Fragments of the Dark

Chapter Twenty Three

Celene had only uttered those words once before in her life.

It was like she could see them, suspended in the air between them. Din paused again. "I know this... I've read about it. Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and Han Solo- they brought the Empire to it's knees. They helped lead the rebellion."

Pain shot through her, sharp and burning, not from her wounds. From what she had done. How she had single handedly destroyed everything her father, Luke, and mother, Mara, had built up. "Yes."

A prick told her he had threaded the needle through her skin again- with his bare hands. She'd never seen his skin before- hell she'd never seen him without his armor. And here he was, pressed against her, the solid muscle of his leg, the roughness of his fingers against her side. Heat blossomed in her though it should not.

"And you-"

"Destroyed everything they created? Betrayed my own family? Yes, Din. I did."

"That wasn't what I was going to say." His voice was quiet through the helmet. "The Empire stole you away as a child, Celene, before you could know what was happening. They turned you into a weapon. You didn't know any different."

He was right. She knew he was but her guilt wouldn't let her believe it. "What's done is done. I don't even know if they're still alive. I-" she swallowed. "I killed nearly everyone in that base. It was only when Leia, my aunt, my own flesh and blood, showed me what had happened that I understood. And I realized."

"And so you left."

She couldn't help the dark laugh that escaped her. "No, you can't just leave the Empire. I was a Sith lord. An apprentice to the Emperor. The power that flowed through my veins was unimaginable." Her fingers tightened into fists. "He would never just let me leave."

There was a heartbeat of silence. "So he did... this?" Din's bare fingers briefly brushed the mass of scars across Celene's back. Her throat tightened. "Yes. For a long time. But it didn't work, I refused to let him break me. So he decided to give me cybernetic implants. His plan was to take away my free will. To control me as solely a machine."

Din had stilled beside her. "Celene,-"

"Don't." She said, the idea of him feeling bad for her suddenly too much to bear. "I don't want your pity."

"The things I said to you before-"

"It doesn't matter, Din." She said. "It doesn't matter."

He finished the final stitch across the wound, tying off the thread. "It matters to me, Celene." His hand was still on her bare side, his leg pressed against hers.

She looked into the visor of his helmet, seeing only her reflection. "Why?"

His fingers slid across her skin, to her wrist. "Because I care about you." His hand brushed hers.

It was simple but those five words knocked the breath from her. Someone who cared about her. Someone who didn't want to use her. Someone who was willing to protect her.

Din threaded his fingers through hers, a deep breath emulating through his helmet. "Don't leave. You're the only person I've ever... really known." He looked to Grogu. "And the kid... he needs you. I need you."

Something in Celene's chest eased, an unknown emotion creeping up her throat. "I'll stay for now." For as long as I can.

He nodded but didn't move his hand. Celene wondered when the last time he'd felt another human touch without his Beskar had been. She wasn't sure what Mandalorian customs or traditions dictated specifically.

"You need to rest." His voice broke her from her thoughts. "Can you walk?"

"Yes." She slowly pushed off the chair, ignoring the stinging pain in her side and the sudden absence of his touch. She made it two steps before her knees buckled and he caught her. Shaking his head, he eased her onto the bed. The wound on her back wasn't so bad that she was able to lay flat. Din tugged a blanket over her. "Sleep, Celene."

She almost reached out and grasped his hand asking him to stay.

Almost.

When she woke, sunlight was filtering through the cracks of the roof. Something warm had settled on her chest and she found Grogu seated there, staring with large eyes. For a second she hesitated, then she held out her palm. He grasped one of her fingers and she swallowed and then willed the words to form between them, the thoughts taking shape.

I'm sorry, little one. I'd never harm you, I hope you know that.

An image flickered in her mind, a memory that wasn't her own. A cloaked figure, with prominent features and dark hair. From the depths of the hood she glimpsed the orange of his Sith eyes. A blue lightsaber exploded to life in his hand. Tears glistened on his cheeks as he stepped into the room.

Darth Vader. Anakin Skywalker. The Chosen One. Her grandfather.

I'm sorry, Grogu. I'm not him. I left the Sith Order.

Another image filled her head. It was of her, asleep on the bed. Din stood over her, gently tucking the blanket in place. He swept a piece of hair from her face. She remained asleep and Din let his bare fingers idle on her cheek before he stood and walked away.

The memory faded and Celene stared at Grogu. I would never hurt either of you.

He replied with a memory of both Din and Celene peering into his small pod for the first time, Celene killing the bounty droid that wanted to execute Grogu. He seemed to be saying, thank you.

She nodded and then slowly eased him off of her chest and onto the bed. She started to sit up when Din reappeared in the doorway. "Hey- you're awake."

She grimaced, pulling herself up. "Yeah."

"I got food." He set the tray down. "Let me see your wounds."

She gritted her teeth while he poked at the stitches. "It doesn't look infected. Not nearly as bad as your face."

Celene frowned. "What's wrong with my face?"

Din cocked his head. "Looks a little rough."

Celene squinted at her faint and blurry reflection in his Beskar. She could make out the harsh splotches of color along her jaw and temple. "Fuck. Why didn't you tell me before?"

"We had more pressing matters."

Celene rolled her eyes and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She set Grogu on the ground and stood, cracking her neck. Din watched her every move.

"Seriously, I'm fine." She popped a piece of fruit in her mouth, wincing at her sore jaw as she chewed.

"I talked to a few of the villagers." He leaned against a wood post. "Grogu can stay here while we head out into the woods to track the raiders."

Celene shoved another piece of fruit in her mouth, yanking a new shirt from her back and sliding it on. She slung her rifle over her back. "Happy hunting. Let's go."