~The Heart Behind The Helmet~

Apologies

Note~ This happens between eps 5-7 

Bo stood in the open, surrounded with peering Mandalorian eyes on her uncovered face. It made her feel vulnerable, even though only a few months prior she would have never felt that way. Being in the Covert had changed her. Din's empty stare looked right through her. Her eyes turned to him; She noted how desperately she wanted his reassurance. No, needed. It wasn't necessarily a new feeling towards him, in fact, that feeling had started blossoming for a while. War, and all the disunity that plagued her people had kept her ever from any relationship. Sometimes she would imagine what it would be like, if he felt the same. Then her mind shot back to the present,  Din gave her a grim nod, as Grogus eyes shot back and forth to her, then Din. After Paz Visla moved out of her way, she went to her ship. She went to the cockpit and sat down.  Her knees near her face, as she looked out the large window before her. What if he doesn't want to be around me? She would normally be rejoicing to finally remove her helmet, but not after Din. He was the only one she trusted. Maybe even, becoming something more. Her thoughts where ended with the opening of the door. Grogu walked in cooing for her. She turned and looked at him. "Buir." His little arms wiggling in the air, his request to be picked up. She scooped him up in her arms, as he yawned and wriggled in Bo's chest. He knew exactly what she needed; Maybe he felt it in the force? She felt waves of comfort and love radiating off of him. She smiled warmly at the sight.

Din walked in; Bo was holding Grogu gently in her arms as he fell into sleep. Her genuine smile did strange things to him. She looked up, her face getting more serious as Grogus pod came from behind him.

She put him in and turned to Din. His endless black visor was giving her no feedback, so she decided to look at his stance. He stood straight, empty. "So your leaving." Her face turned as the subject changed. She walked back in the cockpit as Din slowly followed behind her. "I have to, for Mandalore. For our people." She paused as she looked down, then looked at Din where she thought his eyes may be. "It wasn't my choice to remove my helmet. I know it's not fair to you, and I am sorry."

 She looked down in almost shame. "This is the way." He said somberly. He could not change what had been done. There was no point in pinning the blame on Bo. He had brought her to the Covert, and he did not regret that decision. "Still, I would like you to join me. I can't do it alone." Bo's emerald eyes somehow found his. Her words genuine. His only thoughts when she went alone to her ship, was how he wanted to go with her, no matter her quest. It turned out she wanted his help too. Convenient. "I will accompany you, Grogu as well."

He was always formal, proper. "Good." She concluded as she sat back down in her chair. "We leave tomorrow, at sunrise."

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It had been more than two years since she had seen Axe Woves, or anybody of the Night Owls. She was navigating the Gauntlet to the location where they served as mercenaries. Grogu sat next to her. She noticed how he was staring at the navigator. She turned to him, finding a smile that always seemed to creep on her face when she looked at the little guy. "Did Din teach you about that?" Grogu's big eyes looked at her as he cooed. "Thats how you did such a good job saving him, huh." Grogu gave a happy nod. "See this." She gestured to the various controls found on her ship. "This one's a bit older, even then your dads, but I've kept it in good shape. It has served me well in many battles. Look here." She opened a star map, It projected soft blue light in the room. She pointed to one of the various planets displayed. "This is a planet I've been to. and here--" 

Din watched from behind in his chair. His heart melted from how she treated Grogu as her own. He was happy that Grogu could learn from the wealth of knowledge that Bo possessed. She seemed so happy recently, even with all the pressure. Around him and Grogu, she was smiling.  She looked at Grogu then Din, and smiled, Grogus happy gurgles filling the air. Every time he seen her smile, made his heart clench. In ways he didn't fully understand.  He smiled back, concealed behind his helmet. She continued her talk of the planets she'd been to, as Din only watched.