apostasy | the mandalorian

fīftēēn

"We're about to enter the atmosphere. Strap yourself in," he directed, shooting a reassuring glance back her way.

Evri nodded, offering a weak smile in return as she reached for the worn leather seatbelt. Her hands hadn't stopped shaking since last night, the guilt was still fresh in her mind. It took a couple of extra seconds, but eventually, she secured herself to the seat. As soon as the loud buckle clicked into place, Din pulled back the lever to exit hyperspace, bringing a familiar dusty planet into view.

The sight alone reminded her of how angry she was with him during their first visit. Much of the pain he inflicted on her by leaving was keeping her from fully excepting him back into her life. It took a lot of clearing her head in the silence of the haul to realize just how much he had given up to get her back on her feet. That, and that no matter how badly she wanted to get rid of him, he wasn't going anywhere.

Not until he was sure she was safe.

"I want you to come with me to meet Karga. This job wouldn't have been a success without you...I don't want to take all the credit." Din spoke softly, still hyper-aware of her sensitive state.

"Sure," she mumbled in response, busying her eyes on the passing lava flats as they neared the ground. She must have spaced out for longer than she thought for them to be this close.

It was obvious he tried to hide it, but Evri heard the worried sigh that left his modulator at her dejected tone. She had told him at least ten times before they got up that morning that it wasn't his fault, that he couldn't have done anything better.

But, she couldn't talk much, seeing as he had told her at least 20 times that it wasn't her fault either and that she hadn't upset him.

Neither seemed to believe the other completely.

The Crest's reverse thrusters roared against the ground, slowing them to a halt before gradually lowering them. The landing gear fell into place against the hard black stone, rocking them slightly as it leveled out.

Mando was up from his chair in what seemed like seconds, kneeling before Evri and tilting her chin to face him. No matter how many times he did it, her stomach never ceased to flutter at the gentleness of his touch. It was impossible to resist, even with the self-loathing she was currently trapped in.

"If you need to stay on the Crest then you can. I won't be gone for more than an hour."

She shook her head with a smile, her mood already lifted by his constant prioritizing of her feelings.

"No, Din. I want to be with you," she all but whispered. Her hand pressed into the glove resting on her cheek, reassuring him of her certainty.

He nodded, "Okay,"

Din was first down the ladder, wincing slightly at the day-old stitches in his calf as he descended. He had changed into a new - less ripped and blooded - flight suit, careful not to tear Evri's hard work as he slipped the tight fabric over his wound. Grabbing his pulse rifle from where it leaned against the wall, he turned to find Evri double-checking the holster he had given her.

"Here," he offered, seeing her struggle to get the straps right on her hips. He crossed the floor in a couple of strong steps, one a little less so.

"Thank you," she sighed, dropping her hands in exasperation as his gloves worked to untangle the mess she had made. He worked quietly, straightening the leather straps and tightening them to sit right above her hip bone.

"Better?" he asked, his visor meeting her eyes as his hands hovered over her waist.

"Much."

It was still hard to believe she had seen his face. If she hadn't spent so long memorizing every inch of it, she could have sworn she had dreamed it up. Now, even as she stared into the reflection of her own face,  she could see his kind eyes and loving smile.