What if Cal Kestis had heard Grogu reaching out instead of Luke?
The ship Cal had boarded with was particularly floatsum. It makes him miss the Razor Crest even more but the feeling is fleeting as he settles into the passenger seat with Grogu clutched securely in his arms.
He has to stop the kid from reaching for everything around him, as Cal begins to enter co-ordinates for Kashyyyk. Din was familiar with the planet the Wookies called home but never had reason to venture there until now.
Once the child settled down, Din took the opportunity to look over at his new companion.
It was hard to guess how old he was. The shock of red hair showed no signs of aging but Din could see the beginnings of crows feet and laughter lines on his face. It was hard to connect the calm man in front of him with the one he saw through the monitors aboard the Imperial cruiser.
He can't help but imagine what happens next. What was on Kashyyk? Were there other Jedi there or did they have allies among the Wookies? Din had never come in contact with a Wookie, even after all his years of bounty hunting. Word of their suffering had reached even the Covert though. Din can't help but wonder what was left there now.
Finally, he wonders who the man in front of him calls family. And where he might fit in.
If Cal senses his staring, he doesn't acknowledge it. Instead, he flicks through the different screens, going over diagnostics and planning the best route possible. Din is secretly impressed by the efficiency. He doesn't let himself dwell on that thought, as he turns his gaze back onto the child.
Din allows himself to gently clasp the hand that's offered to him, as his other hand comes up to cup his charges small head. He absentmindedly smoothes his thumb over the skin he finds there, too tired to do much more.
"It's gonna take a few hours to get there, how about I set you up with somewhere to sleep?"
Din tilts his head in disbelief but doesn't allow himself to twist his head around to further illustrate his point. He's a guest after all.
"Yeah I know, this ship isn't really made for long haul journeys but it's got a bunk bed just through the doors".
Din nods in acceptance. He hasn't slept since Tython and it would probably be a lot easier with the kid in his arms.
"If you guys are hungry, there are some ration bars stowed back there too. I know it's no real feast but it should hold you over until we get there".
"What about you?".
"I'm fine", Cal replies, throwing him a sunny smile before turning back to the display. Din wonders what he finds so fascinating before realizing with a rush of embarrassment that Cal is giving him privacy.
He thoughts are confirmed when he retreats back through the doors and sees the bunk. It was clearly made for someone a lot taller than him. He hadn't even noticed it when he had first entered the ship, having been working on autopilot mode.
To distract himself from the impending anxiety, Din settles onto the bottom bunk and rifles through the boxes beside it. He quickly finds the ration bars the other mentioned.
A quiet chuckle is caught by the vocoder at the look of utter betrayal that Grogu levels him with.
"I'm sorry kid, it's all we've got", he says, trying to coax the child into eating it.
"I never pegged you for a fussy eater, kid", Din sighs, before inspiration strikes. He makes a show of taking a bite himself, focusing on the pleasure of easing the ache in his stomach - a feeling he had become familiar with over the past few days when he had been too nervous to eat.
Grogu watches him with suspicious eyes but curiosity seems to win over, as he begins to pull on his arm.
Din stamps down the feeling of smugness, as he watches Grogu eat. This time he laughs freely when Grogu sneezes, small face screwing up in disgust. Thankfully, hunger seems to win out as he quickly finishes the rest of it
"You really are a little womprat, you're going to eat me out of house and home", Din says fondly, as he watches the kids eyes flutter shut. He seems to be trying to fight exhaustion but it looks like the last few days are catching up on him.
Din settles them both back onto the bunk, propping himself up against the hull of the ship. The kid quickly curls against him and for the first time in days, the feeling in his chest begins to unfurl. It finally feels real, just him and the kid. As it should be.
And the Jedi. He can't let himself forget. For some reason, the thought doesn't make him uncomfortable.
With that final thought, Din happily welcomes the dark embrace of sleep.
.... Come una bambina la mattina di natale... #caldaia #caldin #ghefredo 🎄🌡️❄️🔥 (presso Asparetto Di Cerea) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXl-s8QqmAMTqvmKwJY3D0LqqGMtahEb746qbU0/?utm_medium=tumblr
