Fragments of the Dark

Chapter Thirty-Six

Din leaned against the wall, listening to Celene recount the events of the night.

It was an effort to remember every emotion on his face was in plain sight without his helmet as he glimpsed the darkening bruises around her neck and then down her back, mingling with the scars. How had he missed them the other night?

She finished, ending with how she'd taken the Amentris and now could only wait and hope that it was real and not a fraud. Din couldn't believe Bane had some just laying around in his vault and the fact that he'd given it to Celene for free. But the pure relief palpating through his body outweighed any degression he had. This was at least one of their massive problems solved.

Celene fell silent at last after she pulled an oversized shirt over her head, still shivering slightly from the rain. "Where's Grogu?"

"Sleeping in my room. I managed to make him a makeshift bed of sorts."

She sat on the edge of her bunk and nodded. "Bane only gave me the Amentris in exchange for owing him a favor. One he can call in anytime."

Din took a deep breath. "We'll deal with it as it comes."

She nodded her head and they both fell silent. Finally, he asked, "You used to live here? You never mentioned that."

"Why would I?" She raised her eyebrows.

"You also never mentioned that you know Cad Bane."

She tilted her head to the side. "We worked together for a time. He taught me almost everything I know about bounty hunting. But eventually, Bane put the pieces together about who I was. And I could never stay in one place for too long or else the Empire would come looking. So I left but he chose to stay."

Din wondered if she wished Bane had come with her or if their parting of ways had been mutual. It certainly seemed like Bane had wished she had never left but the Duros was also a cunning and manipulative hunter. Din wouldn't put it past him to only act like that as another advantage over Celene.

Celene rubbed her face. "I'm going to sleep for a few hours. We'll leave for Tython in the morning."

Din had more questions but he didn't press. Now wasn't the time. He slowly backed out of the room, the door hissing shut behind him. His own quarters were dark and he could faintly make out the sleeping form of the Grogu in the corner against the far wall. Determined to catch a few hours of sleep himself, he climbed into his bunk, staring at the ceiling above him.

No more than forty minutes had passed when the door to his quarters hissed open. It was dead silent and then the bed dipped down just barely. "It's freezing," was all Celene muttered by way of explanation.

Din wordlessly shifted to the side, making room for her in the space. She slipped beneath the blankets. He hesitated for a few heartbeats and then wrapped a gentle arm around her waist, pressing her body to his. She didn't protest, just letting out a soft breath, her hair fanning across the pillow.

After a few minutes, Din felt a slight tug on the blanket. Celene shifted slightly and then let out a sigh. "Come on," she said softly.

Din heard Grogu give a happy coo and felt him brush against the hand he had wrapped around Celene's waist as he settled in Celene's arms.

He couldn't help but let out the small chuckle that escaped him.

"What?" She shifted slightly.

"I think we're going to need a bigger bed."

Celene didn't answer but Din heard her quiet laugh all the same. He wasn't tired, but it only took a few minutes for Celene's breathing to even out.  She'd been going non-stop for days now, and it looked like it was taking a toll on her.  That or the effects of the Amentris were kicking in.

He sent a thankful prayer to the stars that somehow Cad fucking Bane had that dose.  Even if the price might come to haunt them.  He'd worry about that later.  For now, the focus was the Jedi.  He ran through everything Celene had told him in his mind.  She was a Sith Lord.  The Jedi, whoever it was, would not take kindly to her showing up.  He doubted the meeting would be peaceful. 

In fact, he had no idea how the meeting would go at all.  Or what their goal even was.  Did she intend to give up Grogu?  How would she know if this Jedi was even trustworthy?  The Jedi certainly wouldn't trust her.  Or him, a Mandalorian, that matter.

And if the Jedi did agree to help them, to protect Grogu... what then?  What did this mean for him and Celene?  She'd said herself she would never be free of the Empire.  Of her master.  Cold anger slithered through his veins at the thought of the monster who'd sought to control Celene, who'd torture and manipulated her. 

Oh, he would pay.  Din had plans for him.