xxii

Tensions have been high since the second bonding night. After our fight she told everybody the night was officially over, and since then there hasn't been another one. Thank the Maker all of the planning was already done.

Also thankfully, Din and Osak have been getting along amazing. We've all bonded over the child, and even Ignacio started to come around after I refused to talk to him for a day and a half. He felt bad and both were willing to try again. This time they made it for an hour, which is what I call progress. I'm just happy Osak is the other lookout and not Iggy. At least Din and Iggy won't be stuck together on the mission.

Anyway, aside from those little details, not much has happened. Emil had another nightmare last night, which brought back my concerns for the mission. I can do nothing but try my best to protect everyone and hope it all goes to plan.

Tonight is the night of the mission. Currently, it's two in the morning. I had stayed with Emil for a few hours, but I'm back in my room under Din's arm. He eases my worries better than the rest can. Besides, he knows me best. I still haven't told the crew about the traumatizing events after I left, and I don't know if I can, to be honest. They've noticed the differences, but they don't pry.

I can't believe it's already mission day. I can't sleep for a multitude of reasons. I'm anxious. Scared, even. Emil woke me up. I'm incredibly excited to meet my niece. And about ninety more reasons that my brain won't quiet. I tap out a light, quiet tune on Din's chest. It's a steady rhythm, a calming one. It doesn't do shit for my nerves, but Din shifts in his sleep at my touch, his arm tightening on my waist. Now that helps.

"Sleep," Din murmurs huskily, barely even awake.

I wince. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"'S fine. Go to sleep." I can clearly hear how tired he is just from his voice alone, and I feel bad for waking him up the night before a crucial mission.

The problem is, I'd be more than happy to comply and drift off beside him. But I can't. I have no idea how to force myself to sleep, but I know I'll be cursing the Maker tomorrow- well, later today- if I don't.

"Nova," Din's whisper is barely audible so as to not wake the child, but he's more awake now. "You okay?"

"I can't get to sleep. I've been awake for hours, I don't know what it is." I sigh. "There's just... a lot on my mind right now."

He lifts his helmet up a tad, pressing a kiss to my temple. He makes sure to keep his face out of my line of vision, and i don't look at him. "What do you need?" he asks once the helmet is back down again, trying to help in any way he can.

"Well, I don't want to keep you up. You need sleep just as much as I do," I insist.

He hums, tracing small circles on my shoulder. "I know. I'll be fine."

"Din-"

He cuts me off gently. "K'uur, mesh'la. If you want me to go to sleep, you're gonna get some rest too. I'm not sleeping until you're asleep."

Well, fuck, of course he had to pull that one. "But the mission-"

"Ke'udesiir." Okay, don't get me wrong, I appreciate him trying, and him speaking Mando'a to me would probably be incredibly calming, especially with him using the softest tone he can muster. There's only one problem.

"You're gonna have to tell me what those mean in order for me to sleep. Or else you'll just be adding to the list of things I can't stop thinking about," I grin despite myself. I love learning more about his language, since Ma never wanted to teach me, nor did she remember much. It's like learning another part of him.

"You want me to bore you to sleep with language facts?" he jokes.

I shrug. "Probably won't be bored. But you want me to fall asleep, right?"

"I do."

"Also, if you wouldn't mind telling me what mesh'la means while you're at it." I smile cheekily, dialing the brightness of it up to persuade him (and no, not literally, although I could technically make my smile glow if I wanted it to).

"I think we'll skip that one for now," he denies, chuckling as a pout appears on my lips.

"Fine, but I still want to know the others."

He nods, settling into a comfortable position. I adjust slightly, giving him my full attention as he begins speaking. "K'uur means hush. Ke'udesiir- well, technically the root word is udesiir, but to make anything a command, you have to add the ke' prefix. It means relax, rest, or be peaceful. None of which you're doing now." he observes.

To my surprise, my eyelids actually feel a tad heavier, although I'm not gonna let him know that. His voice is incredibly soothing, much better than the quiet chaos I've been enduring for the past few hours, with thoughts swirling around in my mind like the apocalypse is coming. Plus, his threat to stay awake with me has me trying harder than before.

"Can you tell me what some other stuff means? And... grammar, or something?" he laughs lightly as I struggle. "No, i mean... things I'd need to know to speak Mando'a."

He agrees and starts telling me a few common phrases first. Then, a few words here and there, and insults galore. Even though I don't need to know the history behind certain words and phrases, he tells me that, too. Against my own will, I find myself yawning and my eyes closing. Instead of trying to keep me awake with his language lesson, he lowers his volume and traces small shapes on my arm, relaxing me further. Finally, I surrender to the pull of the dream-world.

Unbeknownst to me, Din keeps talking for at least an hour after I'm asleep. He looks down at my content, sleeping face, happy at his success, before whispering one last phrase, "... and ni kar'tayl gar darasuum, which isn't used very often... well, actually, I've never used it, but it means 'I love you'..." 

>>>>><<<<<

I wake up slowly, which immediately sends my brain into panic mode. I shoot up into a sitting position, looking around frantically before I remember where I am and fight my instincts as I try to relax. Thanks to Din's gentle, soothing voice, most of the nightmares were kept at bay, meaning I actually got some sleep last night. Just how much, though, is the question.

Judging by the sun, it's maybe nine. That's incredibly surprising, because it would mean I got nearly six hours of sleep.

Din, bless him, is still beside me. I smile at him, happy he didn't leave me by myself. I've grown used to sleeping with someone next to me over the past couple of days, whether it be Din or Emil.

"Morning," I say, knowing the man beside me is awake.

"Morning." he pulls me back down. I chuckle as he clings to me, evidently still tired. His arms wrap around my waist tightly.

He doesn't seem inclined to letting me go, so I nestle my head in the crook of his neck, deciding to make the most of it. "Is the kid up yet?"

He hums lowly in answer. "M-mm. That kid could sleep forever." He leans his own head on mine.

I close my eyes, dipping my chin in a slight nod. "Figured."

"How'd you sleep?" his innocent question brings a smile to my face.

"Good, actually. You?"

"Wonderfully. How much do you remember of the language lesson I gave you?" 

I think back to it. It's all sort of fuzzy after about an hour of him telling me random things, although it was quite interesting. "Um... I think I fell asleep somewhere around Haat'kama."

He chuckles, correcting me. "Hukaat'kama. What you just said isn't a word. Although, haat means truth and kama means belt-spat, a type of armor, so you're learning."

I groan at his gentle teasing. "That was beginner's luck."

"Well, do you remember what it means?"

It's difficult since I started to fall asleep around this word, but I strain to remember. "'Watch my back', I think?"

"You are learning!" he encourages, clearly happy that I remembered. I am, too, unable to help the smile that breaks on my face at his excitement.

We talk for a little while longer before I hear a familiar, soft coo behind me. I turn to see the child, rubbing his eyes as he stumbles towards the bed.

"Hey, bubba," I greet him quietly with a smile. He tries to smile back, but it's interrupted with an adorable little yawn. "Oh, come here." I slip out from under the thin blanket, crossing the short distance to pick him up. He leans his head on my shoulder, and my heart nearly bursts.

I carry his tiny form back to the bed, cradling him in my lap and trying to make him as comfortable as possible. I lean against Din and gaze down in wonder at the little ball of innocent happiness that hasn't failed to make my life brighter when I needed it most. 

Soon, he's more awake and alert, his big chocolate eyes ridding themselves of the last hints of sleep. He babbles idly to himself and to us, spouting random noises ever so enthusiastically. I giggle, eventually creating little wisps of light to entertain him. He nearly topples over the side of the bed trying to chase them, and I barely manage to catch the back of his robe, my heart beating out of control as I breath a sigh of relief.

We decide it's best to put him on the ground if he's going to chase around my light. I solidify it into a ball, which he picks up excitedly and throws around the room for a little while. I glimpse him using the Force once or twice. I'm happy that he's practicing. He seems to have so much control over it for his age, especially since he probably hasn't had a teacher yet.

The distraction allows Din and I to talk a while longer. He tells me everything he did last night and then some. I'm delighted to have him teaching me Mando'a. We talk about other things too, like the gala tonight and everything that was on my mind last night. It's calming, to say the least.

That is, until Daechi bursts into the room, nearly breaking the old door as she shouts at the top of her lungs, "Wake up, bitches!"

The child jumps, dropping the ball and whirling with a squeak of terror. I sigh, checking to make sure he's alright and laying a hand on Din's arm. He'd gone for the blaster he keeps underneath the pillow, his muscles taut in alarm.

I turn to the beaming Zabrak, sighing. "I regret teaching you that word." 

She snorts. "No, you do not. Come on, it is time! We must get ready!"

"Daechi, the gala isn't until seven tonight. I really don't think we have to get ready until at least three," I protest as she moves to drag me out of the bed. She reaches for my arm, but I turn around and cling to Din with all my might. At first he's taken aback, but he quickly moves to wrap an arm around me.

Daechi grins, but doesn't let up. "No, you misunderstand. It will take hours for hair and makeup, we have not found shoes for you yet, we must eat before we go, we must gather weaponry, and Ma wants to go over the plan again so we do not mess up."

My eyes widen, my jaw drifting into an 'o'. "Are you kidding me?"

"Not at all. Come on, sleepyhead, we must begin," she chuckles at my state of shock.

I shake my head. "What have we been doing for the past..." I count under my breath, tapping my fingers before exclaiming, "fucking almost-week?! Why is there so much to do?"

"I should hope you do not speak in such a way around my daughter," she chides lightly. I cast a guilty look to our child, the baby thankfully oblivious. "These are only final preparations. Getting ready will take the most of our time, but there will be free time as well." she explains.

I roll my eyes. "All of this fancy hair and makeup and is so useless. I will never understand rich people."

The Zabrak giggles, finally managing to pull me from Din. "I know. Come, friend, there is much to do."

"Alright, alright." I raise my hands in surrender. I turn back to Din once I'm on my feet, getting an idea. "Do you wanna come help me stay sane? I can grab Osak to watch the child."

"Sure," he nods, rising from the bed. I can hear his grin even in such a tiny word.

Daechi begins to pull me to the door. "He can grab Osak. We must go."

"I really don't think it's that urgent-"

"I need time to do everyone's makeup, so we must begin," she explains, wrenching me out of the door. I shoot Din an apologetic look before I'm whisked away to Daechi's room.

Upon entering, I see that Aola is already there and waiting. She rises and embraces me gently. If there's one thing that I've learned about Aola, it's that she's a hugger. Thankfully, she's also a quick learner and a people person, so she doesn't crush me in her arms anymore once she saw I was uncomfortable with it. 

Both women usher me into a seat. Aola takes her spot behind me with a frightening amount of hair bands and accessories and products, and Daechi lowers herself into a seat across from me. A table to her right holds way too much makeup.

Aola's nimble fingers take hold of a few strands of my hair, but they pause almost immediately. "What did we decide for her, again?"

Daechi lowers her weapon- I mean, makeup brush, and walks around behind me, explaining a hairstyle that sounds both complicated and like a lot of work.

I begin to object as Daechi explains a very long-winded instruction, probably making gestures for where and how she wants each piece, and the size of every single one. "Oh, you don't really have to if it's too much-" Daechi hits me upside the head. "Ow! What was that for?" I complain.

"You are not getting out of this. Just sit tight and shut up." I roll my eyes, already hating this. I have no idea how I'm supposed to sit through hours of this; it's already torture and the brush hasn't even touched my face yet.

Thankfully, Din walks in only a few minutes later. My eyes are closed as Daechi applies powder of some sort to my eyelids, but I hear his familiar footsteps. They come to a halt once he sees the two women and hundreds of foreign items surrounding us.

"Welcome to the cult meeting," I joke, holding out a hand to him. "Come sit."

His steps start again, but slower this time. He reaches my side, intertwining our fingers gently. He's still barely at arms length.

"Are you sure I won't get in the way?" he questions, no doubt eyeing the countless products everywhere.

"Not at all. Just sit right here, and you're fine." Aola supplies helpfully. He shifts, coming closer to me and resting our hands on my knee.

The four of us make small talk for a while. Daechi spills powder into my mouth a couple of times while I'm talking, claiming it to be an accident, but there's no way I'd believe that when it's coming from the mischievous Zabrak in front of me. She explains many products to me and Din whenever I demand to know what the hell is being put on my face and why. Honestly, there are so many layers that it feels like a completely different skin. All the while, Aola works quietly behind us and only asks a few questions about the mission. I had forgotten she isn't coming with us.

"Almost done!" Daechi cheers around an hour later.

Aola groans. "I'm not."

"Oh, I'll come back there and help you in a minute. Lips," she instructs. I pucker my lips, feeling something being applied to them. "There. Done."

I open my eyes, being careful not to move my head as Aola is still hard at work. "Finally." I turn to Din and ask, "How bad do I look?"

He doesn't answer right away. I hear his breath catch and he squeezes my hand just the slightest bit. "That bad, huh?" I wince.

Mutely, he shakes his head. "No. No, you look... beautiful." His tone holds such an intense awe that I feel the heat rushing to my cheeks.

"Damn right she does! I did that!" Daechi brags, successfully interrupting whatever moment we were having. "Look." she holds up a mirror, and I gawk at the person staring back at me.

My cheekbones and jaw are way more defined, she's erased every hint of a dark circle there was, and she's taken it upon herself to fill in and define my eyebrows. My eyelids are an icy blue that fades to a silvery-white. My lashes are coated in a dark substance and curved far more than normal, and there's a black liquid on my lash line. Oh, that was hell to apply; I kept thinking she was going to poke me in the eye.

My cheeks are slightly rosy, and my lips are painted beautifully, looking like they were dipped in a star, the same silvery-white that's at the top of my eyelids.

"I will never understand how you do it, Daechi, but thank you." I say gratefully, catching sight of her working on my hair in the mirror. She dips her chin to me, focused on my locks. I wonder what they're doing back there.

I put the mirror down and bring my gaze back to Din. He's already looking at me. "Staring, loverboy?" I tease.

"Maybe a little." 

>>>>><<<<<

(Din's POV)

They finished their hair and makeup a couple of hours ago. Medeia came in a while after Nova's stuff was done, and it was painfully awkward. She had said that she didn't want to be there either, but Ma had insisted she get something done. Daechi half-assed her hair and makeup in simple styles and sent her on her way again. We'd eaten after Daechi finished with her own red-themed look, although none of us had eaten much.

Now, the three have gone into the back closet. We have about half an hour until we have to leave, so they're finally changing. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited to see Nova's dress, as much as she despises them.

Now, don't get me wrong, Nova looked absolutely amazing with just the makeup and the hair. Utterly gorgeous. But it didn't seem quite like her. Plus, I know it's not her area, and she feels uncomfortable with it. A dress is different. Yes, she'll be uncomfortable and out of her element with it, but it hardly changes her appearance.

And besides, even though she's unfairly beautiful, none of that really matters. Hell, I fell in love with her back when we were running from everyone, alone and messily dressed and living in a barn. There are so many other incredible things about her.

For now, though, I'm waiting by myself in Daechi's room, thinking about the child and about Nova and the day we met, and then the night I fell in love with her. I don't know how it happened or why, but I know that it felt right, and I haven't regretted it.

As I'm thinking about it, the door whooshes open. My head shoots up and I see the Zabrak, Daechi, first. She wears a dark crimson whose thin, soft material drags along the ground. The sleeves are large and hang down over her hands. The gold accessories in her hair compliment the dress, and both colors do well for her complexion. But then she moves out of the way and I see Nova, and my world slows to a halt.

My heart takes the opportunity to speed up, hammering hard enough to be felt through my Beskar. For a moment I can't find any words for the angel in front of me.

Her dress is a pure, silky white, off of the shoulders and consisting of multiple layers. A piece of cape-like cloth flows off of her shoulders elegantly, and her sleeves span from her biceps to her knuckles, except they're not sleeves but long, fingerless gloves. The material of the dress rises above her collarbones, and is somewhat tight but more modest than anything. I can see the tips of tough, clean combat boots the same color as her dress from under the flowy material. Her necklace rests on top of the collar of the dress, completely visible.

She offers me a sheepish grin, nodding her head in the direction of the hall and probably her room before walking away. I rush after her, catching up as she reaches the door. She pushes inside, and I'm right on her heels. I shut the door before she can, not taking my eyes off of her.

"Mesh'la," I breathe, hardly able to get the word out through the tightness of my chest and the violent thundering of my heart. "You look... stunning." The word is hardly an accurate description; she's so much more than stunning that it's a terrible understatement to say so.

Still, it delights me to see the faint tint of pink spill over her cheeks. "At least one of us thinks so."

That halts my joy. "You don't like it?"

"I mean, a little. But it feels like too much." She sighs, sinking onto the bed. "But it's an undercover mission, so I can deal with it."

I approach her, not knowing exactly what to say. I opt to put an arm around her shoulder, knowing that movement never fails to comfort her where words do.

"I know..." I begin, making this up as I go. "I know this is putting you way out of your element, but it's not all bad. And it's only for a couple hours, so you might as well have fun with it."

She snorts, in a slightly better mood. "Says the one who gets to keep his armor on."

My grin is wide, and it's disappointing that she can't see how happy she makes me. "Well, even if you hate it, you still look amazing to me."

She leans into me. "Thanks." Her arm wraps around the back of my neck and she brings me closer to her level, pressing a kiss to my helmet.

{word count: 1842}

a/n: i'm so sorry this chapter was a cheesy trash filler but the drama is upcoming i promise it's gonna be fun ;)