A/N: Please note that the following chapter contains mature content.

(V)(V)(V)

Chapter 14: The Penance

Members of the Coalition gathered around the northern edge of the encampment in waves, surrounding the inner circle of Mandalorians standing in rows by T'iana's wooden funeral pyre. The mood was thick and solemn, with barely anyone speaking louder than a hushed murmur. Though many had not known T'iana, all who were present understood the meaning of her sacrifice and the respect that needed to be shown to a fallen warrior. My father, standing with the Mandalorians by the pyre, silently beckoned for us to come forward. Those close to us looked back and began to part in waves, head bowed in respect, making way for me, Din, and the child as we approached.

As we took our place beside him, my father garnered everyone's attention with a raised hand. "Friends. We take a pause this night to honour a fallen comrade. She was killed in the line of duty…"

His voice faded into the sky as I was only able to focus on T'iana's body, elevated directly in front of me. She was now donned in traditional Mandalorian clothing, her arms crossed upon her chest, one hand holding a blaster while the other, a vibroblade. Her dark hair was combed neatly, falling upon either side of her head and framing her soft, beautiful face.

Even in death, she still looked happy.

My breath caught my throat as Kriger set her pyre alit. The fire grew steadily, the pop and crackle of the wood the only audible sounds. I hugged myself and openly sobbed as the fire raked over her body, claiming her in a matter of seconds.

As she burned, the Mandalorians began to chant in Mando'a:

"Motir ca'tra nau tracinya.
Gra'tua cuun hett su dralshy'a. Cuun hett su.
Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc.
Ni partayli, gar darasuum."

Din lowered his head to look at me and said:

"Those who stand before us light the night sky in flame.
Our vengeance burns brighter still.
Burns brighter still.
I'm still alive, but you are dead.
I remember you, so you are eternal."

The Mandalorians continued their funeral chant, then began to shout T'iana's name and bellow war cries into the night sky. The remainder of the Coalition kept their heads bowed, some shedding tears. To quell my nerves, I sought Din's hand, gripping it tightly as he reached out to me. He then embraced me, allowing me to rest my head on his plated chest, to revel in the strength in his arms. Without a word, he placed a protective hand over my lower back as my knees buckled under me. The child stood between us, frowning, holding on to the fabric of our trousers.

"She has passed into the manda - the collective soul of the Mandalorian people," Din said softly, gently stroking my hair. "Her spirit has now joined those of the many Mandalorians who have passed before her."

The thought of T'iana passing on to the afterlife with the honour of a warrior's death, and being welcomed by her Mandalorian brothers and sisters on the other side, did not entirely erase the heaviness in my heart. "What happened at Neart, Din?" A sob escaped my lips as dread engulfed my being. A shudder coursed through my body. "I need to know."

"As I took you back to the ship, Kriger attempted to revive T'iana." He lowered his head, turning his gaze from me. "She was gone before he got to her. The blast had killed her instantly. Kriger flew behind me with T'iana in his arms and took her body back to his ship."

The memories replayed in my head once more, each scene haunting my thoughts. My body seized. "She died because of me."

"Hey, don't talk like that. She was only trying to protect you."

I shook my head. "It was my fault, Din. It was my fault."

(V)(V)(V)

Raucous laughter and cries filled the encampment, the bellies of warriors and civilians alike replete with food and drink. The celebration held in T'iana's honour was in full swing and, as per the Mandalorian custom, it was quickly becoming a night of drunken feasting and storytelling. This was part of the Mandalorians' period of mourning - an exhibition of pride of one's accomplishments, of a warrior's life and honourable death. Given their warrior culture, one could assume that these types of celebrations were all too common, that many of Kriger's clan were experienced in such festivities. The Coalition members, despite finding the custom foreign, freely mingled and merrily partook in the feasting and drinking, enjoying the evening with their warrior brethren…

...except for me.

This night makes no sense, I thought to myself. How in the hell could I celebrate the death of my friend? To have fun after I had just seen her body burn?

Perhaps the ale will help.

I took another swig of what the Mandalorians called the ne'tra gal - black ale. The sweet-tasting alcoholic beverage soothed first my throat, then, eventually, every part of me. As the night progressed, I was compelled to keep drinking, to numb every sense in my body from feeling anything.

I slammed my empty mug upon the long, wooden table inside the mess tent as I gestured to one of the servers. Or were there two servers? "Another here, please!"

Cara's concerned eyes fell upon me and held up her hand to the server with a shake of her head. "I think we're good here."

I shook my head repeatedly, closing my eyes. "Not at all! Just a few more pints."

Cara's jaw remained tight, leaning forward across the table between us. Her expression was wholly serious. "Nope. I'm cutting you off."

The young server looked confused, her hazel eyes moving alternately from me to Cara. She nodded to the tray of ale that she held at her hip. "So...did you want more?"

"Yep." I beckoned to her with a wide grin, choosing to ignore the flash of anger on Cara's countenance. "Whatever you've got."

Before the transaction occurred, Cara stood, physically putting her arm in the path of the tray. Her eyes were afire. "Luna, let's go."

My eyelids were growing heavier as I pouted upwards at her. "But I…"

Cara hooked her arms under mine and easily lifted me off the chair. The movement was so fast that I became even more dizzy. It was almost as though she knew that I wouldn't be able to walk properly, because as I took a few steps, I began to stumble and rock from side to side. Damn, this ne'tra gal stuff is strong...

"Luna, are you alright?"

I could discern the profile of Din's helmet at my side, which started to multiply into two...then three.

Perhaps a Mandalorian mind trick?

"She's done for tonight," Cara said, crossing her arms. She was in no mood to negotiate. "She'll be alright in the morning. Or the afternoon."

Din's head tilted to the side. "Ok, Luna, let's go."

Din's hands caught my sides as he escorted me out of the mess tent into the darkness. The world around me continued to violently spin, my surroundings indistinct as we crossed the empty encampment. My pace was slow as it took way more effort now to place one foot in front of the other. The Razor Crest was somewhat recognizable as we approached, its lights almost blinding as we boarded.

Din set me upon a seat in the cargo hold as the side hatch whirred closed. "I'll get you some water," he said.

I called for him. Pleaded for him to come back as though he were permanently leaving me alone. I didn't know what came over me at that moment, but I stood, grasped Din's arm, and tugged him towards me with the remaining strength that I had. He used the cargo net to steady himself as he abruptly stepped forward, taken aback by my sudden action. With an elongated breath, I pressed my back against the cool metal of the ship, looking upwards at him with a hooded gaze.

It frustrated me to hell that I couldn't see his eyes; that it was only my damn reflection that I saw upon the visor before me. It had grown easier to sense when he was looking at me, to sense what he was feeling despite all of the armour and fabric between us. But for once, just once, I wished that I could see what he truly looked like underneath the helmet. To see the face of the person with whom I had spent every day for all these months. But, in the end, did it really matter? It was clear who he truly was beneath it all. Beneath the bravado, the stoicism...the armour.

I knew that he was able to fight and defend himself, that he could rip a creature's throat out in a matter of seconds if need be. And yet, he was a man who took a child under his wing, who swore to protect him at all costs and to find his people. He was also a man who put honour before credits, who followed me into the darkness of this blasted war without want of recompense. He did it all because he wanted to, risking life and limb because he cared enough to fight for what was right.

I knew Din.

But did he feel the same way about me, too?

I need to know.

Without another thought, I started to clumsily unbutton my tunic, biting my bottom lip as I began to think about the kisses that we had shared. The way his soft lips felt upon mine. The way that his hands roamed my body. The way I could feel him looking at me. I wanted - needed - to taste him again, to feel his fingers trace over my skin, exploring every inch, as though I were the most delicate thing in the galaxy. After a few moments, I slid out of the restrictive top, tossing it to the ground between us, momentarily forgotten. I then worked on my camisole, pulling it upwards from my abdomen.

Din held my hands in place, pinning them upon my torso. His pulse was racing. "Luna…"

He had meant to say my name in question, but it came out more as a hoarse whisper of bewilderment.

"Din," I breathed out in a low tone, then took his hand and placed it lightly upon my breast.

He froze.

"Do you want me, Din?" My eyes scrutinized him lasciviously as I pulled the rim of his trousers to bring him closer. My lips traced the side of his helmet as I basked in the growing heat of his body. "Tell me if you do."

Din hesitated for a brief moment, then retrieved his hand slowly. However, he couldn't entirely hide that something had stirred within him as well. He seemed flustered. "Luna, I…"

"Yes?" I teasingly roamed my fingers beneath his shirt, relishing the taut ripples of his abdomen, feeling the steady thumping of his heart within his adamantine chest. His light, woodsy musk was intoxicating, enticing me to continue my onslaught. Without warning, I lifted his shirt with both hands and unleashed a barrage of kisses upon his tanned torso, making my way up to his neck. He released a low, throaty groan, running his trembling fingers through my hair. He didn't show any sign of protest, and I happily continued. When the fabric impeded my progress, however, I pulled back and eyed him pleadingly, biting my bottom lip. "I'll give you whatever you want. Whatever you need."

Din's breaths had become heavy, his body slightly trembling beneath my touch. His current state only succeeded in driving me to continue further, my mouth and teeth nipping at the bare flesh that I found.

An inner battle raged within him.

In a swift movement, he removed his shirt from his body and let it fall beside mine.

I felt the warmth within me grow as I inspected every inch of his form, unabashedly taking in his sight. I couldn't help but stare, my lips parting as I did so. Despite the scars and the bruises that marked him as someone fallible, someone who was not invincible, he was perfect to me.

"Close your eyes, Luna," he said fiercely.

Hurriedly.

When I complied with his request, the familiar hiss of his helmet sounded as the seal released. I heard him set it upon the table beside us.

Without warning, he dug his fingers upon my waist and pressed his lips upon mine, so wantonly that I couldn't help but moan. I tasted the ne'tra gal upon his lips, but also the sweet taste of him that I so desperately craved. He groaned as his lips pressed harder upon mine. His tongue slipped past my lips. Our tongues were now caught in a savage battle for dominance as he pulled me closer to him, freely exploring the curves and planes of my body.

I gasped as he began to tease the mounds of my chest, pulling back slightly to work on my neck, a growl rumbling from his throat. My chin lifted automatically, inviting him, giving him unfettered access to every inch of my skin. He moved his body even closer to mine, the desire within him steadily growing. Building. Wanting to be unleashed. I reached for a rung on the ladder beside us to steady myself, not trusting my legs to hold me up any longer as Din's actions consumed me entirely.

Din pressed my back upon the steel wall of the ship. Supporting my thighs, he lifted my legs, one after the other, wrapping them around his lower body. My nails dug upon the hardness of his back as I steadied myself upon him. He placed a trail of searing kisses down my neck towards the exposed skin of my chest, his breaths hot and erratic. My head swirled, and I was unable to utter a word - only sounds of pleasure. In an effortless motion, he lifted me off the ground and carried me to his bunk, slowly lying me down upon the thin mattress.

I felt for his face as he mounted me, the length of his body pressed upon mine. I swallowed the lump that had formed within my throat and focused on Din instead. The familiar stubble. His angular jaw. The lips that I craved so much. I could feel him staring at me, battling with himself still. Leaving no more time for hesitation, I pulled him on top of me, tugging on the buckle of his belt, and reclaimed his lips. He met my desperate kisses with equal measure, the need he exhibited striking me to my very core.

His hand drifted from my chest then down between my abdomen, threatening to go lower still.

"I want you, Din," I breathed, nipping at his neck and earlobe, coaxing him to continue. "Touch me. Please…"

Din suddenly halted what he was doing.

An audible grunt of frustration escaped my lips.

"Krif," he muttered to himself.

Din pushed himself from my form. Steps clanged upon the ship's floor.

"Din?" I called out as I sat up, confused. "Din!"

A helmet re-sealed.

Din's palm pressed delicately upon my face. "It's ok, Luna."

I slowly opened my eyes.

The t-visor once again stared back at me.

"What are you doing?" My face contorted in confusion as I observed him through bleary vision. "You...you don't want me?"

"There is no honour in taking you like this," he stated, clenching his fists at his sides. "You are not yourself."

He moved back a few paces to give me space to stand. I shook my head and wrapped my arms around his neck once more, pressing my body upon his. "I don't know what you're talking about." I ran my fingers up his inner thigh, teasingly close to the apex of his legs. "This is what I want."

Din grasped my hands and pulled them away from his form before I could reach what I desired. He extended his arms out in front of him, keeping me at bay. "Luna, stop this," he hissed. He ripped away from me and took a step back. "None of this will help with the pain," he said in a low tone. "This isn't going to bring T'iana back."

I snarled, feeling as though I was just slapped in the face. A sobering moment of clarity. "What did you just say?"

He bristled. "Look, I didn't mean to…"

I dug a stern finger upon his bare chest. "I have feelings, Din. I'm not cold and callous like you."

He stood a little straighter, on guard. "Is that what you think of me?"

My mouth became agape, but I couldn't utter anything. He continued to stare at me, the silence thick and uncomfortable between us. "I need to be alone," I finally managed, pressing the hatch controls with a closed fist, opening an exit once more. I made the idiotic choice of walking down the ramp as it continued to descend. As the world spiraled around me, my balance worsened and I tripped on my own damn feet, sending me straight to the ground. I somehow managed to catch myself before I fell face first, weakly pushing myself up as I turned to sit on the damp soil beneath me. With every emotion converging within my chest, I brought my knees to my face. Tears burst from my eyes once more.

Din's footsteps sounded upon the ramp, each step slow and calculated. I refused to meet his gaze even as he stood in front of me. "It should have been me, Din," I sobbed, burying my face into my hands.

"You cannot feel guilty for surviving, Luna." He took a knee in front of me, resting an arm on his thigh. "Do not be a slave to your emotions," he said almost pleadingly, placing a hand upon mine. "You are not a captive. You have a choice."

I shook my head and replied defiantly, "What I'm feeling isn't a choice! Guilt, pain, and suffering are not just feelings that you can will away...that you can forget in an instant!"

"You have a choice to not let your emotions overcome you," he corrected, unphased by my actions. His voice wavered. "I know what it's like to lose people that you care about."

I finally looked up at him, realizing that he was speaking about his parents. About the brothers and sisters in arms that he had lost along the way. I winced and inwardly berated myself. My rage dissipated at that moment. Noticing my shaking hands, I clasped them together in front of me in a futile attempt to cease the trembling. I swallowed once more before I asked, "Then how did you survive?"

He was silent for a moment, as though rummaging through his memories. "I learned from the Mandalorians who raised me. I did what I had to do." His gaze wandered to the darkness beside us, focus fixed on an invisible point. "But I am no paragon of virtue," he admitted. "To this day, I see the faces of those who I've killed in my sleep."

What the hell was the matter with me?

I held up my hands in front of me as though in surrender. Remorse lined my tone. "I'm sorry, Din."

"It's fine." He slowly nodded, though worry emanated from his posture.

I stared at him for a moment, the feelings within me rushing to the surface, ready to erupt like a geyser.

"Din, I care about you," I reached out to him. "I...I -"

"...need to rest," Din finished for me in an even tone. His back straightened as he severed his gaze. "This...this will all be fine in the morning."

(V)(V)(V)

A/N: What did you all think of that? I honestly love writing this story. I'm literally just putting everything that I want to see in it! The rest of the story has been planned and I'm leaning heavily towards a sequel. Do you guys want to see a sequel? There is just a LOT more story left to tell!

For those who haven't done so already, check out my latest Mandalorian fic, "The Sins of the Past". The fic will explore Din's past and what made Din Djarin the way he is. Pretty much a prequel to Season 1, but starting from when he was rescued as a boy and going up to when he becomes an adult. It's centered around Din's coming of age, but it'll have a bit of everything - hurt/comfort, romance, action. Here is the (current) summary: "A young boy attempts to cope with the loss of his parents. The Mandalorians take him in as a foundling. Din was warned that the way of the warrior would not be easy; however, could he expect anything less from Mandalorians? A series about Din's coming of age. Young Din to Adult Din. Pre-Episode 1 of The Mandalorian. [Mandalorian/OC]. Rated T-M." Let me know what you think of that work as well! :D

Love. Fiction. 2020, in answer to your question, I'm not planning to have Luna in "Sins of the Past" right now. I'll probably keep the show's timeline as is, keep Luna post-Season 1, and then develop some other characters from Din's past. But we'll see!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your support. You have made it to this chapter, which is telling me that you're enjoying the story! I hope you are all doing well given these unprecedented times. At the very least, I'll take comfort in that my story has distracted and/or entertained you, even if it's just for a little while! Cheers! xx IFHD