Sorry for the long wait, finishing my other pending fics too. But here you go!

Bo introduces New Mandalore to Din and Grogu, and chatted for a while before duty calls.

Note: At times, the POV will keep changing.

When Din arrived back in Bo's apartment after speaking with the Armorour, the sight before him warmed his heart.

The dim light of the stars filtered through the windows of the spacious quarters, casting a soft glow on the peaceful scene within.

Instead of seeing her packing up as he had asked earlier, she was sleeping peacefully on the couch with his boy.

Their bodies nestled close as if finding solace in each other's presence, Bo's arm wrapped protectively around Grogu as he snored peacefully. Grogu unconsciously held her hand as he was sleeping, snuggling closer to her chest the way he did with him sometimes.

The child is seeing her as his mother.

Din's heart warmed at the sight of the two beings he cared deeply for, finding comfort and companionship in one another. Grogu had been fussy ever since they left New Mandalore for his journeys, even his first words were close to saying her name. And he can't blame his boy's attachment to the woman.

Because aside from him, no one ever cared so much for him as much as her.

Deciding not to disturb their peace, Din tiptoed into the room. Careful not to make any noise, he moved toward Bo-Katan's bed, reaching for a soft blanket that lay folded neatly at the foot. Gently, he picked it up, its fabric smooth against his gloved hands.

With quiet steps, Din returned to the couch where Bo-Katan and Grogu lay. He spread the blanket over them slowly and quietly, tucking it around their slumbering forms with utmost care. He watched as Grogu stirred slightly, mumbling something before snoring again onto her chest.

Once he was sure they were comfortably covered, Din stood back, taking a moment to observe them simply. Bo's serene expression softened in her sleep, her guard down, and Grogu's peaceful features revealed the contentment he found in her presence.

Feeling somewhat intruding on her home, Din decided to find elsewhere to sleep. Grogu will accompany her, and see that she sleeps well. She needs all the rest she can get, and who knows how long she had those. And his kid needs his rest too after the many weeks of travelling.

Quietly, the Mandalorian tiptoed to the exit and opened the door, leaving Bo and Grogu to sleep.

After leaving her apartment, he decided to walk around her area for a while, not only to get used to the place but to find a place to stay.

Bo's apartment may be big, but there weren't any guest rooms. Perhaps she didn't expect anybody to spend the night with her, or she was allocating her resources elsewhere instead of putting it on her.

It seems that that is another reason why he admired her, she'd always put other people first before her. She's always selfless, which he made him, dare he say, love her, and frighten him at the same time.

She's so selfless that she'd forgotten to take care of herself. Today, her low self-esteem and her easy capture were proof. Kriff, even the Armorour can see it. She needs rest and there is no question about it. Period. He'd drag her out of her apartment if he must.

As he slowly walks around, he can't help but notice the little things that changed. Life truly is coming back. The newly designed pavement, the cleaning up of rubbles and ruins, building slowly growing. It reminded him of when Nevarro was first starting to grow. One day, it'll soon grow back to

"Din Djarin, the destroyer of the insect droid!" the familiar voice of Koska made him turn back, "didn't see you there! What brings you here, pal?" she exclaimed, slightly taken aback by the encounter. Her partner, Axe, doesn't look as enthusiastic as her, merely frowning.

He nodded at them in acknowledgement, "Axe, Koska."

"Looking for something, Djarin?" Koska asked, her bright eyes assessing him with a mixture of curiosity before turning her head left and right, searching for something. "Where's the kid?"

"He's with Bo-Katan," he answered as he walked towards them, "Think he's going to be with her for the whole night."

"Ahh, of course. Not easy to resist the cute boy," she said, "Well, looks like you're out here on your own."

Din offered them a slight, appreciative nod. "Yeah, I'm looking for a place to stay," he admitted, the weight of his decision evident in his voice.

Her expression softened with understanding. "Understandable. We can help you with that. Actually, Bo prepared you a place to stay."

Din tilted his head, feeling dumbfounded, "Really?"

"Hold on, she didn't tell you?" She genuinely asked.

He shook his head, "No."

"Oh, I assume she would've told you by now," she scratched the back of her head, "Ahh, no matter. You're going to need a place to stay anyway. We'll take you there."

Din nodded, "I appreciate the offer. Do lead the way."

They set out together, the trio weaving through the vibrant and bustling city streets. For a while, the sounds of the urban landscape filled the air, a companionable silence enveloping them. Mandalorians with or without helmets passing by. And for a while, Din thought that New Sundari is already a place of habitable. Bo did a great job of rebuilding their planet.

So why is she doubting herself?

"So, how's Bo-Katan doing?" Axe, who has been silent for a while, suddenly asked, glancing at Din with a stoic face.

Din turned to him as they walk side by side, furrowed his brow as his helmet hid any trace of surprise. "Why are you asking me? You two have been with her more than I have. I've been travelling around the galaxy," he explained, puzzled by the inquiry.

"That's the point," Axe exasperatedly sighed, "I don't know what adventures you had with her before, but it's clear that something's going on between you two. And it's affecting her."

Koska pulled his arm, "Axe, relax."

The man pursed his lips before sighing, "By the bantha, you both playing house acting like nothing is going on," he scratched the back of his head in frustration, "It's driving me insane."

"Nothing is going on between us," Din tried to reason, but the way he said it wasn't convincing enough.

"Yea, I'm sure nothing is going on," Koska snorted, giving him a side-eye and an unconvinced look, "She missed you, you know?"

I miss you both. I hope you see two soon.

Din nearly froze before continuing his walk with them across the street of Sundari, "I…..Yea."

"Do you miss her too?" she went right for the throat, not that he didn't expect it from someone like her. He assumes she's her best friend, and she wouldn't want her friend to be hurt. It was easier to confess his feelings to the Armorour about how he felt about Bo, but with other people…..it's so strange to him.

When the silence somewhat stretches from his hesitation, Axe clapped his back, "Ahh, come on you. Are you not man enough that you are in love with the princess?"

"That's…." he stuttered.

He sighed, "Ah oh well, action speaks louder than words," before turning ahead, "Ahh, here we are."

Din looked up to see a small well-built apartment next to a plaza, it wasn't too big nor too small. It's just….right.

"Usually council members stay here, but there is your mudhorn emblem in one of those doors," Koska said, "She's probably expecting you to come back."

He nodded, "I did tell her I'll stop by as often as I can," he answered, "I may have a responsibility for Grogu but being part of Mandalorian too, I'd like to stop by and see our new home." He looked around the new city, feeling in awe of how much it changed since he was here. Mandalorians truly are stronger together.

"Which explains why you're one of our biggest funds for our budget," she chuckled, while away, he had been sending enough transfers for the rebuilding of Mandalore. Thanks to Greef's land offer, he saved a lot more credit on living expenses too anyway. Not to mention, Grogu's education was also at a discount from his friend. So credits were pretty all right with him, allowing him to give his portion for Mandalore, "Trying to impress the Duchess?"

Din frowned, "All right, knock it off."

She giggled, "But we appreciate your contribution to our planet. Even when you're far away."

He nodded, "It's the least I can do while we're away. For Mandalore."

Axe nodded in agreement, not looking to pick a fight anymore with him, "For Mandalore."

"For Mandalore," Koska chimed too.

Din felt a surge of pride. Mandalorians might have their differences, especially between the Children and the Nite Owls, but when it came to their own, they were unwavering.

"There's something else we need to discuss," Axe said, "The assassination attempt."

"Right," Immediately, Din's heart sank, remembering the horrible incident that almost got them all killed. "We're going to need to about discuss security and all. Do you know why she's a target?"

They both shook their heads, "If this is truly from the Imps, then I don't see why she's not a target," Koska said, "They wanted Mandalore, and she led us to retake what they wanted."

Din clenched his fists, feeling the frustration building in his heart. First, he only just realized that she was exhausted. Now, she must fight for her life. He can't imagine all the pressure she had to take in. Worst of all, she felt she was alone. She never really mentioned her struggles during their time exchanging Holo messages. Perhaps she didn't want to worry him.

He knew he must do something.

"I'll try to speak with her tomorrow," he said, "but one thing for sure, her well-being comes first."

They both nodded, "Of course,' Koska said.

"She agreed to come with me to Nevarro and discuss some negotiations with Greef Karga," Din said. "Whatever danger is coming, I don't think it'll come anytime soon after we have captured her attackers. We should spread that news to the galaxy, and show them what we are capable of."

"Eloping with the princess now, are we?" Axe smirked at him.

Din frowned, not like they can see his face, "I'm doing what I think could help her."

"Of course you are," she rolled her eyes, which annoyed Din. "Well, in any case, do what you must for the lady," she said before stretching her arms, "I'm beat. Today's special occasion was unique. I'm going to need all the strength I need to face another day."

He nodded, "Thank you, you two."

"Anytime," Axe waved off, "See you tomorrow, pal."

"Have a good rest," Koska added.

"And to you too," and at that, he left them both to his new little apartment.

It didn't take long for him to settle in, everything is in place. The Bed, the sheets, the holos, all are ready to live in. Not to mention, a small nursery for Grogu. Bo thought it through for him.

And the mudhorn insignia imprinted proudly on the steel wall. No doubt it's the Armorour who did this.

Perhaps he could stick around here instead of going back and forth from Nevarro.

And he'll be able to see Bo more often.

"You've done an impressive job in restoring Mandalore, Bo," Din said as the three of them walked to what looks like a park that is being reconstructed.

The last time he was on this planet, Mandalore was but rubbles and ruins. Nothing can inhibit it nor any civilizations can bring it back.

But now, little by little, life finds its way here. The sun shines upon their planet as if giving a sign of hope. Buildings are reconstructed, roads are being re-made, lights illuminate, and speeders zooming along the area, it's as if the purge never happened here. Sure, there are still ruins, but those too are being rebuilt or destroyed for better use.

Life is back in Mandalore. Mandalore is healing.

"As I said, it's still a long way to go," Bo replied as she walked beside Din with Grogu following behind them, "Before the purge, it's a lot more grand."

"One step at a time," he reminded her, the same way she told him when Grogu was learning to adjust his power.

She smiled at him, "I know, I know," She sighed, "I just want to get it back to how it was all those years ago."

"Patience, Bo," he said, "Being rash won't get you anywhere."

"Urghh, you sound like a Jedi I knew," she grumbled.

"Grogu was trained by one," he countered teasingly, "I had to learn a few things to know what that Jedi was teaching the kid."

"Anyways," Bo said with annoyance, "While constructions are going well in Mandalore, the challenging part is to get the Children of the Watch and my own Night Owls to work together."

Din looked at her in confusion, "I thought our last battle proved that we were all on the same side."

"Yes, well if we all have a common enemy, that's simple to unite everyone. But when it comes to actually working together to rebuild something without a common enemy like last time, that's the difficult part. One wanted this, the other wanted that, and our resources are just divided, sometimes unfairly," She crossed her arms and stopped when she led them to the corner of the park where it showed the view of the whole Sundari city, people can be seen walking here and there, with and without helmets. "Mandalorians are stronger together, but it's always our differences that tore us apart."

Din looked at the city where they can see tiny spots of people scurrying to work on constructions, "You've walked both worlds, Bo," he reminded her, "You know how we live, and so, you'll know how to unite us all. Regardless of our differences."

She sighed, not looking convinced as he expected. He can tell that her mind has been clouded with doubt for quite a while, he wished he could help her with that. But to do so, he must get to the bottom of her concerns.

"Come on, let me show you something," this time, she sounded a lot more enthusiastic than before. Din tilted her head in confusion at her new behaviour but followed her anyway, Grogu's pram floating seamlessly beside him.

"What is this place?" Din looked at his surroundings that is covered in rich-lush of green and bright yellow local bloomings painting the plants. The sun shines upon the meadow of the cave as if blessing a new era for the Mandalorians.

"We found this place when we were retaking our planet," she answered, "It didn't occur to me that there is life here."

Din crouched to inspect the green life forms around his footings, ensuring that they are not meat-eating plants. The last time he encountered those things, things became pretty complicated. Especially in terms of hygiene. As his helmet scanned the life forms, he detect no signs of threat but familiarity that he had seen growing in Nevarro.

"Life finds a way," he added, letting his hand graze upon the soft leaves of the plants under the tip of his gloves, relishing its softness. "And it has found its way here."

Bo kneeled beside him, looking at the meadow, "Sometimes I come here to clear my head," she murmured, "It's so peaceful here."

"I can see why," he replied.

Grogu made some chirping noises from his pram and force-jumped to the ground. He then excitedly waddled into the meadow.

Din groaned, "Don't run, kid." But Grogu had already taken off playing with the plants and chasing whatever insects flew above them.

Bo chuckled, "He'll be fine."

"I still don't like it when he runs off on his own," he said with concern. He may be strong with the force, but easily distracted, making him vulnerable altogether. Plus, he's still a kid. "Grogu, don't go too far."

"Patu," the child said in the distance, making him sigh in defeat. Kids.

"Don't worry, he'll be fine. He's not exactly a child anymore," she said as she stood up, "I've ensured that this place is carefully guarded too, make sure no other creatures would come and destroy it."

"That'd be great," he stood up as well and started walking, wanting to get full of view of this wonderous place, "I didn't even know this was here. I can imagine that there are probably more of its species in a cave somewhere."

"Perhaps," she told him, walking beside him. Occasionally, he could feel her hand brush his, which made his heart jump a little at the contact, "We did find similar places like this here and there, but they weren't near. Our man resources are needed elsewhere."

"Understandable, and speaking of resources, Bo," he turned to her, beginning to sound more serious, "We need to think about your safety. I don't believe that that would be the last assassination attempt on you."

She nodded solemnly and sighed, Din feels as if he unlocked something in her if her mood suddenly changed to this sad, "Sometimes I feel like I deserved those."

Din abruptly stopped walking, unable to believe what he just heard from her mouth. "I beg your pardon?"

She stopped walking as well, her body turned to face him, but her eyes is looking anywhere but his behind his visors, "That wasn't the first incident as well, it was way worst," she softly said.

Din walked closely towards her, lifting his hand to hold her elbow. Thankfully, she didn't flinch at his contact, merely began to turn to him. He can see the sad eyes behind her emerald orbs, so much burden and pain in her pupils. It's not her. "I'm sorry you had to go through all those," he softly told her, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Bo pursed her lips before looking down, her hands snaked to his arm as if holding onto him for support, "I was a bad person in the past," she answered silently, the voice of Grogu squealing happily can be heard, "The Death Watch…." she stuttered.

Din knew where this is going, "What happened in the Death Watch wasn't your fault Bo. You were young."

She shook her head, and her eyes began to look so far away as she looked back to the golden meadow, "I can't leave my past behind. No matter how hard I tried."

This is going to be a long talk, Din looked around to find a place to sit and found a ruined boulder at the side of the cave. He gently led her there and let her sit first before he followed beside her. Then, he snaked his hand to find hers, squeezing it gently to support whatever demon she has been facing in her head. "Bo, we all make mistakes. We may not be proud of what we've done, but the least we can do is make sure that the future is a better place for us. For us all," as he said this, he turned to Grogu, who was still waddling around the meadow, laughing and giggling at Force knows what. He abruptly stopped and lifted his hand, eyes squinting in concentration before a bunch of frogs began floating up in the air, croaking in protest.

"It's not that I don't want to leave the past in the past," she said sadly, "It's more than….the consequences of my past actions don't want me to forget what I've done."

Din stayed quiet, wanting her to continue. "Bo, you can tell me anything. I won't judge."

She scoffed, "Wait 'till you hear what I've done."

"Bo," he pressed to her a little closer, "I can't undo what you've done. And neither can you, but what you can do is change the course of the future, in which you are doing. For us all, and the future of this planet."

Bo nodded, "I'm doing the best I can," suddenly, her head slowly rests on his steel pauldron shoulder. He can feel her head heavy with all these thoughts swimming in them, his arm snaked his way around her torso, letting her know that he was not going anywhere. "Sometimes, I feel the world is punishing me for what I've done."

"Now that's a little too farfetched, Bo," Din said. Where is she getting these thoughts from?

She stayed silent for a while before she opened her mouth, "A few cycles ago after we last spoke, a Ming Po was trying to assassinate me."

He stiffened at this knowledge, "What?"

She nodded, "He was seeking revenge for what the Death Watch did to his village and the plot that I played a part in by the orders of Pre Vizla."

Now he understood. He knew it wasn't her doing, she was following orders. He snaked his arms but her shoulder and pulled her closer to him, "Tell me?"

"It's not a pretty story, and one I am not proud of. I'm ashamed of myself," she said under her breath, "When I was in Death Watch, we occupied a planet called Carlac. We took in nearly all the females in the village to make them work for us. The chief of Ming Po demanded their people back, especially his granddaughter, to which Pre Vizla obliged." He stopped for a while.

He nodded, "Go on."

"He did fulfilled the bargain….but not before he killed his granddaughter, right in front of the village. With the Dark Saber…and I did nothing to stop it," she finally said.

"But…..you weren't part of the murder," he said.

"No, but I was part of the destruction of their village," she answered, "I did nothing to stop us from taking other people's homes, I didn't feel any sense of pity for them after losing their home."

"I see," he murmured.

"And I suppose, I've eaten my actions," she chuckled wryly, "They lost their home, and in turn, not long after, I lost Mandalore," Din can feel her energy evaporating and replaced with a depressed aura, "And when I tried to atone my mistakes, I feel it wasn't enough. And that I can never be forgiven."

Din stayed silent, unable to counter this. Even the thought of using or getting any assistance from droids still upsets him. R5 is an exception, but he can't say the same with the rest. Anyone who was a victim of the Death Watch's doing must be plotting revenge by now, and it got themselves to Bo.

"But what happened back there was under Pre's orders," he said.

"It doesn't matter," she said, "For them, I was part of the reason why they lost their home and had to relocate. And I did nothing to help them."

Din squeezed her shoulder and rubbed her arm, "What happened to the one who tried to assassinate you?"

"He got away," she said, "I won't be surprised if he's back with an army to kill me."

"I won't let it happen," he reassured her, "If they're back, I'll be there to help you and negotiate peacefully."

"I tried," she said, her eyes looking so far away, "they won't listen. The same way Pre Vizla didn't listen to them when they want to be left alone, and all we did was watch as their village was burnt to a crisp."

Din sighed softly, understanding how complex this situation was. The Changling was probably only the tip of the iceberg. He doesn't think that they have anything to do with Bo's past. But others? Probably the ghost of the past.

Finally, he readjusted her hold on her and tilted her chin to look at him, "Stop clinging to the ghost of the past, Bo-Katan Kryze. Don't you know who you are anymore?" he lightly scolded her, not wanting her to feel down, "You are Bo-Katan of House Kryze, who fought the Imps until the last stand and led us to retake back our home planet from them. You helped us get rid of pirates from Nevarro, saving innocent lives in the town. You united the division of our faction and led us to victory. What more do you want to atone after what you've done for all of our people? Death? Because that's not happening when we all still need you, you who knows the ins and outs of our culture."

Bo blinked at his words, her lips parted a little before sighing. She brought her forehead to his shoulder, "Sometimes, I feel like it's not enough."

Well, at least that solves her beating herself up. He rubbed her back, "We'll get through this. I'll be there for you," from the corner of his eyes, he saw Grogu coming up to them, ears somewhat down at the sight of his depressed friend. "And so will Grogu."

At the mention of his name, Bo sat up and saw Grogu waddling towards her. She didn't have time to react as the child quickly force-jumped onto her lap, causing her to laugh at his excitement. "Hello, kid."

"Buu…Bo!" he babbled, he then turned around and lift his hand. There is a sound of humming before they realized he used the force to pick a pink flower and float it into his hand. He then turned around to face her, presenting the flower to her, "Patu."

This time, she smiled. All the depressing aura that looms around her began to fade away slowly, "How thoughtful of you," she took the flower, "Thank you, little one."

"Bo," he excitedly babbled before snuggling close to her stomach. Bo wrapped her arms around the kid and pats his back as if lulling him to sleep. His flower was still between her fingers.

Din felt content at the sight of her and Grogu together. She had her ways to take care of him. Many people he knew had their ways to treat his kid, but none were as attentive to his well-being as Bo.

"Perhaps when you meet your enemies again, you should bring him with you," he teased, "Then they'll know that you aren't the same person as the one in Death Watch."

She bursts out laughing, "I'll never be able to work with the kid around me," she rubbed his ears, continuing to lull the child to sleep.

"The truth of the past and the reality of the future are not always easy to reconcile," he said to her, "While we cannot change the past, we can learn from it. For all of us."

She didn't respond at first, still looking at his kid's sleepy figure. Afterwards, she nodded. Then she leaned on his side, her head laying on his shoulder as she holds Grogu. "I'll try," she whispered.

"I know you will," he placed the cheek of his helmet to on top of her head, "I know you'll never give up to do what's right."

This time, a smile quirked up her lips, "Thank you, Din."

He nodded and continued to hold her and Grogu. For a while, they stayed still like that, enjoying the peaceful morning and the serenity of the cave forest. For a while, the world belongs to them. There's no Mandalore, there's no politics, there's no such thing as duty.

It's just Din, Bo, and Grogu. And Din can feel her anxiety evaporating little by little and being replaced by a determination to do better. Perhaps he too should stick around Mandalore to check up on her more often.

And prevent another assassination attempt.

Their moment was disturbed by strings of beeps from her comlink in her vambrace. Bo groaned, and Grogu yawned, "Sorry, buddy," she mumbled and begrudgingly untangled her limbs from his, Din can see how disappointed they both are.

"Uii," he nodded.

Bo sighed and clicked on the com on her vambrace, "Come in?"

"Bo-Katan, we got a situation," Koska's voice came through the com, sounding urgent, "Those Ming Po are back."

"Oh Kriff," she cursed under her breath, her body became rigid under his arms again before pulling away from him. He can see the ghost of the past is coming back to her again.

"Bo, breath. This time, I'm here. Let's face this together," he placed both hands on her shoulder, "We'll face this together."

"Patu!" Grogu chirped, not wanting to be left out. His little eyes are also determined to help whatever is out there.

Bo looked at the child and to Din, a look of nervousness and determination crept on her face before nodding, "Okay. Force knows I need some help."

He nodded, "We'll help as much as we can," he stood up and offered her his hand, which she took and he pulled her up, Grogu still wrapped up in her arm as the child hung on to her, "Let's finish this together."

She nodded, looking up at his eyes through his visor, "Thank you," she said, "For everything."

Instead of replying to her, he dropped his forehead to hers, letting it rest there, "I told you before, I will serve you until your song is written, Lady Kryze. And I intend to keep my promise."

She let out an inaudible gasp before slightly nodding, "Thank you."

Regrettably, he must end their moment, "Come on, let's see what these people want with you." And courageously, he grasp her hand in his and led her out, to which she let him.

Knowing that this might be a touchy subject to deal with, he made a silent reminder to call Greef for some testimony on behalf of hers. He suspects that this is going to be a long talk.

And he's going to make sure that it'll be worth it for her sake. And their home planet.