Arani Jakal was not ready to be stranded on an unfamiliar planet, causing her whole life to change. But in the chaos, a friend or two popped up - seemingly from nowhere - wishing to help. Ari gladly accepted and quickly became part of a small town...
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FINDING DIN HAD BECOME A PUZZLE UNTO ITSELF. Ari had, thankfully, kept herself on the path, however, after all that had happened, she couldn't pay attention. She called out to her friend, not caring about what creatures heard her. Ari stumbled about the dead forest, tired and wishing to speak with Din.
A growl erupted from somewhere behind her and she paused, slowly turning her head to the sound. A branch cracked and a shadow moved. Ari figured it was the large creatures that littered the place, but they must have been asleep like most things. She moved completely around, heart racing - she had no idea what could be living on such a planet.
"Din?" she called out, her voice just above a whisper.
Nothing answered back. The growling ceased and the wind slowed down to a light breeze once more. Watching the edge of the path, Ari carried on. But as she faced forward and took a step forward, something stood in her way and she screeched.
Had the figure not been there, she would have tumbled over a root. The swift reflexes of the figure caught her, arms wrapping around her waist tightly, and Ari knew they were human. The silver gleam of their helm was all the confirmation she needed to know that it was Din.
Keeping a firm hold on his arms, Ari glanced down to fix her footing and steady her breathing.
"Are you alright, princess?" Din asked.
The young woman nodded and met what would have been his gaze, if not for that stupid helmet. "Yeah, I think so."
Din tilted his head, urging her to go on and explain, but she did not. Instead, the brunette looked back at the ground, her fingers unconsciously playing with the material of Din's shirt that peaked through all that armour. She needed to tell him everything though she did not know where to start. So, idiotically she blurted out:
"I remember everything."
Ari thought the Mandalorian would pull back, maybe put space between them or walk away entirely. That did not happen. It felt like the two melted closer together, Din's hands travelling down to entwine their fingers.
"Really?" he muttered.
"Everything," she iterated again. "And I'll tell you all of it . . . if you want."
Din glanced down at their hands before continuing the discussion. "I do. I want to understand every little detail."
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THE BOUNTY HUNTER SAT BACK SLIGHTLY, Ari had finished telling him of her past and, just like her, he was almost overwhelmed by it all. What truly got to him was the extravagance of her life before him. She had been a citizen of Naboo, unarguably the safest and most beautiful planet to exist. Within that world, she was a Representative, a politician who wanted to be the good in the world - Ari had done that by joining the Resistance despite the backlash they got from the Senate, she gave up her freedom - and memories - so others could have want she did. Compared to him, Arani Jakal was an angel sent by the Maker himself.
"Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve you. The truth is: I don't. You deserve better. You had the whole world in the palm of your hand, yet you traded it away. I understand if you wish to return home, the New Republic needs someone like you again."
Ari shook her head, stunned by Din's response. "You're wrong. I know what I want, Din. What I want right now is to be with you - and Grogu. Besides, the Senate won't take me back, not after what the Queen and I did."
He grabbed her hand, resting it on his leg, neither of them broke their steady gaze. "But I know you wish to see your family. I know I'd want to if I got the chance."
Firelight glowed and bounced back off of Din from the small fire he made them. Ari could faintly see her reflection take a deep breath, steadying herself. "I don't want to leave you," she whispered and Din thought that he had imagined it. "I love you too much."
That made him pause. It had been a long time since that word was uttered near him, much less about him. Ari had whittled her way into his heart and he did nothing to prevent it. So little time has passed from the first day he met her. Ari had been rough around the edges, but then again so was he. Mos Pelgo had gone through so much, it was only fair that she put up her guard. But that shield disappeared in the matter of a few short weeks, he knew everything about her, and, yet, she knew nothing of him.
Din brought Ari closer, wrapping an arm around her and smoothing down her hair as her head rested on his chest. "I love you too, mesh'la, more than I thought I could. We will figure all this out together - the kid, Gideon, your family . . ." Din paused, realizing the truth. He glanced down at her, eyes like a doe's with the light of the fire burning in them. He would never tier of looking at them.
She smiled and hugged him tighter, the two watching the fire and thinking of so many things - so many different outcomes. But for now it was just the two of them, and that was all Din needed.
