•two journeys• din djarin

XV

The walk back to the ship was quiet, but it was easy to see the enthusiasm in Din's walk increase as we got closer. Through the tall trees, I could see the undercarriage light of the ship blinking. I thought I had heard Din say something, but instead of urging him to repeat it, I kept to myself, quickening my pace to get out of the hot and sticky air. We stepped up to the ramp at the same time; as it lowered, I looked over at him, he was fidgeting and shifting around. Nervous. I couldn't conceal the smile that spread across my face at his excitement to see Grogu again. I walked up the ramp first to retrieve the child from his hiding spot.

"Are you coming?" I called back to Din. His helmet was facing the floor looking down at his shaking hands.

"Yeah, I'll be up shortly. I'm just, worried," he responded. My eyebrows furrowed at his answer.

"Why are you worried Din?"

"What if he thinks I just abandoned him?" He asked quietly. The smile fell from my face. As I stepped towards him, I grabbed his hands pulling them closer to me.

"Din, if he thinks you didn't want him, he wouldn't have reached out to me. You are his father and he knows that you only did what you thought was best." I heard a steady, modulated breath from inside his helmet before he let go of my hands to take it off. "I'm going to go get him from his hiding spot," I said as I turned to go to the piloting room. From under the chair, I could hear the soft pants and coos the child was letting out. I kneeled down and reached under, grabbing the little bundle and unwrapping him from the cloak. "Hey, little guy. I got your dad back here in one piece for you." His head tilted around as he looked at the room surrounding us. "I know, this isn't the ship you're used to huh?" I stood from my spot; the child was sitting in my arms as I walked into the hall to find Din. He wasn't in the place I had left him, which concerned me slightly but not enough to induce panic. "Din!" I called out.

"Yes?" I heard from behind me. I nearly jumped out of my skin as a scream arose from my chest.

"Stars Djarin, don't sneak up like that on the woman carrying your child." I stepped towards him and held out the goblin for him to take. Grogu's hands waved in the air as an excited screech came from his open mouth. A mix of a chuckle and sob came from Din as he reached out to hold the little guy.

"Hey kid, I'm here to protect you now," he said. Grogu's little hands reached up to his face as tears slid down Din's cheeks. I turned and walked to our room to give those two a moment alone. My body was exhausted and laying down on the plush bed was exactly what I needed. I could tell from the pain breathing caused I had a few ribs out of place; oh, would I give anything to have my body adjusted right now. I looked out the window above the bed as we slowly floated into the sky. The stars were bright, illuminating the bare room while also giving me a sense of safety; I had slept with a nightlight my entire life, so having this faint glow was comforting. In a hast, I pulled off my clothes, leaving me in only my bralette and underwear. The sheets were cold against my bare skin, but it was a nice dynamic from the hot planet. I looked down at the clock; it was close to two in the morning. I laid in the bed, trying to steady my breathing in an attempt to make myself fall asleep faster.

"You want to protect him, don't you?" A women's voice echoed around me. It was monotonous and smooth. I opened my eyes to see a white strip of light in front of me; no two, two strips of light. They moved closer to me, the soft hum the emitted growing louder. The light stopped before they disappeared entirely. "You need to protect him."

"How can I protect him?" The soft hum started again, but it wasn't anywhere in front of me. I quickly spun around to see the cloaked figure holding them by their side.

"On the planet where money exchanges hand and the corrupt believe they are dignified, the one in a rabbit's suit has your most beloved answer. Find him and protect the child." The hum stopped again, and I was left with only the sounds of my labored breath.