Crawling Home

Chapter 21 - Nova's POV

When we arrive at the forge, the Armorer is working on something so we wait for her to finish so she can acknowledge us. When she finally stops, she turns suddenly, "Lady Nova, I'm glad your rescue was successful. As it happens, I just finished your new armor. Are you ready to receive it?" she asks me, her head tilting slightly. I nod excitedly and squeeze Din's hand before letting go. He goes to sit at the bench in the forge along with Ahsoka and the two children while they wait. I turn to the Armorer and she's waiting for me patiently, "Come along Lady Nova" she tells me as she begins to walk towards a more private area. When we arrive, it looks just like the first time. My armor is laid out along with a new flight suit and the helmet she must have brought back from the Crest.

She stands with me behind the privacy screen and helps me into my flight suit. She then proceeds to braid my hair so that it wouldn't bother me under the helmet. She steps back and admires her handiwork, "We're nearly done Lady Nova. I am going to call ner Mand'alor over so he may help you finish. As your riduur, it is his responsibility to ensure your armor will protect you. As it is yours to ensure his armor will protect him" she explains before walking towards the entrance and calling out to Din.

I hear his familiar footsteps come in as the Armorer leaves. I turn towards him and he's eyeing me with so much love, "Hello ner riduur" he tells me as a faint smile appears on his face. I give him a smile back, "Hi there ner cyare" I respond. He walks forward until he's in front of me. He watches me for a moment until his hands shoot out to my hips and he pulls me against him, as close as his armor will allow. I look up at him and then at his mouth and before I can register anything, his mouth is on mine and he's kissing me eagerly.

He tries to pull me closer but stops when he notices I'm pressed as much as I can be against his armor. He breaks the kiss off and presses his forehead against mine, "I love you so much Nova. You have no idea the state I was in not knowing if you were going to be okay. Ask Max and Fennec to show you how they found me. I was so fucking worried I had lost you and when I found you in that room, I didn't know what to do with myself. I'm so proud of how you held on. You're so strong and powerful" he tells me, tears falling.

I reach up and wipe them away gently, "I love you too. I was thinking about you the entire time. I thought about how much I needed you to come in through that door. When I heard your voice, at first I thought I was hallucinating. Thank you so much for rescuing me Din" I respond. He nods slightly, "Come on, let's go put your armor on" he tells me quietly before pulling me towards all the pieces.

He clips everything for me, checking that there were no vital areas exposed and then stands back to look at me quickly, "You're perfect" he murmurs as he pulls me towards him. He wraps an arm around my waist while his other hand comes to stroke my cheek, "Are you ready to go out there? They'll probably do a whole thing since you're their queen. Are you okay with that?" he asks me quietly. My hands come up to play with the hair at the nape of his neck, "I think so. If I get too tired, I'll let you know" I reply.

He nods but doesn't say anything else. He sighs as he takes a step back and grabs my helmet for me. He takes my hand and pulls me with him back to the Armorer. When we step out to where everyone is, we're greeted by several Mandalorians waiting. When they catch sight of us, they immediately break out in cheering. I feel my cheeks burn and look up at Din with questions in my eyes. He chuckles, "The queen is back in her armor. They're celebrating you. A strong and worthy queen is worth more than a male Mand'alor who's in possession of the dark saber. Although technically speaking, you're the Mand'alor now. Bo disarmed me, but you disarmed her. You're the ruler of Mand'alor" he explains and it's a miracle I can even hear with how loud it was in the forge.

I look from him to the others and then back to him, "I don't want to be the Mand'alor. As your wife, I pass it on to you. You can be the ruler" I tell him, panic lacing my tone. He nods in understanding, "As you wish" is all he tells me.