Two years later
Din set the Razor Crest down, powering the ship off and jumping down to the hatch, skipping the ladder in his haste. He took three carbonite figures from their place in his ship, floating them out of the hatch and down to where his contact was waiting.
"You made it back in record time, Mando." The man surveyed his prizes before reluctantly handing over a sack heavy with credits. "I'll be in touch."
"I appreciate it." Din tucked the money into his belt, striding through the streets of Navarro. He still got a few stares but mostly of respect, since everyone knew his role in getting rid of the Imperial whose hands had nearly choked the life out of the planet.
He ducked behind some stalls and into a tunnel, weaving his way through the maze and following the sounds of metal.
A few of the Mandalorians had survived the purge of Moff Gideon and had returned; they tipped their heads at Din in greeting, always watching.
Din looked up at the signet over the armorer before crossing the threshold, observing in respect as the Armorer melted bars of Beskar together.
"So you have returned." His leader noted without even turning around.
"Yes."
"I trust your job was a success?"
"Yes."
Finally the Armorer looked at him, laying her tools down as she approached him.
"You have done great honor to our people, Din Djarin. You have become the leader of your own clan and produced two fine foundlings."
"I have." Din replied, his thoughts straying to the little house in the middle of the town where four sets of eyes would be peering out, awaiting his return.
"The covent is moving on." The Armorer continued, "While it is peaceful here, we've had too much exposure. Now that the survivors have all returned, we must go find another sanctuary where we can regrow our numbers."
His leader's gaze seemed to burn a hole right through The Mandalorian's helmet and into his eyes. "You are staying here." She observed.
"I am." Din answered truthfully, "I must make the way for my family here where we have friends and allies to protect us."
"Are we not an ally?"
"You're family." Din replied, recalling the many years he spent with the covent, "But I have a family of my own now. I respectfully request that you allow me to stay. You know where to find me if you need me."
The Armorer studied him for a long time and Din wondered if he spoke out of turn to his leader. At last, she sighed, placing a hand on his shoulder,
"This is the way." The phrase was an acknowledgement and a blessing this time.
"This is the way." Din answered gratefully, turning to leave.
"Your children are gifted." The Armorer spoke again, "They display qualities that are impressive for foundlings of their age. I am interested to see their progress."
Din felt a deep-rooted pride at the high praise from the high ranking Mandalorian and he bowed his head in respect.
"As am I."
Aria
"Kai, Cara, come back here you little troublemakers!" I pick my toddlers up with both arms, setting them in their cribs as they protest mightily.
"Auntie Cara?" My little girl asks, blinking those dark almond eyes at me and I couldn't help thinking of my husband, so far away right now.
"Yes, Auntie Cara will visit tomorrow."
"Daddy?" Kai added hopefully, standing on his tiptoes and reaching for me through the bars. The word makes my heart ache again and I smiled sadly at him,
"No baby, Daddy's working."
The children have no idea but today is mine and Din's fourth anniversary. Four years ago today, we swore to be together for life in Kuiil's darkened little home on Arvala-7. Four years ago today, I slid a heavy, Beskar ring onto The Mandalorian's finger where it remained; never once has he taken it off. I've been fighting tears all day ever since I woke up to an empty bed yet again, catching myself rubbing my rings and his signet around my neck as I think about him.
"Dada shooting baddies!" Cara said triumphantly and I turn to give her a long look as she gives me finger guns.
"Who taught you that?" I ask and she giggles, so I know it's Cara Dune. "It's almost bedtime for little bounty hunters." I remind them and immediately the pouting starts.
A soft tug on my dress reminds me of the kid and I look down to see him giving me a knowing, toothy grin.
"You're gonna watch them for me?" I ask, kissing his fuzzy head as he nods. "Good. You're one of my best helpers."
I slip the twins into their pajamas and back into their cribs, kissing them both tenderly as their eyes begin to close slowly. The kid still sits up in his bassinet, his huge eyes watching the twins carefully.
"Momma?" Kai calls and I pause in the doorway as his little voice goes on, "Love you."
"I love you too, baby." I respond, my heart bursting as I close the door.
I barely make it to the kitchen before I sag against the counter. I don't even bother to turn on the lights, grateful for the darkness because I feel my eyes start to burn. Din has been gone for almost three weeks hunting down rivals for another syndicate and he wasn't allowed to send any transmissions or communications. I cover my face with my hands as I cry, aching for Din and his comforting arms. It's half a second before someone pulls me into their chest, stooping to kiss my neck as a blessedly familiar voice rumbles,
"Must have been one hell of a day."
I grab him blindly, nearly toppling him as he chuckles, pushing back my hands to brush away the tears.
"How are you home?" I cry, more tears squeezing out of my eyes as I swipe at them, wanting to see his familiar silhouette. "You're not due for two more weeks!"
"Would you like me to go back?" Din asks, amusement filling his tone as I wrap myself around him, shaking my head hard. He lets me cling to him, tightening his arms around me as he breathes deeply, "I've missed you."
I laugh through my tears, still drying them with the help of his rough hands,
"You can probably tell I've missed you too." I pull away just in time to brace myself as Din kisses me hard on the mouth, wedging himself between my legs as he places his hands on the counter on either side of me. For a long time, he just kisses me over and over and I remember the night he told me how much the gesture means to him.
"Where are the babies?" He murmurs, letting me take a breath.
"Sleeping."
"Hmm." Din thinks about this for a moment and I can see his mind racing. "Why are we in here then?"
I laugh, shaking my head slightly as he pushes our bedroom door open and pulls me into the bed with him, his stubble scratching my neck as he tickles me."Remember when you were a slave?" Din asks, not unkindly but rather with a touch of nostalgia.
"Yeah." I answer as he shifts, arranging me so every inch of our bodies are touching. I can feel his heart pounding underneath his thin shirt. "Best investment I ever made."
"You did not just say that." I turn my head slightly and I see his smile in the almost darkness.
"I'm allowed to remember the day I met you on our anniversary, aren't I?" My husband's voice is tender now, all amusement gone as he holds me tightly. I smile, feeling a glow of happiness explode in me,
"You remembered."
"How could I forget?" Din asks, his thumb brushing against my chest and touching the Mudhorn signet hanging beneath my clothes. We hold each other for a moment in silence before I muse out loud.
"I wonder what happened to Zepro. And Sagarn."
Din is notably quiet. I twist, straddling him and lying on his chest as I feel for his face.
"Din?"
"What?"
"What did you do to them?"
"What do you mean, what did I do to them?" Din replies defensively but I hear the touch of satisfaction and amusement in his voice. I kiss his throat, making his breathing halt for a moment.
"You've done something with them. I don't know how or when or what but I want to know!"
"Alright, alright!" My husband laughs, making me stop assaulting his neck as he lifts me, flipping us so that he has the advantage of bending over me. "I'll tell you."
I wait patiently and Din drops his head suddenly, resting his forehead against mine as he chuckles.
"Zepro found himself with a lot to do after Guild members flocked to his neighbors for parts. I imagine he's somewhere else now, mourning the loss of his junk pile shop."
"You didn't." I breathed and Din laughed at my incredulous tone.
"It wasn't that hard. I sent transmissions to all the Guild members telling them to go to any shop but that Toydarian's. First member to give me evidence of him closing down got twenty thousand credits."
"Din Djarin!" I hit his shoulder lightly, trying not to be too amused at his revenge. "That was a purely wicked thing to do! And Sagarn?"
My husband smirked in the dark,
"Killing him would have been easy, but that wasn't harsh enough for-" Here, Din spoke a word in his native tongue and I knew it was an expletive. "He found himself on a transport headed to a New Republic work pit down on Mustafar."
"But when did you-"
"Remember when I told you that Cara and I got a job back on Arvada-7?"
"You dragged Cara Dune into this?"
"She was more than happy to oblige." Din reassured me.
I let out a groan, flopping my head back on the bed as Din bent, coaxing me to kiss him again.
"You're not angry, are you?" He asked even though he already knew the answer.
"I can't say that I approve." I manage, "But I'm glad you wanted to avenge me."
We eventually fell asleep after hours of talking, laughing and other things. It felt good to have him home again and I knew that this was the way it would always be. Me waiting for him to come home. Him always returning. It was comforting to know that no matter what happened, we could be sure of one thing in life.
We knew that our love could withstand the weight of a galaxy, that our dedication and passion could last for a lifetime and that our family would stay together as long as we did. I may not have been a skilled bounty hunter or a shock trooper, but I had something forever that was worth more than any bounty in the world. I had the heart of The Mandalorian.