Another Way: A Mandalorian Story

Aay'han

Aay'han - [AY-ye-haan] - bittersweet perfect moment of mourning and joy. Remembering and celebrating.

Summary: You help Din come to terms with his past before starting your future together.

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It's afternoon when you land in Theed. The city is located between the rich green grass plains of Naboo, filled with colorIt's afternoon when you land in Theed. The city is located between the rich green grass plains of Naboo, filled with colorful flowers and trees and water features amongst the beautiful beige buildings.

Din takes you to a hotel on the edge of the city, the end opposite of the hangar where you land. You don't complain about the long walk, using it as an opportunity to take in the sites. You never dreamed that you would see such a place. You're in awe, wanting to admire every detail.

You try to get Din to talk, but he is mostly silent as he glances around, his body seeming rigid. For the time being, you don't press, too distracted by the beauty of the city.

You're almost disappointed when you reach the hotel, wishing you could walk and see more, but the room is just as beautiful. It's large, open, and airy. A glassless arched window allows the sun to pour inside, the cream-colored walls of the room bathed in its rays. You're immediately drawn to it. The walk from the ship only allowed you a small glimpse of what the planet has to offer. You've only dipped your toe in, and now you're eager to bathe in the radiance, drown in the planet's beauty.

The window overlooks a tributary of the Solleu River, the water wrapping around an island before plunging off a cliff the city sits on. To the left, you can only make out trees that line the cliff. To the right, the domed towers of the palace rise in the distance, peaking above the trees. You close your eyes, listening to the rushing of the nearby waterfall and the chirping of birds. You could easily fall asleep listening to it.

Din approaches you from behind and wraps his arms around your waist, his body pressed against your back.

"Can I at least hold you, cyar'ika?" Din asks. "I just need to feel you."

"Of course," you respond. Inwardly, you're confused as to why he wants to hold you so badly, especially when he was acting so cold once you landed in the city, but you don't question him. He has his grouchy moments, likely due to hunger or fatigue.

You turn and wrap your arms around him, pulling him into a hug. You wish he wasn't wearing his armor so you could fully feel his body against yours. You lightly run a hand up and down his back, feeling what you can.

His hold on you is tight, secure. He feels your hair and kisses your head before laying a cheek against you.

"Is everything alright?" you question, pulling away from him after a minute or two.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Fine. That dreaded word. The word that tells you everything is not in fact fine. He gives you a smell smile, but something about his eyes tells you he's not okay.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure," he replies unyieldingly. He quickly changes the subject. "You've said you've never seen a waterfall. How does it feel to be atop one?"

"A little terrifying," you admit, turning around to face the window. "I'm afraid I'll fall out and plunge to my death."

He grabs your waist, pulling you into him, his hold snug. "I won't let that happen."

"Good."

"It's a bit of a change from your home planet, isn't it?" he asks, his head resting against yours