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Chapter Text

“On Mandalore a youngling is, find it we must, and to the temple bring.”

“But Master Yoda, Mandalore does not deal with the Senate, nor with the Order, they only attend some events as a show of good-will. How do you propose we bring the youngling to safety?”

“Send a group we must, to bring the child here, no choice but to bring the child here we have.”

“I’ll start working on it now Master, I know just who we can send.”

Luke was going to actually lose it one day. He was sick of this karking temple and its karking rules and nosy karking Frogs who wouldn’t let him do what he wanted.

“Knight Skywalker! A word please?”

Master Kral wasn’t the worst of the controlling asshats, but he was possibly the most annoying man in the Temple. He also had the galaxy’s worst breath.

“Of course, Master Kral, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

As soon as he could summon up a single kark. And his lunch stopped trying to make a reappearance.

Would it be offensive if he gifted Master Kral some breath mints? If it was considered a gift it would be ruder to refuse it surely? Or he could make it a game to pop mints into his mouth constantly. But then he’d have to get close enough to be within firing range of halitosis, and that wasn’t appealing at all. Even if it was for the Greater Good.

He remembered once upon a time, when life was hot suns and gentle hugs, when hygiene was of the utmost import. In the heat it’s only polite to others to stay clean and to smell nice. He wanted to go back to that.

He considered, as he often did, what would happen if he just upped and left one day. If he just walked straight out the doors in the non-standard-issue clothes he had hidden in his room. How long would it take them to find him if he just decided to disappear?

Unfortunately, the only time he’d actually enacted this plan, they’d found him within the hour and dragged him back here. Bastards. That had been a good plan too.

He’d got all the way to the Spaceport district before they’d found him. Twenty more minutes and he would have been in hyperspace – destination; Kark y’all.

He made his way to the meeting room, super excited to be involved in whatever nonsense the Council wanted to rope him in to now.

Oh, did he say super excited? Sorry, he meant super unwilling.

And look! His favourite people were here too! Look at them, all robed up and superior looking. So cool, so all-knowing, so absolutely up their own backsides they thought the temple was always dark. He couldn’t understand how such powerful men couldn’t feel how much he hated them, how they failed to recognise the seething disgust he had to push down whenever he was in their vicinity.

They’d looked old, what a shame. Turns out when you’re rotten on the inside it starts to show, who’d’ve thunk? Maybe that’s why Master Yoda looked like a dried fruit someone had forgotten about four-hundred years ago. He was living proof that good thoughts and moisturiser were essentials for any Jedi.

It was a very good job he was as good at shielding his thoughts as he was, mostly for their sake more than his.

“Master Kenobi, Master Skywalker, how pleasant it is to see you.”

Lies. All lies. He couldn’t wait for the day he’d never see them again. If he had it his way it’d be today. If he could just leave this prison and go back to the suns… but they wouldn’t allow that, would they?

“Luke, it-”

“Knight Skywalker, if you don’t mind. This is official business Master Skywalker.”

Good, let him look like a kicked puppy. He deserved it. Bastard.

“Knight Skywalker, then, the Council have selected you as a member of an expedition.”

Whoopee, he just loved having a group of people watching and waiting to snitch on him.

“Sure. Where?”

“Mandalore. A retrieval.”

Oh, oh now that was different. They didn’t get to go to Jedi-resistant territory very often.  

The others droned on about details, but he didn’t care. He was leaving the Temple, and he was going onto an enemy planet, where the Order had no power.

He couldn’t wait.

He didn’t know much about Mandalore, though he wasn’t alone in that sense. Infamously neutral, refused to join the Republic, hadn’t helped when Sheevy-weevy-palpatiney had tried his little coup, they ignored everyone and everything that didn’t concern them. They traded with whoever they liked, fought with whoever they liked. Hated whoever they liked.

And Luke’s favourite; extremely anti-Order.

This might actually be fun.

But for now, he would have to play it cool. Pretend he didn’t care if they sent him on this mission. If they thought for a moment he wanted to leave this place then they’d refuse to let him go. They’d done it before, before they’d decided to start chaperoning him and making sure he was never given a chance to be alone when not at the Temple.

“The mission is simple; the Grand Master wants it to be so. We go in, find the youngling, negotiate its bringing here, and then we leave. It need not take more than a week.”

“So, we’re just expecting the kid’s parents to give it up, yeah? No consideration for the family?”

“Knight Skywalker, this is the Will of the Force. We will make sure the youngling is safely brought into our fold.”

“Yeah, ok, the usual. Got it.”

He was already hating this mission, and they hadn’t even left yet. He was dreading having to steal child to drag kicking and screaming to this prison.

“Luke! Please, can we talk?”

“Master Skywalker, I’m afraid I’m busy at the moment, however, my schedule is public knowledge, and so an appointment can be made at a time which accommodates both of us.”

Which, if he had his way, would be never.

“You can’t keep doing this, it’s not healthy.”

Pffft, he wants to talk about healthy relationships. Who did he think he was?

“My health is perfectly fine, Master Skywalker, in fact, I had a check up just the other day.”

“Luke”

“If you’d please excuse me, Master, I have places to be.”

Like anywhere that isn’t here.

“Knight Skywalker.”

What in the Force did he do to have these karking assholes find him everywhere he went? He hated this man, with his soft smiles that never reached his eyes. He bet that once those eyes had been soft too, kind, like he tried to be now. But it was too late. He was too far gone. Luke wanted nothing to do with him.

“Master Kenobi.”

“Are you going to keep doing this?”

“Doing what, Master?”

“Ignoring him.”

“I’m not ignoring anyone Master. You can ask around. I’m a perfectly pleasant Jedi.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I’m afraid, Master, I do not. I can see this conversation distresses you, however, and so I shall bid you good night.”

Asshole.

If he was going to Mandalore, he might have a chance of getting out of here for good. Just the thought of it was enough to excite him. He might finally have an opportunity to taste freedom, to find a way out of here and never look back. He didn’t care what it took, only that this was his last hope.

But how? How could he convince a planet full of the Order’s ancient enemies into granting him asylum?

It would have to be sneaky; it might be that he’d have to use every trick he could to get them to let him stay. There had to be some way for him to get them to listen. If he played his cards right, they could ensure that he could stay on Mandalore long enough that the Order wouldn’t realise that he’d left hours before they’d even realised.

And if he could save the Kid too, well, added bonus, and also added insult for the Order.

He knew, just knew, that the Frog would find some way to make sure he was never truly alone. He always did. Every single time Luke finally thought he was without someone standing over him, something would happen to make sure he wasn’t. There was always someone watching, or listening, waiting for him to make what they saw as a mistake, and he saw as a desperate attempt for freedom.

He was almost convinced they’d start sending pretty men to see him soon, to see if they could tempt him into staying by first winning Little-Luke over. It wouldn’t be the first time they assumed they could control him with emotion. They’d been trying for the last twenty years after all.

Luckily, he was a step ahead of them, and had made points of being extra adherent to the no attachment policy.

Not that it was hard.

Not when he had to see His face every day.

He’d had enough of these people, was fed up with them trying to control his life. He didn’t care how strong in the Force he was. He didn’t care if this was his destiny. He wanted out, and he was going to make it one way or another.

If he didn’t manage it soon, he’d be forced to eat his lightsaber, starting with the dangerous end.

The transport was leaving in two days, which meant he had plenty of time to scope out the entourage he’d be part of.

Apparently, Kenobi and Skywalker were coming. Great. That would make things harder, though not impossible. He’d just have to make sure he was extra calm and extra sneaky. He could do that.

Some other knights were going to be travelling as well, which meant there was a good chance they’d try and room them all together. He had to find a way to stop them doing that. Or at least, a way to escape the room with valid reason that wasn’t obviously him trying to flee.

He’d have to feign some sort of stomach bug. He still had that green powder he’d used to get out of the Official Alderaan Temple Visit last Life Day, because there was no way in the Force they could have made him play nice during that karking shitshow.

Master Koon had truly thought he was seriously unwell, so much so he’d almost felt a little bad for him.

Almost.

But would the Masters fall for that? Or would they realise what he was trying to do? He may have to come up with a different approach, find another way out. If he repeated the same trick twice they’d get wise to it, and then they’d only tighten their grip on him.

He could do it. It would just take a little more thought.

He’d be fine. He had to be.

Chapter Text

“Masters, we’re approaching Mandalore now.”

“Excellent.”

Half of him really wanted the Mandalorians to drive their ship away, and the other half wanted them to land with no problems. He was already sick of having to spend time in such close quarters with these people. They were so self-righteous and unbearable. How in the Force did any of them take themselves seriously?

Surprisingly, they’d been allowed into atmo without any issues, and had been given a landing spot.

This was unusual, he hadn’t expected the Mandalorians to be quite so accommodating. But if they were, he could definitely work with that. Flutter his eyelashes and tell them how much he didn’t want to go back. How beige didn’t suit his skin tone. How he hated every single person at the Temple and would do anything to leave, including flirting with the enemy.

When they’d finally landed (ugh, why was Knight Whatever so bad at flying?) and the doors had opened, he had felt it.

The Child.

It was sending a message, directly to him. He wondered if the others could hear it? The Masters weren’t showing any reaction, and he wasn’t entirely sure Knights Whoever and Whatever had the capacity to use the Force for long-range communication.

So, there was a good chance it was just him who could hear it.

NO GO. STAY. NO LEAVE. STAY. STAY. STAY.

Yes, little one, stay. I won’t make you leave.

NO LEAVE?

No. Only stay.

ONLY STAY.

Ok, so the Kid didn’t want to go, which probably also signified there was a parent who wasn’t willing to let their child go off with a bunch of Snatchers.

An ally, he had potentially found.

He hated that he sounded like the Frog whenever he schemed.

They were greeted by a group of Mandalorians, none of which looked very impressed with their presence. Or at least, he was assuming so. Hard to tell with the whole helmet thing.

The one at the front was Shiny. Very shiny. Tall, broad shouldered, tiny waist that was just begging to be held while he was bent over a desk or a console or any other accommodatingly flat surface. Big spear too. By which he meant the literal spear. The Kama covered the metaphorical one.

Shiny also was clearly in charge judging by the way the others were positioned around him, though it was some blue Rando-Mando lady that came forward to talk.

“Mandalore does not wish for your presence. You will be granted a night’s rest before the Mand’alor requests you to leave.”

One night to escape? Shorter than he’d expected, but ok. He could do his best.

“My apologies, Lady Kryze, but we are here for Official Reasons. A youngling is here, and we must ensure it is safe.”

“No.”

Ooh, Shiny had such a nice voice, even through the helmet’s filters.

“My apologies Your Majesty, but these are the rules.”

Shiny was the king then. Good to know, good to know. He could bend the knee. Or both knees. Whichever was necessary.

“They are not our rules. And we do not follow the rules of others. No child leaves our planet without the parent’s permission.”

“We’ll just have to get that from the parents then.”

“I will not give it.”

Well, that was a plot twist.

Judging by the look on Kenobi’s face, it was news to him too. Luke thought he might do the mind control thing, but upon closer inspection Shiny, the Mand’alor, was… blank?

There was no trace of the Force around him. Even the other Mandalorians had some degree of presence, but he wasn’t there at all.

It must have been the armour. It wasn’t painted, was just pure metal. Not like the others at all.

If his plan were to work, he’d need talk to the Mand’alor without words. He’d require skin-to-skin contact for to establish a connection though… but how?

Wait. There. When he adjusted his grip on the spear. His sleeve and his glove left the tiniest of openings. Now, how to make contact?

For once, the Force was on his side. A strong wind suddenly picked up, and a little oopsy-daisy-silly-Luke moment meant he could stumble forward.

And catch himself on the Mand’alor’s arm.

Nice.

They’d been warned of the Jetiise’s arrival too late to block them from entering Mandalorian Space.

They’d let them land only so they could tell them to back off and crawl back to wherever they came from. Bo-Katan would word it more diplomatically, but the meaning was the same.

He didn’t know exactly how the Jetiise had found out about Grogu, how they’d discovered his kid had wizard powers. When he got hold of the responsible party, it would not be a pleasant time for them. He took treason very seriously. He’d make them scream. Beg to be released.  

When they’d come across Ahsoka, she had warned them about the Order, and told him to do whatever he could to stop them finding his son. He had listened, and they had stopped their search.

He had made it clear to his people that they were to never make contact with the Order. That they were the Demalgolka brought back, that they would steal and torture their children. Up until now, it had worked.

There were five Jetiise, two older men who looked serene in the way people did when they took too much spice. Two of them looked younger, and they looked scared. Good. Let them be intimidated by his people. Then they could kriff off.

The last one, though, the last one was special. Unlike the others, he clearly wasn’t happy to be here. He barely seemed to be listening, pretty blue eyes wandering all over the place. His golden hair was being swept around by the wind, and then one big gust must have made him lose his balance because he was falling forward and – oh.

His hand touched Din’s wrist, in the small space between sleeve and glove.

Hello. Don’t panic.

Ok, because that wasn’t creepy at all.

Sorry, it is a little weird. Trust me though, these guys will do anything to steal your son.

Shouldn’t he be on their side?

I should, yes. But no child should be taken.

They were in agreement about that then.

I didn’t want to be taken. I want to escape. I want to be Free.

Ah, that was an unexpected admission. Had this Jetii been stolen too?

I was. I didn’t want this.

Was it not possible for a Jetii to just leave the Order?

We can’t. Please. Help me.

Ok.

The Jetii let go of him, apologising demurely, head down. But from under his fringe, he looked Din dead in the visor. A plea. He'd made his decision.

“We will allow you to stay in the city for one night, so that you need not stay on your ship in the approaching storm. But after that, you will leave.”

He could feel Paz and Axe staring at the back of his head. They were confused, he knew, but he wanted to help Luke. He didn’t know why he'd felt compelled to aid in his escape, but he did.

Chapter Text

“Din, what’s going on? Why are you letting them in?”

“Later, Paz, we’ll talk later.”

He could tell his closest friend and trusted guard wasn’t happy, but he’d already made up his mind, and few argued with the Mand’alor and got out in one piece.

They led the Jetiise into the city, straight to the palace compound. He would be able to keep an eye on them there. They still had some of the surveillance rooms from when they’d been forced to host karking space wizards in the past.

The palace was large enough that he would have to specify the rooms, but it seems Bo-Katan was already aware which rooms he wanted them in, and was already giving the guards directions.

Any other time, he would have been frustrated that she took control from under him, that she thought her position as his advisor meant that she could make decisions on his behalf. For now, he would let it go, but he would remind her of their respective positions during their next meeting.

“My guards will take you to your rooms, although one of you will have to room alone. I apologise for the inconvenience.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, Mand’alor.”

He’d have to watch out for the polite one with the beard. He didn’t trust anyone who had no light behind their eyes.

Thank you.

Wait, Luke could talk to him without touching?

Yes. We only needed to touch the first time; it seems I couldn’t get through that metal armour without an established access point.

How much of his mind could he see?

Not much, just the thoughts directed at me.

Ok. So, what now? The Jetiise were in the city. What was the next step?

I need that individual room, and it needs to be for a reason we can explain.

Ok. He could do that.

You’re a king, and you’ve been to the Core.

Yeah. The stupid Life Day thing he’d had to go to last year. He’d run away to get drunk instead, which had been much more enjoyable.

I hate those things, it’s always such a shitshow, I skipped out, too.

Well, that was useful, wasn’t it?

“Luke? Can we talk, please?

Good. Keep the voice low, make it sound urgent. He shouldn’t have any reason to know the Jetii’s name, so that should grab some attention.

What are you doing?

“Please Luke, come see me, tonight, or I can come to you. Please, I’m sorry, let me make it up to you.”

What???

What was His King saying to the Jedi who’d dared to touch him earlier? Why was he talking to him? What did the clumsy Jedi have or do to win the Mand’alor’s full attention? He should ignore all of the Jedi, should leave them be and then let them be escorted off the planet. He had no reason to talk to any of them.

He knew His King was interested in the Jedi in a physical sense, could see it in the way he angled himself towards the Stranger. The Mand’alor had never angled towards him like that, despite how many times he’d tried to get his attention.

But he wasn’t going to let some random Jedi take up His King’s affection. Not when he still had a chance to do so himself, not when he would give the Mand’alor anything just to show him how much he meant to him. Anything he could, he would sacrifice for him. All he had to do was ask.

“Axe, please escort our guests to their rooms.”

He didn’t want to. He wanted to stay down here with His King. Wanted to find out what was going on. Didn’t want to be sent away to babysit these strangers.

But that would disappoint the Mand’alor, and so he didn’t say anything.

“Come, Jedi, this way.”

He’d come back later and solve this mystery, and try once again to win His King’s affection.

ARE YOU GOING TO EXPLAIN?

He thought it was quite clear. They had both been in the same city on the same day. Both had skipped their required duties.

So, you mean to tell me that your genius idea is to tell that them we already know each other? Imply that we had some whirlwind sexcapade? I’m karked. They’ll never fall for it.

Well, he wasn’t going to bother helping anymore then. It seems the Jetii wasn’t serious about escaping after all.

Fine, fine, I’ll play along. But I’m not happy about this. No one even heard your little stunt back there, so it was wasted effort anyway.

Oh, they did. He was well aware of how Axe felt about him, even though his friend thought he was being subtle.

And the Jetii with the scar was definitely listening in if the stiffness of his shoulders was anything to go by.

Which one is Axe?

That was what he wanted to focus on? Fine. Axe was the smaller man in grey and blue, handsome, kind eyes. Big one was Paz. Scary blue lady with the red hair was Bo-Katan. Koska was the other blue lady.

Do all your friends wear blue?

If he hadn’t met them all at different points he’d have asked the same, it did seem to be a trend among his comrades.

So. Explain this your clever idea to me in detail.

Axe would be jealous of the attention he gave to the Jetii, which meant Luke would have someone watching him on the Mandalorian side of all this; he’d be wary of letting any of the Jetiise near the Mand’alor. It also meant that he could divert the other Jetiise away from the Child.

And letting the Masters overhear?

Well, that was easier, especially when he snuck into Luke’s room tonight to ‘continue what they had started’, which would make any potential roommate not want to be anywhere near them.

You planted the seeds of a secret scandalous affair in order to make sure I get my own room? Jedi aren’t supposed to have affairs, Mand’alor, there’s a whole chastity thing. The Masters won’t believe that I’m apparently getting laid.

They were going to have to live with some very awkward from noises from the bed next to them then, weren’t they?

Fair. If you can pull this off, Mand’alor, then hat’s off you. Or helmet. Is there anything else?

The Jetii should use his name, it’d be more authentic then, especially if his guard overheard.

That would probably be true if I knew it. Or did you forget WE’D SUPPOSEDLY NEVER KARKING MET BEFORE TODAY.

It wasn’t him asking for help. Maybe Jetii who wanted to abandon the Order should be a bit nicer.

I already regret asking you for help. What is your name then, Mando-man?

Din. Din Djarin. Barely anyone knew his name. Only his Tribe and closest friends.

Does Lover-boy know?

He did. He’d told him once, when he’d been begging Axe not to treat him differently now he was Mand’alor. But he had never used it, not to his face. He wondered if that was when things had changed between them, somewhere in the space between man and king.  

So, you’re just some nameless warrior-king to the masses?

Pretty much. Nameless, faceless. This is the Way.

Faceless? No one knows the face under the bucket? That could be useful for proving the story.

Maybe, he wasn’t about to give his soul to some stranger though, even if they were supposedly having an affair.

Fair enough. Tell me one thing though? What colour are your eyes?

Brown, like his papa’s had been. Same shape and everything. It was one of the few things of him he had left.

We’re at the rooms now. I’ll let you know how it goes. Bye, Din.

He knew the Jetii was out of his head, it was like a caress had moved away from him.

He just hoped this plan would work.

The rooms they had been given were spacious, if not more than a little reminiscent of the dorms he’d slept in as a Padawan. He remembered the freedom he’d felt in not having to sleep with all the other younglings, didn’t have to hide when he was sad or angry or just wanted to cry out into the Force until someone came to take him home.

Until he’d been old enough to sneak out of the Temple and into the drinking district, it had been his only place of solace.

“Luke, how do you know the Mand’alor?”

“It’s Knight Skywalker, please, Master Skywalker. And I don’t know what you mean.”

“No, you do know what I mean. Luke, how do you know him? He knew your name.”

“I truly don’t understand, Master, whatever are you asking about?”

So, Din had been right, He had been listening in. Turns out the Mand’alor was as observant as he said. He wondered if he could wind up the guard as much as he could Master Karking Skywalker. He did appear to be closer than necessary, probably in some attempt to either overhear or find a way to violently bump into him.

“If the Mand’alor and I had already met, which we hadn’t, I’d like to add, wouldn’t he have greeted me when we arrived?”

“I don’t know, I don’t know what he’d do. I’ve never met him before.”

“That makes two of us, as I’m pretty sure I’d have remembered meeting Di-, I mean, the Mand’alor.”

He could hear the guard’s hackles rise. Din hadn’t been lying then, the guard had a thing for his king and wasn’t going to appreciate Luke taking his attention. They could definitely use this to their advantage.

This was fun. This was going to get him in a lot of trouble.

Now, to plant some more seeds of doubt.

“Besides, when could I have met him? As far as I’m aware, the only time he’s been near the Temple was for Life Day, and we all remember how I was terribly, terribly unwell for those days. In fact, I barely got out of bed, I was so worn out, barely any energy left.”

He could feel the anger pulsing through the Force from both men. Good. Let them think what they wanted. If it meant his freedom he’d do whatever it took.

Axe had come to his rooms to report back to him. He’d been out of sorts, harried, almost vibrating in impatience.

Din almost questioned if Luke had said anything to make him so on edge.

He wished the other man would stop with his infatuation. He wanted his friend back, not whatever this was. He missed the early days when they had been just that, when they had laughed and joked and fought together. Before he had won the throne and Axe’s feelings towards him had changed.

“Axe, you’re back already. Are the Jetiise in their rooms?

“They are, Your Majesty. The older two in one, the younger two in the other.”

Interesting that he had only mentioned four. Perhaps it was his way of testing the waters, seeing if he’d bring up Luke. It was his lucky day in that case. Din needed to know how they were going to be able to meet up tonight.

Axe had removed his helmet when he entered the room. Once, not too long ago, he had only shared easy grins with Din, always had a smile in his eyes and a joke at his expense. He had been the friend Din had needed while looking for his scattered Tribe.

But now he was scowling, his brow heavy with his dissatisfaction.

When had his friend changed so much? He hadn’t recognised when the shift had started, only when it was too late.

“And the final one, the pretty one with blue eyes?”

“He took the smaller, single room, sir.”

“Well, isn’t that just marvellous.”

Apparently that was the wrong thing to say, as Axe looked angrier than before. Why couldn’t he tell that Din didn’t want him like that? Why did he insist on this pointless jealousy held against a stranger?

He’d moved closer. So close that it almost mocked the way Luke had fallen into him earlier. How he had touched his skin, so light, so poignant.

Din knew Axe would never touch him though, the casual brushes and taps of friendship were gone now that he’d set his mind on something else. But for a moment, he wondered, what would his friend do if he did reach out to him, and they made contact like they’d done before all this had started. Would he see it as an invite for something more? Or would he recognise it as a request to never be more than friends, to return to the way things had been? He didn’t know anymore.

“Mand’alor, please, what’s going on between you and him? One of the older Jedi was questioning him about you, but he said you’d never met. But he almost slipped your name, and you knew his without asking. So, what’s the truth?”

“There is no truth to tell, my friend.”

“But he knows your name, he almost said it in front of outsiders!”

Ah, he hadn’t expected Luke to use that card so early, though it definitely did have the desired effect in catching the right amount of attention.

“However could he know that? I do not give it out so easily.”

“I know, I knew you years before you told me.”

Was that a hint of bitterness there? It seemed so. Had it always existed when they talked of the past?

“I didn’t know you wanted it. You never asked, dearest Axe, and you’ve never used it, even though I told you long ago.”

“Would it matter if it did?”

He had a choice now, if he said yes his friend would see it as an invite of intimacy. But if he said no, he would lose the chance to get his friend back. He went for a third option, one where Axe could interpret what he wanted from it.

“Perhaps.”

Chapter Text

Hey! Mando-man, I managed to get the solo room. Now what?

That was a good question, he was going to be busy for the rest of the day, but he could probably sneak in and see the Jetii tonight. Then they could discuss this plan properly without mind-speak.

It’s using the Force to communicate, not mind-speak.

It was in his mind, it was speaking. Therefore, mind-speak.

Whatever. How are you going to get into this room? Your guard dog and my karking jailers will be listening.

If they were going to listen, they should have something to hear.

Are you seriously suggesting we have sex to distract them?

Well, no, he wasn’t, he was only going to suggest they make suggestive noises to embarrass anyone with an ear to the wall. But if the Jetii was willing, he wouldn’t deny it was an appealing offer.

Force, keep it in your pants. We’ll fake it.

It was worth a try, but not actually sleeping together would probably mean they got more discussing done. Though he wouldn’t mind the pretty Jetii underneath him.

Excuse you me, I think you’d be the one underneath. That waist of yours is just asking to be bent over a desk. Anyway, I have to go, the Masters are probably going to brief us on the kidnapping plan soon.

Ah yes, the real reason they were here. He’d forgotten due to all the fun they were having.

“Dadadadadadada”

Oh what a sweet baby he had! The way he ran to him after a long day of one of them being bored by nannies and the other being bored by meetings and doing his kingly duties! His little uppy arms! Of course Din could not ignore such demands, not when his sweet boy was asking so nicely.

“Hello! My ad’ika, my little love, my Frogu-Grogu. Did you miss me as much as I missed you?”

“Badododododooo pfffft”

“You did! That makes me so happy!”

Why wasn’t Axe leaving? Paz had already disappeared to find food. Why couldn’t he have a moment’s peace with his son?

“Axe, I need you to leave, I wish to spend time with my son.”

“Mand’alor, with Jedi in the palace, is it safe-”

“If you care to remember, I defended my son on my own quite well before we came to Mandalore. I wish to let my Clan see me; and I cannot do so while you’re hovering.”

Why did he have to be so harsh? Why did Axe refuse to listen? He bet the Jetii would understand his boundaries.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

“Less of the Your Majesty-ing. You’re my friend, Axe. Go get dinner. We’ll be fine.”

They were finally alone; he could finally see his son without the helmet. He wished he didn’t have to spend time away from Grogu, but when he’d won this stupid sword and stupid throne he’d been pushed into duties that took him away from his son.

He wasn’t happy about it, but if he wasn’t there, nothing got done. It was extremely frustrating.

“What are we going to do about your Uncle Axe, eh pal? What will we do? And now we have Jetiise, and they’re trying to get to you. But I won’t let them, my son, my life, I won’t let them. I will fight for you, I always will. Because you are my son, and I love you. You’re so special kid, and I’ll protect you. I promise.”

Grogu was tapping his face, seemingly aware of the men who’d come to try and take him away.

He loved his child with all he had, would bring planets to ruin if it meant he could keep him safe.

Compared to what he could do, he thought that helping one space wizard escape his cult was a fair deal.

“I won’t let them take you, I won’t, no I won’t. And I have a secret too, do you want to hear it?”

“Badoodadada!”

Of course his son wanted to know, such an inquisitive child! So happy to explore. He’d have to check with the nannies that there were enough activities to keep him busy. Maybe he could start blaster lessons with him when all this was over? He’d look so adorable with a tiny blaster in his tiny, chubby green hands. But he had to tell his baby the news of their new friend!

“Grogu, you have to keep this between us.”

“Badoo?”

“We have an ally among the Jetiise, one of them wants out. They won’t let him go easily, but we can keep both of you safe, especially if it means they’ll leave you alone.”

Grogu giggled at that, his ears shaking as he rubbed his face into his father’s cheek.

“Exactly, my ad’ika, we’ll trick them all. And you’ll be here and safe with me forever.”

“The Mand’alor does not seem the type to leave his youngling unguarded.”

“That it seems, Knight Nol, that it seems. We must tread carefully to get access to it.”

“Master Kenobi, what if we get caught?”

“We simply won’t, Knight Joor, you must trust in the Force.”

Wow, just going to walk straight up and grab the child of one of the galaxy’s most feared rulers. Real smart plan there, Obi-wobi. Probably just thought some handwaving and pointed words would deal with it. It was his usual approach to diplomacy.

The only saving grace to being stuck in this room with the Masters of Boredom, and Whatever and Whoever, was that someone had brought up some snacks. They were spicy, just how he liked them. He bet the other Jedi would be sweating all night from food that wasn’t bland and beige – the Temple’s usual fare; good Jedi don’t get attached to karking food.

The chairs were comfy too, and his bed nice and springy, with just enough bounce to aid and not hinder any night-time activities that might take place.

“It would be a lot easier if we knew anything about them. Luke, surely you know something.”

“Master Skywalker, I will not remind you again to refer to me by my appropriate rank. I do not appreciate being talked to so familiarly, especially not in front of my esteemed colleagues.”

“What Master Skywalker meant, Knight Skywalker, is that any information about the Mand’alor or his child would be very helpful to rescuing the youngling.

Rescuing? Of course they considered kidnapping children to be a rescue. They’d never change.

They’d seen what damage it could do to a child, and they still thought they were right.

They’d seen what it had done to him, and still didn’t understand how it had hurt.

They’ve supposedly gone to bed. They were plotting when I left them though, so be careful.

He’d just got the kid to sleep, the little womp rat had wanted three stories tonight. Would it be safe to leave him under guard?

Well that’s kriffing adorable. For tonight, yes. They won’t risk anything tonight. But don’t be surprised if our ship “breaks” tomorrow. They’ve used that line before.

Maybe he could send Koska out to break it just a little more, she was very handy with a wrench and instructions to do chaos, one of his best, in fact?

If we need to buy more time, that could work. But for now it’s not necessary. Are you coming here? Or should I sneak out?

Forward, he liked that in a man. That, and when they begged him for release.

Force, don’t forget this karking affair is supposed to be fake. Also, for the record: I would not be the one begging if you were in my bed.

He could appreciate the goods even if he couldn’t buy them, thank you very much. If Luke had a problem with his thoughts, he could easily stop hearing them.

Fine. But answer the karking question please?

He’ll go to the Jetii’s rooms. That way he can ensure there’s a guard present to hear the suspicious noises they make.

Smart. How long until you get here? If anyone else knocks I want it to look like I’ve been waiting for you, get undressed, look seductive, that sort of thing.

It would take him maybe twenty minutes to leave Grogu’s room, return to his own, and then give his guards the slip.

Great, I’ll see you then Mando-man.

It was almost a little worrying how easily he could get around his guards, though he was willing to overlook it and consider it just the fact he knew them all so well.

But then again, Paz had been his right-hand chaos brother growing up, and they were so in sync that even if he did notice Din was gone, he’d know where he was straight away. They’d been covering each other’s backs for illicit meetings since they took the Creed.

The other guards he hadn’t known as long, but he’d had time to study them and their routines. He wasn’t and wouldn’t be in any danger of getting caught.

His biggest issue was going to be getting onto the corridor where Luke was staying.

If he had any knowledge of his friend’s habits, he’d expect Axe to have roped in Koska to stand guard with him. He was such a good friend when he wasn’t busy trying to get Din’s attention. He knew exactly where Din would want him to be, could predict his patterns like any of his brothers in the Tribe could.

But he could solve that problem when all this was over with.

He’d made it to the corridor with time to spare. He hoped the Jetii was ready. They’d only have a limited time once he was in the room.

Koska and Axe weren’t visible from where he was, but he knew where they’d be hiding.

She’d be around a column, would move in the shadows down the row of doors at the same time he did, silent, deadly. She would get on excellently with Fennec. He should introduce them next time he wanted to irritate Bo-Katan. Axe would be above, watching the corridor from a central point, on the hidden ledge designed for that exact purpose.

Both would have eyes on Luke’s door. Both would see him enter. And both would see him leave.

Perfect.

It was time to put their foolish plan into action.

She couldn’t believe it. He was actually here. She had thought Axe was being his usual overdramatic self when it came to questioning the Mand’alor’s affections, but here he was. Creeping down the corridor towards the Jedi’s room. How did he know which one it was? Had he and the Jedi planned this? How? She couldn’t see Axe from where she was, but she knew he’d be watching their King’s goings on with a scowl.

What was he doing though? Was it true he and the Jedi knew each other? How? The only time he had been out of their sights was when they’d been dragged to the Inner Rim for some stupid Life Day event.

Wait. He’d run off alone then.

Was there a chance he’d met the Jedi there? Had they started an affair instead of attending their duties? She didn’t know for certain, but it seemed likely. But it also seemed impossible. She needed to talk to Bo, see what she remembered of the event.

How could he? How could he have lied to him. The Mand’alor had told him to his face that he didn’t know the Jedi, and yet he could see him right there. Knocking on the Jedi’s door. Waiting outside the Jedi’s door. Calling on him in the night like a secret lover.

He was angry. How dare the Jedi play with His King.

The knock had obviously been anticipated. The door swiftly opened, and an arm came out to grab His King. A bare arm, leading into a flash of a bare chest.

The door shut once the Mand’alor was inside. And Axe seethed.

“Well, that went well.”

“Surprisingly so. Now, we don’t have long. What’s the plan?”

“They’re going to break the ship in order to stay. They’re going to force their way into the nursery if you can’t be ‘persuaded’ using the Force.”

“Does that usually work for them?”

“It does. Now, on the bed, I want you to ravish me darling.”

“I would, but you told me not to.”

“Oh be quiet, you know what I mean.”

“Fine, now moan when I say…. Now!”

He picked the smaller man up and they hit the bed with a thud. Luke let out a very convincing moan.

“If you like that we can always try again?”

“Maybe if you save me we can.”

“I like those odds.”

“Tell me how you’ll get me out, Mand’alor. Tell me how you’ll save me -aaaaaaaaaah!”

The Jedi continued making filthy noises as he whispered into his ear, occasionally punctuating with a grunt.

As the moans died down into pants, Luke looked him dead in the visor.

“And you’re sure it will work?”

“I sure hope it does.”

Sneaking out was as easy as sneaking in had been, but this time he could feel the eyes watching him.

They’d also overheard exactly what they’d been intended to overhear. It had been a convincing performance. He could keep the memory of the Jetii’s noises to keep him company during lonely nights.

He knew Koska would be confused, slightly angry with him, but ultimately curious.

Axe on the other hand, would be seething. He’d lied to his face and that was going to drive him mad.

He wished he could apologise to his friend, but a small part of him hoped this ruse would be what got Axe to stop pursuing him.

If only he could do it without risking their friendship.

Chapter Text

“It seems, Mand’alor, that last night’s storm damaged our ship.”

“What a shame. What shall I do with you now?”

Why should he care, more like? Load of karking child snatchers.

“I’m afraid, Your Majesty, that without an appropriate transport, we cannot leave.”

“Oh, you can. One of my ships will take you. They can tow yours behind. A gesture of kindness if you will.”

“Unfortunately, our ship is not capable of being towed through hyperspace.”

“Well, that is a conundrum then, Master Jetii. What do you expect me to do?”

“We can repair the ship in a matter of days, Mand’alor, and then we shall be on our way.”

“And I’ll never see you again, am I correct.”

“Exactly. You’ll never see any of us again.”

“That’s what I like to hear.”

Did the Jetii think he was stupid? ‘Never see them again’, implying his son would be part of that group. He wished the Jetiise didn’t have such a strong grip on the Republic, because if it weren’t for the unbearable weight of politics it would bring, he’d imprison this fool in a heartbeat.

Scarry was glowering at him, what a pity. He would such have a lovely face if he’d just smile more. He was the one who’d eavesdropped on him and Luke yesterday, and if the glare were anything to go by, had been listening to them last night.

Good. All as it should be.

When he’d left the bounty hunter life behind, he’d been worried about being bored. Sure the kingly pay was better, but he hadn’t been excited for the amount of sitting he’d have to do. For the most part he’d been right, he was often bored to tears; but the sweet moments of carefully constructed chaos like this one he could create were almost as good as the thrill of the chase.

He’d allow these Outsiders to stay a few more days. That would give him enough time to make sure Grogu was truly safe, and also that he could help Luke escape. Especially if the Jetii was willing to reconsider the fake part of their fake intimacy plan.

That reminded him.

“Before you leave, Jetiise, perhaps, as a sign of friendship between our people, your younger members would enjoy a practice spar with some of our own warriors?”

He could hear the armour creaks as several of his people looked to him in shock. Fools. Did they not see how beneficial it would be to see how the vast majority of their enemies fought? There were few of Master rank compared to those of the lower levels, and so by watching, they could learn and be prepared if anything ever came to be.

He wasn’t surprised they got nothing done without him if this was how they reacted to such a rare and excellent opportunity.

The Mand’alor wanted them to spar with the Jedi. What by the Manda was he doing? Had he gone completely mad? Had the Jedi bewitched him?

He’d been unable to relax all morning. Pent up energy ran through him as the noises from last night echoed in his head.

The Jedi had moaned like some common whore. Had probably wriggled like one too. He didn’t deserve to have the Mand’alor’s attention. He didn’t deserve to feel the Mand’alor against him. Touching him. Fucking him.

He didn’t understand what an honour it was for such a good man to approach him, what an honour it was to be the sole focus of the man who ruled them.

He’d once been the one the Mand’alor had turned to, before he had become His King. Once upon a time he had thought that he’d be the one given the honour of his attention and affections.

When he’d become their King, Axe had understood that their relationship would have to change, that they couldn’t be as close as they’d once been. But he had hoped that the change between them would have proved to the Mand’alor that his affections and dedication were true. That he was His King’s, and His King’s alone.

The Jedi didn’t deserve to have what Axe so desperately wanted.

The Masters would surely refuse the sparring sessions, it would be foolish of them to allow an enemy to see and analyse their abilities.

As usual though, arrogance over their supposed superiority was the undoing of his Masters.

“That sounds like an excellent idea, Mand’alor. I’m sure Knights Nol and Joor would very much enjoy such an experience.”

Of course he was being left out. Force forbid he be allowed to do anything fun or not strictly well-behaved-perfect-Jedi diet approved. Which meant he was going to have to do something else all day, accompanied by Buttheads One and Two. He almost wished the Mandalorians had just thrown them all in jail.

“And you are welcome to join me on a walk around the city gardens. I’m sure they will be… enlightening.”

That growl was very nice. If he managed to escape he was very tempted to see if he could reproduce it. Preferably in a room with a bed, many hours to spare, and a willing Mand’alor.

But for now, he’d be forced to walk around some karking gardens with two old men and a bunch of tin cans whose leader thought he’d be on top if they ever actually made it to a bed. Karking wonderful.

“My guards – Koska, Aljick, Sreen – will accompany your knights to the sparring ring. We shall proceed to the gardens.”

He stood, and the assorted Mandalorians in the room bowed to him. Sometimes he missed the days where no one turned a blind eye towards him beyond assessing the worth of his armour. But then again he couldn’t deny the rush of bringing many powerful warriors into line, all for him.

As he walked down the steps from the throne to the Jetiise, he heard his guard form behind him. It seems both Paz and Axe were in agreement that he’d need babysitting today. It was almost sweet, even if it was entirely unnecessary. The Jetiise would not risk an argument. Not before they discovered where his child was.

Not that they would get that chance.

You’re really going to make us walk around some karking landscaping. Why can’t we go fight too? If you let me use my lightsaber now, I’ll let you use yours on me later.

Did no one else understand strategy? He wanted to observe the younger Jetiise, and also see what the older ones would let slip under the guise of boring diplomacy. And keep them out of his palace, of course. Also, need he remind a certain Jetii that bedroom activities had been removed from the menu by said Jetii himself.

So your whole plan here is that all Jedi are either show-offs or loudmouths. Karking brilliant.

Now Luke was understanding. And last night had proved his point that yes, all Jetiise were one or the other. In some cases, both. The nasty look Axe had had this morning was proof of which Luke came under.

Lover-boy definitely heard then?

Oh yes, and now he was going to watch the visitors like a shriek hawk. Which was exactly what Din had hoped for, even though he regretted hurting his friend.

You’re better at this scheming than I thought.

He used to hunt bounties, used to plot, plan and scheme how to catch them. Now all he could plot was when to send Bo-Katan annoying holo-messages. This was the most fun he’d had in a long while.

Glad to hear we’re amusing you, Your Majesty.

They were. He was wondering how much longer their group could go with no one talking. Scarry didn’t look like he was dealing well with the silence, even if Beard-o weird-o was acting like everything was fine.

If I know them, and I do, “Scarry” is about to lose his cool in 3…2…1..

“Where is this child of yours then? I don’t see any children out and about. Strange for a culture so focused on family to lock them all away.”

“What Master Skywalker means, Your Majesty, is that it’s surprising how quiet the city is.”

“Perhaps things run differently at your little Temple, but here on Mandalore, we are civilised people, and we send our children to school.”

Ooooh point to the Mand’alor. He hadn’t seen the Masters looked so put out in ages. Nothing irritated them more than any implication the Order wasn’t perfect.

He’d not managed to get more than a huff from them in years, so well done to Din.

They gardens were indeed beautiful, even if the whole point of them being here was to stop the Masters having access to the palace for the moment. He paused to smell some of the pretty wildflowers next to the path, causing the whole group to have to stop.

It turned out; this was an excellent opportunity for the Mand’alor to stir up more trouble.

“Do you like them?”

“They’re rather gorgeous, yes, and the scent is exquisite.”

“Then you shall have one. As a gift.”

The king produced a vibroknife from somewhere, cut one of the flowers off along the stem, and then pushed it to sit in Luke’s hair. The Mand’alor’s glove even lingered against his cheekbone in a soft caress.

“There, a Vormur bloom. It is as lovely as you.”

He moved away back to his place at the head of the group, continuing down the path at a leisurely pace.

It would have all been rather romantic if not for the audience, of which the majority looked furious.

The massive blue Mandalorian was shaking with what looked like laughter though, as if he were well aware of the Mand’alor’s troublemaking tendencies.

And if Luke felt a little flutter of excitement?

That’s because his ally was clearly having too much fun to betray him.

Obviously.

“I suppose you think your little stunt with the Vormur bloom was funny?”

He did actually. He bet Paz had thought it hilarious.

“I don’t know what you mean, Bo-Katan, you’re always telling me to be nicer to foreign diplomats.”

“Nicer, not flirt with a Jedi monk.”

“Who said it was flirting?”

He wondered if she knew that her eye twitched when she was annoyed? This was why wearing the helmet devoutly was superior.

“Literally everyone in the vicinity with functioning eyes. Seriously, don’t mess with the Jedi, they’re only here to cause problems. The sooner they leave, the better.”

“I’m well aware of the urgency to remove our guests. I don’t see why politeness with them is so wrong.”

Twitch.

“Again, that was not politeness, that was an overture. You’d have had him right there in the gardens if it weren’t for the audience. And Koska told me about your little late-night hook-up last night.”

“Now who’s not being very diplomatic, Lady Kryze? To imply that I would do such a thing. Impossible.”

Twitch.

“I can’t see why you have to cause trouble. Find a nice Mandalorian to settle down with. Marry. Stop being such a karking pain in my ass.”

Ooh he’d made her swear, she was truly wound up now. He loved it when she got like this, all feisty, as if she had any control over him. She knew as well as he did she’d lost any power she’d had when he’d won the Darksaber. Her attempts at reigning him in were just that, attempts.

“Then who would you suggest I marry? Yourself? I’m afraid you’re missing a few vital parts for that.”

One more twitch, and now, the lecture he’d been waiting for.

“You know full well who I’d suggest. The man’s been gone on you for years, and all you’ve done is ignore him. You’ve known each other long enough that it would be a natural progression. Grogu already adores him. Maybe if you actually gave him a chance you could-”

“No.”

“You won’t even consider it? Seriously? After everything you’ve been through together?”

“I won’t. He is my brother-in-arms. My dearest friend. I will hear no more of this, Bo-Katan. And I mean it. I will not change my mind. I know how I feel on the matter, and it’s about time everyone else took note of it.”

“Fine. But he won’t give up. He truly lov-”

“Lady Kryze. Enough.”

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

Seeing her grovel was normally satisfying, but now it was just becoming exhausting.

He was really missing the Jetii, at least he was fun. And he had a great ass.

Chapter Text

“Did you see anything, Anakin? Any sign of the youngling?”

“I did not Master. Either there is no child here, or they are hiding it extremely well. We’ve looked in every room this side of the compound and there’s nothing.”

“The Mand’alor does not seem like the sort of man who would leave his child locked up. I suspect the youngling ran free while we were in the garden. We shall search for the youngling again later.”

“And how do we do that Master? There are guards everywhere. It’s not like we can just roam the palace at all hours.”

“We’ll find a way, my dear Anakin, we always do.”

“The sooner we find the youngling and leave, the better. I don’t like this place. And I don’t like how the Mand’alor is acting with Luke.”

“Luke will be fine, I’m sure. He has never strayed from the Code. He is a strong Jedi, and will not fall for the temptation of attachment. You know as well as I do how well he holds himself away from the weakness of emotion. He is an example to us all.”

“I know that, Master! It’s just that that… man… touched his face, told him he was lovely. I’m sure I heard him go to Luke’s room last night! How dare he! Luke is innocent in all this! He shouldn’t be preyed after by some warmongering metal man!”

“Luke will remain True, don’t worry. And be careful with what you say, the Mandalorians do not appreciate insults against their king. I very much doubt there were any untoward visits in the night.”

“Apologies, Master, I just worry for Luke.”

“You need not worry. He is loyal to the Force and the Order, and to those alone.”

So, my room, tonight?

Well, little Jetii, that was very forward wasn’t it? Was he changing his mind?

I’ll karking kill you before I even get a chance to escape.

It seemed his entire day would consist of short feisty people being angry with him. At least this one was nicer to look at than Bo-Katan.

You got told off? Whoever did that has some balls.

Unfortunately, Bo-Katan did not, otherwise he would have definitely shot them by now.

What did she say?

She once again made an effort to get him and Axe together. As if his own opinion on the matter was worthless.

She’s on Team Lover-boy?

They’ve been friends a long time. She means well, but she is unfortunately putting her efforts in the wrong place. Now, if she wanted to help him win a certain space wizard into his bed…

I told you. I’ll consider it if you help me escape the Order. Now, tell me, my place or yours tonight?

He could run the risk of confrontation if he went back to Luke’s room, or he could find a way to smuggle him into the Royal Apartments. The latter sounded much more fun if he were honest.

And how exactly would you smuggle me in? If you mention anything sexual I will stamp on your cock.

He’d find a way. If he hasn’t come to the Jetii before nightfall, then he would go to the guest room again.

Fine. I have to go; the Masters are coming to see what I’ve managed to find, and I think I might be about to get a scolding of my own.

Good luck to him.

“Knight Skywalker, there you are. We thought we’d lost you.”

“No such chance, Master Kenobi, I was simply enjoying the artwork.”

The artwork of escaping the Order that is. He had no idea what these squares were meant to represent. He’d have to ask Din, see if he knew.

Though knowing what he understood of the Mand’alor, he’d probably spin some wild tale about some obscure part Mandalorian history, when in reality it was just some basic wall decoration that had been popular three-hundred years ago.

“We need your help, Knight Skywalker. Master Skywalker and I have had no luck searching for the youngling. We’d like for you to join us in reaching out with the Force, three is better than two, after all.”

“Of course, Masters. I’d be delighted to help.”

One day, all of his lying was going to catch up to him, and he was going to end up a crumpled pile of skin and bones as the weight of his untruths came down onto him.

“Excellent. We shall return to the guest rooms, and we will renew our efforts. Come along.”

As they returned to the rooms, Luke questioned how badly it would hurt if he just jumped through a window and then tried to make his escape on foot.

In the end it didn’t matter though. Din had promised him help, promised he’d help him escape and be out of the Order’s clutches forever.

He just had to hold on for however long it took.

NO THANK YOU GO AWAY PLEASE

It’s ok. I’m just checking you’re safe.

YES. SAFE. BYE NOW

Just one thing, little one. They are looking, shield yourself. Don’t stop. Don’t let them find you.

WON’T STOP. STAY WITH DAD. BYE NOW

Ok, bye now, little one.

“I sense no presence, Masters. I’m starting to fear that the Grand Master did not sense a youngling here at all.”

“We have confirmation that a Force Sensitive child is on this planet. We must keep looking. The Grand Master is not wrong.”

“Maybe whoever told the Grand Master was incorrect?”

“It was Master Windu who brought forward the news after the Force led him to look towards Mandalore. He is as trustworthy as they come. We will continue our search.”

“Of course, Master Kenobi.”

Stay hidden. Don’t let them find you. Stay safe, little one. Stay safe. I won’t let them take you. You won’t be stolen too. I promise that you’ll be safe, little one. I won’t let them do to you what they did to me.

I promise.

Their search had provided them with nothing. There was no sign of a child on Mandalore. Wherever the youngling was, if they even existed, something was stopping them from finding them.

Thank the Force for that.

The Masters were going to try another area of the palace and see if they could hear any rumours of where the child would be. He would stay here and do the same.

“Luke!”

Ugh, what now? Why did this guy think that Luke wanted anything to do with him? Just kriff off back to the sarlacc pit you crawled out of, you nerfherding asshole of a kark.

“Luke, I must talk to you.”

“Master Skywalker, you’ll have to make it quick. We are soon required to attend dinner with the Mand’alor, and you have not finished your search.”

“The Mand’alor this, the Mand’alor that! Who is he? How do you know him?”

“I do not know him. I believe we had this conversation yesterday, Master.”

“I don’t believe you. I heard you last night. You and him.”

“I think you may need to visit Medical when we return to the Temple, you-”

“DO NOT DEFLECT THIS! I heard you together. I heard you moaning. You think you can hide whatever it is you’re doing? You let this man into your bed, you let him touch you, you let-”

“Master, you are making some very dangerous accusations against me. I am a Jedi, and I do not allow for myself to be distracted by the will of that which is not the Force. Unlike some, Master Skywalker, I am not so easily pulled away from the Code by a pretty face or a warm body.”

That would really make him angry. He hated anything that mocked the way he’d felt about Senator Amidala. He hated being reminded of how he’d tried to leave the Order, and how the Force had ripped it from it. Luke often couldn’t believe how Anakin had crawled back to the Order’s clutches, how he could have come back to it after tasting love and freedom. He was weak. Unable to appreciate that he had been given a way out. Pathetic. And now he had doomed Luke to the same fate. Disgusting.

“How DARE YOU BRING HER UP-”

“Please, Master, calm yourself. We are in public. I think you should meditate away any… untoward emotions you may have held for the Senator. She is now one for the Force, and you should not mourn, you must find Peace from Emotion, there is no Death, there is only the Force.”

Not that he deserved any peace. Bastard.

He hoped the Senator was enjoying the afterlife without Anakin. He hoped she didn’t hate him for what the Order had made her son into. She hadn’t wanted this.

He hadn’t wanted this.

“Mand’alor.”

Great. Kriffing great. Another person to bother him. Could they not see he was busy not caring about their problems? He was much more concerned with his plots and games.

“What is it, Axe?”

“Please, may we talk?”

Wonderful, talking. Probably about something he could literally care less about. Why couldn’t he find a moment’s peace?

“If you’re here to talk about the Jetii-”

“Kark the Jedi! I’m sick of talking about the Jedi. Jedi this, Jedi that! What makes him so special?”

“You forget yourself Axe.”

“No! You’re the one forgetting yourself! You never used to be like this! You never used to let a pretty face turn your head. You used to ignore all that. You never cared about any of it!”

“What’s your point here?”

“My point is that you’ve changed. What happened? We used to be friends! We used to spend time together, used to do everything together. When we met you weren’t like this! When we hunted Imps, searched for our people and for your Tribe; you weren’t like this! You never used to push me away.”

“I did not push you away! You pushed yourself.”

“Yes you did! The moment you became the Mand’alor it started. You were more distant from me, you avoided me, ignored me!”

Wow, as if becoming the king of an entire kriffing planet had been a walk in the park.

For the record, it hadn’t been. It had been absolutely karking awful.

“Because my becoming Mand’alor affected you the most, naturally.”

“Don’t you dare act all high and mighty like I’m the one at fault. This is all on you!”

“What do you want from me, Axe, that I am able to give you? Tell me, here and now, what you want from me.”

“You know what I want!”

“I’m afraid I do not.”

If Axe didn’t finish this conversation soon, he didn’t know what he’d do. He was fed up with dancing around this issue when the song had finished, and the band gone home. He wanted his friend back, not whatever this was that he had become.

“Yes you do! I know you do. Mand’alor, please, you have to know how I feel about you.”

“You won’t even use my name, and yet you assume I know what is inside your head.”

“Inside my heart! And unlike some Jedi upstarts, I know the value of your name!”

“You’re truly jealous that someone else supposedly knew it?”

“NO! I’m angry that you would just ignore everything we’ve been through.”

“Everything we’ve been through as friends, comrades, brothers in arms? I do not ignore those. I value them dearly in my heart and my head!”

He truly did, when he had been separated from his Tribe, trying to find his people, supposedly a king when all he wanted was to be a father, Axe had been one of his greatest allies. He truly did consider him one of his closest and truest friends.

“No, not just that! Din, please, listen to me… I love you.”

It was strange, how the words that had never been said between them could fall so heavily to the floor in desperation.

He was glad to cover his face now, as he didn’t think he could appropriately react in any way that could make this anything better than it already was. And it wasn’t good right now.

His friend, his dearest Axe, he wanted what he could not give. His handsome face was anguished, like the whole conversation had been physically difficult for him.

“Axe-”

“Is that what you wanted me to say, Din? Is it? That I’ve been in love with you since the moment you shot that karking Imp that was gunning for me? Do you want me to tell you, Din, how I do everything to make you happy? How I ignored my feelings because you were too busy trying to be a father and a leader and a man who just needed to rest? Do you want to hear about how I feel lust for your body, the way it makes me feel when I see you fight, when I see you be a father to your son? How at night when I’m alone, Din, I imagine you’re there with me, holding me, loving me? Is that what you want to hear?”

“Axe, please, stop-”

“No! I’m sick of being told to stop! What do I have to do to make you want me? Do I have to get on my knees and beg? Do I have to fight off all other contenders in the traditional way? Do I have to make grand gestures? Or tell you how I’d devote every part of my life to you? How I’d die for you? How I’d do anything if it meant that at the end of the day you’d love me back?”

He was full on screaming now at him now. He looked half-crazed as he shouted at Din. Din had to get control of the situation again, couldn’t let his friend torture himself like this. But the other man wasn’t going to listen. So he did the only thing he could think of.

He grabbed his friend and pulled him close. Lowered him to the ground. Held him to his chest as he cried.

“I’m so sorry, my dearest Axe, my dear friend, I’m so sorry. I don’t feel the same, and I won’t lead you on and tell you I might. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Why? Why don’t you love me back? Why am I not enough?”

“You are enough. You’re brave, loyal, smart, handsome. Anyone would be lucky to have you.”

“But I don’t want anyone, I want you, I love you!”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I thought if I didn’t encourage you it would all go back to how it used to be.”

“I don’t want it to go back. I want you to love me.”

“I know, I know. But Axe… I don’t, I don’t love you the way you want me to. And I won’t force that between us.”

“Please. Don’t do this.”

“I can’t. Axe; my friend, my comrade, my brother. I don’t love you, I can’t. Not the way you want me to, you mean so much to me, but I don’t love you like that.”

There, on the floor of his office, he held as his dearest friend as the despair poured out around them.

Chapter Text

He wasn’t sure how long they were there, collapsed on the floor of his office. Din held on to his friend tightly; he wasn’t going to let him go when he needed him. He wasn’t going to push him away just because he couldn’t love him back. Axe was still his closest friend.

He hoped with everything he had that this wouldn’t be the end of their friendship.

But time moves onwards, and Din was on a schedule.

“Axe, you have to just listen a moment, please. It’s important.”

His friend was devastated, Din knew he was, and he knew this was the wrong time to say what he was about to. But this was too important to just let it slip away, Axe had to know.

“It’s about the Jetii, I’m sorry, but you have to understand.”

“Why him? Why him? Why not me?”

“Axe, dearest Axe, it wasn’t real.”

“What wasn’t?”

“What you heard, last night, it was fake.”

“What?”

“The Jetii, Luke, he’s helping me.”

“With what?”

“With saving Grogu. Stopping the Jetiise from taking him.”

“Why? Why would he do that?”

“I promised him something in return.”

“Your heart? Your bed? What did you promise?”

He stroked his friend’s hair, trying to calm him down. He couldn’t deal with panic right now, not when Grogu’s life was on the line.

“Neither, I promised him neither. Though I will tell you now, my dear friend, if he invites me into his bed; I will go. I don’t say this to hurt you, I just need you to understand.”

“What does he have? To make you so loyal to him? You don’t know each other, you said you met yesterday.”

“I can’t tell you, just trust that I know what I’m doing.”

“But you want to be with him?”

“I don’t know. We barely know each other. I won’t speculate anything more, I won’t do that to you, I will not hurt you more. But dearest Axe, you must let go of what won’t be.”

“But I love you so much, Din. I love you.”

“I know, I’m so sorry.”

He held his friend tighter for just a moment more. He was sorry it had come to this. But he had a duty to fulfil, and a promise to keep, and so he let him go.

“I have to go now. I have to save my son.”

Din? Am I coming to yours tonight? I’ll wear my nicest robes?

He’d be back at his apartment soon. He’d send someone to pick Luke up.

Don’t get undressed until I get there, sweetie.

He was too tired for this. Just hurry.

Luke had been snuck from his room to the Royal Apartments by the giant Mandalorian, who’d introduced himself as Paz Vizsla with a flourish and a bow. Apparently Paz was a spiritual brother to Din, if the sheer enjoyment he got from chaos was any indication.

“Little Jetii, you will have to make sure you don’t make too much noise. We wouldn’t want you to wake the whole corridor like you did last night.”

He wondered if he should say something, but Paz was clearly enjoying himself, so he stayed quiet.

“Here we are, one pretty boy delivered fresh for the Mand’alor!”

“Paz, thanks. You can go. Please.”

That wasn’t the greeting he’d been expecting. The Mand’alor seemed tired, like the armour he wore had multiplied in weight and it was crushing him.

As the giant man left them, Din collapsed onto the sofa he’d been stood next to. He wasn’t ok then, something had happened.

“What is it? Did something happen? Is the child safe? Are you still going to help me?”

“Hmmm. Yes. Everything is fine. We’ll discuss the next steps… in a moment.”

“What’s wrong with you? Not feeling very randy tonight after all?”

“Luke, just stop. Please. For a moment.”

“You’re worrying me now. What happened this afternoon, did you scratch your armour, bump your helmet?”

“I just had the worst conversation of my life, and had to leave one of my closest friends a sobbing mess on the floor! That’s what happened!  

“… Lover-boy confessed?”

“Don’t call him that.”

“Oh, so now we’re being delicate with people’s emotions.”

“Just shut up. Please, just shut up.”

“Excuse me, I came here because you said you could help me, not so you could sulk about your failed love life.”

“I’m not joking! Stop it! You don’t understand! If it weren’t for you I could pretend we were still friends! But because of this whole situation, I’ve probably lost my best friend for good!”

“You’re going to blame this on me? That’s ballsy.”

“If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t be in this mess!”

“Not now maybe, but some day, yeah you karking would!”

“You’re shit at being nice, do you know that?”

“Blame the Order, they taught me to be as karkingly bland as I could be, mixed with making sure I always get my way!”

“Why do you hate them so much? Why do you want to run away? You never even told me! Just told me you wanted to leave. Wanted to travel. Why?”

“I guess we’re done with talking about your relationship problems then. Fine, fine! No more jokes, I can feel the glare through the bucket. I’ll tell you. It’s a long story, but I’ll tell it. But not here. If I’m going to tell my story to a king I’m going to do it in his almost definitely comfortable bed. C’mon. Get up.”

He pushed Din towards the bedroom; where they could close the door and he didn’t have to fear that They’d come and take him away again.

“Master Skywalker, the one with the scar?”

“What about him?”

“He’s my father.”

“What? I didn’t think Jetiise had fathers?”

“Normally they don’t, but here I am, a Jedi; like my father before me.”

“How?”

“It’s not a happy story.”

He ran across the sand dunes like he was being chased by the Sand People for his Water.

“Uncl’Owen! Uncl’Owen”

“Luke! What are you doing out here?”

“Auntie Beru said I could come and help because I did all my chores today extra good. Can I help? Please Uncl’Owen please can I help?”

“Ok my little farmhand, ok, come here, let me show you how this works.”

“Thank you thank you thank you!”

“Oh my boy, my sunshine boy, you’re very welcome.”

That had been one of the times in his childhood he’d felt truly happy that he could still remember clearly. That the Order hadn’t managed to wipe away.

His Uncle had shown him a vaporiser that day, and how they could be maintained with a few tweaks.

He was so excited to learn with his Uncle. Aunt Beru said that one day, he’d be allowed to go out and help on the farm more often. He couldn’t wait. He wanted to spend all his time with his Aunt and Uncle. He didn’t have many friends; they lived a little too far from anywhere for that. But Aunt Beru said that soon he could start at the School, and then he’d have more friends.

He wasn’t sure, because if he were at School he wouldn’t be able to sit on Uncle Owen’s lap while some machine was being fixed. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to go to School if it meant he couldn’t stay Home.

“OWEN! LUKE! COME BACK NOW. QUICKLY!”

Aunt Beru didn’t raise her voice very often; Luke could only remember a few times in his time with her that she had.

When they got back to the house, they saw what she had seen. A sandstorm was approaching, a big one. Uncle Owen was big enough and strong enough to be out there when it started, but Luke was only four and wouldn’t be safe.

They had stayed in the house the entire time the storm raged, he’d been held between his Aunt and Uncle as they told him stories. He loved them. He loved their farm and their house and the way that Aunt Beru gave him hugs and Uncle Owen ruffled his hair. He loved them so much.

As he grew older, he learnt about the stars. His name was Skywalker, Aunt Beru said, and that was a slave name. But he was born Free, the first Freeborn Skywalker. He would do what his ancestors could not, she told him, he was Free, and he could walk the stars if he wanted. He was Free, and his life was his own.

“You are Free, little Luke, you belong to no one. You are only Yours, and no one can take that from you. You will walk the stars, my little sun, you will walk in the Freedom you were gifted, and you will make us all so proud.”

She would tickle his tummy then, even though he was seven and a Big Boy now. She would make his Banthy tickle him with his horns. He loved her so much. He missed her.

The day the Masters had come had started like any other. He’d been at school with his friends that morning, and was now on his way back to the homestead. He’d worn his poncho with the pretty banthas sewn on the edge. He’d had no reason to think anything was wrong.

When he got there, there was an argument going on. Uncle Owen was shouting at someone, a tall young man with a scar on his eye. There was another one, with a beard, and kind eyes. He noticed Luke first.

“Hello there.”

“Hi.”

He didn’t like these men; something was making him want to run far, far away from them. But he was only eight, and he wanted Aunt Beru. She had held him close, but it hadn’t been enough.

“That’s enough Owen, Anakin. It’s time to go.”

But they hadn’t left as they came, the one with the Scar had grabbed Luke from Aunt Beru, and no matter how much he kicked and screamed, the man wouldn’t let him go.”

“LET ME GO LET ME GO I’M FREE”

“You will come with us now, Luke, it’s the right thing to do. It is the Will of the Force.”

He had screamed at them, kicked them, had cried so hard he’d thrown up valuable water. But they didn’t put him down.

Something was holding his Aunt and Uncle back, they were trying to get to him, and he was reaching for them, but it was like transparisteel had been put between them. He couldn’t get to them no matter how hard he tried.

The men had taken him back to their ship, strapped him in, ignored his sick-covered clothes and his snotty nose and his tears. They’d taken him, and now they were ignoring him.

He wanted to go home. He wanted his Aunt and Uncle. He wanted to go home. He was Free.

“They took you, just like that?”

“I think they may have tried to persuade my Aunt and Uncle to give me to them before I got there.

But I was Free, and on Tatooine that means even a child has a choice.”

“And they just left you alone once you were on the ship?”

“I don’t think either of them really knew what to do with me. They strapped me in and then just ignored me. I wet myself, I remember that, I remember being humiliated. And I was hungry, and cold. I’d never been cold like that before. The sand doesn’t stay hot at night, but we always had blankets to keep us warm.”

“But Anakin is your father?”

“Yeah, I found that out later though. There was a Royal Visit from Alderaan to the Temple. The Princess, bossiest karking twelve-year-old to have ever existed, insisted there was a connection between us. I didn’t care. I didn’t like her. She had parents and love and a palace. I was parentless and unloved in a dormitory.

Turns out she was right. We’re twins. I’m the older one, by seven minutes… what a strange detail to remember... Our mother sent us to separate families because she didn’t like what Anakin was becoming, or the influence the Order had over him. She died in childbirth, her friends got me to Tatooine and Leia to Alderaan.”

“Why separate?”

“One of the babies was Force Sensitive, the other not. She found out which one was and sent them as far away as she could. To Tatooine, where my father was from, where he was born a slave.”

“Wasn’t that a bit obvious?”

“Surprisingly not. The Order rarely bothers with the Outer Rim, only doing a sweep every few years. As long as I wasn’t spotted, I’d be fine.

I lost it when I found out, four years of anger and hatred towards the people who’d taken me. And then Anakin found out I knew. He wanted to play nice. Wanted to be my father. I pushed him as far away as I could.”

At the time, the Masters had said it was just growing pains, that he’d come to see and appreciate Master Skywalker, who only wanted to be his friend.

“When it got to the point where I could become a Padawan, I made sure some old fart with tenure and respect picked me before anyone else could. Then I pretended I was really devout, didn’t want attachments, started quoting the Code when any of the other kids wanted to play. I wouldn’t let my father near me. I told him that it was not the Will of the Force.

After the trials, when I took the rank of Jedi Knight, he tried to be all friendly with me again. I told him that because of him, my existence was an affront to the Order. He’d broken the rules to have me, and now it was my job to atone for his actions. I refused to let him call me by my name, only my title. I refused to let anyone close to me. I ran away to the city in secret as often as I could. I found different clothes behind houses. I went dancing. I could pretend I was Free.”

In those years, the only things that had kept him alive were the nights. It was during the nights where he could throw himself into the crowd of bodies with abandon, could cease to be a Jedi, and just be Luke, who was Free.

“I got caught, one night, and dragged back to the Temple. I told them I was testing myself, that it was a way for me to truly Trust in the Force, to be surrounded by Emotion and to turn it away. They fell for it. They had no reason not to.

I only tried to truly escape once, and got as far as the city’s Spaceport. When they caught me, I told them the Force had led me here, but I wasn’t sure why. Luckily, at that moment, a shipment for the Temple came in, and so I was commended for volunteering with work that was ‘below me’. But after that they never left me alone. I was watched and followed. On a leash. It was like the slavery I was born Free from. They never hurt me physically, but inside, they were trying to break me. If I hadn’t played along, I’m pretty sure they would have given me Lessons.”

At some point during his story, the Mand’alor had taken off his armour and had laid down on the bed next to him. He realised, for the first time in a long while, that he could have the physical comfort he craved. He shuffled closer to the other man, and rested his head on his unarmoured chest.

“Last year, I’d had enough, I knew there was a Life Day event going on, and faked an illness to get out of it, the plan was to get out of the city; but they closed the ports due to all the foreign dignitaries.”

Din understood what he wanted, and moved his arm to pull Luke closer to him. Luke would never have thought that a man covered in armour could be so soft, so caring, so open to providing comfort. Din had told him about his son, not too much information, but he could see the caring man in the stories as clear as day now he had had a taste himself.

“It was a very boring event. I can see why you tried to avoid it. I did too, after all… of course, I didn’t expect to find a pretty little wizard when I ran away to get drunk in some seedy bar.”

He hated these stupid political events. Bo-Katan insisted they came to them, that it was a sign of goodwill between civilisations. He didn’t karking care. It was the worst time ever, uppity boring diplomats who thought they were more important than the people they were meant to serve patting themselves on the back with one hand while they jerked off their friends with the other.

Paz had stayed back on Mandalore this time, which meant he’d lost a valuable ally in his escape attempt. Once upon a time Axe would have helped him, but he was too busy trying to get Din to notice him to help him escape.

His opportunity had come when some Alderaanian princess had given some long, dull speech about peace and prosperity. What would she know of difficulty? Of homes destroyed by war? Of not knowing where the next meal came from? She’d probably been pampered and told she was special her whole life.

He’d managed to slip out of an open door, and then made his way down the balconies to street level. The mission was to find the seediest bar he could, and then get so drunk he could forget this whole thing had occurred.

He’d found the bar, the drink, and was well on the way to forgetting, when He had walked in. Pretty, blond, lithe body. He bet there was a fine ass attached as well. He hadn’t got laid in a while; Axe had made sure to scare off any potential trysts. This was his chance.

The blond’s name was Luke, but he was pretty mum on the other details. Din didn’t care, as long as he could get him naked. Luke had consented. Excellent.

He’d underestimated the other’s strength, as he’d attempted several times to roll them over, so he was on top. Oh no, pretty boy, that wasn’t what they’d agreed. A very well-placed thrust had got the other to moan in agreement and drop his attempts.

Afterwards, sweaty, tired, unwilling to leave, lying practically on top of each other in some twisted lovers embrace re-enacted by strangers; he’d asked the other where he was from, what he was doing here. He was too pretty for a place like this.

“I was trying to get out of here, but they closed the ports.”

“Why are you trying to leave?”

“I want to travel, to see the stars. But I’m not allowed. They won’t let me go.”

“Who won’t?”

“The Jedi Order.”

“You’re a space wizard?”

“Hah, pretty much, yeah. Don’t want to be though.”

“Is it true that once they take a child, the child is never allowed out again?”

“Yup.”

“But you want out?”

“Yup again.”

“…I have a son. He has… powers. I was told to take him to the Jetiise, but then I was told to never do that, or I’d never see him again. Now I have to keep him hidden. But I know they’re searching for him.”

“Should you be telling me this?”

“Probably not, but I have a deal for you. If you can get to Mandalore, and convince the Order to leave my son alone, I’ll get you out.”

“Wait, you’d actually help me escape the Order? We’ve only just met! Are you some important person on Mandalore, how can you help me?”

“Yes, to both of your questions. The how we can work out, but only if you promise to help me hide my son from them.”

“Ok… I’ll do it.”

“Excellent. But one thing.”

“What?”

“When you arrive on Mandalore. You must ask for my help. You must. Otherwise I can do nothing. Even if only I hear it, you must ask. Do you understand?”

“I understand. I’ll ask.”

They had devised a plan right there and then, naked, sweaty, evidence of their activities drying on their bodies as they held each other close. But it didn’t matter when they could solve both of their problems at the same time.

“So, I’ll have to get them to know the Child is on Mandalore. But they wouldn’t believe me, or they’d suspect something if I were the one who told them… I know! I’ll drop hints towards Master Windu. He hates me because of… who I am, and I respect him for that. He’d never suspect it was me influencing him.”

“Ok, that’ll get you to Mandalore. What then?”

“We’ll have to find a way to communicate without speaking. I’ll do some research on it. I normally hide in the library anyway, so no one would notice me.”

“Once you’re on Mandalore, I’ll find ways to get you alone, keep the other Jetiise on the planet. I’ll update you on the time frame when you’ve arrived. We have a flower, called a Vormur Bloom, they smell exquisite, you’ll know them when you see them. I’ll give you one, two days before your escape is complete. Once you have that flower, you’ll know that you’ll soon be Free.”

“How will you help me escape?”

“I have an idea, but I won’t say anything yet. I’ll have to test it first.”

“How will you do that?”

“I’m afraid that’s a secret. I can’t risk anyone finding out.”

“Ok, if you’re sure. What if it takes a while for me to get to Mandalore?”

“Then I have longer to prepare. Now, enough plotting. I want you at least twice more before I have to go back to that dull-ass party.”

“Now you’re speaking my language.”

“I think that night was the first time I’d been happy in years.”

“I’m glad. And are you happy now? I kept my promise. You’re here now, with me.”

“I am. I’ll be happier once the others leave though.”

“I know, Luk’ika, I know. We’ll get rid of them soon, and then you can stay here with us, or you can go and touch the stars. It doesn’t matter which. You will be Free.”

Chapter Text

“Luke. Luke! Wake up, I want to show you something.”

“Uggh no. Kriff off. Let me sleep.”

“You’ll enjoy it, I promise. Up, Luke, c’mon.”

He hated the Mand’alor. Hated his stupid early rising and his stupid (lovely) voice and his stupid (gorgeous) ass that wanted him to get out of this disgustingly comfortable bed.

“I have to send you back to your room soon, but I want you to see this first. Up you get.”

He let himself be dragged out of bed and upright. Morning people were the karking worst.

Din was leading him to a door he hadn’t seen last night. It almost melded completely into the wall, like no one was supposed to know it was there. Maybe it was some super-luxurious fresher. He wouldn’t say no to that. Maybe he could convince the king to stay and scrub his back.

Wait, no, none of that. Not until he was Free.

The door did not lead into a fresher, rather, it led into a spacious room, one with toys all over the floor and…

“Wait, is that?”

“Shh, don’t wake him.”

It was a baby. A green baby that looked like the Frog. Wait, no, that was mean to the baby, the Frog had clearly never been this cute.

He wanted to reach out with the Force, but the Child was too deep in his dreams to have a clear presence.

He left it, and let the Child sleep.

“That’s your son?”

“It is. His name is Grogu.”

They stood and watched him for a little while, Din holding Luke around his waist, helmeted chin resting on his hair.

They watched Grogu together, his tiny chest rising and falling in sleep as soft little noises came from him as he snuggled deeper into his soft blankets. As he rolled over, Luke caught a glimpse of silver.

It felt nice, being here in the quiet nursery. It felt like being part of a family.

Din eventually pulled him out of the room, closing the door behind them.

“I’m doing this for him. For you too, but you must understand how everything I do is for Grogu. To keep my son safe. I became the Mand’alor to keep him safe with me.”

“I understand. I’m grateful, I truly am.”

“Then you must trust me, ok, today of all days. Remember what I told you your first night here, you must trust me, no matter what happens.”

“I will.”

The Mand’alor turned away, probably to get Paz so he could be snuck back to his rooms.

“Wait, Din?”

He paused, listening for what Luke wanted to say.

“Thank you. For everything, thank you.”

The King nodded at him, and then left the bedroom.

Tomorrow he’d be Free. He couldn’t believe it.

“Knight Skywalker, where were you last night?”

“I’m sorry, Master Skywalker? I was in my room. Is there a problem?”

“You were not in your room. I checked.”

“In the middle of the night? I couldn’t sleep. I asked one of the guards to take me to the gardens so I could meditate.”

“Like I believe that. Which guard?”

“His name is Paz. Big, blue, doesn’t talk much.”

“Fine. I’ll verify your story with him.”

Luke was very grateful that Paz had told him to use that excuse when he’d been ushering him back this morning.

Koska had told him not to work today, to avoid everything and just wallow in his misery like he wanted to. But he couldn’t. He had to know what Din was planning.

Din had held him as he cried, called him his dearest friend, and in the same breath he had broken his heart. He wasn’t ever going to love him back; he had told him that himself. He was infatuated with and lusting after the Jedi; he didn’t want Axe’s love, not when he could have the other in his bed.

It had been a hard night.

Even if what he and Koska had heard was indeed fake, there was no way of hiding Din’s body language towards the Jedi.

But Din had said that all of this was to protect Grogu, that all of this was for his son. That Axe had to do as he asked so that Grogu wouldn’t be snatched away.

He hoped Din remembered that. Especially when the Jedi was around to tempt him.

“Jetiise, how are your ship repairs coming along?”

“I believe, Your Majesty, that they will be finished by tonight, we will be able to leave in the morning.”

“Excellent. And then you will be gone. For good.”

“Yes, Mand’alor. We will be.”

He couldn’t wait.

He’d let the Jetiise roam loose in the palace today. It was time to play a game.

One he was excited to win.

His guard were following him, as always, but this time they wouldn’t be able to follow him, not to this place. This was a sacred place, and only he could enter. Only he had permission to do so right now.

In the early morning, he would greet her alone.

It was always hot in this building, the air always heavy with the smell of burning. It wasn’t the same as it had been when he was growing up, the sulphurous air of the lava flows did not exist here, did not mingle with the smell of molten metal and of their lost pride.

Now it smelt of strength. Of their mines reopened and their people’s metal back with them. He was glad he had found her with his Tribe, that he had been able to bring his mother figure back to her home planet. She had been grateful to him; she had told him she would make him anything he wanted. She would not question his decisions. Not now he had brought them back to Mandalore.

“Armourer.”

“Hello, Mand’alor, is it time already?”

“It is. And it is done?”

“It is. Here, take a look for yourself.”

“It’s incredible, Alor. You’ve truly outdone yourself. Thank you.”

“It is as you asked, Mand’alor. This is the Way.”

“This is the Way.”

When he had found his Tribe, after months of searching with the Nite Owls and whatever stragglers they’d picked up, he’d been worried she would be angry with him.

He had knelt in front of her, head bowed, as he recounted his tale.

She had listened in silence, and then fallen to her knees and embraced him. Then she had helped him to his feet, and told him to never kneel for her again.

He was the Mand’alor now, and their people would only bow to him. And he would bow to no one.

He had given her this forge, had made sure she had had everything she could ever want. She had scolded him for paying too much attention to her. But he had been firm. If she had not saved him, raised him, taught him, loved him, he could not have saved them all.

And now, it was her work that would save his son.

Outside of the forge, he reunited with Paz and Axe. They weren’t feeling very chatty today it seemed, but it didn’t matter, they could worry all they wanted.

He didn’t need to talk to them when he was having so much fun.

Before they re-entered the palace compound though, Axe finally spoke what was on his mind.

“Mand’alor. What will you do if all this plotting and scheming goes wrong?”

Oh silly Axe, dear silly Axe. It won’t go wrong. He’s been planning for a year after all. 

“It won’t.”

It couldn’t.

“But come with me, both of you. I have something to show you.”

Luke had the feeling that Din was having too much fun. During the Court Assembly first thing, he had been almost too chipper with the Jedi’s leaving. He’d only just managed to stay diplomatic before walking out without any formal goodbyes.

Hopefully, the Masters wouldn’t pick up on this, only that he was happy they’d be leaving soon.

He still didn’t know what Din’s full plan was. He’d refused to tell him in case someone found out too early. All he knew was that he had to stay calm today, and that tomorrow he would be Free.

That’s what he had told him, the night they had put on a show.

“Trust me, Luke, the plan is ready to go, but you cannot panic or give it away, you must stay calm no matter what. Trust me, trust in the Way of the Mand’alor. I will save you. You will be Free. I promise.”

He believed him. He had no reason not to.

If only he wasn’t so scared.

His guest was on Concordia, he was told. Excellent, send a ship to them, and bring them here. Make sure to take the package, otherwise none of this would work. The guards were not to open the package, and if they did, he would know, and the punishment would be harsh.

Now go. Don’t make him wait.

The Masters were still looking for the Child. They’d sent calls out in the Force to try and locate where the Mand’alor could be hiding it. They were baffled by the Child’s invisibility.

Luke was also confused, because he’d seen the Child with his own eyes, and they had communicated in the Force yesterday. So how was he still hidden from them?

How had Din done it? Luke had done his part of the deal and left hints for the Council to look towards Mandalore, and the Child had clearly left a trace of himself in the Force, otherwise they wouldn’t be here now.

But in this moment, it was like the Child didn’t exist. Luke actually knew where the Child was, and still couldn’t find him.

It was a mystery.

Chapter Text

His guest had made the flight between Concordia and Mandalore in record time. Smuggling them into the city hadn’t been hard. When they had rebuilt, he had insisted that some of the old supply tunnels be kept clear in case of them needing to evacuate, or, in this case, bring someone into the palace without a trace.

He’d requested they meet in the secret nursery, where Grogu would be happy to see his friend again. He was sorry that he’d had to hide his son away. When all this was over, he’d take him on a tour of the city, and then they’d go play in the gardens. Grogu would like that, he loved being outside.

When Din arrived in the Child’s room, his son was babbling away to their guest, happy to have someone to talk to. He sat down with the duo, stroking his son’s soft ears.

“Mand’alor, it’s good to see you. I see your plan is ready to go?”

“Hello, and welcome back, we’re almost ready, if you are.”

“You’re certain that no one knows I’m here?”

“I am, I’m pretty sure I would have been told if they’d noticed.”

“Oh?”

“I have a Jetii in my head. It’s not as fun as it sounds.”

“Ah, our escapee found a way to communicate with you?”

“He did. It’s proven rather efficient. Now, let me fill you in, and then I’ll leave you two to play. He’s missed having someone to play with, these last few days.”

They discussed the final steps in the plan, how they would need one final distraction and misdirection, and then they could all just relax. It wasn’t the most complicated plan in the world, which was why he had confidence in it.

People who plotted often got too involved in the small details, when really, all it took was a few well executed manoeuvres.

“I should probably be glad you’re no longer bounty hunting, because if I had a fob I’d hate for you to come after me.”

That was probably one of the nicest things anyone had ever said to him.

For this to work, he’d need to make sure the Jettise were desperate enough to split up completely to look for Grogu, and so he had several guards pass rumours of seeing the ad’ika around.

None of them knew why he wanted to spread this gossip, but he’d been king long enough that they were well aware of how he liked to cause Trouble. Most of them were grateful he was directing it towards someone other than Bo-Katan. She was scary when she was angry.

The news spread like wildfire. One guard claimed to have seen the Child stealing his favourite snacks from the kitchen. Another whispered the Child had been climbing the furniture in the throne room. Over lunch, Sreen told Aljik how this morning he’d been asked to accompany the Child to the library to find more storybooks. Paz and Axe were suspiciously absent from the Mand’alor’s side when he was seen going to an afternoon Council meeting, and when asked he’d said they were fulfilling babysitting duties in his office.

The Jedi had been listening for any information on the youngling, and it seemed that now that the Mand’alor thought they were leaving in the morning, he had decided to let his child out of wherever he’d been hiding it.

Foolish Mand’alor, to think that he could get one over on the Will of the Force. So many parents thought that they would just leave without rescuing a youngling if Order were distracted for long enough.

It was always their overconfidence which allowed the Jedi to rescue their younglings.

“Masters, another sighting of the youngling! This time they said he was playing in the main courtyard!”

“That is excellent news, Knight Joor. I believe it’s time we all split up to look for the little one, so that we may bring them to safety.”

“Of course, Master Kenobi. How should we do it?”

“We know of five locations where the youngling has been today, so it would be most efficient if each of us took a different location.”

His former Padawan didn’t look happy at this news.

“Master, are we sure it’s safe for us to split up? I’m not sure we can trust these people.”

Anakin was so silly sometimes, he forgot to Trust in the Force, he forgot the power of the Jedi. His silly padawan, so talented, but still so young.

“Master Skywalker, we are Jedi. There is nothing they can do to stop us.”

Luke seriously couldn’t believe it. They were going to let him roam the palace alone? Was this some kind of fever dream?

He had been assigned the Mand’alor’s office to search, as he was the one who’d interacted most with the king, and who he was least hostile towards.

If only they knew just how true that statement was.

It hadn’t taken him long to get to the office, there were surprisingly few guards on patrol along his route this evening. He wondered if this meant something. He guessed there was nothing wrong with asking.

I’ve been sent to investigate your office. Care to let me in?

No response.

Hello? Mando-man?

Why was there no response?

Din? Din? Can you hear me?

Silence.

What was going on? Why wasn’t Din answering? Should he be panicking? He was told that he’d escape tomorrow, but now Grogu was running around all over the palace, the Jedi were on the hunt, and the only person on his side wasn’t responding.

He was worrying, something wasn’t right. The Force was calm, but he’d felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise enough times to know when something wasn’t going to plan.

He saw a flash of silver.

Someone was coming.

It was Axe. What was he doing here? Wasn’t he meant to be in Din’s office? What was going on?

“Ah, Jedi. Excellent. You’re right on time.”

“Right on time for what?”

“For this.”

He tried to shout, to yell, but Axe had some sort of prod that shocked him when he tried. It hurt. He couldn’t scream. He was being carried away. What was going on?

What the actual karking kark was going on? Wait, someone was grabbing him!

“I’d apologise for the pain, but I’ve honestly been wanting to do that since you arrived.”

“Woves, stop playing around. We need to move, now.”

Paz? What was going on?

DIN! DIN! HELP! WHAT’S HAPPENING? DIN!

There was no answer, and Axe was slapping some form of cuff on him. The Force around him dampened. What was happening?

Paz carried him into the Mand’alor’s office. There was no one there. Where was Din? Why had they attacked him?

The bigger Mandalorian had set him down on the floor, and had produced a vial of something. He was filling a needle, silver flashing in front of Luke’s face.

Luke tried to struggle, but whatever Axe had zapped him with had turned his muscles to goo. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t feel the Force. Where was Din? What was happening?

“Don’t worry, little Jedi, everything is going to plan. You have to go to sleep now. So goodnight.”

How had they snuck up on him? He hadn’t sensed them. He hadn’t noticed he wasn’t alone until it was too late.

He was confused, he was hurt, and most of all, as he felt consciousness drifting away from him, he felt betrayed.

Chapter Text

“He’s asleep?”

“He is. And don’t you dare kick him. It’s not his fault if the Din’ka isn’t interested in you.”

“Shut your karking mouth Vizsla, you know nothing.”

“Sure I don’t. Anyway. Just keep your hands and feet to yourself. You know the orders.”

“Fine. Whatever. I still don’t understand why we’re doing this.”

“It’s not for us to understand. We do as Din’ka asked; because he asked.”

The Jedi weighed more than he’d expected. He wondered if the mysticism had its own weight to it.

Either way, it didn’t matter. As long as they got him to where Din’ka wanted him, it’d all be fine.

Paz had taken part in many of Din’ka’s schemes over the years, but this was truly the craziest one yet.

The hidden passage between the Royal Office and Apartments had not been intended for three fully grown men to move between, but they would have to deal with it. They’d been told about its existence purely so they could do this now, and were told to forget it existed once the job was done.

“Well, now we know how Din’ka always manages to escape Bo-Katan.”

“Stop calling him that.”

“No. I don’t think I will. Problem?”

He didn’t get an answer, as they had reached the end of the passage.

Such a shame, Woves was so easy to wind up. He couldn’t wait for the day he called Din ‘D’ika’ in front of him. Steam would probably come out from his helmet.

“Ah, Paz, Axe. Wonderful, put him over there.”

The Mand’alor looked regal stood in the middle of his apartments, fully armoured and draped in his fur lined cloak. He must have come straight from a meeting. Axe didn’t mind if in that moment that Din had broken his heart the night before; he was a man parched, and this image would sustain him like an oasis in the desert.

They carried the Jedi over to the sofa, and if Axe was a little rougher than necessary, what did it truly matter? The Jedi would be leaving soon, and they could go back to normal. No more plans, no more schemes, no more wizards.

He was very unaware of how wrong he was.

“How much did you give him? I said make him dazed, not knock him out!”

“He was wriggling, I might have been a little enthusiastic.”

“Yeah, well, I hope he wakes up soon. I’m not doing the next step without his permission. And remove those cuffs too.”

“…. Wake up… Luke… kriff… Paz!”

Who the kark was trying to wake him up? Could they not see he was sleeping here? He didn’t care which karking Temple chores Master Stultz was going to make him do today; he was kriffing tired, and he was going to sleep!

“… too much… hurry…”

Dank farrick. Shut up whoever you are, he’s not getting out of kriffing bed, no one can make him.

That was the moment that someone injected him with a stim.

“AAAAH!”

“Shhhhhhh. Dank farrick Luke, shut up.”

“What the Force is going on?”

“Hold on, just a moment. Let the stim come down a bit.”

“Din, you had better explain to me what’s going on.”

“I will. Just a moment, please Luke. We’re tight for time and I need you fully awake.”

The stim high was wearing off, the room wasn’t spinning anymore. He was back in Din’s apartment, on the sofa in the main room.

They weren’t alone, Axe was scowling and holding Grogu off to the side, with Paz stood next to him. And there, by the doorway to the bedroom, was –

“Ahsoka Tano?”

He’d never met her, but there had been rumours of her when he was growing up. The Padawan who left the Order. His father’s Padawan. There had been talk of Anakin not being allowed to take another student because of her. Others had said it was because he was waiting for Luke to be of age. But it didn’t matter. Something about her made him uncomfortable, like she wasn’t quite there in front of him.

“I’m Luke. Luke Skywalker.”

“I know, Luke. I recognise you even after all these years. I was the one who took you to Tatooine. Padmé found me, told me to take you to safety. I’m so sorry they took you.”

“It wasn’t your fault. Your actions kept me safe for eight years. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome kiddo. Now, it’s time for business. Right then, Mand’alor. What’s next?”

He noticed, then, that Din looked different. His armour had some golden decorations added, including a gold circlet around the helmet. His cloak had been swapped from its usual black to a deep red, heavy monstrosity with fur lining. It looked sweltering.

He looked gorgeous.

“Why are you dressed up? What’s going to happen?”

“Meetings, I try to look kingly every so often… Nevermind; it’s time for our next step in the plan. Your escape is underway.”

“How?”

“Ahsoka, please?”

The Togruta stepped forward, and held her arm out to Din. Wrapped around her forearm was some kind of silver bracer. It was made of the same metal as Din’s armour, and engraved with the geometric design he’d admired on the walls the other day.

Din moved to hold one of Luke’s hands, trying to tell the scared man with his actions to not be afraid.

“Luke, I need your permission to do this. It won’t be pleasant for you.”

“What are you going to do? What do those bracers mean?”

“They’re pure beskar. Which, we’ve discovered, can hide someone from the Force. We realised it when Ahsoka had a hard time spotting me and Grogu when we first met. He had on a beskar pendant, and I, my armour, and she didn’t notice our approach until we were very close. Since we came to Mandalore, Grogu has worn beskar bracelets, to keep him out of sight. We had to take you from the hallway to make absolutely sure our plan would work on a fully fledged Jedi.”

“And they dampen the Force?”

Ahsoka moved to answer, placing her hand on his arm. Now they were touching, he realised why he had been so on edge. Like Grogu and Din, he could see her but not feel her in the Force. There was just a space where she should be.

“Not dampen, I can still use the Force with these on, they’re not like the cuffs. The beskar seems to reflect it inwards, so that the person can’t be noticed as easily. But it feels strange. Like an echo in your mind. It can make you dizzy, nauseous. The first time I wore beskar I fainted. I can only wear these for so long because we’ve been trialling it for the past year. Grogu’s bracelets are thinner, only just enough to hide him, and he’s more used to them. They work on anyone though, regardless of sensitivity. Woves and Vizsla were wearing something similar earlier when they took you from the halls.”

They’d been trialling this for a year? How? Was this what Din meant when he said he already had a plan to help Luke escape? He turned to face the Mand’alor, confused with this new information.

“A year?”

“The minute you agreed to help me save Grogu, I started making plans with our Armourer to make these for you, so that they’d fit you perfectly.”

“You did that for me?”

“And for any other Force Sensitive children on Mandalore, or anyone who wants them. No child should be taken against their will. All our people have the right to beskar, but we had to make sure it was safe for all as well. Ahsoka was our tester. Grogu our first true success.”

He was shocked. He couldn’t believe that they were able to hide from the Order.

“Luke, we don’t have a lot of time. Can we put these on you? Do you consent to being hidden?”

“Yes.”

Din suddenly straightened, looking more like a king than he ever had. This was something important, then, something Luke had to pay attention to.

“You have asked me for my help, and I have listened to your plea, in the tradition of the laws set by the Way of the Mand’alor.

Do you, Luke Skywalker, wish to apply for asylum on Mandalore, to become a refugee under the protection of the Mand’alor and his people?

Do you believe that, if you return to the Core, you are under the threat of danger, persecution, or captivity, on the grounds of your being Force Sensitive?”

“Y-yes. I- I wish to apply for asylum. Here. On Mandalore.”

Din let out a breath he had been holding.

“Then your wish is granted. In front of these witnesses representing the people, and in accordance with the Will of the Mand’alor, you are given asylum. This is the Way.”

The other Mandalorians echoed him.

“This is the Way.”

Din looked at him, his helmet tilted in a way that looked fond.

“Thank you, Luke. Ahsoka? How shall we do this?”

“We’ll do one at a time, so that the Masters don’t notice a sudden increase and decrease in Force presences. And then I’ll go.”

“Ok. Luke, please, your arm?”

The first bracer was removed from Ahsoka, and placed on his arm. It fit perfectly against his skin. It made him shudder, like he had been downing shots and had stood up too quickly. It wasn’t painful, but it wasn’t pleasant. He felt Ahsoka’s presence appear very softly. He then understood why they had to do this gradually, for his sake and for the sake of the Masters not noticing.

“Are you ok, Little Skyguy? Is it ok?”

“It’s fine, let’s do the next one. We have to hurry.”

The second bracer was undone, taken off, and moved onto his arm. He felt faint. He was glad he was lying down; he didn’t think he could stand. The room was spinning again. It was kriffing horrible. Din was stroking his hair, he focused on that over the nausea.

“It’s ok, Luk’ika, it’s ok. Just close your eyes. You’re safe now. They can’t find you. It’s ok.”

Din moved away from him, one last brush of his hand over Luke’s head. Luke wished he didn’t have to go.

“Ahsoka, go with Paz, he’ll take you to the ship. Hurry. Be safe. Stay hidden. Paz, use the tunnels under the river. Travel swift, vod. This is the Way.”

And then they were gone.

They waited about twenty minutes in awkward silence. None of the men willing to address the tension between them, and Grogu too tired to be a distraction.

“Axe, please put Grogu in his crib in the nursery, and stay with him until he’s asleep? In about an hour, I want you to raise the alarm that a ship has been stolen and flown out of atmosphere.”

“As you wish, Mand’alor.”

“Thank you, my dearest friend.”

Axe moved to the nursery with Grogu. It was just Din and Luke left in the room.

“Din… what now?”

“Now we wait a while, for Ahsoka to put some distance between herself and the city. Then I will go and cause some beautiful evening Chaos. You will stay here, and recover. I will come back later when it is all safe, probably after night has truly fallen. Once the Jetiise are off the planet, you may leave this room, and you will be Free.”

“Force. You really did all this for me?”

“I did. It turns out I’m a sucker for pretty, blond wizards who chat me up in seedy bars.”

He chuckled through the awful nausea, and felt Din press their foreheads together.

Chapter Text

“BRING ME THE OUTSIDERS!”

He was going to enjoy all the drama; and thanks to the Council meetings he was even dressed up for the party. But he had to stay focused. Do not give anything away. Speak only truths. Do not lie.

“WHERE ARE THEY?”

“Your Majesty, what’s going on?”

Bo-Katan was already there. Excellent. She was good at diffusion, which meant she would try and stop him from speaking too much. Sometimes it was very useful to have someone who thought they were owed power on your side. They liked the attention, and right now, he was willing to give her some if it kept his Jetii safe.

“Did you not hear the alarm? I want the Jetiise here now! I want answers!”

“So what was reported is true? One of them stole a ship and ran?”

“We’re about to find out.”

They had approached the throne room. Let the show begin.

He’d normally done the morning assemblies from his throne, but rarely had he done so with the intention of looking like a king. He didn’t normally care for all the ceremony, but right now, he needed the confidence boost that came with being seen as the most powerful man in the room.

In the darkness of the late hour, with the torches lit, he felt more powerful than he had ever been.

The Jetiise were being escorted in from their various places in the palace, none of them too happy about the rough treatment of the guards. He should scold them for treating visitors in such a way, but he couldn't claim he would have treated them any better.

He made a show of looking like he was counting how many there were as they entered. The one with the scar, Luke’s father, also seemed to be counting.

The fury on his face showed the had reached the same conclusion.

Good.

“Jetiise, you were allowed to stay on Mandalore first for your safety, and then out of goodwill. Do you agree with this assessment?”

No lies in his question. Even if the safety and goodwill had only been directed at one of them.

The bearded one stepped forward. He was the one who fancied himself a diplomat then. Time to see him try and talk his way out of this one.

“That is correct, Your Majesty, may I ask-”

“You will only speak when answering the Mand’alor!”

Thank you Bo-Katan. He noted to himself to not send her any holos about lonely heart clubs for the aged for at least two weeks, as a reward for her help.

“If you were permitted here as a sign of my kindness, please tell me why one of your number has committed a crime against my people.”

The crime of trying to steal his karking son, going against the Resol'nare itself.

“Your Majesty, I’m sure there’s been some type of misunderstanding.”

“Are you now? May I ask, how many of you arrived on my planet?”

“Five of us, Mand’alor.”

“Tell me then, why there are only four of you here now, especially as one of your number was so desperate for my attention?”

This got Skywalker to speak up, his face furious.

“What have you done with him? Where is Luke? What have you savages done?”

Oh dear, looks like daddy has a temper. Several of his people had drawn weapons at such an insult.

Unfortunately for them, he wasn’t after bloodshed today.

Maybe another day he would be, he could definitely make time, could remind the Jetiise they weren’t the only ones with laser swords.

“I do not know where he is, but my pretty little shadow is no longer with you, or me, and that is why we are here.”

Technically true, he’d told Luke to walk around the Royal Apartments when the nausea subsided, and his escape was truly the reason for all of this.

“All I know is that I received an alert from one of my guards saying that someone of your Order was seen leaving our atmosphere, in one of my personal ships.”

Also, no word of a lie, maybe slight truth bending, Ahsoka had been part of the Order once, after all.

“And you’re accusing Luke?”

“I’m saying whoever committed this crime did so using your powers.”

Paz had told him that Ahsoka had waved away the fuel pipes cluttering the ground with the Force. He’d have to send a manager down to corral the engineers into keeping the hangars tidier, or get Koska to do it. She’d probably get better results. He really must foster friendship between her and Fennec.

It seemed Beard was telling Scar not to annoy Din further, if the looks they were passing each other were anything to go by. He bet they’d have been an excellent duo to have on one’s side. If only they weren’t so devout to their cult.

Shut up Bo-Katan the Tribe was not a cult, it was orthodox.

“The punishment for theft is imprisonment or monetary restitution and return of the stolen goods. We have good reason to believe it was someone in your circles who took the ship. Therefore, we request the return of the Jetii Luke Skywalker to be stand trial for the crimes of which he stands accused – theft and betrayal of the Mand’alor – or we request restitution for the ship. Please, Jetiise, make a decision.”

“We are unable to make a decision without the approval of our Council.”

“Your Council are not here. I am the Mand'alor, and this is my planet. You must decide. Now.”

Where was Luke? What had he done? They’d given him everything, a home, a people, a family, and this was how he repaid them? Running away like a child! He was supposed to have outgrown this… immaturity. His son was acting ridiculously.

How dare he embarrass him like this, after all the work he did to bring him to the Order. To keep him safe.

The Organas had taken the other child, the girl, the one with no Force Sensitivity, but Luke, his beautiful Luke, he was just like his father.

So powerful, just waiting to be nurtured in the Will of the Force. Did Luke not understand how lucky he was, to be taken in by the Order?

They had saved him from a lifetime of boredom and sadness, trapped on Tatooine. In the Order he was Free. Why had Luke run? Why had he abandoned him? Why?

He would find him. He would bring Luke back. He wouldn’t let his son make the same mistake he almost had. It would be fine; Luke would come back to them, and he could be retaught. Everyone could be retaught. He had been. He had been so sad before they retaught him. 

He was happy now. 

The Mand’alor had given them two options, and there were too many Mandalorians in the room for him to persuade all of them with the Force. They’d have to decide now. If they agreed Luke could be tried for the crime of theft here, it would be an embarrassment for the Order.

But if they paid restitution, they could frame it as a donation. Who would believe these people over the Order? The Senate would not even believe for a moment that the Mandalorians could demand anything of them. If they did so, that would give them time to find Luke, to bring him Home, back to the Temple.

And if he needed some Lessons on being a responsible Jedi, he was sure they could organise them.

He himself had found them very useful in the past, to relearn what it meant to be loyal.

There is only the Order, and the Will of the Force.

“We will arrange for the Order to pay restitution. On my honour as a member of the Jedi Council, I will see it done.”

“Then we will be calculating the cost of what was stolen. And we will expect the amount in full. The ship taken was from my personal collection. I am very… displeased with its disappearance.”

True, all his ships were good ships that served him well. He was sad to see one go. As long as it wasn’t the Crest, if it were the Crest he’d be very angry with Ahsoka indeed, and he'd be comming her irritating love songs to make it clear just how angry he was.

“One more thing before I remove you from my planet… I forbid any member of your Order from entering Mandalorian Space from now onwards. This is the Will of the Mand’alor. This is the Way.”

The echoing cries were music to his ears.

He didn’t know what was happening in the throne room, and he wasn’t risking Din’s concentration to ask him. He still didn’t like not knowing though.

He’d never been left alone like this before. There was always someone observing him. Even in the Temple, the others could feel him in the Force, even if physically he was alone in the room. But now, he was hidden. He was safe. No one could sense him in the Force. It was odd, to be overlooked for the first time, to be invisible. To be almost Free.

But one question still burnt; how had he been able to talk to Grogu? Was there a reason he’d heard the toddler even through the beskar?

The nursery was right there, and Din had told him to go anywhere he wanted in the Royal Apartments. That meant he could go and see Grogu, didn’t it? If Din didn’t want him near his son he’d have said. And Din hardly seemed like the sort of parent to leave his child without supervision, so maybe he’d wanted them to spend time together?

The Force was urging him forward to see the baby. It was calling to him, telling him there was a friend he could meet. He couldn’t sense this friend, but he knew he was there.

So, he went.

This was one of the men who’d come to take him away from dad.

He’d been told they were here, and Ahsoka had told him he had to stay safe. He wasn’t allowed to take his bracelets off at all today, he'd been told off when he had yesterday so he could watch them shining in the sun. He wasn't allowed to take them off, not even to chew them like he liked to do when dad was in meetings, where he could sit on dad’s lap while the big people talked and dad stroked his ears.

The man was wearing bracelets too, but his covered all of his lower arms.

Grogu was happy his bracelets weren’t like that. His were prettier, and sometimes he liked to clang them together. It made dad happy when he did that. He would say ‘Oya!’ and would make his armour clang too. Then they would pretend to be warriors, and they would ambush his toys and save the day.

This man didn’t look like he wanted to play though. He looked a bit green.

But not like the nice green Grogu was, it was the icky green that Auntie Koska went the first time she had lost a bet with Uncle Paz and had had to take Grogu to go potty when dad was busy.

The green man sat down. Did he want to play after all? Grogu gave him one of his toy banthas. Auntie Peli and Uncle Cobb had given him desert toys last time they’d visited, and Uncle Boba had given him his plushies.

Grogu was a lucky boy, because he had a whole herd of banthas, and he had a Herder and a Tusken Raider to help look after them.

The man was staring at the bantha. Did he not like banthas? They did look a little scary because they were big and had horns, but they were nice really. Dad let him snuggle into one, and then Auntie Fennec had given him a bantha-wool blanket. He loved his blanky. Maybe the man would like it to? He floated it down from his crib and gave it to the man.

The man started to cry.

Did Grogu know that he was from Tatooine? How did he have so many desert toys? He had a whole herd of adorable plush banthas, and had given Luke one to hold. It was just like the one Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen had got for him on his fourth birthday. He had carried it everywhere with him, even put it in his school satchel so he didn’t have to leave his Banthy at home. He wondered if Banthy was still there, abandoned in the bag he’d dropped when the Masters had stolen him even though he'd been Free.

He felt so sad, even though he should be happy now. He was almost Free, but what did that mean? He had no money, no possessions, no family. If he went back to Tatooine, were his Aunt and Uncle still there? Or had they moved on? Had time taken every trace of his past from him?

The Child was using the Force, was grabbing something, and putting it on Luke’s lap.

It was a blanket, and it felt like bantha wool, was woven in the same pattern as the blankets they had snuggled under when he was a boy, the ones that he’d had on his bed, the ones that had been tucked around him on cold desert nights. It was just like home.

He couldn’t control himself, and the tears dripped down his face.

Chapter Text

The Masters were leaving. He couldn’t believe it. Din had actually pulled it off. This crazy scheme he and the Jedi had cooked up had actually worked. The others were leaving, without one of their group, and without Grogu.

Then the news came in that they were out of atmo, they were entering hyperspace and away from Mandalore’s territory.

He’d have to congratulate Din and the Jedi, though, judging by the speed the Mand’alor was moving back towards his apartments, maybe he should wait a while, until morning at the earliest.

He still felt the pang of jealousy in his chest as Din walked away from him, but he couldn’t give him what he wanted. All Din had ever wanted was for Grogu to be safe. And the Jedi had given him that.

All Axe could do was watch and follow orders.

Maybe he’d go off-world for a while. Travel, find some of the remaining Clans that had not yet returned even after so many years. Be useful somewhere else.

Patch his broken heart back together in peace.

Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad, finding a new reason to live.

As soon as the Jetiise were officially gone, he turned and left the throne room.

He was probably being rude by just leaving the Court without formal ceremony, but they probably assumed he was going to find his son.

They were only half wrong. He was going to find his son, and Luke too.

Tomorrow, when the money had been wired to his accounts, he would announce that Luke had requested and been granted asylum, with witnesses, in the traditional way.

Luke had asked the Mand’alor for aid directly, and had received it, had claimed asylum. This is the Way.

Those in need will always find help on Mandalore if they ask for it.

It was a shame no one ever even tried to learn their customs, they’d find Mandalorians a lot easier to deal with if they did.

He was back in his rooms, but Luke was not there. The door to the bedroom was open. Perhaps he had gone to sleep?

That was empty too. The nursery door was ajar.

His heart fell, his stomach clenched. Please no. Please don’t let Luke have betrayed him. Please no.

He rushed into the nursery to find-

Grogu and Luke, asleep, snuggled up together under a blanket. The one Fennec had given him.

His heart stopped, and then soared.

They were safe.

As he watched them, he felt something other than lust for Luke. Affection perhaps, beyond his body’s wants. It wasn’t the first time; he’d fallen into temptation and touched Luke several times in more intimate ways.

And now, Luke was Free, and if he chose to, they could pursue those feelings. If Luke wanted to.

But in this moment, he wouldn’t wake them, only sit with them, and bring both of them into his arms. His space wizards. Both safe.

Both Free.

Luke woke up to a face full of beskar. Din must have come into the nursery at some point, and was now holding both him and the baby. It was nice, to have someone be gentle with him. He’d forgotten what it felt like.

If he kept his eyes closed he could ignore the moonlight streaming through the window and stay asleep like this.

He wondered if Din would mind if he just snuggled further into his chest like Grogu had. It sounded lovely, and he knew that the sculpted chest beneath the armour underneath him hid a slight softness. Yes, this was an excellent plan.

Unfortunately, his karking bladder had other ideas.

Din, you have to let me up. If you don’t I’m gonna piss all over you.

The Mand’alor shifted to let him stand, had he been awake this whole time? Actually, now he was aware, there was a horrible smell in the air too.

Wait. What is that smell? That’s disgusting? Hang on a karking moment, is Grogu potty trained?

Din’s shoulders started to shake. He picked up his child, and moved him to a changing table Luke hadn’t seen earlier.

Oh my karking Force that is the worst thing I have ever smelt. I think I’m going to throw up. Oh Force. Make it go away. STOP LAUGHING DIN YOUR CHILD HAS PRODUCED A BIOLOGICAL WEAPON.

Din just proceeded to laugh harder as he changed his child into clean nightclothes.

That’s disgusting. If I’m claiming asylum, you have to potty train him to hold on throughout naptimes. Please. For me. I’ll beg on my knees. And with my mouth. Just please never make me smell that again.

The child was now changed and was watching them both. Din was bent over with laughter, snorting, and hitting the table as he was regaled with Luke’s mental anguish.

Bastard.

And Luke still had to piss!

Grogu, now clean and not stinky, had been put back in his crib and tucked in for the night.

Din had led Luke over to the bed, and tucked him in as well. If Luke weren’t so tired he’d have some strongly worded thoughts about this, and he’d make them known to King Handsy over there.

But there was something on his mind. Something he’d never had to think about before.

“So… I should probably ask, are there any jobs going for ex-Jedi? I kinda don’t have any money. Or belongings. Or anything really.”

“I have excellent news for you. The Order has decided to backpay you for your service to them. The exact cost of one of my ships in fact.”

“You’re kriffing me!?”

“Not at all, Luk’ika, you’re about to become a wealthy man, courtesy of some plotting on my part.”

Holy Kriff.

“If you’d like to thank me for arranging this payment, you can start by coming closer, if you want. I remember there being some discussion of Fun Times once you were Free. Of course, it’s all your choice, if you want to just sleep, you can do that. It’s been an emotional day.”

Now that he mentioned it, some activities to burn away his nervous energy sounded quite nice right now. He was tired, but not overly so, not if there was Fun to be had.

“I’ll join you. But I’m on top this time.”

“We’ll see.”

“I guess we will.”

Din never told him he couldn’t use the Force in bed.

It wasn’t until the morning when he’d realised what Din had told him.

“Wait, I have money? You got the Order to pay for the ship Ahsoka took? How?”

His lover was looking at him through the helmet. Or, he assumed he was. He couldn’t see through the visor.

“I gave them options. They could hand your capture and trial over to me, or they could pay the damages and chase you themselves. The Order are arrogant, and would not allow themselves to lose face with one of their own being arrested on Mandalore. So they agreed to pay restitution, and they’ll be chasing “Luke Skywalker” across the galaxy until Ahsoka gets bored or crashes. Either is a possibility with her.”

“I don’t know what to do with money.”

“We can teach you, Koska is particularly good with numbers. Or I can send you to my Tribe’s accountant. We will have new clothes made for you, ones that are not beige robes, or stolen from back alleys, ones that make you feel like you. We will get you travel papers, a ship, anything you need. You have asylum here, and even though you have not sworn the Creed, we are honour bound to help you. All you have to do is ask.”

“I can leave?”

“If you want to, though it might be prudent to lay low for a while, just so the Order don’t catch wind of you. But you are Free now, Luke. You don’t need to worry. We will protect you.”

“I’m really Free?”

“Yes. Free like when you were born. The first Freeborn Skywalker. And you will walk the stars, I promise you that you will. And if you want to come back here, you will always have a home.”

“Do you have a blindfold?”

“Pardon?”

“A blindfold, or something so I can’t see. I really want to kiss you now. If you don’t want to, that’s fine, but I really want to, and I can’t do that while you’re wearing the helmet.”

Din didn’t answer. Luke screwed his eyes shut. He had karked it all up, dank farrick.

Of course Din didn’t want to kiss him. He only wanted a tumble in the sheets with him, nothing more. If Luke went and caught feelings and tried to kiss the Mand’alor, would Din think he was like Axe and pushing for something he couldn’t have, and that Din didn’t want to give?

A hissing noise cut his thoughts off.

What was that?

That was the last thought he had for a while as he felt a pair of hands settle on his waist, and a pair of lips finally met his.

Chapter Text

It had been twenty-two years. Twenty-two long years since her baby had been taken from her. She had cried every night for the first year or so, before she realised that wasting water wouldn’t bring him back. That nothing could bring him back.

She felt old, far older than she was.

Something in her had broken that day, when the men had come and stolen her child from her. He had been so small, had kicked and screamed as they took him. He had thrown up down his poncho.

She hoped they had cleaned it up for him. Her baby hated being dirty, and he hated being sick. She hoped they had looked after him, that they had cared for him.

She hoped he had forgotten them. Had forgotten the terror he must have felt at being taken, had blocked out the horrible memories and made new, happier ones.

She had always told him that he was born Free, but not even that could save him from his destiny.

Owen had built a memorial for him, so that if he ever came their way, the light of the candle would draw him back home, a little star for their little Skywalker.

It hadn’t worked yet.

But Owen was hopeful. He refused to give up hope.

It had been twenty-two years, and her husband was still waiting.

They had tried to move beyond it, but everything in the house had reminded them of him. Of how he had been the light of their life, their third sun on this sandy planet they called home.

His stuffed bantha had been in his schoolbag. The bag he had dropped when the men had grabbed him.

She had kept it with her constantly, until she had grown worried that it would rip or get damaged.

Now, it lived next to their bed.

They had barely touched his room, his toys and ships left where he’d last put them. For a little while, they had slept in his bed, pressed together as if hoping that by clinging to what was left, the galaxy would return him to them.

The galaxy had never been kind.

He’d be thirty now, or would he be thirty-one? Time and age were taking memory from her, and some days she felt like the sand outside their door, like one strong gust of wind would scatter her.

She’d been empty since they took her Luke away.

She was making dinner, Owen out fixing a vaporiser. No matter how many years passed, she always set the table for three, in the hope that one day, three of them would eat at the table again.

There was a knock at the door. They weren’t expecting visitors, but there was always a chance another farmer needed her or Owen’s help with something.

She opened the door, and she screamed.

He was done with the farm for the night, he just had to light Luke’s candle, the star to guide him home. He would light this candle every night until his boy came back to him, even if it took him until his dying day.

But as soon as it was lit, he heard the screams.

Beru was screaming. Beru rarely screamed.

He had to get back to the house. Had the Sand People attacked? Surely he would have seen them?

He ran as fast as he could back to the homestead, hoping his wife was ok, hoping she was safe. He couldn’t lose another family member; he’d die if he lost her too. His heart couldn’t break any more than it already had and have him survive it.

The door was open, and he could hear her sobbing inside. She was still alive! There was a chance he could save her.

There she was, with… her arms around someone? She was crying? She was laughing?

Who was this person in their house?

The person looked up at him, and he knew those eyes, even after so long. He couldn’t believe it. Was it really?

“Luke?”

“Hello, Uncle Owen.”

After twenty-two years, their boy had come back to them.

His Aunt and Uncle were here. They were alive. They were safe.

He held on to them, unwilling to let them go now he had them again.

They hugged each other desperately, finally reunited after so long.

It had been Uncle Owen who had recovered first, pulling back so he could cup his nephew's cheeks in his hands.

“Luke? How? How are you here?”

And so he told them, of how he had tried to escape, and how two years ago, he had finally managed it in a daring scheme.

“Two years ago?”

“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner; it took me a long time to recover from the Order. I had to learn many things. I didn’t know how to keep money or get normal clothes or much beyond the very basics. I’d never been self-sufficient before… The first time I left the planet by myself I had a panic attack so bad I almost crashed. It took a while for me to build up any sort of independence. I’m sorry Uncle Owen, Aunt Beru. I would have come sooner if I could.”

“Luke, don’t worry, my boy. You’re here now, and that’s what is most important.”

Aunt Beru suddenly stood up.

“I have something for you.”

She went into their bedroom, and returned with a small object.

It was his Banthy.

That was when twenty-two years of waiting and wanting hit like it had the day he had become Free, and Luke Skywalker cried, back in his childhood home, with his Aunt and his Uncle and his Banthy to keep him safe.

“It’s getting late, I have to go back to my ship, comm Din and tell him I made it.”

“You never told us who Din is? Is he a friend of yours?”

At this, her boy flushed a dark pink. Oh! It seemed Din was a friend-friend.

“Din is… he’s the Mand’alor, king of the Mandalorians. He’s the one who helped me escape.”

“Is that all he is?”

She had missed the way his cheeks crinkled when he was embarrassed, how his smile lit his eyes, how her beautiful boy had turned into this handsome man. 

“I mean… Promise you won’t be mad?”

As if she could ever be mad at her boy. Her wonderful boy who’d come back to her. Her boy who was dressed in rich black fabrics and had healthy cheeks and happy eyes. She could never be mad at him.

“We promise, our Luke, we promise.”

“He’s… he’s asked me to marry him. To be his consort.”

Well, she hadn’t expected that, but Luke always managed to surprise her. Such a wonderful little boy, grown into a brave and brilliant man. She was so proud of him. 

“And? What did you say?”

“I… I refused him, just for now.”

He refused a proposal from a king? Why had her beloved boy done that? 

“For now? Why? He clearly loves you if he would do so much for you.”

“I told him I won’t marry him until you’ve met him, until you’ve shared water with him, and until you approve. He said he’d wait for me, that he’d wait for however long it took.”

Oh, oh Luke, to wait for so long, and to wait for their approval. She'd missed him so much, was sad she had missed watching him grow.

But she would have many years now to love him and care for him.

“And do you believe him?”

“I do. He’s never broken a promise.”

“Then you’d better bring your Din here, so that we can share water and give him our blessing.”

The smile Luke gave them was radiant.

After years of waiting, he’d finally come back to them, and he was Free.