Chapter 2: A Tooka and a Tin Can Walk into a Hangar
Summary: A doctor looks at the woman and Din decides to stay a couple of days. Introductions are made and both Din and the child are trying to get used to their new crew member. Cute interactions are included.
Pairing: Din Djarin x fem!OC
Word Count: 4.7k Rating: T+ for suggested violence
Tags: hurt/comfort, description of injuries, parent child dynamics
Masterlist
“You didn't… kidnap her or something did you?” Din looked at Peli sharply and she gave him a half shrug. “I mean you’ve gotta admit this doesn't look good.” Unfortunately he had to agree.
Peli had helped him lay the woman on one of his clean capes and once he stepped away she’d carefully opened her shirt to get a better look at her chest and arms.
As soon as she covered the woman back up Din had returned and was currently hovering behind her. “What’s her name?” She asked, placing a wet cloth on the woman's forehead. Even without the fever the Pantoran woman was probably burning up since her species were more suited for colder climates. When he didn't say anything she looked up at him but he just shook his head.
Peli could guess how the woman had come by some of her injuries, especially the finger shaped bruises and it made her skin crawl. She knew Din almost definitely probably hadn't caused any of them but there was still a tiny part of her that found the whole thing rather suspicious. She stared at him hard, her mouth a thin line of concentration as her instincts and her experience tried to balance each other out.
Din shifted uncomfortably under the intensity of her silence and it was a tense minute before she finally spoke. “You're lucky I know you.”
There was a sound from out in the hangar and Din whirled, blaster at the ready. In the shimmering heat a hunched old woman was making her way towards the ship. Her white hair was mostly covered by a ratty wide brimmed hat that hid her eyes. She was wearing too many undyed layers for the heat of Mos Eisley and on top of it all she wore a large threadbare backpack that seemed to be on its last legs. The old woman was also using a cane that upon further inspection turned out to be a droid leg. From her overall air of menace and lack of fear Din felt confident that she’d pulled it off of the droid herself.
Din lowered his blaster as walked down the ramp to intercept her but the old woman ignored him and made her way to Peli who had joined him.
Only once the old woman stood in front of them did she fix him with a withering gray glare while simultaneously letting out a huff. “Ya called fer a doctor but the Tin can looks fine to me.”
The old woman took a step towards the ship and when Din moved to stop her she swung her cane up. It clashed against his cuirass, the ring of metal on beskar was reminiscent of a predators warning cry.
“Uh-uh, yer gonna stay right there ‘til I’m good and ready for ya.” Din looked down at her but didn't move even as she continued to glare at him.
“Bu!” All eyes turned to the top of the docking ramp where the child stood looking out. Din shoved the droid leg away from his chest and moved to intercept the child before he could make his way off the ship. He scooped him up and turned, coming face to face with the old woman who had somehow followed him up the ramp silently. Her suspicious eyes were fixed on the child and she tapped her cane thoughtfully.
“Ain’t never seen a tooka that color a’fore.” He turned the child away from her slightly and she scoffed at his reaction. “Don't get yer helmet all banged up. I ain't interested in yer tooka.”
“He’s not-”
She held up a gnarled hand cutting him off. “Less I know the better tin can. Now get so I can work.” She moved past him into the ship and he followed at a distance as Peli crowded behind him. The old woman paused once she caught sight of the woman splayed on the floor. Even from this distance she could see some of the wounds, specifically some of the finger shaped bruises.
Without turning around she addressed Din stiffly. “You her aliit?”
Din tensed at her use of the mando’a term but tried to keep his reply neutral. “No.”
The doctor pursed her lips but kept her eyes on her new patient. “Then scoot, I ain’t undressing her with you watchin’.” Din hesitated but eventually scooted along with Peli.
As the docking ramp raised behind them Peli broke the tense mood by grinning at the child. “Well hello again you sweet thing!” She cooed, softly tugging on one of his ears. The child giggled and held his hands out to her. Din hesitated then sighed as he begrudgingly handed the kid over. The previously weary pit droids crowded around Peli to see the child while making sure to give him a wide berth.
With a tiny nod of approval from him Peli retreated back into the shop talking to the child with her while Din stayed outside. His regulated suit kept him from broiling under the twin suns but he still moved until he was in the shade thrown by the Razor Crest.
Din wasn’t sure if he could trust the doctor but he was glad she hadn't asked him too many questions, even if she was a little cantankerous. He didn't like leaving the doctor alone in his ship but he also wasn’t about to let Peli wander off with the child. From where he stood he could keep an eye on the hatch and see Peli moving around in her workshop as the child babbled to her.
“I know, it’s too hot out there huh?” There were a few squeaks from one of the pit droids and a curse from Peli. “Go see if you can find another fan, will you?”
....
The doctor worked for over an hour and Din stayed exactly where he was, looking for all the world like a beskar statue. The heat was starting to get to him but he ignored it as he watched Peli move around in the deep shadows of her workshop. Eventually the docking ramp hissed open and the old doctor appeared minus her hat and bag.
He shifted slightly and she glared at him. “Peli!”
“What!” There was a thunk and a curse from inside then Peli appeared with the child in her arms. The old woman gestured for her to come inside and disappeared without looking to see if she was following. Din took the child back since he hadn't been invited inside and the little one leaned against him sleepily. In another time he wouldn't have stayed where he was, after all it was his ship and he was going to be the one paying both women. But he stayed where he was, resigned to waiting rather than dealing with the bitter old doctor.
Although, as the sound of quiet whispers reached him he decided there was no harm in listening in so he turned up his audio sensors and focused.
The old doctors voice was low and clipped. “...he do this?”
“Mando? No, he’s not the type.”
“Peli, I just dug glass outta that girl's arms and she’s gotta whole mess of infections runnin’ through her. Not to mention the obvious bruises that we both recognize. Ya gotta tell me if ya even think he had a part in this.”
Inside the ship Peli placed her hands on her hips and shook her head. “No. All he said was he picked up a passenger and she wasn't doing very good so I called you.”
There was a pause as the old woman glared in Dins direction. “You sure he ain't the type to beat someone if they couldn't pay? Or use them?”
Outside Din gritted his teeth. He knew what she was accusing him of. He knew what this looked like. But he also knew that no matter what he said to her she wouldn't believe him.
Luckily Peli’s reply was firm as she held the old doctor eyes with her own. “No.”
The old doctor searched Peli’s eyes for a moment then sighed. “Fine, bring him in but I’m watchin’ 'him, an’ if his hands match those bruises he ain’t leavin with her.” Peli raised her hands in defeat and headed back towards the open loading ramp.
Din turned his audio receptors down and watched as Peli appeared at the top of the ramp. “C’mon up Mando!” She said but he was already moving. Careful to keep the child still against him since he’d fallen asleep in his arms. It was cooler inside with the life support running and he closed the ramp behind him to keep it that way causing the ship lights to flicker on.
The old doctor was sitting on the floor next to the woman who now lay under another one of Dins cloaks. Her clothes lay neatly folded next to her and she had a fever patch on her forehead. Both her bare blue arms were bandaged from hand to elbow and rested limply on top of his cloak. Now that more of her skin was exposed Din got a better look at how beat up she was.
The old woman eyed him cooly, her grey eyes weary. “You do any of this to her?” She asked bluntly.
He didn't move his head, his eyes still on the woman but he made sure his voice was clear. “No.” She watched him closely waiting for any kind of reaction. But he had nothing to hide and apparently she didn't see what she was looking for.
She huffed and turned her attention back to the woman and he felt oddly relived that she didn't try to question him any more. “Yer lucky you got here in time, any longer an’ I wouldn't’ve been able to help.” She rummaged in her bag and held out five stim canisters. Four blue, one yellow.
“For four days give her one of these. Even if she’s actin’ better. They’re to help fight the infections in her blood. If she passes out again, give her the yellow one and find a doctor right away. It’s yer last resort but if you don't get her help after you use it she could die.” He gazed at the canisters before carefully taking them from the old woman's hand.
“You seen all her injuries?” He shook his head and she turned away from him and continued. “She’s got some nasty wounds on her chest. Looks like they're from claws. She’s got rope wounds on her wrists and cuts on her arms.” She paused before continuing. “An she’s been beaten by someone with big hands.” She glared at Din but it didn't hold quite as much suspicion as earlier. “Bigger’n yer’s tin can.”
Din swallowed, at least she didn't think he’d done that to her although he couldn't say how she felt about the rest. “She’s also sufferin’ from exhaustion and dehydration. I’ve got her set up for now but when she wakes, make her drink as much water as ya can and keep her comfortable, no adventurin for her.” He nodded silently.
“Now I gots places to be, Peli’ll give ya my bill.” She stood casting one more glance down at her sleeping patient before shuffling to the ramp and opening it. Din and Peli watched as the old woman pulled her hat on and left the hanger without a backwards glance.
Peli didn't waste any time and turned towards Din with her hands in her pockets. “Alrighty Mando lets get squared up.” Din turned to look at Peli as he mulled over the situation.
“How much to stay for a couple of days?”
…
Since the woman had paid for the last hanger he wasn't currently short of funds. While the old woman's bill wasn't cheap by any means, he could still afford to pay both it and the hanger fee. But he was adding a hefty convenience charge to the woman's bill whenever she recovered.
He’d asked Peli to go into town to pick up some new clothes for the woman since her old ones were worn and blood stained now. When she’d asked him why he couldn't go himself he’d simply replied, “I don't know what to buy.” After a lot of complaining from her and the promise of extra compensation, she begrudgingly agreed to do it.
....
The twin suns of Tatooine were starting to set, casting the ground hanger into deeper and deeper shadow. He’d decided to do some work on the nav computer while they were there. Just sorting through everything and finally purging some of the useless data. The child was sitting in his lap totally engrossed in what he was doing though there wasn’t much to see.
“Mando!” He looked up to see Peli standing in front of the ship, a large bag slung onto her back. She raised a hand to him and he nodded before slipping out of the pilot seat and cradling the child to his chest.
“Alright here’s the clothes. We’ve got a dust storm coming tonight, make sure you’ve got everything closed up tight.” He nodded and she turned her focus to the child her face softening. “You ready for dinner little guy? I bet you are.”
Din couldn't help but give a small smile at her genuine affection. It was nice to have moments like this. And with the extra credits that would be coming in hopefully there’d be more.
Peli was still talking and he focused on her. “I’ve got some fresh Bac Noodles that I was gonna cook up. Does that sound tasty?”
“Eh!” The child squeaked looking between him and Peli, his green ears flopping with the movement.
Peli let out a little chuckle. “Yeah sure, Mando can have some too.” She grinned at the two of them and he nodded his thanks.
….
The Bac Noodles were fantastic. Once he’d closed the ship up for the night they’d sat down to eat in the hold. Far enough away from the woman that she couldn't see them but close enough that he could still hear her if she moved. As he ate the kid kept looking back and forth between him and where the woman slept. She hadn't moved all day, at least not since Peli had helped him slip a sleeping mat under her and she’d flinched.
“Are you done?” The child looked at him then down at his bowl. He picked it up with his tiny hands and drained the contents before setting it down with a burp. His attention was quickly focused back towards the woman. Din sighed and replaced his helmet, the locks letting out a quiet hiss as they reengaged.
As he washed their bowls he thought about the woman. As soon as she woke up he was going to get her name and run her through the system and see what he could scrounge up. Normally he’d have done it as soon as she boarded but that hadn't worked out.
There was a huge gasp from behind him and panicked breathing. He didn't know what was going on but he dropped the bowls and swiftly moved towards the woman, ready to subdue her if need be. But as he got into view all he saw was the child, who had both his hands on one of her bare shoulders and was shaking her. The woman looked panicked, her gold eyes darting around the space as she apparently tried to catch her breath.
He knelt beside her as she tried to sit up and firmly pressed down on her other shoulder while trying to sound calm. “Don’t. You're hurt.” Under his bare hand her skin was icy and he couldn't help but notice how soft it was.
“What happened?” She asked, her voice barely louder than a whisper. She tried to clear her throat but her mouth was too dry. He reached over to a water bottle he’d placed by her and opened it. She licked her dry lips and raised a shaky hand to take it from him. Seeing this he hummed in concern and pulled it away from her before setting it down and grabbing an extra pillow. Gently he slipped his hand under her neck and lifted her head. Unlike her shoulder her neck was warm and he felt her subtly relax into his touch. Carefully he slid the pillow under her head and she sighed when he let her go. Neither of them was sure if it was because he’d released her, or because she was elevated. So they both ignored it.
He held the water bottle out to her once more. This time he let her take it from him but he watched carefully as she raised it to her lips.
“You passed out. A doctor looked at you and gave me some medicine.”
Beside her the child pointed at Din and chimed in with a “Bui!” She looked at the little one and followed his tiny finger until her eyes met Dins. “Bui!” The child repeated, more forcefully this time.
Din looked back down at her waiting for her reaction. “Your name’s Bui?” She asked cautiously.
Din shook his head. “It’s just a sound he makes.” The child seemed indignant at his dismissal and made a few more sounds, this time directed at him. The woman turned her head slightly and seemed to study the child before she smiled and addressed him.
“So what’s your name, little guy?”
The child blinked at her, his brown eyes wide. “Eh.”
She looked to Din and he gave a minute shrug. “He doesn't have one.”
She blinked, her white brows furrowing slightly. “He’s not yours?” Din shook his head but didn't give any other explanation. When she continued to look at him he decided to broach another subject.
“You never told me your name.” He saw her eyes flicker with apprehension but when she answered she sounded truthful.
“It’s Aina.” There were a few seconds of awkward silence as they continued to stare at each other. “And you?” She asked, eyes searching his visor. He didn't reply, just watched her and the child who was looking at him curiously.
She sighed lightly when it became obvious he wasn’t going to answer her. “Okay, Mando it is.”
Outside the dust storm was picking up speed, showering the Razor Crest in sand and debris. And for the first time since it started they could hear it from inside. The keening was unnerving in the awkward silence but Aina was almost grateful for the distraction even as she looked around in confusion.
Din saw her reaction. “Dust storm.” He said simply.
Fear and weariness rippled though Aina, and she couldn't keep it out of her voice. “Where are we?”
Din didn't respond right away as he studied her face, taking in her obvious distress and making a note of it before simply saying,“Tatooine.” Her face relaxed and she breathed a sigh of relief before finishing the bottle of water off.
Din hadn't moved from where he’d knelt, his eyes on Aina which was why the child caught him by surprise when he pulled up the edge of the cloak on Aina’s chest and peered under it. Din snatched his mischievous little hand off but not before the edge of a bacta patch and part of a dark purple bruise were revealed. Aina didn't even seem to have noticed but Din didn’t want to push his luck. Without a word he picked the child up who grumbled into his chest at his intrusion and held another bottle of water out.
“Finish this before you fall back asleep.” He didn't wait for her to answer before he stood and returned to the cockpit where he settled the child into the pram.
“Don’t do that again.” The child simply cocked his head and looked up at him, his round eyes full of innocence that Din was pretty sure was fake.
Aina didn't have enough energy to really process Mando and the childs abrupt exit but she did as he’d instructed before falling back into a heavy sleep.
Aina slipped in and out of consciousness for the rest of the night; sometimes it was because of her dreams, sometimes it was because of thirst. More than once she’d seemingly awoken for no reason, only to blearily look around and see the glint of beskar in the dark before falling back asleep.
….
Din was trying to make breakfast but he was having a hard time cooking and keeping the child away from where Aina slept. As soon as he looked away from him he was scampering away. After the second time Din had to snatch him up before he got to her he decided to try a firmer approach.
He set the child back down on his stool beside him in the little kitchenette and pointed at the worn seat. “Stay.”
They stared at each other for a moment, deep brown and impenetrable black giving nothing away. Din sighed and turned back to the stove, stirring the contents a couple more times before picking up the pan and scooping the scrambled mess into three bowls.
From behind him he heard Ainas sleepy voice. “No little one don't pull, it hurts.”
Din turned back towards the worn stool to see that it was unsurprisingly empty. He set the pan in the sink and moved around the crates to where Aina was, not sure what he was going to find. The child was touching her white braid, his little green hands tracing the interwoven sections curiously.
Aina looked up at Din and gave him a crooked smile that made him smile back though she couldn't see it. “Guess it’s time to wake up.”
Din couldn't deny that he’d been trying to keep the child away from her. Not just because she was injured, but because he still didn't know if he could trust her. However the child had no such inhibitions as proven by his most recent antics.
Aina moved to sit up and groaned, having to rest on her elbows as her body protested. Din knelt beside her, unsure whether or not she should be moving yet. He watched her closely as she shifted her weight onto one arm and held his cloak to her chest with the other. She glanced at him, silently grateful that he wasn’t trying to stop her as she slowly and painfully sat all the way up.
Beside her the child tilted his head, his ears twitching as he studied her. As much as she’d hoped her body had recovered it was obvious that she’d need help to move.
She grimaced but forced herself to look into the blank visor, even as she felt her face heating up. “Can you help me up?”
Din didn't answer, just held a hand out for her to take. When his other hand rested on her bare back she tensed, very aware of how little she was wearing but she didn't pull away. With Dins help she stood, her legs wobbly beneath her. She’d been worried that her rather generous form would be cumbersome to him but he’d helped her up as if she weighed nothing and she couldn't resist the tiny thrill that gave her.
Din looked away as she readjusted his cape to cover herself but glanced back when she tried to take a step forwards and her legs gave out. She fell heavily against him, her hands grasping at cold beskar even as his gloved hands caught her and held her up.
She knew her face was almost purple now with how hard she was blushing and gritted her teeth. “Sorry Mando. Just give me a minute.” Din didn't say anything, just waited. He could tell she was uncomfortable with the situation but he was pretty sure she wasn’t going to be able to walk. She tried to pull away from him but her muscles began to tremble as soon as she shifted.
Din knew she wasn’t going to make it on her own so he made an executive decision and carefully scooped her up into his arms. She let out a little peep of surprise as she scrabbled at his armor. Again he’d impressed her with his strength and even though she was embarrassed by his action it wasn’t all bad.
On his end Din marveled at how soft she was against him. She was pillowy, giving delightfully under his gloves. He wished he’d removed them just so he could feel her skin against his but he shoved those thoughts away knowing they’d only lead to frustration. It only took a few steps for him to reach the refresher and carefully set her down just inside. He had to quickly look away as the cloak slipped, revealing a large amount of bruised blue skin to him.
….
After Aina had used the facilities and rinsed her face off in the sink she spent a couple of minutes staring at her reflection. Now that she wasn’t running for her life or delirious from infection she could take in the damage on her body. There were two large bacta patches that met in a V on her chest. Covering the deep slices and bruises she’d gotten that horrible night. Then there were the many finger shaped bruises on her waist, hips and thighs which she was glad to see were starting to fade. Beyond that there were other bruises and a few cuts but everything seemed to be healing nicely. She wished she could see her arms and wrists but they were bandaged and she wasn't about to remove them.
She sighed. She was a mess, but at least she was away from that force forsaken planet. She pulled the dark gray cloak around her, much like she would with a towel until it fully covered her. Then she leaned hard against the sink as her muscles started to shake again and pressed the button to open the door. Her eyes widened when she was that Din was standing there with his arms crossed, obviously waiting for her.
“Ready?” She didn't need to ask what he was referring to as he held his arms out towards her. This time as he picked her up he inadvertently pressed on one of her deeper bruises and she hissed in pain. Din tensed, unsure of what he’d done and not wanting to make it worse.
Aina winced. “Can you move your hand on my hip, please?” Carefully Din adjusted his grip and the pain eased. Apparently not all the bruises were as healed as she’d thought. After he set her down he moved to stand but she reached out and rested her hand on his. The sudden contact made him freeze and he swore he could feel the heat of her skin even through his glove.
Aina hadn’t really thought before she’d reached out but when he didn't pull away she took it as a good sign.
“Thank you.”
….
The rest of the day was slow to say the least. Din made a few minor interior repairs, and checked on Aina every once and awhile. Mostly she slept, only waking to drink more water, even though Dins repairs weren't exactly quiet. By the time lunch rolled around he was pleased to see she’d already finished three of the bottles by her mat.
Peli and her pit droids had work to do most of the day but she checked in around lunch time and Aina was awake. They were all sitting on the floor around Aina. Her, Peli and the child were all eating something Peli had scrounged up while Din watched. After Aina had introduced herself to the woman Peli had instantly warmed to her. Din wasn’t really paying attention to what they were talking about but the kid would sometimes interrupt with his own sounds and they’d nod along with him as if they understood. Din felt a little left out of their casual conversation which wasn’t exactly unusual but irked him all the same.
Eventually Din took his leave, heading towards the cockpit with his own lunch and the sleepy child. The two women talked a little longer, simply enjoying each others company until Aina started to yawn.
After that Peli was quick to offer her assistance to Aina so she could use the refresher then made sure she was comfortable and headed back out into the blistering heat.
