I Guess The Thing To Be Learned From Everything Going On With The Mandalorian Storytelling Right Now

Life Update + Fics

Hello, everyone! I am not dead! I am so sorry for the lack of responses in my inbox and fics, but I haven't had the energy to do a whole lot outside of work. August was not kind to me and I'm just starting to come out of recovery, but I want everyone to know that I will be participating in Kinktober along with dropping a fic by the weekend so please stay tuned! And thank you to those who have reblogged and commented on my posts and followed me!! I'll catch up in a few days, thank you for being patient with me!!

Long story short, in August:

I had a LOT of travel drama

my Airbnb hosts turned into absolute psychopaths trying to get me to pay for a lamp I didn't break on top of damaging their

kitchen when I didn't and it took 2 weeks to resolve this going back and forth with them to where I had to get Airbnb involved and had them blocked on there and I had to block their numbers as well from texting and calling me

my diseases started to flare up again to where I had to up my medication and I'm afraid they still aren't helping as much as I needed them to

all specialists in my area are booked at least 4 months out so I have to consider either finding help hours away or moving (which I want to do but I'm still saving up before I make that commitment)

my best friend who I have known since high school decided to end our friendship in a really traumatic way all because I put my foot down regarding one of my boundaries and she took that personally. Traumatic as in not only she blocked me on all platforms including Pinterest and Venmo, but she also got her husband, parents, sister, and a mutual friend to all block me instead of talking to me and ending our friendship on a note that we were both worthy of rather than whatever the fuck this was. Reminder: we're in our 30s. So this completely blindsided me on the last day of August while I was at work on break.

I feel like I'm missing something but that's the gist. I'm being vague but if anyone wants more details, just DM me and I can tell you what happened in more depth for clarity or I might just make a post about it later depending on how I'm feeling but yeah it's been a lot. I'll respond to everyone in the next few days, thank you again for your patience. I love you all!! Be safe!! Look forward to some beautiful and horny fics coming your way!!

➤ French Revolution ➤ Alternate Universe - Australia ➤ Playwriting ➤ Service Animals

Fuck yeah, I'm down.

curious about what's in store for you for 2023? :D

let AO3 decide!

(this is a random generator that will give you four (4) ao3 tags, so you know, warnings for what that usually entails)

hey not sure if i have any Jewish followers from NJ but FYI. this is really concerning

Look, I don't care if you ship Bo and Din. But for the love of Morgan Freeman please STOP saying Grogu needs a mother. As a child of a single parent and that parent being the child of a single parent, it's so dehumanizing to see Din be reduced to a man requiring a partner to fulfill his child's need for a nuclear family. I haven't felt the need to say this as I haven't seen this kind of aggression with other ships and I think it's because its heteronormative, and I really need people to just... stop.

If you ship them, fine. If you love the idea of Grogu gaining a bonus parent who makes him and his dad happy, awesome! But to reduce Din and Grogu to two people who need someone to complete them after Din has done SO MUCH for Grogu as his child on his own is insulting. Single parents are often harshly judged in our every day lives because people think their children can only be fulfilled and successful with two (HETERO) parents when that's not the case. It also reduces the growth Grogu inspired in Din to overcome his religious trauma and realize he's a good father and Mandalorian even if Din doesn't think that of himself. Needing a partner or another parent to fill in a missing piece that doesn't exist is unfair to real people and characters alike. Even for Bo as a female anti-hero in a male dominate show to be reduced to "mother" when she has decades of history that has made her a fleshed out, stand alone SW character who doesn't need another show to be fulfilled by its protagonist. It's insulting to any female SW characters to be reduced to being just a partner or parent and their original purpose isn't even acknowledged or considered in the plot just so that the romantic itch can be scratched without any real reason or purpose other than "why not?" Just... learn to not dehumanize female SW characters or undermine single parents and children of single parents. This isn't shaming fanfic writers or readers or anyone for wanting Din to be happy and liking the idea of someone being a bonus parent to Grogu, this is towards the people who keep insisting Din and Grogu will be happier and complete with a partner/parent. And I hope this comes across that way cause I know some people make get offended over this when it's not intended to do so.

I went No Contact with half of my family after my white great uncle told me he blamed my directionless lifestyle on not having a strong male figure in my life when I was doing just fine and he knew nothing about my life. The way he talked about my mom was enough for me to realize how many people agreed with him and I burned that bridge so fucking fast because my mom was a fierce woman who didn't need a man to be an awesome mother and made it very clear that any partner would be second fiddle to me and my siblings. We came first. As did her career. Romantic partners and parenthood should add zest to the life you already live, not uproot it to fit into theirs or uproot theirs to fit into yours. So don't do that to Din and Grogu, no matter who you ship him with.

Everyone's Feelings are Valid Regarding Mando Season 3

As a neurodivergent teacher whose students are on spring break, I finally have the time to weigh in on the Mando Season 3 debate after seeing how divided the fandom is. This mini essay is meant to be a logical and safe middle ground for everyone, to remind everyone that your feelings are valid regardless of what they are, and that even if your opinions/feelings are valid that doesn't meant they're fact or justifiable to police how others think and feel.

This contains spoilers for Mando S3, Rebels, and Clone Wars and is written while I'm high on benadryl so approach at your own risk! I may go back and edit this and edit out/rewrite points to make them more succinct or add points others may have that should be included and don't want anyone to feel gaslit if they see any changes they don't recall seeing before.

1. More Than Two Ways to Feel

From what I gather, the two main opinions on this season are either it's a great season and anyone who disagrees is what's wrong with Star Wars, or that this season is a disappointing let down after waiting so long for Din to return. Both are valid, but since Star Wars fans tend to see outcomes in extremes, I want to point out that those aren't the only two options available, you can also:

be disappointed with this season while continuing to be a huge fan of the show

and

enjoy this season while recognizing the writing and quality isn't up to the standards the show had set in previous seasons or even the promises it made with this one.

The Mandalorian was the first piece of live action media since the Clone Wars that sparked the interest of even non Star Wars fans because it offered something new and exciting to a world and lore we're all familiar with that doesn't demand you to know 50 years of Star Wars history nor does it jeopardize characters and storylines long time fans are protective of.

Because of this, it's easy to forget that Star Wars fans are now sharing The Mandalorian with casual Star Wars fans or even exclusive fans to the show without having any interest in exploring the SW universe further through other forms of media.

I'd argue the first instance of this being taken away from casual fans was in The Book of Boba Fett by requiring them to view it to stay i in the know for Season 3 along with the return of Cad Bane who, for fans of the cartoons, flipped out seeing his live action form. But for those who only watched BOBF as fans of Mando, a lot of viewers were like:

Bo Katan, Ahsoka, Luke, and Boba Fett's resurrection in Mando were written in smoothly that excited long time SW fans familiar with them while allowing casual fans to enjoy the story because said characters stood on their own as supporting roles without taking away from their their origins. But throwing in characters like Cad Bane and even other Rebels/Clone Wars characters into Season 3 of Mando, it doesn't give casual fans a reason to stay or feel satisfied if they're not in the know with these beloved niche of characters.

And because of this, it's easy to unintentionally police said fans with how strongly you may feel as someone with deep rooted knowledge of the franchise.

Casual fans of the show shouldn't have to be spoiled or talked down to for not sharing the same enthusiasm as other fans because they don't know who a character is/their importance to the SW universe or for having differing opinions and feelings over a show that wasn't originally built on any previous Star Wars lore. And older fans who love all SW lore who are disappointed are allowed to feel let down after 3 years for this season to not be how it was advertised just as fans who are loving this season shouldn't be mocked for enjoying the ride regardless of where it goes. We're all valid here.

2. Mando Has Always Had Side Quests, but Not Without Plot

If I had a dollar for every

"Mando has always been about side quests! Why are people complaining about this format NOW?"

comment I read, I'd have enough to maybe... have a nice meal somewhere.

Has the Mandalorian been told through side quests? Yes and no. It's been 3 years since the last season aired and I think a lot of people will look back at the previous 2 seasons with vague memories of Din and Grogu traversing through time and space as father and son while helping wayward future friends and getting their asses handed to them by alien animal species when it wasn't quite like that.

The first season starts with Din being hired after a particularly easy job to hunt down a difficult quarry. Din requires the help of a moister farmer to get to the kid since he can't land the ship close enough to the mark without setting off security, and discovers said quarry is a child. He spends the rest of the season getting the kid back to the Imps, saving him from the Imps, blacklisting himself from his job, unintentionally setting up his covert for a massacre, trying to lay low and find a safe place for the kid to grow up so he can go back to his old life only to realize he can't as long as the kid is wanted, and proceeds to take on a few jobs to feed them and avoid the Empire until he's called back to deal with Karga's ambush and getting sucked into a trap intended for Grogu and the season ends with Grogu now being Din's foundling and his new mission is to bring Grogu home.

The second season focuses on Din trying to hunt down fellow Mandalorians to help him reunite Grogu to the Jedi, the first episode while on a job reveals that his quarry had seen a Mandalorian on Mos Pelgo which led him to meet Cobb Vanth. The only reason Din stayed is to take back the armor and agreed to earning it back by killing the Krayt Dragon for them and the Raiders. The second episode has Din playing Taxi in return for information about Mandalorians seen on Trask (where Frog Lady was heading). Din agrees to help Bo and her clan to raid an Imperial ship and her information leads him to Ahsoka two episodes later. Because the Mon Calamari's repairs were inadequate, Din goes to help Karga destroy an old Imperial base in return for repairs. He finally finds Ahsoka and helps her confront Elsbeth in exchange of training Grogu (again, I'll circle back to this as a Season 3 plot point that fell through). She decides she won't train him due to Grogu's attachment and anger in his heart for what he went through and points Din to a temple where Grogu can contact other Jedi for training and from there, he's capture, Din loses his ship, he finds Grogu's location with the help of his newfound friends, and saves Grogu only to give him over to Luke while now being the proud owner of a weapon and defunct planet.

So is Mando ALL random side quests with no point? No. Each episode interwove into the next effortlessly while being a self contained episode that never failed to remind you the importance of each mission, side quest, and character that Din interacted with. And it's hard to miss the overall theme of honor, identity, and religious guilt that Din faces and questions each episode up until the end when he chooses to show Grogu his face as an ultimate act of love.

But with Season 3, I can't tell you how any of the episodes connect or what they hint at to the overall season plot and we're six (seven, if you're reading this after the episode drops) episodes into an 8 episode season. Even if by the final episode things all tie together, it didn't have the same smooth transitions as the previous seasons had nor did they remind you of what we might've forgotten information wise in these three years and that's why a lot of these episodes feel pointless compared to the urgency that Din and Grogu faced leading up to his departure with Luke. Which brings me to...

3. Season 3's Plot Failed in Season 2 and BOBF

Yet two other comments I've seen that could buy me a second fancy meal somewhere or just a fancy ass desert for a family of 4 by myself is:

Season 3 has no plot! It's pointless! It's boring!

and

Season 3 has a plot! Just because it's not about Din anymore doesn't mean there lacks plot!

And to this, yet again, I say... yes and no to both. Season 3, as I mentioned in my previous point, hasn't woven in an overarching plot like its previous two seasons and so the urgency is not only not there, but it doesn't remind you of why you need to care or stick around for Din's redemption arc (whichever that may be) or whatever is going on with Bo and the Armorer and the Empire. But I don't fault Season 3 for having bad writing necessarily, but rather throwing out their best plot point for Book of Boba Fett and (as I mentioned before) not recapping what was mentioned in Season 2.

No one can convince me that The Book of Boba Fett wasn't a ploy for Disney+ to keep Mando fans happy and excited while they figured out Season 3. I will die on this hill. It's been 3 years and I already heard fans losing hope and grumbling about it before I even joined Tumblr. No matter how loyal a fanbase is, you still lose them to other media when what they crave isn't available in a certain amount of time and BOBF was the balm to that ache for many of us despite us also simultaneously being disappointed in how they handled BOBF. Boba and BIPOC characters deserve better. But that's for another essay.

Season 3 failed the moment Din and Grogu were reunited in BOBF along with Din's new ship. This broke what made Mando so unique and special as stated in my first point where fans could casually get into Mando without needing decades of SW lore to enjoy it, and now those fans are left behind because they didn't realize they had to invest in The Book of Boba Fett to be included in the Members Only Season of The Mandalorian and that's being reflected in its ratings.

I genuinely believe if they had opened Mando Season 3 with his entrance in BOBF and led the first two episodes with Din tracking down his tribe after delivering his bounty for said information, was made an apostate, and rejected to see Grogu all in one episode... that would have given the season far more possibilities for plot than what this season has offered us in the last 6 episodes. And especially so if they recapped the important plot details that Season 2 set up but expected fans to remember after 3 years and tied those plot points in in a way that upped the urgency Season 3 has lacked so far.

In Chapter 11: The Heiress when Din is saved by Bo and her clan, he only agrees to help them with their raid in exchange for where he can find a Jedi teacher for Grogu. But what did they need that raid for? To steal weapons in order to take down the Imperial remnants that still plunder Mandalore that will help them retake their planet. Aside from Bo's castle getting blown up by TIE fighters, we're not reminded of this fact at all during this season. Din and Bo were able to get to Mandalore with ease and stroll around like it was nothing. There were no ships hovering around the planet, no secret bases, no symbols, not even recently defunct battle droids. Mandalore was painted as a planet that was free real-estate that they could've moved in to that day the moment they realized the planet had breathable air and just some old robots and troll species to worry about. There was no reminder of this being a potentially dangerous planet as an Imperial wasteland.

But Bo's castle got blown up by TIE fighters! Where do you think they came from? The threat was obvious!

...Except it wasn't. Bo was moping around that castle in broad day light, not attempting to hide. Why didn't they blow her castle up sooner if she was a threat? And even if it came out later that Bo was part of the siege to free Gideon, they should have made it less obvious because yeah where DID they come from? Sure as shit not Mandalore, and why when she's united with Din the second time in this episode? And if this threat is linked to Thrawn, as we see his return in the trailer for Ahsoka, they should have recapped Chapter 13: The Jedi where Ahsoka shook down Elsbeth for information regarding where Thrawn's location is (which leads to Ahsoka's spin off series).

So yes the plot IS there, just not written in a way that reminds fans of what was at stake leading up to Season 3 and expanded upon those threats even within just opening scenes. The Mandalorian had brilliantly made whatever the opening scene was as foreshadowing the rest of the episode's plot. Season 3 could have used those recaps, flashbacks, or even a bonus scene to something we already saw in the previous season as that reminder audiences need after 3 years to remember what the stakes are and why it still impacts Din and Grogu regardless if Bo is now going on either a redemption journey herself or is secretly the season's antagonist.

And even if Bo is meant to be a central character, Mando has glossed over the fact that she was responsible for Mandalor's downfall TWICE and was considered a traitor, a terrorist, and the reason why her sister was murdered. It's possible they didn't reveal that for specific reasons, but it feels lazy not to hint at it in some ways that let the audience wonder if Bo is meant to be an antagonist or hero this time around, especially as an established selfish, morally gray character. And it's unfair that her redemption is this easy when her laundry list of sins she committed never properly held her accountable, and even with genuine remorse and empathy, Bo still is willing to make choices that benefit her in the long wrong over the benefit of others.

Which leads me to...

4. The Mandalorian Has Always Been About Din and Grogu

"The show is called The Mandalorian, not The Din Djarin and Grogu Show. Anyone can be The Mandalorian, and besides, it's plural!"

First off, The Mandalorian isn't plural. I just want to make that clear. The Mandalorian is a singular person and, although yes it can be anyone, it's explicitly about Din he is THE Mandalorian who walked the surface to bring back money, food, and goods to his tribe while everyone else stayed underground, hiding. Din made a name for himself as the best Bounty Hunter in the Parsec in a world where everyone believed Mandalore was a dead, unlivable planet and that

The Mandalorians, much like the Jedi, were extinct. This was reiterated in dialogue throughout the show by multiple characters, and is why Din was so special. Because when they heard about a Mandalorian it's always Din. Even gaining that land for his people, everyone will still turn to Din because he's THE Mandalorian to them. He's the one who has united people, saved towns, been the diplomat, and the reason why many characters and even Nevaro exist. He's the Mando people will recognize and hold esteem for, not anyone else even if Bo does try to take the mantle and that's because she's The Heiress, even to the likes of the Armorer, and The Armorer is the Armorer. Din will never shake that title even if he wanted to, because he's the one who's left a mark on the galaxy he lives in along with his green son, and Bo nor anyone else will be able to take that from him because they'll have their own titles in that universe to live up to whether they like it or not.

"But Din doesn't even want to be the main character in his own show! His story is over, let him and Grogu be at peace!"

That's the other problem, their stories are far from over. We already know that Thrawn is alive, Dr. Pershing doesn't understand how his science is genocidal, and Gideon is walking around with potentially his own Mandalorian bodyguards or is setting Din up. As long as these men exist and the Empire is a problem, they will hunt down Grogu for their cruel science projects and kill Din in order to achieve that. But this season hasn't reminded us of that at all and has given people a false idea that Din and Grogu's stories are over when they absolutely are not. And even if Bo is intended to take the torch from Din, that doesn't wrap up his story or Grogu's it just makes it second fiddle for Bo to either redeem herself or make everything worse again. Time will tell I guess, but do not for a moment think that Din and Grogu are safe. They absolutely are not. Lastly,

5. Strong Stories Have Reluctant Protagonists

"Who wants to watch a show about someone who's a reluctant leader? Mandalor the Reluctant? I don't think so!"

Um... you do. That's literally the hero's journey. Bilbo Baggins never wanted an adventure. He wasn't confident in his abilities and he wasn't interested in helping the dwarves succeed. He was tricked by Gandalf by a false sense of duty. Luke Skywalker was content with his life on Tatooine until his childhood home an aunt and uncle perished and he physically couldn't go back even if he wanted to. Joel was a reluctant father figure to Ellie after his own losses despite his journey starting on greed. There's so many beloved characters that don't even want to star in their own stories but that's what makes them strong characters. They're forced to go on journeys they don't want to help them come to terms with their own inner termoil or even achieve the greatest version of themselves that they wouldn't have risen to if not for their inability to go back to their normal lives before the call of the journey. So even if we're all okay with more Din and Grogu adventure stories or even okay with Bo taking over, it feels unsatisfactory for Din to just hand the darksaber over to Bo after years of trying to get ride of it and handing his son, whom he spent at least a year apart from, to whoever is available to go on unrelated missions with Bo. There's a reason why people feel unsatisfied and disappointed with this season, and it's valid regardless of what you're okay with. Mando was built on strong writing and they've forgone simple solutions to cut corners in order to spit out a mediocre season when it had the potential to be not just fun but an incredible return of Din, Grogu, and introduction of Bo if she's meant to take the mantle down the line.

One more thing!

6. Bo Isn't a Worthy Leader (added 4/12/2023)

I know this may ruffle some peoples' feathers, but hear me out. I want to remind everyone once again I genuinely like Bo and have nothing against her, and my beef is with how the writers treated her this season and have mislead non Clone Wars and Rebels fans.

Bo deserves the title! The darksaber chose her! She wields it so well, and after all that she's gone through she deserves her redemption!!

A lot of fans of the show who haven't watched Rebels don't realize that Bo at one point couldn't wield the saber, either. It was Satine who taught her how. As far as I'm aware, the darksaber requires the wielder's thoughts and actions to flow into the Darksaber to fuel its energy, which then affects the weight and has nothing to do with being the chosen one like Excalibur. Anyone can learn to wield it if Bo was willing to teach them, hell even Gideon seemed to have a good grasp on it. Din even said in episode 7 that the saber doesn't dictate who is a worthy leader, it's based on principles and honor (which Bo conveniently chose not to inform Din on how she doesn't fit that bill).

Bo, this whole season, has shown time and time again she's not a worthy leader. At least, not yet. Bo has MANY sins to make up for. As I said earlier: Bo was a terrorist, she led to Mandalore's downfall... twice (now potentially thrice), led an incursion that got her sister killed, was openly racist towards Boba Fett and others, sexually assaulted Ahsoka, and burned down villages just because she could. None of these were ever brought up in Mando and it not only made Bo an innocent woman who lost everything and just needs her people and planet back, but also erases her history without ever fully holding her accountable.

Bo has fantastic military leadership (as shown this season alone), but when it comes to diplomatic, she falls short. All of her choices have led her to losing the darksaber, losing Mandalore, getting many people killed, and her prejudices have gotten in the way of true diplomacy where Din had to step in when she was ready to give up or use force to get what she wanted. She didn't even bother to try to win her people back or make a plan to take back Mandalore, she was content staying at home and crying on her throne until Din and Grogu forced her to finally do something productive.

All of this circles back to my point on why Din being a reluctant character is important to the overall story. For someone who doesn't want to lead, he's shown the most leadership skills all season by putting others before him and communicating on everyone else's level instead of expecting them to rise to his which is a stark contrast to Bo's actions this season. He's multi-lingual, finds ways to speak to other species to make them feel seen and heard, and consistently gives up his own food and resources to those in need even if it's with a grumble at first (Frog Lady comes to mind). Everything Bo lacks or doesn't attempt, Din jumps head first in. Which is why I think there's such a divide on Bo's character this season and it's easier to say she stole the show from Din when, in reality, her desire to lead but having no leadership skills is what has drawn out the frustrating aspects of Season 3's storyline that's hard to put your finger on but might've given you anxiety regardless. Her role as Mandalore doesn't feel earned and her character feels cheated, again regardless of how you personally feel about her as a character and if you want what's best for her.

I think I had more to say but I'm running a blank now. I'm tagging @yourcoolauntie cause I know I promised to talk to you about all of this and I still plan on messaging you but figured this confined space would get everything out in one go rather than getting lost in the sauce in a tiny little chat box on here. Everyone is welcome to DM me over this, comment, challenge me, whatever you need to feel better regardless of what your stance is over the show. This isn't meant to dismiss anyone or make anyone feel invalidated as I said, just a safe space with facts that you can do what you please with to either validate how you feel or recognize where that discomfort or frustration is coming from regardless if you're enjoying this season or not. You're seen, you're heard, and I'll see you on the other side after this upcoming episode tonight.

The Mandalorian and The Corellian

Chapter Three: Sorgan

pairing: din djarin x corellian/Solo!reader

warnings: 18+ (no explicit content but implied yearning), jealousy, reader being on brand as a Solo, verbal fights, angst, violence, blasters? lmao, so many feelings

words: 3.5k

series masterlist

“This place looks…green.” You commented as you walked with the Mandalorian through the woods of Sorgan, the child cradled safety in his arms.

No response came from the tall body of armor beside you, nor had any words since you touched down. In fact, he seemed as though he wasn’t even aware of your existence let alone your speaking. Pursing your lips, you nodded, trying not to take his silence as a direct insult.

“How do you know this place again—“

“Mom, look! It’s the Mandalorian!” You turned your head forward and watched as a little girl tugged on her mom’s dress, the two knelt down beside a pond. The woman lifted her head as the three of you approached, her face riddled with delighted surprise as she stood.

The closer you got to her, the prettier she became, causing your stomach to twist with an unknown feeling. Mando seemed to speed up, leaving you behind as he filled the space between them. You were shocked by the wave of feeling you now identified as jealousy that washed over you upon seeing the pair interact. You remained a couple yards behind them, swallowing thickly and turning your eyes to the grass when you heard the sound of her laughter followed by his. Wait—he was laughing? Did he even know how to do that?

“Who’s your friend?” The woman spoke kindly, making you even more irritated as you realized there was nothing to hate about her besides the fact that she was closer to the Mandalorian than you.

“Oh, that’s, um…Y/N.” He seemed to have paused in effort to remember your name, your eyes rolling in your head at the lack of affection he held for you. But deep down, you couldn’t blame him. You hadn’t even realized until this moment that you held so much for him. “I’m helping her travel to her home planet. Stopped here for the night.”

“Well, you’re always welcome here. Let me show you to your huts so you can set your things down. Have you eaten?” She guided the Mandalorian off with her hand on his beskar-covered shoulder, the two of them walking off into the literal sunset together while you remained still. Even the child was more popular than you, a group of children flocking around him as though they were old pals.

“You come with the Mandalorian?” A voice sounded through your ears, your head turning around towards the woods you had just walked through. Your lips parted as you took in a handsome, large, lumberjack of a man smiling at you. Still, his charming smile wasn’t quite enough to take your mind off the fact that Mando was inside a hut with a beautiful woman he seemed to turn soft for.

“Uh, yeah. He’s escorting me home.” You stepped closer to the man, eyes drifting to the muscles of his biceps poking out of his dark green tunic, the skin tan and glistening with sweat as he carried a bag full of firewood back into the village.

“That’s awfully nice of him.” He smiled at you again as he stopped a few feet in front of you, eyes traveling down your form before lifting again. He sucked in a sharp breath as he realized he was staring, hand reaching back to scratch at his neck. “Has, uh, has anybody found you a place to sleep?”

“No,” you shook your head and pursed your lips in a tight smile. “They’re a bit distracted by my chaperones.”

“Well, let me go drop this lumber off and then I’m sure we can find you someplace to get comfortable.” He smiled again, sparking light feelings of warmth inside your belly as you nodded.

You followed him down the grassy path, square ponds on either side of the walkway with villagers knelt over them.

“What do you guys use these for?” You asked, having never seen something like it.

“Oh, we’re krill farmers.” He looked over his shoulder at you, chuckling. “You must be from Tatooine.”

“Well, I’ve been there for a while now, but no. Corellia.” You watched as he set down the bag of wood like it weighed nothing, but the young man in charge of dragging it over to the builders was struggling. “What about you?”

“Born and raised here. This is all I’ve ever known.” He walked over to a water spout and ran his hands underneath it before splashing his face with it. Your bottom lip somehow found its way between your teeth as you watched him stand, the water trickling down his sharp jaw to his thick and muscular neck. God, it had been a while.

“I—uh, haven’t caught your name.” You spoke up, trying to make conversation in effort to rid the lustful thoughts from your mind.

“Vero,” he smiled at you and lifted the hem of his tunic to wipe his face, your eyes dropping to his hairy 12-pack of a stomach, your throat gulping and eyes quickly turning away. “Yours?”

“Y/N.” You choked out, eyes still trained on the krill pods rather than the mountain of a man beside you.

“Everybody got such a pretty name on Corellia?” You couldn’t help but chuckle at his flirting, not because you thought it was funny, but because you weren’t accustomed to it after living in Mos Espa for as long as you did.

“There you are,” that same kind voice from earlier approached you, the sound of armor clanking following it. You lifted your eyes to the woman and your escort behind her, trying to force a polite smile onto your face. “I see you’ve met my brother. Has he shown you to your hut?”

“Uh, no.” You shook your head and turned your eyes from hers, somehow feeling that she’d be able to read your jealousy if she looked hard enough.

“We were just getting acquainted, ‘Mer. Come on, I’ll walk you over.” Your eyes flickered to Mando, though it wasn’t like you’d be able to read him at all. Taking a breath, you nodded and turned back to Vero, smiling at him.

“Here, let me help carry your bags.” Mando stepped forward, holding his hand out. As you were about to decline his offer out of sheer spite, Vero spoke up instead.

“I think I’ve got it.” He smiled at him condescendingly and grabbed both bags from your hands with only one of his, Mando stiffening in response. His helmet tilted towards you, watching as you shrugged and turned away, following the Sorgan hulk.

“Your sister seems kind,” you mentioned as the two of you stepped up the wooden steps to your hut for the night. You winced internally at the comment, not sure why you said it. “And pretty, of course.”

Also odd.

“Yeah, she’s alright. I think she’s laying it on thick to impress the Mandalorian. Hasn’t shut up about him since he landed here a while back.” He set your bags down on the wooden floor and spun around, arms stretched out and a smile on his face as he unveiled your sleeping quarters. “Welcome to your home for the night. Will it do?”

“It’ll do perfectly,” you chuckled at his theatrics and stepped further into the one-bed shack, taking in the lack of a refresher. “One thing…where can I freshen up?”

“Oh, right.” He nodded and gestured for you to follow him outside. He walked around to the side of the hut and opened up an outhouse, gesturing for you to look inside. It was modest, perhaps a bit primitive, but it would work fine.

“That’ll do,” you nodded and blushed as you looked back at him only to see him already staring. “I probably should freshen up before dinner.”

“Oh! Yes. I’m sorry.” He stepped away and blushed.

“No need to apologize.” You watched as he nodded and exhaled his nervous breath. “I’ll come find you in a bit?”

“I’d like that.” With one more longing look, Vero left you alone. You fanned your cheeks with your hand and walked back inside your hut to find your shower supplies, your mind spinning with lustful fantasies of him following you into the fresher.

“He’s strong.” Mando’s voice made you jump in your skin, your head whipping back to see him standing in the doorway, the sun shining behind him and darkening his silhouette. You placed your hand on your chest and calmed your heart, cursing under your breath.

“God, you could’ve knocked.” You spat, turning back to your bags.

“Didn’t know that’s what you went for. The lumberjack type.”

Was that jealousy you were hearing through his modulator? Couldn’t be. He had Mer to keep him satisfied.

He stepped further inside although your sigh made your contempt for his company known. Mando picked up a metal cup sitting on the counter and mindlessly examined it as you stood to your feet and turned to him.

“What?” You hissed in irritation, having spent so much time overthinking the tone behind his words that you forgot what he even said.

“I’m just surprised you’re falling for it. The muscles.” He shrugged, setting the cup down before turning his helmet towards you. Your breath hitched at the “eye contact”, your earlier fluster from Vero transferring now to your apparent longing for the man in front of you in beskar.

“I didn’t take you for the type to fall for a nice girl.” You countered, shrugging your shoulders as you held your shower supplied in your arms.

“Who said I fell for anyone?” His tone sounded sincere, as though it was news to him. Still, you chuckled, not believing that he was oblivious to the obvious heart eyes he was shooting at Mer through his visor. “What, Omera?”

“Omera. That’s a pretty name.” Your eyes fell to the floor as your expression turned sour against your will. “Pretty name for a pretty girl.”

“Has she treated you unkindly? Why do you look so upset with her?”

“I don’t.” You quickly dismissed him, eyes lifting to narrow at his visor. “I literally just complimented her.”

“With a look on your face.”

“I always have a look on my face. It’s my whole thing, you know? Sarcastic, sour…it’s part of my charm.”

“I’m familiar with your charm but I haven’t seen you look as sour as that.” He argued, making your blood boil with irritation. Where was Vero when you needed him?

“Did you come here for anything important or just to make fun of your girlfriend’s brother and call me sour?” You asked, brows laced in irritation as you watched him stiffen.

“Omera isn’t…she’s not my girlfriend.” He corrected, though his tone proved there was more to the story than he let on. “I was told to come let you know that dinner will be ready in a bit.”

Before you could open your lips to speak, he was making his exit, your eyes rolling in frustration as you sighed. Was he always going to be so…stressful?

•••

“Y/N, I saved you a seat.” Vero called your name as you approached the community feast, your cheeks turning pink at his attention.

“Thanks,” you chuckled as he stood up to greet you, eyes avoiding his for a reason you weren’t quite sure. You scanned the scene in front of you, the small village all scattered on the lawn, a few late-attendees like yourself picking away at the remnants of the feast. There was a noticeable absence—though his child was happily seated with a bowl of soup in front of him.

“Hungry?” Vero asked, gesturing ahead at the table of food. You sucked in a breath and nodded, forcing a smile onto your face. Your eyes scanned the surrounding huts in hopes of spotting the Mandalorian responsible for your sudden lack of interest in the man beside you, coming up short. “Have you tried krill?”

“Uh,” you turned your head back to the man, shaking your head as you finally registered his question. “No, I haven’t.”

“Here,” he picked one off the table and showed you how to peel it before popping the little shrimp in his mouth. “Easy.”

“Does it taste okay?” You asked, reluctant as you reached for one, your fingers peeling it like you’d watched him do just seconds before. Vero chuckled and nodded, urging you on to try it for yourself. You bit down hesitantly, though soon eased in once you realized it tasted quite pleasant. It sure beat the rations on Tatooine. “Pretty good.”

“Right?” He beamed at you, watching as you picked a few more to put on your plate before doing the same with the other fruits and vegetables on the table. “So…I know you’re leaving in the morning, and I’ll probably never see you again, but—“

“Vero, listen—“ You attempted to let him down easily, but were cut off by a shiny glimmer of silver coming into view behind him. He turned to follow your gaze, chuckling to himself as he watched you watching the Mandalorian.

“Ah,” he nodded, pursing his lips. “I see.”

“Huh?” You turned back to him with furrowed brows.

“You like the Mandalorian.”

“What? No. He’s just blinding me.” You scoffed at his words, walking back to your tree stump of a seat.

“Then…if you’re not interested in him…why don’t you come to my hut after dinner?” He found his confidence again, sitting down beside you and smirking at you. You had to hand it to him, he made it hard for a girl to say no.

“I—it’s a bad idea.” You shook your head and dropped your eyes to your plate. “I want to, but…I shouldn’t.”

“Because you like the Mandalorian—“

“I don’t like the Mandalorian!” You shouted, the entire village silencing their conversations and turning their heads to gawk at you. You turned red with embarrassment as your eyes scanned over the crowd, finally meeting Mando’s visor. Setting your plate down on the ground, you stood up. “Excuse me.”

Rushing off to your hut, you reached to shut the door, only to find there wasn’t one. You rushed over to the bed and picked up a pillow, screaming into it and releasing all your frustration and embarrassment.

“Hey,” you groaned at the sound of a modulated voice, your back turned to the door, the pillow holding your screams still in your hands.

“Go away.” You grumbled, reaching to wipe your face free of a rogue tear.

“No.” He spoke simply, causing your head to whip around, eyes glaring at him in disbelief.

“Leave, Mando.” You ordered again, this time with more anger than before.

“No.” He remained still, his body taking up the entire doorway.

“Do you know what else we Corellians are famous for besides the drinking and tinkering?” You seethed and watched him shake his head. “We’re good with our blasters.”

You held up the blaster you had tucked underneath your pillow after seeing the amount of children around.

“You gonna shoot me?” He stepped towards you, watching your hands tremble as you held out the blaster.

“I want you to leave.” You felt another embarrassed tear fall from your eyes as he continued toward you, his pace slow and careful as though he was approaching a beast.

“You’re crying.” He noted, watching as you quickly reached to wipe the evidence of any emotion away.

“What do you want, Mando?” You asked, so frustrated with yourself and his calmness that you were practically shaking. This was a side of you you rarely ever let surface, a side of you that was passed down from generation to generation—the Solo family temper.

“I want to make sure you’re okay.” He answered after a few beats of silence.

“Why do you care?” You finally lowered the blaster, tossing it back into the bed before sitting down on the old mattress.

“Because…” he seemed to be at a loss for an explanation.

“Right.” You chuckled darkly and nodded your head. “Well, I’m fine. You can go now.”

“Why—” he cut himself off, his gloved hand flexing as it rested at his side.

“Why what?” You asked, lifting your eyes to the black of his visor, hoping to see even a glimpse of him looking back.

“Why don’t you like me?” He finally managed, his voice soft, though the modulator attempted to hide it.

“I didn’t mean…you’re fine, Mando.” You sighed, turning your eyes away from him. The last thing you needed at the moment was to have to lie about your confusing feelings for the man escorting you across the galaxy. “I don’t hate you or anything. That’s not what I meant. So…can you go, now?”

“What did you mean, then?” He prodded, threatening to trigger your temper again.

“You know what? Yes! Yes, Mando, I don’t like you! You’re stubborn, and rude, and—and you don’t fucking listen to me when I tell you that I don’t want to see you right now! I don’t want to talk to you right now!” You shouted, making Mando step back at your volume, or at least that’s what you assumed it was.

“I’m stubborn? I’m rude?” He gritted back through his modulator, stepping forward to you, his finger pointed at his chest and helmet bobbing with the passion of his argument. “You’re the most rude and sarcastic woman I’ve ever met.”

“As if that’s an insult.” You snapped back with narrowed eyes, bored by his comeback.

“It should be! To any self-respecting woman in this galaxy, it should be an insult.” He spat back at you, this time striking a nerve. You closed the space between the two of you, your chin having to tilt upwards to look at him, fingers pressing into the beskar of his chestplate.

“How dare you tell me I have no self respect just because I don’t cover every fucking word with sugar. You wouldn’t say that to a man. Don’t say it to me.” You couldn’t have sounded more threatening if you tried, but Mando didn’t flinch.

“Excuse me,” you closed your eyes at the sound of Omera’s soft voice coming from your doorway. “Sorry. Um, the elders…they decided that it would be best if you found somewhere in the next town to stay tonight. Not…uh…not here, anymore.”

“Perfect.” You looked over his shoulder and gave her a phony smile before turning back to Mando. “I’ll be sleeping in my ship.”

“Mando, you’re still welcome to stay.” Omera spoke softly as you walked to pack your bags up, a scoff leaving your lips at her hopeful tone. Rather than stick around and watch the two of them dote over each other, you grabbed your things and began walking through the camp and into the dark woods.

Sure, it was cold, lonely, and mildly terrifying to walk to your ship in the dark woods, but it beat that entire situation back at the camp.

“The elders think it would be best…bullshit.” You mocked Omera out of sheer jealousy that she was back there with Mando instead of you. Wait— “Fuck him! Why am I even jealous? Mando is infuriating.”

“Mad at your little Mandalorian boyfriend?” A lone Klatooinian raider approached you from the dark, a blaster held out and pointed at you. He grinned, or at least that’s what you thought he was doing. You reached to your holster slowly, heart dropping when you realized you left your blaster behind in the hut. “I’m mad at him too. Killed my family.”

“I had nothing to do with that.” You responded through a shaking voice, terrified of what would come next.

“Don’t matter.” He chuckled and tightened his grip on the blaster, but before he could squeeze the trigger, a shot rang from over your shoulder, hitting the raider in his shoulder. You whipped your head around, expecting to see Mando, but seeing Vero instead. He instructed you to move out of the way as he stepped towards the Klatooinian on the ground. You did as he said and watched as he pointed the blaster at the wounded raider, only for it to jam on him. “Oops.”

The raider knocked him to the ground, the two beginning an all out brawl. You felt helpless as you watched the hulk of a man dodge the blunt force of the raider’s strikes, absorbing them when he couldn’t. For a minute, you thought he was done for, but soon he found his footing.

“Should’ve stayed hidden.” He spoke through gritted teeth as he strangled the raider with his arm, his eyes on yours as he finished the job. You weren’t sure why it aroused you, or if it was actually him that stirred you rather than the fantasy of it being Mando instead, but regardless, you were beginning to feel things.

The Klatooinian’s limp body hit the floor of the woods and Vero stood up tall, his chest heaving as he walked towards you, holding his hand out to help you up off the ground. You accepted his hand and stared at him in awe.

“Came to make sure you got to your ship safely.” He chuckled, gesturing to the body behind him. “Good thing I did.”

“How about you make sure I’m safe all night long?” You slipped your hand into his, tugging him along.

You’d regret this in the morning. But for now, you needed to release some of this pent up…frustration. And if Mando couldn’t be the one to do it, Vero would suffice.

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a poll based on my unhinged dream

i realized right before bed last night that i finally got polls and was apparently so excited i dreamt very vividly about what my first poll would be and dream-me was convinced this question with these answer options would be perfect so please i must know your thoughts:

wrong answers only

"it's not short for anything" isn't an option

I could use some 💪 luck

list of favorite things as a fanfic author:

When someone is really freaking mad at me for inducing an emotional response from them

when readers give me a background of how/when they read my writing

when readers give me a background of why they shouldn’t have been reading my writing (usually while at work)

when readers quote my work back to me in comments

the frickin’ real heroes here, the ones who comment on every chapter of an ongoing multi-chapter fic

The person I reblogged this from deserves to be happy

I tried to scroll past this. I really did