Crawling Home

Chapter 10 - Mando's POV

I listened as Karga continued to go on about the new pucks and how he thought Nova should become an official member of the guild. Like always, he offered to buy me a drink and like always I declined politely, "Enough about business Mando! You seem to be getting close to Nova. Is it maybe time to take my offer of your own plot of land here in Nevarro? With as many times as you've saved the dammed planet, it's the least I can do! Could it maybe be time for you to settle down with the pretty Jedi and start a family?" Karga asked. I cleared my throat, "T-That is not a topic I would like to discuss Karga. As for the plot of land, thank you but Grogu is still in training and he'll never learn if he doesn't travel. Now, I really have to go. Grogu can be a bit of handful when he plays with other kids. Nova might need my help" Karga nodded amused, "Alright my Mandalorian friend. I'll see you when you're done with those pucks. Send my regards to the rest of your little clan of three" he responded as I collected the pucks and got up.

I exited the cantina and surveyed the area before starting to walk to the park. Before I can take another step, a voice calls me, "Mando! We're over here!" I turn at the sound of Nova's voice and head in her direction. As I get closer, I notice she's holding a child. I stop in front of her and tilt my head, "Nova... why do you have a child with you? Where- wait, I know this kid. Why do you have Gavyn's kid with you?" I ask her tensely. She looks up at me nervously, "He needs help Mando. Gavyn is in prison and Max is living between the orphanage and the streets. W-We can't leave him. He's just a baby. He's only 4" she explains, her voice thick with emotions.

I sigh and step closer to her as my hand plays with the ends of her waist long hair, "Fine. If this is what you want. We'll take him. We'll take him to the covert and he can be a foundling. Now give him here. I'll carry him back to the ship" I tell her. She moves to transfer the kid over to me and he comes easily, laying his head down on my shoulder like when she held him. I look down at her as she smiles up at me, "We must look like quite a sight. A Mandalorian, a Jedi, a green baby and now a human kid. What are the other Mandalorians going to think of their ruler when I get there?" I tell her, a smile forming under my helmet. She shakes her head, "They better think you have good taste because of the company that you keep" she responds giggling as she grabs my hand and begins walking in the direction of the ship. We both let our fingers interlace without acknowledging what was going on.

We arrive at the ship and her hand hesitantly leaves mine. I watch as she twists the carrier around so Grogu is on her front and takes him out to set him down and let him play. She looks over at me, still holding Max and reaches for him. He doesn't fuss as we move him around, but this time he doesn't lay down on her shoulder and just looks between the two of us curiously. Nova smiles at him, "Do you want to go play?" she asks him gently. He looks to where Grogu has settled in and starts smiling and pointing. Nova sets him down and he quickly makes his way over to Grogu and they start playing.

I look over at Nova, "Are you ready to go? We'll be in space for about 3 or 4 days before we reach Mandalore" I tell her. She looks up at the ceiling, "Do we have enough supplies for the four of us? Clothes! Max doesn't have any clothes! We can't go into space with a kid that only has one pair of clothes. He needs a bath as it is. Oh, and shoes! He needs shoes" she exclaims. I nod, "Do you want me to go or would you like to go yourself? Whoever stays can stay behind with Grogu" I ask her. She looks at Grogu and then back at me, "I'd rather you go. You have the jet pack so you can get there and come back faster than I can walk" I nod at her again, "As you wish mesh'la. Come on Max let's go"

Max's head pops up and he runs over to me with his hands raised. I pick him up and head to the store.

*2 hours later*

"Grogu no! Don't do this! Somebody help me!" I hear Nova beg. My heartbeat races in my chest before I hear both of their giggles. When I walk into the bunks, I see they've created a tiny city and Grogu is pretending to be a giant while Nova pretends to be a damsel in distress. I let out a chuckle and they both turn to look at me, "You two look like you're having such a good time. Sorry to interrupt the fun" I tell them, a smile behind my helmet.