"We sure got a lot from that last job!" I was overjoyed when Mando show me how much he made from his last excursion. He hadn't been long, only a few days or so. Plus he came back with some food and other supplies too; can't beat that. We said goodbye to Peli and were on our way back the ship again. Funny- maybe I was overthinking things but Mando seemed to stay extra close to me since he'd been back. Which, of course, I didn't mind at all. Still, it made me a bit worried that something happened while he was away.

"I hope you weren't too lonely while you were gone," I guess my mouth thought it was a good idea to think out loud. Stupid mouth! Mando's helmet turned towards me slightly. "I was alright. I'm used to being alone," I don't think he meant this to sound the way it did. When he saw my reactionary expression, my husband automatically went into repair mode. "What I mean is I was used to being alone before I met you. It never bothered me… all those years I spent traveling alone as a bounty hunter," his tone when he said this though… Meaning of course, that it did.

To my surprise, it was then that Mando's feet halted on their own accord. I walked forward a few steps before realizing that he was no longer beside me. I blinked back at him a little puzzled. "Mando?" "I… didn't really have another choice. I didn't choose this life; not that I'm unhappy or ungrateful that the Mandalore covert took me in. And I chose to become a bounty hunter….. But I never decided to be alone; I just…. was. And at the time, I didn't think I was missing out on anything…. I didn't know any other way to live."

I could only ogle my husband with the widest of eyes. Mando…. He just… He just opened up and talked me… in a way he's never done before. And I felt so…. I was smiling at him before I knew what I was doing. My balled-up hand came up to my fluttering chest.

"Mando, I…. Thank you." Well this certainly surprised him. It was his turn to gawk at me in confusion. "For what?" He sounded legitimately lost. "For telling me all that. I don't know much about your past, and I'm totally alright with it. But it's nice to hear you talk to me like that… It makes me feel like you can open up to me."

Mando seemed as if he was taking a moment to process what I just told him. "And that… makes you happy?" His perplexed voice only made my grin grow. "Of course! I want to be there for you, however you need me. If you want someone to talk to- about anything at all- I'll listen. You never have to be afraid to tell me anything."

He merely observed me for another minute before spinning his head to the side with a huff. "Mandalorians don't pour their souls out. We're strong enough to carry all that on our shoulders." "Yeah, but why bother doing that to yourself when I'm here? You have me now- you're not alone anymore."

This seemed to strike a cord with the Mandalorian, who simply, effortlessly stared at me for a very long minute. Then he smiled- well I'm sure he did from underneath his helmet. He came over to take hold my hand in his. His fingers gave mine an adoring squeeze. "It's true, I'm not alone, am I?

Somehow without my ever noticing it, it felt so natural, having you near."