x

(Two weeks later, Mando's POV)

Not a lot has happened since I took Nova to see the meteor shower, which turned out to be a success because she loved it. But the village has been pretty quiet, and there hasn't been a sign of any Raiders since we took down their AT-ST, thankfully. She's been playing a lot with the kids, as always, and I've kept a little more to myself.

But things have been... tricky with Nova. The first week after the meteor shower was amazing. We grew closer, talked more, she cried a little more as she told me bits and pieces about her past, and I've helped her a lot (or so she says). I even took her up to the roof of the barn and we fell asleep looking at the stars, because I know that's her favorite thing to do.

But then it changed. This past week I've been avoiding her. I hate to do it, and it's a coward's move, but I'm afraid. We've already gotten too close, closer than I've ever been with anyone. She gives me this feeling that I don't know how to explain, but I know it's dangerous for the both of us. If something were to happen to her, I'd be destroyed. And in this line of work, an attachment like that is more than risky.

There's also the issue of my insecurities. I like Nova, a lot, but I know she could never feel the same way. I'm a monster; I've done horrible things that I can never forget. Hell, I turned her and the kid in. If she doesn't already, she'll grow to hate me eventually. I mean, she doesn't even know what I look like, and she'd only be disappointed if she did. She's too good for me anyways. I'm just trying to put distance between us so it hurts less later.

I'm snapped out of my thoughts as Nova walks up to me, where I lean against the doorway on the outside of the barn. I sigh, turning away before I can see the hurt in her eyes and going to leave, but she reacts quicker than I move and her hand shoots out to grab my arm, preventing me from going anywhere.

"We need to talk," she speaks firmly. I look at the ground.

"About what?" I ask, pretending this isn't the first time we've spoken in days. Trying to pretend that my heart isn't beating fast enough to explode and that same confusing feeling isn't spreading through my chest.

"Why are you avoiding me? Did I do something? Because everything was fine a week ago, so what's happening?" the words spill out of her mouth in a rush, her tone surprisingly soft and caring.

This is not making things any easier for me. 

"It's not you. I just..." I trail off, trying to think up an excuse. I can't really say I'm insecure and I'm scared that one day you'll hate me so I decided that I'd push you away to spare myself from unnecessary pain. I sigh once more. "You didn't do anything."

"Then what's wrong?" she asks, her face full of concern.

Everything. "Nothing." She opens her mouth to ask more, but Cara comes over and sits on a chair across the porch, successfully interrupting whatever conversation we were having. Nova gives me a pointed look, one that tells me she knows I'm lying, before going to sit by Cara and starting a conversation with her instead. I'd noticed that her and Cara have gotten closer, and seem to be good friends. They're similar in a lot of ways, and I'm happy that they can get along.

Omera comes over, sending a glance or two my way as she asks the women if they want spotchka, to which they both say yes. Omera nods and goes inside to get it for them. 

Soon, she exits the building and hands the women their spotchka, for which she's thanked. Then, she turns to me. "Can I set you something in the house?"

"Uh, thank you. Maybe later." I decline.

She looks back at the children playing with the kid, a smile on her face. "He's very happy here." she observes.

"He is." I agree.

"Fits right in." Omera smiles at me before walking away.

Nova clears her throat. "I'm gonna go see what the kids are up to." she announces to nobody in particular before setting her spotchka down and walking away as well.

Cara is quiet for a few moments before speaking up, "So, what happens if you take that thing off? They come after you and kill you?"

I almost snort at that. "No. You just can't ever put it back on again."

"That's it?" she asks with a raised brow. I look at her, head tilted. "So you can slip off the helmet, and settle down with Nova, and raise your kid sitting here, sipping spotchka?" she raises her glass for emphasis.

"Nova?" I ask before I can stop myself. Something in my stomach turns, but it's a good sort of turn. Almost like butterflies, although it's definitely not that.

She nods, a glint in her eye. "I see how you two are. So yes, with Nova." she sips her drink.

"You know, we raised some hell here a few weeks back. It's too much action for a backwater town like this. Word travels fast. We might wanna cycle the charts and move on." I suggest, trying to get my mind off of Nova.

"Would not wanna be the one who's gotta tell them." she gestures to Nova and the child. Nova sits with him in her lap, a glowing smile on her face as the children entertain him and he laughs uncontrollably. They both look peaceful. Happy.

"I'm leaving them here," I tell her. I've been thinking about it for a few days, at least, but now is the moment I've decided. "Traveling with me, that's no life for a kid. I did my job. He's safe; better chance at a life." And Nova deserves so much better.

"What about her?" Cara asks, meaning Nova.

"She'll never leave the child. Here, they can be safe. They won't have to worry about getting caught while traveling with me, and they can live their lives in peace." Without me. It's better that way.

"It's gonna break their hearts. She might not even let you leave," she comments. I want to tell her that I know, that the last thing I ever want to do is leave them here where I can't protect them, but I know it's stupid. This is the safest place they can be. And if Nova won't let me leave, then I'll have to go when she isn't looking. But she'll probably let me go the first chance she gets. After all, I'm not worth it. She can never love me as much as she loves that kid. It's for the better.

"They'll get over it. We all do." I mutter, trying to convince myself as much as Cara.

I then excuse myself, making my way over to Omera and finding her by the ponds, farming. "Excuse me. Can I have a word?"

She looks up at me, nodding. "Of course." 

She follows me to an area out of earshot of everyone else, in a clearing where I begin speaking. "It's very... nice here."

She nods. "Yes."

"I think it's clear he's... he's happy here." The words get caught in my throat. Am I ready to let him go when I risked everything to save him? To save them both?

I have to. They'll never be safe with me.

"What about you?" she asks, hopeful.

"Me?"

"Are you happy here?" she asks, looking up at me through fluttering lashes. I pause. Of course I am, but it was never going to be permanent. It can't be. "We want you to stay." she continues, but I recognize what she's really trying to say: I want you to stay.

I shift, uncomfortable. "The community's grateful. You can pack all this away in case there's ever trouble. You and your boy could have a good life. He could be a child for a while. Wouldn't that be nice?" I think it over as she speaks, even though I shouldn't. And I can't deny that it would be amazing to live here, but it's just not possible.

I look over to where he and Nova play with the children. "It would." I agree, only because I don't want to argue. 

And then, she raises her arms. Her hands come to either side of my helmet, and I become aware of how close she'd stepped. She grasps my helmet, gently, slowly raising it. Panicking, I quickly grab her hands and move them away from my helmet. It doesn't feel right, not with Omera, not here. Not now, when I'm trying my hardest to leave this little village behind.

"I don't belong here," I say, still holding her wrists. I look to the child and Nova again. "But they do."

"I understand," she says quietly, rejection shining in her eyes. I've known how she feels for quite some time; it's painfully obvious. And she's an amazing person, but she's not for me. I break her gaze, looking back at Nova. That same feeling begins in my stomach again, like anxiety and excitement and happiness all at once. I hate having to leave her and the child, but I can't risk bringing them with me. "I will help Nova look after him." I nod my thanks.

A gunshot rings out, echoing throughout the entire village. I jump, pushing Omera behind me on instinct. It came from the forest, I'm sure, and there are no screams in the village yet, aside from startled children. Just to be sure, I search frantically for the child. I see Nova standing protectively with him on her hip, the children all cowering behind her. She holds a huge knife in her free hand, one that she had made with her light abilities. She meets my gaze from across the farm and nods, running over to me. The knife dissolves in her hands as she entrusts the child to Omera before following me into the forest.

We find Cara (who had been on patrol) not too far into the forest, standing above a smoking dead body. There's a hole in his back; she was the shooter.

I kick his body and it rolls over, revealing two beeping fobs. One beeps erratically, and I know without a doubt that it's tracking Nova. The other beeps more slowly, but still steady enough to know that the target is near. It's for the child.

I pick the two fobs up, handing Nova her own. "Who's he tracking?" Cara asks.

"Nova and the kid." 

"They know they're here." Cara states, her voice grim.

"Yes."

"Then they'll keep coming."

"Yes." I agree. I drop the kid's fob on a rock, stepping on it and smashing it to pieces. Nova merely squeezes hers, and it shatters with a flash of light. Her eyes glow white, her fierce protectiveness for the child showing now more than ever.

"We have to go." she says, leading us back to the village. She's the first to get her things.

>>>>><<<<<

I set the last of my things on the vehicle that brought us here. The village is beginning to gather, and it's been a good couple of hours since the bounty hunter was discovered in the woods so not everyone is as on edge.

Nova exits the barn. She had already put her bag on the vehicle, but claimed to have forgotten something and ran back in a couple minutes ago. I tilt my head as I see her carrying a bundle of cloth.

"Omera gave this to me, to make an extra outfit since this one won't last forever." she gestures at the bundle in her arms, and then at the simple tunic and leggings she has on. If I'm being honest, teal looks great on her.

More of the village begins to gather around us as we climb into the same vehicle that brought us here. The child stands at the end, a sad look on his face. Some of the kids come up to hug him. Winta's crying. Goodbyes are exchanged, some tearful.

"Are you sure you don't want an escort?" Cara asks me.

"I appreciate the offer, but we're gonna bypass the town and head right to the Razor Crest." I decline politely.

"Well, then," she raises her hand, a smirk on her face. "Until our paths cross."

I grasp her hand tightly. "Until our paths cross."

Nova says her goodbyes to Cara as well. Cara sticks her hand out and she grasps it, much like I had, but then pulls her into a hug. The ex-shock trooper stiffens, but then relaxes and hugs her back. She whispers something into the other woman's ear, causing Nova to flush bright red and laugh nervously. I watch the exchange curiously, but neither meet my eyes.

Omera comes up to me. "Thank you." I nod to her, before joining Nova on the vehicle. I sit on the edge and watch as we drive away, the village waving at us. The child's ears droop ever so slightly, but he watches from Nova's lap next to me as we recede. When the village is out of sight, Nova hands the child to me (much to my surprise) and flops back down onto the hard surface of the vehicle, looking at the sky.

"It's not as good as the stars. But, you know, it's still pretty." she murmurs quietly.

{word count: 2286}