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Din had been worried about you for days. You weren't acting like yourself. He wanted to approach you, to talk to you, but kriff, he didn't have the words. He wasn't even how sure how close you would let him get to you. He was forty cycles and although you were above age in all purposes, he wasn't sure if he was too old. But this wasn't about him. It was about you.
"Cyar'ika," he would say calmly, his real pretense was worry underneath the tranquil facade. You already knew he was suspicious of you. Ever observant, ever cautious. Especially when it came to you and Grogu. You also knew that Din would take care of you no matter what. But how much could you confess without scaring him away? You. Loved. Him. And burdening him with your problems only made you feel worse.
"I need the 'fresher" you said, brushing passed him. You could hear him sigh lightly and go back to the cockpit. You just sat on the floor and cried. You were aching all over on the inside and trembling on the outside. You need him and you wanted him.
Din could hear you, and not too poorly either because of the advanced equipment in his helmet. But he struggled whether to go to you or not. He didn't want to make things worse by saying the wrong thing.
Kark it.
Din knocked gently on the door.
"Cyare? Are you alright?" he asked. You sniffled and wiped your eyes.
"I'm ok."
But it was obvious in your voice that you were anything but.
"Can I come in?" he asked again. You nodded and then remembered that he couldn't see you.
"Yes."
And then Din came in the small fresher, kneeling down in front of you.
"Do you want to tell me what this is about?" his voice soft but stable. He put a cautious hand on your knee and it felt like the gods were answering your prayers. You looked from his hand to him.
"I can't." you sniffled. "I'm upset and.. what if I.. you.." you stumbled across a jumbled sentence, nervous.
"What, cyar'ika?" his visor trained on you but his eyes were gentle behind it.
You put your hand on his.
"I want to go to you but this.. it will only hurt me more. Letting you get closer only to reject me." you admitted, head turnign away from him.
The Mando was quiet for a beat.
"Reject you? Why would I do that?" Din's helmet tilted to the side.
"Because!" you yelled. "I love you, Din. Maker, I love you."
"I should have told you sooner..that I return your affections." Din admitted.
You thought you were struck by lightning. Shock.
"What?" you asked in disbelief.
"I said, I return your affections and..I do love you. I have for a while now.. I wish to court you..I must warn though, that I am forty cycles."
You shook your head and hugged him.
"Just a number." you sighed.
"Now can you tell me what's wrong? Why you've been upset? I've noticed it and I.. I've been worried." and with that, Din took your hand and squeezed.
"Ok" you sniffled. "It's just that.."
And you and Din stayed on that floor for over an hour and at the end of the day, him insisting that he hold you close at night. You had no problem with that.