"And that's when he got me in the leg," healed man was relaying the tale of how he got wounded. I scratched my head a bit puzzled. "What's a jawa?" I asked. "Oh, they're uh…" Before he could answer, the ground began to rubble; the cups and cutlery on the tables shook. All of us perked up as it dawned on me: he's here. Our ship had just landed outside, sending sand flying everywhere. Everyone looked at me and I couldn't help but blush.
I opened the door at the same time the ship door dropped down. All the patrons followed in tow, with one of the healed guy's friends dragging the terrified Toro by the arm. Boy, did he look scared. Mando marched off the ship with Kuiil right behind him. They both scanned around before seeing me. A smile beamed across my face at the sight of them. "Saoirse!" Kuiil exhaled in relief. As they both walked forward, I ran towards them with my arms wide open. Kuiil caught me in an embrace; we both shut our eyes as we held each other. Mando watched us silently, though I could tell he was relieved by his body language. I then straightened up, looking at him. My grin began to fade as my lips parted a sliver. Mando…. He's here; he's right here. He really came for me.
"H-hey, Mando. I….." Toro stupidly and quite nervously began- but only had the chance to begin. Without warning, the Mandalorian angrily yanked out his blaster and aimed it at Toro's chest. Toro's hands immediately flew up into the air and I rushed in the line of fire rapidly. "No! No, no, no; I'm ok! Don't shoot him! He didn't hurt me!"
"This is Mando?" The server now pointed to the Mandalorian, who reluctantly lowered his gun while still glaring dangerously at Toro. "You didn't say he was a Mandalorian," healed man inquired in a surprisingly suspicious tone. "Is that a problem?" I blinked back at the tavern patrons, genuinely confused. "How did you get mixed up with a Mandalorian?" If I didn't know any better, I'd say the healed man's friend sounded a tad worried. "I-I don't understand. What's wrong with him being a Mandalorian?" My hand rose up to my chest. "You're not a Mandalorian," the server stated flatly while looking at me. "Well, that doesn't matter," I shrugged. Mandalorians could marry non-Mandalorians, after all. The men, however, did not act convinced.
"Did you call me?" Mando interrupted the tenseness, asking the server; I guess he recognized the sound of his voice. "Yes," he didn't hesitate to answer. "Thank you," Kuiil spoke for both him and Mando; Mando's head nodded in a respectful, solemn manner. "Yes, thank you…." I flinched as he suddenly and quite unexpectedly reached over to take hold of my hand; his gloved handheld onto mine tightly. "Come on," he said before proceeding to guide me back onto the ship. "Thanks again for calling us and taking care of our girl. We were worried out of our minds," Kuiil sighed. They were? I blinked to the back of Mando, who was still tugging me along. Mando was worried about me? My cheeks kept blushing a beet red.
"Look after Saoirse; she's a special woman." "Yeah. You hear that, Mandalorian? I wouldn't let anything happen to her if I were you." "We'll do our best," Kuiil attempted to ease their concerns. "I mean it. She healed me; never met a girl like her before," healed man explained. "Healed you? She healed an injury?" Kuiil sounded startled and alarmed by this. Healed man nodded. "My leg; it would have had to come off if it wasn't for her," he elucidated while patting his knee. Kuiil just spun around to peer at me through the corner of his eye; it was clear he was thinking… thinking and not smiling.
"Let's go," Mando called out to Kuiil. He thanked the men again for protecting me and getting me away from Toro. I waved at all of them before we all boarded the ship together. Mando shut the ship door; all the while not letting go of my hand. I kept staring at him intently, elated and astonished that he came for me. He had the chance to escape me, to return to his old life, and yet…. judging by the time he got here, he didn't wait to come get me. He must have come as soon as he knew where I was. Realizing this, letting it resonate in me, my hand gave his a comfortable squeeze. Another organic smile drew across my lips as my eyes lowered gently onto his helmet. Mando paused and turned his head back to me when I didn't move another step forward, instead electing to adoringly stare at him.
"Everything ok?" He asked me; his voice peppered with concern. "Yes… yes, everything's fine," my hand kept holding onto his. Mando's head tilted downwards a bit. Then he continued to pull me into the driving station. It's there that our hands finally parted, but I noticed how close Mando brought me to stand by him as he sat in the captain's chair. Kuiil must have also saw but decided not to say anything; he stood close by behind us. That's when I glanced to the dashboard and realized that my dried, pink flower was nowhere to be found. After scanning around, it hit me…. the last place I saw it was when I gave it to Mando. He put it behind his breast plate… right overtop his heart. My eyes widened as it hit me…. It's not in its normal spot; he must still have it…. it must still resting on top of his heart. My lips parted in the most natural, most enchanted way….
Yes, Mando is a Mandalorian, and they are an elite class of highly skilled warriors. He's a trained fighter who doesn't talk much and pulls his gun out way too fast in my opinion. But… despite all that, he has a soft side to him; a real soft side. He hides it well, but those who know him well know it's there. Maybe I'm the only one who knows it's there, but I know…. He didn't hesitate to pick me up, even when he didn't have to. He didn't wait…. Yes, I know it's there- I don't even have to think about it.