When night falls, it forces the ship to go completely black, even the backup generators are shot. Cobb is tucked up in the blankets on the bottom bunk trying to keep himself as warm as possible. The air is like ice, Cobb's cheeks, ears, and nose are feeling tight and he can imagine they've turned rosy.

Mando is somewhere. Cobb isn't sure. All he can hope is that the man is okay underneath his armor.

"You're shivering."

Cobb jolts at the voice, not that he could tell between the racking shivers.

"M-Mando?" Cobb asks. It sounds like he's near the doorway.

"You should take off your clothes, you will be warmer."

Cobb balks. "W-what?"

Cobb hears the clank of metal as he shifts, and he can imagine Mando looking sheepish if that's even possible.

"Simple fact of survival. The clothes prevent you from insulating as well underneath the blankets. Less clothing in the way means you'll get warmer faster."

Cobb thinks that sounds logical but he is hesitant to get up and remove the many layers that he has put on. After all, it feels like this is the only thing keeping him slightly warm under the blankets.

Which might be why the blankets aren't working.

Cobb huffs and starts removing his layers from under the comfort of the blankets. First his socks, then his pants and underwear. He tosses all of them on the floor and then proceeds with his scarf and three layers of jackets before he is finally removing his shirt.

He is as naked as the day he was born under the covers and already feels warmer than he had before.

"Sh-shit." Cobb comments. He is still shivering, but he thinks that might start to subside with how he feels himself warming up.

Mando walks in and sits down next to Cobb. "I c-can't see a t-thing," Cobb informs him for no reason other than conversation.

"You won't until morning."

"Aren't you cold?" Cobb finds himself asking.

He hesitates as if he's wondering if he should answer. "I am."

Cobb huffs. "W-why didn't you jus' s-say?" Cobb pulls a blanket from over him and slings it over where he thinks Mandos shoulders are. When he pulls back his hand accidentally brushes against the beskar.

"Dank F-ferrik Mando your armor is like ice."

It's literal ice, Cobb can feel the slick on the man's bracers. Before he can think, his mouth is blurting, "t-take it off and get in here."

Under any other circumstance, Cobb would be appalled at his words. It's something so bold and potentially inappropriate to the man he has a history with and doesn't remember, yet the cold has taken over his brain and is finding ways to keep them both alive. Everything else comes second to survival.

Mando must be in a clearer headspace because he is instantly protesting. "I don't think that's-"

"M-mando, I can't fly ships," Cobb argues. "So if y-you die I'm gonna die, and I d-don't wanna die in case you haven't n-noticed. Now, p-please hurry up and get under h-here. Our dual body heat will warm us f-faster, won't it?" He thinks that sounds logical. It's not like he has much experience with the cold to understand. Tatooine gets cold at night, but not even close to this level of cold, maybe it would be more appropriate to say Tatooine gets cool at night. When he gets back there, he will definitely remove the word cold from his vocabulary and fight anyone who dares to utter the word in regards to the planet. They have no idea.

Cobb's relief is instant when Mando sighs and mutters a yeah. He stands up and removes his armor first. The clanks and bangs as he drops them are in quick succession like even Mando can't wait to get under the warmth with Cobb. The sound of armor disappears and Cobb hears the tell-tale sign of clothing being removed.

A moment of silence, and Mando is standing near him again. "Okay," he says and Cobb is struck by the realization that the helmet came off too--of course, it did. But the sound of his hesitant, unmodulated voice is still a surprise to Cobb.

Cobb moves to the foot of the bed and lets Mando climb in. There's a lot of fumbling from both of them since no one can see. Not soon enough according to Cobb's cold skin, Cobb is laying down astride the man and adjusting the blankets around them.

"Turn like this," Mando says gently giving Cobb a shove and manhandling him into the right position. Cobb obliges. He's on his side, facing where he is certain the door is, and Mando is laying astride behind him. Mando tucks them in and hesitantly lays one arm over his waist. Cobb snatches it in his hand and tucks it close to his chest. He makes it a point to scurry his body back to get closer. Mando stills but then relaxes and Cobb can feel his cold nose situate itself against his neck just under his ear.

Once they're settled, Cobb says, "so, t-the armor isn't i-i-insulated?" He means it to be a statement but comes out more like a question.

"It is," Mando breathes. His voice is gentle, a lot softer than what the helmet makes someone believe. It's almost soothing. "But not the uncovered parts."

"Oh."

They're silent after that. Each time a shiver racks through Cobb he's certain that Mando squeezes him a little tighter, but maybe it's just his mind playing tricks on him. He isn't sure why Mando isn't shivering himself. His entire body feels as cold as Cobbs.

It doesn't take long for their joint body heat to work its magic. Cobb's shivering subsides and his body seems to melt into its relaxed position like it's exhausted from a long day's work and needs to lay down for rest. Except now that Cobb is able to think about something other than the cold, he realizes Mando is grazing his thumb against his. The smile is unbidden, and it stays on his face as he starts dozing in and out of consciousness. The movement doesn't stop so he's pretty sure Mando is wide awake the whole time.

He sighs deeply, content and ready to fall asleep, but the sound makes Mando whisper in his ear, "Okay?"

Cobb shivers for an entirely different reason.

He nods, not trusting what his voice might do.

This seems to settle Mando as he relaxes into Cobb. Cobb is too breathless to relax and his mind starts to drift to other things. 

That feeling of another person's skin on his. How it feels to have someone touch him lovingly and intimately. How it feels to have someone hold him close and make him feel safe like right now. How long has it been since he's been this close with anyone? How long since he's felt the soothing touch of a romantic partner?

Probably since Mando, and that thought makes Cobb feel more awake than ever. He and Mando likely have slept together before and possibly even more than that. Maybe that's why it was so natural for Mando to pull him close and tuck himself against his back like two puzzle pieces coming together. And oh, his darker thoughts start to surface because if that's the case then it must mean that Mando knows all the right places to touch him, all the ways that make Cobb tremble and gasp with pleasure.

Cobb's breathing is audible now and he can feel his cock take interest in this line of thought. It doesn't seem to matter that it makes him as fearful as it does horny. He doesn't really know this man, yet this man knows everything about Cobb. That should be more alarming than it is. 

But when he thinks about the man behind him touching him it makes him anxious for different reasons. Is this really what his life has come to? So desperate for sex that he throws all caution to the wind? 

Unfortunately, Mando takes notice of this sudden shift. "Are you alright?" He sits up a bit and the hand in his slides away and to his upper thigh, and is followed by his thumb making what are probably meant to be soothing circles on his hip. Cobb grits his teeth, Mando tightens his grip and tries to turn him over as if they can see each other in the dark.

"Cobb? If you're uncomfortable—"

"No," Cobb stops him and his voice comes out hoarse. He clears his throat. "No, I uh, I was thinkin' 'bout somethin'."

"What is it?" Mando for his part at least sounds concerned, and he's so gentle when he asks. It's then that Cobb realizes they've been whispering despite having no reason to. It changes the atmosphere of the situation. Cobb has to think that Mando is blind to not notice it.

"Have we ever uh-done this before?"

Mando is silent. If it weren't for the weight on his hip and warmth against his side Cobb would think the man vanished.

"Sleep together, I mean." He clarifies. "You know. In the same bed."

"Oh," Mando breathes and his thumb starts moving again, he didn't notice that it's stopped. "Yes."

"So," Cobb can feel his cheeks turn pink. "We sleep together, so I'm guessing we also—" Cobb trails off and would make a gesture with his hand if they weren't in the dark.

"Why are you asking?" His voice sounds strained.

"I'm just tryin' to understand."

"You've deduced that we were more than friends, I'm certain you could deduce that."

So, they were definitely involved. "Then why'd you send me away?"

At this he can feel Mando shift, his hand leaves his hip and despite them being warm under the covers, his skin feels cold there.

Once he adjusts, Cobb feels a hand on his chest just below his nipple and Mandos head is closer to his. Cobb pictures him with his head propped up on his akimbo arm and face just a hairs width from Cobbs. He starts tracing circles absently, but it makes Cobb's toes curl. Does Mando know what he is doing to him? Was it always this intense for him? If Mando adjusts his hold just a little bit, then that movement would be in the perfect place.

He mutters something in a language Cobb isn't familiar with, but before he could question it Mando says, "I had to protect you," just above a whisper.

"Lot o' good that did."

Mando sighs, Cobb feels it hit his cheek and travel down his neck. "It was more than physical protection."

"What?"

"The things you don't remember can't hurt you. It's better now."

"Better for who?"

Mando doesn't respond. Cobb can practically hear the gears turning in his head. It sounds like he takes a few breaths just before opening his mouth but he stops.

"It's cowardice is what it is," Cobb finds himself saying.

"Cowardice?" Mando snaps. Cobb sits up, not caring how the blankets fall and the freezing air bites at his skin.

"You left me so you didn't have to deal with the outcome."

"No," Mando is sitting up with him. "Cobb that's not what—"

"Then what is it?"

"I—"

Cobb shoves him in what he thinks is his chest. He doesn't know why tears are stinging his eyes now. It's the cold air.

"You tell me." Cobb shoves him again and he can hear Mando's back hit the wall of the ship their bunk is against.

They're silent.

"It was to protect you," he repeats.

"Protect me?" Cobb finds himself scoffing, now he knows there are actual tears in his eyes. "All for what? Hm? So I can live my life with a hole in my head and weight on my chest?"

"Cobb," Mando breathes and places a hand on his shoulder, coming closer. Cobb jerks and swipes his arm off, he makes to push him away again but before Cobb realizes what's happened, Mando grabs his wrist and pins it. Cobb struggles with his other arm but Mando pins that too and by the next breath, Mando is hovering over him with both his wrists pinned on either side of his head. This close, Cobb can actually see the outline of a head above him.

"Stop it," Mando growls.

Oh.

Cobbs cock went flaccid during the exchange but now it's brought to life again by the new position and that dangerous tone in the man's voice.

Cobb swallows dryly and dares to speak. When he does, it comes out weaker than intended. "You knew why you were hurtin' this whole time, I didn't. I don't understand why I cry myself to sleep and wake up the same way. You took that from me."

"We lost so much," Mando says. "You were in so much pain before the accident. I wished I could take it away for you, I would bear it all if it meant being able to see you smile just once."

Cobb wishes he could see his face, and for some reason, he knows he has before. He knows Mando has brown eyes, yet he can't picture them. He feels his heart pounding in his chest, and his lip trembles, but if it's from the overbearing loss he feels or the cold he is not sure.

"But you didn't 'cause you left before I even woke up."

"Cobb," this is a broken word from his lips. He's been keeping it cool this whole time up until now. "I never meant to hurt you. I thought I was doing what was best. I'm so sorry."

That's when Cobb realizes he's crying.

"Do I even know your name?" Cobb doesn't know where the question comes from, but now that he asks he knows it's important.

"Din. My name is Din Djarin. You knew it, before."

"Din," Cobb repeats and then lets out a deep sigh. "You're an idiot Din Djarin."

This at least elicits a huff out of the man. He drops his head to Cobb's shoulder, tucking it into his neck. He swears he can hear the man inhale deeply, the grip on his wrists tighten. "I know."

They're quiet, and Din hasn't moved, Cobb is about to ask him to let up when he feels Din's lips press gently, hesitantly, onto the skin of his neck. Cobb lets out a soft gasp.

The air between them electrifies almost instantly. Cobb's chest starts to rise and fall in anticipation. "Okay?" Din asks him.

"Y-yeah."

Din does it again a bit lower on the apex of his shoulder and neck just above his collar bone, and then he trails the little kitten-kisses up towards his jaw making Cobb tremble and burn with need. He turns his head to give Din more access and Din uses it to his advantage to pepper gentle pecks across his jawline to his ear. Din's breathing hits his eardrum and sends bolts of fire down his spine and Cobb practically whines with how wonderful it feels. Din suckles and nibbles on his earlobe and breathes through his nose into his ear, sending even more pleasure through his body. Cobb could not stop the noises coming from his mouth even if he wanted to.

He bucks his hips up and realizes he is thrusting his cock into ice-cold air. Only his leg is caught between Din's body and the mattress.

"Din." At first, Din is egged on by his name coming from Cobb's already vocal mouth, but then he has to grunt out, "Din, blankets."

Din pulls away and releases his wrists. "Right." He pulls the blankets back over the two of them and Cobb is immediately relieved by the warmth trapping them.

"Better?"

"Very."

That's when Cobb pulls him in and kisses him on the mouth. Rather, he's pretty sure he kisses his chin. Din laughs and it's a wonderful sound, then he is taking hold of Cobb's cheek and guiding their mouths together with an elegance that comes only from experience. It gives Cobb another wave of emotion when he realizes that they have kissed before, probably many times. He wonders if this one is as good as their first, and what that one was like, then all the others between--

Din's mouth moving on his makes Cobb shiver, erasing all thoughts about before. Throughout all of Cobbs life, he's never been so responsive to his sexual partners, and it makes him wonder if it's from no sex for 8 months (or longer, depending), or if Din is really just this amazing. 

Cobb tangles his fingers in the hair at the base of Din's neck. It feels thick and soft, the strands curling themselves around his fingers. Cobb pictures it as a messy mop of waves without the helmet, and maybe a deep shade of brown.

Din takes his time. His tongue dives into Cobbs with languid motions and pushes deeply, passionately. Cobb suspects that Din has a thing for kissing and possibly something else. When his tongue retreats, Cobb takes his turn to enter Din's mouth, and so goes on the back and forth battle of who leads the kiss. It's quick to intensify and Cobb isn't sure who's whimpering but he's pretty sure it's him. Din finds his wrists again and pins them above his head with one hand, and then firmly grasps his throat in the other. It makes Cobb gasp and thrust his hips upward. Maker, he thinks, moremoremore. He was right, Din does know exactly how he likes it.

Din pulls away to pepper more kisses on his jaw to his ear. His hand tightens only on the outer parts of his throat so he can get some air and only cut off the blood supply to his head. Cobb melts and thinks of nothing but DinDinDin.

Cobb thrusts his hips up again and is met with Din's own hard cock. Din gasps, and Cobb whines. He needs more, and he needs it now.

That's when Din pulls away and the blankets nearly go with but Cobb somehow catches them. They're both panting and Cobb is trying to make out his shape in the dark. He can't.

"What--"

"We can't."

His voice is so determined and rough that Cobb feels dread wash through him like the cold of the air hitting his skin.

"Why not?"

"You don't remember. It wouldn't be fair. There is still so much you don't know."

At this, Cobb sits up and moves closer to Din. He has to feel out his surroundings, Din included, before he moves. Within seconds, Cobb is straddling his lap and pulling the blankets around them. "So tell me," he pleads into Din's cheek and then brushes his lips against the scruff there before trailing down to his lips. "Please," he breathes into his mouth.

Din groans and his hands find Cobb's narrow hips, squeezing them when Cobb tries to grind against him.

"I can't," he says, and it almost sounds like it pains him.

Cobb pauses. He pulls back from Din as if he can look at him. "Tell me why."

"Because you asked me not to."

He frowns. He said that? But he thought they didn't see each other when he woke. And how did he say--

"After something happened," Din starts, "you kept saying you wish you could forget. That you want nothing more than to forget everything that's happened."

Oh. Well, that's...

That's a bit different, isn't it?

"Then more happened," he continues. "And then Bo-Katan and you woke up and didn't recognize me—

"I couldn't handle it," Din whispered. "We had everything we wanted and then it was lost and I knew you wished you could forget so I had a choice to make. I won't know if it was the right one until you remember on your own."

Cobb is quiet, considering. His words are as mysterious as they are clear. Cobb wanted to forget and he got his wish, but at what cost?

"We may have had everything we wanted together," Cobb says and drops his forehead to Dins. "But did you ever consider what I needed?"

"I—"

"I needed you. With or without my memory." That's when Cobb pulls away. Din catches his shoulders, his breathing is ragged.

"Cobb, I am so sorry. Please, please I—"

Cobb is speechless. He is crying, begging Cobb to forgive him with hands on his shoulders. "I love you," Din tells him. "I never meant to hurt you any more than you already were."

That's when Cobb realizes he is crying too, feelings that only haunt him in his dreams coming to the surface and spilling down his cheeks.

Cobb grabs Din's face and kisses him. Din gasps into his mouth, their wet cheeks brushing each other.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"I forgive you."

Din takes in a shuddering breath. "Cobb, I won't leave you again, I promise you. You won't be alone anymore."

Cobb's heart swells at that. He was alone for merely 8 months but it felt like a lifetime. All the longing and feeling like he was out of place. Feeling like parts of his life were missing, turns out it was true, but waking up alone again with an ache in his gut is never going to happen again because Din is here. 

When they lay back down, it's wrapped up in each other under the warmth of the blankets and free from uncertainty.

Cobb doesn't have all the answers yet, but right now, this is enough.