Two Against the Universe

Disclaimer: If you recognize it then I don't own it.

A/N: For Whumptober 2022 #17 Hanging by a threat-reluctant caregiver

Din did not know how this had become his life. All he wanted to do was get a job, do that job, get paid, and repeat. He didn't want to be dragged into the bullshit that the universe had become. He just wanted to be left alone. He didn't sign up to care for another being. Yet here he was out of his depth doing just that. The child had come into his care in a series of events and choices that he still didn't quite understand. Sometimes he felt like an observer in his own armor. It almost felt like something greater than himself, some kind of force was directing his path to converge with the kid. It felt like half the galaxy was after them and the other half would kill them on sight. He didn't regret saving him, but he occasionally questioned his sanity in thinking he was the little one's best option. The green whomp rat grew on you, no matter how much trouble he brought. It was a lot.

They landed, kicking up a swirl of dust. The planet was small and sparsely populated, the perfect place to lay low for a few days until they figured out their next move. He had not had any paying jobs lately so they were low on credits, he would have to fix that soon if they were going to keep flying and living. He just had to be careful who he worked for or where. He didn't want to endanger the kid more than he already was being who he was and in the company of a Mandalorian bounty hunter. He vowed to keep him safe.

The man set the groggy kid on his unsteady feet before he stretched his sore muscles after being in cramped courters for so long a space flight. They had escaped and evaded any pursuit by unfriendlies but it had taken them far off of their original flight plan. The kid had been fussier than usual, whining and crying for hours. He had finally nodded off when Din gave in and picked him up. The kid liked to make a nuisance of himself whenever he was within reach of the instruments of the spaceship. Touching every button until the Mandalorian had enough of his antics and banished him back to his seat. Today he hadn't even acted interested in any of the knobs or buttons. He just lay back against the armored chest until he fell asleep.

"Let's see," He started a running commentary of what they needed to buy when he completed the next job he could find. He had taken to talking to his small companion, filling the silence. Life as a bounty hunter was a lonely one. He was still learning how to care for another being. He had always frozen anyone in carbonite when they became too much effort. Taking care of the little one was a whole new experience for him. He had made many mistakes with the kid, but they were both still in one piece.

"Come on, let's go take a look around," He had stopped trying to keep the little guy inside while he secured the landing area. It was always a losing battle. It was just easier to keep him close at his heels as he swept the area with his many weapons. Once secure he would let the curious little creature stretch his legs and get his fill of their new surroundings.

The kid toddled over to him and grabbed onto his leg. Looking up at him with his big dark eyes. He cooed softly, a whiny plea.

Din looked down at the little figure through his helmet, "You know I need my hands free."

He held up his little green arms until the man stooped over and lifted him up into his arms. "Fine, you win," He sighed. He could fight almost as well with one hand. He had had a lot of practice of late, protecting the new addition in his life.

"You ready, you little whomp rat?" The large green ears that usually perked up at the idea of an adventure stayed close to his head. Din's concern had been on a steady rise and was getting dangerously close to worry. Then the kid started crying for no reason. He shifted his weight from foot to foot in a kinda rocking motion trying to soothe him.

"Hey, you feeling okay, buddy?" The kid just looked up at him trustingly with his enormous tear-filled eyes, before snuggling closer to his armor, whimpering. He shimmed off one of his gloves running his hand over the wrinkly little head. He didn't feel hot, but he didn't know what was standard for his species anyways so it was a mote point. He didn't know what else to do. The little guy leaned into his touch with a weak coo. He ran his hand over his head and ears again because he seemed to find comfort in it and for the lack of anything better to do. He thought he had done the right thing and everything was getting better when the kid threw up all down the side of his shiny armor. He started to cry louder than before.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Din looked around the cockpit frantically for something, anything to improve the quickly deteriorating situation. With the lack of anything better he fumbled with his cape and brought it forward clumsily wiping at the puke. The kid started sobbing. He was so out of his realm that he felt like crying too. He didn't know what to do or how to make it all better.

His head was pounding and his nerves fraying with each tear shed. He made an executive decision. He wasn't helping the kid by doing nothing. He needed supplies he didn't have readily available in the cockpit. He needed to go to the fresher and get his medkit. He couldn't face taking the screaming kid into the cramped room that he already struggled to maneuver in. He would put the kid down so he could hurry faster to get what he needed. He would be right back. He would be fine. He put him down.

"Stay right here," he pointed a gloved finger at the little guy trying to punctate his order so he'd listen, "I'll be right back with something to help you."

His large green ears drooped further if that was possible as he screamed out his displeasure at being left behind. Din ran faster, trying to ignore the sound of betrayal the kid was emanating. He just needed a second to collect himself. He was no good to the kid if he was falling apart at a little stomach bug. He could do this he told himself in the mirror of the fresher as he raided for every piece of medical supplies he had ever picked up over the years.

He ran back the way he'd come, heavy boots clanking loudly on the metal ship floor. He rushed back to the crying child. His ears perked up weakly at the sight of the armored form. Din dropped the supplies into his chair and scooped him up with one hand, depositing him back against his chest. The little guy clung to him, shaking like a leaf, tears still flowing freely down his green cheeks, "I told you I would be right back," He rubbed the little quacking back, his movement was only a little awkward. He was getting better at this, caring for someone else, "I'm sorry," He didn't know exactly what he was apologizing for. Leaving him, that he was ill, that he was stuck with Din as his incompetent caregiver, maybe he was apologizing for all of it. They stayed that way for some time, clinging to each other, both finding comfort in the other. No matter what happened they had each other.