Star Wars - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Odd Bounty ❯ A Choice Given ( Chapter 13 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

It had been a week since she had last seen Din and she was increasingly worried that he wasn't ever coming back.

So she tried to take her mind off of him...off of worrying about him. 

The farmstead was thankfully in need of quite a few repairs and so she threw herself into helping her father. Learning at his side how to clean the fans for the pumps, how to fix the wiring for the lights and turrets and how to properly program and set the perimeter alarms.

Today she was learning how to repair the tiller so they could prepare the ground for planting. It was hard work but it kept her occupied.

By the second week, the farmstead was fully operational and a few people from the town came to help plant. One such person was a young man named Berun Tyralt.

He was handsome and easy-going, quick to laugh and he had a kind smile.

He never strayed too far from her since that first day they met and was always bringing her flowers or small gifts.

She always thanked him but when he would try to lean in and kiss her, she would panic, quickly turning her head and letting his lips land on her cheek.

He would always apologize after. "Sorry, Tel. I'll...uhh...see you around."

Telana didn't know why but it just didn't feel right...something felt off with Berun.

He wasn't Din.

She bit her lip at the thought of him. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted him to be the one to kiss her but he hadn't returned yet.

Would he even come back?

'Try to be happy here...not for me but for you. You deserve it.'

She wouldn't be happy here...not without him.

Telana didn't know anything but that.

He made her happy.

/  -  /  -  /  -  /

When the ship landed, Din emerged from his bunk and slipped the small bag into his belt.

Boba eyed it confused.

"What do you got there?"

He didn't answer him and Boba chuckled.

"It's for Telana?"

Din stilled and after a moment nodded sharply.

"The Armorer gave it to me to give to her. Well, that is..." He trailed off.

Fett cleared his throat, "Damn kid. Just what did you have to clear up with your mom?"

"She's not my mother, Fett. She is an honored matriarch of the covert. Everyone goes to her for advice."

"So, what you went to her to see if you could ask Telana to marry you?"

The younger hunter shifted back and forth, tugging at his vambraces.

"I...I may have already made a claim."

That set Fett off and he threw his head back and laughed hard.

"Kid, you really are in trouble."

"Shut up, Fett."

"I've been married before, Din. I know what it means when you find someone who drives you up a wall insane but also tears at your chest until all your weak spots are exposed."

That stunned Din and he could only stand there, head tilted.

"What you don't expect though is how they fill in those weak spots and you find yourself stronger than before. I hope Telana's that woman for you kid. After the child went with the Jedi you've been lost...I hope you find some semblance of peace. Maker knows it difficult enough for us hunters...even more so for Mandalorians."

"What was her name?"

Boba chuckles, then smiles...really smiles as some distant memory flits through his mind.

"Sintas Vel. She was also a bounty hunter and damn was she good at it. She disappeared nearly 40 years ago."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I should have been there for her but I wasn't. I let my anger get the best of me and left her and our daughter defenseless."

"You have a daughter too?"

"Yeah. She's grown now with a daughter of her own too."

"So you are actually grandpa, huh?" He said with a chuckle to which Boba glared.

"Don't push it kid."

"Well, come on, gramps, I've got a girl to see."

"Call me gramps again, kid..." He patted his blaster pistol.

Din laughed.

/  -  /  -  /  -  /

"Well I'll be...Din?"

"Hello Les."

"You did come back. Oh, Telana is going to be thrilled."

"Its been a few weeks."

"Oh don't I know it. She's always asking me if I've seen you around. Poor girl gets so upset when I tell her no. But you're here now...and now that Berun Tyralt can leave her be."

That stopped him dead in his tracks. "Who?"

"Berun Tyralt. Poor boy's taking a swift liking to Telana...always bringing her gifts and flowers, but that girl's only got her heart set on you. Always polite and all, thanking him for the gifts but never lets it go anywhere after that. I've told him several times to leave her be but he just doesn't give up."

He voice was deadly, "Where is this Berun?"

Les swallowed hard, scratching the back of his neck, "Well, you see...They're having dinner at the restaurant in town. He had just asked her yesterday and we figured nothing would happen as they would be in public and with her being a droid too. I doubt he'll try anything."

Panic seized him and his hands were shaking.

"Where?"

"I'll take you."

/ -  /  -  /  -  /

She felt strange sitting there across from Berun, wearing a pretty dress and eating in public like they were.

"Is the food good?"

She smiled softly, "Yes. Thank you."

He reached over and patted her hand, "No need to thank me. I enjoy spending time with you, Tel. You're a beautiful woman. I should be thanking you."

Her cheeks darkened from her blush, "Why?"

"I'm a lucky man to have you here with me. I hope you don't think I'm being too forward with this but I have to know something, Tel."

He stood up and moved over to stand beside her before dropping down to a knee. His hands gently held hers.

"Telana Veile, would you do me the honor of being my wife?"

She looked at him confused, "What?"

"Will you marry me? I care for you so much. I want to give you a good and happy life, Telana. Please say yes. It would make me the happiest man alive."

She opened her mouth to reply but a low voice cut through the air.

"NO."

 She jerked forward in shock before turning her eyes to lock onto a shiny beskar visor. She ripped her hands from Berun's as she stood, knocking her chair back before breaking into a run and throwing herself into his arms.

"Din!"

He wrapped her in his arms tightly. "Telana."

When he had first saw her at the table he had to do a double take as his heart skipped a beat. She was wearing a soft blue dress and her hair was shiny, hanging around her shoulders like silk. 

Had she always been this beautiful?

Berun spluttered in anger, "Who the hell are you?"

Din leveled his visor at him and he deflated.

"I'm her husband."

Telana tore away from him, confusion and shock warring in her face, "What?"

He caressed her cheek gently. "We have to talk. I have something to discuss with you."

"You're lying, how can she be your wife. There's no ring."

"Mandalorians don't wear rings."

The color fled from Berun's face and his shoulders dropped. Telana felt sad for him and stepped towards him placing one hand on his face. He leaned into her touch.

"I'm sorry, Berun, but I have to refuse. I...I don't feel the same for you as you do for me."

He sighed heavily, "I'm sorry, Tel. I should've...damn. Well, it was worth a shot. I wish you the best. I really do."

She smiled, "We are still friends right?"

"Always. Now go talk to your man."

She kissed his cheek. 

"Thank you, Berun."

She turned back to Din and smiled brightly.

"I know the perfect spot to talk."

/  -  /  -  /  -  / 

It was a broken down speeder next to a giant gnarled tree that she lead him to.

She breathed deeply, "This is my favorite spot on the farmstead. When I climb to the very top, I can see the town and everything else for klicks around."

He smiled underneath his helmet, his hand coming up to his belt and touching the small bag.

"When I left here, I had to figure some things out."

Her eyes were bright and full of joy. "Did you get them figured out?"

He nodded.

She clapped her hands, "Good. I was worried about you."

His heart raced. She had been worried about him?

"You were worried?"

"Yes. I like you Din. I do not want to see you hurt or sad."

She was making this conversation difficult by being this kind and gentle. All he wanted to do was run his hands through her hair...see if it really was as soft as it looked.

"Telana, I...I...rememeber when you were taken to the Commandant by Heryns?"

She frowned. "Yes. That was terrible. I don't like thinking about it."

"I know but do you remember when I told him that I didn't want his credits?"

She nodded her head.

He continued, "I said something after that...something that changes things between us...well would change things between us."

"Din?"

"I told him you were mine. That you were my clan, Telana. For Mandalorians, it..." He cleared his throat and turned away, suddenly nervous.

He scoffed. Him? Nervous?

Her hand was soft on his arm and he closed his eyes at the touch. 'You're making this harder, Telana and you don't even know.'

"Din?"

"I claimed you as my wife."

She froze, her eyes filled with confusion. "What?"

"I went to a member of my covert to ask them about it. They said it was a claim but as you had no idea of it you will be given a choice."

"What choice will I be given?"

"To dissolve the bond and become free of the claim or accept the claim and continue to be my wife."

She turned away, leaning against the trunk of the tree. Her eyes were burning with unshed tears. She didn't know what to think. This was all so confusing to her.

"You 'claimed' me as your wife?"

"Yes."

"But you hated me. You didn't even want me around. You saw me as nothing but a droid."

"I did."

He reached out to her but stopped, shifting from foot to foot as if he was mulling over something. He gave a sharp nod before he pulled his gloves off, throwing them onto the speeder. He clutched her arm and pulled her to face him. She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face and her eyes wide and red-rimmed. His hands slide down her arms and gently brought her hands to her helmet. He guided her to the fastenings, helping her to undo them.

"But?"

"Its okay." His knuckles brush the tears from her cheeks, "You're much more than a droid, Telana. I see that now."

She lifts the visor up and gapes at the face revealed to her.

Her fingers trace his features with wide-eyed curiosity.

He's younger than she thought. Dark curls in need of a cut are messily strewn about his head. His face has a strong jaw and straight nose with soft looking lips. But his eyes were what caught her attention. They were a deep brown like warm chocolate and they were glistening with tears. The emotion they were showing held her captive.

"Hello, Din Djarin."

He chuckles, leaning down and kissing her softly. She melts into the kiss, throwing her arms around his shoulders, one hand still holding his helmet.

She wasn't just a droid, not anymore. She was an oasis of water and life in the desert of his existence. She was pliant and warm against him, her lips, sweet and soft. He couldn't get enough of her. His arms tightened around her, pulling her even closer as he tipped her chin up to slot his mouth against hers firmly, deepening the kiss.

She was his now.

She would always be his. 

It was everything she had hoped kissing him would be like. A whirlwind of lightning and soft breezes. At once electrifying her nerves and soothing them. His lips were soft and gentle...his hands holding her like she was delicate glass and she would break too easily. It felt like she was finally whole.

When he pulls back, he's breathing hard. He presses his forehead against hers with a smile.

"Hello, Telana Veile."