baby steps

Chapter Two

VI—Shopping

The ship had no luxury at all. It was sad to go back to it after living in the village for those stolen weeks. He took some bare-bones items from the village but he knew he needed to get more things for the kid.

He'd found a planet with enough people to have a bustling market but not too much. It was still a big risk but maybe it would be worth it.

He made sure all of his weapons were in place. The kid stared at him as he did so, watching with perhaps too much interest for a baby. The kid tugged at his cape and opened his little arms up expectantly.

"You're getting spoiled," he reached down anyway and picked up the kid.

The market was small but busy, The Mandalorian was used to attracting attention but just hoped the kid wouldn't get any. He picked up a few things, new boots, bulbs for his ship but most of the items he got were for the kid.

He got little baby clothing, the kid was so tiny that a lot of it wouldn't fit for a while but he would eventually grow, right? It's overpriced and silly but he wants to kid to have more than scratchy blankets. He situates himself ready to get one last thing when the kid makes a little noise and reaches for the air.

The Mandalorian adjusted the bags a little and let the little guy play with his fingers. The kid's ears were down and whines and cries tumbled from his mouth.

The market was packed, there was yelling and chiming and loud droids beeping. An alarm starts to ring and the kids trembled. He moved quickly and ducked into a dark, empty alley. He leaned against the cement walls and dropped the bags. He sat down and covered the kid's ears.

Rocking back and forth he watched the kid close his eyes and while he didn't stop shaking it slowed down. The alarm stopped, the theft or attack over thankfully very quickly. He slowly eased his hands from the kid's ears and pulled his cape over his shoulder.

He knew how much the little one liked to hold onto something. The kid grasped onto the cape, still nestled safely in his lap but he was still shaking. "It's okay. I've got you, okay. It's alright. Loud noises used to scare me too and I bet your big ears don't help either."

The kid looked up at him. The shaking stopped as he listened. The Mandalorian still had no idea how much he understood but something about his voice must be comforting to the kid.

So he kept going. "See, you're safe. I'll protect you from the scary alarms I promise."

The way the kid is looking with something too much like awe, says he believes The Mandalorian.

VII—Lost

The Mandalorian has failed before. He's lost bounties, lives, and yet nothing prepared him to fail as a (pseudo?)father. He lost the kid for real. He'd put the kid on one of the high chairs in the restaurant and went to talk with the certain side-eyeing patrons about maybe a bounty, everyone knew of The Mandalorian's people and their business.

The kids ran off before but never far. He's looked all around and can't find him. He's getting looks but he doesn't care. The panic is like a weight on his chest. His brain kept spinning worst-case scenarios, what if someone got him? What if he is dead? He's so little. He could get hurt easily.

He might be losing his mind as he checks behind the restaurant again and peeked his head down the dusty streets.

His heart is pounding. He hasn't been this shaken since...well since he handed the kid over. But now was different, he'd grown even more attached.