"It's beautiful." Din said, holding Grogu up to the window so he could see the shimmering blue water, the small huts dotted throughout the white sand. The kid pressed his little nose against the glass, babbling excitedly. "I didn't know there were any settlements out here."

"There's a few villages, but most of the work here is seasonal." Boba explained, turning the ship to approach a small floating landing pad attached to the dock. "During the rainy season the waves are too rough for fishing, so the locals head to the other island, manage the farms."

"Have you been here before?" Din asked curiously.

"Once." Boba said, flicking a switch to engage the landing gear. "My dad took me, after he finished a big job. We had money to spare, so." Boba shrugged.

"How old were you?" Din asked quietly, gently bouncing Grogu on his lap.

"Eight? Nine?" Boba said, his brow furrowed. "I was old enough that Dad let me swim wherever I wanted as long as I wasn't out of sight from the island."

He smiled sadly, his expression nostalgic. "I used to dive in the deeper waters, looking for clams. Dad would make a fire on the beach and cook them. He always gave me the biggest one."

Silence fell over the cockpit as Boba brought the ship in for a landing, a soft thud echoing over the sand as the ship settled on the dock.

Boba flicked several switches on the dashboard, turning off the ship, and turned to Din. "Shall we?"

"Lead the way." Din agreed, standing and settling Grogu onto his hip. The kid chirped happily in agreement.

"Patu!"

"All right." Boba agreed, chuckling. He stood and clipped his helmet to his belt. "Let's go."

Din grabbed their bags and slung them over one shoulder before following Boba out of the ship, stepping out onto the dock. Grogu squealed with excitement, practically vibrating in Din's arms.

"All right, all right." Din laughed, and he crouched down to put Grogu on the ground. The kid shot off towards the beach, leaping off the edge of the dock into the soft white sand. He giggled happily, throwing himself onto the ground and burrowing into the sand, his ears wiggling.

Din smiled and stepped onto the beach to join him, his heavy boots sinking into the sand with every step. Boba bumped his shoulder gently, grinning. "Different kind of sand than Tatooine, isn't it?"

"Yeah." Din agreed, watching Grogu scoop up sand with his little claws. He reached for his helmet, hesitating for a moment before releasing the seals and taking it off, tucking it underneath his arm.

There's no one here. He reminded himself, his heart racing. No one but us.

The settlement was a few miles out from the dock, the beach quiet and out of the way. The locals didn't come out to the beach much, according to Boba, except to take their boats out to the deeper waters with their fishing nets. Their huts were further inland, surrounded by fruit trees and freshwater streams.

He and Boba stood together in contented silence for a few minutes, just watching Grogu play. Din leaned closer to Boba and tucked his chin on Boba's shoulder, pressing his nose in Boba's neck. He had to stoop a little to do it, his back hunched over, but he hardly noticed. He closed his eyes, enjoying the smell of the salty sea air, the gentle warmth of the sun on his skin.

Boba wrapped a strong arm around his waist, pulling Din close with a contented hum. Their beskar bumped together with a soft chime, echoing against the soft sound of the waves meeting the shore.

"What do you say we find our room and take this off, enjoy the ocean?" Boba asked, tapping Din's chest plate with a fingernail.

"Mm." Din agreed, nuzzling into Boba's neck. "Okay."

Boba laughed, patting Din's hip, the touch warm even through Din's armor. "C'mon. You can swim, right?"

"Yes." Din nodded. "Not sure about the kid, though."

"Seems like a good opportunity for him to learn." Boba said, his fingers tracing the edge of Din's chest plate.

Din nodded again, raising his head and stretching with a groan, his back aching a little. Boba watched him with a raised eyebrow.

"That can't be good for you."

"It's fine." Din insisted, rolling his shoulders.

Boba rolled his eyes. "As much as I like holding you, Din'ika, I'd rather not have you throw out your back."

"It's fine." Din insisted, reaching down to scoop up the kid, setting him on his hip. Grogu looked up at him with wide eyes. "Ahh?"

"How about it, kid?" Din asked, bouncing Grogu gently. "Want to go in the ocean?"

"Aaah!" Grogu agreed excitedly, tapping his little claws against Din's gauntlet.

"All right, let's go." Din said, setting his helmet back on his head with his free hand, engaging the seals.

Boba rolled his eyes again, but led the way down the beach towards the towering cliffs. They walked for a good half hour, the only sound the crash of the waves against the beach and the birds chirping overhead, the kid occasionally echoing their sounds and cooing back up at them.

They reached the beach's edge, a small village coming into view, tucked against the cliff side and surrounded by trees and sand, a small river running through the straw huts.

A few of the locals saw them approach from where they sat peeling fruit, and waved at Boba, standing to greet him.

They were non-human, some kind of amphibian species that reminded Din strongly of the woman he had taken to Trask. He kept a tight hold on Grogu, looking around surreptitiously for any sign of eggs. We'd better hope Grogu doesn't think any of these people would make a good snack. He thought nervously.

The local chattered to Boba in his language, gesturing to the village around them, and Boba nodded, replying in the same language.. Din blinked at him in surprise behind his helmet, watching Boba and the amphibian man chat, their voices low and guttural.

Finally, Boba turned to Din. "He says we're welcome to stay in his daughter's hut, the small one over by that tree. She usually lives there with her husband, but they've gone to another village to see his parents, so it's empty for at least two months."

"You speak - " Din trailed off, not sure what the language was called.

"Yeah." Boba shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck self-consciously. "I got to know a lot of the locals when I stayed here with Dad, played with a lot of the other kids. We were here for a few months, so I picked up some of the language. I've kept in touch with Mak and his family."

The amphibian man, Mak, said something else, gesturing to Din and Grogu. Boba laughed a little nervously, and mumbled a reply, waving a hand.

"What did he say?" Din asked curiously.

"Nothing, nothing." Boba said, avoiding his gaze. "Let's go."

Din rolled his eyes but followed Boba and Mak to the empty hut, holding Grogu securely in his arms. He set the bags by the door and put Grogu down on the ground, letting the kid explore the hut as he began putting away their clothes in the larger bedroom. Boba joined him, folding his own clothes in the small closet, bumping Din's hip playfully. They unpacked their things, and Din went into the smaller bedroom to make a little nest of blankets for Grogu in the small crib that stood in the corner, making sure to arrange it the way the kid preferred. The crib was a little big for him, but the room was cozy and snug, the walls painted a soft yellow color, a basket of children's toys in the corner. Grogu immediately went over to investigate, his eyes comically round at the sight of a soft red ball, which he immediately grabbed and began to levitate throughout the room.

Boba stuck his head around the corner, holding a pile of clothing in his hands. "Care for a swim?" He asked.

"All right." Din agreed. "What do you say, kid? Want to go swimming?"

"Ah!" Grogu dropped the ball and scurried over to Din's side, flashing him a toothy smile.

Boba grinned and tossed something in Din's direction, and Din caught it with both hands, examining it closer to find it was a swimsuit, made of stretchy black material, smooth and cool in his hands. He and Boba went into the larger bedroom and took off their armor and the clothes underneath, stacking the plates of beskar carefully in a corner of the room, and put on the swimsuits. They were both a similar model, shorts that came down to the knee. Boba's was green, a similar shade to his armor, and Din's was a deep blue, so dark it was almost black. Din folded his flight suit and set it on top of his armor, placing his helmet reverently on the small dresser, before going into the other bedroom and helping Grogu into his swimming clothes, a little black wetsuit that covered his arms and legs.

"There you go." Din said, leaning back on his heels to look the kid over. "No sunburn today, huh?"

"Patu." Grogu agreed sagely, reaching up to tap Din's cheeks with his little claws.

"You might not even be able to get sunburned." Din mused, ticking Grogu under his chin. Who knows what type of climate they have on his home world.

"Ah." Grogu said, giggling.

"Ready to go?" Boba asked, entering the room.

He stretched his arms above his head, his muscles flexing. Din swallowed, his heartbeat picking up a little at the sight, heat flooding his cheeks.

"What?" Boba asked, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"Shut up." Din muttered, picking Grogu up and setting him on his hip. "Let's go."

"All right." Boba grinned, leaning in to kiss Din's cheek.

Din cleared his throat, self-conscious, and led the way out of the hut, stopping to grab them a few towels on the way out. Boba followed close behind, and they set off towards the beach, the sand warm beneath their feet. Grogu wiggled in Din's arms, and Din obligingly set him down, letting him run ahead to look at the various rocks and insects and anything else that caught his attention.

Boba took Din's hand gently, lacing their fingers together as they walked leisurely along the path to the beach. They walked along in easy silence, watching Grogu dart from one interesting sight to the other. Din sighed with contentment as the ocean came into view, tracing Boba's knuckles with a thumb. "This was a good idea." He murmured, swaying closer to bump Boba's shoulder with his own.

"I told you." Boba said smugly.

Din rolled his eyes, but stopped and leaned down to kiss Boba. Boba wrapped his free arm around Din's waist, kissing him back gently, his nose brushing Din's. He nipped Din's lower lip gently, his teeth sharp, and Din couldn't suppress the startled sound he made, somewhere between a squeak and a moan.

"Patu!" Grogu demanded, interrupting them.

Din cleared his throat and broke the kiss, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Sorry, kid. Let's go swimming, yeah?"

"Ahh." Grogu agreed imperiously, toddling over to the water's edge, peering at the waves nervously.

"It's okay." Din assured him, tossing their towels on the sand a little ways away from the water. "I'll teach you."

He scooped Grogu up and stepped into the water, wading in until the water was up to his waist. Boba followed close behind, watching as Din lowered the kid in the water, Grogu's little toes skimming the surface.

"Ahh!" The kid squealed happily, splashing his feet in the ocean. Din smiled, splashing him gently.

"What do you think, kid? Ready to try swimming?" He asked.

Grogu grinned up at him, showing off his little white teeth. "Patu!" He agreed.

Din helped Grogu float in the clear water, holding the kid securely by the waist, and showed him how to propel himself forward with little kicks. Carefully passing Grogu over to Boba, he demonstrated the technique by swimming a few circles around them, much to the kid's delight. Grogu jumped into Din's arms with an excited squeal, propelled by the Force.

"Want to try?" Din asked, tickling the kid's ear. Grogu wrinkled his little nose, but made an eager noise, kicking his clawed feet in the water and splashing Din and Boba.

"Hey!" Din protested, laughing. Grogu giggled, splashing him again.

"C'mon, let's practice." Din said, encouraging the kid to float with a careful hand holding him securely around the middle.

Boba watched as Din helped Grogu swim a circle around them, the kid giggling and splashing water all over them.

They stayed for several hours, swimming and lying on the warm sand, the gentle waves crashing against the shore. Din helped Grogu build a sand castle, and watched the kid practice levitating small pebbles and driftwood. He even took a short nap while the kid played, dozing against Boba's chest, the sun warm on his face.

Finally, as the sun started to sink below the horizon, they headed back to the hut. Grogu chattered sleepily to himself as Din carried him back, his little ears drooping with tiredness.

"Hard work having fun, isn't it?" He teased, tickling one of Grogu's ears.

"Ahh." Grogu agreed loftily, reaching up with a little claw to tap Din's jaw. "Saaa."

"Yeah, lots of sand." Din agreed. "What do you think, should we come back tomorrow?"

"Patu!" Grogu chirped happily. He yawned and sleepily stretched out his little arms in Boba's direction. "Ahh."

"Oh, I see. He's the favorite now, eh?" Din teased, bouncing the kid playfully in his arms.

"Ah!" Grogu grinned, yawning again. Din smiled and handed him over to Boba, who settled the kid in his arms as carefully as if he was a bomb about to explode instead of a sleepy magical toddler. Grogu hummed happily, tucking his little nose into the curve of Boba's neck, his little claws reaching out to hold onto Boba's thumb.

Warmth filled Din's chest at the sight, affection so strong he felt his breath catch in his throat. The setting sun cast a soft yellow glow over Boba's scarred face, the muscles in his arms shifting as he rocked Grogu gently.

I love him. He thought, his heart galloping in his chest. Fuck, I love him, I love him.

"What?" Boba asked, looking up at Din.

Din blushed, heat blooming in his belly. "Nothing." He said shyly, flicking his gaze away from the strong lines of Boba's body. "I - nothing."

Boba raised an eyebrow. "Seems like more than nothing." He replied, his voice a dark rumble that sent a shiver down Din's spine. Din could feel the blush traveling to his ears, down his chest. He wished fleetingly that he hadn't left his helmet inside, that he could hide his reactions behind the expressionless beskar. Boba grinned toothily, his gaze flicking up and down Din's body, lingering on Din's ass, his chest. Din blushed harder, the tips of his ears burning, and cleared his throat.

"I - the kid's here." He said awkwardly.

Boba's eyes darkened, naked desire plain on his face. "That's easily remedied." He said. "C'mon kid, time for bed."

Din swallowed, arousal and affection rushing through him as Boba tucked the child close to his chest and carried him indoors. Din followed close behind as Boba took Grogu to the smaller bedroom and set him carefully in his crib.

"Da?" Grogu cooed, raising his little claws up to Din.

Din smiled and kissed the top of the child's head. "We'll have lots of fun tomorrow."

"Ah." Grogu agreed, pacified, and turned his face up to Boba in a silent demand for a kiss. Boba chuckled and acquiesced, planting a messy, loud, smooch on the kid's ear, making Grogu giggle with delight.

"Time for bed, you little womp rat." Boba teased, tucking the blanket around the child tightly. Warm affection bloomed in Din's chest at the sight, the feeling so strong his chest ached with it.

He turned on the small night light beside the crib and gave Grogu one last kiss good night. Boba followed him out of the room and gently closed the door behind them. Boba went to put away the bag of beach toys, while Din went into their bedroom. He did a quick tidy, making sure they hadn't tracked any sand or small pebbles into the hut, his blood still fizzing with anticipation.

I love him. He thought giddily, listening to the soft footsteps echoing in the hallway as Boba entered the bedroom. So fucking much.

Din turned and watched Boba saunter into the room, a slight sway in his step.

"See something you like?" Boba teased, leaning against the doorframe. His eyes glittered with mingled arousal and mirth, his gaze tracing Din's body.

Heat bloomed in Din's belly, the tips of his ears flushing bright red. He drank in the sight of Boba leaning against the doorframe, his body strong and solid, padded in all the right places, the swimsuit clinging to his hips. Arousal fizzled in Din's blood at the sight. His cock twitched eagerly.

"Come here." Din demanded.

"As you wish." Boba grinned, crossing the space between them in several long strides. He placed a hand on Din's chin and pulled him down into a kiss, his grip solid and warm.

Din kissed him back eagerly, grabbing Boba's biceps and pressing their bodies flush together. Boba hummed, the vibration tingling against Din's lips, and pushed him back gently until Din's legs hit the bed.

Boba broke the kiss and Din gulped a breath, his lungs burning.

"Eager, are we?" Boba teased, setting his hands on Din's hips.

"Take that off." Din growled, letting go of Boba's biceps and setting his hands on the waistband of Boba's swimsuit.

"Whatever you want." Boba smirked, shoving it off and kicking it to the side.

Like always, Din's heart kicked in his chest at the sight of Boba's body, strong and scarred. His solid chest, his thick thighs, his padded belly. His calloused hands, the wiry hairs on his forearms.

Boba grinned and kissed Din again, nipping gently at his lip as he shoved Din's swimsuit down, setting his hands on Din's ass.

Din kicked the swimsuit away and pressed closer to the heat of Boba's body, moaning as Boba's hands squeezed his ass. Boba broke the kiss and panted against Din's lips, nipping again a little less gently, sending pleasure fizzling up Din's spine. His cock was hard against Din's hip, the sensation making Din's heart beat faster in anticipation. Boba squeezed his ass again, his broad hands warm against Din's skin. Din moaned breathily, pressing his forehead against Boba's as Boba nipped his bottom lip. Their hips were pressed flush together, Boba's solid chest touching Din's, the hair on his belly a tickling sensation against Din's skin.

Boba pushed him backwards gently, wordlessly encouraging Din to lay back on the bed. Din did so eagerly, wiggling backwards until he lay comfortably on the bed, panting. Boba followed close behind, blanketing Din with his body and leaning down for another kiss, humming against Din's lips. Din placed his hands on Boba's hips and pulled him in closer, bumping their cocks together. Boba moaned against Din's lips, breaking the kiss and pressing his forehead to Din's shoulder, his chest heaving.

"So beautiful, sweetheart." Boba rumbled, his voice vibrating against Din's skin. He kissed Din's shoulder, rocking his hips against Din's, the pressure sending arousal skittering down Din's spine. "So good, so beautiful."

Din moaned, pressing his face to the crook of Boba's shoulder. "Boba -" He whined, thrusting his hips up to meet Boba's.

"Shh, sweetheart." Boba propped himself up on one elbow and smiled beautifully, his eyes sparkling with affection and arousal. He set a large hand on Din's belly, stroking gently. Heat smoldered in Din's stomach, and his cock twitched eagerly. His body had learned to expect pleasure at Boba's touch, associating the rumble of Boba's voice with Boba's hands on his body.

Din whimpered, squirming underneath Boba. "Boba -"

"What do you want, sweetheart?" Boba asked, smirking playfully. He set his other hand on Din's cock, his callouses rough against the sensitive skin. "You want this?"

"Y - yes." Din said breathily, rocking his hips underneath Boba's body. Boba tightened his hold on Din's cock, making Din moan in the back of his throat.

"You want me to fuck you?" Boba pressed, his eyes glinting.

"Yes, damn it." Din panted.

"As you wish." Boba said, his eyes dark with desire. He wrapped his hand around both of them and pumped his hand up and down, his grip firm. Din tightened his grip on Boba's hips, making a thin sound in the back of his throat. Boba hummed, pleased, and picked up the pace.

"I got you, Din'ika." Boba panted, pressing a kiss to Din's shoulder. "You're so good for me, that's it, so good."

"Boba -" Din squirmed, his blood fizzling with pleasure.

"So good." Boba repeated, nipping Din's collarbone, a hot spike of pain that made Din yelp.

"Boba!"

"Hm?" Boba grinned against Din's neck, thrusting his hips and stroking them both, flicking his thumb against the head of Din's cock.

Din moaned, his legs jerking a little as Boba pumped his hand up and down.

"Did you say something, sweetheart?" Boba asked, his tone smug.

"I - " Din panted, yelping again as Boba nipped his neck, laving his tongue over the bite.

Boba chuckled, his eyes dark with desire, and pressed an open mouthed kiss to Din's chest, his tongue hot against Din's nipple. Din made a thin sound in the back of his throat, his cock jumping in Boba's hand. Boba hummed, the sound a soft vibration against Din's chest, and bit Din's nipple softly, sending hot pleasure fizzling up Din's spine.

"Boba -" Din panted, squirming as Boba bit his nipple again, the press of his teeth a little firmer this time.

Boba hummed again and moved lower, pressing a kiss to the top of Din's ribcage, his breath hot and wet against Din's skin. The sensation made Din moan, moving his hands up to clutch Boba's head desperately, Boba's skin smooth under his fingertips. He felt Boba grin against his ribs, his lips a wet, tickling sensation against the sensitive spot between Din's second and third rib. He bit the skin between Din's ribs, making Din yelp.

"Boba!"

"Hm?" Boba grinned, licking the spot he had bitten and pumping his hand around them both, tightening his grip fractionally.

Din moaned, his legs jerking suddenly underneath Boba's broad body. Sweat dripped down his collarbone, itching his chest, his belly, mingling with Boba's saliva. Din moaned again at the thought, shifting restlessly. Boba chuckled and pressed an open mouthed kiss to Din's belly button, his nose pressing into Din's belly.

Din's breath hitched, his cock twitching in Boba's hand at the feeling of Boba's nose pressed into the soft skin of his belly, the texture of Boba's scarred skin against his own strangely soothing. He felt more than heard Boba humming against his belly, the low vibration making his skin tingle. Boba kissed his stomach again, his breath so hot it felt like it would burn Din's sensitive skin.

"Did you need something, Din'ika?" Boba asked teasingly, flicking the head of Din's cock with a thumb. He nosed at Din's hip, pressing a kiss there, his movements slow and deliberate.

Din tightened his grip, squirming underneath the weight of Boba's body. "You - you know." He panted, moaning as Boba bit the top of Din's thigh, his teeth sharp.

"Hmm." Boba let go of his cock and shifted a little, placing his hands on Din's hips and lying with his chest on Din's upper thighs. He looked up at Din, leaning in slightly, raising an eyebrow. "You want this, sweetheart?" He leaned in to nose at the head of Din's cock, his breath tickling the sensitive skin.

"Please." Din breathed, squirming underneath Boba, anticipation fizzling in his blood, his skin tingling. "Boba, please."

"As you wish." Boba smirked, pressing a kiss to Din's inner thigh, his stubble rasping against Din's skin. He leaned in and took Din's cock in his mouth and ran his tongue along the shaft, making Din groan with pleasure. Boba hummed, pleased, and tightened his grip on Din's hips, taking even more of Din until the head of his cock brushed the back of Boba's throat.

Din shouted wordlessly, his legs trembling underneath Boba's body, pleasure swimming in his belly. He tossed his head back onto the pillow, writhing restlessly on the bed.

"Boba -" He panted, moaning as Boba pulled back a little and ran his tongue along the head of Din's cock. Din moved his hands to clutch at Boba's shoulders, the broad muscle flexing underneath Din's fingers. Boba hummed in response, the rumbling sensation buzzing against Din's skin.

Din squirmed underneath Boba's weight, his skin hot and flushed, arousal burning in his belly. Boba's hands were warm on his hips, his grip strong, almost bruising. His breath was hot on Din's skin, his tongue wet and warm and everywhere. Din shifted on the bed, panting, Boba's shoulders flexing underneath his fingertips.

"Boba -" He managed, inhaling sharply as Boba pulled off his dick, pressing a sharp, toothy kiss to Din's thigh, his teeth nipping a bruise into the soft skin. He took Din in one hand, the other still holding Din by the hip, and pumped his hand several times. Din came with a bitten-off shout, his legs twitching on the bed beneath Boba.

Boba kissed his thigh again, this time gentle and sweet, as Din lay there panting, his limbs heavy and trembling. Boba stroked his side gently as Din's breath slowly evened out, shifting to lay next to him. Din immediately tucked his nose into Boba's collarbone, making a contented noise into his chest.

"Good?" Boba asked softly, wrapping a strong arm around Din's shoulders.

"Hmm." Din agreed sleepily, curling up on his side to burrow closer.

He felt Boba press a kiss into his hair, the touch slow and gentle, and reached towards him with a clumsy hand. "I can - do you want -" I can touch you, he wanted to say, his desire to make Boba feel good warring with his desire to let exhaustion pull him under.

"Maybe tomorrow." Boba said, kissing Din's cheek gently. "You look tired."

"Hmm." Din mumbled, squirming closer to get as much skin contact as possible. "Tomorrow." He agreed, nuzzling his cheek against Boba's chest.

Boba reached over to the bedside table, grabbing a cloth and attempting the difficult feat of cleaning them both up without breaking skin contact. Din helped him out by lifting a leg or an arm as needed, his mind contentedly fuzzy. Finally, having deemed them clean enough for now, Boba tossed the cloth on the floor and pulled Din closer to him, kissing Din's cheek gently.

"Good night." He murmured, his breath warm against Din's cheek.

"Night." Din mumbled, sleep pulling him steadily under.

I love him. I love him, I love him.