Aria

We didn't really sleep much that night and keeping each other awake was more fun than we had had in awhile. Sometime around midnight, I bet that I could sleep for half an hour without him waking me up. I also added that I could make it ten minutes without touching him. Safe to say that by the morning, half of my entire savings belonged to Din.

Din has lost a little money too, much to my great satisfaction, but it became quickly apparent that he was not only a better gambler than I but he had more patience and strength of will.

Five or so hours past sunrise, we both finally gave in, agreed to disagree and fell asleep. When I opened my eyes, I saw that Din had risen sometime when I was asleep and replaced his helmet and his clothes before climbing back into bed with me. I looked up at him as he slept, his head tipped towards me and I smiled, reaching out and stroking the strip of skin exposed near his neck.

His hand caught mine, surprising me and he rolled, pulling me back on top of him.

"Good morning." Din's voice still sounded deep, even through his modulator. "Sleep well?"

I played with the loose threads of his shirt open at his chest, acting casual,

"Best night of sleep I've had in awhile."

Din sat up slightly, taking me with him as he rested his back against the headboard.

"I must have been doing something wrong then." He mused, his fingers flicking my hair over my bare shoulder.

I started laughing, sitting up and swinging my legs to straddle him, putting both hands on his helmet and bending to plant a kiss where his mouth would be.

"I'm exhausted." I admitted, "And sore."

"I'm sorry."

"You don't sound a bit sorry." I accused and he shrugged, raising his hands to my shoulders as he squeezed,

"I'm not."

We're quiet again, content to rest and process the night side by side.

"You're a big fan of kissing." I observe, feeling my lips which were slightly swollen from all the attention.

"Mm." Din nods above me.

"Why?"

"Why not?" He counters.

"I don't know, I just thought that most men liked-"

"Liked what?" He sounds very interested in what I have to say now and I laugh, pinching his elbow gently.

"I thought they just liked to cut to the chase."

"I'm not most men, am I?" Din wonders.

"I wouldn't know… not about that department." And I know my answer pleases him because it tells him he's been the only man I've willingly let touch me.

"I like kissing because it's more intimate for me. I mean, obviously I'm not going to object if you, uh." Now he's the one tripping over his words, "What I mean is, nobody has seen my face since I was a kid. Kissing was never really an option, mostly because I've never trusted anyone enough to not flick on the lights or hide my helmet or something."

I listen intently, loving the flow of words streaming from his lips.

"But with you… I don't have to worry about that. So I just kiss you."

"I don't mind." I say, kissing his wrist.

Din watched as Aria got up and got dressed, his eyes following her like a hawk as she brushed her hair and washed her face. She looked at him from one eye,

"You're brooding."

"I'm not brooding." He argued, still sitting on the bed, "I'm admiring.

Aria rolled her eyes but even from here, he could see the faint blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Who knew that under all that Beskar," Aria was braiding her hair now, "The Mandalorian is a romantic."

"I'm not a romantic." Din fired back, swinging his legs off the bed and coming for her, "You only say that because you're my wife."

Aria laughed, the sound making Din's insides warm as he watched her up close.

"I am your wife." She agreed, turning and coming face to face with his chest. Her eyes traveled up and she smirked, resting her hand against the doorframe behind him. "We're never going to get anything done, are we?"

"It depends on what you're thinking." He traced her bottom lip with his thumb, making her eyelids flutter for a moment.

"As much as I love where this is going," Aria stopped his other hand from sliding around her, "It's almost midday and Kuiil will be home with the baby any minute."

Din sighed but backed away, making Aria laugh as he moved to the kitchen.

Aria

I was trying to listen to Kuiil recount a story from the bazaar, I really was. But my new husband was playing with my engagement ring and my wedding ring under the table, distracting me effectively enough to make my returning answers reduced to "Yes" and "No".

The child sat on my lap, cooing and shoveling food into his mouth from my plate as I held on to him for dear life, trying not to drop him as he squawked in pleasure, dropping pieces of meat as he went.

"Thank you for taking the kid." Din interrupted, looking at the Ugnaught, "Aria and I needed some time alone."

Wrong moment to take a drink. I choked, sputtering as I tried not to laugh, making Kuiil pat me on the back sympathetically. Well two could play at this game.

"Yes," I squeezed out, my eyes watering from coughing, "Mando's stories about the Blurrgs were fascinating! I lost track of the time; I had no idea they were such tender and loyal creatures!" Din's head slowly turned to look at me as Kuiil looked pleased.

"Blurrgs are loyal when bred correctly and with care. That's why the females must be chosen with the utmost caution during mating season."

"Speaking of breeding," The Mandalorian broke in, suddenly very interested in Kuiil's explanation, "Aria was just telling me how interested she is in starting a family. Perhaps you have some advice on timing?"

"Actually," I added, "I was totally ok with the idea. I just want to make sure Mando can keep up with me."

Kuiil looked at me with a smile on his face, getting up to clear the table,

"Excuse me for a moment, my guests." He took my plate, "I have work to finish."

It took about half a second for Din to round the tiny table, scoop the baby into its bassinet and hold me against the wall, tilting my chin with his thumb and forefinger as he spoke in a low voice,

"'I just wanted to make sure Mando could keep up with me?'" He repeated incredulously.

"'Speaking of breeding?'" I echoed, my lips twitching upwards in spite of myself, "What am I, an animal?"

"No," Din corrected himself, "You're my mate. Which means," He leaned his metal forehead against mine, speaking with authority, "I don't have to hold back with you anymore for fear you'll run away and never come back."

"What makes you so sure?" I dared to ask. Din's other hand ran over my rings and there was no explanation needed. We both knew that we were in this together and that we needed each other to survive.