the curious happenstance of pedro pascal and din djarin [The Mandalorian]

Ad'ika

Dearest Heidi,

Unfortunate to hear of Benjamin's injury. I expect to arrive at base next month, though I cannot linger. If you are to lose your husband, then yes, I shall take responsibility, if this is what you wish of me. Understand, however, that should Benjamin not make it, you, the Right Hand, must find a new nurse.

Kindly, Eleis J.

-

"You there?"

Something stuck in his throat. Physically weak in the knees, his hands trembled. The phone slipped from his hand but he caught it. Only one word played in his mind, over and over,

Ad'ika.

He held the phone up to his ear. Had to physically force himself to speak. It came out as a quiet, pained rasp.

"It's a trick?"

A moment of silence, one that he swore lasted a lifetime.

"I wouldn't do that."

"Promise me." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Please."

"I swear on my life."

He sank to the floor.

"Where?"

"Nevada. One of my contacts found him in the middle of nowhere. He looks healthy, couldn't have been here long, two or three weeks at most."

"You've seen him?"

Omera crouched down beside him.

"I've got pictures. And a video, he was crying for you."

"For me?" His voice cracked. Din bit down on his hand.

"Are you... okay?"

"No. Yes. I don't..." He forced an exhale through his nose. "Come here. To Pedro's house."

"Are you sure-"

"Please. Please."

There was static, a sigh. Footsteps. Words in a foreign language, and a muffled response.

"Okay," he finally said. "Okay. Give me half an hour."

There was a click. A beep. The call had ended. Din's hand dropped to his side. Omera took the phone from his loose grasp.

"What happened?" she whispered to him.

The room was still and silent. Din's heart thundered in his ears.

"They found him," he breathed.

"Who?" She brushed her fingers through his hair. A gentle caress, soft and kind. "Who did they find?"

She repeated the question when he didn't respond. She asked it again, whispered it into his ear, when he leaned forward and allowed himself to be engulfed in a warm embrace.

Her hand ran up and down his spine, trying to bring some semblance of comfort. No one disturbed them, not even Winta, watching from afar.

No one except Butterscotch. Even through her movements, the way she gradually made her way to Din's side, it was clear to him, that she knew. That she could sense it. He pulled himself from Omera's embrace, and scooped Butterscotch into his arm.