based on chapter 13: the jedi; 6.3k+ words

edit by sondercoyfish

You stepped into the cockpit, your hand trailing along the wall for support. The ride through the stars had still been rocky despite the repairs on the ship. Upon entering the cockpit, you saw the Child sat on Din's lap.

"Corvus," Din said. "This is the place. I've detected a beacon." He glanced at you as you smiled. "I started the landing cycle. You two better get back in your seats."

"You heard him, little one," you said, sitting in your seat. You reached over and patted the spot beside you. "Come sit."

The baby looked at you, then back in front of him. He cooed.

"Hey," Din snapped, getting his attention. "What did we tell you?"

The baby reluctantly climbed off of Din's lap. He waddled over to the seat and climbed up. You watched him closely to make sure he strapped himself in. When he did, you smiled, and he sighed.

"What's Corvus like?" you asked Din.

"Don't know," he said. "Never been there."

"Hopefully it isn't covered in snow," you said. "Or water."

"You didn't enjoy your last two visits?" he chuckled.

"No," you said, smiling. "I thought I would, but almost freezing to death and almost drowning really makes you realize how crappy things are out here. I'd much rather float around the galaxy in the Razor Crest."

Neither you nor Din were aware of the Child's closed eyes or raised hand. The ball flying into the Child's palm went unnoticed as the ship neared the surface of Corvus.

Corvus looked grim. It was foggy and evergreen. There was a certain charm of beauty to it. Evergreen had always been one of your favorite colors. But there was hardly any life around you. The city you soared over looked more like a prison camp. Din found a clear spot in the trees to land. You could see the ground through the naked branches. Large, noisy creatures gnawed on the trunks of trees. Screeches sounded in the distance. The air was eerie as you disembarked, the Child balanced on your hip, your left arm circled around him. Din was already looking around, making sure it was safe. No warning came from him, so you placed the baby down, giving him freedom to walk behind you.

He whined and dropped to the surface of the ramp, moving a silver ball around in his hands. You and Din turned your heads to look at him.

"What's wrong with you, little one?" you asked.

Din shook his head and reached for the ball that was in his hands. "What did I say about that? This needs to stay in the ship."

"What is it?" you asked.

"It's a part of my ship, that's what it is," Din said, holding it up for you to see. "And he's been messing around with it for too long."

The baby whined and you looked at Din. "I think you're being too strict on him."

"Too strict?" he asked.

"It's just a ball," you said. The Child reached up for you and whined.

"It's part of my ship," he repeated. An exasperated sigh left him as you picked up the Child and hushed him, bringing him close to your face to touch your forehead to his. You spoke to him reassuringly, hushed and soft. "You can't be serious."

"What?" you asked.

"You're babying him," he said.

He shrugged. "He's a baby."

"He's old enough to know not to whine when he doesn't get his way."

"Like I said, I think you're being too harsh with him on this," you said. You adjusted him on your hip.

Din shook his head. "Unbelievable." To change the subject, he looked around. "Doesn't look like there's much to see out here. I've never had dealings with a Jedi before. Let's head into town, see if we can pick up a lead."

"All right," you said. You walked alongside Din, stepping through the thick fog and towards the dim lights of the city ahead.

Armed guards were perched on top of the heavily armored fence. The guard in the center wore no helmet.

"State your business," he called down.

"Been tracking for a few days," Din said. "Looking for a layover."

"Nice armor." The Child was hidden in the bag attached to Din's hip, and you were grateful he couldn't be seen. The eyes on you were enough to send you back into feelings from back in the palace. "You a hunter, then?"

"That's right," Din replied.

"Guild?"

"Last I checked."

"And who's she?" the guard asked, jerking his chin in your direction. "A bounty of yours?"

"Of sorts," he said.

The masked guards made a comment in a language you didn't understand. You tilted your head to the side slightly as a smirk grew on the unmasked guard's face. "What's your name, woman?"

"She doesn't speak Basic," Din said quickly. "She'll answer you in Huttese."

"I don't speak Huttese," the guard said.

"Shame."

"Why don't you cuff your bounty, Mandalorian?"

"She's harmless," he said simply.

"She looks it."

You tried not to react. How did you look harmless? No one could see the blaster strapped to your waist from beneath your poncho. You were hidden in layers, from the grey poncho to the blue skirt and brown leggings you wore. You supposed maybe you did look harmless, and maybe that was a good thing.

"Open the gates," the guard demanded loudly, his eyes still on you.

The doors pulled open with a loud groan, and what they revealed was the saddest sight you'd ever seen. A city full of people, each covered in layers of old cloth and grime. Children didn't play in the streets but cowered behind their tired parents, who refused to look at you or the Mandalorian as they made their ways quickly to their homes. Droids that walked the streets looked as if they barely operated. Even the markets shut down as you passed by.

"Pardon me, vendor," Din tried. An elderly woman took one look at him before she fled, abandoning her table of goods. "Have you... hm."

You looked at him, your eyebrows drawn together in confusion. He shrugged and turned in a half-circle, his eyes falling on the shape of a man knelt in front of two children, hidden in the dimness of an alleyway.

"You there," Din said, approaching him without fear. You followed, sticking right behind his shoulder. "I need some information. I'm looking for someone."

He looked at Din, swallowed hard, and then back at the two young children. "Okay, bye." His voice was a hushed whisper. He stood, his hands raised. They trembled. "Please, do not speak to them. Or any of us."

"Look," Din said, "I just need to know---"

You jumped and turned quickly at the sound of movement behind you. The masked guards stood at the entrance of the alleyway, guns in their hands. "The Magistrate wants to see you."

Din looked over them, sizing up their weapons and his chances. If he didn't listen, they'd take action quickly. With all of the eyes on him from above, he knew he didn't stand a chance. He nodded and glanced at you, jerking his head for you to know to follow him.

They followed you and Din down the main road, where a large building behind another set of gates stood. This building looked in far better condition than those of the village, except for the path leading up to it. Gates that were sparking with electricity held several men and women captive. You knew their purpose at once. If one of the prisoners didn't stand up straight, if they allowed their body to relax, they would be shocked. You wondered if it would kill them or simply hurt them.

"Help us," one of the prisoners pleaded. As he spoke, his body leaned against one of the rings that circled his prison. His body convulsed.

The woman next to him whispered, "She'll kill us all."

You didn't want to look anymore, but you had to. Your eyes met the woman's and you stared at her sympathetically, taking in her terror. Your mind flashed back to when you were a prisoner in your own kingdom, pleading for help from the wall you were shackled to.

The second set of gates opened. Before you and Din took a step towards them, one of the guards said, "You can leave the bounty here."

Icy fear shot into your veins. The hair on your arms raised. Their eyes were on you and you knew it. You knew this feeling so well. This dreaded, dreaded feeling. They couldn't see your face, so you looked at Din, eyes wide. "You go in alone."

"She comes with me," Din's gaze moved past yours. He barely turned his head to catch a glimpse of the guards.

"She'll be fine here," they tried again.

"I said she comes with me."

"You don't want to share, Mandalorian?"

Din started to walk through the gates. You stayed right on his side. As the gates closed, you let your eyes shut and released a shaky breath. Your hands went to your knees and you turned, feeling sick to your stomach. Your closed fist pressed to your lips, pushing back the scream you desperately wanted to release.

Although Din wanted to comfort you, he was standing in front of the Magistrate. She picked from a bowl and tossed food into the water that surrounded her lush garden, her eyes on him and his armor. She was too preoccupied with staring at him to notice the girl that was desperately trying to recover in the shadows of her sanctuary.

"Come forward," she ordered. He obeyed. You followed behind, keeping your head down. "You are Mandalorian?"

"Yes," he said.

"I have a proposition that may interest you," she said.

"My price is high," he said.

She raised her eyebrows. "This target is priceless. A Jedi plagues me. I want you to kill her."

"That's a difficult task," he said.

"One that you are well-suited for. The Jedi are the ancient enemy of Mandalore."

"As I said, my price is high," he replied.

She held out a hand. The droid standing behind her brought forth a long spear. Even in the dim light of this planet, it gleamed just like Din's armor. She held it out to him. "What do you make of this?"

Din approached her cautiously. His hands took it from her gingerly. He moved it, tested the weight of it in his hands. It clanked against the armor covering his arm. "Beskar."

"Pure beskar," she corrected. "Like your armor. Kill the Jedi, and it's yours."

He handed it back to her and nodded. "Where do I find this Jedi?"

The Magistrate smiled.

After being given the idea of her location, you and Din were sent out of the village and back through the first set of gates. The unmasked guard saw you out. He reminded you too much of Vinor Thriff in the way his eyes lingered on you. You pretended you didn't see.

"Where'd you pick her up, anyway?" he asked Din. Din didn't respond. "Just curious. How much is she worth? It's gotta be somethin' valuable, if you won't let her out of your sight." Din still ignored him. His eyes shifted to the bag at his hip, where a set of big dark eyes stared at him unhappily. A low growl came from the Child. "What is that thing?"

"I keep it around for luck," Din said.

"You're gonna need it where you're headed."

Din glared at him from beneath the helmet before he set off in the direction he was told. You followed him, grateful to be walking away.

"Such a shame that girl of yours is gonna die, too," he called out. "Such a waste."

"Just keep walking," Din whispered to you. "They won't touch you."

"I know," you breathed back, staring ahead. "Doesn't make it any easier to hear."

"Vinor Thriff is dead," he reminded you. "And soon, that guard will join him." He added lightly, "I thought the kid was going to bite the man's fingers off, the way he was growling at him. I wouldn't have stopped him. I look forward to ending him myself."

You smiled. Din moved the Child to the other side of his hip so he could see you. His ears perked up and his lips curled up into a smile. Your heart warmed at the sight of it. Your hand found Din's and you walked alongside both of your boys, feeling safer with the fog wrapping around you.

The forest was dead, but it was thick and dense. Fallen trees provided obstacles constantly. As Din helped you climb over a particularly large one, he glanced around. "Well, these are the coordinates. Keep your eyes open. We must be close."

The forest was eerily quiet, without a hint of someone nearby. As you turned in a slow circle, you tried to see something in the shadows, in the shade of the tree branches. There was nothing.

A shriek made you and the Child jump. He whined in the bag on Din's hip. "What do you think that was?"

"I don't know," Din replied. He removed the Child from his hip and placed him on a large rock. "Don't you worry, kid. You sit right here. Let me see what's out there."

"We can't leave him unprotected," you said.

"We're not," he said. "I'll go look around. You sit here, and you look here."

You already had your blaster out in your hand. "Din, if a Jedi sees you..."

"Here," he said, and you pulled out a small telescope. "I'll look this way. Happy?"

You crossed your arms over your chest. "Not particularly."

He turned in a slow circle and then sighed. "False alarm."

"Was it nothing?" you asked.

"It was---"

With a shriek of anger, someone dropped from the trees above. You gasped as you saw the flashing light of two lightsabers, each a bright white. They clashed against Din's armor as he raised his arms to take the hits for him. He used the flamethrower against her. She flipped into the air, landing a safe distance away. He wrapped her up in the grappling line. Trapped, she leapt up into the air and over a tree trunk, leaving him dangling for a split second. She landed on her feet and ignited her lightsabers again. You sprinted forward, blaster pointed at her, prepared and aware that she was far more equipped to kill you than you were to kill her.

Din landed on his feet before she could move against you. "Ahsoka Tano!"

At the sound of her name, she froze. Her eyes were piercing, striking compared to the rich orange of her skin. You had never seen anything like her.

"Bo-Katan sent me. We need to talk."

Her eyes shifted to the baby, who sat on the rock behind you. The blinding light from her lightsabers vanished and she stood up. "I hope it's about him."

He cooed at the sight of the three of you, his ears perked up.

As the sun set on the planet, the night grew cold. Ahsoka built a fire that she sat beside, the baby seated across from her. They silently gazed at one another, their heads tilting, their eyes blinking, their smiles growing periodically. You couldn't understand what they were doing. You and Din stood awkwardly to the side of the silent conversation.

He had been pacing for several minutes, continuously looking up to check on the Child. His concern for him made you smile. You stretched your arms in front of you and grabbed for his hands. He let you take them, confused.

"Come here, my heart," you whispered, pulling him close to you. He turned his head to check on the Child, and you cupped your hand at the side of his helmet to draw him back to look at you. "Let them be. He's fine."

"I know, I just---"

"You worry," you finished for him. "I know you do."

"You're not worried?" he asked.

"You've seen him over there. He looks comfortable. Happy." This also made you sad, but you didn't want to bring that to his attention. Your heart hurt as he reached his arms up for Ahsoka and she picked him up. Their embrace was a silhouette against the bright silver moon. Your arms felt empty.

After a few moments, Ahsoka nodded and picked up a lantern. She walked the Child back over to the two of you. Din kept one of your hands in his. The lantern was placed in the middle of the circle she made out of the two of you, the Child, and her. She and the Child sat side by side on the earth.

"Is he speaking?" Din asked. "Do you understand him?"

"In a way," she said. "Grogu and I can feel each other's thoughts."

Grogu. Your eyebrows furrowed as you looked at the Child. His ears perked up at the mention of his name out loud. He stared up at Ahsoka with amazement.

"Grogu?" Din asked, and the Child's head whipped around, his attention immediately on your Mandalorian's. He cooed excitedly, his ears perking even higher, his arms opening, his teeth showing a smile.

"Yes," Ahsoka said, smiling at his reaction. "That's his name."

Din looked at you. You knelt on the ground beside him and whispered, "Grogu."

His eyes were on you in a flash, a babble pouring out of his mouth. He reached a grabbing hand for you and you laughed softly, closing your own hand around his. Amazed and happy, you looked back at Din, who tilted his head as he watched the two of you interact.

"He was raised at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. Many Masters trained him over the years. At the end of the Clone Wars, when the Empire rose to power, he was hidden." Din stared at Ahsoka, listening intently. He sank down to sit next to you. Your eyes were on her, too, and you found yourself completely absorbed in this story that you'd never heard of. "Someone took him from the Temple. Then his memory becomes... dark. He seemed lost, alone. I've only known one another being like this, a wise Jedi Master named Yoda. Can he still wield the Force?"

"You mean his powers?" Din asked.

"The Force is what gives him his powers," she explained. "It is an energy field created by all living things. To wield it takes a great deal of training and discipline."

"I've seen him do things that I can't explain," Din said. As the baby nodded off, you reached out and carefully took him into your arms. You leaned against Din as you sat back, cradling the Child gently. "My task was to bring him to a Jedi."

"The Jedi Order fell a long time ago," Ahsoka said sadly.

"So did the Empire, yet it still hunts him. He needs your help."

Ahsoka sighed. Her head tilted as she observed the Child, who started to snore softly in your hold. You stroked your finger down the small bridge of his tiny nose, feeling his warm breath slow against your skin. He was sound asleep, exhausted from his long conversation with the Jedi.

"Let him sleep," Ahsoka said. "I'll test him in the morning."

Din stood up, his hands on your elbows to help you. He kept an arm around you and led you to the fire, where you could stay warm. You sat against one of the stones and leaned against it. Din plopped down beside you, grunting with the tired weight that dragged him down. His hands were pulling the cape off of his armor. He draped it over you and the Child as you leaned further against him. Ahsoka didn't stay. She took one glance at the three of you, pursed her lips, and stood up, picking up her lantern and disappearing into the darkness.

"Should one of us stay awake?" you whispered, eyes on the crackling fire. "Do you think there's danger?"

"Don't worry about it," he said. "I trust her."

"I trust her, too," you whispered back, "but it is those men I'm worried about."

"No one will touch you while I am here," he said. "You know my promise. Sleep, my heart. I will watch over you and the Child."

"You need sleep too," you mumbled.

"I will sleep in a few hours, when the sun has risen and you can rest easily. It won't be long now." His helmet leaned against the top of your head and you shut your eyes.

In the early hours of the morning, you woke up first. The Child was stirring in your arms, ears perked up and eyes on the Jedi, who was standing a few feet away, waiting for him. He babbled at you, asking for your permission to go ahead. You loosened your grip and sat him down before you turned over and patted Din's chestplate.

"It's time to wake up," you whispered. He jumped only slightly, the arm underneath you reaching up quickly to touch your shoulder. He grunted and sat up.

"The Child---"

"Is with the Jedi," you assured him, nodding over to the two of them. Ahsoka reached down and grabbed his hand, smiling and telling him good morning. You shifted to your knees as Din sat up straighter, stretching his arms. You took his face in your hands and let your fingers trace the jawline of his helmet. One of his hands covered yours, and as you stood, you pulled away, walking towards the Jedi and the Child with a smile on your face.

Ahsoka led you deeper into the forest. Din carried the Child as you hiked up the mossy green hills. "Let's see what knowledge is lurking inside that little mind."

She gestured to a stone. Din placed him on top of it, patting his back encouragingly. He stood up straight as Ahsoka picked a small pebble off the ground. She tossed it in the air and caught it. Her hand turned, the stone balancing at the center of her palm. Gracefully, she pushed it. It floated through the air steadily, heading slowly towards the Child. He reached up to catch it.

"Now return the stone to me, Grogu," she said. He just looked at her.

"He doesn't understand," Din said.

"He does," she assured him. "It's okay. The stone, Grogu."

Din jerked his head in the direction of the Jedi, silently encouraging him to do it. Grogu whined and dropped the rock. Din sighed and you frowned. Ahsoka knelt in front of the Child and took his hand. She shut her eyes.

"I sense much fear in you," she said thoughtfully. Your eyebrows furrowed. Fear of what? "He's hidden his abilities to survive over the years. Let's try something else. Come over here."

Din jerked his head again, gesturing to the Jedi. Grogu looked at him, then back at the ground. "He's stubborn."

"Not him," Ahsoka said. "You. I want to see if he'll listen to you."

"That would be a first," Din replied, but he left your side for the Jedi's.

"I like firsts. Good or bad, they're always memorable," she said, smiling. She handed him the stone. "Now hold the stone out in the palm of your hand. Tell him to lift it up."

Din obeyed. He looked at Grogu and said, "All right, kid. Lift the stone."

Ahsoka leaned close to him and whispered, "Grogu."

"Grogu," Din tried again, and the baby looked up at him with wide eyes and perked up ears. "Come on, lift the stone." When he didn't respond, Din shook his head and tossed the pebble. "You see? I told you, he's stubborn."

"Try to connect with him," Ahsoka suggested.

The two stared at each other for a long moment before Din thought to pull the ball from the pouch at his side. He spun in around his fingers before he held it up. "Grogu... do you want this?" Grogu's hand raised. Din knelt on the ground, holding the ball up for him. "Well, go ahead. That's right, take it. Come on, you can have it. Come on---"

He shut his eyes and you heard a grunt of concentration come out of him. Slowly, he held out a hand and the ball flew out of Din's grip, landing directly in the center of Grogu's palm. Din jumped up excitedly.

"Good job!" he cheered. "Good job, kid. Did you see that? That's right!" He knelt in front of him. "I knew you could do it." He took the ball from Grogu and looked up at you. "Did you see it, Princess?"

"I did," you said, your smile growing as you neared them both. You knelt down beside Din. "You did so good, little one."

"Very good," Din agreed.

"He's formed a strong attachment to you," Ahsoka said. "To both of you, but his attachment to you, Mandalorian... it is very strong. I cannot train him."

"What?" You and Din stood up. "Why not? You've seen what he can do."

"His attachment to you makes him vulnerable to his fears," she explained. "His anger."

"All the more reason to train him!"

"No," she said, approaching him with clenched fists. "I've seen what such feelings can do to a fully trained Jedi Knight. To the best of us. I will not start this child down that path. Better to let his abilities fade. I've delayed too long. I must get back to the village."

"The Magistrate sent me to kill you," Din shouted. "I didn't agree to anything. And I'll help you with your problem, if you see to it that Grogu is properly trained."

Ahsoka told you and Din about the Magistrate on the way back to the Razor Crest. He traded her information about what all she had within the village walls. Din handed you the baby before you split ways, but this time you weren't afraid of the separation.

The plan was for Ahsoka and Din to arrive in the village first. You would stay behind to make sure Grogu was sound asleep in the ship. Once he was snoring, curled up in his tiny little hammock, you were to set out.

"I'll arrive first," Ahsoka said. "Then the Mandalorian. Then you. You'll know when it is time to move towards the village when you hear loud gongs. That is how they'll warn the Magistrate that I am there and coming for her."

You nodded. "I'll be there. And I'll be ready."

"A Mandalorian, a princess, and a Jedi?" Din said. "They'll never see it coming."

Before Ahsoka and Din left, you paused to take his hands. You did not speak, but you knew the squeeze you gave his palms was enough. He gave you a fast nod of reassurance and then you parted ways, the baby on your hip.

The Child fell asleep quickly, but you remained to wait for the gongs. It wasn't long before they tolled, loud on this silent and sad planet. You gathered your weapons and prepared to leave.

But before you left, you paused. If this mission ended successfully and Ahsoka agreed to training Grogu, then today would be it. It would be the last day you'd ever see him. Grogu, who had formed a strong bond with you in the small amount of time you were given with him. Grogu, who had formed a bond so strong with Din that it frightened the Jedi.

Grogu isn't yours, isn't Din's. But maybe Grogu thought that you both were his.

The thought made you smile as you ducked out of the Razor Crest, sealing it tightly behind you. You set off back the way you had traveled before, your blaster ready in your hand. You had changed out of your skirt and poncho, wearing a thin dress that flowed out just above your knees. Your boots came up just below your knees, covered in mud and moss from this planet. You kept your hair braided down the center of your back so it wouldn't get in your way.

You wanted to prove your strength. Not to Din. He knew how strong you were. But to you. Your fears made you weakened, but you could learn to use them against your enemies.

You ran to the village. The gong was sliced in half and you knew that it was the doing of the Jedi. It lay in pieces in front of the gates. You couldn't see any guards, and you heard Ahsoka's voice from the other side of the wall. You climbed on top of one of the halves and jumped. Your fingers barely caught the edge of the wall. You pulled yourself up, grunting and digging the toes of your boots into the crevice of the wall. You slung one leg over the side and dropped onto the top, breathless by your efforts.

From the top of the wall, you could see the Jedi standing before the Magistrate and her small but powerful army. She held the beskar spear in her grip. The guards fired red blasts at Ahsoka and she flipped onto the roofs, taking her chances up there.

"Kill them all," the Magistrate ordered, nodding to the prisoners. "Then go door to door."

You hurriedly rushed to the ladder and climbed down. You ran forward, blaster raised. You fired at the guard that was preparing to shoot one of the prisoners outside of the Magistrate's walls. You killed him and then spun around, hearing heavy footsteps against the ground. Before the second guard could kill you, Din dropped from the sky, landing on top of him and kicking him to the ground. He looked up and his eyes met yours. You smiled.

More footsteps made you both turn again, guns ready. The man from the alleyway before stopped, hands raised to show his innocence. You lowered your blaster as Din did, and the three of you nodded in acknowledgement of your agreement as you turned to release the prisoners that were being tortured in their electrified prisons.

"We need to put all of the citizens in one place, where we can protect them," you said. You freed the woman from the prison and she fell off the stand. You caught her, your arms wrapping around her tightly. She nearly knocked you over. Din grabbed you at the last minute, helping you ease her to the ground where she sobbed and thanked you over and over again.

"My home," the man from the alleyway said. "They can all hide in my home."

You nodded. "Lead me there," you said, helping the woman put her arm over your shoulders.

You stood at the doorway of his home, helping every person rush inside. Some thanked you, grateful for this opportunity. Some cried and trembled, believing that only bad would come out of this situation. But the man they knew reassured them that the Jedi, Mandalorian, and the girl would protect them.

"Lang," Din said, warning you. You turned and saw him at the end of the street; the unmasked guard that reminded you so much of Vinor Thriff. You froze. Din waved everyone inside and they sealed the door. You backed up to stand side by side with him.

"I'm starting to think this girl of yours isn't a bounty at all," he said.

"She was," he said. "Now she's not."

His eyes raised to just above your shoulder, where you knew that on the wall in front of the Magistrate's sanctuary stood Ahsoka. She disappeared inside.

"So you threw in with the Jedi," he said.

"Looks that way."

In the near distance, you could hear Ahsoka and the Magistrate. The guard stepped closer. "Who do you think is gonna win? Could be your side. Could be my side. I got no quarrel with you, Mandalorian."

Din's hand touched his blaster, ready to grab it and fire. He tilted his shoulder so that it was slightly in front of you and held out his other hand. "That's far enough."

The warning was enough to make the man stop. He looked from you to Din and smiled calmly. "You and I, we're a lot alike. Willing to lay our lives down for the right cause. Which this is not."

Clang! The sound of the spear hitting the ground rang through the air.

"Sounds like you win."

Lang knelt to lower his weapon. As he placed it on the ground, he smirked, and his hand snatched the second gun from his back. He pulled it out and turned it on you. He fired, and Din stepped in front of you, absorbing the hit with his beskar and firing back. He flew backwards and hit the ground, still.

"Did you know he was going to do that?" you asked.

"I thought he might," Din said, slipping the blaster back in his holster. "Hoped he wouldn't."

Your lips twitched as you looked up at your Mandalorian. The doors of the house opened and the citizens came out fearfully. Din nodded encouragingly at them to let them know that it was safe. The one from the alleyway smiled at him. A thank you was about to pour off of his lips when he looked up and exclaimed, "Behind you!"

You spun as quickly as Din did. The guard at the top of the roof pointed its gun at Din but you shot first. Its body slumped off of the metal surface and crashed to the ground. You put your weapon away and looked at Din.

The fog seemed to vanish as the rule of the Magistrate ended. Ahsoka left the walls of the sanctuary with the spear of Beskar in her hand. As the citizens began to celebrate and the sun was able to shine through the clearing fog, the three of you left the village.

Ahsoka handed Din the spear. "I believe this was your payment."

"No," he said. "I can't accept. I didn't finish the job."

"No," she agreed, "but this... belongs with a Mandalorian."

He took it silently, nodding to her in thanks.

"The little one is sound asleep on the ship?" she asked.

"Yes," you said.

"Wait here, we'll go get him," Din said.

Ahsoka said nothing, and as you heard these words, your heart broke. You tried not to show it on your face, but the thought of bidding goodbye to Grogu now... you couldn't bear it. Din's hand grabbed yours and he held on tightly, making you wonder if he was thinking the very same thing.

Grogu was still sleeping in his little hammock when you boarded the ship. Din approached slowly. "Wake up, buddy. It's... it's time to say goodbye."

Grogu's eyes barely tried to open. You couldn't help but smile, reaching up to stroke the round of his cheek. Din rocked the hammock and he eased back into his dreams.

He picked him up out of the hammock and stared at him. Your fingers stroked the top of his head and you decided you couldn't do it. Much like how you decided you would keep Din, you decided you would have to keep Grogu, too.

"Din?"

"Hm?"

"I cannot bear to say goodbye to him," you whispered.

"Me either," he said. "But this Jedi... she can give him everything that he needs. Training. And she... she cares for him."

You shut your tear-filled eyes.

"I'm only sorry that I did this to you," he said, voice soft. "Brought you to him only to take him away from you. I know it hurts you. It hurts me."

"Din," you breathed, "you gave me a family by bringing me to him. By letting me remain with you."

Together, the three of you remained in a sort of embrace. Din held the baby and you stroked the top of his head, your other hand on the small of Din's back. Your cheek pressed against the cool beskar of his shoulder-plate, and you just watched the sleeping face of the baby you loved until it was time to move.

Din dressed Grogu. Grogu finally decided to wake up. He rubbed his eyes sleepily and frowned sadly.

"Look at me, little one," you whispered, bending down to meet his eye level. He obeyed, his bottom lip pouting. "There's no need to be sad. You must be brave."

"Come on, kid," Din said. He picked him up. "Time to go."

You linked arms with Din as you disembarked the ship. Ahsoka was waiting outside of it.

"You're like parents to him," she said. "I cannot train him."

"You made me a promise, and I held up my end," Din said.

Ahsoka reached for Grogu's tiny hand. He let her have it. "There is one possibility. Go to the planet Tython. There you will find the ancient ruins of a temple that has a strong connection to the Force. Place Grogu at the seeing stone at the top of the mountain."

"Then what?" Din asked.

"Then Grogu may choose his path," she said, looking into his eyes. "If he reaches out through the Force, then there's a chance a Jedi may sense his presence and come searching for him. Then again, there aren't many Jedi left."

"Thank you," Din said.

"May the Force be with you," Ahsoka said.

Together, with your arm still linked with Din's, you boarded the ship again. Grogu reached for you as the ship closed and you gratefully took him into your arms, holding him tightly against you. You closed your eyes and sighed in relief.

"He chose not to go with her," Din said. "I know he did."

"Maybe Grogu knows better than any of us," you said. 

He cooed at you both, his hands reaching for both you and Din. You held him a little closer and leaned against Din. His helmet touched the side of your head and you shut your eyes, enjoying the feeling of your family and praying that you never have to bid it goodbye.