Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“What’s your plan?” Boba had asked, after they had successfully secured Jabba’s Palace.

Truth be told, Din didn’t think he had much of a plan. He didn’t know what else to do, or who else to be anymore. He held up the puck he had acquired for them to see.

“Back to work. Always bounties to pick up in the Outer Rim.”

“With no ship?”

“I’ll get one. Soon enough,” Din said, pocketing the puck again. Finding a ship that could compare to Razor Crest was no easy feat and he knew he would have to settle for rust buckets, hired or bought, to keep him going until the right one came along.

“How long did it take us to wander around the galaxy to gather up your mates to hunt down your foundling?” Boba said.

Din went to speak.

“Too long,” Fennec supplied. “Keep us in the loop and we can come and get you if you’re in trouble.”

She threw the small device to him from her elevated position on the dais. 

“I can handle myself, Shand,” he said, a little offended.

“Well, perhaps we’ll need you if we’re in trouble,” she said.

Tatooine was a dangerous place, that was for sure.

“It’s an easy way for Skywalker to get ahold of you,” Fennec said. “You don’t have your own ship yet. If that Jedi comes looking for you, he might end up here and we can send him your way.”

“Fine,” he grumbled and flipped open the comm. “Next bounty is on Jakku.”

He dutifully plugged in the contact information Fennec and Boba gave him. It was quite slow, punching in the letters with a jab of his index finger while he held the comm in his other hand. 

The comm chirped and vibrated and he flipped it open to see a message in blue on the screen.

[21:03] F: Don’t die - Fett.

“Do not give my number of Bo-Katan. If she wants the sword, she can come and find me herself. I want nothing to do with it, okay?”

“She is relentless, but she knows you need space, at least for now,” Fennec said.

With that, he said his goodbyes, slung his bag of second-hand blasters and binders over his shoulder and set about securing himself a temporary ship.

--

The textcomm provided small indicators of time alongside every message from when they were received. The time was unfortunately standardised to the solar time on Coruscant, which meant absolutely nothing to Din, hopping around planets in the Outer Rim. All he could remember was that Tatooine was about 9 solar hours off of Coruscant by this clock. Anything else was anyone’s guess. He fiddled with it enough that it would synchronise with Tatooine and turn off the annoying noise it made. He quieted the thing and shoved it into his pocket, and planned to forget about it entirely until he felt a small series of vibrations.

[15:21] V: Sorry to hear about the little guy. Sounds like you did good, Mando

[15:24] V: It’s Vanth, by the way. We killed a dragon together

[15:25] V: Fennec gave me the number for emergencies

Din had to admit, he didn’t reply for several days. He was alone in his ship and felt alone in the galaxy for all it was worth. He thought about Cobb and whether he would think it was rude for him to not reply. Din couldn’t expect that he would be hearing much from the marshal, it would be polite at least to confirm that the message had been received. 

[15:00] Thanks, Vanth. Glad to hear you aren’t dead.

Din flipped the textcomm shut and tucked it into a zipped pocket on his flight suit. He wondered how the Marshal was doing since Din had stripped him of his armour. He trusted in his growing capability for diplomacy, and certainly in his ability in a fight. Even so, it was a concern.  So much had changed for Din since the two of them had parted ways, he could only imagine how much had changed for Vanth since then. Perhaps he should get Boba to keep an eye on Mos Pelgo from the lofty height of his new throne.

[21:42] V: No sign of Red Key today or a dragon. Lucky day for me

--

[17:56] V: I shot a womp rat today. Bastard tried to bite me

--

[00:12] V: I wonder what that knee pad on my armour was for. Do you know?

[00:13] Rockets.

[00:14] V: Damn, that would’ve been cool

--

[12:45] V: The school kids drew a picture of you. It’s pretty cute

[17:29] Tell them I said thank you.

[17:45] V: They really captured your likeness

--

[18:40] Do you have any kids?

[18:42] V: Not really. Briefly unsuccessfully fostered a Hutt baby

[18:43] V: Some madman did try to give me his little one when he got himself eaten by a dragon, though. 

[18:45] Madman.

[18:45] It worked.

[19:10] Grogu would’ve liked it with you

[19:12] His name is Grogu. I didn’t know that then

[19:14] V: I would’ve taught Grogu to shoot scurriers from the back of a dewback like a real Tatooinian

[19:16] V: Maybe I still could, one day

[19:17] That would be nice.

--

[05:32] V: Jo made me get up early to help decorate for Life Day.

[09:32] V: Do they celebrate it where you are?

[09:33] I don’t think so. I haven’t asked anyone. 

[09:35] V: Do you celebrate it?

[09:46] I usually forget.

[09:48] It’s a day for being with your family.

Din tried not to think too hard about the previous Life Days he had spent out on a hunt. Providing for his tribe, he thought, was his own way of observing the tenets of Life Day. He tried not to think too hard about what Grogu would be doing. Did the Jedi celebrate Life Day? He didn’t know, had never asked. They hadn’t been together long enough. He should’ve bought Grogu a gift, but he wouldn’t know where to send it anyway. But he had promised to see him again, why not get something and just keep hold of it until their paths crossed again? 

[09:49] V: Happy Life Day, Mando

[09:50] Happy Life Day, Cobb.

[15:00] What would you buy a kid for Life Day?

[15:05] V: If I buy a kid here a gift for Life Day I’d have to give every kid in town one.

[15:06] V: If I have the credits to spare, I have been known to make a trip out to Eisley and, upon my return, they may find themselves with a sugar credit or two.

[15:07] V: Though more likely Boonta Eve than Life Day. 

[15:08] I didn’t think you’d be into Boonta Eve in Mos Pelgo.

[15:09] V: Old habits and all that. The presents aren’t traditional or anything like that, but make it a little more positive, I guess.

[15:10] V: Anyway, fill the little green bean with sweets

[15:10] V: If he ever finds his way back here I may find a credit behind one of those massive ears.

[15:11] Do you actually do that?

[15:12] V: Maybe

[15:12] V: You’d be surprised how many kids are still thrilled after seeing me do it to six other kids that day

The thought of Grogu’s delighted squeal, picturing his little face light up with joy at the simple trick felt like a stab in the chest. He wondered if he would ever get to hear those gleeful shrieks again and feel them wriggle through the gaps in his armour to his heart. It was best not to think about that.

Chapter Text

[05:45] S: Text drop-in to let us know you’re alive. Fennec

[19:27] Received. 

[19:30] S: Thanks

[19:31] S: Are you doing okay?

[19:35] I’m fine, Fennec.

[19:37] Thank you.

--

[20:25] V: You ever get so tired you wanna just jetpack home?

[20:29] The Creed expressly forbids using the jetpack for your own gain. It may only be used in life or death situations. 

[20:29] How dare you?

[20:30] V: Oh shit

[20:31] V: Was that a joke

[20:32] Yes.

[20:33] I once flew up a hill because my legs ached too much to walk it. 

[20:35] V: Those poor thighs :(

[20:36] V: Old age comes to us all, partner

--

[05:00] F: I heard about the bounty on Glee Anselm. Good work.

[05:00] V: The suns are starting to rise here. What time is it where you are?

[05:05] I don’t know. It’s dark.

He thought about Vanth, what he would be doing. Was he watching the sunrise, sitting on his front porch with a cup of caf and thinking about his friend out in the black? Was he lying in bed with the light of the first sunrise streaming through a window, with his textcomm in hand?

The letters of aurebesh told him no more than what Cobb had said, leaving behind them a blank canvas for Din to imagine. He liked to think that Cobb was comfortable, compared to the chilly bunk on his ship, with the warmth of two suns creeping over the horizon.

--

[00:00] Don’t trust a Trandoshan bounty hunter

[00:20] V: Dare I ask why

[00:22] Took my quarry I had been tailing for four days.

[05:43] I fixed it.

[06:00] V: Did you kill him

[06:01] No.

[06:02] V: I’m impressed at your restraint

[06:03] I broke his leg.

[06:03] V: Ah

--

[16:54] V: How do I tell people my name in Tusken

[16:59] Just spell it out, they’ll give you one if they like you enough.

[17:00] It’s a part of inviting you into the culture

[17:00] V: Do they like you enough

[17:01] Yes.

[17:02] V: What do they call you

[17:04] Mando, same as you do, I guess. Make an M hand shape and cross your face like my visor.

[17:05] V: What is your name in basic

[17:06] V: Or did your mama name you Mando?

Din froze a little. He knew that nobody could see him from where he was but he felt exposed. He wondered if he should tell him. There was nothing against it in the Creed, as far as he knew, it just wasn’t necessary for anyone to know. Mando was sufficient for most people. 

[17:07] V: Is that allowed

[17:08] V: Sorry partner

He sighed. Fuck it.

[17:10] Din.

[17:12] V: That’s quicker to fingerspell than Mandalorian. Suits you

Chapter Text

Eventually, the more Din travelled the more he came to enjoy the brief conversations he had with Cobb from however many parsecs apart they were. Their conversations were almost daily, give or take for interstellar time woes, and usually initiated by Cobb. He was getting faster with typing now, having learned that one finger typing one button at a time was not achieving sufficient speed to keep up with Cobb who seemed to have nothing better to do than tell him in detail how his Ronto foals were doing under Malakili’s loving care.

Out in space alone, sometimes Din found himself going entire days without saying anything to a soul. Once, in the silence of his cockpit, Cobb had made him laugh aloud and it sounded hoarse and alien to him.

It was strange to not have the babbling of Grogu or some other friend alongside him. The presence of Cobb, and his other friends, in the small device kept him connected, stopped him from wandering adrift as he had done before Grogu. It broke up the monotonous cycle of eat, sleep, hunt. It was certainly better than talking to himself out loud where only the stars and slabs of carbonite could hear him.

--

Once Din had finally got on a ship with enough space and access to a comm to make an actual call, he decided to check in with Boba and Fennec as close to in-person as he could manage. He couldn’t go back to Tatooine, not yet, so this would have to do.

“Mando,” Fennec said when she answered. The blue holographic image of her flickered slightly, but she looked pleased to see him. “Checking in or calling for backup?”

“Uh, hi,” he said and cleared his throat. “Checking in. I’m fine.”

At that Boba appeared behind her, as though he had just wandered into the room while they were talking.

“Su cuy'gar, vod,” he said, helmet off and at ease.

“Su cuy'gar, Fett,” he replied.

“Just checking in. I’ve just finished up this bounty, heading on to the next one on Crait.”

“So soon?” Fennec said inquiringly gently.

“Just keeping busy,” he said. He needed to keep moving, it was what he was good for.

“Well, don’t forget about the comm we gave you. Keep in touch and all that.”

“Yeah. That’s been… helpful,” Din said. He didn’t really think they’d be much interested in Vanth messaging him over his morning caf.

Fennec and Boba exchanged a look that Din couldn’t read.

“Your Marshal has been helping us out a little in driving out some of the upstart slavers on Tatooine,” Boba said.

Fennec added, “Good with a blaster, that one.”

“He was a helpful ally to me,” Din said. “You’re not angry about your beskar’gam, Fett?”

“Nah,” Fett said. “I’ve not got the energy for revenge anymore - at least, not for those who didn’t know they were doing me wrong.” He popped a berry into his mouth and added, “Everyone else can get fucked, of course.”

“I gave Vanth your comm,” Fennec said. “I hope you don’t mind.”

Din’s helmet tilted just so. He tried his best to not react. “No problem.” 

“He doesn’t strike me as entirely comfortable asking us for help yet, too wary of our intentions for his town like we’re courting his daughter, but he seemed ballsy enough to ask you to kill a dragon for him. I figured if he needed help he’d rather contact you than us.”

“He didn’t ask me to kill it for him. He asked me for help killing it.”

“Not much difference,” Boba shrugged. “What I saw, you did kill it for him.”

“People asking you to kill for them don’t tend to get their own hands dirty in the process.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ve kept him well fed in krayt meat since you’ve been gone,” Fennec said.

Din smiled. After a moment of hesitation, he replied, “I think he’s sick of it by now. He just needs a good tiingilar recipe.”

“So he’s been in touch?”

“Uh, just a little. Status reports and updates on how things are going in the town,” Din said. “They’re good people, it’s been nice to know that they’re okay.”

“Glad to hear you’re not all alone out there,” Fennec said. “We’ve been worried about you. Right, Boba?”

“Yeah - take all the time you need to figure things out and all, just try not to get too lost out there.”

“He mentioned you told him about the kid,” Din said.

“He asked if the kid was safe, along with you. We said you let him go be with his own kind.”

Din nodded.

“I’m assuming you’ve had no contact from the Jedi?”

“None so far. If we hear anything, you’ll be the first to know,” Fennec said.

“Are you sure you don’t want us to put out feelers to find where Skywalker might’ve taken him? I’ve got an old acquaintance or two that could help.”

“I don’t know, I don’t wanna interrupt his training,” Din said. “It’s probably better I don’t know where he is.”

“Alright,” Boba said. “We’ve gotta go. Take care of yourself, Djarin.”

“Bye,” Din said. And the blue light flickered out and he was alone once more.

--

[23:43] V: Go to sleep

[23:45] You don’t even know what planet I’m on.

[23:46] It could be noon for all you know.

[23:50] V: I don’t care what time it is. You should sleep more

[23:55] Fine.

--

[09:20] I miss him.

[09:21] V: I know, partner. You’ll see him again.

He started to type out “I think I miss you, too,” but backspaced the message when he saw Cobb follow up with

[09:22] V: Do you wanna talk about it?

[09:23] No. Thanks.

[09:24] V: Okay x

--

[03:22] V: If you’re travelling faster than the speed of light does that mean you are travelling in time

[03:27] No.

[03:28] Why are you awake

[03:29] V: The stars looked pretty tonight

[03:31] V: I gotta go to work but enjoy your stars.

--

Din’s new ship was still a little too above board for his liking: hyperdrive up to normal regulation, a puny weapons system that would render him at a disadvantage in a firefight. The ship was intended for housing a whole crew, much more than Din had any use for.

It was clear to Din that it needed some new parts and a whole lot of work. While he had some time to kill, he set to gutting it of the parts he didn’t need. He kept two cabins intact, but the rest were wiped. Some parts and items traded well. Din knew he had a good number of credits left over from the reward on Gideon, but he was wont to saving currency and the hunt for a good trade was part of the fun.

The best thing about having the means to communicate across the galaxy almost instantaneously was being unable to wait before telling Cobb something. He walked down the busy street away from the scrap shop, his bag weighed down on his hip and pulled out his comm.

[12:45] I got you something.

[12:46] V: I didn’t know you made deliveries this far out

[12:48] You can have it when I’m next on world.

[12:50] V: Alright. What is it?

[12:55] Just a little Radon-Ulzer 620C alternator.

[12:54] V: This is why you’re my favourite.

He knew the struggle for parts when your vehicle was a little more vintage. Manufacturing for Cobb’s speeder had ended during the Clone Wars, or somewhere thereabouts. Other parts would do but had a higher risk of volatility in the giant engine Cobb insisted was necessary. Din placed the alternator securely in the cargo hold and wondered if he had made the other man smile from all the way across the galaxy.

It felt nice to have one little reason to go back taking up some space in his new ship. Razor Crest II still felt impersonal, the metal a little too clean and cold. The alternator sat, strapped up, waiting for Din to just find himself in the area. He liked that Cobb’s reaction seemed pleased and Din was happy to make Cobb’s death-trap speeder a little less hazardous, to protect him almost. When the time was right, all he needed to do was just drop by on Tatooine, maybe some mission from Boba, and there he could call in and say hello and deliver his prize to Cobb.

--

[07:09] V: How do you say bread in Tusken?

[07:10] Put your hand out flat with your palm up, put your hand with your little finger down over the palm and move it like you’re cutting a loaf.

[07:10] V: Okay

[07:11] V: Thanks

[07:20] V: I think I got it

[07:21] V: Hard to tell

[07:22] Opening a bakery?

[07:23] V: No, just trying to be friendly.

[07:28] V: I’ll find out tomorrow if I got it down depending on if they join me for lunch or stab me

[07:30] You’ll be fine

--

[04:30] V: Moisture harvest has been shitty. 

[04:30] V: Are you on one of those planets where there’s water everywhere?

[04:44] Yes, but you can’t drink it. Makes you thirstier.

[04:45] V: I hate it

[04:47] You folks going to be okay?

[04:48] V: Yeah, don’t worry, Mando. Most folks remember how bad it was 20 years back so no complaints.

[04:49] I was on Tatooine a little then. Odd jobs.

He hoped Cobb wouldn’t ask which jobs. He hadn’t been involved in the water taxation that had parched settlements, but he had done enough work for Jabba the Hutt as a young man to know where the water was going.

[10:12] V: Going on a supply run to Mos Eisley for some of the shortfall

[10:15] V: Made sure to get some for the Tuskens, before you ask

[10:19] Things going well?

[10:21] V: Nobody died. They’ve been awful patient with teaching me their language. I hope I deserve it

[10:22] V: Speak to you soon, partner

--

[23:19] V: I like it when you respond, but does your gadget make a noise when you get a message?

[23:20] I’m a bounty hunter. If it did you’d have killed me by now.

[23:21] It vibrates a little

[23:22] V: How do I make mine do that

[23:25] V: Mine starts playing Max Rebo Band

[23:27] V: I don’t even like jizz

[23:27] V: Did Fett do this on purpose?!

[03:22] Is torturing Vanth your punishment for the armour, Fett?

[03:24] F: I don’t know what you’re on about, vod. 

Chapter Text

[07:09] Do you not comm anyone else?

[07:10] That sounded blunt.

[07:11] I do value your messages.

[07:19] V: Sometimes Fennec contacts me about stuff. Politics

[07:22] V: Everyone else I know lives on the same street as me. You’re far out in the stars

[07:22] V: Much more interesting

[07:23] Only the next sector. This quarry is irritatingly persistent and the stakeout is taking longer than I thought

[07:28] V: Playing hard to get, they’ll come around eventually

Over time, as well as getting to know about the goings-on of Mos Pelgo, Din got to learn about Cobb himself. When Cobb got bored and Din had time to kill, he had taken to asking him questions. Din couldn't remember anyone asking him his favourite food before. (Fruit? I don't know). They told each other some of their memories of dumb shit they had done in their youth. Din learned about the first time Cobb tried spice and coughed so hard his face turned red. With enough gentle coaxing, Din told Cobb he came from Aq Vetina and could just about remember the shade of red of his robes. He wasn’t surprised when Cobb hadn’t heard of it before, but it was nice to have someone else know that it was real for Din still, despite Din having never been back.

[15:23] V: How come you don’t take the helmet off? If you don’t mind my asking

[15:42] By my creed, no one can see my face. To my people, to show your face is not Mandalorian.

[15:45] V: I guess that makes more sense now. I thought you kept it on because you didn’t feel safe.

[15:48] V: I took mine off and you knew straight off that I wasn’t the real deal.

[15:49] V: Mind, I never claimed to be a Mando. I wasn’t even certain if it was legit before you came along.

[15:50] Yes.

[15:51] Another like me wouldn’t have asked me for a drink

[15:52] V: Where I’m from that’s good manners

[15:53] V: So no one can see you?

[15:54] V: What about your spouse? Family?

[15:59] I’m not married.

[16:00] V: I know that, I just thought there might be an exception

[16:01] No.

[16:04] V: Fascinating

[16:06] V: Fett showed me his face

[16:08] V: Fett isn’t Mandalorian by Creed.

[16:09] V: But he gets to wear my armour?

[16:19] It’s ancestrally his. It’s complicated

[16:20] I will admit I don’t fully understand it myself

[16:21] I’m sorry.

[16:22] It must be uncomfortable to see him in it even if it wasn’t meant to be yours

[16:24] V: I think it was, for a time. Times change though, sands shift.

[16:25] V: It sure does fit him better.

--

[15:23] V: Your daily reminder to drink some water

[15:25] I don't think a daily reminder is necessary, Cobb.

[15:28] V: Someone’s gotta look after you out there all alone

Din punched out I can take care of myself before realising the futility.

[15:31] Fine. I refilled my canteen for you.

[15:32] V: Excellent

[15:34] V: Out there living all luxurious with your fancy water

--

[02:04] V: Mando you awake

[02:10] Yes.

He had been asleep, but the faint buzz of the comm against his breast had woken him gently. He assumed that Cobb needed something from him, especially so late at night. When Cobb didn’t immediately respond he sent a follow-up.

[02:15] Is everything okay?

[02:15] V: Werlo made mead

[02:15] V: I sampled a few

[02:16] That sounds dangerous.

He assumed that was the Weequay he had met in Mos Pelgo. Din was about to type out a further message when a response came through.

[02:17] V: When are you coming back to me?

To him? The words shone at him through the screen and he frowned at it.

[02:19] I have work to do.

[02:20] V: Take a vacation, come take a break with me. I have spotchka and mead

[02:21] V: What if I put a bounty out on myself would u take me out

[02:22] I’m pretty expensive

[02:22] V: Like on a date

[02:23] V: I bet you are ;)

[02:24] V: don't know what that means

[02:24] V: think it’s a wink

[02:25] V: Issa trying to take my gadget

[02:26] V: She doesn’t scare me

[02:27] Good night, Cobb.

[03:45] I’ll come back one day.

[04:10] Don’t get into too much trouble.

[04:13] V: Hi, I'm assuming this is the Mandalorian. The contact is just listed as 'Shiny'. Vanth is fine, he's just asleep. Thanks for looking after him, by the way. From Issa-Or.

Din frowned slightly at that. He didn’t think he had done anything helpful. He could hardly sober him up from across the stars.

[08:20] V: Honey betrayed me

[08:21] You'll live.

[08:22] V: I feel like I died already

[08:23] Does Werlo get the money on the bounty then?

[08:23] V: What

[08:25] How is the weather on Tatooine today?

[08:27] V: Sweaty

[08:29] Rise and shine and drink some water

Chapter Text

[18:12] V: Hey Mando

[18:12] V: Mando

[18:12] V: Urgent

[18:13] V: Important

[18:13] V: Mandalorian!

[18:14] V: D

[18:14] V: I

[18:14] V: N

[18:19] ??

[18:19] Cobb

[18:25] V: The Tuskens gave me a massiff

[18:26] V: Help. She’s kinda cute. 

[18:27] V: I don’t know how to look after her so she doesn’t eat me

[18:28] V: I’m not ready to be a reptile dad

[18:29] You call that an emergency?

[18:30] V: LOOK AT HER

A very grainy image cast in blue came from his screen. He didn’t even know it did that, if he was honest. The image showed a small massiff pup staring curiously into the camera. He could see Vanth’s gloved hand beneath it, holding it up. Admittedly, it was cute. Din had always been fond of the massiffs he had met on his travels - there was a softness to them that contrasted with their ferocity. 

[18:32] Massiffs have been known to follow their owners and back them up in a fight. Guess you got yourself a new deputy.

[18:33] V: I wasn’t expecting one that would lick me so much.

[18:34] At least she hasn’t got all her teeth in yet. 

[18:35] You could’ve just said you got a pet without giving me a heart attack.

[18:36] V: It was important

[18:37] V: I think statistically bounty hunting is more likely to off you than any high blood pressure I might give you

[18:39] V: Nice to know you care though, partner

For the rest of Cobb’s evening, he told Cobb all he knew about massiffs. He managed to talk down Cobb from his abject panic about his new companion. All he really needed to do was feed her and pet her and she would be a happy pup.

Once again, Din was comforted by the idea that he would have some protection out in the desert. He was proud to see Cobb so honoured by the Tuskens, that they trusted him to nurture and protect. It was a testament to the intended longevity of the friendship between their people.

[09:00] V: Apparently naming my teething reptile Deputy is offensive to my actual deputy.

[09:01] V: I told her it was your idea

[09:02] Why?

[09:03] V: An attempt to redirect her wrath to a man further away and significantly better protected?

[09:04] Smart.

[09:05] You didn’t have to name her Deputy, though. I was kidding

[09:06] V: Worth it to commemorate a rare Din joke

[09:06] V: This Deputy doesn’t call me a mudscuffer

--

Frankly, it was a miracle this hadn’t happened sooner. He felt a vibration against his chest and took out the comm. It slipped out of his fingers and into the mud. The comm chirped in protest before the light of the screen gave out. Fuck, Din thought. He was on foot tracking a bounty, a few days away from his new ship. It would probably need a repair. All he had to do was not die between now and then and it would be fine.

There were about three messages from Cobb of normal chatter, a bit of local gossip, continuing their months of correspondence. After around the 24-hour mark without a response, Cobb had begun to notice.

[07:09] V: At least 30% of me comming you is to check you’re not dead, partner, a response would be mighty helpful.

[07:30] V: 10% your loquacious wit

[17:17] V: I know you’re busy.

[20:38] V: Do I need to come get you? 

[06:09] V: If you don’t wanna talk to me, no problem.

[06:15] V: But if you reply you can have a picture of Deputy.

[06:20] V: One of this mug, too, if that sweetens the deal.

[12:00] V: Last place you mentioned was Mon Cala. I do not want to drown coming to find you

[14:10] S: Vanth thinks you’ve been kidnapped by Mon Calamari or something? - Fennec

[14:19] F: Please text back so that Vanth stops contacting me

[14:20] F: You’re not allowed to be dead

He frowned as he scrolled through all the messages before typing out the same response to all three of them.

[00:02] All fine. Comm broke on the hunt. Got the quarry.

[00:09] F: Good. Don’t scare us like that again.

[00:10] S: Thank you, did you let the cowboy know?

[00:12] V: Glad you’re not dead.

[00:14] Me too.

And since Cobb had offered, Din added hesitantly.

[00:22] It appears you offered me a deal.

[00:23] V: What

[00:23] V: Oh

There was a moment of nothing and then slowly another blue image loaded onto the screen. It was blurry, like it had been taken in low light. He’s probably in bed at this time of night, Din thought. He couldn't tell what time it was on this planet, but he was already weary. The image showed Cobb’s face, a nervous grin across his tired-looking face. Beside him was a massiff pup resting on his shoulder, captured mid-yawn with rows of teeth visible and a floppy tongue.

He hadn’t seen Cobb in a while, but he was as he remembered those few months ago. His features seemed softer now, perhaps, especially compared to his time on Tatooine with Cobb ready to fight and hypervigilant to threats from the krayt, Tuskens and bandits alike. Din smiled at the image in front of him before it disappeared. 

Chapter Text

[11:45] V: You ever think about retiring?

[11:49] Sometimes. Hasn’t really felt like an option for a while.

[11:50] What about you?

[11:53] V: Honestly

[11:54] V: I never thought I’d get this far

[11:55] V: Is that dark?

[11:57] No. Maybe?

[11:57] I get it, though.

[11:58] I think we both know nothing is guaranteed.

[12:00] V: Live fast die young somehow missed me and now I’m old

[12:02] V: Fucked up my knee this morning.

[12:05] Take it easy for the day, maybe.

[12:07] V: Maybe

[12:09] You’re not gonna, are you?

[12:11] V: Would you?

[12:14] Probably not.

[12:20] V: So you’re gonna still be hunting when your hair goes grey like mine?

[12:24] Mine’s starting, a little. A little in my beard.

[12:25] V: I didn’t imagine you with a beard.

[12:27] It’s not much of a beard. 

[12:27] Scruff with delusions of grandeur.

[12:30] How did you imagine me?

[12:31] V: I don’t know. A human man. I’m imagining not much of a family resemblance with your son. 

[12:33] V: Handsome, but not arrogant about it. Kind face. 

[12:33] I kill people.

[12:34] V: Who hasn’t?

[12:35] I guess.

[12:37] I’m in my early forties thereabouts.

[12:40] V: I’m 50.

[12:45] So is Grogu.

[12:47] V: Please tell me I’m the elder. I’m not sure I could cope with calling the kid sir.

[12:48] We’ll have to ask him.

--

[07:30] Good morning

[07:35] V: Good morning/afternoon/evening

--

Despite having not set foot in the sand for months, Tatooine felt grounded and living in Din’s mind. It was the fixed point which Din found himself revolving around as he hopped from backwater planet to backwater planet. He was always aware of it, how close he was to Tatooine at any time, trying to remember what time it would be while he strayed between ever-changing timezones and solar systems.

He had come to think of Cobb as a fixture in his life, like it’s own celestial body. If he was on Jakku, Cobb was with him chattering. If he was alone in some wasteland, Cobb was only a few taps of his device away. It filled a craving for attention and affection that he had missed since his foundling had left him. It wasn’t the same as having someone travel with him, it was less demanding of input from him. If he didn’t want to talk, he could shut it away or respond with shorter answers. If he was bored or lonely, he would be there. It probably wasn’t healthy to think about Cobb so much, but he figured if something positive had found its way to him, he wasn’t going to stop it. 

It was startling, at first, to talk to someone who didn’t want anything from him. He got the impression that Cobb was concerned sometimes about him. Boba and Fennec were concerned too- and not without good reason, Din knew- but Cobb felt more distanced from the reason why. Cobb hadn’t seen him cry in a heap after an X-wing took away his clan. It felt like when Cobb asked him how his day was it was out of genuine interest. Whatever meal Din had managed to remember to eat that day was of no material concern to Cobb in another sector, but he still asked.

Sometimes, he wondered if he was annoying Cobb or if he was talking too much. It was more than he was used to communicating. Sometimes, it would gnaw at him for hours, alone in the berth on his ship, that Cobb didn’t want whatever it was that was happening. He would fret over each letter he typed, wondering if he had conveyed himself properly, but not wanting to stop the correspondence. Then, Cobb would message him some truly awful joke and his fear would ebb away at once.

--

[15:32] V: What was your favourite thing to do growing up?

[15:33] V: If you say something like “vibroblades and brooding” I’m deleting your number

[15:45] Flamethrowers and quiet contemplation?

[15:47] I played meshgeroya, when we had the space.

[15:50] V: What’s that

[15:51] Boloball.

[15:52] V: Boloball? Are you serious?

[15:56] V: Elaborate. Please

[15:59] Nope.

[16:00] What about you?

[16:05] V: Well when I was a youngin I always dreamt of playing the great sport of boloball but I had nobody to teach me, you see

[16:07] That sounds like bantha shit.

[16:08] V: Alright fine

[16:10] V: I’m a simple Mos Espa kid. I was all about podracing

[16:11] You still are, it seems.

[16:14] V: Yknow, now that you’re an adult with a little money to spare, you buy the thing your 10 year old self wanted most just because nobody can stop you

[16:16] V: I saw the pota on a scrapheap in Anchorhead and had to buy it

[16:18] I get that. 

[16:20] V: Does this mean you now own those tiny boloball shorts?

[16:21] No.

[16:22] I always wanted a jetpack and cool knives.

[16:24] V: I’m not even 10 and I’m jealous of that pack

[16:25] V: Bet it never even spat you headfirst into a dune

[16:29] I’ll consider the shorts.

Din winced as he sent it, and chucked the device to the end of his bed. This was ridiculous. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a crush like this. Maybe Omera, but he had other things on his mind then. His feelings didn’t often get this far, he was generally uninterested and often deemed unsociable.

[16:35] V: I support this decision x

--

[19:43] V: This stew recipe is real good, sweetheart. Thanks.

[19:44] V: I don’t imagine you have good eating out in the black, I’ll try and make you some next time you’re here?

[19:58] That would be nice. I’m glad you like it.

[19:59] It’s been a while since I had some. I’m not sure if I remembered the recipe right.

[20:01] Did it make your nostrils hurt a little bit?

[20:10] V: Yeah

[20:15] Then you probably did it right.

--

[02:00] V: Is it wrong to try to picture your face?

[02:09] No. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable.

[02:10] Perhaps a little futile, you probably won’t see it.

[02:15] V: That’s alright. I’m just curious

[02:15] V: ‘Probably’?

[02:17] I’ve been thinking about it more recently. 

[02:18] The helmet thing.

[02:19] It’s complicated.

[02:20] V: Well, if you ever wanna hash it out I have a lot of time on my hands. Plus, this way I can’t see if you’ve got your bucket on or not.

[02:21] That is oddly helpful.

[02:22] V: Are you wearing it right now?

[02:23] V: That probably came across creepier than I meant it to

[02:24] V: Do you wear it when you’re alone?

[02:24] V: Still weird.

[02:25] It’s fine, Cobb.

[02:27] I don’t have it on now, nobody can see me.

[02:29] Texting you does have the advantage of controlling how I present myself. It’s nice to have.

[02:32] V: Is this where you tell me it’s all a lie and it’s not really Din and I’ve been spending all this time thinking about some space rando?

[02:34] It’s still me. I’m just able to edit myself, I guess. I can choose what parts of myself are shared, that I can share with you.

[02:35] V: Sure. Like you can choose to take off the helmet?

[02:38] Yeah. I mean, I choose not to. It didn’t feel like a choice before, but it does now.

[02:39] I did choose to for Grogu. I don’t know if Fennec told you about it

[02:41] V: She didn’t mention it. That must’ve been scary

[02:43] Before, if I took it off I thought I would die. Not even physically, spiritually.

[02:44] Then I did it and nothing happened. I felt like shit but I’m still the same.

[02:47] At least I think I am.

[02:47] V: So are the rules different now? You can take it off in front of some people and not others?

[02:49] I don’t really know.

[02:50] V: That’s fine

[02:52] Can we talk about something else? Lighter?

[02:52] V: Sure x

[02:57] V: Were you a goalkeeper?

Din’s tears subsided in favour of a snotty laugh.

[03:00] Nevermind. I’m deleting your number

[03:02] Midfielder, but never mention it to anyone.

Chapter Text

[05:17] I don’t think I’m reacting the way I’m supposed to

[05:19] V: How do you think you’re supposed to be reacting?

[05:22] Embracing being ‘allowed’ to take it off? Like I’ve gained some freedom to just be like other Mandalorians and walk around with my face out.

[05:23] I don’t really want to

[05:26] V: Change is hard. I dreamed about freedom so long I didn’t quite know what to do with it once I got it.

[05:29] V: Maybe one day you’ll find you wanna stand up in a cantina and show anyone who will look.

[05:30] V: You might never feel comfortable taking it off. If you don’t, I don’t think you’ve done yourself a disservice. If the rules you held before don’t hold up compared to what you’ve learned from people, decide what to keep and what to throw away. 

[05:37] I don’t want the people I care about to think that I don’t value them. Just because I can show them my face doesn’t mean I want to?

[05:38] That includes you.

[05:40] V: You don’t owe me your face

--

[00:00] V: I have a question

[00:01] Alright

[00:05] V: Why did you leave?

[00:06] When?

[00:07] V: After the dragon.

[00:09] V: You could have stayed

[00:10] I needed to get back to Mos Eisley

[00:12] V: Couldn’t wait one night?

[00:13] I didn’t want to outstay my welcome

[00:16] V: You were very welcome

[00:17] You didn’t ask me to stay

[00:20] V: And if I had?

[00:20] V: Would you?

[00:25] I don’t know

[00:26] I didn’t know you then like I do now

--

[06:00] V: That thing you said before, about editing yourself. Is that why you haven’t come back?

[06:27] I’m not so sure.

[06:29] I haven’t stopped much. Moving forwards.

[06:30] V: My couch is always open to wayward friends.

[06:32] Thank you.

[06:34] V: You also owe me an alternator

[06:36] That’s true. It’s still here

[06:38] V: And a drink, too

[06:39] Just the one.

[06:41] V: Deal. You shall have the finest bendy straw in all the Dune Sea

[06:43] I’ve been thinking a lot about it. 

[06:45] Tatooine

[06:47] V: Oh?

[06:49] It would be nice to spend a little time on solid ground.

--

[23:00] Cobb

[23:01] V: Mando

[23:02] Where are you now? When are you?

[23:03] V: It’s evening, I’m in Mos Espa cantina.

[23:04] V: You comin for a drink?

[23:04] Get out of the cantina. Get your stuff. I just got a bounty puck for you.

[23:05] V: That’s not funny Din

[23:06] Do it. I’ll be there in 3 hours.

[23:06] Lay low. Don’t die before then.

[23:07] V: Fuck

[23:09] V: Okay

[23:10] V: Cool

[23:12] V: See you soon

[23:12] V: Partner

[23:14] V: I’m hoping this means you’re coming to help me and not kill me

Chapter Text

By then Din had dropped the textcomm into his lap as he pushed buttons on his navicomputer. He could get to Tatooine in just a few hours time and just hope that some other, closer hunter hadn’t been given the same bounty. He had tried to reason with his contact and suggested that he would take the bounty if he had some reassurance that he wouldn’t get any competition. His contact said they would do their best, but no guarantees were made.

He landed his ship in Mos Espa and scanned the ground below as he made his descent, looking out for any sign of Cobb’s speeder in the tiny specks that grew bigger as he got closer. He knew Cobb was good enough to hold his own in a fight, but he didn’t know how many hunters would be coming after him. Whoever wanted Cobb dead had paid well, which would be motivation enough to keep them coming, at least for now. 

He heard blaster fire in the street and feared that Cobb didn’t have time to make it out of Mos Espa before another hunter had found him. He positioned his ship down on the outskirts of the city - it was much less organised than Eisley. Once he clambered from Razor Crest II’s dodgy ramp, he shot back into the night sky with his jetpack, looking out for the Marshal. There, he finally saw a flash of red below him, running and pursued by two other humans. 

They heard the thrum of his pack and the light of the thrusters and looked up, stopping their pursuit. Cobb faltered for a moment but used the opportunity to take some cover behind a row of speeders.

From the quick look he got, he could see Cobb was bleeding on his temple and his movements were favouring one side of his body, but he was still fighting and that was enough.

“I thought you were keeping your head down,” Din said, in lieu of greeting as he dropped to his feet beside him. He pressed in close to Cobb shielding one side of his body with his beskar.

“Oh, you know how it is, guy like me, don’t stay down for long,” he said. He was slightly out of breath from his pursuit, but didn’t have time to rest.

“Who did you piss off this bad?” Din responded, firing back.

“I may have carved DIE SLAVER into some asshole’s forehead. It was a misunderstanding.”

“How is that a misunderstanding?”

“I thought that would be a pretty clear sign to leave me and my town the hell alone!” Cobb ducked as a shot rang out and hit the wall above him. 

“I don’t think it worked,” Din shouted over the blaster fire. He returned fire as best he could.

“Yeah, partner, I can see that,” Cobb retorted.

“How many?”

Cobb responded, “Three. There were five but I managed to get a couple down before more showed up.”

Din got a hit in, and one of the humans crumpled to the ground.

“What’s your plan?”

“The puck is mine as well as theirs. They might back off if you play along.”

Cobb hummed. “No offence, darlin’, but no can do,” he said, his voice tense.

Din sighed. He could understand why that wouldn’t be a viable option for Cobb, to even feign captivity.

“Fuck it, we’re shooting our way out,” Cobb said, sidestepping around Din to make a shot while Din turned to block the shot coming for Cobb.

It wasn’t the most sophisticated plan, but those were often the most effective. Din didn’t hesitate to join the fray alongside the man he had come to care for.

Soon enough between them, they managed to clear out the immediate threat of the hunters. Cobb was a good shot, despite the distraction of some of his injuries and together they made quick work of it. It felt good to be fighting alongside Cobb again, Din thought. He remembered how well the pair had fought together against the krayt and fell easily into step with him once more.

When fight was over, and five men dead, Din found Cobb’s speeder and brought it into the hold of his ship ready for the short hop back to Mos Pelgo.

Chapter Text

“You should've commed me that you were having trouble before they put the puck out,” Din said, dabbing bacta onto Cobb’s wounds: a graze on his temple, a burn on his arm and some substantial bruising to his ribs. He was lucky his injuries weren’t more severe, and lucky that Din had grown used to carrying more bacta than he needed.

“Ah, they always say they’re gonna get me. They usually don’t have the money to throw behind the threat. Besides, that’s not what it was for.”

“Cobb, that is literally what that was for, you said so yourself,” Din said incredulously.

“Yeah, but I thought I could handle it. I did handle it,” Cobb explained, rubbing his hand over his beard, and wincing slightly. “Comming you was for the lighter stuff.”

Din sighed. He looked Cobb over a little, trying to catalogue which of the scars and he could see peeking out from under his clothes had been there last time he was here. How many injuries had Cobb not mentioned to him in their conversations? He knew that he himself had omitted some things from their correspondence for the sake of keeping it more relaxed than reality.

“I’m glad you came back for me though. And not looking to fight me, neither,” Cobb smiled.

“I wasn’t gonna let you fight them off alone,” he said. “And I- I missed you,” Din admitted. He thought back to his deleted message those months ago and how his chest had ached for Grogu and Cobb and the sense of familiarity both of them brought him.

“You’ve talked to me almost every day for nigh on 5 months, Din,” Cobb said. 

It was the first time he had heard Cobb say his name aloud. He liked how it sounded in Cobb’s mouth. It brought a smile to his face even beneath his helmet.

“I guess I just needed the excuse to come and talk to you in person,” he said.

“If getting roughed up a little means you’ll come back here more often, I’m sure I can take it," Cobb said. He moved to sit up, and hissed in pain. Din placed a hand on his shoulder and gently eased him back down onto the pillows.

"Slow down, cowboy," he said. "You need to rest."

Cobb grumbled, but reluctantly settled back down. 

"If I have a nap do you promise not to shoot off like last time?"

"I promise. Go to sleep."

“Deputy,” Cobb said sleepily, and the massif lying across the end of his bed looked up from where her head lay on her forelegs. “Bite him if he wanders off.”

He was tired, Din could see. Din stayed by his side in the chair he had dragged in from the kitchen and positioned beside the bed. He sent a quick update to Boba, that the situation was under control on their end.

After a while, a tall twi’lek woman peeked into the room from behind the door. He had never met her before, but he could only presume this to be Cobb’s deputy. She saw him sitting there and signed to him “Caf. Come.”

He looked back at Cobb’s sleeping face and back to her. She signed again, more confidently, and Din rose to follow her into Cobb’s small kitchen.

“He’ll be alright for a minute. It’s nice to finally meet you,” Issa-Or said, extending a hand for Din to shake.

He nodded at her as he shook it. “I should’ve come back in better circumstances. Issa-Or, right?”

“That’s me. Always somethin’ going on on Tatooine, no thought of better circumstances. I’ve heard so much about you, Shiny,” she said as she set about putting the long-handled caf pot on the stove. “Can I call you that?”

“I forgot about that,” he said with a light tone. He shrugged before adding, “I’ve been called much worse.”

She moved around Cobb’s kitchen with ease, like she had done it thousands of times before. Din took the opportunity to look around the kitchen while she worked. It was a simple design, the same as so many prefab homes on the planet. On the conservator he saw dozens of drawings from the children - mostly of Cobb, with splashes of red and graphite, and some of Issa-Or, her bright yellow lekku exaggerated in length. There was even one or two of him, simplistically rendered and holding his Amban rifle. He smiled to himself. He didn’t expect Cobb to keep hold of them for him. Maybe now he was back he would get to thank the kids in person for their art.

“I came back from a trip to Ryloth - first time off-world in decades - and what does this one do?” Issa-Or said, nodding toward Cobb’s ajar bedroom door. “Solve all of our problems just through meeting you.”

“We made a deal that benefitted both of us,” Din replied. “He held up his end, I held up mine.”

“Well, I’m just glad you didn’t shoot him where he stood. He’s a good man, if a little rash sometimes,” she said. She smiled and handed him the caf. “He’s lucky to have you looking out for him.”

Din wrapped both hands around the cup and nodded. Issa-Or took a sip of her drink before stepping around where Din awkwardly stood on her way out of the kitchen.

“I know what’s under that bucket is none of my business. I’ll let you drink it in peace. If you need me, I’m just across the way.”

"I wish he would've told me," was all Din said.

"We all have the parts we keep separate, I guess. See you later, Shiny."

Cobb’s empty house felt too big and too alien all at once despite the need for privacy. He quietly opened the door and went into Cobb’s room and gave Deputy a stroke down her muzzle with the back of his gloved fingers. He checked with a glance that the man was sound asleep before lifting his helmet enough to drink the caf.

“Just to let you know, I’m certainly awake but my eyes are firmly closed and you should keep drinking.”

“Alright,” Din said, voice unmodulated, and took another sip. The caf was thick and rich, and strong enough that he was now blissfully awake and aware of Cobb waiting patiently on the other side of the room.

Cobb pushed himself up on the bed, eyes screwed tight, and pressed his back against the headboard. He toyed with a fraying edge of the deep green blanket.

“So are you staying this time?” Cobb asked.

“For a little while,” Din said. “I need to figure some things out with Boba.”

“About what?” Cobb frowned, with his eyes still shut.

“Making it clear to the other syndicates that you’re off limits.”

“Am I now?”

“Yes,” Din said. “The whole town. You owe him nothing. He does this as a favour to me.”

“What does he owe you?”

“Nothing,” Din said. “We’re kin, in a sense.”

Cobb hummed in thought but seemed to accept what Din was saying. 

“Will you come sit with me?” he said, scooting over and patting the opposite side of the bed, and smoothing the blanket there. “I don’t bite.”

Din looked at him with trepidation.

“You don’t have to,” he amended when he heard no response from the man. “It’s just after so long apart it’s nice to have you close.”

Din nodded and placed the cup aside and lowered the helm. At the dull knock of the cup on the chest of drawers beside the bed, Cobb smiled a little. Din made no move to remove any armour but squeezed onto the bed alongside Cobb, grateful that he had taken his boots off at the door when he brought his legs up onto the mattress. The cold metal of his pauldron pressed against Cobb’s shoulder.

“You can open them now,” he said. Cobb opened one eye, peeking at him, then the other.

“There you are,” he said. “You know, I’m glad Fennec gave me your number.”

“Stopped you getting shot in a cantina just now,” Din said.

Cobb chuckled, a dry laugh. “You’re right on that,” he said, raising a finger in concession. “Apparently emergencies are what it’s for. But more than that. I liked talking to you.”

“Me too.”

“Y’know I kept thinking I should’ve asked for your comm after you killed that dragon,” Cobb said. “Even if I couldn’t get you to stay.”

“You wouldn’t have had it for long before-” he hesitated. Before his entire home was blown to ash and his foundling was taken from him? “The line would’ve disconnected.”

Din’s comm hummed against his chest and he quickly scanned over the word from Boba.

“Fett says it shouldn’t be a problem. Apparently, five dead hunters in a night is off-putting to say the least. The hunters now know the pay-out doesn’t match the challenge. The pressure from Fett on the hunters will keep them from raising their stake.”

“The perfect strategy. Become such a pain in the ass they realise I’m not worth the hole in the gut it would take them to nab me.”

Din laughed a little at that. Din thought he sounded weird through the mic of his helmet and looked away. “That’s one way to put it.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh before, partner,” Cobb said with a beaming grin. “I’ll have to make that happen more often.”

Din shrugged his shoulders before folding his arms across his chest. “Maybe you might’ve got a laugh or two out of me before. That story about asking Issa-Or to marry you.”

“There I was bearing my soul and you were laughing at me? For shame,” Cobb said with mock hurt, shaking his head at Din.

“To be fair, Issa-Or did the same thing and she’s still here with you,” Din said, tilting his helmet.

“She says her response gets more brutal every time I tell the story,” Cobb said.

“In my version, she told you to go fuck yourself,” Din replied. Cobb nods in agreement.

“Which she will corroborate. I tell no lies,” Cobb said. “She was here while I was asleep.”

“Yeah,” Din says. “She made me the caf.”

“Then she likes you already,” Cobb said. “So the point is we’re good?”

“Yeah. Nothing to worry about,” Din said.

“Thank you,” Cobb said and sighed. “Is this okay?” he said, resting his head on Din’s pauldron-clad shoulder.

“Um, yes,” Din said.

Cobb hummed. “I’m glad to have your company, partner.”

“I think I talk more on text-comm than I would do in person. I like spending time with you, but when you’re far away that needs to be more active.”

“You’re here now. We can just sit like this for a bit.”

Once Din had gotten past the need to make sure Cobb was safe, on the mend and there was no longer a threat, his thoughts returned to the comfort that Cobb was there in the flesh. He was no longer a disembodied voice that accompanied him, but the living breathing man that had been in his thoughts. He was being touched by him, even if it was just his armour. It was like he could feel his warmth through the metal making him real and solid and there.

Din reached out to take Cobb’s hand in his and threaded their fingers together. Cobb gave a gentle squeeze.

Gently, Cobb pulled their joined hands towards him and placed a single kiss across Din’s knuckles, keeping his eyes fixed on the visor. Once Cobb pulled away, Din pulled his hand away from Cobb and an expression of hurt confusion flicked across his expression. Din pulled at the glove, finger by finger and let it fall onto his lap before taking Cobb’s hand again, pushing their bare palms together. His heart raced at the feeling.

“Better?” Cobb said.

“Much,” Din said.

Cobb smiled, brought Din’s hand to his lips and gently kissed along each knuckle in turn. His facial hair tickled against his sensitive hand. Din sighed contentedly.

They said nothing and leant into each other. Their silence was only interrupted by Deputy crawling over Din’s lap to sniff at the discarded glove that lay beside him on the bed.

“Baby, that’s not yours,” Cobb says softly to Deputy, giving her a pet on the head. The attention distracts her from her find, and she positioned herself across Din’s thighs and rested her head on Cobb’s lap.

“You hungry?” Din asked when Cobb's stomach growled.

“Starvin’,” Cobb replied and shifted to sit up, careful not to jostle Deputy too much.

“It feels wrong to move her,” Din mused.

“Maybe she’ll move herself if she hears there’s dinner,” Cobb said, emphasising for her benefit. Straight away, she sat up and padded to the door leading to the kitchen, eagerly awaiting one of them to follow.

“There’s stew in the conservator,” Cobb said, sinking back down onto the pillows.

Din groaned as he got up and set about finding it. His mouth watered at the thought of real food, not just simple ration packs.

Chapter Text

By the next day, the bacta had worked its wonders on Cobb’s injuries and he felt energetic enough to leave his bedroom and face the day alongside Din. Issa-Or refused to let him do any of his duties, however, and placed Din under strict orders to not let Cobb overexert himself.

Din was more than happy to help out with whatever Cobb needed to do around the house – anything to distract himself and feel useful. He knew that Cobb was equally prone to boredom and the need to do something. He followed Cobb where he went in the house, and Deputy followed them both. Din found himself reluctant to leave his side. The radio hummed at a low volume, and the two of them could focus on the soft tinny music from time to time.

“Din,” Cobb whined from his position of laying on the couch, on the same pile of blankets Din had curled up on the night before. “I gotta find something to do.”

Din looked up from where he was sat cleaning his vambraces. “What do you usually do today?”

“You know, patrol. Make sure everything is alright.”

“Gather gossip and relay it to me?”

“I’m good at keeping secrets,” Cobb said. “Gossip is by nature to be shared.”

“Sure,” Din said, then frowned. “Did you tell them about me?”

“Sometimes I would get caught looking at my comm when I probably shouldn’t’ve been and they’d ask what got me so distracted. I’d say, ‘Ah, it’s just Mando, don’t you worry.’ Not much in the way of specifics though, mind.”

Din nodded. “I only wondered. What do you want to do instead?”

“Something to keep my hands busy,” Cobb mused, drumming his thumbs on his chest where his hands rested clasped together.

“I thought of something you can do,” Din said.

Cobb craned his head back, almost looking at him upside down. “Oh yeah?”

“Your gift,” Din said. “Wait here.”

Cobb rolled off the couch and to his feet in one languid movement, and he approached Din, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet. “I forgot about that.”

Din raised a finger and headed out of the house to where his ship had been positioned at the back edge of Cobb’s yard where it faced the open desert.

Cobb’s face lit up when he saw it upon Din’s return. The alternator was grubby, and in need of some cleaning before it could be fitted, but Din thought that might be half the fun for Cobb if he was anything like him.

“Thank you, darlin’,” Cobb said, feeling its weight. “This’ll keep me occupied.”

--

They huddled around Cobb’s tiny kitchen table, the alternator in pieces between them to be cleaned and reassembled. Din loved watching him work, to focus so intently on what he was doing, the little crease between his brows when he was concentrating hard. Cobb caught him staring at him while he worked.

“You see somethin’ you like, sweetheart?” Cobb asked casually. He dropped his tools and wiped off his hands.

“Yes,” Din said and it thrilled him to see Cobb blush a little, not expecting such a blunt response.

“Fair enough,” Cobb chuckled and rose to step into the kitchen.

Din rose too and followed behind him and leant against the counter beside Cobb.

“I was thinking,” Din said, gently taking Cobb’s hand again. “I’ve not been…” he hesitated, “I don’t know how to talk about it.”

Cobb fished his comm out of his pocket and held it up to Din with a raised eyebrow. Din followed suit. He typed out his message one handed, trying not to stress over each word and just say what he needed to. The other man waited patiently as Din composed his message, decidedly not reading over his shoulder. He was looking at the children’s drawings on the wall with an air of a connoisseur. Cobb’s comm chirped in his hand.

[17:32] I haven’t been taking care of myself. After Grogu left, I couldn’t stay still, had to keep moving. It felt familiar.

“Straight back to business,” Cobb responded with a solemn nod. “Can’t keep you going forever.”

Din hummed in agreement and kept typing.

[17:34] Maybe I could stay in one place for a little while. Keep my head down.

“That would be nice. Take a break, relax,” Cobb said, smiling and stroking Din’s hand with his thumb. “On Tatooine?”

“In Mos Pelgo? For a little while?” Din said with a tilt of his helmet.

“Darlin’, you can stay as long as you want,” Cobb said and pulled him into a hug. “We’d all be happy to have you. Me, Iss, the kids, me, Werlo, me.”

“You would, would you?” Din said, his voice coloured with amusement.

“Din, I’ve wanted you back here for months, you know that, right?” Cobb said.

Cobb pulled away and raised a halting finger at Din. He let go and pulled out his comm again.

While he typed he said to Din, “If I’m getting you all wrong, you can just close your gadget and pretend I didn’t say anything. Easy as.”

“Alright,” he said.

[17:43]  V: Can I kiss you if I close my eyes?

Din opened it, read it and nodded. A grin broke across Cobb’s face.

“Alright,” Cobb said and squeezed his eyes shut tight.

Cobb stood there, slightly awkwardly, almost waiting. He looked adorable, his expression soft and hopeful. Din pushed up his helmet. He sure hadn’t done this in a long time, but he felt safe with Cobb.

It was so soothing, he thought, to be on solid ground with Cobb at his side. He wanted to be near him and talk about nothing with him and watch the suns rise on his roof with a steaming cup of caf. No more running, just Cobb in front of him now.

He leaned forward and kissed Cobb gently, pushing forward and closer to him with one hand on his helmet and the other dropping to Cobb’s waist. The bottom lip of his helmet bumped against Cobb’s nose slightly. Cobb’s hands found Din’s hips as he smiled into the kiss.

Din pulled away with a grin, leaned forward to press his helmeted forehead against Cobb’s.

“Good to have you back, darlin’.”