masquerade | din djarin

0.6

☆ 

THE PROMISE

☆ 

[ 8 ABY ] 

It had been a year since the Mandalorian and Rowan had decided to stick together. 

A lot can happen in a year. People are like clocks: intricately designed pieces of functioning art, yet all anyone can see is the face and the time it tells---or, the things they choose to show. In other words, there is much more to a person than meets the eye. The beauty of time is that the dozens upon dozens of layers to a person are uncovered gradually, as trust is built and relationships are formed. Who knew this would happen to the two loneliest and closed-off bounty hunters in the galaxy?

The Mandalorian had realized Rowan was an excellent shot when they were deep in discussion on how best to catch a bounty. He noticed her discreetly looking off to the side, her gaze snapping back to his every few seconds. The Mandalorian was about to ask her what she was looking at when she muttered, "Stay still," and reached for her holster. He panicked, reaching for his own weapon, but Rowan was much too quick and he was too surprised to think straight. Swiftly, she placed her blaster over the Mandalorian's shoulder (much to his relief) and fired one blow. A soft thump indicated a body landing on the ground.

The Mandalorian whipped around, his cape fluttering around their legs. "What just--how--" he sputtered, stunned by the situation. It had all happened so fast. For the second time in his life, the Mandalorian was at a loss for words.

"He had a blaster pointed at you," Rowan said simply.

The Mandalorian turned his head back at her and then immediately walked over to the limp body of a Trandoshan. His blaster lay a few inches from his hand, skittering from when he fell. Upon closer inspection, the hole from Rowan's blaster landed right where his heart would be.

"Did you aim there?"

Rowan gave him a look. "Well, yeah, otherwise you would've died. He would have killed you."

He looked at the body again. "You have the best eye of anyone I've ever known."

Rowan was surprised yet pleased with his compliment. She straightened with pride. "Thank you." She cocked her head, nudging him with her shoulder. "It means a lot coming from someone like you."

The Mandalorian looked at her. "We're still splitting half." 

"Kriff," Rowan muttered.

Rowan had realized the Mandalorian was truly her partner and friend when a bounty had gone wrong. They had split up (something they would never do again), trying to corner a smuggler, when Rowan was attacked. Large hands pulled her into an alleyway, covering her mouth and holding her arms as she struggled. "You'll make for a nice price," he breathed heavily into her ear. "Gideon would love to have your head on his wall."

Rowan's eyes widened and her heart plummeted. No, no, no, I can't go back---

She tried to free herself and kick the man, but her feet kept slipping out from underneath her. A fresh wave of panic sent her head spinning. Or maybe it was the lack of oxygen. She didn't even know anymore. All Rowan could think about was the horrors that she would meet yet again, memories reeling through her mind, her chest constricting.

It's over. 

Hot tears sprang from her eyes, the anxiety building up and sending her over the edge. This is it.