Chapter 46: The Celebration

Tonight was the celebration. Fayra couldn't be more excited, even though she still hadn't made much progress with controlling the water. It was beginning to bother her, perhaps Kuiil was wrong, since she wasn't able to control all four elements, that meant for sure she was an Elemental. She didn't want to think about it, tonight was going to be fun.

After showering she looked herself over, bruises were everywhere. She pulled the full length silver dress from the chest. She hadn't yet had the chance to wear it. It's delicate fabric wasn't exactly suited for space travel. Thankfully the long sleeves and scooped neckline would cover up the blue and purple marks.

She swooped her hair to the side and stepped out the barn door. The sun had just set so the center of the village was lit up. She followed the path and heard laughter and music drifting on the wind.

"Fayra, come on!" Stoke ran past her, dragging a girl with him. She giggled.

The center of the village was decorated in bright colored flowers and ribbon. Some people were standing in groups laughing, some were sitting at the hand made round tables eating. Others danced and the children were weaving in and out of the crowds playing games. She spotted Winta with her friends and waved. Cara sat in the corner drinking spotchka next to Mando. When he saw her, his visor raised a bit higher. Kuiil was apparently in some kind of political debate with an elder. IG helped distribute the food and drinks. Since they came he was a great helper for Omera. Fayra was happy about that. It kept him out of Mando's way.

"Fayra! Let's dance." Caben pulled her to the dance floor before she could protest. Her face heated with embarrassment.

"I don't know how!" She yelled over the music.

"That's okay, neither do I." Then he proceeded to hop around and turn, Fayra couldn't help but laugh out loud. He grabbed her and she had no choice but to follow him. After a few very embarrassing moments Fayra finally escaped from in. She spotted Mando in the same spot as before, as usual he looked as though he was a statue. She made her way to him. She smiled as she stood over him.

"Do Mandalorians dance?" She asked.

"Not when they're on duty." He said, Fayra thought she heard a bit of a teasing tone.

She smiled, "Are Mandalorians ever not of duty?"

When he said nothing she kneeled down and nuzzled into him and watched the villagers. They danced, ate, drank, performed, and gave speeches.

"Fayra, may I have this dance?" Stoke stumbled. He was definitely enjoying himself, she thought.

"Stoke, I…" Before she could finish her answer he was dragging her away back to the dance floor. After a while Fayra was able to slip away again. She looked back to where Mando had been sitting, but he was gone. She missed the time they had to themselves. Since they recruited Kuiil, they hadn't been together.

For the past couple days when she saw him, all she could think about was how she felt under his touch. She began missing him. When others were around he was more alert, a bit rigid and too serious. Their recent changes in their situation made things even more difficult. By the time training was over, she was too exhausted and was asleep by the time he retired for the night. She spotted Cara by the food table, piling her plate with various deserts.

"Have you seen Manny?" She asked.

"Was here a bit ago, he wanted to check the perimeter. He took off that way."

Of course, Fara thought. He never stopped being the warrior. Fayra walked in the direction Cara nudged her chin toward, as she left the celebration the light filtered away and she walked in darkness.

Her search was coming up empty, she decided she'd make a terrible bounty hunter and called it quits. She heard the music and commotion from the party begin to die down. It was getting late so she decided to head back to the barn. Tomorrow morning she'd have to keep up her training.

The barn was dimly lit and quiet. As she shut the door, she saw Mando sitting unmoving and up-right on his cot. She smiled and made her way toward him. She ran her finger from his shoulder down his arm. He still sat, unmoving. She interlaced her fingers with his and went to crawl atop him. As soon as her knee hit the bed Mando jerked, grabbed her and slammed them both to the floor. Before Fayra could blink the vibroblade was at her neck, and Mando had her pinned beneath him.

Her heart pounded in her ears, the vibroblade disappeared as quickly as it came. Fayra's eyes searched his visor as he pulled her to a seated position.

"Apologies." He released her and leaned against the cot.

"Were… you asleep?"

He didn't answer.

"I'm sorry. I…" She paused. She felt guilty about waking him. Something told her if he did sleep, he never got much of it. She also thought, since she never knew him to sleep, that he must be part of a species that doesn't. He was always doing so much. Always watching, making sure everything was safe. And now she knew for sure. He was asleep, she had startled him and caught him in a rare moment of being off his guard. The little sleep he did get she disturbed it.

"I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's alright." He replied, propping his forearm on his knee. She scooted across the floor to him and took his hand in hers.

"You know, I thought you didn't sleep." She tugged at his glove.

"I sleep."

"You're not some super droid under that helmet, the.?" She teased.

"I think you'd know if I was." He shook his head, stopping her from removing his glove. "Not here, Fayra."

She closed her eyes. "Why?" She moved closer to him, between his legs.

"It's too open, too dangerous. What would happen if a bounty hunter broke down that door? You here and me distracted and not ready?"

She scooted closer, placing his hand on her thigh. "You'd kill him."

"Fayra." He shook his head.

Xi'an's words entered her mind at that moment. How he liked to watch, how he liked control. It all came together now. It wasn't that he liked sex a certain way, it was because that's how he needed it. It's how he survives, how he protects what's his. He's always watching. He's always in control, a step ahead of everyone else. He's a warrior at every moment of the day. Even when he sleeps. Sex was no different. Xi'an failed to understand that.

"How then? If you could, how?" Fayra asked.

His helmet tilted just slightly. "It wouldn't be what you're used to. It wouldn't be how you like it."

"I don't like not being able to be near you." She said, closing her eyes. "We haven't had any time lately."

Mando took his hand from her thigh and stood. She felt the cold absence fill the place he had occupied. Tears stung her eyes, but then he took her hand in his and lifted her to a standing position in front of him. He cupped her cheek and ran his thumb across her lips. She melted into his touch.

"The table. Lay face down, on your stomach."

She turned, but before he released her he pulled her into him. She laid down as instructed, tucking her hands to her chest beneath her. Her nerves fluttered.

Mando moved through the room. After a moment she felt his presence and warmth behind her. He set his Pulse Rifle on one side of her and some explosive charges on the other side. She smiled, always the warrior, she thought. She jumped when he grabbed her hips and pulled her slightly to him. It was apparent, he wanted her too.

Mando slowly pulled her dress up. He reached around and gently stroked her clit, the glove was on and added a completely different sensation. She drew in a sharp breath as she arched her back in response to the pleasure and ache from it. He withdrew his hand, a moment later he slowly and gently pushed into her. Fayra's hands shot out from underneath her and gripped the ledge of the table as he penetrated her deeply.

Fayra woke wrapped in Mando's arms. His blaster was in his hand at her hip. The rifle was propped up at the head of the cot. She felt him breathing slowly and steady behind her. She tried her best to stay perfectly still, she didn't want to wake him if he was asleep. Then a soft knock sounded at the door. Mando's gun clicked. Fayra smiled, he wasn't asleep, of course.

"Do you think a bounty hunter would knock before bursting in to kill us?" She asked quietly.

"You'd be surprised." He replied.

She slid from his grip and turned to face him, giving him a small smirk. Her long hair glided across his beskar armor as she stood to answer the door.

Omera smiled as she entered carrying a tray of breakfast food. "Good morning!"

"Morning."

Fayra turned to Mando and gave him her best, "see, I told you so" look even though she knew if could've been right.