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So, About that Caf... - Closed to Din

WHO: Cobb Vanth & Din Djarin
WHERE: Hanger and wandering through town
WHAT: Caf and a little conversation.
WHEN: A week after the end of the Superhero Event, early morning.
WARNINGS: Probably some bad language.

One morning before the sun came up Cobb got out of bed and made two cups of caf. Normally he only made one and drank it right away. Instead, he got ready for the day, grabbed the cups, and started walking.

It was nice. A little chilly in the morning, but nice and quiet. Almost peaceful except for all the ruins he had to pass through. Once the town was fixed up it would be real nice. He had made good progress on the houses too. People would have real places to stay and now just ships and rooms stacked on top of each other.

That was all the future.

This morning, he had a more focused goal. He reached the hangar and took a breath. He was too old for this nervous bullshit.

"Hey stranger," he called when he saw Din near his ship. Cobb held up the caf and approached slowly, a little worried Din might just turn and run. "Thought you might like to talk a walk with me. Have a little caf."

How Din might do that with the helmet on Cobb had really thought about until now but... well... the whole point was to walk and talk, not actually drink caf.

A lot had happened to them in that other reality. A lot of things that should've happened in their right minds first so Cobb wanted to talk about it. Hopefully, Din did as well.

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"I'm pretty sure he's not going to let it happen again." Cobb had hope for Billy now. He was more aware of what he could do and how many people it could effect. He also knew he had folks willing to help him out, folks willing to listen. "He's learned a good lesson about himself this go around."

As long as the kid knew he wasn't alone, they had a better chance of not going through that bantha shit again.

Din's question made him smile a little sadly. "I was slave most my life, Din. 'Course I wanted to leave. Almost joined the Crimson Dawn when I was young because they promised me freedom if I did. They were lying."

Luckily, he'd realized that before he sold his soul to that organization. And now, Din knew where he'd come from. What he'd been. It made him nervous. More nervous than talking about what they'd been in that other world. Which he knew they'd have to do eventually.

Ever since they'd met, and Cobb had told him about how he'd saved Mos Pelgo from the mining collective. Din had had his suspicions about Cobb's past, that it had something to do with slavery. But at the time, he could tell he wasn't going to get more out of the man, and it's not in Din's nature to prod. Plus the whole dragon and quest situation.

But getting confirmation. Hearing the fact that Cobb had once been a slave. Not just then, but for most of his life. It gives Din pause, and he's silent for a bit as he considers this. The fingers on his free hand twitch, as he feels some anger, himself. Knowing what happened to his own people with the Empire, knowing Cobb had the same treatment on Tatooine. Part of him wanted to reach out and touch Cobb's arm. Instead he hooked the thumb of his free hand into his belt. Cobb didn't really need sympathy, he was beyond the point of needing sympathy.

"Even if you wanted to escape. You made the right choice not joining them." Part of him is really glad he didn't, because he doubts they'd be talking right now if he did. But then something dawns on him.

"In that world you were never a slave." That world where they knew each other for years, not just months.

Anyone who knew anything about Tatooine should have suspicions. Most of the population was slaves. That was slowly changing after the Empire's fall and Cobb hoped one day he'd see a free Tatooine. He couldn't hide it forever, he knew, but he wasn't going to go around advertising his past.

"I did. They were part of the slave trade. Would've probably sold me for quick cash on some other planet." He felt a wave of disgust as he thought about it. Nothing but a thing to people. A resource to sell and trade. He hated it.

Cobb nodded slowly, a sad smile on his face. "Never knew peace like that before." And now that he was back to himself he'd probably never know it again. The weight of his past was right back on his shoulders. "And least I got a chance to know what it's like being born free. Cost me my eyesight but... part of me thinks it was worth it."

He pushed down his wistfulness and sense of longing for that world and that life. No point in wishing for something that would never happen again. This was his life and the only one he could live.

Kriff Tatooine, really. Nothing good ever really came from that sand pit. Well, maybe one good thing. One's past, is for the one that experienced it to know and share. Din understands the want to not just tell everyone of your past. There's only four in their world, that know his, and he likes it that way.

"Or sold you, soon as you had no use to them." It can't be seen, but he's frowning under the helmet. People that enslave others, are the lowest of the low. Din, himself, doesn't have the cleanest of records. Stooping that low would never be considered. Or work for anyone that did.

His helmet tilts toward Cobb as he listens. "You have the memories of that life. It was a good experience for you. I would say it was good." And his blindness, had led to things happening between them, that could've taken much longer to happen.

"I don't know how I feel about...mine."

Cobb liked to think that Din had never been one of those slave hunters that haunted his nightmares as a kid. Nameless, faceless, threats that masters used to keep their slaves in line because chips in their heads weren't enough, he guessed. Din had more honor than that.

"Some parts were better than others." He looked over at Din who looked exactly how he remembered him best. He knew under that helmet there was a human. Probably had a mustache and a little stubble. Still couldn't imagine a face even though they'd kissed.

"It wasn't all bad, your life. Unkind that you didn't have your armor but you had your kid. There was good there." Cobb paused a moment running his tongue along the side of his mouth while he thought.

"There was us," he said softly. "Like to think that wasn't all that bad."

Din never was one of those. There were likely others in the guild, that did. But wasn't one of them. He'd go after slavers, if there ever was a bounty on one. Which there often were. But never the slaves. Slaves he usually freed, if he could. Maker knows they had a bad enough life.

"I had the armor the whole time. It was only used when I was...vigilanting." The armor was his disguise, which is still a strange idea. "Grogu had fun. Going out with him...that was one of the highlights." One of the few good memories he had of that alternate life. There's a pause, and his helmet turns away, almost shyly.

He remembers it, he remembers the kisses, the feel of another's breath on his face, lips against his own. Something he'd not had, probably since he was a kid. For his alternate self, it hadn't been that unusual. But for the real him, it was, and yet...

"No. That...was another highlight.

Cobb let out a breath and then chuckled, looking up at the sky for a moment. Good. That was good to hear. He had been a little worried Din would feel he had crossed a line.

"We skipped a few steps out here," he said, gesturing to the ruined city around them. "But I'd liked to take those steps. Would like to kiss you again some day."

He'd kiss Din now if the man wasn't wearing a helmet but Cobb figured that would have to wait. They couldn't just jump back into how close they'd been in that other world no matter how much he would have liked that. Part of him ached for the closeness. He didn't have it with a lot of people and it felt good.

But he wasn't that man, really never had been. He and Din had to figure that out here.

He reached out and bumped his hand against Din's for a moment. "Figure I'm too old to dance around the issue, might as well just tell you what I'd like."

"I warned you I wasn't used to this." He's more used to attracting the wrong people. There's a reason he's been partnerless at the age of almost forty. When most Mandalorians have a partner and multiple kids/foundlings by his age. Yet there's been at least one outward sign, from Din's point of view anyway. Namely the knife sheath, that Cobb had gifted him on Coruscant. It's part of his armor, and he's rarely without it.

Maker knows they've been dancing around it enough, the past few months since they showed up in Temba. He's not a big fan of leaving things to chance. But if Din was going the take a chance on anyone, doing so with Cobb felt right. They just needed to hash things out, and they'd be that close again.

The hand bumping makes him look back to Cobb. "I...would like to take those steps too." He's getting committed to the idea. There's work arounds for things, he knows there are. His brain reminding him of even one for the kissing, that...technically they'd already done in that other world.

"Tell me what you want." They might as well start there.

"A partner," Cobb said without hesitation. No one had ever complimented him liek Din expect Issa-Or but he wasn't her type. "I'm not lookin' for casual and meaningless. Had enough of that in my life. This would be somethin' to last, hopefully."

They could work to that. Cobb felt they fit each other so well already adding a little romance wouldn't change much. "I'm hoping we spend a little more time together, just the two of us, and you don't mind if I flirt a little now and then."

He grinned his most charming grin. How could Din resist a smile like that? It would be fun even if they took things slow. He didn't expect Din to jump into bed with him right away. "I can be a patient man, Din. I figure we'll be taking this slow."

Cobb had waited forty years to be free. What was a few months waiting for Din to kiss him again?

Maker, that grin could charm a sarlacc. How can he resist it? Yet some how for 20+ years, he'd resisted the attempts by many a Mandalorian, looking to win his favor as a partner. His mind had been in a different set back then. Getting bounties and supporting the covert were top priority. Even after getting Grogu, the kid's safety had taken priority.

"Not that long ago, I would have brushed you off." Yet, some how Cobb had managed to bust his way in, in only days. The quest taking priority and making him leave. But on Temba, there was no quest anymore. Here he'd found Grogu a Jedi, in a situation that was better than he expected.

Then Cobb got dragged to Temba, and things changed.

"I would like that. We can find ways to spend more time together." He'd volunteered once to help with the houses. The Temple cause of Grogu had taken a bit of priority. But that was mostly done now.

"Think...for the first time. I'm ready for something longer lasting." Seemed like things had set up right, for his mind to be open to it. Part of him is still nervous about it, but the patience is helping. He does have one way he can repay that patience.

"I have a way to repay for that patience....and a compromise." A good compromise, he promises.

"Not gonna turn down more time with you." Cobb felt his heart twist a little nervously in his chest. It was good to hear though that Din felt something here and not just in that other life where they had "time" to get to know each other better.

"Ah, you don't owe me for that," Cobb said as he gently bumped his shoulder against Din's. "Doesn't cost me anything to respect your Creed."

It shouldn't surprise Din that Cobb felt very strongly about respecting people's personal boundaries. After all his time with no personal boundaries, being someone else's property, Cobb wouldn't ask for anything Din wasn't willing to give.

"But, I'll hear you out. What's on your mind, darlin'?" Still, if there was a chance for something a little more intimate between them Cobb wanted it. He wouldn't mind being a little closer to Din.

Cobb had given a lot, since he'd arrived in Temba. The understanding of Din's creed, that started way back on that night in the Tusken camp, when he'd asked about it. Out of nothing but wanting to understand what it meant. It's something few back home really bothered to do. But mostly, his patience, and not giving up trying. Despite it taking a bit for Din to clue in, and get it in his brain.

"I'm aware I don't." Yet for all Cobb had given, Din had yet to give much in return. Even if he didn't show it, it bothered him a little. "But I don't like to leave things unrepaid." If they were doing this, Cobb didn't need to be the only one giving in this partnership. His free hand drops from his belt, only to move and gently grip Cobb's arm to halt him, and let him step in front.

"The creed restricts a lot." As Cobb well knows. "But I can give you this. Something we...did back in that world." He knows, and respects Cobb's boundaries in return. So if Cobb pushes him away, so be it. But that trust between them is going to be tested, as Din steps close enough to lean in. There's the gentlest of taps as helmet meets forehead. Much like they'd done in the alley in Billy's city. Only there's more to it this time. More feeling, and reverence.

"The kov'nyn." The Mand'oa name for it slipping out, his voice through the vocoder dipping softer, like he only wanted it between the two of them. "Keldabe kiss." He can't kiss Cobb like in Billy's city, not yet. But he was more than willing to do this. Even if he felt like his heart might beat right out his chest plate.

One of these days, Cobb would figure out how to explain what little Din gave him was fine because it was what the other man wanted to give. Maybe it wasn't equal in terms of reach but the feelings behind it were the same.

Before he could say anything, though, they stopped and Din moved in close. Cobb held his breath for a moment as the man leaned in and gently rested his helmet against his forehead. It was strange because this close Cobb could only really see his reflection. That t-visor still hid Din's face. Couldn't even see the color his eyes which Cobb knew were right there.

This was how Din's people kissed. Made sense and maybe it wasn't satisfying as the way they kissed before Cobb close his eyes and soaked up the feeling anyway. He reached out and caught Din's hand, tangling their fingers together.

"You are... somethin' else." And he meant that in a very good way.

Cobb can't see Din, but Din can see Cobb. One of the few upsides, Din would consider out of the whole thing. Was he got to see Cobb, see him without the visor's filter. Seen just how light his hair is, seen the wrinkles from time and a hard life. It only added to the rugged charm the man already had. The only thing he could barely see, was the real color of his eyes. But he could tell they were a pretty light color.

He also knew his scent. Something of people he rarely knew anymore, because the helmet got in the way of smelling things. The only other scent he knows is Grogu's. Both unique in their own ways. His fingers twitch a little as Cobb moves his to tangle them together. There's a brief moment of hesitation, before he curls his fingers to squeeze Cobb's hand. Even through the fabric of the glove, he can feel the warmth of the other's hand.

"So...are you." Din says in response, giving the man's head a gentle nudge, before he takes half a step back. "Not many in my life, I've considered for a partner." Much ess getting serious about it.

"Can't say I've had many partners in my time either." Cobb figured their little moment was done so he tugged on Din's hand to get them walking again. He wanted to show him the houses and the work he'd gotten done. Maybe Din would want to be neighbors.

"Closest I've ever come is Issa-Or and she doesn't really care for men." He kept his hold on Din's hand because he could and the other man didn't seem to be inclined to let go either. "You didn't get to meet her. She's my deputy. Happened to be in Mos Espa when you came through town. She got me through some real rough patches."

Maker, he would've liked to introduce Din and Issa-Or. He had a feeling those two would get along like womp rats in sand.

"But somethin' about working with you was real easy. Felt good." Felt right in a way Cobb hadn't felt with anyone else.

As they start walking again, almost like the moment didn't happen. Din's a little glad for his helmet, as the continued hand holding makes him feel a little flustered, feeling the way his skin tingles under the armor, even just from the warm touch. But he keeps his grip, his helmet naturally tilting toward Cobb as he listens.

"She sounds like a good deputy, friend, to have." Din's a little sad he never got to meet her. She sounds like an interesting one to know. But the timing of his visit just didn't work, and he wasn't going to stuck around longer than he had to. "Got one like that." At least one. "Cara Dune." He snorts softly. "Our first meeting wasn't too different, from first meeting you. ...just no armor involved." It certainly came to blows, though. "Never considered her a partner, however." He adds.

"Last one I almost considered a partner, was on the same planet I ran into Cara. Only weeks after...saving Grogu." A pause. "Similar situation as with you and Mos Pelgo, actually. Cara and I helped a small village fight off raiders, that wanted their spotchka krill farm." Another pause. Interesting connection there. "But she was a villager named Omera. She knew some of the creed, respected it. The best shot in the village." Which coming from a Mandalorian, you know it had to be impressive. But Din shakes his head. "She wanted me to stay, but I didn't fit in there. " Or so he felt. "Almost left Grogu there, but a bounty hunter found us." Thus they had to leave.

"I don't...trust people easily, Cobb." It's instinct that's kept him alive. "But fighting along side you. I haven't felt that much trust in a long time." Knowing Cobb had his back, as much as he had Cobb's back. With few words between them. It was surprising, and nice. Specially when he'd only known the man for four days.

"She is. Fierce as a krayt dragon. Our master cut a part of her lekku off and it should've killed her. Lots of blood vessels in there but she lived. No bacta, only what little medical attention we could give her, and her own spirit." Cobb admires her, loves her honestly, but they're a family more than they're lovers. Partners in the platonic sense. He missed her something fierce right now, thinking about her, talking about her. Marker, he hopes she's alright back in Mos Pelgo.

They never did get a chance to really talk about Din's adventures when he was in Mos Pelgo. They talked a little about the Creed and the kid and Din's mission but not much about other adventures. There was a krayt dragon to kill. It took a lot of focus.

"Well, thank you for savin' my favorite drink. I appreciate that." He scratched his beard with his free hand, humming a little bit. "I'm startin' to see a type for you. Small town, good shot, and handsome or pretty. I wouldn't have minded if you stayed but I knew you had your mission. Definitely wouldn't have let you leave the kid though. No kid should grow up on Tatooine if they've got other options."

And yet, here they were. Somehow after going their separate ways they'd found each other again. Cobb was suspicious of the forces that brought them here but the silver lining was Din and his kid. "Strange, wasn't it? Felt like I knew you, knew how to fight with you even though we were strangers. And you threatened to kill me."

That about the leku surprises Din, he knows how important those are. "Kriff, she is a tough one." His tone through the vocoder might just sound impressed. She would have been a good one at the dragon fight. "Hope I get to meet her sometime." If they ever get to leave this place, go back home.

"Some would argue, travelling with a bounty hunter is no life for a kid, either." That had been Din's main argument at the time, for leaving Grogu with Omera on Sorgan. Yet here they were, over a year later. Now he couldn't imagine life without the kid. At some point him and Cobb needed to sit down, and tell tales of their adventures. Din's had some wild ones just in the last year. "I...admit. I felt more comfortable in Mos Pelgo. Than I did on Sorgan. Sorgan at the time was...too peaceful." Not to say Mos Pelgo couldn't be peaceful either. But there was just something about the gritty sandy town that fit Din better.

Din is highly suspicious of the Agrii and Atroma. Specially now after the whole thing with Billy's city, and the kid's torture. But reconnecting with Cobb, has been strangely nice. There's a sound through the vocoder that could be a chuckle. "Strange to say, but it was fortunate the dragon interrupted."

"Come back to Mos Pelgo sometime and you will." Cobb will make sure to introduce them. Issa-Or's been curious about the Mandalorian who saved them. She was a little annoyed Cobb gave up the armor, leaving him vulnerable but she couldn't complain about keeping a deal.

He gives Din a droll look. "Trust me, there are worse ways for a child to grow up." Grogu never had to worry about his parent getting sold away. He never had to wonder about his next meal or next drink of water. Never had to be afraid of the whip or electro staff. He has a sweet dad who clearly loves him and would lay down his life for him.

Cobb shakes his head to shake out the memories. That life was behind him now. He was a free man and on a whole other kriffing planet.

"Home's a little quieter now but we still get the occasional roving band of raiders and syndicate thugs." He figured Mos Pelgo would never be truly peaceful. Things were a lot better without the dragon and the peace with the Tuskens but there were always threats in Tatooine.

"Still think I could've outdrew ya. Would've ended up dead on the floor by the second shot but I would've drawn on you first." He says it with a grin and a wink.

"If we ever manage to get home, I will." He says. It might well be after he finishes the mission, back home. But he'd go back to Tatooine, and Mos Pelgo. Seems like he always finds his way back to that dust ball of a planet. But there were also always plenty of reasons to leave there.

That actually makes him pause for a moment. "No, you're right." His tone sounds apologetic. Grogu was fortunate that he didn't wind up in worse circumstance. There's a moment of hesitation, before he squeezed Cobb's hand. "This place has given you both a good life." They all had a better life here. As questionable as Temba, and the people in charge, are. This place definitely had a lot of upsides to it. Compared to what normally happened back home.

"Really?" Even though Cobb can't see it, the statement gets a raised eyebrow, as the helmet tilts. "The last one to try and out draw me. Was dead on the ground, before he got a shot off." And that wasn't that long ago, either. The hunter guy on Corvus had tried, thought he was good, but far from it.

Din had always kept his word and Cobb saw no reason to doubt it now. Might not be a long visit but he hoped it be a little while.

He had nothing to apologize for. Cobb had lived through it. None of that could be changed... except by Billy and his mind altering powers. "It's not bad. But we are held prisoner. Can't say I'm happy about that."

Freedom meant everything to him. If he could just come and go as he pleased it would be a good life. He might even call it great but instead he was trapped. So was everyone else.

"Really." Cobb continued to grin shamelessly. "I ain't sayin' you're a bad draw but I think I'm faster. We should have a little contest sometime. Little target practice."

Where Cobb, win or lose the contest, would absolutely have some fun flirting with Din over weapons. He had probably just suggested a Mandalorian courtship thing, right? With Din's people loving weapons the way they did.

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So, About that Caf... - Closed to Din

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