This Is The Way

A Mistake Dressed In Beskar

There's a stiff silence that lingers between the two after the words leave Din's mouth. It was only brief until Paz turns to glance at the armorer who was currently polishing up his chest plates.

Taking his time to answer, Din didn't have the time. He needed to find Grogu to make sure he was okay. Din needed to see for himself that he was okay and in safe hands as spoken. So Din presses on such matters, voice much firmer than before.

"Why save me if I'm such a mistake?"

The response grabs Paz's attention like it's intended when he returns his gaze back towards the beskar wearing fool before him who refused a seat.

"We live by creed" He answers sternly eyeing Din who gives an almost raspy scoff that's laced with underlining pain. 

"Otherwise you'd leave me for dead."

Din watches for any signs of an outburst from the other Mandalorian who's got a tendency to rage at any given moment if pushed. Din's witnessed it before and maybe one too many times.

They'd never gotten along ever since they were foundlings. Paz was always a bit rough around the edges. Strict and stern with the rules and very much competitive when it came to training, but when he'd found out that Din had been collecting bounties everything between them shifted onto a whole other level.

Long stare downs became noticeable glares from behind the helm and every time they passed each other there was a cold tension. Every look his way Din knew was of disgrace. Looks that lingered and made Din's eyes fall to his feet. Luckily nobody could see through his helmet.

Din tried to shrug Paz off. Act like there was no tension or dislike between the two when in the same room, but it was hard when all he'd hear were whispers from Vizla's corner most likely talking about him and how much of a screw up he was to even be in the guild.

It wasn't fair.

Din followed the creed. He was strict with it to, so why was it Paz always gave him a hard time about bounty hunting? He only took the jobs worth taking. Never had he killed in cold blood, but Paz didn't know that. All he assumed was that bounty hunting was trouble and associated him with that in the mix.

So Din watches carefully. Watching the tips of Paz finger tighten around his mug. It was a subtle sign that showed irritability. Striking a nerve, Din guesses before the other mandalorian scoots his chair back without warning and looks his way once more.

This time Din feels the air shift into something more  defensive, so his guard is up.

Standing up from his seat Paz speaks," I would never leave a mandalorian behind or left for dead. That is the way" he speaks, voice stern and edging annoyance," Don't underestimate my loyalty, Djarin. That is a mistake on your behalf. You're hanging on a thread with the guild here, so consider yourself lucky."

"Sounds like a threat"

There's a brief silence that Paz let's linger for a minute before making his way around the small table and walking up towards Din. He's not in the greatest condition and Paz knows he's injured, so Din stands straighter trying to hold in any sounds of pain that might escape his clenched teeth.

His leg is burning now and his side is throbbing. He's feeling nauseous and it doesn't help when his stomach knots when Paz is standing in front of him. He's always been taller and broader and Din hates how he feels in the moment.

Small, but it doesn't show.

"I don't need a threat to make my point." Was all that was said in a silver tongue and a heavy unmoving gaze before the voice of the armorer broke the tension between the two.

"Vizsla. Your armor is finished" she announces causing both to turn their head toward her hanging up the chest plate on the wall" When you want to replace your armor, you may take what is yours when you are ready. In the mean time show Din Djarin to his foundling will you?"

Din was sure the offer put a grimace on Paz face  from his gruff respond that came after before he turned to meet his gaze once more.

"This is the way." And with his final regards, Din watches the other mandalorian raise an armored arm over his shoulders. Din eyes Paz carefully. He's cautious of the other mandalorian and has every right to be, but Din's caught off guard when he realizes that Paz is only trying to support his weight to help him out the room.

Taking the help with a grain of salt Din begrudgingly accepts. Limping out of the room with Paz right by his side.

Into the hall the two are quiet. One limping step at a time, Din suppresses an agonizing groan at the fire running up his leg with each step. He should have taken a seat. Paz had been right.

The further they got down the hall the more his steps slowed. Behind his helm, Dins face was in a tight grimace. The pain was hot and burning. Somehow, Paz seemed to notice when they hauled into a stop.

"You need a break."

"No" Din groans taking another grueling step.

"Take a break" Paz responds, words firm and on the edge of strict," You should not be standing. I told you. You're in no condition to be up. We're taking a break."

There's nothing else Din can do other than listen to the other man who had been right. Din had always been a bit stubborn and hard headed around Paz and maybe it had to do with showing no weakness for safety. Din wanted a break. He needed one, but he didn't need Paz knowing that. They weren't friends.

With an exhausted sigh, Din gives a light nod,"Okay." He agrees while taking well needed breathes.

"We're almost there. The foundling should be in the dinning hall with the healer."

Din huffs in some more ragged breathes without a word. He just needed to see Grogu. He trusted his people, but seeing the kid for himself is the proof he needed.

After a long moment Din gave a nod," I'm fine now" he assured with a limp forward," let's go" and with that Paz his by his side leading him toward the dinning hall.

One step, two step. Three.

Before Din knows it, he's at the open corridors of the dinning hall. His eyes are darting around the room that's mildly busy. He searches for a metal floating crib when they step inside the room.

Finally his eyes spy the familiar crib of Grogu in the corner with the healer. A sigh of relief escapes past his lips along with a small smile. He's okay. He's actually more than okay as Din watches the kid spoon another spoonful of soup into his mouth making a cheerful face at the food that relieves his appetite.

Din's at ease from the distance, but soon enough he'll fill that gap with another agonizing step to meet his son on the other side.

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Hello, readers!! Thank you for reading and I appreciate the lovely comments!! You guys are awesome and made my day !! Also let me know what you think about this chapter! And if you want to see something specific between Paz/Din/Grogu let me know!!!

Request are appreciated and I'll try my best!

As always be careful and safe everyone ! And kindness is free, so be kind.

Sincerely, Disney Girl