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Chapter Text

Din Djarin wasn’t excited when his buir told him they were moving to Naboo for his last year of school. The seventeen years old boy hated opulence and Naboo was full of wealthy assholes, or so he heard. His vod, Paz, on the other hand loved the idea and spent the trip rambling about the perks of hanging out with the rich kids and how they were going to party every single night of the week.

“You’re delusional vod, partying on school nights? Buir won’t agree with that shit.” He said resting his back against the cockpit wall. “Naboo will be a nightmare.”

“You’re a little saint, Din. I’m partying every night and you should come with me. It’s our last year of freedom.” He tilted his head and shrugged “You’re so boring, I’m doing you a favour here. Boys, girls… Whatever you want, I’ll get them for you. Just ask.”

“Fuck you!” Din flipped him off. Paz choked as he moved closer to his brother, punching his arm “Damn, Paz! Shit!” And he was walking away from Din mouthing some unintelligible, but unmistakable, insults. Din watched the blurred stars before his eyes, he didn’t understand, why did his mother choose Naboo among every single fucking planet in the Galaxy? Rich kids, he thought, stupid snob rich kids.

Oh, little did he know.

As a matter of fact, Din was a rich kid too, more precisely a new rich kid. He was adopted by The Armorer, a prominent and well respected Mandalorian woman, when he was twelve years old. And with position, money came too. Din didn’t care about credits or position anyway, he became a foundling the day their biological parents died. Sometimes, if he tried really hard, he still could remember his father’s voice, or the warmth of his mother’s arms around him, his parents’ sacrifice and those nights when they went to bed with an empty and roaring stomach, but they were happy, they loved Din and Din loved them back.

For a boy who spent his teens on a planet like Nevarro, the moment he put a foot on Naboo he was stunned. “Vod, this is…” He said turning his head to look at Paz behind him “breathtaking.” His brother nodded, Din gasped admiring the green grass plains. “It’s beautiful.”

Theed was indeed beautiful, hills of green and lakes of blue surrounding the imponent city “I’m in love” Din said under his breath.

“You’re the only bastard that falls for a city, vod. Wait till we crash Cara’s party tonight. Then you can fall in love for real, for kriff’s sake!” Paz walked away shaking his head and staring down. Din shrugged, he knew he was, well, different. Din used to stay at home on Nevarro while his brother and his friends went out to have fun. Reading a book while he was wrapped in a blanket was everything he would ask for. But since he hasn’t seen Cara for several months he agreed to make it that night, he wouldn’t let her down, and he really wanted to see her.

The Naboo Royal Family arranged an apartment for The Armorer and Din and Paz were delighted. “I’m choosing this bedroom, Din, I saw it first.” Paz was pushing Din in order to get inside the chamber.

“Kriff off, Paz! Keep this shit, I don’t care!” Din walked down the corridor exploring the rest of the rooms. He found a beautiful and small bedroom two doors away from Paz’ and, for the second time that day, he fell in love. He opened the windows to feel the air on his face, the smell of flowers was addictive and Din found himself smiling and closing his eyes, taking deep breaths.

“That fragrance, it’s millaflower, Din.” He turned around to find his buir approaching him to stand by his side. She was smiling under the helmet, Din could tell about that. “I missed millaflower so much.” She gently caressed his son’s back, out of adoration and to give him comfort “I see you’ve found the one that will be your place in the world for the next year.” She looked around “This bedroom suits you, my beloved son.” Din fondly smiled, he loved and respected his buir with every fiber of his being. “Now, get your stuff in here, I heard you guys are going to visit Cara tonight, so you should hurry up.”

Din frowned, staring down “It’s a party, buir.” He said as she cupped his face in her hands.

“Then have fun.” She nodded and left the room. A party. Din thought. A rich obnoxious kids’ party. Fuck me.

Paz might be an asshole by nature, but he loved his little brother more than himself, he really thought that he was helping by choosing Din’s outfit and making suggestions on how to do his hair for the night out. “Look at this, try this shit on you.”

Din looked at the black leather jacket his brother was offering to him “Are you serious? For real?” Din was surprised, his eyes and mouth wide open.

“Yeah little shit, take it.” He threw it at Din’s arms, Din caught it beaming.

“I can’t believe it, vod! Thank you!” He said putting the jacket on “But what about you? This is your favourite.”

Paz froze staring at Din, he looked amazed, Din tilted his head to a side like he was trying to assess what was going on. Paz made a strangled sound. Din startled “You’re scaring me, what is it?”

“Vod! When did you get those broad shoulders? Look at you!” He grabbed Din’s shoulders with both hands from behind as he moved him to face the mirror “You sexy motherfucker! You’re gonna turn every head tonight!” He patted his back so hard that Din started coughing.

“Get off me, Paz, and…” His eyes traveling up and down taking a sight of his own reflection, he shrugged one arm “Uh… I doubt it.” Paz chuckled and grabbed his wrist.

“Come on vod, you’re ready. Let’s go.” Din reluctantly walked behind his older brother already regretting going out for the first time in ages. “Sexy bitch!” Din frowned at his brother’s words.

“I hate you.” Not really.

Greef Karga’s house was pretty flashy, Paz rested a hand on the main door frame whistling “Old man owns a fucking palace, huh?” Din put his hands in his pockets as a tall skinny girl opened the door.

“Come in, have fun!” She winked at Din and gave them her back as she was inviting them to follow her, Din blushed like a kid and Paz laughed.

“Shut up.” Din said under his breath.

“Didn’t say a word.” Paz was smiling.

The music was loud and the place full of, naturally, rich kids. Din rolled his eyes, already hating everything and everyone. Fortunately he saw a familiar face among the strangers, it was his friend Cara. And then she saw them, she was yelping and walking into their direction. She jumped and hugged both of them “I can’t believe you are here guys!” She looked at them and Din was smiling so hard that his cheeks hurt.

“Cara! I missed you so much”. They were catching up until Paz saw something that caught his attention. “There he goes.” Din shook his head, both hands resting on his hips. Cara looked at him narrowing her eyes. “What?”

“You’ve changed a lot.” She was half smiling.

“I haven't changed. I’m the same, Cara.”

“Oh no sweetheart, I’m talking about your looks.” She squeezed his biceps “You’re looking good, Djarin.” Someone approached them and said something to Cara Din didn’t catch. “Oh shit, Din, wait here, some assholes are inside dad’s office, I’m coming back.”

“I’ll go with you.” Din moved to follow her.

“No, stay here, have fun, please. Just, just give me a minute.” Cara walked away and Din was feeling anxious all of a sudden.

“Fuck.” He looked around and it wasn’t helping him at all. He found some girls checking him out, they were smiling and talking to each other, Din avoided their gaze and kept looking around. “This is hell. Fuck. Where’s Paz?” He was trying to find his brother, searching, he started walking, then he came to a halt. Still looking for Paz he spotted a mop of blonde hair under the strobing lights. It was a boy. A blonde boy. Din could only see his back from where he was standing, the boy was dancing, Din smiled staring at him, he was wearing a yellow jacket and skinny black pants, he was tiny and, Oh fuck, he turned around and Din’s world stopped. And if he was dumbfounded, after seeing the boy’s face Din was already fucked. He was pretty, more than pretty, he was beautiful. With bright blue puppy eyes and plump lips, he was laughing and having fun. He was perfect. He was an angel.

Out of nowhere, a brunette girl with two huge side buns threw herself all over the angel and hugged him as he held her by her waist. Din’s heart plummeted the moment they started dancing and laughing while the girl put both arms around the angel’s neck. Of course, the angel wasn’t single. He thought. Cara’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

“I see you’ve found the twins.”

“Huh? Tw-twins?” He asked not able to take his eyes off of the angel boy.

“Yeah! We call them Tatooine suns, come, I’ll introduce you to them.” Din walked beside his friend and his heart was racing faster with every step. “Oi! Skywalkers! Having fun?” The twins pulled apart from each other and Din locked eyes with the boy, he was even more beautiful now that he was right in front of Din. The boy froze, staring at Din as Cara continued “This is my best friend in the whole shitty galaxy, Din Djarin.”

The girl closed the distance between them and hugged Din as she gave him a kiss on his cheek, Din stared at her “Hi Din, I’m Leia! Oh Gods, you’re handsome, boy! Look at those chocolate eyes, I love chocolate, you know?” Din snorted and Cara agreed nodding. Din couldn’t help but look at the boy again with an intensity he didn’t know it was possible. “This is my twin brother, Luke.” Luke. What a beautiful name. Din was silent dying.

“Hi Din!” The boy said waving at him, smiling and closing his eyes and, Oh shit, Din had to restraint himself from taking the angel, Luke, in his arms and never let him go.

Din was gaping staring into Luke’s blue eyes, finally he managed to say under his breath “Millaflower.” Thinking about the way he was overwhelmed by the flower’s scent just the same way Luke was making him feel.

Leia frowned “Millaflower? You want a drink? I can get you a drink.”

Din blinked “What?”

“A Millaflower. It’s a drink, very strong.” Luke said “I can get one too.”

“Alright! Wait here you guys.” Cara said as Leia was heading to the bar. Din looked at the angel beside him, the boy was staring at him under his eyelashes biting at his bottom lip and, for the third time that day, Din fell in love. But this time it was the real thing.

“Are you having a good time on Naboo?” Luke asked.

“Uh, yeah, it’s actually better than I thought. My brother and I are going to Mandalore next year to get our intensive training.” He said scanning Luke’s face. Perfection.

Luke’s eyes widened “Oh! You’re gonna be a Mandalorian!” Din nodded “Amazing! I’m, uh, going to Coruscant next year.”

A Jedi.

“You’re a Jedi.” Din was nervous now, knowing the rocky past between his people and Luke’s.

Luke chuckled and Din’s knees weakened at the bubbling sound. “I’m not one yet, I’m a force user, we had some light training on Tatooine and on Naboo when we were kids, but I’m gonna be a padawan next year.”

“We?”

“Oh, yes, Leia and me, we’re both force users, our dad is a Jedi Master, the force runs strong in my family.” He shrugged “But Leia wants to study politics here on Naboo, so she’s gonna coming back and follow our mother’s path.”

“Your mother is a senator?” Din asked.

“Yes, she was Queen of Naboo when she met my father.”

Holly shit. Angel and royalty. Din thought, nodding at Luke as the girls came back with two drinks.

“Here guys, enjoy.” Leia said as Cara grabbed her arm leaving the boys behind.

Luke was staring down, perfect eyelashes over his golden cheeks, Din wanted to caress his face so bad, and his hair, Oh, his golden hair. He looked up smiling at Din, so pure, so shy. “We’re gonna be school mates this year, Din.”

Please angel, say my name again.

Din was beaming, he didn’t realize he was going to see Luke every day at school until the boy suggested it. He took a sip of his drink and it burned his throat. “Oh, kriff!” He coughed. Luke laughed tossing his head back. Din couldn’t get enough of this boy. Suddenly someone approached them putting a hand on Luke’s shoulder.

Luke’s face lit up “Biggs!” He said enthusiastically.

“Hi sweetheart.” The guy kissed Luke on his cheek. Then he looked at Din who was holding his breath “Thank you for keeping an eye on my boyfriend for me, man.” He looked around “People tend to hit hard on him.” Din blinked.

“Biggs…” Luke scolded him.

“What? It’s true, baby.” The man chuckled encircling Luke’s waist with his arm and kissing him again, this time on his temple. Din was shocked staring at the scene before him. “You’re drinking.”

“Uh, no, actually it’s the first drink of the night.” Luke frowned staring at the glass.

“You shouldn’t drink.” The man said, Din was already hating him.

“I hardly took a sip of it, look.” He raised the glass showing it to Biggs.

“You know I don’t like it when you drink, are you doing this on purpose?” Din snapped his head to look at the man, alright, now he was furious.

“Din, can you take my drink? It’s yours now.” Luke looked so tiny and pale now, even tinier than before. Din nodded taking the glass from Luke. “I’ll see you around, okay?” He said as the other man was taking him away from Din, Din’s heart broke in pieces as the man, Biggs, winked at him with a smile on his face. How could someone so good and pure as Luke date some bastard as this man? He suppressed the urge to follow them and give the man what he deserved.

Din was feeling miserable, convincing himself that he shouldn’t be at that party the moment Leia found him “Dance with me, Din.” She didn’t give him a chance.

When they were dancing Din couldn’t wait any longer and asked her about Biggs.

“Oh, Luke’s been dating him for like two months now, he’s older than us, so he’s on Coruscant most of the time, he’s training as a pilot for The Republic.”

“How older?”

“Three years.” Leia caressed the back of Din’s neck. Din’s body tensed. “Luke had a crush on him since he was twelve. I don’t know why.” She shrugged. “He’s not my type I guess.”

“So Luke’s in love with him?” Din’s voice cracked a little.

“I hope not. He deserves something better.” Din nodded. She rested her face on Din’s chest “You smell nice, Din.” Din didn’t know how to politely ask her to not get to tactile on him.

“Is Luke coming back?” He asked under his breath, Leia moved her head to stare into Din’s eyes, she narrowed her eyes and then she raised her eyebrows.

“Oh!”

“What?” Din asked nervously.

“I didn’t notice, Din. I’m sorry.” She started pulling apart from him.

“What?”

She smiled and shook her head. “I’m leaving you alone.” She fondly smiled at him.

Well, fuck.

Din needed some air, if Luke’s sister could tell he was all smitten with Luke then Luke could too. Gods, no. He walked through the partygoers and made it to the gardens, the fresh air hitting on his face viciously. He opened his eyes when he heard whimpers. He couldn’t believe his eyes, it was Luke, sitting on the grass hiding his face behind his knees and arms. Something ignited inside his body as he ran to Luke’s side kneeling before him “Luke, what is it? Luke? Please.”

Luke moved his head and looked at Din, his blue eyes brighter than before as his cheeks were covered in tears “Di-Din, please, leave me alone.” He closed his eyes shaking his head “I don’t want you to see me like this.”

Din had a suspicion and he looked around to find the scumbag that Luke called boyfriend. “It’s about Biggs?” Din asked staring into Luke’s eyes again. Luke nodded, his baby face looking so sad. “Okay, just, if I can help you, just tell me, yes?”

“He-he” Luke shivered sobbing “He said I was a kid and that he was wasting his time with me. He dumped me! Because I said no, Din, because I wasn’t ready.”

Din frowned hoping Luke wasn’t talking about what he thought he was talking. So he just nodded.

“He said that he deserved it, being my first and took me to a bedroom, I asked him to wait for me, that I wasn’t sure and he started yelling at me, oh Din! I’m so scared!” Din could feel his blood boiling and his heart thumping in his ears. He reached out to hold Luke but he waited giving Luke time to move away, but Luke threw himself over Din holding him tight, grabbing his jacket in his fists, crying out loud. Din felt his throat tightening, sadness leaking from him, blinking back tears.

“I’m here Luke, just let it out, let it out.” He rocked Luke in his arms, he wanted to ease his pain, to hold Luke until the last tear rolled over his pink cheek.

They stayed like that for a couple of minutes until Luke composed himself. That was when Luke moved his head to look into Din’s eyes, he sighed as Din moved his hand to wipe the tears away from his face. Luke closed his eyes, he looked like he was relishing the tenderness of Din’s fingers.

“You’re really fast, Skywalker.” A voice said and both startled pulling apart from each other.

“What?” Luke asked staring at the guy in front of them. Din didn’t know who this guy was, but Luke seemed to know him well.

“First Biggs and now the hottie in leather jacket.” Luke stood up.

“What are you talking about?” Luke asked him.

“Oh, you know, you riding Biggs for the first time, he said that you’re really easy.” Luke gasped as Din approached the guy.

“Where’s Biggs?” Din’s voice was rough.

“He’s inside the house, man.” Din rushed inside the house while a desperate Luke followed him.

“Come back, Din, please! Don’t!” He yelled but Din didn’t listen to him. He could only feel anger, he wanted to kick the shit out of the man.

Until he found him.

“Biggs, what do you think you’re doing, huh?” Din asked him, whit both hands on his hips looking broader than he really was.

“What’s your problem, kid?” Biggs laughed at him and then he saw Luke behind Din “Oh, little baby needs a bodyguard? I get it.” He chuckled.

“You take back what you said about Luke, or…”

“Or what kid?” Din clenched his fists. “Yeah, I thought that.” He looked Luke up and down “I don’t know why are you trying to impress the princess, he’s not gonna give it to you, not even give you head.” Din saw red and he threw himself over the man, they both got into a fistfight.

Luke was desperate “Please help me stop them!” As he was trying to reach for Din “Din! Din!” Din was strong, but he still was a seventeen years old boy and Biggs was older and meaner. Biggs kicked Din in the stomach and took that as an opportunity to punch him in the face, that was when Luke held Din from behind and as Biggs was going after them Paz tackled the man, pinning him on the floor by pressing his right knee on his torso. Paz was big and heavy for a seventeen years old boy, Biggs couldn’t escape from his grip.

“You touch my brother or the twink again and I snap your back like a popsicle stick.”

Cara helped Paz to haul the man to his feet “Get the fuck out of my house, whoever you are!”

Din was sitting on the floor gasping, Luke took his face with both hands, kneeling between his thighs, staring at the cut on his cheek “Din, Din, I’m sorry.” He started crying again. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against Din’s, Din sighed and shivered. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay Luke, the guy had it coming.” He smiled relishing in Luke’s smell, and how soft and warm the boy felt against his skin.

“Thank you” Luke said staring into his eyes as he kissed him softly on his cheek.

Din took a deep breath feeling his heart melting as Leia took Luke from behind, pulling his brother apart from Din in the process “Luke! Oh Luke!” She hugged her brother and Din didn’t notice that Paz was helping him to get on his feet.

“The party’s over, vod.” He huffed a laugh “My hero!” Din groaned.

He didn’t say goodbye to Luke, he didn’t find him. He was walking home with Paz by his side. They didn’t say a word for a while. When they got home Din stared at Paz and asked “Did you call Luke a twink?”

Paz laughed “Yeah.” He shrugged. Din covered his eyes with one hand and laughed too. “Goodnight, my knight in shiny armour.”

Din closed the door behind him. The night air was chill and smelled like millaflower. It warmed his heart. He smiled thinking of the angel he met that night. Luke, he thought, my millaflower.

Chapter Text

Three days passed since Cara’s party and Din couldn’t stop thinking about Luke kriffing Skywalker. He thought about the sound of his voice, his tenderness, his pretty face, his blonde hair, his lithe body and that gorgeous smile.

He fell asleep reading a book as usual. And for the fourth night in a row he dreamt about Luke. That morning he woke up smiling, his eyes still closed, he chuckled remembering his latest dream, images and the sensation of Luke planting open-mouthed kisses on his neck, jaw and chest making him blush without effort. “Morning, vod” The fuck?! His brother’s voice made him sit onto his bed, palms on the mattress. “Shitty news, we’re having a stupid picnic today, Cara and Boba are waiting for us.” He shrugged “We should bring bathing suits, we’re going to the lakes. But uh” He cracked a smile “You don’t need to bring the tent.”

Din was wrinkling his nose, narrowing his eyes “Huh?” Paz pointed at his visible erection under the sheets. Din took the pillow and covered his lap, he shook his legs and hissed at the friction, he couldn’t look at his brother again, cold sweat all over his body. “Next time knock the fucking door!” Paz bursted into laughter as he was leaving Din’s room. “I hate it here!”

Boba looked so happy to see him that afternoon “C'mon, man, it was just two weeks.” Din said laughing while his friend hugged him like his life depended on it.

They talked for hours, Boba was his closest friend, he was eighteen and he was the ultimate bad boy. He could have any person in the galaxy if he wanted, but for some reason he remained single. “I met a girl last night.” He said pushing up onto his elbows, grass beneath his body. “She was hot as fuck. Did you find someone that caught your attention, Din?” He bored into Din’s eyes.

Din avoided his gaze “Uh, no.” Yes, his name’s Luke and he’s a walking dream.

It was a secret. That night Din thought about his feelings about the angel boy. He came to the conclusion that that might be what people call a crush. Fuck! I have a crush on Luke!

He knew he wasn’t prepared to face him when he stood in front of the school building that monday morning. Paz pushed him towards the entrance “Move! Let’s do this. First day of school is always a pain in the ass. But this time is different.”

“How?” Din asked him.

“I’m planing on sleeping with half of the students. I mean, they don’t know me. It’s not gonna be like Nevarro” Right, everyone on Nevarro knew the boy was trouble. “It’s a fresh start, vod!”

Din was laughing when he turned his head around and found the object of his affection. He froze staring at the cute boy, he was walking into his direction flashing the most beautiful bright smile. “Din!” He said as his eyes widened “Oh, your wound healed completely! I was worried about you.” He reached out to touch Din’s cheekbone when Boba appeared out of nowhere.

“My boy! I was looking for you!” Boba hugged Din from behind and looked at Luke “Hi! I’m Boba Fett. Nice to meet you…”

Luke was shifting his gaze between the two boys, he was gaping as he shook his head “It’s Luke, Luke Skywalker.” He shrugged as he stared into Din’s eyes.

“Oh, Obi Wan Kenobi is your uncle, my father and him are good friends.” Boba smiled.

Luke nodded “Oh, cool! Uh, Din I’ll see you later.” Din didn’t move, didn’t say a word, all he could think about was crush. Crush. Crush. Crush.

He managed to avoid Luke until the fourth period, that was when he learned that they would share three classes. “History is the worst, let’s work together Din, we’ll help each other.” Din agreed knowing for sure that he was going to fail because Luke was so distracting. The next days Din found himself sighing staring at the golden curls on the nape of Luke’s neck. He smiled every time Luke’s lips curled up. The sight of the boy’s hands and forearms was a delight. He could remember every outfit Luke rocked, but his favourite so far was the blue shirt, it matched the colour of his eyes and Din couldn’t stop fantasizing about running his hands all over Luke’s chest and shoulders. He didn’t understand his urges but he knew one thing, Luke was special.

Din was both excited and scared to death that afternoon. He was expecting Luke to come over to write an essay. A knock on the apartment door. Angel boy was there. Luke made everything easier, even when Din was combusting and silent dying. He sat on Din’s couch reading the history book. “Listen, this is important” Din nodded assessing every movement of his delicious lips “The mandalorian crusaders fought against the Jedi and the Republic, the great struggle resulted in a large battle on Mandalore. This caused a cataclysm that scorched the planet surface into a lifeless dessert.” Luke came to a halt and he moved his head to look up to meet Din’s eyes, he was sitting next to him. “I’m sorry Din. Maybe we should change our project’s subject.” Din frowned.

“No, we all got over that. It’s okay. It’s nice, you know, working on something that’s about our past and, uh, our future?” He blinked at Luke.

Luke was pursing his lips “I’m curious. My mom told me that she’s never seen your mom’s face. So I made a research and learned that some mandalorians can’t take their helmet off in front of people that are not their clan. So. Uh. Does it mean that I won’t see your face ever again after you take the creed?” He asked gingerly.

“No. That’s the old way. I will be able to remove it whenever I want.” Din answered.

Luke sighed “Oh boy! That’s a relief! I mean, it would be a crime if you had to hide your handsome face behind a helmet.” He laughed closing the book. Din’s heart was pounding against his ribs. He called me handsome.

Hours later the moonlight was bathing Din’s room, Luke rested his head on Din’s shoulder. Din could feel Luke’s warmth and, Oh! His scent, Luke smelled like vanilla and he was desperate to hug the boy, but he didn’t. Luke yawned with his eyes closed “Buir?”

“That means parent.” Din smiled softly.

“What else?” He said under his breath.

“Vod. It means sibling.” Pressing his nose against Luke’s hair. Relishing the boy’s scent.

“Another.”

“Mesh'la.” Din caressed Luke’s hair as he stared at his cute face. So close, so right.

“And what’s that…?” Luke purred half asleep.

“You”

Next thing he knew he was lying on the couch with Luke on top of him, legs tangled and the boy’s face on his chest. Din started panicking. He looked around finding that it was already morning. He shook Luke’s shoulders gently “Luke! Luke! We fell asleep! Wake up! The sun is up!”

Luke rubbed his face against his chest and Din choked “Dad?” He asked brushing his lips against Din’s shirt.

‘No! It’s me! Din!“ He said staring down at him.

Luke opened his eyes and jumped off from Din "Oh, Gods! Sorry Din, I think I drooled all over you.” The boy squeezed his eyes shut as if he had realized what he just said. Din melted, standing up. Such a gorgeous little mess. He thought staring at that beautiful mop of hair. My little mess. “Oh, I’m going home now, is that okay?”

Din nodded and moved his hands to cover his crotch when he realized his pants were feeling a little tighter against his skin than usual. Fortunately Luke was looking for his backpack and papers, he didn’t notice. “Ah, can you, just… I need to go to the fresher, just ask my mom to open the front door and I’ll see you at school, alright?”

“Yeah, cool.” He turned around, “Bye Din!” Din rushed to the shower. He had never felt something like this before, it was intoxicating but also terrifying.

So the months passed, Din navigated between infatuation and fear. And every day Luke and him became closer to each other. Sometimes Luke would hug Din when he was talking to someone, so natural and easy, as Din rested his chin on top of the boy’s head and Luke would nuzzle his neck. Sometimes Din would run his fingers through Luke’s hair tucking a golden lock behind his ear and Luke would flutter his eyelashes at him. Naturally, people started assuming.

Din didn’t know how, but for the first time in his life he was touching himself quite often. At night, in the intimacy of his chamber, everything was different. He used to relieve himself as a mechanical and quick ritual, faceless bodies crossing his mind, but now, he started pleasing himself imagining Luke in different scenarios. Luke, Luke, Luke. Everything was perfect. Liking Luke from afar was easy. Easier than the real thing actually. Soon he would learn.

Three months before graduation things came to a boiling point. Din and Luke were swimming in the lake as usual, but for the first time no one else was around. Luke acted strange but Din didn’t mind. “Come here, Din.” Luke said, Din obliged, the water covering their bodies from waist to toe. Luke moved his arms and put them around Din’s neck. Din was suffering. They were only wearing bathing suits, and Luke’s was particularly tight, it tortured Din the whole day. “You feel so good” Luke said pressing their bodies together, sighing and closing his eyes. Painfully beautiful. Din could feel the boy’s arousal against his. They both moaned. Luke opened his eyes, parting his lips as Din’s brain shorted out.

What’s going on?

Din was scared. Suddenly his fantasies were becoming real and he felt anxiety. He thought about the way Luke cried the night they met, the way that asshole, Biggs, hurt him. He thought about the way guys often put their arms all around this perfect tiny boy while he was trying to escape their grip like a scared little kitten, it happened at school, at parties, it happened everywhere. Din shook his head, pulling apart from Luke. I’m not them. He thought. I don’t want to be them. But in his mind he was always acting like them.

“Luke?” He asked with a trembling voice “You’re my best friend in the galaxy. My friend.” He nodded as trying to convince himself about it.

“Oh!” Luke widened his impossible beautiful eyes and ducked his head, cheeks as red as apples all of sudden.

Din took a few steps back “Are you my friend Luke?” He was shaking.

“Yes.” Luke whispered as he was swimming away from Din.

Shit! Fuck! Shit!

After that day something broke between them, Luke stopped coming over Din’s apartment and he never hugged Din while he was talking to someone again. Din never ran his fingers through Luke’s hair again. Luke was still polite and cute, but he was distant and cold and Din was miserable.

~

“Vod, did you and blonde twink break up?” Paz asked him at Boba’s party.

“You know we weren’t together.” Din pulled a face at him.

“But you want to rail him. Right?” He shoot back.

“No! He’s my friend! We’re just friends!” Din lied, feeling the anger running through his body.

“Alright, just checking.”

Din lifted an eyebrow “Why?” Paz didn’t answer walking away from him “Paz! Why?”

~

“Why are you sitting next to me tonight instead of next to Din? Huh? I mean Din’s right there talking with Fett.” Leia stared at his twin brother “You were practically attached by the hips.” She snorted out a laugh “Like he was your twin and not me. What did you do to that poor boy, Luke?”

Luke sighed taking a sip of his drink “I think I overstepped. I came on too strong. But I thought, uh” he made a pause frowning and staring into his glass “I thought he was into me too.” He shrugged “He wasn’t.”

“I’m sorry. But I can’t eat that bantashit. I thought he was already buying the rings.” She frowned.

Luke chuckled with sadness in his eyes “I think there’s something between Boba and him, I-I should give him space.”

Leia caressed the nape of his neck. “Want a hug?” She smiled looking at him with a kind expression.

“Yes.” He sighed heavy. He tried to look away from Din, and as he was looking around he found Paz’ face, the boy was smirking and staring at him. “Huh?”

“What?” Leia asked moving her head back.

“I’ve never realized how hot Paz looks.”

“Oh, no. Luke! Just, don’t.” Leia slapped his face softly.

~

“Din, vod, I need to tell you something. I don’t want you to find out from someone else.” Paz sounded so serious for the first time in their lives. He grabbed Din’s arm before he could put a foot inside the school building. “But, uh, it just happened. And you said that’s he’s just your friend, but I still feel kinda bad about it.”

Din was holding his breath, not able to move, not able to blink.

“So, it happened. Oh, I’ve already said that. Okay, the thing is I’m dating Luke Skywalker.”

No!

“I-I hope you didn’t lie to me, if I know you’re into him I’ll step out.” He was staring down, he looked ashamed and Din was speechless. “Vod, please! Say something.” His broad hand shaking Din’s arm.

Din stuttered. Then he put his hand over Paz’ and he stared into his dark brown eyes “Let go of me.” Paz released him fast as he tried to articulate words but Din was gone.

No.

No.

Paz didn’t lie. Din had to see with his own eyes the way Paz’ arms encircled Luke’s waist as Luke tossed his head back laughing, so happy, so vibrant. Yes, Luke was happy again. Din felt nauseous every time he ran into them and he tried to look away, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t. Sometimes Paz was whispering in Luke’s ear. Sometimes Luke was pressing his back against Paz’ chest with his beautiful hands tangled behind his neck, stroking his dark hair. Din cried hiding in the fresher that night. He knew he lost Luke. But the worst part was that he was dating his brother. From all the boys in the galaxy, Luke chose Din’s brother.

~

“I think Luke’s punishing me.” He said staring at the empty cookie’s package he was holding in his hand.

“I think he’s a brat!” Cara said furious.

“He’s a daddy’s boy. He didn’t deserve you, burc'ya.” Boba patted his back.

“Don’t say that. He’s not like that. He’s” A crooked smile appeared on Din’s face “He’s the nicest person I’ve ever met.” And the most beautiful. And he’s kind. And I think I broke his heart. But you don’t know that.

~

Din avoided Luke the last two months of school. It was funny how the year started and how it was ending. But he couldn’t avoid his own brother. So things between them worked out eventually. Until Life Day’s celebration. The armorer offered a dinner party for her kids and for Cara and her father, Greef Karga. Paz didn’t show up in time, Din was already imagining the reason that kept him from coming home. He rubbed his forehead with his hand, already sweating. He felt relief when his brother arrived minutes after.

“I’m uh, sorry buir, I needed to do something.” He tried to explain.

“What was so important?” She was so intimidating that her son squirmed in his chair.

“Uh, Luke.” He managed to say staring at his own plate.

Don’t say his name!

“Luke?” Cara asked raising an eyebrow and shooting a glance at Din.

“Yeah, it took me more time than I thought. I-I couldn’t leave the guy like that, he was a mess.” Paz shrugged pressing the fork against the table with two fingers.

Is he talking about…? Din shook his head.

“What do you mean a mess?” His mother inquired.

“Well, I told him that since I’m going to Mandalore in a week and he’s going to Coruscant, stupid shit like long distance relationship wasn’t an option so I just broke up with him.”

Silence.

Din felt his heart thumping louder and louder until his face was so hot that his eyes burned. “You didn’t!” He said under his breath.

“Fuck, I did. You know how’s gonna be there, in the fighting corps, I’m gonna get laid all the time. I told him about it.”

“You’re disgusting!” Din hit the table as he stood up and closed the distance between him and Paz, grabbing him by his collar.

Paz squeezed his wrists “The fuck are you doing?”

“You were playing with him the whole time, huh?!”

“C'mon Din! He’s a big boy! He doesn’t need you to protect him! He understood!”

“You saw what happened that night, you saw how hurt he was when that piece of shit dumped him and you’re doing the same! Can’t believe you!” Din was jabbing his forefinger in Paz’ chest “So you go and make him fall for you for what? Fucking him and ditching him after?”

“Stop it! We hardly got to second base! That twink is a tough son of bitch.”

“Ugh!” Din squeezed his eyes shut “Don’t talk about him like that!”

“I didn’t fuck him, okay? Maybe he’s waiting for you! For you to find him unspoiled! So fuck you, vod! Fuck you you coward.”

That was it.

Din threw him to the floor and Paz dragged him with him, Din was straddling him punching his face as Paz was pressing his hand under his chin. The armorer stared at them without making a move. “Stop it already.” They didn’t stop.

~

Din announced himself, a golden droid opened the door and he walked inside the Skywalker’s little palace.

“Over here” Din didn’t recognize the voice but he walked towards the living room anyway.

It was a tall man sitting on a couch, he was all dressed in black, brown hair, the dim light didn’t hide his masculine features, he smiled at Din narrowing his eyes, playing with a glass of liquor between his fingers. “So you’re Din Djarin, the Mandalorian.”

Din swallowed through the lump in his throat as he nodded “Yes, sir.”

The man chuckled “Call me Anakin.” He moved a hand inviting Din to sit next to him. The boy obliged. His hands were sweating, he tried to hide the fact by rubbing them against his thighs.

Anakin stared at him with a blank expression “What happened to your face?”

Din took a hand to his swollen lips and bruised chin “This? Uh, I fell while training.”

Anakin hummed. He took a sip of his drink “Right.” He lowered the glass “I hope your brother’s face looks worse.” His smile was now wicked.

Din choked.

“Look, my boy is upstairs crying on Life Day. I hate it.” He stood up. “I’m tired of those stupid horny kids appearing out of nowhere trying to get into my son’s pants. He could have any person he wants and he keeps choosing assholes. Your brother for example.” Din nodded looking up at him. “You see, assholes come and go, but friendship, good friendship, lasts forever. Look at me and Obi Wan, that’s what my son needs right now.” He said pointing at Din.

“So, you think I should be Luke’s Obi Wan?” Din asked sheepishly.

“Hmmm” Anakin wrinkled his nose resting a hand on Din’s shoulder, the boy startled “I said for now, but eventually you should be Luke’s Padmè”

Din blinked hypnotized by the man in front of him “But sir, isn’t Padmè your wife?”

He smiled nodding “You’re getting the picture. Good.” He sat down again “Now go and fix my son.” Din kept staring at him “Go kid! Shit!” Din jumped off from the couch. “Oh, and Don?”

“My name’s Din, sir.”

Anakin looked at him with a poker face “Don” he insisted “Knock the door and wait till Luke answer. Goodbye.”

Din wouldn’t forget Anakin’s order, he was feeling the air becoming thinner, he rested both hands on Luke’s closed door, you can do this, he thought, get your shit together. He knocked twice. “Please dad, you promised to leave me alone.” Luke said between sobs.

Din knees weakened, hearing the angel boy crying again felt like a stab through his heart. “It’s” he cleared his throat “It’s me Luke. It’s Din.”

Din waited. The seconds felt like hours until Luke said “Go away Din, please, I’m so ashamed.”

“I’m not going anywhere until I see you.” He didn’t know how or why but the words came out of his mouth without effort.

He waited again, he was staring down when Luke’s door opened in front of him, he held his breath looking up, he found the most beautiful face in the galaxy and even looking like a mess Din was enraptured by the boy. It felt like seeing him for the first time, he hadn’t been this close to Luke in months “Hi.” He smiled. “Hi Luke.”

“Oh Gods Din!” Luke squeezed his eyes shut and walked towards his bed, he sat down hiding his face behind his hands “I can’t believe you’re here, I’m an idiot!” Din sat next to him giving him space, but Luke peeked through his fingers and moved closer to Din “I wanted to tell you that I was seeing Paz, but I was mad, so mad at you. I asked him to tell you, I couldn’t face you, you know, so I was a coward and” He frowned staring at Din’s chin “Oh no Din, what did you do?” He caressed Din’s jaw, Din winced. “I’m a kriffing disaster! I made you fight your brother!” He cried out.

Din chuckled “Come here.” Luke obliged as Din held him tight.

“We were just messing around, you know? I knew that we were parting ways, but the things he said to me today… Oh Din, he made me feel like I worth nothing.” He sniffed and Din closed his eyes feeling anger “It felt good to be with him, not gonna lie, I’m not in love though, but it still hurts, Din.” Din’s heart clenched. “I’m sorry, Din.” He shook his head against Din’s neck “Please forgive me.”

“Stop saying you sorry, I’m right here mesh'la.” He caressed his golden hair.

Luke sighed and stilled, then looked up and into Din’s eyes “Din? Would you stay with me tonight? Just holding me like this? I promise I keep my hands to myself this time. I swear.”

Din laughed completely lost in the boy’s eyes “I’m staying.”

Luke smiled through tears as Din ran his fingers over his cheeks “Hold me.” Din nodded as he took the boy in his arms again “In a few days we’re gonna be so far away from each other.”

Din closed his eyes in despair, he didn’t know how he would survive without seeing his cute angel every day. “Don’t think about it.”

Their chests started moving in sync, Luke hummed pleased, Din broke the silence “Luke?”

“Huh?”

“Your dad is terrifying.”

Luke laughed nodding “I know.”

Chapter Text

Din was sitting in the pilot seat, his old and ramshackle ship, The Razor Crest, was now his place in the galaxy. Since he took the creed, everything around him fell apart. He stared at the blurred stars in front of him remembering those endless spring days on Naboo, he smiled thinking of Luke’s laugh. He ran his fingers around the commands, his heart beating fast, he was feeling uneasy, the possibility of seeing Luke again after almost five years was driving him crazy. After all, they only could communicate on festive holidays, the blue holo would never do Luke justice. Din tried to remember every new single detail about his friend’s face, but it was never enough. And after all those years, Luke was still the one and only, even when Din wouldn’t admit that to himself. The comm light blinked breaking Din’s train of thoughts.

“Razor Crest, you’re entering Coruscant’s atmosphere, announce yourself.” A voice ordered.

“I’m the Mandalore’s delegate.” He wouldn’t say his name.

“You’re allowed to land, we were waiting for you.”

Shit. Here we go.

Din hated politics, but he put everything aside in order to help his people and, most important, to help his buir.

He landed on top of the Senate building and he walked down the ramp. A woman was waiting for him, standing next to a man. Din’s heart skipped a beat. This is a dream. He said to himself.

~

A tall Mandalorian all covered in shiny beskar was walking towards them. His toned legs, broad shoulders and the swing of his long and strong arms while he moved closer took Luke’s breath away. “Din…” He whispered. Leia looked at her brother only to find his big blue eyes shining like two stars and an incredulous smile on his face.

“What? How do you know that? That mandalorian is covered from head to toe.”

“Din.” He said louder this time with a heavy sigh and Leia widened her eyes when she contemplated the way her brother was melting into a puddle.

“Oh Gods! It’s really Din, isn’t it?” She moved her head again to stare at the mandalorian. The man stopped. Luke was gasping.

“Hi Tatooine suns. I missed you.” He removed his helmet.

~

Luke was dressed in black, his hair shorter and darker, but his tempting lips and expressive eyes remained the same. Din felt a wave of heat spreading all over his body. Stars! If you touch me I’d die, Luke. And he died. Luke was hugging him desperately, and Din died twice. “I can’t believe it’s you!” The blonde Jedi said clutching Din’s shoulders.

“Hello Mando, you look even better than I remember.” Leia said crossing her arms, arching an eyebrow.

Luke was still tangled around Din’s body, he was looking up, staring at the taller man’s face in awe “You look better indeed.” He said under his breath and all of sudden Din was desperate to drag him to the Razor Crest and kiss every inch of his beautiful skin. “How is that even possible, Din?” Din was caressing Luke’s back with both hands, bringing him impossible closer.

Leia bursted into laughter “Oh boy, I didn’t remember how annoying you two together could be.” Din ducked his head to hide his embarrassment and to avoid Leia’s gaze only to find something even worse, Luke’s pretty nose against his face. Luke hummed but didn’t move. Please angel, nuzzle my jaw, I’m begging.

Luke frowned and started pulling away from Din running a hand over his chest plate as Din dropped his gaze, mesmerized by the way this angel was caressing the slippery surface of his beskar. So tenderly, so soft. “Din, we heard the news.” He said as Leia closed the distance between them to rest her hand on Din’s arm.

“I’m sorry Din.” She said.

Din nodded “Thank you, Leia. And that’s why I came here, to ask for help.”

“And we will help you.” Leia assured.

He was twenty-three and carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Din was perspiring heavily under his armour, he was in front of the Senate now and he couldn’t help but feel intimidated by them.

“I’m Din Djarin” His voice cracked a little. He cleared his throat “I’m here on behalf of The Mand'alor Bo-Katan Kryze and my mother, The Armorer.”

“Do tell us Din Djarin, in what state is your planet?” A senator asked.

“Since our Mand'alor lost the darksaber some clans led our people to a civil war, some of us could leave Mandalore and some of us still believe in Mandalore’s reunification.” Din explained.

“Do you believe in that?”

Din frowned behind the helmet “Yes, I do. But we need to recover the darksaber in order to achieve that.”

“How did she lose the darksaber?” Alderaan’s senator asked.

“Lady Kryze was ambushed on Tatooine by a large group of men in white armour, she’s searching them through the galaxy as we talk.”

“What do you mandalorians need from us?” Naboo’s senator asked.

“Resources, senator. My covert is now staying on Nevarro, we’re short of food, transportation and uh, armament, since we don’t have access to beskar anymore. And also Mandalore would appreciate if you provide us with a search party.” Din’s heart was hammering inside his chest.

“We would do anything to help The Armorer, consider it done. And we will send a search party to find the location of the darksaber. This is not only an attack against Mandalore, it’s an attack against The Republic.” The senator said.

Din couldn’t believe how easy it went. Sometimes he forgot how influential his buir was.

~

“Why are you flying this piece of junk?” Luke asked roaming around the Razor Crest. “I like it though.” He chuckled.

“I’m a bounty hunter Luke, this is all I can afford.” He said resting against the cockpit’s wall.

“I’m sorry, I was joking. But what do you mean this is all you can afford? And wait! A bounty hunter?” Luke stood in front of him, Din smiled staring at the dimple in his chin.

“Yes, my mother needed to escape Mandalore and since then Paz and I found a way to provide for our people. It’s not what she would want for us, but this is the way.” Din caressed Luke’s cheek.

Luke sighed closing his eyes “I missed you so much. I can’t believe what’s happening to you and your people. It’s not fair.” He said resting his face on Din’s shoulder.

“It’s okay, you are making everything easier. You always did.” Din squeezed his waist.

“Oh.” Luke seemed surprised by Din’s confession. “Really?” Din hummed pressing a kiss on the top of his head.

“Really mesh'la.”

“Din?” Oh Gods, I missed you saying my name, cyar'ika. “I-I know what that means.” Luke said staring at him, his eyes fixed on Din’s lips. Din raised his eyebrows “Mesh'la. It doesn’t mean you, it means beautiful, doesn’t it?”

Din chuckled and Luke trembled between his arms “Yes, and I never lied, you’re mesh'la.” He kissed Luke’s temple “You’re beautiful.”

Paz was right about one thing, the fighting corps were full of young people jumping each other’s bones. And although Din wasn’t interested he gave it a try when one of his closest friends kept hitting on him. Unfortunately, the whole time he would pretend he was having sex with Luke. He ended the relationship after a couple of encounters, he found himself feeling empty and guilty, the distress was unbearable. So the moment he saw Luke again he knew that nothing would keep them apart from now on. He realized that he wanted Luke with every fiber of his being.

Luke smiled but pulled apart from him. Din looked around, completely hopeless, resting his hands on his hips. When he looked back at Luke he caught the man staring at him. Din started to feel confused. Luke was devouring him with his eyes, but he was still keeping that painful distance between them.

Kriff.

"Luke?" He asked boring into Luke’s eyes.

"Let’s go! Come with me! I’m gonna show you the Jedi Temple.” He said walking away as fast as he could. Din sighed.

The Temple was majestic, Din was astonished, he was walking beside Luke, people would look at him with curiosity. “It’s the beskar, they find it sexy.” Luke said cracking a smile, looking at him sideways.

“Hmmm, it’s the chest plate, right?” Din remembered the way Luke ran his fingers over it earlier that day.

“The whole thing Din.” He laughed “Too bad for them you’re wearing the helmet, if they see your puppy’s brown eyes and that moustache of yours they would die right on the spot.”

Oh, so Luke likes my moustache.

“Come on Din, there’s a class going on right now.” He moved his hand inviting Din to walk into a large training room. “Hello younglings.”

A group of children were sitting on the floor, legs crossed, they beamed the moment they realized Luke was paying them a visit. “Master Skywalker!” One of them ran into Luke.

“Hello kiddo.” He smiled.

“The younglings were meditating, but we are always pleased to receive such a pleasant visit.” Master Kinta said.

“Thank you my friend. We’re gonna stay just for a couple of minutes, this is my friend Din Djarin.” Luke said caressing the kid’s head.

The sight of Luke stroking that boy’s hair was the most beautiful thing that Din ever saw and his heart fluttered. “You’re a master Luke?” He said dumbfounded.

“Yeah.” He chuckled.

Din couldn’t look away from his angel and the kid but something brought him out of his thoughts. He felt two little hands resting on his shines, caressing the boots. He looked down.

“Oh Din, Grogu found you.” Luke said fondly smiling. Din stared at the baby, well, he looked like a baby. Din thought that he was cute, with big brown eyes and big ears, his skin was green and his little face was so open to him.

“Hi little one.” The baby cooed.

“He wants you to take him in your arms.” Luke smiled at the baby.

“Is that allowed?”

“Of course Din, he’s a youngling, not a deity.” He nodded laughing.

Well, he should be a deity. Look at that cuteness.

Din leaned forward and scooped the baby up, “Hey, kid. Nice to meet you.” The baby chirped and rested his forehead against Din’s neck. It felt natural and the weight of the baby’s little body against his chest soothed him in a way he never knew was possible. He looked up finding Luke’s gaze, his smile reached his eyes, he looked so proud of Din. Din wanted to hold Luke with his free arm, encircling both of them. That was the first time since he met Luke that the word clan popped up into his mind unbidden. Clan.

Little Grogu didn’t want to return to the class, he wept when Luke told him he should let the mandalorian go. “I promise you’ll see him later, okay Grogu?” The kid reluctantly agreed.

When they were walking down the frantic streets of Coruscant Luke told him about Grogu’s past “You wouldn’t believe it but he’s my father’s age.”

“What?”

Luke laughed “Species age differently. He’s what you would call a foundling. That’s why he’s in the Temple, he lives there, force-sensitive children without parents or relatives that can take care of them live in the Temple while those who have family only come here to get light training.”

“Like you and Leia.” Din said. Luke hummed. Din followed him as they walked into a building and then into his apartment. Din was fidgeting, being alone with Luke and in his apartment reminded him of that day at the lake and how everything went downhill fast after that.

“Make yourself at home, Din.” Din took his helmet off and looked around, everything screamed Luke, he could even smell his scent all over the place. Still captivating, warm vanilla. He rested the helmet on a side table and his eyes fixed on a holo, the image of Luke and a man beside him, they were smiling, Luke’s arms were around the man’s neck and the man was encircling Luke’s waist with his own. Din froze.

“Oh, that’s, uh, that’s Wedge.” Din heard Luke’s voice but couldn’t looked up. Still focused on the image of the couple. Din’s heart broke into a million pieces and he wanted to leave the place immediately.

He nodded instead, caressing the table “Are you married?” His voice cracked a little.

“Oh Force! No, no. We’re just, well, he’s a pilot and he’s on missions quite often and when he gets time off he crashes here.” Din looked up and saw a jacket hanging on the coat rack, it wasn’t Luke’s size. Now he knew the reason why Luke was trying to stay away from him. This is real, Luke is in a serious relationship. He moved on. Of course he moved on. You’re so pathetic Din.

“You look happy.” Din said trying to hide the sadness invading him. Luke didn’t answer.

“What about you Din?” He asked in a soft voice.

“What about me?” Din turned around and looked at him, now the sight of angel boy was painful all of sudden.

“Are you dating someone?” He avoided Din’s gaze.

Din snorted out a laugh “You know me, me and dating don’t go together.” He rubbed the back of his neck with a hand.

“Not even while training?” Luke looked into his eyes again sheepishly.

“Oh right, yes. But it didn’t last.” He said staring back at the holo. Yeah, it didn’t last because everytime I had sex with him I saw your face instead his.

Din hated the man, this Wedge, because he looked like he was a paragon of virtue, with kind eyes and a sincere smile. Papa Anakin might be proud. That crazy old bastard.

Luke walked closer to Din “Are you ready for dinner?”

“Is Leia coming over?” Din wouldn’t stay alone with Luke any longer, it was physically painful. He would choke on a piece of meat.

Luke frowned “Uh, no.”

“Would you comm her to come over?” He wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Okay, I’ll tell her.”

Din stayed on Coruscant, and every day his sorrow dwindled a little, relishing Luke’s company, embracing the fact that he was still in his life at least as a good friend. But what really mended his broken heart was Grogu. The child took the pieces and put them back together. The baby would nestle in Din’s arms for hours, babbling and smiling at him. When Din took him to the Razor Crest for the first time, the child was fascinated with the ball from one of the ship’s levers. Din didn’t let him touch it but eventually the kid was making the silver orbe float all over the place using the force. Din loved it. People would ask Din if the little boy was his son, he would chuckle. Sometimes Luke would use the holo in the privacy of his chamber while Din would play with Grogu in the living room, and if he heard Luke laughing and saying Wedge’s name he would shrink his shoulders and Grogu would pat his face tenderly.

Five weeks after Din arrived Coruscant the last ship with supplies was ready to leave to Nevarro, Din knew that it was time to go home. He thought about Grogu. And he thought about Luke. He was leaving Coruscant. And leaving a part of his heart with them.

Leia and Luke took Din to a fancy bar to celebrate their friend’s last night on planet.

“A cantina would be better.” Din said resting his helmet on his lap.

“Oh, shut up tough boy! This place is the best in the galaxy, you should be flattered.” Leia slapped his arm.

Hours later Leia was walking into her apartment stumbling and laughing while Din and Luke were trying to walk straight “Fuck! We’re loaded Din” Luke said grabbing him by his waist, Din put his arm over Luke’s shoulders.

“No, we’re not loaded, we’re totally wasted.” Din yelled as they walked to the elevator. “Which was your floor again?”

They were laughing and walking down Luke’s apartment corridor, Din tried to press a kiss on Luke’s cheek until he realized he was wearing his helmet.

“Take it off and kiss me mandalorian!” Luke smacked the visor of Din’s helmet.

“No! You take it off first!” Din laughed.

While Luke was trying to open the door, Din was whispering sweet nothings in his ear. “Stay Din.” Luke said.

“Nah!” He put his forefinger on the dimple of Luke’s chin “You’re too drunk. And I am too drunk. I’m going home, my piece of junk ship.” Luke was pouting finally opening the door when they both saw a man approaching them.

Luke gasped “Din! There’s a man in my apartment! Wait! Oh! It’s Wedge! Hi Wedge!” Luke waved at him resting the back of his head against Din’s shoulder. “Meet my friend, no, my best friend in the whole galaxy! Din!”

Kriffing Wedge. Din took his helmet off.

The man looked at his boyfriend and then locked eyes with Din “The famous Din Djarin.” Din was pulling a face “I heard a lot about you.”

“Ha!” Din snorted out a laugh “That’s funny cause the only thing I know about you it’s your name.”

“Din…” Luke elbowed Din, he wobbled a little.

“Uh… Sorry man.” Din said staring at Wedge. Then he shifted his gaze to the blonde Jedi “I’m going now Luke.” He said cupping his face with his hands “Wedge’s gonna take care of you, okay?”

Luke whined “Aw, no, please stay a little longer babe.” He said as he pressed a kiss on Din’s neck.

Din found Wedge’s eyes and looked down out of guilty, his hand on Luke’s back pressing the Jedi against his body. This is not good at all. Stop it Din. He thought. “I’m coming tomorrow, now rest.” He said pulling apart from Luke and walking away. His head was spinning. He thought he heard Luke calling his name and Wedge calling Luke’s. He didn’t stop, he walked until he was as far as he could from them. The whole scene was heart-rending and Din wanted to escape.

He spent the morning with Grogu, caressing his ears and promising that he would come back as soon as he could. It was painful. Din found himself crying under his helmet when he walked from the Jedi Temple to Luke’s apartment.

He knocked Luke’s door, the Jedi used the force to opened it. Dramatic as usual. He was sitting on a couch, both hands between his knees. Din sat next to him. “Please don’t be sad, I’m coming back.” Luke stared at him with teary eyes, pressing his lips together. “Please don’t.” He caressed the shell of Luke’s ear.

“I know Din, I know I’ll see you again, it’s just” he sighed “I’m so tired. So tired. Wedge left this morning.”

“Oh.” Din shrugged.

“He’s not coming back, Din.” He sighed.

Din startled. Oh Gods, no. “Is it…” He swallowed hard “Is it because of last night?”

Luke laughed bitterly shaking his head “No. When I woke up he was waiting for me with this serious face and after a while he asked me if I loved him. I didn’t answer. Kriff I didn’t even say No.”

Din was rubbing circles on his back with his hand “Do you?”

“Ugh, Din, don’t ask me that.” He closed his eyes shaking his head. “I think you know the answer.”

“If you don’t love him then why are you crying?”

“Because I really wanted to love him, okay? I’m a walking mess, a disgrace! I can’t love, I can’t keep a partner! I wish I could be more like you!” Din’s hand tensed against Luke’s back “Oh, no! I didn’t mean that, you know, I mean that you don’t need anyone, you’re perfectly fine by yourself.”

If you only knew, cyare.

Luke chuckled “Now I get it. That day at the lake.” Din’s stomach clenched “You were protecting us, you were protecting our bond, I didn’t see it then, but I see it now, you were right.” Luke stared into his eyes, he looked so small and sad. “Promise me we will never change. Promise me you will always be my friend Din, please.” He put his hands on the nape of Din’s neck and pressed his face against Din’s shoulder.

Din could feel the wetness of his tears through the fabric of his flying suit. He stroke his dirty blonde hair. “I will always be there for you cyar'ika, I promise. Always.”

In any way, forever.

“Thank you Din.” He sighed rubbing his face against his neck “Oh Din, my head is killing me and you look like you didn’t drink at all, how is that possible?”

Din chuckled “I can help you with that, I can fix you a hangover smoothie.”

Luke hummed wiping his tears away with his hand “What would I do without you?” Luke sniffed and cuddled close to him.

No. What would I do without you, cyare?

Chapter Text

For the past two years Din have been traveling through the galaxy, letting everything aside to focus on his bounty hunter life. Everything except Luke and Grogu. He holocommed them at least twice a month, Din loved those moments and he found himself craving for Grogu’s coos, those big brown eyes and every move of those big ears. And Luke. He craved for Luke’s smile and the way he always twirled his hair when he was telling Din some story about the Jedi or talking about Leia’s new boyfriend.

Din visited Coruscant a couple of times. It wasn’t enough, he wanted them in his life and for the first time, Din started fantasizing about settling down. But he kept his dreams in secrecy, torturing himself by remembering Luke’s words over and over again “Promise me we will never change”.

One day he commed Luke and Grogu was nowhere to be seen. Luke’s smile shone, he was beaming and he kept squirming in his chair, Din could tell.

“Hi Din! I didn’t bring Grogu today because I have something to tell you!” He said and Din frowned. “I’m dating the most incredible woman in the galaxy!” He smiled and stared into the holo with such an intensity that Din thought he was boring into his soul, as if he was trying to read his feelings. Fortunately he couldn’t. Din closed his eyes, his chest tightened. He tried to hide his misery as Luke told him about her, his friend seemed so happy and Din was hating himself because he couldn’t share that happiness.

Eight months had passed since Luke told him about Mara. Yes, Mara. That was her name. Din was entering Coruscant atmosphere, he was sweating under his beskar, his hands were shaking when he hit the ramp button. Get your shit together, Din. He thought as he walked down the ramp. Leia was waiting for him like many times before. He was expecting Luke to be there too, right next to his sister. But it seemed like Din wasn’t as important as he used to be. Din assumed so.

“Mandalorian!” She said enthusiastically and hugged him resting her face on his chest plate, she pulled back to look into his visor “Aren’t you taking that helmet off?”

Din chuckled, his fingers brushing her long braid. He shook his head “Later.”

She hummed and wrinkled her nose “Alright. Now, are you ready for a Coruscant’s style engagement party?” She laughed ironically.

“No.” He snorted out a laugh.

“Good! Me neither!” Leia winked at him.

And he wasn’t. Later that night, after spending some time with Grogu at the Jedi Temple, Din was staring at his reflection in the mirror at a fancy fresher, at a fancy flat. He looked around, frowning, he felt so out of his element. He tried to convince himself he was doing this because of Luke. But in reality, he couldn’t stay away from what was going to happen two hours later, he needed to be right there, he would go insane if he missed the event.

Voices mingled into a horrific hum, the ball room was overcrowded, and Din was feeling anxious and considering walking away when a bearded old man, that Din recognized as Obi Wan Kenobi, cleared his throat and stood in front of the guests “May I have your attention, please?” He chuckled “We’re here tonight to celebrate my favourite nephew and his lovely girlfriend’s engagement. Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade.” All eyes were on them as Luke and Mara walked into the room and Din was flabbergasted. Luke was radiant, wearing a purple velvet suit with a golden trim around the collar that highlighted his blonde hair. Din’s eyes couldn’t avoid the beautiful woman beside him. Her hair was red as the fire, her smile so pure and sincere and she looked like she could crush a grown man’s bones with her athletic body. She was perfection, and Din had to look away intending to not collapse in front of the most prominent people in the galaxy.

The couple waved to the crowd gracefully, Luke’s smile reached his eyes, but Din couldn’t tell since he was looking anywhere but at his friend. Din was in pain, he cursed himself for not wearing his helmet at that same moment, he could have hid his sadness behind the beskar. He was biting his lower lip, his eyes downcast as he rubbed his hands together. What did you expect, Din? For Luke to be single forever? Just like you? He was brought out of his thoughts when a tall man stood beside him, Din looked up at him and the sight made his hair stand on end.

“Don Djarin! It’s so good to see you.” Anakin Skywalker patted him on his back, between his shoulder blades. “Beskar looks good on you.” The old man hummed staring at his son and his fiancée.

“Hi…” Din trailed off “Uh. Hello, Sir.” He tried to compose himself.

“Isn’t my son perfect, mandalorian?” He asked, still not looking at Din.

Din frowned looking down and then at Luke again “Yes, Sir. He is.”

“He’s doing great. Leia, on the other hand…” He took a deep breath. Din moved his head searching for the girl and he found her dancing with a tall man and laughing, delicately tossing her head back. Anakin snorted angrily “She’s dating a smuggler. Do you know why?”

“Because she’s in love with him?” Din asked sheepishly.

Anakin laughed bringing his hand to his stomach “Of kriffing course not!” He chuckled “She’s doing this to piss me off. She’s a menace, you know. She’s a younger version of me.” He nodded crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Din nodded only to please the man “Congratulations, Sir, I know that you always wanted the best for Luke, you must be so proud of him, now that he has found his Padmè.” Din startled the second he realized what he had just said.

Anakin frowned staring into his eyes and leaned forward, his mouth so close to Din’s ear. “That’s not Luke’s Padmè.” He said shaking his head slowly and Din was quirking an eyebrow “She’s not Luke’s Padmè.” His lips curled into a smirk as he walked away, leaving Din in confusion. As usual.

~

Din was struggling to leave the party. He felt anxious, he couldn’t stand the music playing and the people around him anymore. He started walking towards the entrance when he felt the softest touch on his pauldron and he startled a little before turning around. He smiled tenderly when he found his angel before him. He couldn’t look away this time, Luke looked so bright and beautiful. Din’s eyes roamed the Jedi’s face as he took his hand in his, Luke grinned staring down at their intertwined fingers then he looked up again and into Din’s brown eyes “May I have this dance?” Luke asked. His warm voice soothed Din’s restlessness, he nodded encircling Luke’s waist with his arms, bringing him close, resting his cheek on Luke’s temple. And right there, with the boy in his arms, Din’s heart fluttered and he couldn’t run away from his feelings anymore. He recognized the reason for his anger, and it was the thought of losing Luke for good, because Luke meant the world to him. Because he loved Luke. He was in love with Luke.

Oh!

They danced without saying a word to each other, they shared glances, smiling. When the music stopped, Luke caressed the nape of Din’s neck nodding at him and closing his eyes as he pressed his forehead against Din’s chin sighing “Thank you for being here tonight, Din.” He pulled back to look at his face, “I missed this.” He said soothing Din’s arms with his hands. Din caressed his cheek and Luke widened his eyes.

Fuck, I love you.

“Din?” He asked tilting his head to one side “Come, I want you to meet Mara.” He turned away and Din held his hand keeping him right beside him.

“No.” He deadpanned, he looked down “Please, I don’t want to.” Luke frowned and took a few steps back.

“What do you mean?” Din could sense Luke’s distress when Leia appeared out of the blue, to save the day.

“Din!” She said nodding at him and closing the distance between them to give him a hug, Din was grateful. She pulled away from him “This is my ball and chain.” She said pointing at the cocky smuggler beside her.

“Solo.” Din spluttered recognizing him.

“Do I need to worry about you, mandalorian?” Han Solo retorted sipping his drink and bringing his free hand to his holster, locking eyes with Din.

“Not tonight.” Din said clutching his helmet from the table next to him.

“Hey! Ho! Stop the childish behaviour or you are sleeping on the couch tonight.” Leia scolded Han pressing a hand on the man’s chest, pushing him towards the center of the ball room. “I’m sorry Din, I’ll see you later.”

Han raised both hands in surrender. “Alright, alright, I’m on my way Princess, see?” They were walking away as he said louder “What is he doing here anyway? Did you see them dancing, are you sure they’re not banging?”

Din froze and Luke ducked his head, they looked at each other and the Jedi’s face was bright red, Din knew he looked the same, he could feel his own cheeks burning.

“I’m sorry Din, Han’s a bit rough around the edges but he’s a nice guy when you get to know him.” Luke said avoiding Din’s gaze.

“Leia deserves better.” He said while putting his helmet back on.

Luke had a scowl on his face “And so do I, right Din?” Din squeezed his eyes shut behind the visor, but Luke couldn’t see it “That’s why you refused to meet my fiancée?”

“Luke” Din tried to reach out to touch him, but Luke moved his arm away.

“No, Din! This is the happiest day of my life so far and you’re trying to hurt me!” He said and Din’s heart broke, not only because he was, indeed, hurting Luke but also because Din’s happiest day was the day he met Luke. He was trying to say something, anything, when Luke’s expression changed, the Jedi widened his eyes and his head snapped towards a side door, he looked back at Din “Grogu.” He said “Din, it’s Grogu! Come on!”

Luke ran towards the side door and Din followed him. People looked at them concerned as they moved through the crowd. Luke didn’t seem to care.

The mandalorian was panting behind his helmet and his heart was hammering and jumping into his throat, they were outside the building now. Luke jumped into an airspeeder “Come on, Din! There’s no time. They’re taking Grogu off planet!” Din obliged. The Jedi was driving through the different levels at high speed, Din felt adrenaline running all over his body. He was ready to kill them, whoever took Grogu from the Temple. They were already dead in his mind.

Luke barely stopped the speeder when he jumped off the vehicle, he walked into a hangar with his lightsaber in hand, the green blade hummed, Din was taken aback by the sight of the Jedi before him, but a soft whine brought him back to reality.

Din could spot a human shape in a corner under the dim light inside the hangar. He drew his blaster and started walking into the kidnapper’s direction but Luke stopped him by grabbing his arm. The Jedi reached out and moved his free hand and Din heard a gasp coming from the corner, the mandalorian’s eyes widened behind the helmet when he saw Grogu floating towards them “Take Grogu, Din.” Luke said in a calm voice and Din thrusted his blaster back into the holster and stretched out his arms to take the baby in his hands. Luke looked at them sideways “He’s perfectly fine Din, the aggressor didn’t hurt him.” He nodded. Din stared into Grogu’s eyes and the baby chirped. Din felt relieved, holding him tight.

Luke was still holding out a hand until he made a move and an invisible force pulled the kidnapper close to them, bringing her to her knees and before the Jedi. “Who sent you?”

Din came closer “Shand.” He said through gritted teeth.

Luke frowned still holding the woman by using the force “You know her.”

“She’s an elite mercenary, she’s an assassin.” He took his blaster again, holding Grogu with the other hand now, he pointed at her head “Answer his question. Who sent you, Shand?”

Fennec Shand was looking at Din’s visor with a blank expression “You know the business Mando, they pay, we collect, no questions.”

Din sighed pressing the cannon against her shoulder. “Wrong answer.” He clicked his tongue.

“She’s telling the truth.” The Jedi said staring at her.

“How do you know that?”

“He’s a Jedi, Mando. Jedi read minds.” Fennec said smirking at him.

Din looked at Luke and the Jedi shrugged “We don’t read minds, but I know she’s telling the truth, still, there’s something more.” Luke crouched down to look right into her brown eyes “Now, Shand, you can die here or you can give us something.”

She closed her eyes sighing “Alright, the only thing I know is the destination. I was taking the child to Arvala-7, someone was expecting me there. That’s all I know.”

“Is she telling the truth now?” Din asked.

“Seems like it. But listen, Shand, if I found out you’re hiding some information I will cut your head off with my own lightsaber.” Luke said still boring into her eyes.

Din startled, he had never heard Luke talking like that, and somehow his fierceness made him week at the knees. He shouldn’t feel that way, but that new facet of Luke turned him on.

“So be it, Jedi.” Fennec said, defiant.

“You’re under arrest.” Luke retorted standing up and Din couldn’t be more in love with this man beside him. “Give us the coordinates now.”

~

Both, Din and Luke left Coruscant that same night on Fennec’s ship. They traveled for two days, Coruscant time, they landed on the outskirts of the desert that surrounded a hideout. “You see that Luke? Nikto mercenaries.”

“We can handle them.” Luke nodded walking towards the first line of mercenaries and Din swallowed hard, thinking the Jedi was being suicidal, but he followed him nevertheless. “I brought an asset, I need to see the person in charge.” Luke said, his eyes roaming around.

“Where’s the asset?” One of them asked.

“Right here.” Din answered shooting at him in a quick move.

“Fuck!” Luke ignited his lightsaber and deflected the blaster bolts that started coming at them, some shots hit Din’s armour and helmet “Damn Din! Hold on!” The Jedi was making his way through the mercenaries by swinging his saber and using the force to crush them and throwing them against the walls, Din kept shooting at them, they walked side by side, unstoppable, unreachable and when they made it to the entrance Din took a moment to look behind them, staring at the pile of bodies and he could feel his blood boiling, he looked back at Luke in awe, he couldn’t believe his eyes, he was in front of the most powerful warrior he had ever seen in his entire life, and it was none other than Luke, his Luke.

They entered the building and Luke took two more nikto mercenaries down, he didn’t even use the force, he cut them with his lightsaber, Din was astonished. “There’s nothing left here, I don’t understand, why would these people want a force-sensitive child?” Luke said walking around. They stood contemplating the bare chamber. “No one was in charge Din, only them, waiting for the kid.” Luke pointed at the dead nikto on the ground. They searched for any clue, any information, but it was in vain.

On the way back to Coruscant Din couldn’t stop thinking about how much he loved Luke, he shut himself down numbing out his feelings for Luke. He tried to avoid Luke’s eyes the entire time, he didn’t remove his helmet, not even once. Luke seemed to notice Din’s indifference and he decided to keep his distance from him, he didn’t come back to the cockpit until they landed.

~

Luke stayed on planet, working alongside the Jedi council in order to investigate the motives behind Grogu’s kidnapping attempt. Din, on the other hand, spent the next three weeks traveling across the galaxy, searching for any information regarding Fennec’s last job. He was considering going to Coruscant when he holocommed Luke, but the Jedi didn’t answer. He tried again several times until he couldn’t handle it anymore. Fearing the worst he hit Leia’s link.

“Din?”

“Leia. I’m sorry, I’m, I’m trying to comm Luke but he’s not answering and I’m worried. Is everything alright?” Din was breathing fast.

“Uh. Grogu’s right here, so don’t worry. I’m taking care of him.” Din sighed “But Luke is not on planet right now.”

Din leaned forward resting both hands on the console “What happened Leia?” He sounded as desperate as he was feeling.

“Luke left Coruscant two days ago.” Leia took a deep breath “He found out something about Mara and they’ve broken off their engagement. But before you say anything, trust me, it’s not just a stupid break up, what he found out… It’s terrible Din.” She shrugged.

Din was blinking at the holo, perplexed “Din, he’s after a lead, he didn’t tell me where he was going, that’s so Luke, but something tells me he might be on Tatooine.”

Jedi magic.

Din landed on Tatooine hours later, near Mos Eisly. He walked inside the infamous Chalmun’s cantina and he didn’t need to search any longer. His eyes fixed on a hooded man, he was seated at a table in the corner, Din couldn’t see his face but he knew in his heart that it was Luke. He walked over to him and rested his hands on his hips, tilting his helmet to a side, eyes on the hood. The man looked up and his blue eyes looked impossible big “Din.” He whispered. “What are you doing here? I thought you were already on Nevarro by now.”

“Can we talk? In private?” Din asked. Luke frowned and nodded.

They left the cantina and Din took the Jedi to the Razor Crest, once they were inside the cockpit Luke took the hood down, Din contemplated his exhausted face, his eyes full of sorrow, they didn’t shine anymore. “Leia told me that something happened, that you found out something about Mara.”

Luke pursed his lips squeezing his eyes shut “Go home, Din, I don’t need you here.” He said shaking his head.

Din sighed tossing his head back “Cut the shit, Luke. What happened? Why are you here? Is it because of Shand? Have you find out something new?” He insisted.

Luke swallowed hard as he shrugged “I think I have.” He took a deep breath “Mara is gone. Three days ago she, she told me that she couldn’t keep the secret anymore, that she needed to tell me the truth.” He looked away from Din “She was assigned to kill me, Din.” He closed his eyes “I can’t believe it, she was an elite assassin, her mission was to terminate me, but then she fell in love with me and we started a relationship.” Din was panting “She could have killed me so many times, so many times. When I was sleeping, when we were having sex” Din’s stomach clenched at the idea “I felt so vulnerable. Everything around me was falling apart. She swore that she loved me, and I know she does, love me, but Din, it destroyed me, she let me down, she let me down.” His lower lip started twitching and he couldn’t fight the tears anymore “She… Let me… Down.” Tears streaming down his face, Din held him, caressing the back of his head.

“I’m here, cyare.”

Din was holding Luke from behind, cuddling him, they were lying on Din’s bunk bed now, Luke was bawling while Din kissed his shoulder and clasped his hand, Luke cried bringing their hands close to his chest. Din could feel the way Luke’s heartbeat steadied “I’m here, love.” He whispered in his ear and the Jedi nodded frantically.

“Everything is connected, Din.” Luke whispered between sobs. Din soothed him by stroking his hair with his free hand. “Mara gave me a name.” Din froze “She told me that she met him here, on Tatooine. His name is Gideon. And I’m convinced that he’s the same man that hired Shand. He’s after me and Grogu.”

Din frowned. It was a nightmare. He wanted to protect them, they were the most important people in his life. He wanted to kill this Gideon guy with his bare hands. He swallowed closing his eyes, struggling with the urge to run and find him, but Luke looked so broken in his arms. “We’ll talk about it later, cyar'ika. Get some sleep now. Get some sleep.” He pressed a kiss on the back of Luke’s head and the Jedi sighed caressing Din’s arms around him until he fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Din woke up, slowly rubbing sleep from his eyes, he propped himself up on his elbows only to find Luke standing in front of him.

“Let’s go, Din. We need to go back to Mos Eisley.”

Din cleared his throat, already missing the feeling of Luke’s body against him. “How-How do you feel?” He asked genuinely concerned about his emotional state. Last thing he remembered was the sounds his Luke made while trying to hide he was still crying.

Luke avoided the question and walked away “We shouldn’t waste our time, I’m waiting for you outside.”

Din frowned confused as he jumped off the bunk.

~

They walked through the Mos Eisley’s streets mingling with people, Luke with his hood on and Din in full beskar, they tried to go unnoticed, they failed. “Luke? Where are we going?”

Luke hushed him. Din kept walking beside him until the blonde man nodded at him and entered into the Mos Eisley Towers. Din grimaced wondering why Luke was taking him to a hotel. Luke asked for a room and paid for it, he tilted his head towards the corridors that went underground, Din followed him completely disoriented. “What are we doing here?” He asked him when Luke opened the door to the rented room.

Luke grabbed him by his arm and closed the door behind him. “Alright, last night I got some information about this Gideon guy. We need to sneak into room sixty-seven.” Din shrugged. “There’s gonna be a meeting there, at noon, someone that’s working for Gideon is meeting some mercenaries.”

“Kriff, Luke.” Din sighed unconsciously brushing his holstered blaster with the tip of his fingers. “Good job.”

“Are you ready?” Luke asked. Din nodded. “Follow me.” Din knew for sure that he would follow Luke to the end of the galaxy and that he would kill anyone in order to keep Grogu safe.

Luke used the force to break into the room, he looked around while Din was closing the door. “Now look, we need to listen to these bastards and it’s important they don’t know we’re here. You hear me Din?” Din was loving Luke’s bossy behaviour. “No matter what you hear, no matter how much you want to shoot the shit out of them, we need them walking out of this room safe and sound and not noticing we were here.”

“What you have in mind? Some Jedi trick?” Both chuckled.

Luke shook his head smiling, closing his eyes “No.” He opened them staring into Din’s visor “I was thinking of hiding.” He said pointing at the closet.

Din flinched “There? Are you sure we’ll fit in there?”

“Well, let’s see.” He said taking Din’s hand and walking into the closet. “They’re coming.” He whispered.

The space wasn’t big enough for both of them, still they closed the door while Luke was facing Din, resting his forearms against his chest plate, his thigh rubbing between Din’s as he was trying to position himself inside the closet. He stared at Din’s visor with eyes wide open, his face only inches apart, he shivered when Din rested both forearms at the sides of his head, encasing him. It was dark but Din could see him since he activated his helmet night vision. Luke looked so vulnerable, with his lips parted and his eyes closed now. Gorgeous. Din could only think about how much he loved this man. He was zoning out when Luke’s breathing snapped him out of his thoughts. At the same moment the sound of the room’s door opening took him off guard, Luke swallowed hard, Din was now very conscious of his surroundings. The voices the other side of the thin door catching his attention now.

“These are the coordinates, you bring this asset to us and you’ll get your payment.”

“No, advance fifty percent or there’s no deal at all.” A male voice retorted.

Din startled hearing that voice, earning him a low groan from Luke, the movement made him rub Luke’s crotch with his thigh plate.

His angel was now panting and fogging his visor. Din was cursing himself staring at him, Luke’s mouth hung open when Din tried to pull away but he only managed to rub Luke’s crotch again, damn cramped closet.

“You think we’re stupid? Won’t pay you in advance.”

“Then you should look for someone else. I’m out.”

Luke’s breathing started to sound louder. Din moved his hand and put it over Luke’s mouth, trying to muffle the blonde man’s heavy breathing, that made things worse.

Now Din was panting too, he was dying feeling Luke’s warmth against his body, his lips twitching under his gloved hand, the sight of his pretty face and their thighs tangled, he couldn’t control himself anymore. He removed his hand from Luke’s mouth and put it on the back of his head, bringing their foreheads together. Somehow it soothed both of them, their breathing getting even.

Outside, silence.

“Din, they left.” Luke said in a soft voice. That broke Din’s reverie. He slowly pulled away from Luke. He came out of the closet first followed by Luke. “He didn’t take the job.”

Din cleared his throat “He didn’t. Now listen, I know him.” Luke frowned. “It was Fett.” Luke’s eyebrows arched in surprised.

“Indeed I am.” Boba Fett said resting against the fresher’s door. Din and Luke froze. “Din. Skywalker.” He bowed his head.

“Boba…” Din took two steps forward, leaving Luke behind him in a protective way.

“It’s a good thing I was wearing my helmet, I could hear you inside that closet.” He arched his eyebrows, holding his helmet against his hip.

“You’re working for Gideon?” Din asked and Luke came closer to him.

“Since I didn’t take this job, no.”

“Din let’s talk somewhere else. Here’s not safe.” Luke said.

They returned to their rented room, Luke closed the door facing Boba.

“Tell us everything you know about the asset, and where they were meeting you, Fett.” Luke demanded, Din could tell by the tension in his voice that he was a minute away from killing Boba.

“I’m sorry Jedi, I’ve barely seen the coordinates, they didn’t hand them to me.”

“And what about the asset?” Din insisted.

“It’s a scientist, some dude called Doctor Pershing.” Luke frowned. “What is it vod? What’s going on?”

“They want the kid. And Luke.” Din answered and Luke growled, obviously upset about the information he was offering Boba.

“The kid you told me about? Grogu?” Boba asked concerned, Din nodded. “Vod, I want to help.”

“Then give us Gideon.” Luke deadpanned.

“I don’t know the man, I’ve never seen him, only his henchmen.” Boba scratched his hair “Look Skywalker, I was only taking a job, I’m not a criminal.”

“I know, Boba.” Din said looking at Luke and slowly nodding. “We know that.” Luke narrowed his eyes not convinced.

Boba left the room with the promise of being Din’s eyes and ears through the galaxy.

“Do you trust him?” Luke asked when they were alone again.

“Yes.”

Luke sighed nodding “Alright.” He rested his hands on his hips, Din’s eyes traveled up and down his body.

“A scientist? Why would they need a scientist?” Din asked.

“To clone Jedi.” Luke sighed as Din gasped. “I told you everything was connected, now I understand, that’s why they want me dead and Grogu alive.”

Din’s heart skipped a beat, Luke and Grogu were still in danger, his stomach clenched, for the first time since he lost his parents he felt real fear. “What-what do we do?”

“We need to go to Coruscant immediately, I need to tell this to the Jedi council. They, they will know how to proceed.”

When they were heading towards the door, Luke turned around and frowned staring down.

“Luke?”

Luke tilted his head finding Din’s eyes “Din, don’t think I don’t know what a keldabe kiss is.”

Din flinched staring at the blonde’s eyes swallowing through the lump in his throat.

“You kissed me, Din.” He stared into Din’s eyes with a sadness that hurt Din.

Din considered what Luke was saying and sighed feeling defeated. His heart was aching, he was torn between his yearning for Luke’s love and the fact that Luke was dealing with the aftermath of another break-up.

“It was wrong, I’m sorry.” He managed to say.

Luke shrugged slightly “Oh! So now that you couldn’t get away with it you’re getting cold feet. You kissed me, Mandalorian.” He chuckled. Soothing Din’s arm with his hand.

Din laughed nervously, his skin under Luke’s touch burning. He was scared and desperate, but above all things he couldn’t shake the thought of Luke and Mara Jade having sex, sleeping next to each other, it was obvious that Luke was trying to forget her and Din was conveniently in front of him right now.

“What am I? A rebound?” He said under his breath avoiding Luke’s gaze.

Luke’s face changed “What?” He looked serious. “Gosh, you’re so clueless.”

Din felt his pride hurt and the words came out from his mouth unbidden. “Yeah, Luke, you’re right. I’m not good at this, unlike you I’m not jumping from bed to bed.”

Oh no. No. No. No!

“I’m, I’m sorry Luke, I didn’t mean it.” He grabbed Luke’s hand but the Jedi didn’t move, didn’t say a word. “Luke? Kriff! I’m an idiot! Please, say something.”

The Jedi’s eyes were cloudy and full of pain. “This is us now, apparently the only thing we do lately is fighting.”

Luke’s words felt like a knife through Din’s heart. “I…” But his words were cut off by Luke leaving the bedroom. He walked down the corridor not waiting for Din and not covering himself with his hood. Din was following him putting his helmet on and hating himself. “Please, wait.”

When Din was reaching out one hand to Luke, they stumbled upon a man. The stranger was raising his hands as in surrender “Boy, I’m sorry, it’s on me, I was distracted.” His lips curled up when he stared at Luke’s face pointedly, “My, my… Wormie?”

Din shifted his gaze between Luke and the man, the stranger was taller than Luke, slender, with gray hair and carefully trimmed gray beard, and unfortunately he was very attractive. “Wormie?” Din asked but no one payed attention to him.

“Cobb Vanth? I can’t believe it!” Luke gracefully put both hands on the stranger’s shoulders. Actually he wasn’t a stranger anymore, Kriff… Luke knows this guy?

“I can’t believe it neither, you look so… Grown up. Look at you.” He lifted Luke’s chin with a curled index finger and Din was fuming behind the helmet. “You’re not that little boy anymore, I like that.” Luke blinked astonished while Din put a hand on Cobb’s chest gently pulling him away from Luke.

“Cobb, is it?” Din asked and Vanth nodded with a blank expression looking at him right in the eye. “Don’t touch him.”

“Din! He’s an old friend from my youngling days, I spent some time here light-training, cut it out!” Luke looked annoyed and Din felt miserable, he was burning his boats so fast and so ridiculously that he needed to walk away.

“I’m-I’m sorry. I’ll wait for you outside.” He said without even thinking and walked leaving Luke and the damn Cobb Vanth behind him.

“Who’s that?” He heard the man asking.

“He’s my best friend in the galaxy.” Luke said and Din’s heart clenched thinking about the awful things that he have been doing to him since his engagement party. Din didn’t recognize himself, he was surely losing it.

When Luke joined him, he was searching for Din’s eyes behind the visor, his angel was considerate enough to not mention the matter. But Din was feeling guilty and he needed to apologize again. “I didn’t know he was your friend, I thought… I was trying to protect you, I guess.” He shrugged “I’m sorry, Luke.”

Luke blinked pressing his lips together “Sometimes you forget I’m a Jedi, don’t you?” His smile wasn’t there but his eyes were kind and loving in a way that caressed Din’s aching soul.

Din softly chuckled “Yeah, you’re right, I’m aware of the fact that you don’t need protection at all.”

“See you on Coruscant.” Luke said and walked in the opposite direction, Din stood in place for a while, staring at his distant form.

~

For the next months Din traveled from planet to planet, sometimes Boba joined him, he was searching for Doctor Pershing and Gideon while providing his covert with credits and weapons. He returned to Coruscant to visit the child, but Luke wasn’t on planet, always on mission. Nevertheless, Din holocommed Luke every week.

“Where were you Luke? I’m just leaving Coruscant.” Din asked, eyes fixed on the blonde’s face in the holo.

“I went to Tatooine.” Luke looked down.

“Mos Eisley?” Din said arching his eyebrows.

“Mos Pelgo, actually.” Luke scratched his hair pulling a face. Din knew for sure that his cyare was on something, it was clear he was seeing someone. One time Din could spot a love mark on Luke’s neck, but the Jedi swiftly cover it with his hand. Din tried to act like he didn’t notice it.

~

Din was tossing and turning in his bunk bed when the thought hit him, Luke was seeing that Cobb man. He grimaced and covered his face with both hands “Kriff, no…” Din couldn’t help but think about Cobb sucking on Luke’s skin, proud of the marks he left behind. “No, no, no.” He shook his head as a lonely tear rolled down his cheek. He allowed himself crying, for the first time he was being honest, he didn’t want Luke dating other people, he wanted to be his riduur, he wanted to wake up every morning next to Luke and raise warriors with him, he wanted it all and in reality, he had nothing.

~

The holocomm blinked. Din answered slightly worried, it was Leia’s link. “Lei? Wha-?” He froze when he saw little Grogu sitting on her lap, baby was smiling and raising his little arms up, like he was trying to touch Din.

“Before you freak out, look at him, he’s perfectly fine.”

Fuck, no.

“What happened?”

“Another kidnap attempt. But everything’s fine, Din. The kid didn’t notice, my father killed the man before he could put a hand on Grogu.” Leia stared at Din while Grogu chirped excited.

“Who was the guy?” Din asked through gritted teeth.

Leia snorted out a laugh “An amateur bounty hunter named Toro Calican.”

Din stayed in silence.

“Din, I promise, nothing happened.”

Din stared at Grogu feeling useless, he wanted to be there to hold him in his arms and protect him till the end of times. “I’m on my way, wait for me, I’m not far away.” Leia nodded. “And what about Luke? Is he alright?” Din swallowed hard.

“I commed him before you, he was off planet. He’s coming to Coruscant as we talk.”

~

Grogu was peacefully sleeping in his tiny bed when Din crouched beside him and gently caressed his back, Leia smiled softly, standing next to them. “Grogu look who’s here.” She said with a sweet voice.

Grogu cracked an eye open and when he realized Din was there, the baby just jumped into Din’s arms. He chuckled holding the baby, pressing his chin down to Grogu’s fuzzy head. “I’m here ad'ika, I’m here.”

Leia’s eyes widened “Mandalorian, I know what that word means.” She said smiling and huffing “It’s natural, I guess, you’re like a father to him, Din.”

And he’s like my son.

Din nodded at her with teary eyes.

“I leave you alone, see you later.” She said before leaving the bedroom.

~

It was late at night when Din was wandering the temple hallways, stunned by the magnificent architecture when he caught a glimpse of a man dressed in black out of the corner of his eye. It was Luke.

Din rushed to meet him, Luke’s face looked pale, his eyelids swollen and his eyes glassy. It was evident the blonde Jedi had been crying his eyes out. Din held a hand up, hesitating hovering over Luke’s face, Luke closed his eyes, he sighed, Din took that as an invitation and then, he touched his cheek as Luke covered his hand with his own. “Luke?”

Luke opened his eyes and put his arms around his neck, hiding his face in the crook of Din’s neck. He cried. Din cried too, soothing Luke’s back with his hands.

~

Luke’s apartment felt cold, the Jedi was standing in front of Din, they were in silence, Din looked around nervously as Luke drew in a sharp breath. “I have been being selfish, Din.” He squeezed his eyes shut “I wasn’t here for Grogu, I feel like I’m gonna explode.” He sat down on the couch. “You were right, I am jumping from bed to bed.”

Din sat next to him “Can we just forget about that?”

“No.” Luke sniffed. “You don’t understand, I was banging someone when that man tried to kidnap Grogu.” He took a deep breath, Din’s heart broke into million pieces. “I don’t know me anymore, I was trying to feel something, but I can’t. I can’t!”

Din avoided looking at him.

“Everything went downhill since Mara told me the truth and now… I think I’m broken Din. I’m broken.” He panted as tears rolled down his face.

Din held him tight “You’re not broken cyare.” He whispered.

“I was seeing Cobb Vanth, I came back to him every time I needed to feel that things weren’t fucked up, but it didn’t work, not even once.” Luke pulled back to stare at Din’s face. “When Leia commed me, Cobb was right next to me, and I took it out on him, I dumped him, I told him that it was over and he laughed at me saying that I would be back to him.”

Din went silent.

“It was just sex and I need more, I need… I want to be happy for once.” Luke’s hands clutched feebly at Din’s shoulders and then he stood up, like he was needing to stay away from Din. Din didn’t care, he stood up after him and encircled his waist from behind, pressing flush against his back.

“You deserve all the happiness in the galaxy, cyar'ika.” Din said resting his chin on Luke’s shoulder. Luke turned around, keeping Din’s arms around his waist, they were facing each other now.

Luke bored into his eyes and then he stared down “You make me feel like that teenager again.” Din frowned. “The one that gave himself to you?” Din felt his heart thudding frantically against his ribs. “I’m still in that lake, Din. I have never swum away from you. I’m still there, waiting for you, frozen in time.”

Din was holding his breath.

Luke shook his head “Nevermind, I’m being selfish again. I need to ask you something.”

“Yes…” Din said in a hoarse voice.

“Take Grogu with you.” Luke said pulling apart from him.

“What?”

“Take him with you to a safe planet, away from here.”

“Safe? Luke, this place is chock-full of Jedi Knights, there’s no place safer than this.” Din was leaning forward trying to meet those blue eyes.

“That’s the thing, someone inside the order is helping Gideon.” Luke explained. “We don’t know who it is, but I can tell you this, I only trust my father, my uncle, my master and my sister.”

“For kriff’s sake, Luke.” Din sighed. “Are you sure?” The Jedi nodded. “But the Jedi won’t allow it.”

“They won’t know until it’s too late.”

“You’re crazy, you know that? I can’t protect Grogu like you can.” Din rested his hands on his hips.

“Yes you can, that’s why I’m asking you and no other person.” Din nodded closing his eyes. “You won’t contact me, you won’t tell anyone your whereabouts, you get it? Grogu won’t use the force, he’s been instructed to hide his abilities, I’ll reach him through the force when it’s safe.”

“How long?”

Luke avoided Din’s gaze “I don’t know.”

~

Din was walking towards the Razor Crest with Grogu in his arms, he turned around to say goodbye to Luke.

Luke spoke before him “May the force be with you.” He nodded.

Din opened his mouth and then closed it, he closed the distance between them. He was wearing his helmet but he didn’t care, he pressed Luke’s forehead against his own, when he pulled away he stared at Luke’s eyes with his heart full of love “I love you, Luke.” Luke’s eyes widened, he was gaping. Din walked away, not looking at Luke not even once.

~

Leia came close to her twin, the binary suns shining next to each other under the artificial night of Coruscant. She rested her face on Luke’s shoulder as the Razor Crest took off.

Luke couldn’t help the tears while saying under his breath “I love you too, Din.” Leia kissed his wet cheek. The sound of traffic breaking the spell.

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