Part 4 (last part of this tropical planet)

Summary:

Now that you and the Mandalorian have finally confessed your true feelings to each other, more secrets will be unlocked in a deeper level, as the two of you will truly get to know one another during your final days in this planet. 

Side Notes: Chapter 12 was a really long chapter for me to write. So I figured I'd take a breather and write a shorter chapter for the last part of this arc. As much as I really enjoyed writing that chapter, it was also a little exhausting for my brain 😂 plus, more romance after all that slow burn love is always good too :) There will be lots of conversing here, it'll be just a chill chapter.
After this, I will get back to the main action of this story :))))

Word Count: 2181

***

With the Razor Crest almost being completely repaired, you were aware of you final days in this planet. It saddened you that the past few days had gone by in just a blink of an eye. From being worried of being marooned here, to being visited by your old masters, then becoming a fully trained Jedi knight, to training your first apprentice, having a petty disagreement with the Mandalorian, and only to realize the two of you felt the same way about each other. It was quite the rollercoaster ride, but you wouldn't trade it for anything else.

A quite moody Grogu waddled towards you, hearing his tiny stomach grumble from hunger and thirst, "Hungry, little one?"

The adorable green creature nodded his head, pointing upwards towards the nearest palm tree. Within the top of the tree, you spotted coconuts securely held atop. Grogu's dark large beady eyes glistened, as he was practically drooling from the sight of those fruits. 

"You want one of those? Hmm, probably a change instead of just water. How about we get it together by using the force." You paused, stretching out your hand upwards, "On three, we get together, all right? One, two, three!"

As you instructed, both you and Grogu concentrated, using the force to grab a coconut as it levitated downwards in your direction. 

"Keep it up in the air for a bit longer, Grogu," you instructed, grabbing your lightsaber as you cut the hard exterior of the large fruit like butter. "Okay Grogu, force pull your half and grab it."

With tightly closed eyelids, the child force pulled the half-sliced fruit towards himself, grabbing it with both his hands. It was quite an adorable sight. Even with just half a coconut, it seemed to be a third of the size of his entire body structure. You couldn't help but giggle at Grogu as he sipped onto the refreshing coconut juice. Squeaky little gulps were heard from the child as he burped in the process. 

"Grogu, how much more adorable can you get!" You snickered, taking a drink from your half of the large fruit. It was indeed, refreshing. A great change from just plain old water. 

"Taking a break from training?" A non-modulated voice echoed from behind.

You turned to see the Mandalorian, still armour-less and without his helmet. It was truly a sight to behold, also a great change to see his hazel brown eyes instead of that black intimidating T shape from his helmet. Was it bad that you preferred to see him shirtless over being covered with all that beskar?

"My apprentice and I got a little thirsty, Mr. Brown Eyes," you teased, handing over the coconut for him to taste. 

The Mandalorian managed to finish with a single gulp, leaving none for you, "How did you manage to get this from all the way up there?"

"Guess."

"Right, the force. I still need to get used to that." 

"Mhmm! And Grogu helped me getting down here too." 

"Oh, did you now, kid?" He snickered, scooping the child up in his arms, "you know, you make a good master and a mother to him, that's why he's doing such a great job." 

You felt yourself blush from his remark. Now that you know that he also reciprocates your feelings, are you going to blush about everything he'll tell you now? Please, that's just utterly unfair on your part. 

"Thank you. I've been tasked by one of my masters to train Grogu. It's now my duty to ensure that his abilities don't fade, so that he may able to protect himself as well." 

"Well, I'm glad you're here by our side. I can't train him, he's too powerful for me. Grogu's found someone who's perfect for him."

"As long as I live, I'll be here to protect him."

"That's my favourite part about you; your selflessness."

"I'm a Jedi. It's in my blood," you snickered. 

"The galaxy really needs more people like you."

***

You sat on the soft sand, sitting closely by the shallow waters as you watched Grogu play and catch himself more crabs. It seemed the little green bean never gets full from all the food he consumes. It was an extremely delightful feeling. You're not a mother, not even close, but the child has claimed you as his mother, and ever since your bond with the child has grown even stronger.  

You sensed another presence, one that is of no danger, but is someone whom you have grown to trust and love throughout your journey in the galaxy; the Mandalorian. Turning your head, your now lover sat beside you, wrapping his arm around your shoulders. Your head automatically leaned onto his shoulder. 

"It's funny," Din chuckled.

"What is?"

"A Jedi and a Mandalorian falling in love. Long ago, our people were enemies, and look at us now. No one would never see it coming" He paused, softly pecking the top of your head, "But I wouldn't trade it for anything else."

"It's the same feeling for me too, Din," you perked your head up, looking lovingly at that helmet-free face of his, "Don't you dare put that helmet and armour on just yet."

"Don't worry, I'm keeping it off until we get off of this planet, milady. We still have a bit of time to enjoy each other's company before we have to leave." The Mandalorian then placed his hand under chin, softly kissing your lips, "for now, I'll just hold onto you like this before I wear my armour again." 

"It's nice to see you without all that beskar for once. I'm curious, I've never met a Mandalorian who couldn't show his face to any living being. Because with the Mandalorians I've met before, they've taken their helmets off."

"You've been to Mandalore?" 

"Several times. My master would be assigned with Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi to negotiate some matters with the former duchess. As my master's padawan, I of course had to come along as well. Mandalore is beautiful, so rich with history and culture." 

A sigh escaped from his lips, hesitant to tell you what's on his mind, "I-I've actually never been to Mandalore."

You cocked a brow, confused from his statement, "You've never been to Mandalore? Aren't you a Mandalorian?"

"Don't laugh, but I'm actually not from Mandalore. I've only been raised as one of their kind when they rescued me as droids attacked my home planet. I am a foundling." 

You were shocked to say the least. This was quite the revelation for you to hear. All this time, you thought that Mandalorians preferred their own race. But you learn something new everyday. 

"I'm not going to laugh at you Din, nor think differently of you. Remember, I hid my true identity of being a Jedi from you for quite some time, and well granted you were angry at me at first, but you still accepted me. Just like how I'll also accept that fact about you too."

"Thank you for not seeing me any differently, (y/n)," the tone of his voice sounded more relieved this time. 

"Of course, Din." You paused, overlapping your hand on top of his much larger one, "droids attacked your home planet? Is that why you have such a distaste for droids?" 

The Mandalorian nodded his head, "Yes. They were the reason for the death of my parents."

"I'm sorry to hear that." 

"Don't be. No one here is at fault, it's all the empire's doing. I'm just... I'm lucky to be able to be with you despite of all what's going on right now." 

"I'm lucky too. You know in the past, Jedi weren't allowed to have romantic ties with anyone. But it's a good thing that the old ways have been erased. Now that means nothing can stop how I feel about you." 

"I'm also curious. If Grogu's been trained by Jedi masters, why doesn't he have a lightsaber like you do?"

"Grogu is still a youngling mastering his skills. To be able to get a lightsaber, younglings must go to a planet called Ilum, where they will face many trials and challenges before finding their specific kyber crystals. Once they've found their crystals, they must construct their lightsabers. Though, I'm not sure how Grogu will retrieve his in the future eventually. It's extremely difficult to get a crystal in Ilum. For now, I'll keep training him in the ways of the force as much as I can."

"I didn't think you had to go through so much just to construct a lightsaber."

You reached for your lightsaber, handing it towards the Mandalorian, "Go ahead, have a look."

"It's a lot heavier than I thought," he snickered, igniting your weapon as its blue glow emitted, "it's a beautiful but complex weapon. But you wield it so elegantly."

"It wasn't always easy when I first started training." You stood up on your feet, walking towards the shallow waters. 

The Mandalorian followed, igniting shutting your saber off, "You're so beautiful, you know that?"

You felt your knees loosen up as if they were jello, nearly falling onto the shallow waters only to be caught by your now lover just in time, "You know, all my life as a Jedi, I've trained how to be balanced. But I seem to be out of balance with you."

"I never knew being a Jedi was so difficult."

"You have no idea," you snickered, "from the beginning, I never knew who my parents were, since I have been taken in by the Order only as an infant. You must be force-sensitive to be qualified, and then your training starts from there. I was one of the very few younglings who transitioned into a padawan at a younger age than the usual. And being a padawan gave you many opportunities especially during the clone wars. We were able to serve alongside our masters during battles as part of our training. As padawans, we were also given the title of commander and lead the clones to victory hoping that a planet will side to the Republic." 

"So, all these events happened prior to that Order 66 you've mentioned to me awhile ago?"

You nodded your head, "Yes. There were once tens of thousands of Jedi. But once all the clones turned against us, our numbers diminished significantly. Now any Jedi is a rare find." 

"I guess we both share tragic pasts," the Mandalorian turned your body so that you were now facing him, then gently pulled you closer as he enveloped you in his embrace. You inhaled his scent, he smelled quite good despite being in that armour of his for however many rotations. Your hands grazed through his soft, dark brown hair, pecking his cheek in the process. It did indeed feel nice to hug him without all that hard beskar surrounding his body. "I'll be here to protect you."

"As will I. And I will be here to protect Grogu as long as I live. Ex-imperials, bounty hunters, and others will not stop until they get to both Grogu and I."

It was odd now that you think about it. Back then, most of the Jedi were killed from orders of the now dead emperor, because he wanted to be rid of the Jedi. But now, remnants of the empire is hunting down any remaining Jedi for their own benefit. You knew that they wanted Grogu alive no matter what, as the two of you were some of the most force-sensitive beings in the galaxy. 

You felt a much tinier hand holding onto your ankle, excited coos emitting from the little green bean as he reached his arms out for you to pick him up.

"Have you come to join the group hug too, little one?" You giggled from his adorable antics. "Really? This makes you feel like we're a family of three?"

"We're technically his parents now, I don't mind it." Din looked at you and Grogu lovingly, forever treasuring this moment, "The two of you are the most important ones in my life... And I plan to keep it that way."

"You won't lose neither of us, Din."

"Can you promise me that?"

"Of course, I promise."