a memory,â she held your hand tightly, âThe spirit of the past, combined with your present,â she gave your hand a squeeze, âIt only exists here, if youâve seen it before,â a small smile splayed across her soft features, âYou always did have such an eye and attention for detail, little star, even when you were small.â
âButâŚâ you stammered trying to understand what she was saying, âIt canât be, Iâve never seen a village on this moonâŚâ
âDo the clay stones not seem out of place against this landscape,â she asked, she wasnât wrong, âYouâve seen this village⌠just not here.â
You shook your head, âAnd⌠Dinâs parents⌠Iâve never seen them⌠they⌠they died when he was a childâŚâ
âBut did you see them⌠really see them?â she raised an eyebrow, âOr were they just the blurred spirits of a hope deep within you? Of a longing to take away every bad card the two of you had ever been dealt?â
The tears were building now as you fought yourself to deny her words, but something in you knew⌠something in you wondered.
You dropped to your knees, shaking your head rapidly.
âNo mama⌠noâŚ.â the only words you could say repeating themselves over and over again.
âWhat did you long for, more than anything, as a youngling Wolfie?â she questioned, kneeling in front of you.
âThe skyâŚâ you answered without hesitation, âI wanted so badly to be free, like you and Papa, feeling myself float away from everyoneâŚâ
âAnd what are you here?â she was pushing you to realize your own truthâŚ
The orange jumpsuit in the small closet flashed in your mind⌠painted with the rebel Starbird.
âA rebel pilot,â you gasped. Something beginning to click within you.
âAnd Din, what is he?â she asked.
âA trooper of some kind,â you shook your head, confused.
âA shock trooper,â she confirmed to you, âWhy is that? What is the significance of this and why is it the first thing you made himâŚâ
âCara,â you whispered, âAnd⌠and his parentsâŚâ the tears ere falling rapidly now, âIf his parents hadnât died⌠he would have never been taken in by the Mandalorians⌠he could have chosen a different pathâŚâ
âThe man you have created here,â your mother began hesitantly, âIs not the man you fell in love withâŚâ
Your body twitched at her words.
âLove?â you raised an eyebrow in disbelief, forcing your mother to laugh softly.
âI know you my little star,â she smiled, bringing her forehead to yours, âYou love him⌠the real him⌠and heâsââ
âHow do you know all of this?â you cut her off abruptly, without warning. âHow is it, that you know all of these things, but Din seems to be clueless?â
She let out a sigh, leaning back on her heals and turning to look into the foliage around you.
âBecause your father and I are lost to this world, little star,â her voice seemed airy and distant, âOur souls have left our physical bodies, to become one with the world around us. When this reality was conjured, we felt your need for us, and we came.â
âHow?â you were choking on the sobs in your throat, âIf youâre gone, youâre gone. Why is your soul here?â
âWith great sacrifice at the end of oneâs life, your spirit may be allowed to join with the force. It is conjured by others when absolutely necessary, your father and IâŚâ she trailed off, tears in her own throat, âWe gave our lives to save as many people as we could before Alderaanâs destruction⌠to save youâŚâ
You couldnât control yourself as you almost lept to pull her into your arms, crying into her hair.
âYou shouldnât have save me mama,â you wept, âI hurt so many people, I killed him⌠thatâs why heâs here⌠he tried to stop and I lost control and now heâs⌠heâsâŚâ
âNo no, little star,â she pulled back to brush the hair from your eyes, âNo⌠thatâs why he is lost⌠he is lingering between the universe and life⌠he is holding on⌠you have to let him go.â
âHe.. he⌠Mama I donât understandâŚâ you said between gasps.
âYou have to let go⌠of all of itâŚâ she whispered, pulling you to her breast.
âI⌠thatâs what Luke told me⌠I donât know how to do it mama, Iâm so⌠broken⌠And all of those things have changed me, I canât let them go,â you cried out to her.
âMy sweet, sweet little star,â she pressed her mouth into your hair, âYou do not need to let it go, the Jedi has that much wrong⌠they always misunderstand. You have to simply⌠choose.â
âChoose?â you raised an eyebrow against her.
âChoose, whether or not to accept that pain and fear for what it is. For the good it has done. For he way it shaped you into truly seeing the good in the world. For not taking any of it for granted,â her wise words began echoing in your mind, âOr let it consume you. Overtake you.â
âI donât know how mama,â your voice was weak, like a childâs.
âYes you do,â she began, as you noticed the world around you becoming more still, breezes no longer shuffling through the leaves of the woods around you, âItâs already begun, but you have to loosen your grip⌠let this world go. Save Din. Save the man you love. He is dying, little star.â
âBut weâre safe here,â you pulled back from her, âYou are here⌠Papa is here⌠this place⌠it⌠itâs everything Iâve ever loved, back with me.â
âNo,â she shook her head, âCara, the Jedis, Grogu⌠tell me little star, have you seen them since you got here?â
You took a beat to consider her words, realizing she was right. They⌠werenât here. Your mother could tell by the look in your eyes that you were realizing her words were true.
âThe fully alive cannot come to such a place,â she whispered determined, âYou cannot bring them here, they will become lost to you.â
You shook your head violently, âNo⌠I⌠the kidâŚâ your heart broke, thinking of Din having to live in a world without the little womp-rat you had grown so fond of. The one that changed him.
âThere it is,â her voice was soft, âSave him.â
âBut I canât lose you and Papa again,â you choked, almost screaming it at her.
She brushed your hair with her hands as she finally let her own tears fall, âYou never lost us Wolfie⌠weâve always been here, holding your hand.â
âNo mama, you- you,â she cut you off before you could protest.
âThrough everything⌠Kain⌠Rerick⌠all of itâŚ,â her heart sounded shattered as she forced the names out, âWeâve been here with you, willing all the strength we had between us⌠into you.â
You stared into her eyes, the wisest person youâd ever known⌠speaking to you with pure honesty.
âI love you so much mama,â you wept, burying yourself against her.
âI love you too, my little star,â she said softly, âNow you donât have much time. There is a battle for you waging between both sides of the force⌠and Din grows weaker with every second that passes.â
You gave her a questioning nod, unsure of what her battle comment meant, but too afraid to keep spending time here. The world beginning to move quickly around you once more.
âLetâs go say goodbye little star,â she whispered as she stood to her feet. Helping you up.
She held you tightly as the two of you made your way back to the village.
Youâd always hated goodbyes.
--------
âDo you see that?â Luke spoke loudly, shaking Han and Leia from their exhausted daze.
Chewie growled out, taking a step closer to the flames.
âThey⌠theyâre almost frozen,â Leia spoke in astonishment as she watched the movement of the flames still.
âThis could be our only chance,â Luke said almost under his breath.
The flames were still too thick, no matter how calm they seemed to be.
Han took a few steps to the side, walking alone, closely along the perimeter until he saw a narrow gap.
He took a deep breath, âAlways the hero when I shouldnât be.â
He rolled his eyes as he carefully climbed into the gap, reaching the other side of the blazing gate the girl had built.
Just then they started moving again. Raging even stronger than before.
âShit,â Han whispered as he heard Leia call his name, âIâve got a bad feeling about this.â
âHan!â Leiaâs voice grew louder from the other side of the firey inferno.
âUhm, I found an opening,â Han said, unsure sarcasm still echoing in his tone even now.
âWhat do you mean?â Luke yelled over the sound of the flames.
âI mean I found an opening and now Iâm inside this damned inferno, kid!â Han yelled, sounding annoyed.
âNo,â he heard Leia gasp, âHan, now isnât the time for amusements.â
He could see her vague outline on the other side.
âLeia, look in front of you,â he spoke as she instantly turned on her heels, âDoes this look like a joke to you?â
âHan, what have you done?â Luke whispered.
âWhat we were all trying to do in the first place,â he rolled his eyes.
Leia could feel fear brewing in her chest, it had been the first time she could remember feeling that particular emotion at this intensity. She kept it to herself, Luke was so strict on emotions.
Especially now.
She clutched her womb as she swallowed it deep inside, feeling the movements of her child as he almost seemed to feel it too.
âIâm going to try to go in,â Han sighed, thinking thereâs no use trying to put off the inevitable, âIâll try to stay hidden, and come back and report what I see.â
He made his way up the steps, unprepared and ill-equipped for the sight he was about to walk in on.
--------
Black.
Flashes.
Her face in the sun, looking more beautiful than ever.
Black.
Pain, as his chest shook violently as he choked for what little air he could take in.
His parents.
Ghosts of them.
Black.
Was this death?
He was blinded by the blood filling his vision.
Her sobbing face as she emerged from the treeline, clinging to a familiar woman.
It had been like this for hours.
Black.
And flashes.
Pain.
And no pain.
This time the black wasnât coming as quickly as it left.
He squinted against the sunlight as he found himself struggling to run to her.
His body felt light as his pace quickened.
No armor.
What was this place?
âStarbird,â he choked as he came to her. The woman smiling and nodding softly as she entered a nearby hut.
âDin,â she said, her voice raw from the tears in her eyes, âIâm so sorry, I have toâŚâ
Black.
He fought against it, the pain in his body so intense he was almost numb.
His ragged breaths sending his body into shakes.
This was death.
Maker, this was death.
He choked as he forced himself to search for her.
Light.
She was turning to enter a hut before he grabbed her arm, using all his strength to pull her to him.
âPlease⌠donât let me be goneâŚâ he almost begged, gripping her arm almost tight enough to leave marks.
âDin,â she choked, unable to look him in the eyes, âIâm trying⌠I⌠Iâm going to fix this.â
âPlease⌠Starbird,â he gasped, sputtering metallic liquid from his lips.
As if she realized what was happening she pulled herself foreward, cupping his cheek in her small hand, âI promise Din⌠Iâm tryingâŚâ
âDonât let me be goââ he began to scream and plead at her, desperate as he slipped back into the black darkness.
Heat surrounding him as he felt himself drift further into the blackness.
Disappearing into the echoes of her voice.
His voice too.
Only it wasnât his words.
How long had he been listening to these talks⌠only able to stop the voices when he returned to her.
Black.
And flashes.
Hours?
Black.
Flashes.
BlackâŚ
--------
 You pulled Din by the hand into your parentsâ hut, eyes full of tears, fingers shaking in his as he questioned you, not remembering the way he begged you to save him only moments ago.
Your father and mother were holding each other as your eyes finally adjusted to the light.
The slightest glimmer of tears threatening each of their eyes.
âAnd so you know, little wolf-cat,â your fatherâs voice was low, hoarse.
You gave him a nod, confirming his statement to be true.
âSo this is goodbye?â he questioned, finally letting your mother go as he took a step towards you, arms stretched out to pull you in for a tight embrace.
âAnd so this is goodbye,â you repeated taking him in. Remembering his smell and his warmth for the last time.
Din stood confused, âWhere are you going, Starbird?â
Your father pulled away, giving you a wink, telling you it was okay to spare yourself the ache of one more goodbye. Especially considering, this was not entirely the man you loved, not at this moment anyway.
âTatooine, Din,â you smiled, half-heartedly, âWeâve got to go to Tatooine.â
You thought of the desert, how one day you would go back there. The thought of Dinâs last, real words to you fueling your answer.
âI donât think tears are worth that maker-foresaken desert?â he raised an eyebrow, the obliviousness of his response forcing an awkward chuckle to escape your lips.
âGoodbye, my little star,â your mother broke the awkwardness as she and your father both pulled you in for the tightest hug you could ever remember.
âDonât let them win,â your father whispered faintly, âLet us go⌠choose to let the light guide you.â
You gave him a nod as your mother kissed your cheek, âThe only way out is to let go, close your eyes now dear.â
You did as she said, hearing Din shuffle in the background.
âFind him⌠use the force to find him,â she coached you as you felt yourself slipping into darkness, âLet his spirit guide you⌠pull yourself back to himâŚâ
You could feel everything moving as you focused, finally landing on the sound of whispers and Dinâs rasping breaths.
âThere you are,â you whispered, unsure if anyone could hear you.
âWe love you,â your parents voices began to fade as you choked on your tears.
âI love you too,â you almost screamed but your voice was quiet in your chest.
Everything slipping around you as you felt yourself floating within the force.
âLet go,â you whispered, taking slow breaths, your motherâs guidance echoing through your mind.
Let⌠goâŚ
--------
 Han noticed an ethereal, blue glow amongst the flames as he peaked around the stones at the entrance to the abandoned temple.
He ignored it as his eyes focused on the orange flames emitting from the center of the room.
The girl was there, hovering above the limp body of the Mandalorian.
He was in bad shape.
He panned the room, trying to develop some form of plan on how he could stop this, or help the most likely dead man crumbled on the floor.
Thatâs when he saw it.
Or more accurately⌠when he saw them.
Glowing blue, spirit like figures on one side of the girl. Watching⌠waiting⌠he wasnât sure.
âHan,â one of them spoke, jolting him deep under his skin.
He didnât recognize many of the faces, but one stood out more than the other.
The old man the kid was with the first time they met.
What was his name?
Ben?
âBen?â Han almost whispered in disbelief, rapidly blinking his eyes in case he was hallucinating.
âYes,â Benâs voice was calm as always, that emotionless Jedi tone, âDonât be alarmed Han.â
âAlarmed?â Han retorted, âIâm talking to the blue blob of a dead man! Forgive me if I am just the slightest alarmed.â
âI see that hardened attitude of yours hasnât softened,â Ben spoke, never taking his eyes from the girl, but speaking directly to Han all the same.
âWhat exactly is going on here?â Han finally decided to ask, still only peeking from the corner of the stone entrance.
âAn anomaly in the force, a myth young SoloâŚâ his voice was wise and to the point, âSomething no Jedi has bared witness to in our entire age.â
âThis is impossible, thatâs impossible,â Han snorted, âI must be hallucinating, must be all the smoke inhalation.â
âLegend this is,â a froggy voice croaked, Han noticed a small creature who looked like an ancient version of the little green kid, âImpossible, I think not.â
Han was about to open his voice to argue when Ben spoke up.
âYou should get out of here Han, before this battle begins, they are waiting,â Benâs voice sounded serious.
Just then Han noticed the growls and whispers coming from the other side of the temple, he looked further in and saw them.
Hooded figures moving in the shadows, inching their way closer to the girl.
He watched in horror as they and the blue spirits reached for her.
âTake care of my daughter Han,â another voice with a slight wine to it, belonging to a young, long-haired looking Jedi spoke, âBe the man I could not.â
Han shook his head, turning his back to the temple entrance, he wasnât even sure how or if he could explain what he saw to Luke or Leia. Still half-convinced it was a hallucination brought on by the intensity of the situation.
He was about to begin walking down when a quiet, growl of a voice whispered across his shoulders, âShe who will be born to darkness, will give birth to darkness.â
His entire body broke into chills as he collapsed on the stone steps.
Hands shaking as he sat there frozen, trying to decide his next move.
Leia could never know what he saw, what he heard.
He couldnât tell her.
--------
You floated in the silence, focused on the sound of Dinâs breaths, ragged and out of time with your own slow⌠meditative ones.
A voice broke through, causing you to jerk. A voice you had never heard.
âBe mindful of your thoughts, young one,â an older male voice echoed from somewhere around you.
âDo this you will, focus you must,â a different voice came.
You struggled to ease your breathing.
âLove can save him,â another came, âDonât let the power blind you into thinking it canât.â
âDonât let what the Jedi donât understand, destroy you girl,â another kind voice came, âWe are still learning from the mistakes of our past.â
âWeâre with you, my little star,â your motherâs voice spoke softly.
âWe will never leave you,â your fatherâs came.
âConcentrate on the moment, feel, donât think,â another voice came, âUse your instincts⌠your focus determines your reality.â
You heard the hissing of whispers as what felt like the ghosts of hands gripped at your ankles.
âDonât let them persuade you,â the first voice came again, âThis choice is yours.â
You tried to pull against the hands, trying to find Din again.
Nothing the eery whispers said was discernable, all talking over each other.
âDin,â you said in a hushed tone, hoping only he could hear it as you saw a small light in the darkness.
You closed your eyes and willed yourself to it, pulling against the grip of the hands.
You were just about to touch it when another voice made you freeze.
âI couldnât make him beg,â Kainâs voice growled at you, making you feel sick to your stomach, âI couldnât make him beg, but oh⌠how you did.â
You lost your breath for a moment, the hands gripping tighter.
âOnly you can save him,â one of the voices almost repeated itself, âBe better than I was, let go.â
It seemed to give you the push you needed, screaming as you reached towards the light.
Feeling it engulf you as you collapsed to your knees on hard stone, the entire universe vibrating around you, falling into silence.
And just then, you opened your eyes.
Your perfect, safe, forgotten world shattering around you.
But it wasnât in the way that glass, or precious gems shatter, in a sharp, dangerous, reckless mess.
No.
It was like paint chipping from a surface.
Peeling back itâs layers and revealing the ashy, black stone of the abandoned temple.
Reality, now crushing your chest, as if a planet had just been dropped on you, as all the strength left your body.
Then the heat came, sparks of flames entering your body, filling you with a heat as they disappeared from your surroundings, returning to their origin within your soul.
You felt your body slip to the ground, your head colliding with stone as you felt a hand gently reach out.
âStarbird,â the air whispered, barely a voice as you forced your eyes to open, you were laying in front of him.
His face broken and bloody as panic rang through your body.
But you didnât have the strength, there was no strength left in you to call out for help as you struggled to keep your eyes open.
âS⌠saved me⌠you⌠savedâŚâ his raspy, fading voice died out as everything around you slipped into nothing, using the last speck of energy you had to place your hand on his.
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