heypartner: (Mando)
Marshal Cobb Vanth ([personal profile] heypartner) wrote in [community profile] revivalproject2021-06-07 07:05 pm

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.
foundlingfather: (This was a bad idea)

[personal profile] foundlingfather 2021-06-08 05:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Returning to the Twin Roses, when he was trying to avoid people, probably wasn't the smartest thing. But he'd been tired, and he'd subconsciously headed for the familiar sleep surroundings of a ship. It helped that it wasn't used as much anymore, with the majority of the crew having taken to other residences. Still, he'd only slept for so long. Despite the quiet of Temba, he always rose early. A habit born from his training, and many years of being a bounty hunter. Which worked to avoid people, since they were likely still asleep.

What he's not counting on, is a fellow early riser this morning. He's coming down the Twin Roses' ramp, when Cobb's words stop him dead in his tracks. There's a long moment of hesitation, a slow released deep breath before he moves once again. Not to run, but to walk the rest of the way down. At a slightly slower pace than before, as Cobb approaches. The suit doing well to hide the nervous swallow, fingers of one hand flexing and retracting.

"Cobb." The voice through the vocoder sounding his usual neutral and calm, not belaying the swirl of emotions running through him. His helmet tilts, as he eyes the offered caf like it's a trap. Even though he knows it's not. He knows what this is about. He knows they need to talk about what happened between them in that other life, and that was why he'd been avoiding Cobb in particular. Not sure if he was ready mentally, when things first went back to normal.

Now after a week, and help from Grogu, he was in a better place. Back together mentally. Was he ready for the talk? He wasn't completely sure, still. But he knew he couldn't avoid it forever.

"Sure. Let's...take a walk."
foundlingfather: (Do you really want to try me?)

[personal profile] foundlingfather 2021-06-10 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
There's another moment of hesitation, before he nods, reaching out to take the cup of caf. Fingers brushing briefly, even if there's the gloves between them once again.

The creed hadn't been broken. But that city had stretched it, almost as far as it could be stretched. The hat and glasses his alternate self wore when in public, hid most of his face. But he'd still been stripped out of his armor, his helmet, that for decades he'd worn nearly all the time. Set aside most of the month, as a 'costume' for that alternate life. Now he was back in his armor, where he felt safe, secure. His barrier between him and the world around him. Yet, now it feels like there's a crack in that barrier, and he's still not completely sure how to feel about it.

As they walked, Din naturally fell to walking just behind and slightly to the side of Cobb, to make it easier to both walk and listen. Plus keep an eye out. But once they're in a relatively empty part of the city, and it's just them, his posture does relax a little.

"Thank you." Despite what happened between them, he felt comfortable enough to admit-- I don't...know how to feel out it." Yes, it had sort of happened on Coruscant, when he borrowed Cobb's armor to see Grogu. But that had been only hours or days, and he'd had a helmet. This had been a whole month. The cup of caf in his hand ignored for the moment, as there's a sigh that filters through the vocoder. "Haven't been out of my armor that long, since I was a child." Before he took the creed.

There's a pause then-- "I'm not mad at Billy over this, either. Seems like he was as much a victim, as the rest of us." He'd be lying if he said he hadn't wanted to blame at first. But the thought didn't sit right with him.
foundlingfather: (New armor swagger)

[personal profile] foundlingfather 2021-06-12 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
"Scared some of us are going to turn on him. Blame him for what happened." Din's guessing, which given their group. Different people, different personalities. Could be a fair assessment.

"I talked to him, too. Wanted to get his side of it." To know what the hell caused it, what happened. He grimaces under the suit. "He shouldn't have been put through that." It's hard to be angry, when it seems like Billy in the end, had it the worst. "It's got me on edge. To think it could be done to any of us next." That someone would be so brash to use memories against Billy like that, and then drag the rest of them into it too.

"Good of you to do that. Kid's gonna need a lot of support." And a lot of ears to listen. Cobb did a lot of talking, but he seemed to be a good listener, too. Din tilts his helm. "You've wanted to leave Tatooine before?" Really given the weather Din wouldn't blame him, but Cobb also seemed to love it there, and his town.
foundlingfather: (What's my next job)

[personal profile] foundlingfather 2021-06-13 08:24 pm (UTC)(link)
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.
foundlingfather: (Looking to the side)

[personal profile] foundlingfather 2021-06-16 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
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."
foundlingfather: (Vanth)

[personal profile] foundlingfather 2021-06-17 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
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.
foundlingfather: (You can't be serious)

[personal profile] foundlingfather 2021-06-18 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
"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.
foundlingfather: (Looking at something)

[personal profile] foundlingfather 2021-06-20 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
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.
foundlingfather: (This stupid ball)

[personal profile] foundlingfather 2021-06-21 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
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.
foundlingfather: (Vanth)

[personal profile] foundlingfather 2021-06-29 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
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.
foundlingfather: (I'm listening)

[personal profile] foundlingfather 2021-07-01 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
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.
foundlingfather: (Back where it belongs)

[personal profile] foundlingfather 2021-07-06 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
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."
foundlingfather: (I don't know)

[personal profile] foundlingfather 2021-07-07 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
"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.