Across the Universe | D. Djarin

I'm not jealous.

2 weeks later

One...two...three...four...

I counted out loud as I lay horizontally on the wooden floor of the barn, pushing myself up and down with my arms. I was trying to build my strength back up again.

A few days ago Mando had deemed that I could finally take the sling off of my arm, though I still had a bandage wrapped tightly around my forearm, it felt freeing.

Though, my right arm had lost strength in the time that it had been resting and the blaster wound has meant that I haven't been able to use it.

Even though it still hurt, I had to start somewhere.

"Cooe?" A small voice came from next to me. I turned my head and looked at the small green child, he was staring at me with wide, curious eyes.

"Hey, kid." I Said as I pushed myself to sit up on my knees. I breathed heavily as I gently clasped my arm with my left hand, it still hurt.

The kid tilted his head and glanced over at my hand that was covering my wound. He began to waddle over to me, stumbling slightly on his way over. He had his small hand outstretched towards me. I began to feel the familiar pull again.

I sighed and reached over to the kid, scooping him up in my arms. "What is going on? Do you feel that too?" I asked him quietly.

The child gurgled and stared up at me. I sighed and gave him a small smile. I then placed my free hand on the wooden floor and pushed myself up off of the ground.

"Come on, let's go outside." I muttered quietly to him as I walked out of the door.

Standing on the porch outside, was Mando and Cara. Mando was leaning against the door of the barn with his hands crossed over his torso while Cara was sitting on a chair that had been placed on the porch.

The sun was shining outside and the children were playing, they ran around in the grass and laughed. The other villagers mulled around doing their jobs or working in the fields on krill.

I smiled lightly as I watched them, I was very relieved that they had managed to scare off the raiders and defeat the AT-ST. If they hadn't, they probably wouldn't be playing and working in the sun. Living their normal lives in their home.

The child squirmed in my grasp and gurgled, wanting to be let down. I glanced down at him as I gently bent down and placed the small child on the ground.

Once his small feet touched the ground he coped happily and ran forward, as fast as he could, which wasn't very fast.

He made his way down the steps and across the grass towards the other children who were playing nearby. The kid loved it here. I hoped that he would get to enjoy it for a long time, that they wouldn't have to leave.

I smiled to myself as I watched him speed over to the other kids, they smiled widely as he approached. The kids loved him.

"How's your arm?" Mando's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Hmm?" I hummed quietly. I glanced down and realised I had been absentmindedly rubbing at my wound through the sleeve of my shirt. I quickly dropped my hand to my side

"It's fine, don't worry." I said lightly, smiling at him from over my shoulder.

I heard the children squealing and laughing. I turned back around to see the child with a frog hanging out of his mouth. I sighed as Ii watched him spit it back out and stare at the children in confusion. He didn't understand that what he did was weird to them.

I noticed Omera walking over to them, she ascended the steps to the porch and came to stand in front of Cara. I felt my heart tighten when I saw her. No matter how nice this village was, I couldn't shake that uncomfortable feeling. Especially when the woman came close to Mando.