Summary: IG-11 Knew that the Mandalorian was in a bad way. The Bacta spray would heal his wounds in time but only if he didn’t overdo it and unfortunately that wasn’t an option for them right now.
Pairings: Din Djarin x Cara Dune
Warnings: Injury, Angst
Notes: I wrote this ages ago and thought I’d share with you all on here 😘
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6
Din’s body continued to seize over the coming days, his body getting weaker and weaker with each attack. Cara and Omera were at a loss at what to do. They were simple farmers on Sorgan, they had only basic medical supplies and certainly had no way of finding out what poison was used. Cara thought back to when the child healed Greef from poisoning and wondered if he could help Din but then scolded herself for thinking it. She couldn’t put the baby at risk to save her friend. She now sat at his side as Omera took a break from watching him. His breathing was weak and irregular, more like quiet wheezes than anything else. The poison was spreading and the blue mark had now spread to his collar bone and partially down his arm.
‘Come on buddy you gotta fight this.’ she said as she placed a playful punch on his arm.
He did not react and Cara’s heart shattered. In the small amount of time, she had known the Mandalorian she had come to respect him… care for him… dare she say love him? She knew that he didn’t look at her that way. He probably didn’t look at anyone that way but she had felt herself becoming drawn to him. The mystery of who he was beneath the mask. The longer he stayed in this comatose state the more she worried that he would slip away from her, they needed to find someone with experience with poisons or they would lose him. Cara stood and made her way outside of the cabin, leaning against the doorframe so that she could still watch him from her new position.
‘How is he?’ came a voice as Caben walked up to the woman with a sad expression plastered across his face.
‘He’s still unconscious.’ Cara looked at Din and then at Caben again ‘We need to find someone that has experience treating poisoning. If we don't figure out what poisoned him and how we can treat it he’ll die.’
Caben gasped at her reply, mouth agape as he tried to think of a reply.
‘There's a woman in town… she’s a healer.’ came a voice as Stoke stepped out from around the corner.
‘What's her name?’ Cara stepped towards the other man, grabbing the scruff of his shirt and pulling him closer.
‘I don’t know her name but I know where she lives.’ he stuttered, letting out a huff in relief when Cara let him go.
The three of them suddenly looked to the doorway of Omera’s hut as a loud crash sounded from inside. Sprinting through the entrance they found Din convulsing on the floor, white foam tinged with blood running down his neck as his helmet banged on the floor with each violent movement. Cara fell to this side and grabbed his shoulders before glaring at the two men as they watched in horror.
‘Help me’ she growled, motioning for them grab his arms and legs.
The two men fumbled about, finally holding the Mandalorian down as he thrashed on the wood floor and looking at each other with horrified expressions as the hunter seized in front of them. After what felt like hours to the three of them Din’s body finally calmed and they were able to lift him back onto the bed. Cara then grabbed a bowl and cloth from the kitchen and went about cleaning the froth and blood from his neck and chest.
‘You need to take me to this woman today!’
‘It will take us a day to get there and a day to get back!’ Exclaimed Stoke as he looked at the Mandalorian whose chest heaved with exhaustion.
‘We have Mando’s ship!’ Cara stood, grabbing her blaster she stepped towards the longhaired man ‘Just tell me where to fly.’
§
Omera was taken by surprise when Caben practically dragged her from the pond she was working from. The man's eyes were frenzied as he pulled her to one side.
‘The Mandalorian…’ he stuttered as his eyes flitted between her and the hut where he lay ‘He was shaking, badly!… Stoke is taking her... Cara to the town to find a healer but he needs to be watched.’
Omera wasted no time jogging back to her hut. Entering she found Winta was by his side, the child in her arms. She smiled as she saw her mother walk in, jumping up she hugged her tightly around the waist but there was a touch of sadness in the child’s eyes.
‘Is he going to die, momma?’ Omera looked at her daughter sadly.
‘No sweetheart.’ she replied but she felt that she was trying to convince herself more than anyone else ‘Why don’t you take the boy outside to play, he shouldn’t have to see his father this way.’
Winta nodded and skipped out the hut, but the sadness in her eyes never left. Omera watched her daughter as she sat down with the other children, laughing and clapping as the child waddled after a frog. For a second Omera let herself smile as she watched the small green creature. It was so innocent and she wondered if he knew that his protector was slipping away. He had been through so much and her heart broke for him. She honestly didn't know how he would deal with the Mandalorian dying on him. Her attention was drawn back to her patient who had started to shiver. She touched his skin to ensure it wasn’t because of fever then brought him another blanket. She took a seat next to him and watched him for a good while. The woman started to study him, taking in his strong frame, how defined the muscles in his arms were and his chiselled chest. She was glad he was unconscious or he would have seen her cheeks flushing as she imagined what the rest of him looked like. To distract herself from her thoughts she started cleaning the hut but always kept one eye on Din. He didn’t stir.
§
It was nightfall by the time Cara returned. The healer was an old woman. One of few words but she had a wisdom about her that gave her hope, she needed that. Landing the Razor Crest they walked briskly back to the village and Omera’s cabin. The Mandalorian’s breathing had gotten weaker in the time that Cara had been gone, his skin paler.
‘I need more light.’ stated the healer as she perched herself on the chair beside the bed and pulled it closer.
The villagers pulled together to fetch some lamps and take them to the hut, bringing to light the true state the Mandalorian was in. The blue mark had spread halfway across his chest now and his skin had gone from a golden tan to pale white. The healer then started to inspect the warrior, placing two fingers on her neck to feel his pulse.
‘I know what he was poisoned with and I can treat it.’ she stated plainly as she looked up at the two women beside her.
‘That's great!’ Cara grinned as she looked at Omera but her smile dropped when she looked back at the healer.
‘I can treat the poison but this man is on the cusp of death.’ she continued, her face like stone ‘The damage has been done. This man has clearly taken a beating, I don’t know if he has the strength to survive… It will be down to his own pure will to live.’
Cara’s stomach dropped as she glanced at Omera, noticing the tears forming in the woman's eyes. She had seen how she looked at Din, she was clearly in love with him but they both knew that Din was a man of honour and he would never put his own wants above the child or the creed.
‘Now leave me.’ Spat the woman as she waved them out the room ‘I need space to work.’
The two women shuffled out the Cabin but they took a seat out front, not wanting to stray too far from the Mandalorian. Winta handed the Child to Cara and then cuddled up on her mother's lap. They didn’t speak a word to each other, just listened to the woman mutter to herself as she worked. Cara looked at the delicate little creature in her arms. She remembered when she’d said that she didn't do the baby thing but now she felt herself not wanting to let him go. She decided at that moment that if Din wasn’t to survive this she would make sure the kid was safe, even if that meant caring for him herself. After a few hours, the old woman emerged from the cabin, rubbing her tired eyes as she stopped in front of them both.
‘I have done all I can for him.’ she looked at Omera and then at Cara, her expression still void of emotion ‘Could I bother you for lodging tonight and a ride to town tomorrow?’
‘Yes of course’ replied Omera as she pushed Winta from her lap and stood.
‘I would prefer a lift on your cart and not on that dreadful ship.’ she continued, her lip curling slightly in amusement.
‘Of course’ Omera held out her hand, motioning for the lady to follow her.
Cara watched as the women walked in the direction of another cabin before standing and heading inside. Din lay there, very much in the same state he was in before. His breathing was still weak but she noticed that the blue mark had started to fade already. Sitting on the edge of the bed she placed the kid down beside him and watch as he waddled into the crook of his father’s arm, lay down and cuddled up into him.
‘You need to fight for him.’ she said softly as she placed her hand on his leg, watching the shaky rise and fall of his chest ‘He needs you, you can’t leave him now.’
She hadn’t expected a response but there was still a part of her that hoped for one. For him to turn his head and say her name. She wished she could give him the strength to fight but she couldn’t. It was down to him now.
Morning came and Cara became aware she was laying on something soft. Cracking her eyes open she realised she was on top of Din. Why didn’t Omera wake me? Sitting up suddenly she clocked two big brown eyes staring up at her and she smiled.
‘Morning you.’ she said sweetly as she ruffled the thin hairs on his head.
The child chirped happily at that, smiling up at her as he squeezed his eyes shut in delight.
‘How’s your father doin’ hmm?’ she questioned as she looked at Din.
He wasn’t much different to the night before save for the blue mark that was almost completely gone now. Breathing was still a struggle and his skin was still ghostly pale. Cara let out a sigh before picking up the child and poking her head through the doorway. Noticing Omera working away with the other villagers and Winta playing with the other children. She sat down on the chair just outside, her eyes still glancing back at the comatose Mandalorian.
‘Good Morning.’ the sudden voice made Cara jump and she looked up to see the healer staring back at her.
‘Good Morning.’ she replied as she started to push herself up.
‘Don’t get up on my account.’ Said the woman as she raised her hand up to stop her ‘How does he fare?’
‘The mark has almost gone but his breathing is still weak and his colour has not returned’ replied Cara as she turned her head to look at him.
‘As I said, his body has taken much abuse.’ Cara looked back at the old woman, eyes red with fresh tears ‘He has a long road ahead of him.
‘If he survives to dawn tomorrow then I think he shall live.’ She finished, a small smile touching her wrinkled lips ‘He is lucky to have so many that care for him. Something unusual I believe for a Mandalorian.’
Cara chuckled at that which allowed one single tear to escape.
‘Sit with him… speak to him’ she said softly as she looked down at the child ‘Let him know he is loved and I think he will fight.’
Cara smiled at her sadly and stood from her seat.
‘Thank you for everything you have done.’
‘You are welcome.’ she paused as she pulled her shawl tighter around her narrow shoulders ‘I take my leave now.’
Cara nodded at the woman and gave her smile as she turned and left, heading towards the cart where Caben and Stoke stood waiting for her. Taking the healers advise she walked back into the cabin and sat herself down on the chair at Din’s side, bouncing the child on her knee as it giggled with glee.
‘Come on Mando you can fight this.’ she said as she leaned back in her seat ‘You got blown up and survived, this is a paper cut in comparison.’
She knew that wasn’t completely true but she didn’t know what else to say to him. She’d never been one to wear her emotions on her sleeve and she didn’t know how to tell him how she felt. So she used humour as a defence to hide her insecurities and this situation was no exception. His strained breathing was so loud in her ears as she placed the child down on the bed beside him, watching as the baby once again cuddled into his father. She thought about what the woman had said to her.
‘Let him know he is loved and I think he will fight’
What if she told him how she felt? Would that be a reason for him to fight this?
No, don’t be stupid Cara he doesn’t see you that way! she thought to herself as she shook her head.
Sitting forward in her chair she took his hand in hers. It was strong with long artistic fingers. She laced hers between his and placed a gentle kiss on his hand, his skin soft and warm beneath her lips.
‘Please don’t leave me.’ she pleaded quietly as she let her tears fall freely.
She slept at his side again that night and Omera left her again. She saw how Cara held his hand and she felt a small twang of jealousy but it passed when she thought back to the moment he almost let her remove his helmet. He almost let her look into his eyes. They were just friends, right? He had no romantic feelings for her surely?
Morning came and the village was relieved to hear that the Mandalorian still lived but he was still in a coma. Cara finally left Din’s side and opted to clean herself up on the Razor Crest. In truth, she didn’t want anyone to see her tears. So Omera took it upon herself to watch him.
§
He could feel a cool breeze against his skin which caused him to shiver slightly. The pain was the next thing he felt but it wasn’t as bad as before, it was bearable. He could hear shuffling around him and he turned his head towards the sound. Cracking open his eyes he was greeted by the child’s big brown ones looking back at him.
‘Well hey you little womp-rat.’ he smiled underneath his helmet and the child squealed in excitement.
‘Mando are you awake?’ came an excited voice as Omera came into view.
‘Yes.’ he replied plainly, his voice still a little weak.
‘Oh thank goodness you had us all sick with worry.’ she stated as she smiled warmly at him.
‘How long have I been out?’
‘Almost a week.’ she stated as she sat down beside him ‘Your shoulder wound was poisoned. You started suffering from seizures but we managed to find a local healer who cured you.’
‘Thank you.’
He pushed himself into a sitting position and winced at his muscles protesting.
‘You still need to rest.’ said Omera as she tried to push him back down.
‘I have rested enough.’ he stated as he slowly swung his legs over the edge of the bed ‘I need air.’
‘Well let me help you at least.’ she stated as she helped him to his feet.
He nodded in appreciation and limped towards the door, Omera keeping a grip on his arm to steady him. He was glad of his helmet as he walked out of the hut into the bright sunlight. The village cheered as he stumbled out onto the porch, one hand grabbing a chair to steady him. Winta burst into tears and ran straight up to him, wrapping her arms around his middle and squeezing him tightly.
‘I’m so happy you're alive.’ she said as she pulled her head away so that she could look up at him.
Din nodded at the child, looking at her with a mixture of shock and confusion. Not that anyone could see.
‘Winta let the Mandalorian sit.’ said Omera as she guided him to the bench to his left.
Helping him lower himself down she sat next to him but she didn’t let go of this arm. Her smile stretching from ear to ear. The villagers started to go about their business again and Din turned his attention back to Omera.
‘I apologise for Winta.’ She said as she looked at her hands around his arm ‘She witnessed you having a seizure and it scared her greatly. She has been praying for your recovery.’
‘That must have been horrible for her.’
‘Yes.’ she replied ‘But it’s okay now. You have returned to us and you’re on the mend.’ she finished as she squeezed his arm.
Cara walked through the tree line, glittering silver armour catching her eye and her heart started to pound. As she got closer she saw Omera at his side, the two of them looking at each other, his hand in hers. At that moment she wanted to curl up into a dark corner and disappear. She considered turning back but Din turned his head and they locked eyes with each other. No escaping now.
‘You’re awake!.’ she said, plastering a fake smile on her face ‘Nice nap?’
‘Had better.’ he replied, tilting his head as he spoke.
‘Good to see you up and about Mando’
‘Good to see you too Cara.’ Her heart skipped a beat at his saying her name ‘Do you mind if we speak in private.’
‘Of course.’ she said as she helped him stand and walk back into the cabin.
‘Thank you for saving me.’ he started as he placed his hand on the table to steady him ‘And for taking care of the kid.’
‘You would have done the same for me.’ she shrugged, trying desperately to hide her emotions.
‘Yes I would,’ he replied, his voice cracking slightly.
Cara looked up at him, a little hope filling her eyes at his reply.
‘What do you want to do now?’ she said changing the subject.
‘Well Moff Gideon is dead so I’d like to think the baby is safe now.’ he started, lowering himself down so that he was sat on the edge of the wood table top ‘I think we could probably stay here a while.’
Stay here with her
‘What about you?’ he asked
‘You know me Mando, can’t stay in one place for too long.’ she jested ‘I think I may head back to Nevarro. Greef offered me a job in the guild. Seems like a good career choice for me.’
‘Oh okay.’
Was that sadness in his voice?
‘Well I hope you stick around for a little while.’ he said, changing his tone again ‘The kid will miss you.’
The kid will miss me? her heart sunk at that statement. Not you.
The Mandalorian Season 1/Star Wars Movies Parallels
So, I made these gifs a LONG time ago w/ some dumb web service and I thought it might be fun to try to make them again now that I know what I’m doing. (Also, I know, I’m sorry, but we can all rest easy knowing Cara Dune would kick g*na’s ass)
