Love After Loss || Din Djarin X Reader

6. The Loss

Din and I spent most of the day helping Doc put the cantina back together and make repairs. The evening was quickly approaching by the time we made it back home. The two of us were exhausted. Still in our armor, we both plopped down onto my bed. "What a day", I sighed.

Din laughed. "And here I thought you were living in a quiet town where nothing ever happens."

I propped myself up on my arm and elbow and looked at him. He was so handsome. Even with his fatigue, his brown wavy hair and thoughtful eyes were something to admire. I realized that this was the first time I was really looking at him. I took a moment to take in all his features and simply appreciate his simple elegance. There was no question that he was absolutely one of the most attractive beings I had ever laid my eyes on. I couldn't help but think what a shame it had been that he had been covering his face all these years.

"This is usually a very quiet town, today was the most excitement there has been in years." Din turned to face me now. "It was actually kind of exciting to wear my armor again... I forgot what it was like, the thrill of it." I admitted.

Din smiled. "I'm glad I was here to help. It was nice working side by side with another Mandalorian again."

"What have you been up to the past years if not working with the Mandalorians in your covert?" I inquired.

Din took a long time to respond, he seemed deep in thought as if reliving some memories. Eventually, he took a deep breath. "I mentioned the foundling that was in my care..." I nodded, letting him know I was following. "Well it's a bit more complicated than I let on earlier."

"Oh... you don't have to share it with me if you're uncomfortable."

Din placed his hand on mine. "No, I think it will be good to share. Especially with someone I know I can trust." At his words and touch, my heart fluttered. I gave him a sweet smile and he began his story.

"I was bounty hunting for many years to get by. Given my reputation, I was given a high priority and secret bounty. When I found the bounty, it turned out to be just a kid..." Din closed his eyes, clearly upset by what he was remembering. "I couldn't go through with it and ended up taking him into my care. Turns out he was wanted by Moff Gideon."

I gasped. "What happened?"

Din continued. "I spent quite some time defending Grogu, my foundling, and working to return him to his kind. Eventually I did face off with Moff Gideon and won with the help of a Jedi. The Jedi were who I was working to return Grogu to, you see. When I handed Grogu over, that's when I removed my helmet. To say goodbye... And that brings us to now."

I took a moment to respond, processing everything Din had told me. "Grogu must have meant a great deal to you, if you were willing to remove your helmet for him."

Din looked away, his eyes becoming glossy. "Yes... Honestly, I've been having a hard time since giving him up."

I squeezed Din's hand. "I'm sorry. I had no idea you were going through that."

Din was quiet. He sat facing away from me, his breathing seemed labored. I wasn't sure if we quite had the right kind of relationship yet, but I didn't care. I got up and wrapped my arms around him, holding him tightly in my embrace. 

Immediately, he brought his arms around mine and the two of us sat there, hugging each other, him leaning into me for support. My heart ached for him. I didn't know the pain of losing a foundling, a child, but I did know the pain of losing someone you love. A loss like that is something that sticks with you forever. It becomes manageable, but it never goes away. 

I'm not sure how long the two of us held each other. Time isn't really a factor when you're in the arms of someone you care about. I only hoped that Din returned the same feelings. Eventually, the two of us must have drifted off to sleep.

I awoke the next morning, laying haphazardly in my bed, my armor still on from the day prior. Looking around, Din was nowhere to be seen. Knowing he must be outside, I got out of bed, removed my armor, and put on my normal clothes. 

When I looked outside, he wasn't near the animal pen or in the garden. I started to worry that something happened to him. I promptly began to head to the river just south of my home. 

On the edge of the river was where I found Din. He was sitting on the edge of the river, clearly in deep thought. I approached cautiously, "Hey, you okay?"

Din jumped slightly at my words. "Oh, Y/N, sorry... Yes, I'm alright."

I found myself longing to be close to him and took a seat next to him on the edge of the river. I removed my shoes and let the cool water wash over my feet. "I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable last night." I said to Din.

"Not at all." He said seriously, but then gave me a smile. "I just needed some time to process everything."

"Of course. I can leave you be." But before I could get up, Din grabbed my hand, showing me that he wanted me to stay.

"Wait, don't go. I, uh, actually wanted to speak with you." He confessed.

"Oh? What about?"

"I wanted to thank you for having me stay here. It's been nice seeing another way of living and you've helped me feel not so empty since Grogu has left." I was speechless. His words were so touching. "I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't have said that."

I then realized that my silence was taken the wrong way. "Oh, no! I'm really glad you told me. I was just surprised, that's all." I smiled at him apologetically. 

Din let out a deep breath. "Good! Next time don't scare me like that." He teased. The two of us laughed. 

We then simply enjoyed each other's company, taking in the sounds and the feelings of the river rushing by us. I couldn't recall a moment in so many recent years where I had felt so happy.