Summary: What would you do if you were being held by a bounty hunter in outer space and started your period? Well, make him buy you tampons, of course… and then kickstart a galaxy-traversing adventure to figure out who put a bounty on your head, make dubious deals with pirates and gangs, and discover your feelings through the power of moonlit dancing and kidnapping attempts. It ends happy and slightly sappy.
Rating & Warnings: T/PG13, mention of periods right up top, some descriptions of violence and abuse in later chapters, a lil swearing here and there, kisses (omg spoiler wow), and there are two beds but they’re verrrrry close together.
Length: 50k, 32 short chapters
AO3 Link (In case you like it better over there, it’s okay, no judgement)
AO3 Link (In case you like it better over there, it’s okay, no judgement)
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Chapter 12: No Other Choice
You hadn't slept since before the scuffle on Jakku, and your body was for sure feeling it. Unfortunately, as soon as the Slave I came out of hyper-speed, the planet called Jedha was looming directly ahead. And it wasn't long before the ship had descended into its atmosphere and touched down onto its terrain. Sleep would have to wait.
Boba provided large cloaks for the three of you to wear before disembarking. You were surprised to see he was not suiting back up in his armor and helmet for this mission.
"No helmet?" you asked.
He gave you a sort of half-smirk, half-grimace in response, but otherwise remained silent. Hondo ended up supplying a more verbal reply.
"You could count on one hand the number of people in the galaxy who know Boba without his Mandalorian armor." The pirate threw his own cloak on and chuckled. "It'll be easier this way to lay low for the next few days."
You could feel your cheeks grow warm as you considered the fact you were one of those few people who knew what Boba looked like without... what was it called? Mandalorian armor? You weren't sure what that was; a brand, a culture, an element? Somehow this man seemed to be more of an enigma the more you learned about him.
"It won't be easy for her," Boba commented as he strapped various weapons beneath his cloak. "You could count on one hand how many people don't know what she looks like."
"True," Hondo admitted. He tried to grab some of the weapons for himself but Boba swatted at him. Hondo carried on as if nothing happened. "The closer you get to Jedha City, the more stormtroopers you'll come across. I recommend staying in one of the outskirt towns and letting me travel on. She should be safer that way."
You weren't sure if you felt incredibly comforted by that plan or not. Three days seemed like an awfully long time to stay hidden in an Imperial-run planet, especially considering how frequently you'd almost been captured in the last few weeks alone.
Boba finished packing and was now shutting down power in the ship. You wandered outside to wait, Hondo following shortly after. You were disappointed to find that you were once again on a planet full of dirt. There were more crags and cliffs than the sandy dunes of Jakku, but the scene still felt the same. Dirty. Boring. Lifeless. It made you miss Maz's planet that much more.
"When can we go to a beach or a tropical island paradise?" you pretended to whine as Boba closed up the ramp and began leading your little party across the dirt. He had landed the ship behind a craggy outcropping far from the nearest outpost, hoping it'd remain hidden and not suggest that Boba Fett and his coveted bounty could be somewhere on the planet.
Your small attempt at humor wasn't directly acknowledged, but Hondo, ever the conversationalist, did supply a response.
"This place has a very old, very deep spiritual history. Many a weary soul has made the pilgrimage here to seek out wisdom and peace. Even the Jedi have found this hallowed ground enriching...."
It didn't go unnoticed to you how tense Boba became at the word Jedi. It was another term you hadn't heard before, and you were about to ask when the bounty hunter grunted his annoyance at Hondo.
"We have a long way to walk and I do hope I don't have to hear your voice the entire way, Hondo."
The pirate didn't seem phased by the insult. He held a wistful look as he took in his surroundings, as if he was seeing something in the uninspired landscape that you weren't. "Just as you should appreciate the beauty in your companion, so should you value the sacred nature of this planet."
Your cheeks were warm again and you couldn't help but immediately look to Boba to see how he would respond. You had gone from being pretty to having beauty, apparently, and despite not believing such a compliment, a small part of you wondered if he agreed.
But if Boba did have an opinion, he hid it well. His expression remained as annoyed as it had been before Hondo offered the idea.
"Is that why you've come to raid it then?"
"I'm not raiding anything," Hondo said, offended. "I've never raided anything in my life."
"Let me guess, you prefer to call it something else?"
"Dok-Ondar is a collector, you know that. He's helped save many a precious artifact from careless destruction, and this job I'm assisting him with is no different. I'm not calling it anything other than what it is."
Boba snorted but fell back into silence, and Hondo seemed upset enough now to do the same. You trudged alongside them, still wondering whether Boba found you good looking or not. Surely his lack of reaction, even a physical one such as blushing or stuttering, meant he did not? Or perhaps his quick response was too quick and he was trying to distract from the fact that he did? Why did it even matter to you so much?
It was, in fact, a very long walk to get to the nearest outpost. From there, it was a short ride in a land speeder to an actual town, and then another fair amount of walking to move on to a slightly bigger town that was somehow more suitable. You hadn't started the journey with an abundance of energy or good health, so it was safe to say you were very much looking forward to the part of the mission where you could "lay low."
But you hadn't reached that part quite yet. Instead, the three of you waited at a train station, where Hondo would soon take his leave for the Holy City on his own. The sun had long disappeared, and an uncomfortable cold was settling into your bones now that you were more stationary. You ended up pacing the small platform, both for warmth and something to do. Boba and Hondo, meanwhile, tried nailing down details for the rest of the plan.
"I don't want to be associated with this heist you're doing," Boba was saying, his eyes scowling up at a sign with various train departure times.
"It's not a heist," Hondo bristled again. It'd taken him a while to let go of the raiding comment; this would surely set him off again.
"Whatever. I'm not leaving with you on my ship. I can commandeer one from this shipyard here, instead, and come back for the Slave I when it's safer." He pointed at a word on the timetable, one that you could now kind-of read. You'd brought along the alphabet chart Boba had given you but didn't feel like pulling it out and risk getting your hands cold.
Hondo scoffed. "Commandeer, or steal? Let's discuss word choice, shall we?"
Yes, he was definitely getting upset again. Thankfully his train just rounded the bend up ahead, pressing the need to finish with the plan over engaging in petty squabbling.
"Fine. I'll meet you in the shipyard in three days."
"With the money," Boba said pointedly.
"Yes, yes, of course." Hondo waved him off and approached the train as it docked. He looked back with a taunting smile. "Worried, Fett?"
Boba only looked away. You stopped your pacing beside the bounty hunter, feeling a bit nervous yourself, but deciding to remind the pirate why you were trusting him to begin with.
"There's no need to be worried," you stated as confidently as you could. "You're an honorable man, right?"
Hondo only chuckled as he disappeared aboard the train.
"He's just trying to mess with us," Boba muttered.
You weren't sure if he was trying to reassure you, or himself. You involuntarily shivered, both from the cold and the nerves you now had. "And what if he doesn't come back?"
Boba turned toward you. His face was mostly obscured by the cloak, just as was yours, but you could make out some pink on his nose and cheeks where the cold was nipping him, too, and his face was contorted as if in pain by it. It was evident he wasn't used to being so exposed.
Boba shifted and removed something from the utility belt he wore under the cloak. It was a small round device you instantly recognized. The last you'd seen it was the day you'd been shocked into unconsciousness for running too far away.
"He'll come back," Boba said with a small smile. "He has no other choice."
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Chapter 11: Dealings with a Pirate
The Slave I continued on through the galaxy at hyper-speed for a long while; so long, you began to wonder just how hyper a speed it really was. Where could you possibly be headed?
You eventually grew bored and made your way to the lavatory to pass time. You returned to find Boba had moved the few belongings you'd accumulated from the cell to a narrow bunk in the wall of the cargo hold you'd previously believed to be an unused shelf. More surprising, however, was a new item added to your measly possessions: a chart with a translation of the alphabet you'd seen around. Boba must have noticed your attempts to decipher the characters on your own.
"Don't let his small acts of kindness fool you."
The new prisoner, Hondo, was sitting back against the wall, his beady eyes watching you intently. You hadn't noticed he had woken from his unconscious stupor. Your gaze went back and forth between him and the chart you held in your hands.
"It's the big acts that truly matter, and that's where young Fett falls short, I'm afraid."
You furrowed your brow at Hondo's words.
"Young Fett?"
Hondo nodded slowly, sadly almost. "His father was a noble man. He worked in the same line of business but he did it with honor."
You set the chart in your bunk and made your way to stand closer to Hondo's cage.
"Is there such a thing as an honorable bounty hunter?" you questioned.
Hondo nodded again. "Oh yes. A man who lives by a code and sticks to his word is always to be respected, regardless of his profession."
"Says the pirate," came Boba's voice from behind you.
You turned and startled yourself, having almost forgotten that he had removed his helmet. You quickly tried to take back in his features again as he moved past to fiddle with boxes in the cargo hold.
"I'm curious, Fett, how you're able to travel through hyperspace right now. There aren't any official routes out here." Hondo rose and curled his wrinkly fingers around the bars. "Unless, of course, you've been dealing on the black market, again."
"Where else would I deal?" Boba didn't even turn around from his project to respond. "The only other markets are owned by the Empire."
Hondo only chuckled while shaking his head. "And yet you've picked up one of their bounties. You see, child? No honor."
He was addressing you now and you were slightly miffed at being called a child.
"I'm not collecting for them; there's another buyer." Boba sounded exasperated at having to explain, setting down a box a little more forcefully than he probably wanted. He huffed and tried to collect himself. "We just... need to find them...."
Hondo cocked his head and considered this. "I could help."
Boba rolled his eyes. "You wouldn't."
"Of course I would. I'm an honorable man." It was almost like a challenge and you could feel the passive aggressive tension between the two men as they eyed each other down. Eventually Hondo spoke up again.
"I'll help you more than the Rangs will. You thought I was out, but I heard every word of your ridiculous plan to have them protect the girl. They'll only turn her over to the Empire as soon as you give them the chance. They have no loyalty to you."
"They will if I bring you in."
"No, their fear of the Empire outweighs all. In fact, you'll be hard pressed to find anyone willing to help you with the Empire on your tail." Hondo paused to smirk. "Except maybe the Hutts."
You hadn't heard of that group, but apparently Boba found the idea of allying with them repulsive. He made an almost growling sound as he turned away, pretending to fiddle with something else. But you could see the tension in his posture and knew he was too upset to do any real work. You coughed, hoping to get the conversation changed to something more productive.
"So... if you were to help, what would that look like?"
Hondo, at least, seemed relieved that someone was willing to consider his offer. He removed his grip from the bars and gave you a wily smile.
"Well first of all, you need more fuel before you're corned again. Which means you need money. I happened to have a job lined up with an old friend on Jedha, before I was rudely whisked away. It will easily result in ten times the bounty on my head."
"It won't be easier than me simply turning you in," Boba grumbled just loud enough to be heard.
"All you have to do is let me out so I can do the job, and I'll give you 15% of the cut. Help me get to another shit-hole planet to hide on afterward and I'll throw in another 5."
Boba grunted in response. "That truly is the worst deal I've ever heard."
"But you're an honorable man, right?" you interjected, still trying to seem reasonable. "So you wouldn't go back on your word and disappear before giving us the money."
Hondo's smile widened more. "That's exactly right. I gain nothing by betraying both the galaxy's best bounty hunter and its most valuable bounty."
"And this old friend... is it the same as you calling Boba an old friend?"
Hondo actually laughed out loud. "You're a sharp one. I like you."
"Answer the question." Boba moved to stand closer to you, crossing his arms defensively. It wasn't quite the vibe you'd wanted but at least you didn't feel caught in the middle anymore.
Hondo's laughter petered out as he grew serious again. "There was a time I called you friend. Long, long ago. Therefore, you are an old friend. Quadoro, on the other hand, has been and always will remain a friend. Thus, an old friend."
You weren't sure you quite followed the pirate's rationale, but it didn't matter. Boba was pressing on with more questions.
"And who is the job for?"
"You remember Dok-Ondar," Hondo said with a wry and knowing smile.
"He worked with Crimson Dawn, last I heard," Boba replied in a low voice.
Hondo shrugged. "He's worked with everyone."
Boba considered this in silence for a bit. You wanted to know more about this Dok-Ondar guy and how Boba knew him, but it didn't seem a good time to ask. The bounty hunter seemed to be coming around on the idea of letting Hondo go on this mission for some reason, and you were not about to stop that from happening.
"How long do you need?"
Hondo made a show of pretending to count. "No more than three days."
Boba ended up turning to you, startling you yet again as you got another full look at his bare face.
"Well?"
He was asking for your opinion. He was inviting you to help make the decision with him. A part of you wondered what that meant in regards to the spat the two of you had had back on Jakku, the one that still didn't feel resolved. But another, larger part of you did not want yet another group chasing you around. With this plan, you could avoid the Rang Clan altogether and continue to help track down your buyer.
You nodded your head at Boba and then at Hondo. "Deal."
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Chapter 16: Conflict of Interest
"Dammit," you muttered to yourself.
You had a bare foot up on your seat in the land speeder. The train ride had taken a little over an hour and was uneventful until you'd gone to disembark, jumping from the high platform and getting sand in your shoes. Now you were spanning the last leg of your trip to the shipyard in a land speeder and using the time to clean up.
"What is it?" Maz asked beside you.
"My toe ring," you lamented, rubbing the spot where it should have been. "It's gone. How does that even happen?"
"It's right there, missy."
You eagerly looked to where she was pointing in the floorboard, but then let your shoulders drop as you realized she was seeing the one on your other foot.
"No, I had two. One silver, one gold." You sighed, pulling your socks back on. Then you added, a little quieter. "They were all I had left of my old things."
Maz patted your leg in sympathy as you laced up your shoes.
"You have that... device..." Boba offered, sitting on the other side of Maz.
Your jaw clenched and you purposefully did not respond to his comment, taking your time rolling your pant legs back down as an excuse not to look his way either.
You and Boba hadn't spoken a word to each other all morning, and when Maz later joined you on the train, you both only offered short words of acknowledgement to her attempts at small talk. Eventually she caught on to the mood and took to gazing pleasantly out the train window. You weren't sure what had been so interesting out there; it seemed nothing more than a barren wasteland. You'd chosen to spend your time to memorize the remaining symbols of the new alphabet you were learning, Aurebesh, Maz had said it was called.
Boba, though you'd been ignoring him, had been too fidgety to completely escape your notice. Spinning around a small knife, stretching various limbs... He seemed to have relaxed a little in the speeder, enough to try talking to you again apparently, but was still drumming his fingers lightly along the edge of the door. Was he anxious? Or was it his usual urge to keep his hands busy?
"The one I found?" Maz filled in for your silence. "What was it? Does it mean something?"
You leaned back in your seat with another sigh. "It's just an old music player. It doesn't even work anymore."
Maz was regarding you with that same discerning look from the night before. You still had a scarf around most of your face, but you felt more exposed than ever whenever she looked at you.
"So what does it mean?"
You weren't sure how to reply to that, and the longer you sat without answering, the more the thought ate at you. Obviously it meant something. Everything meant something, you just couldn't fathom what.
Thankfully you were saved from having to try offering some kind of idea by the beeping of the droid driving the speeder. The craft had slowed down to go around an outcropping of a cliff, and the view you now had as it rounded the corner was surprisingly stunning.
There were massive space ships of all shapes and in various states of repair all around, cranes and rigs and scaffolding filling the gaps between them all. Sparks shot out like little firework shows. Sounds of clanging reverberated around. It was an intricate show of metal and electricity and grease and ringing.
The speeder dropped off at a small office jutting out of the cliffside. Maz went inside with a satchel of money from Boba, under the guise she was looking to rent a beater ship for the week.
"We should go over the rest of the plan," Boba said as you waited outside. When you didn't answer him, he said your name, a little too entreating for your taste. As if you didn't have a reason to be angry right now. You whipped your head around with a scowl that would rival his own.
"We don't need to do anything," you spat. "You can use whatever plan you'd like. I'm just here for the free ride to my new captors."
Boba's face went through a series of emotions in rapid succession, each satisfying you in a twisted way. Surprise, confusion, offense, remorse. He eventually settled back into his resting face, and you thought perhaps he'd lapse into silence as he usually did, too. But after a beat, he cleared his throat.
"I can't protect you forever," he said quietly, betraying the hurt he truly felt. You realized Maz's comment about him being careless last night had stung him more than her slapping had.
"You could've just handed me over, without all this extra money grabbing."
He shook his head. "This is more than that. We're buying time, getting Crimson Dawn off our tail...."
You didn't like he was still referring to the two of you as a collective, like you'd had any input, or even a clue, what was he doing.
"Besides," he continued, "I didn't want to make an enemy out of Hondo. He really is an old friend. With Maz turning him in, that relationship's still preserved."
You scoffed, biting down the urge to scream at him. "Oh my god. Don't tell me you planned to have Maz come here."
He was silent but the answer was in his eyes.
"You... you're impossible!" You let your voice rise, but a particularly loud clank from the shipyard muffled the effect, further adding to your annoyance. "Must you have a secret plan for everything?!"
He spread his arms, at a loss with your attitude. "What? I'm just thinking bigger picture, working all the angles. I have to. It's the only way to survive in this universe."
"Well I'm sorry, but aside from the fact you'll be selling me at the end of all this, I thought we were working together. You should've told me about all your big picture angles and crap, or else left me chained up on your ship."
"I think that's our problem," he huffed in resignation. "We can't put that fact aside. The only way any of this is worth it to me is if I turn you in to this mystery guy. But you won't let me do that. Will you?"
You could almost feel his eyes searching you but you couldn't bear to turn your own gaze away from the blur of metalwork in front of you. You swallowed and took a purposefully calm breath.
"Of course I'll try to stop you when the time comes. But I think we both know who will win that fight. I'm the only one here risking something by cooperating with you."
Your voice sounded small and not your own, but it was the most honest and vulnerable thing you'd ever told him. You knew deep down how this story would end but had been reluctant to acknowledge it. The only hope you had was some of your questions being answered in the meantime.
Boba's hand made to reach for your shoulder, but he then thought better of it and reached out for the nearby railing instead. His voice sounded far-off when he said, "It's hard to share plans when you have conflicting interests."
There was a cough from behind, and you and Boba jolted, caught off guard. Maz stood there, her goggled eyes going between the two of you with a knowing look. You were starting to grow weary of her; she was cool enough, but way too perceptive.
"I got us a ship in Sector G, but we have a bit of trouble," she said, jerking a thumb back to the entrance of the shipyard. A large black container of a vehicle had pulled up, and pouring out of it was a squadron of white-clad soldiers.
Chapter Warnings: 2 beds very close together, emotions...
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Chapter 14: Uncanny Sentiments
You awoke expecting to be met with the bright, warm rays of the morning sun. Instead, you found only a subtle glow coming through the window curtains. Perhaps the days passed differently on this planet, but you could feel the heaviness of having too much sleep in your body to know you'd missed most of the day.
You lifted your head slightly to peer around the room, looking to see if Boba was sulking somewhere, cross with you for oversleeping. But to your surprise, you found him still lost in the throws of his own slumber in the bed next to yours. He was on his stomach, one arm hanging over the side. His face was turned toward you. For some reason, you couldn't pull yourself away from gazing at it. He looked so... peaceful.
The beds were very close together in the small hotel room, so close you could have reached out to touch him if you'd wanted. You felt your cheeks flush as you realized a part of you did want to. What were you thinking?
Flustered, you forced yourself to shift away, the sudden movement causing Boba to stir. He rolled over and propped himself up on one elbow, yawning and wiping his eyes. You watched him in silence, trying to convince yourself that his little sleepy movements were not cute in any way.
"Wait..." he said in a rough, groggy voice, now becoming aware of the odd lighting just as you had. He reached around to the small bedside table and lifted up one of his devices with the time. You could just make out over his shoulder that it was, in fact, very late in the day.
"Shit," he hissed in annoyance.
"Told you you were tired," you said with a faint laugh, trying to keep things lighthearted.
He didn't bother to look at you, only huffing and letting himself fall back onto his pillow. "We missed the train. We'll have to spend another night in this hell hole."
You pushed yourself to sit up, carefully stretching some of your limbs. They were sore and stiff and made you feel like an old lady. If only you'd exercised more back home....
"I thought this place was sacred?" you responded with a smirk. He still wasn't looking at you, choosing instead to scowl up at the ceiling. His face was definitely not peaceful-looking any more, and you wondered if you'd ever get the privilege to see it like that ever again.
"We could check out the festival, see what that's all about," you offered.
He clicked his tongue in disapproval. "And risk being recognized and attacked? No. That's why I wanted to leave today. Much easier to hide out in a shipyard than a city."
You pulled your knees up to your chest and rested your chin on top, sighing. You didn't like the idea of being kept inside this room for another night. It was almost like being locked up in a cage again.
"I suppose you could cover your face though," Boba eventually relented. You turned your head back to find he was now looking at you, his expression a little softer. You smiled at him in appreciation. His lips twitched, clearly trying to not smile back. You laughed at the effort and he rolled his eyes before climbing out of bed and getting ready for your evening excursion into the city.
* * *
Boba had tried to get you to wear a full-length veil. You wanted to be able to clearly see your surroundings. The compromise was a scarf wrapped around your head and the lower half of your face. It worked out pretty well.
The city itself was nothing spectacular, now that you could take in the details in the waning daylight. But the changes for the festival made the place feel much more lively than it probably did the rest of the year. There were quaint little booths lining almost every street with foreign vendors proudly displaying their wares. Strings of brightly colored flags zigged-zagged between buildings. Music played from somewhere.
You stopped to get a bite to eat, and the gangly creature serving you threw in some extra treats with a wink. Boba made you stand in a corner off the main thoroughfare so you could eat with the scarf off.
The two of you meandered along for the rest of the afternoon and well into the evening, silent but content. It felt good to stretch your legs and take it easy like this. It was even nicer to not feel like you were dripping with your own stench and filth. You actually felt like a person again.
Being surrounded by the bustling and the music and the laughter reminded you a bit of Maz's palace on Takodana. Creatures of all kinds speaking all sorts of languages, but all united in the common effort of just having a good time. It made it easy for you to let yourself forget about your troubles, if only for the time being.
Once the cold evening air started setting in, you were ready to make your way back to the hotel. But then you came across the source of the music: a group of ragtag musicians playing for a square full of dancing creatures. Boba scowled as you insisted on staying to watch the mesmerizing display of lively movement.
The melody eventually shifted to a slower, more gentle rhythm. You couldn't help but sway along with it, hiding a serene smile beneath your scarf.
Boba cleared his throat beside you. You looked over to find he had a hand held out, but his face otherwise wore his usual frown. You were learning by now that it was a neutral expression for him. So you took his hand, letting your eyes wrinkle so he knew you were smiling, and let him lead you into a dance.
With his hands resting lightly on your waist, and yours on his shoulders, the two of you rocked back and forth to the music. It felt strange to you, sharing a moment like this with a person like him. A bounty hunter, whose only concern was getting as much money out of you as possible.
You looked up at him and spoke for the first time in a while. "Can I ask you something? I mean... If I asked you a question, would you give me an honest answer?"
He had been looking around him, undoubtedly assessing the area for potential threats, and so was caught off guard by your question. His eyebrows quirked up.
"Depends on the question," he replied hesitantly. It was still weird to hear his voice so clear and unfiltered outside his helmet. It seemed easier now to understand him.
"Why did you wait?" you asked in a low voice, careful of any eavesdropping that could happen. "You said on Jakku that you saw me come through the portal. So why did you let me run around for three days before capturing me?"
Boba looked more surprised than you'd ever seen him before. He had clearly thought you'd ask something else, and truthfully, you had about seven other questions you could have gone with instead. But for some reason this one had been weighing on you the most. You just needed to know.
"I... wasn't expecting you," he said evenly enough, though his grip on your waist had tightened a little. "In this business, the higher the price, the more unpleasant the bounty. Sure, I was given your description. But seeing you was something else. You were just... normal."
You gulped. The first time he had seen you, and the first time you'd really seen him, you'd both come to the same sentiment. How uncanny.
"I wanted to watch you, just to be sure I wasn't missing something," he continued. "You weren't bad, fending for yourself like that. But I couldn't wait forever and it was clear you weren't special, so then I moved in."
He must have felt you tense as he immediately backpedaled.
"I meant... not that you aren't special... just, you know... not..."
"Unpleasant?" you smirked, though he couldn't see it. His cheeks were pink, but so was his nose, so you couldn't tell if it was from the cold or from embarrassment. That little spark of fascination you'd had that morning in gazing at him was starting to return.
No, you instructed yourself. He is not cute... He is not handsome... He will sell you at the end of all this... He is not worth your affection....
"You have your moments," he said softly. "But generally, no, you're not unpleasant."
Somehow the gap between you had shortened, so if you wanted, you could curl your arms completely around his neck. You could smell him, too. It was mostly just the soap from the hotel, but there was a smaller, more unique scent mixed in there as well.
The lanterns hanging all around cast a warm glow on everything, including his not-handsome face. He still had frown lines. He still wasn't able to completely relax. But the way he looked at you as you continued to roll along with the music, with those sharp brown eyes. And the way he held you, like you mattered, like he wanted you beside him....
No, you told yourself again. You're making things up. He doesn't like you. And you don't like him. You're just tired.
"Are you okay?" his voice cut through your thoughts. You must have shown more of your inner conflict than you'd realized. You shook your head, more to dismiss his concerns than as an answer to his question.
"I'm just tired," you said and stopped shuffling your feet. He stood still, too, blinking a few times and remaining silent, waiting for you to make the next move. When he had stared at you like this before, with the helmet, you'd assumed it was because he was annoyed. But now the helmet was gone, and you couldn't see any annoyance or frustration. If anything, he seemed confused and timid.
You turned away, unable to look at him any longer. You were going to suggest walking back to the hotel now, but something had caught your eye off in the distance. A little creature, orange and with big eyes, beckoning toward you from behind a pillar.
You'd only seen her as a statue, had only heard about her from others, but you knew without a doubt it was her.
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Chapter 13: Laying Low
Finagling last-minute accommodations for the night proved more difficult than you'd expected. Apparently there was some kind of parade or festival happening that week, bringing in plenty of other travelers to the otherwise desolate city. That, and the fact Boba was short on funds meant there weren't many options - at least no pleasant ones. But the night was already dragging on longer than you wanted, so by the time you did find yourself in a crummy hotel room, you were more relieved than disgusted.
"It may not be up to your standards, but it could certainly be worse," Boba was saying as he inspected the room, though for what, you did not know.
"I don't know where you got this impression I'm high maintenance, but it's seriously misguided," you said through a yawn.
Boba turned from peering through the curtains of the small window across the room and blinked at you. He couldn't seem to offer up a reason.
"Honestly. I'm just glad to finally sleep in a bed. And take a shower."
You'd cracked open a door on your left and discovered the little bathroom with a shower that didn't look as gross as it could have been... Exhaustion now forgotten, you itched at the prospect of finally, finally, being able to wash away the grime and stink of months worth of space travel.
"Well, we're going to need supplies," Boba said, drawing you out of your revere. "It's best if we get them now while it's still dark. Train leaves at ten tomorrow."
"I'll be fine here," you stated. Boba seemed hesitant, so you added, "I told you I'm not trying to run away anymore."
"That's not what I'm worried about," he muttered. Maybe you were just tired and imagining things, but he almost sounded embarrassed. He moved past you and jiggled with the lock on the door handle. "You keep this locked and let in no one. I have the key and should be back within the half hour."
You realized his concern wasn't you leaving, but someone else coming in. You nodded at his instructions, not keen on the idea of being captured yourself. You were only just enjoying freedom again.
"What if someone does come? How do I contact you?"
Boba looked at you with a frown. "You don't. Any comms frequencies could be tapped into."
"Then how..."
"I'll find you. But if you can, try not to let it get to that point."
He moved his cloak to the side, showcasing the various weapons and pouches he had strapped to his belt. He plucked off one of the smaller guns and handed it over to you with a smirk.
"Thanks," you said hesitantly, taking the gun from him and immediately setting it on the table next to you.
He left the room and you could hear him turning the lock with his key on the other side. A few moments later, and the stillness around you began sinking in. You realized this was first time you'd been truly apart from the bounty hunter in a long while. Even the times he had left you on his ship while he went off on his missions, it had still been his ship... there had been a sense of safety and control. Now you were all by yourself in a room that felt flimsy and hollow, on a strange planet where anything could happen. You weren't exactly scared, but you couldn't say you weren't just a little nervous.
You did not, however, let any of those little nerves get in the way of you enjoying a shower.
There'd been a time in your life, not too long ago, where you'd been particular about things like temperature and water pressure. But not now. Oh no. It felt glorious just as it was. You let the water run through your hair, wash over your skin, soak into your pores. Your body was still bruised and tired, but you felt more alive than you ever had before. You let yourself hum in contentment, a soft little tune you made up as you went, creating the melody to your own happiness.
A soft knock on the door outside brought you snapping back to reality. Your heart clenched in anticipation, but only for a moment, as a familiar voice called out to you.
"I'm just setting some clothes here for you," Boba said.
That was fast, you thought at first, before realizing you'd been in there for a lot longer than you'd planned.
There was a creak of the door, a quick burst of cold air as it flooded in from outside the now steamy bathroom, and then another creak as the door shut again. You quickly went to work scrubbing away at your skin with the little bar of soap provided, even lathering some up to use on your hair. It made the strands squeaky and dry, but at least you would no longer smell like the bottom of a sewer.
The clothes Boba had gotten for you were surprisingly thoughtful. There was a plain shirt but in the same color as the top you'd picked out for yourself in that crazy shop with the tampons. And there were two pant options, one soft and snuggly to wear to bed tonight, and the other a rougher, tougher material for when your travels resumed tomorrow.
Once you were clothed and had dried your hair as best you could, you finally came out of the bathroom. Boba was sitting on the edge of one of the twin beds, shoes off and one of his pant legs rolled up to his knee. He was applying some kind of salve to a cut on his shin. He looked up at you as you emerged, and again, you weren't sure if your tired mind was playing tricks on you, but you could've sworn he had a faint smile.
"Feel better?" he asked, sensing your renewed spirit.
You only nodded in response, fatigue finding its way back to you. Your eyes were starting to droop.
"I have food if you want it," he said, motioning to some cans that were stacked on the table next to various other supplies. "Otherwise, I suggest you get some rest. You need it."
"So do you," you said pointedly, suppressing a yawn so your point wouldn't be lost. "I don't think I've ever seen you sleep."
"That's because I usually have my helmet on. I've been asleep under there more often than you think... usually when you're blabbing on about something."
You raised your eyebrows. Was that a joke? Was he actually trying to be humorous for once? He'd turned his attention back to his leg, now wrapping a bandage around the wound, but his demeanor definitely seemed much less stiff than usual. Not that you were complaining, but it was curious.
"I don't... blabber..." you said under your breath. You went to the other bed and crawled under the sheets, focusing on how nice it was to finally lay on a mattress and ignoring any thoughts about it having been used by who-knew what kind of creatures.
It was almost too soft. You spent a good minute shifting positions, trying to find one that worked the best, before finally settling in. Your mind was ready for sleep, right on the edge of shutting out the waking world and drifting away into the land of dreams. But you could hear Boba rummaging through his pile of supplies, unloading and reloading his guns, anxiously peeking out the windows.... He was quiet enough you could've slept through it, but you held on to consciousness for a moment longer.
"Boba. Seriously."
He tut-ed at you. "I'm fine."
"No, you're tired. Just admit it and go to bed." You sounded like a parent scolding a child. But that tactic didn't seem to work as the stubborn man continued to fiddle away. So you sighed and purposefully removed the crankiness from your voice.
"How are you going to steal a ship tomorrow if you're tired? How are you going to protect me or help Hondo or find the buyer with the rest of your money?" you asked softly.
There was a moment of silence before the lights were finally clicked off, and the bed beside you rustled as Boba slid into it.
"Fine. Happy?"
Your gaze naturally drifted to the slivers of moonlight peeking into the room from around the window. Each blink grew slower and slower as you finally let yourself go.
Chapter Warnings: Boba gets slapped around (he kinda deserves it tho), light swearing
AO3 Link (In case you like it better over there, it’s okay, no judgement)
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Chapter 15: Meeting Maz
You turned to point the little orange woman out to Boba, but he was already shaking his head at you with pursed lips.
"Be subtle," he murmured almost imperceptibly above the music, which was now picking back up into a more energetic pace.
He placed a hand in the middle of your back and guided you through the dancers as they continued to twist and turn. When you emerged from the thick of them, Maz was nowhere to be seen, but Boba continued on. His hand fell and he moved in front of you, casually weaving between chairs and posts and trees... You followed him down the road, trusting he knew where to go, and trying to be casual about it yourself. But your mind couldn't help but wander through all the possible reasons Maz Kanata could be here.
About a minute later, Boba suddenly ducked into an alleyway. You skipped forward to keep up with him, just catching the tail end of his arm as he went through a curtained entrance. You pushed aside the fabric and found yourself in a small, dimly lit room, Maz standing on a table in the middle of it.
"Boba," she said, before promptly slapping him across the face.
The bounty hunter rubbed his jaw, more annoyed than in pain. "Maz," he grumbled, "good to see you too."
"I'm glad you finally took that silly helmet off," she said with a lighthearted tone that completely contradicted her rough actions. "Made it much more satisfying."
She turned toward you and jerked her thumb at Boba. "You should try it. Might not get another chance. And don't tell me you haven't wanted to. Everyone in the galaxy wants to hit Boba Fett."
To demonstrate, she slapped his other cheek, making him grunt in annoyance again. You weren't able to form a response, in awe of this woman. Her sass, her confidence... she was even cooler than you'd previously imagined.
And she was right, you had thought about slapping Boba before. Multiple times. As recently as five minutes ago, in fact.
"That's enough hitting for now," Boba said firmly, casting you a look that said don't you dare. That made you want to even more, especially considering he'd been almost gentle just a moment ago, making you flustered and confused.
But Maz had her own bone to pick with the bounty hunter. While he was busy glaring at you, she swung a fist at his shoulder, chewing him out before he had a chance to protest.
"That's enough, you say? Well here's what's not enough, young Fett. Your apology, which at this moment in time is non-existent. I went to great lengths to help you and in return you beat up my guests. Not to mention all the blaster holes you left in my walls. Do you know how much work that'll be to buff out?"
Boba had his arms crossed and was now standing just out of reach of any limbs Maz might try swinging at him again. When her rant seemed about done, he huffed in irritation. "You do realize that slimy old bastard Elon betrayed you."
"Yes and he will hang for it, but that doesn't excuse your choice to engage in a full-on brawl with my guests in the sanctity of my home."
"I wasn't the one who attacked first, Maz. Your guests broke the rule."
"Well what did you expect?" Maz shot back. She didn't sound upset, exactly. It was more like she was a mother who'd caught her child sneaking out for the night. She was reprimanding him. "You bring the galaxy's most valuable bounty with you, rules or no rules, you'll have a fight on your hands. I'm surprised you've been able to keep her with you this long with that kind of carelessness."
Boba huffed again and turned away, gripping the back of a chair with his head hung low. Maz wasted no time dwelling on his silence, turning to speak to you instead.
"Come here, child," she said with an outstretched arm. You hesitantly walked forward and placed your hand in hers. It was small and cold, but she grasped firmly as a friend would.
"You are not what I expected," she said.
You gulped as you remembered Boba sharing the same first impression. "Yeah, I've been getting that a lot," you said with a sheepish smile.
Maz let go of your hand and reached for the goggles she wore, pushing them up to rest on her cap. Her eyes were small, nestled in a sunken wring of orange wrinkles. They were kind, but seemed to be reaching past your outer appearance, seeing the parts of you you found difficult to share.
"You must be very special to the one who seeks you."
It was simple enough of a statement, but it pulled at you in a way that made you think you'd been looking at your situation in the wrong way. Before you could really explore that idea, though, Maz spoke again.
"I have a proposition." Her voice was no longer soft and insightful, but back to business. She moved her goggles back over her eyes as well. "I understand you will be collecting the bounty on that scoundrel Hondo Ohnaka?"
She was probably addressing Boba more than you, but you decided to respond anyway. "No, Hondo's helping us get the money a different way."
Maz gave Boba a knowing look. He stubbornly stayed facing the other way. "Curious, the way you treat her. Giving her freedom, dancing with her... but not telling her the truth."
You grew alarmed, looking between Maz and the backside of Boba. "What do you mean? What truth?"
"Boba never lets go of a bounty, my dear," she explained. "He'll let Ohnaka finish his little job, he'll collect the money the pirate promised him, and then he'll turn the poor man over to the Rang Clan and take their money, too."
"What? But... why?" You felt silly, like a little kid who had to have simple things explained to them. "The money from Hondo will be more than enough to refuel. Why waste time getting even more?"
But as you said the words, you knew what the answer would be. The realization hit you hard, leaving a bitter lump in the back of your throat. He was still planning to give you to the Rangs, too, and finish solving the mystery of your buyer on his own. And there was no need for him to rush for it; he had a million-credit advancement from your bounty already. The fuel thing had merely been a ploy to squeeze even more money out of the situation. He could keep chasing other bounties, manipulate other "old friends" with his circumstance, and eventually make his way to your buyer for a final haul.
Boba Fett only cared about money. He didn't, and would never, care about you.
"You said you had a proposition?" you asked Maz, your throat dry and coarse. She regarded you with a sympathetic look.
"I, too, need an alliance with the Rang Clan. Boba got a few slaps for his behavior in my palace, but Crimson Dawn needs a more severe punishment. If I help you bring him in, perhaps the Rangs will consider antagonizing their sworn enemy a little more on my behalf."
Boba finally let go of the chair and turned back to face her. You could tell he was careful not to make eye contact with you too, which brought forth your desire to hit him again. He had his mouth open to speak, but Maz cut him off.
"You want to know what's in it for you. Obviously it'll mostly be your way of apologizing and getting back on my good side. But... I can also help keep an eye on the girl for you. Make sure the Rangs don't get any ideas about selling her for themselves."
His eyes flicked to you, only briefly, as if he didn't mean to and caught himself. He scowled at the floor for a moment to cover, and then returned his gaze back to Maz with a defeated sigh.
"Fine. Meet us at the train station by ten. You can help us get another ship."
Another deal. This time, you couldn't help but wonder if Boba still had his own agenda hidden beneath the surface. It would be difficult to fully trust him again.
Maz chuckled, jumping off the table and heading toward the doorway. "I think I'll just watch. I've never been very good at stealing things."
She lifted the curtain to the side, beginning to step back out into the cold night.
"Maz," Boba said in a subdued voice. "I am sorry."
The little woman waved at him before disappearing. You could see his eyes had softened, just as they had been while looking at you on the dance floor. You wished he had his helmet on; it'd be a lot easier to stay mad at him that way.
