Under the Beskar

A Grim Discovery

DIN'S POV

The next day passed rather quickly than the previous days that he's spent here in the clinic. The morning was routine, it begins with a hot breakfast and a cup of nysillin tea, followed by another treatment from her crystal. Although his leg still hurts, yet she promised him that he will be able to walk today with support. He doesn't believe he will be able to even stand up, but she feels very confident that he could walk, as long as he uses the crutches she has provided him. Her words of praise and comfort makes him forget all about the bounty he's supposed to be looking for.

He hasn't asked anyone about Arica, not yet anyway. A part of him doesn't want to find out the truth. His intuition tells him that this healer is hiding information from him. Nonetheless, how could this woman, who has saved his life and has cared for his wounds, be the dangerous quarry he has been looking for? There must be something he's missing. It simply doesn't make any sense.

NIA'S POV

This morning the clinic was super busy. Flu season has officially started and there are several children in the clinic with runny noses and coughs. Maya has been a huge help providing medicine and cough syrup to the children, while she and Caid help the Mandalorian with his morning routine.

Yet something has changed in the bounty hunter's attitude. He's quieter more than he usually is, responding with only one-word replies, and sometimes she receives only a head nod, a grunt or a scoff, and other times it's a noncommittal gesture. It feels like he already knows who she is. If he found out the truth, would he really turn her in after she saved his life?

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Once the Mandalorian has been cleaned up with new bandages, he insisted on wearing his thick flight suit, blaster pistol and vambraces. Nia agrees as long as he leaves behind the rest of his armor, stating it is too early in his recovery to be carrying around too much weight. Din reluctantly agrees after several minutes of arguing and debating.

"Alright, Mando. Let's stand up. Come on. Put your arms around my shoulders, and as I lift you up...try to put some weight on that leg," she instructs him. He doesn't respond or make a sound, but he follows her directions. As his strong arms are wrapped around her shoulders, she slides her arms up underneath his armpits and interlock her fingers behind his back. "Ok, are you ready?"

He makes a 'mhm' sound in response. Taking that as a yes, she uses all of her strength to lift him onto his feet. He makes a faint grunting noise as he is finally standing up for the first time in days. Once he's on his feet, he is a bit surprised that he's able to put some weight onto his injured leg.

She doesn't let go of him right away. Her ear is pressed firmly against his clavicle as she hears his breathing and heartbeat, his chin resting on the top of her head. With his arms are firmly secured around her shoulders, this is slowly beginning to feel more like a hug than a healer merely assisting her patient. It's a simple gesture that most people take advantage of. Yet in this moment it was exactly what they both needed so desperately.

At first it felt odd and foolhardy. Him, an injured patient, her the healer, both in a warm embrace as they tightly grasp onto each other for dear life. Then, to her surprise, he gradually lowers his helmet down onto her shoulder as she hears him he take a deep breath. The longer they stay like this, the better it felt as they slowly melt into each other. Both experience the same lonely feeling of spending years of living a secretive life of isolation. In this moment, it's like a force beyond their understanding is controlling them.

Time stood still in this moment. Din closes his eyes under his helmet, this reminds him of the last time he's ever experienced a hug like this. It was from his mother right before she is shot by a battle droid. For Nia, she is reminded of a hug she received from a man about 13 years ago. He was a father who's family she had saved from a devastating virus that almost wiped out their entire village. As Nia and Din hold onto each other, they suddenly have forgotten where they were. A gentle knock on the door startled them both.