Bounty (The Mandalorian x Reader)

Chapter 7

I've decided to give the reader a different last name. I went through and edited the new name but if you don't want to reread those chapters for exactly two instances, it's Bel. Also that name is made up and not an in universe character reference (to my knowledge).

Also, content warning to those who need it. Small reference to vomit, it's not major but it's there.

A teenage girl stands in an arena. She is around fifteen. The arena's stadium is crowded and bustling with cheers but she cannot hear anything over the sound of blood rushing in her ears and the thundering of her own heartbeat. Her vision is blurry as she stares down at the two halves of the stranger she had cut down. Her hands shakily hold a sword of violet light.
  
A sudden wave of nausea crashes into her. She her knees buckle and she collapses in a heap on the ground. Tears streak down her face while bile spews from her mouth.
  
No, this isn't her fault. She was forced to do this. She had no choice. She would have been killed herself. But that thought didn't make it easier. It never does. The person that now lay in two pieces had been just like her, a scared kid forced to kill or be killed.
  
While this has been going on a man had begun to approach her. He reaches out to place a hand out to touch her but before the man could make contact she reached out and grabbed his wrist with a bruising force.

Suddenly, I was no longer dreaming. I was staring up at a Mandalorian clad in shiny beskar steel. His wrist was the one in my grasp not the other man. Coming to my senses, I slowly released Mando's wrist and he retracted, "Don't touch me."
  
I hadn't meant for it to come out quite so harsh. I felt a little guilty at the confusion I could feel coming off of him since until now I'd been fairly amiable towards him. And... was that concern? That's an emotion that hasn't been directed towards me in a very long time. He cleared his throat, "Right. Just came to wake you up to tell you we've landed."
  
It had been a few days since we left Nevarro. We gradually fell into a system of taking turns piloting every few hours. Mando had been reluctant to let me drive the ship but gave in once I pointed out that it was the best way to keep moving without having to stop frequently. I suspected part of the reason he agreed was because it also meant he could remove his helmet to eat while I was preoccupied. We'd been on the move for a few days but until now we hadn't really had a destination in mind other than as far away from Nevarro as possible.
  
I yawned and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, "Where are we?"

"Sorgan. Pretty backwater planet. We should be able to lay low for a while. ...I know it's not really my place to ask but are you alright?"

If any one could sympathize with that dream, it would probably be a Mandalorian, but I wasn't willing to open up about that right now, "Not really but I'll manage."
  
Before he could even decide to press the topic further I add, "Come on, let's scope out the place."
  
I could tell that he wasn't satisfied with that but instead of protesting he turned to Aiko and told him to stay put while we searched the planet. Which lasted until we reached the lift gate where he was holding onto my pant leg and Mando's cape. He looked up at the two of us cooing softly as if to say, "You can't get mad at me, I'm too cute."
  
We shared a glance. I just shrugged while Mando sighed, "Fine. Just stay close."
  
We attracted a decent amount of attention when we walked into the cantina. But I didn't really blame them. Seeing two mysterious people with a baby trailing behind them, I'd probably stare too. No one felt particularly dangerous until we passed a woman sitting by herself. I glanced at her only briefly and she didn't look conspicuous but the feeling I got when passing her was concerning enough. A quick glance at Mando confirmed that he had noticed her too.
  
We reached an empty table and I helped Aiko onto the stool and sat down across from Mando. A silent agreement that he would watch my back and I would watch his. A woman came up to our table to take our order, "Can I interest you in anything?"
   
Neither of us were in a position to eat. I wouldn't take of my mask if there was a possible threat around and Mando couldn't take off his due to his Creed, "Bone broth, for the little one."