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1. Guards?
Without Grogu, Din makes it his purpose to help reclaim Mandalore. And attempt to provoke Bo-Katan into challenging him.
This time, he thinks, he's got her.
"Do you know anything about ruling?" Bo-Katan snaps.
Din once again holds out the Darksaber. "You're welcome to do it yourself."
But no. She just rolls her eyes and tries once again to fix his posture. Because apparently just standing straight does not a ruler make.
Mandalorians answer the call. Not all of them, but enough to start rebuilding. Din doesn't know about ruling, but he can organize a few supply runs and a roster. He takes mental notes of names, strengths and weaknesses. Nothing he hasn't done before.
About two weeks into this, Din notices two Mandalorians following him. Both have predominantly red armor with identical wing-shaped markings on their helmets. Kai and Kol, Din's inner records supply, sisters who grew up in a covert not quite as traditional as Din's, but their background is similar enough that Din's found common ground with them. They're some of the best at stealth, great for off-planet supply runs.
Din looks around at the small crowd. It's still somewhat staggering, seeing so many Mandalorians in broad daylight. He still catches himself scanning for Imps.
"Inventory's still scattered, and you're light on your feet," he says, "See what you can find in the palace."
For once, the sisters don't nod and walk off. Instead, they glance at each other, then look back at din with helmets tilted.
"We already have a task," Kai says slowly.
"Then why are you following me?"
They share another glance.
"We are your guard," Kol says, matching her sister's voice.
Din's so surprised he says, "What?" Then he shakes his head and adds, "Did Bo-Katan put you up to this?"
"She approached candidates," Kai says, "We volunteered first."
Din puts his hands on his hips. He's genuinely at a loss. "Why?"
They're attracting a small audience. The sisters' stunned silence doesn't help.
"You are Mand'alor," Kol replies blankly, "Our planet is not without dangers. We must protect you."
...oh.
Hm.
"Your efforts are best suited helping rebuild," Din tries, "I don't see any danger getting past all of us." He gestures to the rubble that was once the capital. "Help our people first."
More silence. For the first time in years, Din actively stops himself from fidgeting.
It becomes quickly apparent that they are not moving. But guards not listening to him is something he's used to.
"Okay, how about one of you stays with me?"
Kol and Kai stare a bit more. Then they bow, and Kai heads to the city.
"Okay," Din says again, "I guess if you're staying close, you might as well help me look over our supplies. We're still short on materials."
He turns on his heel and hopes everyone will stop staring. Fortunately, inventory takes focus. After some hesitation, Kol shoulders her staff and joins him.
Two hours later, Din is satisfied he's done all he can. He passes the datapad to Hrush, who's unofficially record-keeper with how quick they are at it. Their brain's the size of Mandalore, and their fingers fly over the screen.
Next batch.
Din looks over his shoulder. With any luck, Kol will have caught the hint and gone back to work.
He finds another Mandalorian walking beside her. Jaz, fought in the Purge, follows Bo-Katan's version of the Way, Fennec-level shot with her two blasters. Her muscles make her tower over Kol.
Din stops. They stop with him.
He sighs. "Fine. Jaz, you can lift two crates at a time, yes?"
Jaz balks a bit. After a moment, she says, "Yes, Mand'alor."
"Good. Kol, get those open while Jaz and I get the rest. You can. Multitask."
Din would really, really like everyone to stop staring.
2. Palace?
"What?"
Bo-Katan raises an eyebrow. "The Mand'alor needs his throne."
They're standing outside the palace ruin, Bo-Katan's helmet under her arm and Din glad his own hides his no doubt stupid expression. Kai and Kol are, unfortunately, still following him.
"Why the hell would I want a palace?" Din asks. "We're almost done the compound. There's plenty of room."
"Yours isn't ready yet."
"I don't need a suite, Kryze. As long as I can fit, a bunk and a door will be fine."
"You are Mand'alor."
"I am Mandalorian." It's taken a bit for him to come to terms with that, after the light cruiser. But everyone else sure sees him as one, which has helped. "A door and a bunk. No. Palace."
Hrush is quiet when Din approaches them with dimensions for his bunk. He's been sleeping with various clans and families so far, and it's worked out alright. Those who don't follow the Watch's Way respect his helmet. But a bit a privacy would be nice, and if Bo-Katan insists on him having his own room, well.
"I know materials are low," Din says, "Prioritize others first. This can wait."
Hrush is a small spitfire. They are still quiet.
Din waits a beat before nodding. The training yards still need a lot of attention. He heads there next.
That night, he checks the compound's roster. There are still two groups he hasn't imposed on yet. Their community is growing. It makes him smile.
"Mand'alor?" Kai says.
Din turns and waves his hand. "You can, uh, bunk down. I'll see if Clan Gon has floor space."
Even though, for some reason, people keep insisting Din take a cot, he's won through stubbornness so far. His back hates him, but it's not the first time they've been at odds.
A familiar huff joins them. "Mand'alor," Hrush says, "your room is ready. All the way down, to the left."
"...oh."
Well, at least they've finally given up on the suite.
"Thank you," Din says.
Hrush's helmet tilts, like they're about to say something. Din waits, but whatever they had wanted to say turns into, "Good night, Mand'alor."
Din inclines his head. "Same to you."
"What the hell."
This is not a bunk. This is. This is a full on apartment.
"I said no suite."
"It isn't a suite, Mand'alor," Kai says. She actually sounds amused. "It meets your specifications."
Din turns to her and crosses his arms. The room is huge, with a damn kitchenette, table, and private fresher. The cot isn't a cot, but a full on double bed. Din doesn't even know where all this stuff came from.
"You asked for a door," Kol says.
"I asked. For. A. Bunk. This is a waste of supplies we haven't got."
"Mand'alor, we provided the bare necessities." Kai seems seconds away from laughing.
"A double bed is not a necessity. Switch it with," Din thinks a second, "Clan To. The alors need support for those limps, and their Foundlings can use the extra cot."
The sisters look at each other. Din wishes they'd stop doing that.
"As you wish," they say.
"But it's too late now," Kai adds, "Clan To retired before you."
"Tomorrow, then."
"When would you like us to do it?"
Din shakes his head. "I'll do it myself. I can lift this."
"...certainly, Mand'alor."
3. Personal Space?
Since the fresher isn't going anywhere, Din figures, fuck it, he might as well use it. It's been a pain getting up extra early for the communal space anyway. Even if the space is working just fine, Bo-Katan.
When he's freshly dressed, he reenters the main room to find Jaz setting down one of Clan To's cots.
"Your time is better spent elsewhere," Din says firmly.
"Of course, Mand'alor," Jaz replies.
Well, Din's used to a bit of mocking. What's done is done. "Then help me move the rest of this to the communal space. I just need the caf."
"Mand'alor, with respect, I will not remove necessities from your room." Jaz shifts her weight. "This will make it easier for you to follow your Way. We wish to respect your helmet."
It's reasonable. Din would be lying if he said he didn't miss his privacy. But he'd rather sacrifice some personal bubble for a Foundling's future than have this.
"Would you not do the same for another?" Jaz asks quietly.
Din sighs. "Fine. If any who follow my Creed want to use this room, let them know it's open. I'll put a lock on the door."
"A lock will be installed in an hour," Jaz says.
"Okay. We'll spread the word."
"...as you wish, Mand'alor. I'll leave you to your first meal."
Quiet follows Jaz. Complete, utter quiet.
Wow. Din...has really missed this.
He looks around. There are no windows. People won't barge in. He can trust fellow Mandalorians.
Cautiously, Din removes his helmet. The quiet is still there.
He did sleep better last night. Maybe he can let himself have this.
4. Respect?
Din whirls around, spear out, just in time for Kol and Kai to take the attacker down.
Having guards is weird, but convenient.
Din studies the Mandalorian. Armor similar to Fett's, not enough for the resemblance to be startling, as it is painted blue and yellow. Goboz, young, cocky but well-meaning, best at hand-to-hand, needs more gun training.
Caju and Vadde of Clan To are in front of Din in a second, blasters raised. It makes Din warm.
"What business have you, attacking our Mand'alor?" Kai demands coldly.
"The Darksaber," Goboz says.
Din gently pushes Caju and Vadde aside. "You're barely 23, kid. Why do you want to rule?"
Goboz starts. "How do you know how old I am?"
Din cocks his head. "You told me when we met. If you can't remember that, what makes you think you're fit to lead?"
He's not angry. But Goboz did not issue an honorable challenge. He clearly has not studied the Way enough. Din will have to have a word with his buir. No matter how old they get, a child deserves guidance.
(Child. No, not the time. Not the place.)
Din puts his hands on his hips and says calmly, "If you wish to challenge me to the Darksaber, do so honorably. This is the Way."
Voices echo, "This is the Way."
Goboz averts his helmet. "...this is the Way."
Din nods. "Let him up."
Kai and Kol step back. They keep their spears level in warning.
"Now," Din says, "do you want to challenge me?"
Goboz nods.
"As challenger, choose your weapon."
As expected, Goboz replies, "Hand-to-hand."
"Fine. I accept." Din scans the crowd. "Kryze. Since you won't challenge me, you can oversee this."
Bo-Katan's lip quirks. "Certainly, Mand'alor."
"Meet me in the training yard in ten," Din says, "I need to finalize the Foundlings' training rosters."
Goboz looks cowed. Din waits for him to walk off before turning back to Hrush.
They meet without weapons in the center. Goboz bounces lightly on his feet. Din finds himself looking forward to this. It's been too long since he's had a good fight.
Bo-Katan widens her stance. "Begin."
Goboz swings first. Din parries and goes for his blind spot. He's blocked and pushed, but he stands his ground. It soon becomes apparent that Goboz doesn't mind his legs nearly as much as he should. He's good, very good. Just not good enough.
Din trips him, shoving a knee on his chest and pinning his arms. Goboz nearly throws him off. Nearly.
"Do you yield?" Din hisses.
Goboz struggles valiantly. But he sees he's beaten. He goes limp. "I yield."
"The Mand'alor is the winner," Bo-Katan announces. The crowd cheers.
Din helps Goboz up. Goboz says, "I thought you'd be more aggressive. I did you a dishonor."
"You did yourself and your clan a dishonor," Din retorts, "You clearly know better, Goboz."
Goboz's shoulders hunch slightly. "Yes, Mand'alor." He puts a fist to his chest and bows. "I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit."
Din tilts his head. "You learned from your mistake. I hold no grudge against you. Go to your buir for punishment."
Goboz makes himself even smaller, showing his age. The next "Yes, Mand'alor" is more of a grumble.
Din revels in the buzzing of his muscles and gets back to work.
Goboz's buir, Imni, approaches him later that afternoon.
"I apologize for Goboz's behavior," she says, "I thought I taught him better."
Din shrugs. "He's young. Kids don't always listen."
Imni huffs. "You are wise, Mand'alor."
"Just experienced. My." Din swallows. "My own Foundling liked to get his paws into trouble."
Imni inclines her head. "I heard you returned him to his kind."
"I did. Now I have other Foundlings to look after."
"You honor us, Mand'alor."
Din shakes his head. "This is the Way."
"This is the Way." Imni sounds like she's smiling.
5. Children?
"They're a bounty hunter," Din explains for the umpteenth time.
"They tried to assassinate you," Bo-Katan replies for the umpteenth time.
"I've done worse in their shoes."
"But you're not in their shoes anymore. You are Mand'alor."
"I'm still a hunter."
"You are Mand'alor."
Din looks to Senator Organa, who's trying not to laugh. She resembles the Jedi strongly; it had been a shock to know the Huttslayer is Grogu's teacher's twin sister. He now knows the Jedi is called Luke Skywalker. He'd been about to find out more when a sniper got him right between the beskar.
He'll be fine, especially with the fancy tech on Coruscant. It's practically a five star treatment compared to Din's usual experience. Only now Bo-Katan is insisting the hunter be put on trial or something.
Din tries again. "Let's just talk. Find out who hired them."
"They won't leave without their reward," Bo-Katan says.
"They might be Guild. I can get in touch with Karga, get them another job."
Bo-Katan looks at him with the slightly narrowed eyes of a person who's looking at an absolute moron. Din doesn't feel like he deserves that, thank you.
"You want," she says, "to get your would-be assassin another job."
"Might not be as high, but they seem like they can take on more than one. They're capable."
Bo-Katan mouths capable. She looks to Organa as if pleading for patience.
Organa clears her throat. "Mand'alor. Would you feel the same if one of your people was shot?"
The anger is sharp and sudden. Din breathes through it. "I'm supposed to protect them. It's not the same."
Bo-Katan gestures to him. "You see what I have to deal with?"
Din balks. Organa stops fighting her grin.
"I think we should take this to the conference room," Organa says, "If the Mand'alor feels able."
Din stands without wobbling and motions for her to lead the way. He waves to a stiff Kai and Kol, and they settle behind him.
The conference room is full of seething Mandalorians.
"You guaranteed our Mand'alor's safety!" Jaz bellows, hands flat on the table. "You go back on your word so easily?"
Caju is coiled to strike. "It was a mistake to come here. We should have known better."
These are but two voices among the throng. The other senators are various shades of pale and flushed, some trying to calm the situation while others are yelling back.
"Don't suppose you can help?" Organa asks sardonically.
Din sighs. He draws his spear and hits it against his vambrace. The room cuts off mid-shout.
"Have we found out who hired them?" Din asks.
One of the senators, a human male whose hair is mussed from running his fingers through it, says, "Yes."
"And where is the hunter?"
"Captured," Vadde replies tightly, "Alive."
Din nods and heads for the nearest seat. He pauses when the Mandalorians part for him, showing the head of the table. He awkwardly changes course.
"Tell me about the employer."
"You're what."
Din punches the code for the cell. "I got you some new pucks. Together, it should be close to what this job would've paid." The door opens. "I'll go with you to your ship, make sure they let you pass."
The hunter's frog eyes stare widely. Din wonders if their species ever blink.
"You are a world leader," the hunter says, "I tried to kill you."
"So I've been told."
"You realize you should be executing me, right? Or at least sending me to max prison?"
Din huffs. "I've been told that too. I've also been a bounty hunter. You don't seem like you have close ties with your employer, which means you're only in it for the money. You're not a threat to my people."
"I could be."
"Then I'll kill you." Simple, matter-of-fact. "Do you want me to? I can think of at least a dozen ways right now."
The bounty hunter finally blinks. "...no."
"Then let's go. Sooner we get you going, the sooner I can get back to getting coordinates for my kid."
The hunter takes a few hesitant steps. Kai and Kol are pillars of ice, but they don't attack. Din starts walking.
"So, uh. The rumors about your Foundling are true?" the hunter says.
"Yep."
"Huh. You're, uh. I mean, you seem like a good dad, then."
Din's throat goes tight. "He's with his kind now. I am no longer as his father."
"...oh," the hunter croaks.
A beat.
"He is father to his people," Kol snaps.
Din whips around so fast his neck nearly cracks. Kol raises her chin, as if daring him to argue.
"We..." Din slowly starts walking again, "we take care of each other."
"You take care of us, Mand'alor," Kai says firmly.
After a few more paces, the hunter says, "I actually feel a little bad for trying to kill you."
Din huffs a laugh, still reeling. "Thanks."
As he watches the hunter take off, Din murmurs, "You honor me."
Softly, Kai says, "It is what you deserve, Mand'alor."
"And," Kol adds, "it's fun to watch when people realize you're not angry, just disappointed."
Kai shoulders her spear to put her hands on her hips, bending slightly at the waist and cocking her head. Din realizes as Kol laughs that she's imitating him. His cheeks burn when he also realizes he's halfway to putting his hands on his hips too.
When she's calmed down, Kol puts a hand on Din's shoulder. "You are as our father, Mand'alor. Let us care for you in turn."
Din has to take at least half a minute to steady himself. He's still hoarse when he says, "You can't shoot the ship."
The sisters sigh.