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supernovaslut · 1 year

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TRACK 2: OVER MY HEAD

Joel Miller x OC

Word Count: 9.2k

Warnings: MDNI, cursing, canon typical violence, guns, men being men, emotional unavailability, minor character deaths, tragic backstory™

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“You can take me to paradise

And then again you can be cold as ice

I'm over my head (Over my head)

Oh, but it sure feels nice.”

“How much longer?” Ellie groans as the trio hike through the forest, sunlight filtering through the trees, giving the area a calming glow. They’ve been hiking all morning, and Ellie is getting sick of how silent it is with Rhia and Joel refusing to speak to each other.

“’Bout 5 hours,” Rhia and Joel say at the same time.

They glare at each other until Ellie speaks up, “We can manage that.”

Rhia smiles at Ellie, then stomps ahead, passing Joel without so much as a glance. They walk for another hour or so, making it onto an actual road and out of the forest.

“You've gone this way a lot? No Infected?” Ellie asks the childish adults, hoping to spark conversation.

“Not often, no,” Joel says curtly, scanning the edges of the forest as Rhia keeps an eye on their six.

“What are you looking out for?” Ellie asks them.

“People,” Rhia replies, her voice flat and serious.

“Oh,” Ellie says, then, “Are Bill and Frank nice?”

“Frank is,” Joel answers.

Rhia smiles back at her, “You’re gonna love Bill.”

“Is he cool?” Ellie asks.

Rhia laughs, “I don’t know if ‘cool’ is the word I’d use.”

Rhia hasn’t spoken to Bill and Frank in months. It was getting harder to do much of anything since her cat died and she was left alone. Again. She has to apologize when she gets there, Rhia thinks, maybe she should have brought a peace offering, too.

“How'd you get that scar on your head?” Ellie asks, which brings Rhia back to attention. She realizes Ellie is asking Joel, but the phantom sting on her eyebrow answers all the same.

“What? Is it something lame? Like you fell down the stairs or something?” Ellie asks again when Joel doesn’t answer.

“I didn't fall down any stairs,” Joel says after a sigh.

“Okay, so what then?”

Rhia shakes her head at the pair. She had asked Joel this same question before and already knows the evasive story he is telling Ellie now.

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*4 ½ Years Ago*

“The deal was I help you out and you tell me what you find,” Rhia said, pushing a finger in Bill’s face. The pair were standing in the dining room of Bill’s house, Rhia incensed, hair loose and wild and jumping with her movements while Bill watched stiff and emotionless as always.

They heard a creak in the floorboards and Rhia turned around to see Joel entering the house. Rhia froze, getting a good look at him after 6 months. He was wearing a flannel similar to the last time she’d seen him, but his hair had a touch more silver in it, his beard recently trimmed. She hadn’t had a welcoming first impression from the man, but she couldn’t deny how handsome he was. She thought that maybe the grumpy demeanor was part of the appeal.

“Oh, good. You’re here,” Bill said, stepping away from Rhia.

“Tess here?” Rhia asked, looking past Joel.

“I told you I’d do this alone,” Joel said to Bill, ignoring Rhia.

“And I’d like to ensure that I get my truck back in one piece, so Rhia’s goin’ with you,” Bill said.

“Like hell.” “I think the fuck not,” Joel and Rhia said at the same time.

Frank walked in, carrying a bag of what Rhia guessed was produce from the garden. “Oh, Joel, you made it,” he smiled, setting the bag on the table, “You two heading out soon?” He looked between Rhia and Joel smiling. He knew the two couldn’t stand each other, but he had a feeling the two would one day come to realize how alike they truly were.

“I don’t want to spend 20 minutes with the man, let alone 20 hours. Let him go alone. I have nothing in this, anyway,” Rhia shrugged, grabbing her backpack.

“I guess you don’t really want to find them, then,” Bill said, making Rhia freeze in her tracks. Joel looked between the two, curiosity and suspicion weighing down the center of his brows.

“If I go, you’ll help?” Rhia asked, turning to Bill.

He nodded.

Rhia groaned, “Fine. Let’s get this show on the road, then. I’m not driving first,” and stomped out to the truck. Joel gave Bill and Frank a look of annoyance.

“Stay safe,” Frank encouraged.

“Try not to kill each other,” Bill laughed.

Joel rolled his eyes, “I’ll remember this,” and turned, following Rhia to the car. He slid into the driver’s seat, Rhia already having made herself comfortable in the passenger seat, one foot resting on the dash.

“Take your foot off the damn dash,” Joel ordered, starting the car.

Rhia gave him a sideways glance, narrowing her eyes, before she put her other foot on the dash, keeping her eyes on Joel. He let out a deep sigh, pulling out of the driveway.

“Have fun!” Frank laughed from the gate, letting them out of the neighborhood.

Joel drove for hours. It was about a 9 hour drive to Richmond, Virginia where Bill had set up a deal with some Fireflies to trade guns for drugs to then make deals with FEDRA officers back in Boston for food stamps for Joel and Tess and whatever the hell Bill needed, Rhia hadn’t paid attention. Around and around it went and she was just along for the ride. She only needed one thing from Bill and he was gonna hang it over her head as long as he could to keep her smuggling for him.

Rhia finally got bored staring out of the window and turned to look at Joel. She examined the entire right side of him. The gray strands twisting into the dark curls of his hair, his downward sloped nose, and his stiff posture, one hand on the wheel while the other rested on the center console.

“What?” he asked, noticing her eyes on him. He’d avoided looking in her direction all morning, choosing instead to keep his eyes on the never ending roads. They hadn’t even been listening to music.

“How’d you get the scar?” Rhia asked, referring to the raised line at Joel’s temple, retreating into his hairline.

He didn’t answer.

“C’mon, old man. We’re not listening to music, we’re not talking. I spend ninety percent of my time alone, I’d like to be able to speak to the few people I do see, especially when I’m stuck alone with them for twenty hours,” Rhia huffed, crossing her arms as she fully faced him, back resting on the door.

“Stop calling me ‘old man,’” he ordered.

“Tell me how you got the scar,” Rhia countered.

He looked at her then, astonished by the gall of this little shit. Her arms were crossed tightly across her chest, the sleeves of her oversized gray Boston College sweater hiding her hands. She had pulled her hair up into a bun, loose strands framing her face where her eyebrows furrowed and her lips pressed together tightly, eyes boring into him with a challenging glare.

He turned back to the road, “Got shot. He missed.”

“That’s it?” Rhia asked, shocked, “You at least get the asshole?”

“No. I missed, too,” he said after a moment.

“Shit aim,” Rhia ribbed, earning a side-eye from Joel. She knew he wasn’t telling her the whole story for a reason, but she didn’t want to push him. She was surprised she even got as much as she did.

“I got this scar fighting another kid for a ration pack,” Rhia said after a moment, showing Joel the jagged white marks on her forearm, “I bit him, he bit back. FEDRA asshole took the pack, kept it for himself. I was so pissed at the kid until I realized it wasn’t his fault that he was hungry. It was FEDRA’s for starving us. Sometimes we take things out on the wrong people for the right reasons. I’m no pacifist, but did the guy you tried to shoot at least deserve it?”

Joel looked ahead at the road, grip tightening at the wheel, “At the time … I thought so.”

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*Now*

“You know, seeing as it’s just the three of us, I was thinking I should pro…” Ellie says when Rhia tunes back in.

“No,” Joel cuts her off.

Rhia rolls her eyes, “Why not? I had my own gun younger than her.”

“Really?!” Ellie asks excitedly, “That’s sick!”

Joel turns to Rhia, noticing the vacant look in her eyes, the shake in her breath—until she straightens up and shakes her head, saying, “On second thought, Joel’s right. You don’t need one.”

“What?!” Ellie exclaims, disappointed, looking between Joel and Rhia.

Rhia chuckles, “Don’t worry, kid. You’ve got us.”

Ellie sighs dramatically. They come upon a dilapidated building and Rhia recognizes it as one of Joel’s stashes.

“Cumberland Farms,” Ellie reads the crumbling sign.

“Hang back a minute,” Joel says to the girls as he pulls ahead towards the building, “Gotta grab some stuff I stashed.”

“Stashed? Why do you have stuff stashed here?” Ellie asks, following him. Rhia takes another look around them, ensuring they’re all clear, before following as well.

“You ask a lot of goddamn questions,” Joel grumbles. “Yes, I do,” Ellie nods. “So, are either of you gonna answer me or what?” She looks to Rhia, already knowing after less than 24 hours that she is far softer than Joel. Still a bit of a brick wall, Ellie notes, but who isn’t in this world?

“We hide supplies on routes in case we find ourselves short on gear,” Rhia answers as she enters.

“Which I currently am 'cause,” Joel starts until Ellie cuts him off, running to a broken down Mortal Kombat arcade machine.

“No way! You ever play this one? I had a friend who knew everything about this game. There's this one character named Mileena who takes off her mask and she has monster teeth, and then she swallows you whole and barfs out your bones!” Ellie sighs deeply, feeling the buttons, “Oh, man.”

“Forget the spot?” Rhia asks, sitting on the countertop island in the center of the room. She watches Joel kick debris around in search of his hiding spot.

“No. I'm just zeroing in on it. It's been a couple of years,” he denies, giving Rhia a sassy look. He knows that she knows damn well the last time he was there because she was with him.

“Okay, well, I'm gonna take a look around, see if there's anything good,” Ellie pipes up from across the room, realizing Rhia and Joel wouldn’t notice her stepping away with their attention so focused on each other. For people that claim to hate each other, they can’t seem to leave each other alone, Ellie thinks, theories filling her mind.

“Trust me, it's all been picked over already,” Joel warns, kicking the wall.

“Maybe, maybe not,” Ellie replies, walking to a different room, “Is there anything bad in here?”

“Just you,” Joel quips, still searching.

“Ah. Getting funnier.”

Ellie disappears around the corner and Rhia watches the doorway for a moment before turning to Joel when he utters a quiet,

“Fuck.”

“You doin’ alright there, cowboy?” Rhia asks, enjoying watching him struggle.

Joel turns to her, hands on his hips, “You could help.”

Rhia frowns in mock contemplation, tilting her head. She gets more comfortable on the table then smiles, “You got it.”

Joel rolls his eyes and continues searching, “If you just came along to give me grief the whole time, you can go back.”

Rhia scoffs, “I bet you’re prayin’ I quit. I’m not going anywhere, Joel.”

“And why not?” Joel stops his search, getting fed up with this damn woman.

Rhia stares at him for a moment, debating whether to be truthful, whether he’s earned it.

“I need to know that kid gets to where she’s going,” she finally says, standing. She’s told him her truth, but she’s lying to herself. “Why are you taking her, Joel? And I don’t wanna hear about anything Tess said.”

Joel sighs, looking anywhere but at Rhia. He may not be much of an extrovert, but Rhia had always been able to read him. It took her a while to know all of his little mannerisms as well as she does now. She knows he’s going to tell her the truth.

Joel’s mind is spinning. Joel knows how to read people, and what he sees when he looks at Rhia is contradiction. She is half his age, yet, for as long as he’s known her, she has carried the heavy coat of grief the depth of which he’s only seen in the mirror. She is immature and petulant, but serious and adept. She is outgoing and kind, yet suspicious and guarded. A teasing smile, but darkened and weary eyes. Every time he thinks he understands her, she continues to surprise him. She did it when she chose to come this morning and she’s done it again now.

“Tommy’s somewhere in Wyoming. Marlene promised Tess and I a car so we could go find him if we brought the kid to a meeting point. Problem was, everyone was dead when we got there, so now I’m taking her to Bill to see if he can get a hold of the Fireflies,” Joel explains.

“Why didn’t you take her back to the QZ? Why did you bring her with you? You can try to convince yourself it’s because Tess told you or because you want to find your brother or any other righteous endeavor, but I know you better than you want me to, Joel Miller,” Rhia steps up close to Joel, their faces inches apart. She’s searching his face. For what, Joel doesn’t know, but he pulls away before she can find it.

“You don’t know a goddamn thing.”

His voice is low and gravelly and Rhia knows she’s got her foot right on the line. She steps around him, walking to the end of the aisle and stopping at a shelf. She turns to Joel, making sure he’s watching as she stomps lightly, the floor beneath her giving a hollow sound.

“I just want to know which version of you I’m getting for this run,” she says innocently, stepping back so he can access the hatch.

He slowly approaches her, looking down to the hatch and back up to her face, another contradiction. Her tone tells him she’s apathetic, but her eyes are wide and hopeful. He used to think she was a sheep in wolf’s clothing, but he’s learned better than that over the years.

“I’m taking her because I need to know that she gets to where she’s going,” Joel echoes her response, a hint of something in his eyes that Rhia thought she’d never see again.

Joel doesn’t wait for her reply, crouching down to free the hatch. Rhia opens her mouth to speak, then stops, looking towards the dark doorway Ellie had gone through.

“Where’s Ellie?” Rhia asks as Joel takes what he needs from the stash. He stops, both of them looking to where Ellie had disappeared.

“Ellie?” Joel calls. No answer. He calls her name again. Nothing.

Joel and Rhia give each other a look, pulling out their guns in tandem as they approach the doorway, Joel taking the lead. As Joel reaches the dark entryway, peeking around, he relaxes and Rhia watches Ellie stride in.

“Picked over my ass,” Ellie scoffs, triumphantly shaking a box of tampons.

“Holy shit. You’re sharing,” Rhia gasps, earning a laugh from Ellie.

Joel shakes his head and goes back to the stash, sticking the rifle he’d been carrying into the hole.

“What are you doing?” Ellie asks.

“There's not much ammo out there for this thing. Makes it mostly useless,” Joel replies, closing the hole and standing.

“Well, if you're just gonna leave it there …”

“No,” Rhia and Joel reply in tandem as they exit the store. This time, they don’t acknowledge it.

They hike in a newly comfortable silence … that is until Ellie speaks up.

“Holy shit.”

Joel and Rhia turn their heads and slow to a stop as they see the remains of an airplane, mostly reclaimed by nature after twenty years.

“You guys fly in one of those?” Ellie asks in wonder.

“A few times, sure,” Joel says, humored by the kid.

“Once,” Rhia smiles sadly. Joel notices the softness in her tone and her distant gaze. A memory of firelight and auburn hair flashes in his mind.

“So lucky,” Ellie sighs as she looks at the plane, imagining what it is to fly.

“Didn't feel like it at the time. Get shoved into a middle seat, pay 12 bucks for a sandwich,” Joel says, shrugging. Rhia nods, chuckling, and, to his surprise, Joel feels proud to have caused it.

“Dude, you got to go up in the sky,” Ellie said in amazement.

“Yeah, well, so did they,” Joel rebuked, humor gone.

He and Rhia walk off as Ellie mutters a quiet “Grim,” following.

“So,everything came crashing down in one day?” Ellie asks, walking between Rhia and Joel.

“Pretty much,” Rhia shrugs.

“How?” Ellie asks, confused and curious, “I mean … no one was infected with Cordyceps, everybody’s fine, eating in restaurants and flying in planes. And then, all at once? How did it even start? If you have to get bit to be infected, then who bit the first person? Was it a monkey? I bet it was a monkey.”

“It wasn’t a monkey,” Rhia laughs.

“I thought you went to school,” Joel mocks.

“FEDRA school,” Ellie replies matter-of-factly, “They don't teach us how their shitty government failed to prevent a pandemic.”

Rhia and Joel look at each other, then Joel sighs, giving up.

“No one knows for sure,” he starts, “but, best guess … Cordyceps mutated. And some of it got into the food supply. Probably a basic ingredient like flour or sugar. There were certain brands of food that were sold everywhere, all across the country, across the world. Bread, cereal …” He pauses, “pancake mix.”

Rhia picks up for him, “You eat enough of it, it’ll get you infected. So, the tainted food all hits the store shelves around the same time, Thursday. People bought it, ate some Thursday night or Friday morning. Day goes on … they started to get sick. Afternoon, evening, they got worse …” Rhia trails off.

“Then they started bitin’. Friday night, September 26, 2003. And by Monday, everything was gone,” Joel finishes.

Ellie watches her haunted guardians as they speak, their faraway looks. She may be young, but she, too, understands how much death can weigh.

“It makes more sense than monkeys,” she tells them, “Thanks.”

Rhia gives her a pained smile as Joel stiffly replies, “Sure.”

He stops them, then, gazing out across the fields. Rhia knows what he’s thinking.

“What?” Ellie asks.

“We’ll cut across the woods here,” Joel points.

“Isn’t the road easier?” Ellie asks.

“Yeah, it's just... There's stuff up there you shouldn’t see,” Joel says evasively.

“Well, now I have to see,” Ellie says.

“I don’t want you to,” Joel orders as Ellie walks off, “Serious. Ellie!”

“Can it hurt me?” Ellie calls back.

“No,” Joel answers truthfully which earns a humorous sigh from Rhia.

“You’re too honest, man. Should’ve said ax murderer,” Ellie laughs. She looks around as she walks, Joel and Rhia following.

“Uh … whatever it was … think it’s gone.” She stops, her gaze falling on the pit of bones and personal effects.

Rhia and Joel stop beside her, the latter speaking up, “About a week after Outbreak Day, soldiers … went through the countryside, evacuated the small towns. Told you you were goin’ to a QZ, and you were … if there was room. If there wasn’t …” He trails off.

“These people weren’t sick?” Ellie asks, a twinge of anger in her voice.

“No, probably not,” Rhia shakes her head.

“Why kill them? Why not just leave ’em be?” Ellie asks sadly.

Joel answers somberly, “Dead people can’t be infected.”

Ellie looks to Rhia, and the woman turns away, the teen’s pleading eyes reminding her of her own, so many years ago.

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*September 26, 2003*

The sun set over the forested mountains of Tennessee, the Wynn family settling in for dinner in their stilted cabin. 8-year-old Rhiannon watched the planes soar overhead from her bedroom window. She’d never seen so many in one day, though the whole day seemed to be out of the ordinary.

She’d counted 17 ambulances and 8 fire trucks on the drive home from school. Her sister, Stevie, winded through the hills up to their home carefully to keep out of their way. She’d just gotten her license that morning and proudly showed it off to her little sister when she’d picked her up.

“Woah! You really did it!” Rhia had exclaimed, examining the license.

“Oh, you thought I’d fail?” Stevie laughed, flicking her eyes between her sister and the road.

“Daddy said you were an ‘accident waiting to happen’, but I think you were an accident 16 years ago,” Rhia joked, smiling mischievously at Stevie who gasped, feigning hurt.

“Damn, Ri. Guess this accident isn’t driving you to Dollywood tomorrow,” Stevie shrugged, an exaggerated sigh leaving her lips.

Rhia’s eyes widened and she turned in her seat, leaning over the center console, “Dollywood?! I wanna go! Stevie, please. I’m sorry! You’re a great driver. Pleaaaase!”

“Okay, Okay!” Stevie laughed, gently pushing Rhia back into her seat, “You win. Settle down.”

“Rhia! Stevie! Time for dinner,” their mother called, snapping Rhia out of the memory.

“Coming!” she heard Stevie call. Rhia exited her room, following her sister down the stairs to the dining table. It was set for 4, yet their father was nowhere in sight.

“Where’s dad?” Stevie asked, sitting at the table.

Mom sighed, shaking her head, “I don’t know. He hasn’t answered my calls. He’s probably caught up in traffic from whatever’s goin’ on in town.” She looked at the door, then back at her kids. “Sit down. Eat. He can warm up his dinner later.”

The sisters sat, piling their plate with bread and meat and vegetables. Rhia went to take a bite of bread when they all heard a bang at the door. Rhia jumped, dropping the bread on her plate. She turned around as her mother walked to the door slowly.

Another bang and then jiggling at the handle. Rhia looked to Stevie who watched the door curiously. Their mother got closer and closer to the door, until—

Bang! The door swung open, slamming against the wall as a man stumbled in, holding a hand to his shoulder.

“Dad?” Stevie questioned, standing.

“Dear?!” her mother exclaimed, going to help her husband to stand. “What happened?” She walked him to the couch, sitting him down and looking over his disheveled body.

Stevie and Rhia rushed over, watching from beside the couch as their father panted, “We need to leave. Charlotte, help the girls pack. Only the essentials.”

“Rhys, what the hell are you goin’ on about? What happened to you?” Charlotte asked frantically, examining the wound he’d been covering. It looked like a bite mark. “Who did this to you?”

“Daddy?” Rhia asked softly, worry in her voice.

Charlotte looked at her daughters, hoping she didn’t show them as much fear as she felt. “You heard your father. Stevie, take Rhia upstairs. Help her pack a bag,” she ordered. Stevie nodded, taking Rhia by the hand and leading her upstairs.

When they were out of sight, Rhys grabbed his wife by the shoulders, leaning forward, “Charlotte. It’s madness out there. Some sort of disease. I don’t know.”

“Honey, you’re not making sense, and you’re scarin’ the kids. Hell, you’re scarin’ me!”

“You need to listen to me!” Rhys bellowed, shaking her, “Folks are attacking each other. I saw Raymond at the gas station getting his neck torn out by some old lady. Tried to help him and he turned on me. That’s how I got this.” He motioned to the bite on his arm.

Charlotte shook her head, “What the hell, Rhys? Is this to do with all the commotion in town? The riots on the news?”

“Yes,” Rhys nodded, then winced in pain, “Everyone’s lost their minds and we need to get out of here.”

“Why leave? We’re in the mountains. Almost an hour away from town,” Charlotte asked, helping Rhys stand.

He stumbled towards the stairs, “It’s not safe here. It’s not safe anywhere.”

“Then where do you suppose we go? Huh?” Charlotte stopped at the base of the stairs, trying to talk sense into her husband, “I’m not gonna pack the kids up and freak them out for nothin’. Where are we gonna go?”

Rhys sighed, sitting on the stairs. He shook his head, the horrors from town replaying in his mind, “I don’t know, Char. I just know that sooner or later, they’re gonna start coming up the mountain. Whether it’s to hide or kill, I don’t wanna be here for ’em.”

Just then, the tv turned blue and a National Emergency Alert came on, the siren blaring through the house. Charlotte looked to Rhys, who stared blankly at the wall.

She took a shaky breath and scrunched her eyes closed before nodding, “Alright. I’ll pack the bags. Can you bandage that yourself and meet us at the car?”

Rhys nodded, “Yeah. I can do that. Hurry.” Charlotte casted one last worried look at her husband before bounding up the stairs and straight to Rhia’s room where Stevie was helping shove her clothes into a backpack.

“Mom? What’s going on?” Stevie asked, stopping. Rhia sat on the bed, fearfully clutching a stuffed giraffe.

Their mother looked between her daughters, wishing she could ease their fears and kiss them goodnight like any other day, but she knew they would not be coming back to this house again.

“We’re going on a road trip. Pack warm clothes and sneakers … like when we went to Washington to go hiking in the parks. Remember, Rhia?” She looked to her Rhia who nodded, a spark of hope in her eyes.

Charlotte smiled sadly, “Gonna be just like that, okay?”

“Can I bring my stuffies?” Rhia asked, looking at her mountain of stuffed plushies in the corner of her room then back at her mother, searching for comfort her mother cannot give.

Charlotte held the tears back and shook her head, “You can’t, sweetie … but you can pick one. Just one.” Rhia frowned, then held her giraffe closer. “Okay,” Charlotte nodded, “Stevie, when you’re both ready, go downstairs and pack a bag of food and water. Only pick stuff that won’t perish, okay?”

Stevie nodded, catching the weight of her mother’s fear so her sister wouldn’t have to. Their mother left them to go pack and Rhia looked up at her sister who stood frozen and staring at the empty doorway.

“Stevie? I’m scared. What’s happening?” Rhia asked, tears welling up in her eyes as she hugged her giraffe tighter.

Stevie winced and put a hand on her sister’s head, “I know you’re scared, but mommy and daddy need us to be strong, okay? I don’t know what’s happening, but whatever it is, we’re gonna be okay. I promise.” Rhia nodded, wiping her tears away.

The sisters grabbed their bags and headed downstairs where they packed up a backpack of food and water. Stevie tossed in the first aid bag from under the sink as well. We won’t need it, she thought, but just in case.

“Girls? You ready?” Charlotte asked as she sped down the stairs, bat in hand.

“What’s with the bat?” Stevie asked.

Charlotte looked at the bat like she didn’t even know she was holding it, “Just in case.”

“Just in case of what, mom? You haven’t told us what’s going on,” Stevie protested.

“Nothing. Let’s go. Your father’s waiting for us in the car,” Charlotte dismissed. The siblings followed their mother out the door and down the driveway where the car sat running, their father in the driver’s seat.

“Rhys, open the trunk!” Charlotte called out as they approached.

Nothing happened.

“Rhys, come on!” She banged on the window of the trunk. Still nothing. Charlotte looked through the window to see Rhys just sitting there, unmoving.

“Stay here,” she ordered her daughters, handing them her bags and the bat. She approached the driver’s door, seeing Rhys look dazed and empty eyed.

She called his name, hoping to get his attention. When he didn’t react, she opened the door. At the sound, Rhys turned, his eyes milky and devoid of consciousness, dark veins crawling up his skin. He snarled and launched at his wife, toppling her to the ground, teeth clacking together as he tried to bite her. She yelped, begging him to stop as she held him back with her arms.

“Mom!” Stevie yelled, running over and smacking her father in the head with the bat.

He flew off of Charlotte and Stevie dropped the bat, freezing in place as she said in horror, “Oh, my god. Oh, my god. What did I do? Dad?!” She took a step towards him as he shuffled on the ground, his limbs moving in odd directions.

Charlotte held Stevie back, “No! Stay away from him. Something’s wro-”

Before she could finish, Rhys launched at her from behind, sinking his teeth into the flesh of her shoulder. She screamed in pain, turning her body and slamming back into the side of the car, holding him down.

“Get in the car! Now!” she yelled. Stevie stayed frozen in her spot, “Stevie, now! Get Rhia!”

At the mention of her baby sister, Stevie snapped back to attention, turning to where Rhia stood surrounded by their stuff, crying.

“What’s wrong with daddy?” Rhia cried as Stevie picked her up, running to the other side of the car and opening the back door.

“Don’t look, Rhia. Just stay down,” Stevie instructed, tossing the bags in with Rhia and slamming the door.

Stevie ran around the car again just as Charlotte slammed Rhys into the side of it again. He released her shoulder and she crumbled to her knees.

“Mom?!” Stevie asked, not getting too close.

“Get in the fucking car, Stephanie!” Charlotte yelled, grabbing the bat and swinging it at her husband’s head. She screamed as she bashed her husband’s head in. Screams turned into sobs, tears mixing with the blood of the love of her life, dead at her hand. She stumbled to her feet, holding a hand to her shoulder. She dropped the bat and got into the driver’s seat.

“What happened to dad?” Stevie asked from beside her.

“Mommy? Where’s daddy?” Rhia quietly muttered from the backseat. Stevie hadn’t let her look out the window.

Charlotte ignored her children, putting the car in drive and taking them away from home forever.

After about an hour of silence, Rhia had fallen asleep. Stevie reached back for one of the bags, keeping her eyes on her mother’s wound. She took the first aid kit out of the backpack, opening it up and taking out a mini hydrogen peroxide spray bottle.

“Don’t waste it, Stephanie,” Charlotte instructed, pushing Stevie’s hand away when she tried to clean her wound.

“It’s gonna get infected, mom,” she protested. Charlotte let out a shaky breath, tears spilling down her cheeks, “I think it already is.”

Stevie paled, “What are you talking about?”

Charlotte sighed, pulling over when she felt they were far away enough from civilization, deep in the mountains, “Your father had a bite like this … and then he … became whatever it is he became. It’s gonna happen to me, too.”

“No,” Stevie shook her head, tears flooding her eyes again, “No. You don’t know that.”

“I do. Honey, I do. I can already feel it. I can’t put you and your sister in danger like this.” “No. Mom. No,” Stevie cried as her mother opened the door and stepped out.

“Take care of your sister. Never, ever leave her, okay?”

“Mom, plea-”

“Promise me, Stevie!” Charlotte cut her off, “Promise me you’ll stay together. No matter what.”

Stevie got out of the car, circling it to stand in front of her mother. She was as tall as her mother, having grown a few more inches over the summer. She remembered being as small as Rhia, looking up to her mother as this untouchable, giant goddess. Now she can see the top of her head. The illusion is over and her mother is only human. In this moment, they are equals.

She stared at the spreading infection on her mother’s shoulder for a long while before she managed to choke out, “I promise.”

Charlotte nodded, “Good.” She looked at her sleeping daughter in the backseat, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, but you have to be strong. Whatever’s going on out there, whatever happens … I love you both so much. So did your father.”

Rhia slowly came to in the backseat, groggily looking towards the front of the car to where she expected her mom and sister to be. When they weren’t there, she sat up, finding them when she looked out the window.

“Mommy?” Rhia asked, her voice muffled through the door.

Her mother looked at her, placing a hand on the glass, then turned to Stevie again, “Head north. Find somewhere safe. Only trust each other.”

“Mom, I don’t know what to do. I … I only just got my license. I can’t-”

“You can, Stevie. You can, and you shouldn’t have to, but you need to.”

“I can’t do this alone, mom, please!” Stevie cried.

She held her hands, examining the face of her daughter one last time, “You have to. I love you. Your dad and I will always be with you. Always.” She slowly backed away.

“Mommy? What’s happening, Stevie? Where’s mommy going?!” Rhia asked, pressing her cheek to the window to see her mother.

“Go,” their mother ordered, “Stevie, go!”

Stevie numbly turned around and got into the driver’s seat. She put the car in drive. “No!” Rhia screamed as they pulled away, banging on the window, trying to reach her mother’s retreating form, “No! Mommy! Stop! Mommy, please! Stevie, stop! We can’t leave her! Mommy!”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Stevie muttered to her sobbing sister over and over again like a mantra, driving away and not daring to look back at her mother in fear that she’d turn back around. She was only a child, now forced to be both mother and father in a crumbling world.

Charlotte watched her daughters drive away, an odd twitch beginning in her arms and head. When her children were safe and out of view, their mother sat in the empty road, muttered a prayer to a god who never listens, and let the infection take over.

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*4 ½ Years Ago*

Rhia slept peacefully in the truck, curled up against the door … until she was roughly shaken awake.

“We’re here,” Joel said, turning off the car.

Rhia groaned, opening her eyes, “You’re a dick.” She exited the car, grabbing her backpack from the foot well and following him to the truck bed where they unloaded the cargo.

“I can drive back since you drove the whole way here,” Rhia offered, closing the door with her foot.

“No need,” Joel said curtly, walking off to the meeting point.

“What? You don’t trust me? Don’t think I’m a good driver?” Rhia asked, offended.

Joel huffed, “Well, I know you definitely never got a license.”

“Well, I’m so sorry the fucking world ended before I got the chance to,” Rhia scoffed.

Joel ignored her and walked ahead to where the Fireflies stood waiting with their cargo. Rhia was getting real sick of being ignored and belittled by this pretentious fuck.

“Miller. Who’s the girl?” the man Rhia assumed was the leader said.

“Nobody. Let’s get this over with, Carson,” Joel replied, dropping the crate on the floor between them.

Rhia glared at Joel before turning to the Fireflies with a smile, “Rhiannon. Nice to meet y’all.”

The man, Carson, ignored her, focusing on Joel, “This is less than Bill and I talked about.”

“Yeah, well, more’s gonna cost ya,” Joel said nonchalantly, face void of emotion.

“This is what it should cost,” Carson said, looking down at Joel. “Not anymore,” Joel replied, not feeling threatened. Rhia could have laughed at how Carson attempted to intimidate Joel, using his height over her partner to no avail. Joel was immovable, untouchable. She wasn’t scared of the Firefly’s temperament with Joel at her side. Carson gave in, sighing and nodding to his lackeys to hand over the goods.

As Joel packed the crates in the truck bed, Rhia grabbed the last crate from the leader.

“So, where’d you come from?” he asked, looking her up and down. “Oh, just a few hours away in a little town called Nunya,” Rhia scoffed.

His lip twitched in annoyance, grabbing her arm when she made to walk away.

Just as Rhia opened her mouth to tell him off, Joel called out, “Rhia! Let’s go!”

Rhia ripped her arm from Carson, walking over to the truck. All the while, Joel stared Carson down, arms crossed and eyes narrowed as Rhia closed the trunk and spun around, joining Joel in his staredown. Mirror images of each other.

Carson looked between the duo and laughed, “’Till next time, Joel. Rhiannon.”

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

They were two hours into the excruciatingly long drive back to Bill’s when Rhia broke the unofficial silent treatment they were giving each other.

“You know, I didn’t need your help back there.”

Joel scoffed, “You were about to get yourself shot. Again.”

“You know, if you stopped treating me like I’m just arm candy, maybe they would, too,” Rhia rebuked, glaring at him.

“Oh, so it’s my fault?” Joel asked sarcastically.

“Well, it sure as hell ain’t mine,” Rhia pursed her lips, “You don’t treat Tess like this.”

“Tess can handle herself, unlike you.”

“Well, how the hell am I supposed to prove that I can if you don’t give me the chance? Huh?!” Rhia exclaimed, absolutely in awe of how little he thought of her, “Don’t even trust me to drive.” She let out a cynical laugh at the thought.

“I’m a great driver,” she muttered, hugging her knees and looking out the window, “My sister taught me.”

Joel froze. She’d never mentioned her sister before, and, in this world, it wasn’t hard for him to guess why. Their argument ended there, but Joel spent the next two hours thinking about the girl sleeping beside him.

He had a hard time admitting to himself that she was right. He was treating her as a hindrance instead of a partner, but he didn’t need a partner. It was hard enough for him to let Tess just past the stony front, but not much farther. It didn’t make sense to him that this young, reckless, beautiful woman could get under his skin so quickly. He shook away the thoughts slowly forming in his mind, thoughts he hadn’t had in a very long time.

After another hour, Joel pulled over on the side of the road. The sun had started to rise in the distance and as much as he wanted to get back to Bill’s and as far away from Rhia as possible, he couldn’t drive another second without at least getting a quick nap in. He thought of just sleeping right there and driving again when he woke up, but then he looked at Rhia and sighed deeply.

“Hey,” he said, shaking her lightly unlike earlier.

“Tired, Stevie,” Rhia mumbled. Joel’s hand hovered over her shoulder. There it was again. A small puzzle piece in the enigma that was Rhiannon.

“Rhia, wake up,” he said, shaking her again.

Rhia shot up when she heard his voice, eyes wild as she turned to him. She relaxed when she realized it was Joel. She hoped he wouldn’t ask about Stevie. He didn’t.

“You drive,” was all he said.

Rhia rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked at him with confusion, “What?”

“You wanna drive or not?” he asked, unbuckling his seatbelt and opening the driver door.

“Um … yeah,” she said, doing the same.

They both got out of the car and circled the front, stopping in front of each other at the hood.

“Why?” she asked, looking up at him. She was a tall woman, but he was still taller than her by at least a whole head. She thought of Stevie, then, and wondered if she was taller than her now. She couldn’t remember.

“I’m tired. We’re gonna end up in a ditch if I keep driving and I don’t wanna waste time sitting here, either,” he shrugged, looking anywhere but at her.

She narrowed her eyes, suspicion giving way to satisfaction as she nodded and passed him to get in the driver’s seat.

When they were settled in their switched spots, Rhia smiled, “You’re gonna see how great of a driver I am.”

“Don’t push it,” Joel grumbled, reclining the seat a bit farther and shutting his eyes.

Rhia chuckled and started the car, setting a steady speed down the road. She smiled proudly as she drove and didn’t notice Joel peeking at her with one eye. He stifled a smirk at her giddiness and forced himself into slumber. Only four more hours with her, he thought, Then, he’ll never have to see her again. For some reason, that thought didn’t bring him the peace of mind he’d been hoping for.

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*Now*

The world is so often silent nowadays. Rhia can hear the squeak of the swinging sign before they even make it to the fence surrounding Bill and Frank’s. The world is so often silent nowadays, but this is different. This silence feels like a warning. Joel and Rhia give each other a look as they approach the fence.

“Stay there” Joel says to Ellie as Rhia punches in the door code.

Joel opens the door, letting the girls in first. They walk silently down the road, stopping in front of Bill’s house. Rhia notices the wilting flowers at the front end of the lawn. She already knows what they’re going to find inside.

She prays she’s wrong as Joel reaches for the handle. It’s gonna be locked, she thinks, It’s gonna be locked and they’re just asleep inside. The door swings open and Rhia lets out a defeated sigh.

“What the fuck?” Ellie says as they step inside.

“Bill?” Joel calls out. Nothing.

“Frank?” Rhia tries. Nothing.

Joel looks down the hall and then steps into the dining room, turning back to Ellie to say, “You stay there. Ya hear anything, you see anything … yell. Rhia, check upstairs.”

Rhia nods, ignoring the itch in her throat to tell Joel off for telling her what to do.

“What if they’re gone?” Ellie asks quietly. Joel stares at Ellie and Rhia can tell he’s trying to fight the lump forming in his throat. Ever the emotional avoider, she thinks as he walks away without a word. Ellie turns to Rhia who frowns, her eyebrows knitting together.

“Stay here,” Rhia reiterates. She turns and heads upstairs, checking each room with her gun held out in defense.

Empty. Empty. Empty. Each room looks like it hasn't seen foot traffic in weeks. Rhia doesn’t want to jump to conclusions just yet. Frank’s been in a wheelchair for the past couple years. They haven’t had much need to go upstairs because of it.

No amount of rationalization can explain away the stench of death that’s settled upstairs … or the note addressed to her on the nightstand in the guest bedroom Rhia was all too familiar with. She picked it up and sat on the dusty bed, trying her damnedest to push away the memories floating around the room. She opens the letter, attempting to read the jagged, unsteady handwriting:

Rhiannon,

If you are reading this, Bill and I are dead. Somber, I know. I’m hoping Bill lets me die alone, but I’ve spent enough years with the man to know better. It’s damn near impossible to write nowadays, so I’ll keep this short. Forgive Joel. If anyone can get through to him, it’s you.

Do not mourn us. We lived as we died: together. I hope you can do the same.

~Frank

Rhia lets the words settle around her, hands shaking as she grips the paper tighter. She hears Joel call for Ellie downstairs. She lets out a deep breath, deflating, eyes squeezed shut. Then she stands, eyes empty as she leaves the room behind.

“So they're dead?” She hears Joel as she starts down the stairs.

“Mm-hmm,” Ellie responds so softly Rhia almost doesn’t catch it.

The steps creak under her feet and Joel turns to her, his face hardened as he tries to hide his grief. Rhia sees it, anyway; the dull eyes, the pursed frown, eyes looking anywhere but at her or Ellie.

Joel glances up at Rhia as she joins in beside him. He sees his pain reflected in her; balled fists, tight jaw. She meets his eyes, an unspoken understanding forming between them. She brushes her hand against his as she turns to face Ellie.

“You, you wanna?” Ellie asks them, her eyes glancing down at their hands hovering barely an inch away from each other.

“Go ahead,” Joel shakes his head, “You do it.”

“August 29, 2023,” Ellie starts, “If you find this... please do not come into the bedroom. We left a window open so the house wouldn't smell, but it will probably be a sight. I'm guessing you found this, Joel, because anyone else would've been electrocuted or blown up by one of my traps. Hehehehehehehehe. Take anything you need. The bunker code is the same as the gate code but in reverse.

“Anyway… I never liked you, but still, it's like we're friends… almost. And I respect you. So, I'm gonna tell you something because you're probably the only person who will understand. I used to hate the world, and I was happy when everyone died. But I was wrong because there was one person worth saving.”

Rhia doesn’t notice Joel’s eyes on her. She is too far in her head thinking of him.

“That's what I did. I saved him. Then I protected him. That's why men like you and me are here. We have a job to do. And God help any mοthеrfսckеr who stand in our way. I leave you all of my weapons and equipment. Use them to keep Rhia and—” Ellie stops.

Joel takes the paper from her, turning away from both girls to read on. He reads it. Reads it again. He ignores the food and wine pairing Bill recommends and rereads the same line over and over again, “let yourself care about her before it’s too late.”

“You get one, too?” Joel turns at Ellie’s question, following her eyes to the piece of paper crumpled in Rhia’s fist. Rhia avoids his gaze and he hardens again.

“Stay here,” he tells them and leaves.

Rhia stays where she stands, but her mind is far away, deep in memory.

“You don’t hate each other,” Ellie says not as a question, but a fact. The sheer confidence of the statement brings Rhia back to her body, a powder keg of every emotion she’s ever felt.

She looks this child dead on, eyes a half-lidded void, “What do you know?”

“Nothing,” Ellie says quickly, turning away from her.

Rhia shakes her head, the weight of guilt pushing her impending implosion to its limit, “I’m sorry. I—I’m sorry.”

She hurries away, blowing out the front door. She doesn’t stop until she’s down the road and standing in front of the gate to leave. She reaches a hand out for the door, but cannot bring herself to grasp it. She drops to her knees, ignoring the scratch of the rough pavement, and cries.

She clutches her neck, heaving quick breaths as her mind spins. She can’t bear the pain in her chest, the fear squeezing her bones. She is alone. As always, in the end. Alone. Her parents, Tess, Stevie, Bill, Frank … all gone.

Her mind wanders to Joel. Her jaw clenches, the things she’s kept buried coming to claw through her throat. Anger, joy, grief, love. All for him. She wonders what else he will claim of her.

She stands, roughly wiping her tears away and turning back to the house. She enters just as Joel and Ellie come up from the basement.

“You didn’t leave?” Joel asks, the twinge of relief in his voice surprising him.

“Thought I told you,” Rhia smiles as if she hadn’t broken down sobbing a few moments ago, “Not getting rid of me.”

He nods, “Then grab what you can and stick it in the truck. I’m charging the battery now and then we’re heading to find my brother.”

“They’re gonna help us find the Fireflies,” Ellie adds.

Rhia nods back, “Let’s get to it.”

Over the next hour, the trio combs through every inch of the house, taking what they need. Clothes, food, weapons. All of it stocked up in the truck.

“Needs another hour,” Joel says to Ellie as she runs her hand under the faucet of the garage’s sink.

“They have hot water!” she exclaims happily, “I’m taking a shower, and then you’re showering because seriously…”

She lets out a puff of air as she leaves the garage, running into Rhia. “Hey, Rhia. Guess what? There’s hot water! We can shower!”

Rhia smiles at her excitement, “Yeah, I know. Go enjoy it while you can.” Ellie smiles and runs off.

Rhia enters the garage and Joel turns to her, eyes wide in anticipation. She mentally curses those big, brown eyes of his. They make it hard for her to think, and she needs to think clearly around him.

“Something wrong?” Joel asks, noticing the dazed look in her eyes

“Why did you come back?” she asks quietly, eyebrows knit in confusion, “You didn’t need me to get to Bill’s. You didn’t know you were going to have to take her across the country yet. Why did you ask me to come?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugs, meeting her eyes. She knows he is lying.

“Joel, if we’re gonna take this kid across the country together, we need to trust each other,” Rhia frowns, “And right now I don’t trust you.”

“What do you want from me?” He asks, letting out a frustrated sigh.

“The truth.”

“The truth?” Joel starts, “I wasn’t thinking. I shouldn’t have brought you into this.” It is the truth, in a way. He just omits the why. He wasn’t thinking when he showed up at her house. He was in pain and his body brought him to her. He shouldn’t have brought her into this danger, but he wanted her.

In his grief over Tess, he sought Rhiannon out, and, like a fucked up post-nut clarity, he now regrets it. At least, he tells himself he regrets it. His mind wanders to the end of Bill’s letter again. Let yourself care about her before it’s too late. Joel thinks it already is.

Rhia nods, looks around the room. She’d spent many mornings in this garage packing, unpacking, idling, talking. Most of which was spent with Joel. Now, she looks around and sees the gathering dust of dead friends and deader memories.

“You think I can’t handle it?” Rhia asks defensively, “I’ve saved your ass plenty of times, Miller.”

“It’s not that,” Joel shakes his head, “I know you can handle yourself.”

“If you’re just trying to get me to bail, it’s not gonna work,” she says, stalking up to him. She stops, so close to Joel that she has to lift her head to meet his eyes, “But don’t for a second think it’s because of you or anything we once were. I’d love to turn around and never see you again.” She lets out a dry, humorless laugh. “Hell, I’ve prayed for it. But Ellie’s not gonna make it all the way across the country just the two of you. So, I’m coming whether either of us likes it or not.”

If she wasn’t so blinded by her anger and rejection, she’d notice his hands hovering just off her waist. Joel doesn’t even realize he’s doing it, unconsciously drawn to her.

Joel’s mind is a racetrack, going around and around in hopeless circles over whether he should apologize or push her further away. He’s so caught up in his self torturous loop, he doesn’t notice her eyes flicker to his lips, chapped and slightly parted, before she spins around and stomps out of the garage.

After they all shower and pack up, the trio finally can head out. Joel, obviously, takes the driver’s seat and Ellie and Rhia reach for the passenger door handle at the same time.

“Nuh uh. Kids go in the back,” Rhia tuts.

“Aww, c’mon. It’s my first time in a car,” Ellie begs.

“Fine,” Rhia chuckles, then quickly adds, “For a little bit.”

Ellie settles in the front seat, touching every inch of her area, “It's like a spaceship.”

“No, it's like a piece of shit Chevy S10, but it'll get us there … I think,” Joel says, buzzkill as ever.

“I can’t believe this piece of shit is still kickin’,” Rhia laughs, leaning forward from the middle seat, her arms resting on Ellie and Joel’s seatbacks. She looks at Joel and loses herself in the wet curls of his slicked back hair. He smells of cheap soap and the unwashable outdoorsy scent of twenty years of unreliable hygiene. She catches his eye in the rearview mirror. How long had he been watching her stare at him?

“Old as you, Joel,” Rhia jabs, pulling back to her hostile facade.

He purses his lips in annoyance and turns to Ellie, “Seatbelt.”

Ellie gives him a confused, but excited, “Hmm?”

He sighs and leans over her, pulling the seatbelt out and strapping her in, “Seatbelt.”

“So cool,” she remarks under her breath.

“Aww! Baby’s first car ride,” Rhia jokes.

“Ha, ha!” Ellie says sarcastically as Joel pulls out of the garage. She opens the glove box, pulling out a cassette tape and shoving it in the player, ignoring Joel’s protests.

“Put it back … Ellie. Oh, no, wait,” Joel changes his mind, turning up the volume as “Long, Long Time” by Linda Ronstadt plays over the shitty speakers, “No, leave it. Leave it. Oh, this is good. This is Linda Ronstadt. Do you know who Linda Ronstadt is?”

“You know I don't know who Linda Ronstadt is,” Ellie deadpans.

“I don’t even know who Linda Ronstadt is,” Rhia pipes up, still leaning forward.

“Sit back,” Joel orders. Rhia parrots his words mockingly, unmoving.

And so Joel, Rhiannon, and Ellie begin their journey, unaware of all that lies ahead…

Taglist: @pedritosdarling

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supernovaslut · 1 year

Text

Chapter 2: No Longer Strangers

Din Djarin x OC

Word Count: 8.6k

Warnings: MDNI, canon typical violence, cursing, angst, hurt/comfort, minor character death, injuries, protective!Mando, protective!Astra, Toro Calican is a creep

Previous Chapter ~ Masterlist ~ Next Chapter

The Razor Crest zoomed through space, weaving away from the blaster fire from a bounty hunter trying to get the Child. Astra sat next to Mando, strapped in and looking back every once in a while to make sure the kid was okay.

It had been a few weeks since Astra and Mando decided to work together. They’d left Sorgan a few days ago to Mando’s chagrin and Astra’s delight. They had gone to hide, but when they helped some people reclaim their village, a bounty hunter found them. Astra killed him when she’d found him lurking in the woods aiming to shoot Mando and they decided to leave.

As peaceful as it was, Astra knew they wouldn’t be able to stay there. She knew how resilient the Empire was, like kriffing cockroaches. If they wanted her or the kid, they wouldn’t stop until they had them.

Luckily for her, they’d only run into bounty hunters looking for the Child. Honestly, Astra felt guilty about it. The Child was innocent. Astra was not. Not that Mando knew that, which added to Astra’s guilt.

They’d been prickly with each other for the most part, but they had their moments. Just the other night, Astra had offered him the food she had made for herself and the kid. He accepted, hiding away in his room to eat. It was a step in the right direction, she thought, but then he was cold to her the next morning, passing her without a word and sitting silently in the cockpit for so long that Astra would’ve thought he’d fallen asleep if he wasn’t flipping a switch or checking a reading every once in a while.

The ship swerved, narrowly avoiding another blast as a voice came over the comms, “Hand over the child, Mando.” BAM! A blast hit the ship, knocking Astra to the side. She put an arm out to stop herself from fully flying out of her seat.

“I might let you live,” the bounty hunter added.

“Yeah, right,” Astra muttered as Grogu whimpered. She turned around to make sure he was okay.

“Ya know,” Astra started, turning to Mando, “Not to be a backseat driver, but I don’t think this is going well for us.”

“You think?” Mando asked sarcastically, spinning the ship in evasive maneuvers until one of the engines was hit.

“Hold on,” Mando suddenly said, and Astra didn’t take those words lightly, bracing for whatever the hell he was about to do. The ship spun around and around, making Astra dizzy as the ship was bombarded with shots, taking out the other engine.

“Come on,” Mando said to himself. “We’re gonna die,” Astra muttered, white knuckling the arms of her seat.

“I can bring you in warm or I can bring you in cold,” the hunter said.

Astra whipped her head to Mando, recognizing that as something Mando had said to her when she was his bounty. Mando ignored the man, pulling back the controls and letting him fly over the Crest, right in Mando’s line of fire. “That’s my line,” Mando said before shooting the hunter’s ship. The last thing Astra heard was the hunter’s scream as his ship blew up.

The ship was silent as it sputtered through space, one engine fully dead while the other barely functioned.

“Well,” Astra said after a moment, “That was exciting. What’d you think, kid?” The Child cheerfully babbled in response.

She turned to Mando, watching him flip switches frantically.

“Losing fuel,” Mando said just as the ship powered down.

“Need any help?” Astra asked, watching him stand.

“No,” he said curtly.

“Well, alright then.”

Mando did something behind her and the backup generator came on, the red lights of the cockpit illuminating Astra’s face. Mando sat back down and flipped a few more switches until the ship came back to life and they shot off towards the nearest planet.

“Where are we headed?” Astra asked. Mando flipped the radio switch and it crackled to life as a man’s voice came over the comms, “This is Mos Eisley Tower. We are tracking you. Head for bay three-five, over.”

“Copy that. Locked in for three-five,” Mando replied.

“Oh, so you’ll reply to him, but not me. I see how it is,” Astra huffed, crossing her arms.

“We’re gonna need to get the ship fixed up. I’ll take a job while we’re there to pay for it. You stay with the kid,” Mando said.

“I’m sorry? You’re prickly with me all day and now you want me to play babysitter?” Astra asked, incredulously, “No, not again. I’m going with you this time. You’re not leaving me with the kid like you did on Sorgan.”

“Someone’s gotta watch him,” Mando rebuked.

“Then you stay,” Astra smiled, cocking her head to the side.

Mando was silent.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” Astra nodded, “We can leave him in your room or whatever else you did before I got here.”

Mando sighed as he landed the ship. He stood and walked off, taking the kid, who’d somehow fallen asleep, and closed him inside a hidden panel in the wall.

“You sure he’s safe there?” Astra asked.

“If you’re coming, keep quiet and do what I say,” was all Mando replied, opening the ship’s door.

Astra followed Mando as he stepped down the ramp, shooting at the droids that started to scurry towards his ship.

“Hey!” Peli Motto yelled, coming towards the pair, “You damage one of my droids, you pay for it!”

“Just keep them away from my ship,” Mando ordered. Astra rolled her eyes. She was annoyed at how bossy he could be. She was far more capable than he could ever know.

“Yeah, you think that’s a good idea, do ya?” Peli asked, stepping up close to Mando and eyeing him up and down before looking behind him to Astra, giving her a once over as well.

“Let’s look at your ship,” she said, walking up to the side of the Crest and banging on it in a few different spots. She then listed all the many things wrong with the ship.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were in a shootout,” she said, looking back at the pair, saying nothing yet everything.

“Special tool for that one. I am gonna have to rotate that. You got a fuel leak. Look at that, this is a mess. How did you even land? That's gonna set you back,” Peli continued, approaching them again.

“I’ve got 500 Imperial credits,” Mando said. Astra couldn’t contribute since Mando had kidnapped her with nothing but her satchel.

“That’s all you got? Well, what do you guys think?” Peli asked, turning to the droids. They chattered a bit, some nodding and some shaking their heads.

“I’ll get you your money,” Mando promised.

“Hmm. I’ve heard that before,” she said doubtfully, taking the 500 credits.

“Just remember,” Mando started.

“Yeah, no droids. I heard ya. You don’t have to say it twice,” Peli said, waving them off.

Astra followed Mando out, her hand protectively reaching for her satchel as they left the hangar and made it out into the town. Mando seemed to know exactly where he was headed, and all Astra could do was try to keep up.

“So, what’s the thing with the droids?” Astra asked, trying to spark conversation. Mando ignored her. She was coming to realize there were a lot of things Mando didn’t want to discuss. He looked her way, which excited her for a moment, until she realized what he was looking at.

Rows of bloodied Stormtrooper helmets. Astra shuddered, visions of cold hallways, marching feet, a breath, deep and modulated, surrounding her.

“Hey,” Mando called. Astra looked ahead to where he’d stopped to wait for her. She hadn’t even realized she’d stopped walking. “Coming, Shiny,” she called, catching up to him. Mando watched her, her arms stiff and eyes slightly dazed. He had so many questions floating around about her, as she did him.

He didn’t know what to think of her. He’d thought she’d become a nuisance or maybe bolt at the first chance, but she’d chosen to stay. She could have been dropped off on any planet to hide, but she chose to join him, and he had accepted! That was what confused him the most. He wasn’t sure if he trusted her, but then she’d saved him on Sorgan, shooting that bounty hunter aimed for him.

There was something off about her, though. The blaster shot looked wider, cleaner than normal, even for close range. Mando knew he had to keep his guard up, but something about her kept whittling it down.

• •┈┈┈┈┈┈••✦ ⋆★⋆ ✦••┈┈┈┈┈┈• •

Mando and Astra arrived at the Cantina, stepping into the dimly lit bar full of a variety of species chatting and drinking away.

“Stay here,” Mando said to Astra, walking up the bar. Astra followed him anyway.

“Hey, droid, I'm a hunter. I'm lookin’ for some work,” Mando said to the bartender droid.

“Unfortunately, the Bounty Guild no longer operates from Tatooine,” it replied.

“I'm not looking for Guild work,” Mando said, leaning closer and lowering his voice a touch.

“I am afraid that does not improve your situation, at least by my calculation,” the droid responded loudly.

Think again, tin can,” a voice said from behind them.

Mando and Astra turned around to see a man sitting at a booth.

“If you're looking for work, have a seat, my friends. Name's Toro, Toro Calican,” Toro said. Astra noticed an air of narcissism about him.

“Come on, relax,” Toro continued, gesturing to the booth for them to sit. Mando and Astra looked at each other. She couldn’t see his reaction, but she hoped her wary look said enough. They sat, Mando ensuring Astra went in first as he stood halfway off the chair, like he was ready to go at a moment’s notice. Toro looked between them, his eyes lingering on Astra longer than she felt comfortable with.

“Picked up this Bounty Puck before I left the Mid Rim,” Toro said, turning on the fob which showed a woman with braided black hair.

“Fennec Shand, an Assassin,” he explained, “Heard she's been on the run ever since the New Republic put all her employers in lockdown.”

“I know the name,” Mando said. Astra thought it was familiar, too. Perhaps something she’d overheard from before. She did a lot more listening than talking back then.

“I followed this tracking fob here,” Toro continued, a map appearing on the hologram, “Now the positional data suggests she's headed out beyond the Dune Sea. Should be an easy job.” Toro looked between the two with a confident smile.

“Well, good luck with that,” Mando said, standing. Astra slid out of the booth, grateful that Mando had turned the man down.

They made it to the door when Toro called out, “Wait, wait, wait, hey. I thought you needed work?”

Mando stopped, to Astra’s chagrin.

“How long you been with the Guild?” he asked Toro.

“Long enough,” Toro said suspiciously. The more the man talked, the less Astra trusted him.

“Clearly not,” Mando refuted, “Fennec Shand is an elite mercenary. She made her name killing for all the top crime syndicates, including the Hutts. If you go after her, you won't make it past sunrise.”

There, Astra thought, now that was the end of it.

“This is my first job,” Toro pleaded, “You can keep the money, all of it. I just need this job to get into the Guild. I can't do it alone.”

Astra and Mando looked at each other again. Astra shook her head, not liking the way Toro stared at her.

Mando turned back to Toro, saying, “Meet me at Hangar three-five in half an hour. Bring three speeder bikes and give me the tracking fob.”

Toro smashed the fob against the wall. Yet another red flag, Astra thought.

“Don't worry, got it all memorized,” Toro said, smiling.

“Half an hour,” Mando repeated and left, Astra already halfway out the door.

“Looks like you're stuck with me now, partners,” she heard Toro call from inside.

Mando walked past her, heading back to the hangar.

“Hey!” Astra called, catching up with him, “I don’t trust that guy.”

“Neither do I,” Mando agreed.

“Then why the hell are we working with him?” Astra asked, baffled.

“Because we need the credits to fix the ship,” Mando said simply.

“Ok, but him? There’s something off about him,” Astra said, trying to get through to Mando.

“You’re welcome to stay on the ship with the kid,” Mando offered.

Astra scoffed, shaking her head, “Oh, you’d like that, wouldn’t you? Well, tragically for you, I’m not going anywhere. You’ll need someone to cover your ass again, anyway.” Astra smiled mockingly.

“Should’ve dropped you off at the nearest planet,” Mando muttered.

Astra gasped sarcastically, “Rude. Admit it, you need me!”

“I need you?!” Mando asked incredulously, stopping outside the hangar door, “If I hadn’t found you, another bounty hunter would have already turned you in. You weren’t very hard to catch.”

Astra gaped at him, offended. She shook her head and took a deep breath, saying, “Look. We need to work together and to do that we have to trust each other. I have no problem putting my faith in you since I am literally here right now instead of anywhere else, but you’ve been a brick wall since we got here! What’s your problem?” Mando crossed his arms, tilting his head as he looked at her for a long moment.

“How’d you kill the bounty hunter on Sorgan?” Mando asked.

Astra froze, an anxious look in her eyes, “I told you. Shot them with my blaster.”

“Astra,” Mando warned.

“You should check on the kid,” Astra said quickly, avoiding his gaze, “I’ll wait here for Toro.” Mando stared at her for a long moment before entering the hangar, leaving her alone.

Astra didn’t have to wait long before Toro walked over, guiding two speeders with him.

“Hey there,” Toro said, approaching Astra, “Didn’t get your name back at the cantina.” He smiled at her, stepping close.

“No, you didn’t,” Astra said, tilting her head and giving a curt smile, “We said three speeders.”

Toro looked back like he’d only just realized he brought two as Mando and Peli walked out, the latter carrying the Child.

“You know, it’s costing me a lot of money to keep these droids even powered up,” Astra heard Peli say, catching the back end of their conversation.

Mando noticed Astra and Toro, who gestured to the speeders and said, “Hey, Mando, what do you think? Not too shabby, huh?”

“I said three,” Mando said, looking between Toro and an uncomfortable Astra.

“Oh, I could only get two. Don’t worry,” he said, turning to Astra, “We can share.” He tapped the speeder seat, eyeing her.

“I’d rather die,” Astra scoffed, walking to the other speeder. She looked back at Mando expectantly. Mando didn’t know why that made him feel relieved.

He walked up the speeder, checking it out and noticing it wasn’t exactly in peak condition.

“What’d you expect?” Toro shrugged, “This ain’t Corellia.”

Mando sat on the speeder, leaving space behind him for Astra to sit. She settled herself in, unsure where to put her arms, but settled for placing them at his waist, gripping the edges of Mando’s Beskar chest plate.

“You good back there?” Mando said in a low tone, looking back at her.

Astra nodded, “Yeah. Is this okay?”

Mando hesitated, “You may want to hold on a bit more than that.”

Astra’s eyes widened, but Mando didn’t turn away from her until she wrapped her arms fully around him, leaning further into his back.

Just to keep from falling off, she told herself as they sped off, though she couldn’t deny the feeling that ran through her hands and down her body. It was hot and buzzing and wholly unfamiliar to Astra, igniting every part of her that touched Mando.

• •┈┈┈┈┈┈••✦ ⋆★⋆ ✦••┈┈┈┈┈┈• •

The trio zoomed through the dunes for a while, Toro and Mando fighting to be ahead of the other, making the trip faster which Astra wasn’t going to complain about. Unlike Mando, she didn’t have a helmet to protect her face from the sand whipping at her cheeks. She pressed her face into Mando’s back, using him as a shield.

Mando could hardly concentrate on his driving. Everywhere that Astra touched sent a jolt through him. He wasn’t used to contact, and he knew it didn’t usually have him reacting this way. Yet another question about Astra added to the ever growing list. Mando held up a fist, signaling for Toro to stop.

The speeders slowed to a stop, Toro removing his bandana from his mouth to ask, “What’s going on?”

Mando pointed ahead, “Look. Up ahead.”

Astra stood on the bike a bit, looking over Mando’s shoulder to faintly see the two Banthas wandering the dunes. Toro got off his speeder and used his binocs to get a better look.

“Tusken Raiders,” he said, “I heard the locals talking about this filth.”

Astra scoffed to which only Mando heard. Makes sense, Astra thought, that Toro would see the Tuskens as the filth instead of the colonizers that stole their home.

“Tuskens think they’re the locals,” Mando replied, “Everyone else is just trespassing.”

“Whatever they call themselves,” Toro said, too engrossed in talking shit to notice the Tuskens that approached, “They better keep their distance.”

“Oh, really? Why don’t you tell them yourself?” Astra asked, sarcastically, following Mando off of the speeder.

Toro turned around, jumping when he noticed the two Tuskens.

His hand went to his blaster, but Mando held a hand up, saying, “Relax,” before signing to the Tuskens. What he was saying, Astra had know idea, but she knew it would be in their benefit.

“What are you doing?” Toro asked.

“Negotiating,” Mando said simply. Astra stood beside him, watching the interaction.

“What’s going on?” Toro asked after one of the Tuskens made a cutting motion at his neck which worried Astra as well.

“We need passage across their land,” Mando answered.

The Tuskens signed again.

“Let me see the binocs,” Mando said, holding a hand out to Toro.

“Why?” Toro asked. Mando just gave him a look and Toro handed them to Mando who handed them to the Tuskens.

“Hey! What?!” Toro protested, making Astra smile. She enjoyed Toro being upset. She truly did not like the man and would rather be anywhere else, but she wasn’t going to leave Mando alone with him.

Mando walked back to the speeder, Astra hopping in behind him as Toro complained, “Those were brand new!” “Tragic. Let’s go,” Astra said, holding onto Mando just in time before he sped off, leaving Toro to catch up.

• •┈┈┈┈┈┈••✦ ⋆★⋆ ✦••┈┈┈┈┈┈• •

Mando stopped them again, the two speeders slowing. Mando hopped off before it’d even stopped, ducking behind a dune and looking over.

“Get down,” Mando ordered. Astra listened, following Mando’s lead. Toro fumbled before following suit.

“Alright, tell me what you see,” Mando said, asking Astra.

“Dewback. Looks like the rider’s still attached,” Toro said, turning to them, oblivious to Astra’s look of annoyance and the equivalent to one from Mando.

“Is that her? Is that the target?” Toro finished.

“I don’t know,” Mando said, turning back to the Dewback, “I’ll go. Astra, stay with Toro and cover me.”

He turned to Astra directly, making sure she was paying attention, “Stay down.”

“Aye, aye, captain,” Astra said, giving him a mock salute as he ran down the hill.

She opened her satchel, pulling out her blaster. Toro watched from beside her, catching a peek of something cylindrical and metallic. Astra turned back to see Mando, keeping an eye on the surrounding area.

“So, how does a girl like you end up with a Mandalorian?” Toro asked Astra.

She rolled her eyes, ignoring him.

“How’s it going, Shiny?” Astra called down to Mando as he approached the body.

“It’s a bounty hunter,” Mando called back, crouching.

“You don’t look like a bounty hunter. So, what is it?” Toro pressed.

“Do you ever shut up?” Astra groaned, watching Mando examine the body.

“I’ll shut up if you tell me why you’re traveling with him?” Toro asked, a dangerous look in his eye.

Astra sat up, glaring at him. Why does he want to know so bad? Astra thought.

Before she could speak, Mando yelled, “Get down!”

Astra turned, watching a blaster shot hit Mando, knocking him to the ground.

“Mando!” Astra yelled, standing and then ducking when another shot whizzed past her.

“Mando!” she yelled again, shooting haphazardly in the direction of the shot.

Mando crested over the hill, getting another shot to the shoulder which sent him tumbling down again. Astra yelped, reaching out as Mando righted himself and laid beside Astra.

“Are you okay?” Astra asked, her eyes frantically scanning him for injuries. Mando froze as she put a hand on his gloved one. Toro noticed, an eyebrow quirking as he watched the pair.

“Fine. It was a sniper bolt. Only an MK-modified rifle could make that shot,” Mando answered, turning to look out across the sands.

“How’d you not die?” Toro asked dumbly.

“Hit me in the Beskar,” Mando said, “and at that range, Beskar held up.”

“Wait, I don’t wear any Beskar,” Toro said.

“Nope,” Mando said, a hint of petty amusement in his tone which made Astra smirk.

“Well, so what do we do?” Toro asked.

“You see where that shot came from?” Mando asked Astra.

“Yeah, it came from that ridge,” Astra said, pointing.

“Okay, we’re gonna wait until dark,” Mando said

“Well, what if she escapes?” Toro asked him.

“She’s got the high ground,” Astra spoke up, “She’s gonna wait for us to make the first move. That’s what I would do.” Mando gave her a look, “Yeah. I’m gonna rest. Toro, you take first watch.” He slid down the dune, setting up by the speeders.

“Gonna keep me company?” Toro asked, winking at Astra.

“You’d like that, huh?” Astra said, sweetly. Toro nodded which prompted Astra to drop her smile and slide down the dune to join Mando.

“Maybe later?” Toro called.

Astra ignored him, sitting by Mando.

“This guy gives me the creeps,” Astra said lowly so only Toro couldn’t hear.

“Only have to deal with him a bit longer,” Mando replied, his tone equally low.

“There’s something … weird about him,” Astra said, “He kept asking about me and why I’m traveling with you.”

Mando cocked his head to the side, “You think he knows about your bounty, too?”

Astra shook her head, “He’s been annoying all day, trying to get me to talk to him. But, he seemed oddly interested in why I was even here. I don’t think he knows about the target on my back, because then he’d probably know about yours and the kid’s, too. I just think he’s trying to pull one over us … in some way.”

“We could shoot him and finish this ourselves,” Mando offered.

Astra laughed, “Stars, I’d love that, but he’ll be useful as bait later and I don’t want that to go to waste.”

Mando chuckled, watching Astra try to keep her laugh quiet.

“Ya know, I’m starting to think I made the right choice in letting you catch me,” Astra said.

“You let me catch you?” Mando asked in a mocking tone.

“Yeah,” Astra laughed again, “I did, and I think it was a great decision.”

“And why’s that?” Mando asked, looking into Astra’s eyes. She couldn’t see them, but she could feel his eyes on her, looking her over.

She bit her lip, staring at where she suspected his eyes were, “There was … a feeling about you. So far I haven’t been wrong about it.”

“You seem to have a lot of feelings about people,” Mando said, referring to her suspicion about Toro.

“Call it intuition, I guess,” Astra said, avoiding his gaze. She wasn’t lying, really, but how could she ever really explain it to him? What would he say? Astra would rather not find out. She liked not being alone anymore, and she knew the second he knew what she was, he’d leave her … or worse.

• •┈┈┈┈┈┈••✦ ⋆★⋆ ✦••┈┈┈┈┈┈• •

It was dark out now and Astra had fallen asleep, her head resting on Mando’s shoulder.

“All right, suns are down,” Toro said, standing and walking over to Mando and Astra’s peacefully sleeping forms.

“Time to ride, guys. Come on, wake up,” Toro said, to no response. Not even a twitch from either one. Mando was wide awake, watching him from the secrecy of his helmet. Astra was wary of the man, but all Mando saw was an idiot. Mando didn’t think about how idiots could still be dangerous.

“Look at you. Asleep on the job, old man,” Toro smirked, pulling out his gun and aiming at Mando a few times like he was in a standoff.

“You done?” Mando asked, alerting Toro that he was awake.

“Yeah. I was just, uh, waking you guys up. Come on,” Toro said, feigning innocence. Mando turned his head carefully to Astra who was somehow still asleep. “Astra,” Mando said, gently nudging her side, “Wake up.”

“Hmm. Yes, sir,” Astra muttered in her sleep before waking suddenly, shaking her head as she sat up, “I wasn’t asleep.”

Mando chuckled, “Come on,” and reached out a hand to help Astra stand. She gladly took it and followed him to the bikes.

“Get on your bike,” he said to Toro,” Ride as fast as you can towards those rocks.”

“That’s your plan?” Toro scoffed, “She’ll snipe us right off the bikes.”

“Then be faster,” Astra snidely remarked. Toro narrowed his eyes at her.

Mando tossed something at Toro, “It’s a flash charge. We alternate shots, it'll blind any scope temporarily. Combine that with our speed and we got a chance.”

“A chance?” Toro and Astra both asked in shock.

“Hey, you wanted this. Get ready,” Mando said to Toro.

“Mando-” Astra started.

“It’ll work. Take this and shoot it when I tell you to,” Mando said, handing Astra a flash charge and peeling off.

The two bikes flew over the hill, slamming onto the sand before zooming through the dunes.

“Astra, now!” Mando called over the wind.

Astra sat up and reached over Mando’s shoulder, shooting a bright light towards where Fennec was hiding. Fennec shot back and Mando swerved out of the way. Astra kept steady by holding onto Mando’s shoulders, finding a better grip under the Beskar plate to his shoulder, nothing between them except Mando’s flight suit.

“Now!” Mando yelled louder to Toro. Toro shot the flash charge as Mando swerved from another shot. Astra wobbled, gasping as she held onto Mando tighter.

“You okay?” Mando asked, keeping his body rigid so Astra wouldn’t knock them both off of the speeder.

“I’m good,” Astra said.

Toro shot again, the light bouncing down the path. Before Astra or Mando could do anything about it, Fennec shot again, hitting their speeder dead on. They flew off the speeder, Mando thudding face first into the sand as Astra rolled across the dune, arms protecting her head until she slowed to a stop a ways away from Mando.

“Astra!” Mando called out to her, scrambling on the sand to reach her.

She groaned, barely picking her head up as she reached an arm out and shot another flash of light, letting Toro slip through. Before Mando could reach her, Fennec shot him square in the chest, knocking him back.

“Mando!” Astra screamed, crawling towards him. He laid motionless in the sand.

Astra reached him, examining the black blaster mark on his armor, noticing the shot didn’t go through. She gasped when Mando shot up suddenly, feeling his chest plate to come to the same conclusion Astra had only a moment before.

“Guess Beskar holds up at close range, too,” Astra joked.

“Guess so,” Mando said, looking at her, “Are you alright?”

Astra laughed, “You just got shot in the chest by a sniper bolt and you’re asking me if I’m alright?”

“You did fly off an exploding fast-moving speeder,” Mando added. “So did you,” Astra pointed out, smiling, “Are you alright?”

Mando paused, staring for a long moment at Astra’s mouth, quirked up in an amused smile. He followed her lips to their points, finding two dimples hidden in her smile, like a treasure map. Her smile betrayed her eyes, which showed concern as she raked them over Mando’s body, searching for any injury. They were each so engrossed in each other that they didn’t realize that the other was doing the same thing.

“I’m okay,” Mando finally said.

“Great. Let’s go keep Toro from kriffing this up,” Astra said, standing. She held a hand out for Mando who took it, though Astra wasn’t much help in lifting the heavily-armored man.

“Maker, that Beskar weighs a ton. I don’t know how you run around in that,” Astra huffed as they made their way to where Fennec and Toro were.

“You get used to it. Feels weird when it’s off,” Mando replied, shrugging.

“Well, since you never take it off, I’m sure you feel weightless without it. Like you could just fly, untethered to gravity as you float up into the stars,” Astra said, her hand trailing up into the sky imitating her imaginary flying Mando.

Mando shook his head and said in a humorous tone, “Yeah, something like that.”

Mando and Astra made it up the ridge, their movements hidden under the sounds of Fennec and Toro fighting. They came up behind them as Fennec caught Toro in an armbar hold.

“Nice distraction,” Mando said, aiming his gun for Fennec’s head.

Fennec sighed, letting go and holding her hands up in surrender. Toro got to his knees, moaning in pain as he held onto the arm Fennec had overextended.

“Yeah. Good work, partners,” Toro groaned from the ground.

“Cuff yourself,” Mando ordered, dropping the cuffs at Fennec’s feet.

“Why don’t you go find your blaster?” Mando suggested to Toro who nodded and walked off.

“A Mandalorian. It's been a long time since I've seen one of your kind. Ever been to Nevarro?” Fennec asked, trying to rile Mando up, “ I hear things didn't go so well there, but it looks like you got off easy.” Astra looked to Mando. She remembers him mentioning a fight in Nevarro to save the Child.

“You don't have to worry about gettin’ to Nevarro, or anywhere else, once we turn you in,” Toro said when he found his blaster, shaking the sand off of it, “You know, I really should thank you. You're my ticket into the Guild.”

“You're welcome,” Fennec deadpanned, being led down to the speeders by Mando.

“Uh-oh. Looks like two of us have to walk,” Fennec joked mockingly.

Mando pushed her down to sit on a rock, “Or we could drag you.”

“All right, so what is the plan?” Toro asked Mando as they and Astra stepped away from Fennec to talk out a plan.

“I need you to go find that Dewback we saw,” Mando said to him.

“And leave you here with my bounty and my ride? Yeah, I don't think so, Mando,” Toro scoffed, ignoring the fact that three of them still wouldn’t fit on one speeder.

Mando scanned the dunes, finding the Dewback’s heat signature with his helmet.

“Okay, Astra and I will go. Watch her, and don't let her get near the bike. She's no good to us dead,” Mando ordered, walking off.

“Wait?! You’re gonna leave him with the speeder and the bounty?” Astra asked, incredulously.

“Oh, you wanna spend time with me that badly?” Toro asked, winking at Astra.

She scoffed, turning and catching up with Mando. “Mando, I don’t think this is a good idea.”

He kept walking, ignoring her protests. Astra looked back at Toro and Fennec and huffed in annoyance before following Mando.

• •┈┈┈┈┈┈••✦ ⋆★⋆ ✦••┈┈┈┈┈┈• •

“What’s up with you?” Astra asked after about 20 minutes of walking. They’d already made it out of Toro and Fennec’s sight, yet who knew how much longer it’d take to reach the Dewback.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Mando deflected.

Astra scoffed, “Yeah, right! You don’t trust me! I saved your ass on Sorgan and this is how you treat me. You go from being mostly bearable to colder than a Chistori. What is it?!”

Mando stopped, stepping close to Astra, “You want me to trust you. Fine. How did you kill the hunter on Sorgan?”

Astra swallowed, eyes narrowed in anger while her heart beat wildly in her chest from fear.

She shook her head, “Why does it matter?”

Mando came close enough to Astra’s face that she could see her reflection in the black slats, saying, “Because you’re hiding something, and until I find out what it is, I can’t really trust you, can I?”

“Oh, and like you’ve given me so much to trust, yeah?” Astra asked, sarcastically, getting equally in Mando’s face as he had to her, “I get there’s a lot of secrecy about you because of your Creed, but I know nothing about you. Maybe that’s why you’ve really been alone all this time. You push away anyone who wants to try to get to know you.”

“And what if I don’t want you to know me? Don’t forget that you asked to join me, not the other way around,” Mando said harshly.

Astra narrowed her eyebrows, taken aback by his tone.

She nodded, looking down, “Alright, Mando. Then, I guess you can figure this out yourself. I’m leaving.” She turned and started walking back to the village.

He went to follow her, but then looked back to the Dewback walking off. Mando looked between the retreating Dewback and Astra walking in the opposite direction.

“Dank Farrik,” Mando muttered, chasing after the Dewback. He planned to pick Astra up on the way back to town after he’d gotten Toro and Fennec. She wouldn’t be able to walk the whole way back.

• •┈┈┈┈┈┈••✦ ⋆★⋆ ✦••┈┈┈┈┈┈• •

“Kriffing nerfherder. That’s it. I’m going back to Coruscant. Actually, they’ll probably find me there. I’ll have to hide somewhere else. Outer Rim? Well, wherever it is, it wouldn’t be far away enough from you, Mando!” Astra yelled, turning around to yell out into the empty sands, the suns coming up in the distance. She’d walked all night and frankly was starting to feel delirious. She didn’t realize how far they’d traveled.

As Astra debated with herself on whether to head back and hopefully meet them halfway or keep going, she heard the sound of a speeder. She turned, watching the speeder get closer and closer until it came to a stop a few feet away from her. Toro got off the bike, walking towards Astra.

“Toro? Where’s Mando and Fennec?” Astra asked, confused.

Toro looked back the way he came, “Oh, uh, his ride is a bit slower. Told me to go ahead and pick you up.”

Astra hesitated. That was unlike Mando. Despite their fight, she knew Mando wouldn’t have trusted Toro alone with her. That’s why he’d told Astra to go with him to get the Dewback. Astra took a step back as Toro took one closer.

“Toro, what did you do?” Astra asked, a hand on her satchel.

Toro cocked his head to the side, smiling, “I’m gonna be a legend.”

He jumped, launching himself on her before she could reach her weapons. They slammed to the ground, Toro on top of Astra as he tried to pin down her limbs. Astra screamed at him, banging on any part of his body she could land a hit while her other hand reached in her satchel and pulled out her lightsaber.

Before she could ignite it, Toro grabbed it, holding it out so she couldn’t use it on him. He pushed his arm into her neck, choking her as he reached for the saber, ripping it from her grasp.

She cried out in protest and, without even realizing what it was, Toro smacked the saber across Astra’s head, knocking her out. He stood over Astra and looked at the object he took from her. He smirked as he examined it.

“Oh, now that’s interesting,” he chuckled darkly.

He picked her up and put her on the speeder, zooming off back to the village.

• •┈┈┈┈┈┈••✦ ⋆★⋆ ✦••┈┈┈┈┈┈• •

Mando had just gotten back to where he expected Toro and Fennec to be waiting for him. Instead, all he found was Fennec’s lifeless body crumpled on the sand, a blaster shot to the chest. He sighed and then froze. If Toro left with the speeder, he thought, he would’ve run into Astra. Mando booked it, jumping on the Dewback and making it go as fast as he could get it to go, which wasn’t very fast, but still better than walking. At this rate, he wouldn’t make it till sunsdown, but he had no choice.

• •┈┈┈┈┈┈••✦ ⋆★⋆ ✦••┈┈┈┈┈┈• •

Astra groaned, her eyes slowly peeling open to see that she was back at Peli’s hangar, the suns high in the sky. She looked up, seeing her hands cuffed to one of the hydraulic poles of Mando’s ship door.

“Oh, look. She’s waking up,” Astra heard, turning her head to see Toro holding the kid with a blaster pointed at Peli.

“Toro. What the hell are you doing?” Astra asked, trying to shake the pounding out of her head. When she creased her eyebrows, she felt something stiff and flaky on her face. Blood from when he knocked her out with- Astra’s eyes widened in realization just as Toro raised the saber in the air.

“Looking for this?” he asked, smirking. Astra only looked on in horror.

“I know there was something weird about you,” Toro smiled, handing the kid to Peli, “Hold … this. And don’t try anything or I’ll have to kill you.”

He walked up to Astra, keeping Peli in front of his blaster just in case. He waved the lightsaber in front of Astra’s face.

“Ya know,” he started, “I thought your kind were all wiped out. Both by the Empire and the Jedis’ own foolishness.”

“I’m not a Jedi,” Astra said simply, her eyes following the saber.

“No, I didn’t think you were. You’re worse than that. Sith, they called ’em, yeah?” Toro smiled as Astra gulped.

“I’m not that either,” Astra said again, narrowing her eyes in anger at Toro.

“Oh, really? Then explain this.” Toro turned on the lightsaber, red plasma shooting out to its full length, humming with energy.

“I don’t have to explain anything to the likes of you,” Astra said defiantly. She looked over to the Child and Peli, who looked worriedly at Astra, not giving a Bantha’s ass about the implications of her owning a red lightsaber.

Toro held the saber out, the tip just inches from Astra’s neck as she raised her chin to avoid it. “Then we’ll just see how your Mandalorian feels about it, won’t we?”

Astra clenched her teeth, her face twitching in a mix of fear and anger. If Mando found out, Astra thought, she’d be doomed.

• •┈┈┈┈┈┈••✦ ⋆★⋆ ✦••┈┈┈┈┈┈• •

Mando finally arrived at the edge of the village as the suns disappeared over the horizon. He found Toro’s speeder parked outside of Peli’s hangar. He pulled out his blaster, carefully walking into the hangar, ready for anything.

As he stepped in, one of the droids zoomed past to hide with its friends in the control booth, startling him.

“Took you long enough, Mando,” Mando heard Toro’s voice.

He rounded a stack of crates to see Astra cuffed to his ship, a towel tied to her head as a gag. Mando thought the red hot anger coursing through him at the sight of the dried blood down the side of her face couldn’t be topped. Then Toro appeared, pushing Peli out with the gun as he held the Child in his arms.

Toro smiled, “Looks like I'm calling the shots now. Huh, partner?”

Mando didn’t answer, his calm stance betraying his pounding heart.

“Drop your blaster and raise ’em,” Toro ordered. Mando slowly followed his commands.

“Cuff him,” Toro said, pushing Peli with the gun. She grunted and walked over to Mando.

“You're a Guild traitor, Mando. And I'm willing to bet that this here is the target you helped escape and pretty little Astra is the runaway Imp they also wanted,” Toro smiled.

Mando cocked his head, looking at Astra. He never got any info when he’d gotten her tracking fob and he never asked because then he’d be expected to reveal things about himself in return.

“Oh? You didn’t know?” Toro asked, feigning surprise, “Astra here is full of surprises, aren’t you?”

Astra cursed him out, but it became unintelligible through the gag. She turned to Mando, eyebrows pulled together as she shook her head as if to say, don’t listen to him!

“And the best part is right here,” Toro said, lowering the gun to get the lightsaber out of Astra’s satchel that he’d stolen.

Mando took the chance to press the flash charge he had in his hand, stunning Toro who shot blindly in Mando’s direction. Mando snuck up from the side of the ship and Astra ducked as he shot at Toro, hitting him square in the chest. He spun and fell off to the other side of the ramp.

Mando and Peli ran over with Mando warning Peli to stay back just in case Toro was faking it. Peli pushed on anyway, finding the kid coming out from behind a crate.

“Is he okay?” Astra asked through her gag, unable to see. Peli picked him up as Mando turned to Astra.

“He’s shaken up, I’m sure, but he’s fine,” Peli called out to Astra before focusing on cheering the kid up. Mando walked to Astra when he was satisfied with the Child’s safety. He kneeled in front of her.

“Are you okay?” he asked, taking out the gag before moving to undo the cuffs.

“I’m fine. He- He found me walking back, knocked me out, and I woke up tied here,” Astra said, looking down. Astra’s arm dropped when Mando hit the release. He reached up to her temple. Astra winced when he rubbed his finger along it. He pulled his hand back, the will to kill Toro again rising through him.

“Shiny, really, I’m good,” Astra comforted, standing before Mando could reply. She walked down the ramp, towards Toro’s body.

Mando was watching her until Peli spoke up, walking up the ramp and handing him the Child.

“So … I take it you didn’t get paid?” she asked.

Mando pulled out a small satchel and dumped a bunch of thin gold bars into Peli’s outstretched hands.

“That cover me?”

“Yeah. Yes, this is gonna cover you,” Peli nodded gratefully.

Mando turned and walked up the ramp. Peli looked at Astra who gave her a wink and a short nod as if to say, your secret’s safe with me. Astra smiled gratefully and turned, following Mando into the ship, her satchel tucked safely to her side, all of its contents within.

Astra held onto the wall as they took off and then shot into hyperspace. Mando walked into the cargo hold from the cockpit, having set them on their path on autopilot.

“Let’s get that cleaned up,” he sighed, motioning her to follow him. They walked into his room. Astra hesitated at the door. She hadn’t been allowed in here. It was one of his rules. She entered, feeling oddly giddy about the fact that he’d invited her in, like another layer had been pulled back, further exposing the strange man to her.

Mando had her sit on the bed as he went to grab the medkit from the fresher. She wanted to tell him she could do it herself, but she didn’t want to risk him shutting himself off again.

Mando walked back into the room, setting the medkit down beside Astra. He opened the kit and took out bacta spray and a small towelette. Astra looked up at him as he grabbed the side of her face, angling it so he could see the cut at her hairline. He cleaned it with the towelette, silent as ever.

Astra didn’t know what to say. Mando didn’t know where to start. Astra knew they would need to talk. Toro told Mando she used to work for the Empire, there was no way Mando wouldn’t bring it up. She was just scared as to why he was being so caring and kind when he should be kicking her out of the airlock.

Mando grabbed the bacta spray, pushing Astra’s hair out of the way and spraying the cut. Astra’s face twitched in discomfort. She knew her head would be throbbing in the morning and there’d be a bruise for a while at the very least.

“There,” Mando said, putting the spray away and closing the medkit, “How’s that?”

Astra nodded, “Better … thank you.”

Mando nodded, “Good,” and then stepped in between her legs, reaching his hand out. He held her by the chin, pulling her face up to look him in the eye. He didn’t know how she always managed to find them, like she could see right through the helmet.

“I’m going to ask you a question … and you are going to tell me the truth. Understand?” Mando asked, his tone even, which only frightened Astra more.

She nodded. “Say it,” he ordered, tightening his grip.

“I understand,” Astra whispered shakily. She felt hot, but from fear or … something else, she didn’t know.

“How did you kill the bounty hunter on Sorgan?”

Astra screwed her eyes shut. She’d hoped he’d ask why Toro called her an ex-Imp. She could’ve dodged the truth a bit longer, but fate wouldn’t have it. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.

“I used this.” She moved slowly, pulling her satchel to her lap and opening it, her eyes never leaving Mando’s. She pulled out the lightsaber, holding it out in the small space between them. He looked at it, then at her, then back at it, and at that moment he was grateful for the helmet. His mind raced through all of the millions of possibilities of what this meant: who she was and could possibly still be.

He took the lightsaber out of her hand, letting her chin go. He took a step back and Astra stood, hoping she could get him to understand.

Mando pulled out his blaster, aiming it at her, “Explain. Quick.”

Astra put her hands up in defense, her eyebrows knit together in disappointment.

“I,” she started, but couldn’t get the words out, “I … am not that person anymore.”

“What person?” Mando asked, cocking his head, “Why is there a bounty on you?”

“I’m like the kid … in a way,” she started, “I was taken by the Empire when I was a child because of it. They … raised me to be what they needed.”

“What did they need?” Mando asked slowly, fearing the answer.

Astra took a shaky breath, looking at the ground, “A murderer.” She looked back up, wishing she could see Mando’s face, understand what he’s feeling. All she had was the cold metal of his helmet, watching her dead on.

“They were a few of us, trained from the moment we were taken to be their hunters. They thought controlling us from a young age would make us more loyal, less … ourselves,” Astra explained, eyes hazy and far away.

“I’ve done horrible things, Mando,” she said, her eyes glued to the saber in his hands, “Things they made me do because if I didn’t, they—” She met his gaze and froze, the words freezing on her tongue.

Astra shook her head, willing the memories away, “But I left. First chance I got, I ran and ran and I haven’t stopped running for three years. The people who want the kid, who want me, they want to use us. They want to tear us apart until the only thing left inside is dark and twisted, just like them.”

Astra stood straighter, looking Mando dead on, “But I’m not the monster they made me anymore. I haven’t willfully used the force. I couldn’t if I tried. I killed the bounty hunter with that lightsaber because he was going to kill you and I couldn’t let that happen. But, if you want to get rid of me, I understand. I just ask that you don’t turn me in.”

Mando could only stare. He’d felt like the floor had glued his feet in place and the air had been sucked out of the room. In all honesty, he had no idea what he wanted to do. He was having trouble wrapping his mind around the fact that the girl who’d saved his life and protected the Child had once been an Imperial bounty hunter.

“Why did you keep it?” he forced out. This question mattered. Why, if she wanted to leave that life behind, would she keep the weapon she killed with?

“I don’t know,” she frowned, “I tell myself it’s because I need it for protection or because I want to remember what I was so I wouldn’t be that again, but I don’t think I’m that righteous.”

She shook her head, “I can’t get rid of it. No matter how much I try, something is telling me to hold onto it. I think it’s because, deep down, I liked feeling powerful, and I don’t know if that’s just a part of me or if the Empire stuck their fingers down my throat and put the idea there themselves. Wouldn’t be the first time. But, I know I need it. For what, I don’t know, but I feel it. I just hope it’s for a good reason.”

Astra looked at Mando in anticipation. She didn’t know why she wanted to stay with him so badly. She’d managed running for this long on her own, but after a few weeks with Mando and the kid, she couldn’t imagine bartending on an Outer Rim planet, looking over her shoulder, and fending off drunk patrons.

With Mando, she could see the galaxy in a way she never had. Before, people would cower in fear at her arrival. Now, she could explore and learn other cultures, and she’d have Mando and the kid and suddenly, she had no idea how she’d spent all those years alone.

But that was all over now that Mando knew what Astra was. That’s why he was putting his blaster down … and handing her the lightsaber. Astra furrowed her brows at him.

“I was taken in by the Mandalorians after my parents were killed during the Clone Wars,” Mando said, taking Astra’s hand and placing the lightsaber in it, “I know what it is to be a child of war.” They stared at each other for a long moment, his hands still holding one of hers.

“We’ll be landing on Orillia for supplies. Get some rest.” Mando pulled away, leaving the room. He sat in the pilot seat, watching space zoom by.

He heard a shuffle behind him and then Astra appeared, sitting in the passenger seat. She crossed her legs on the chair, getting comfy.

“What?” she asked, noticing Mando’s look, “I’m not tired. Spent enough of the day asleep against my will. Thought I’d keep you company since the kid’s asleep. Is that alright?”

Mando nodded, Astra smiled, and they sat in comfortable silence, no longer strangers.

Taglist: @elinedjarin

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supernovaslut · 1 year

Text

Track 1: RHIANNON

Joel Miller x OC

Word Count: 4.5k

Warnings: MDNI, cursing, canon typical violence, guns, minor character deaths, Joel being Joel

A.N. – This series will be based off the show to make my life easier, but you can imagine either Joel in the story. I'll be using gifs of them interchangeably. All chapter titles are based off of Fleetwood Mac songs that match the story, Joel and Rhia’s relationship, or both. Rhiannon is pronounced Ree-an-uhn. Rhia is pronounced Ree-uh.

Masterlist ~ Next Chapter

“She is like a cat in the dark And then she is to darkness She rules her life like a fine skylark And when the sky is starless All your life you've never seen Woman taken by the wind Would you stay if she promised you heaven? Will you ever win?”

The sun was setting. After a day’s trek through the forest, Joel and Ellie had finally gotten far enough for Joel to allow them to rest.

The pair sat against adjacent trees, not a word shared between them save for a “This way” or a “Shh” from Joel whenever he heard a strange noise. They were both still reeling from Tess’ sacrifice that morning.

“So who’s Rhia?” Ellie asked after a blissful 6 hours of silence.

“A friend,” Joel answered curtly.

“Tess said-” Ellie started.

“Don’t. Finish your sandwich, we’re almost there,” Joel said, shoving the rest of his measly protein bar in his mouth and standing. He checked his gun was loaded with the safety off for the 15th time that day, nerves shooting through him when so much as a twig snapped.

It wasn’t even fully because of Tess. No, he’d spent most of the day thinking about that and would probably spend the next month doing the same. Right now, though, right now he was nervous to see her again. They hadn’t seen each other in over a year and he knew she wouldn’t be keen to see him tonight, if she was even still alive. But he wasn’t anxious over her impending wrath, he was worried she may not be there at all. It had been so long without a word, but Joel knew that was his own fault.

A couple hours later, Joel spotted the house. It was more of a cottage in the middle of the woods, ivy overgrown, nature slowly reclaiming its fallen brothers, sticking to every inch of the wooden structure. The windows were all drawn shut, including the large circular one set as far up along the front wall as it could get. Joel paused, stopping Ellie beside him by simply sticking an arm out.

“What?”

“Shh,” he cut her off, pulling out his gun. He slowly walked to the front door, Ellie quietly following behind. For all of Ellie’s brashness, she knew when to shut up.

Joel knocked on the door. They waited. He knocked again. Nothing. He tried the handle and the door swung right open. Joel went into full defense mode, keeping Ellie behind him and holding his gun up and ready. They stepped into the house, Joel checking every nook and cranny, opening every door. They made their way through the living room and towards the kitchen.

As Joel stepped through the archway, he heard a gun cock and metal press to the side of his head. Ellie gasped, freezing in place. Joel’s eyes followed the gun down to pale, sun spotted hands up the arms and there she was.

The dusting of freckles across her soft nose, the round lips pointed up in the center, eyes brown as bark to match the fiery red hair loose over her shoulders, knots and twigs snagged in the bloody waves like she’d come straight from the forest. Their eyes met and the girl’s brows shot up, lip parting in shock until finally—

“Joel?”

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*5 years ago*

“Joel?”

“Joel, you hear me?” Bill asked again, waving a hand in front of Joel’s face.

“Oh, I heard you. I just must’ve heard wrong, ’cause I thought you said you brought someone new for this run,” Joel said, arms crossed as he stood in front of Bill in his living room.

Frank and Tess were out in the garage, filling the truck with supplies for the short trip. They were headed a couple hours south to trade guns with some fireflies for food, medicine, and drugs … though medicine and drugs were often the same thing. “She’s good. Tested them myself when I watched ’em sneak in, take some food and a painting from the art shop down the road, and leave,” Bill said, smiling like a little shit.

“Oh, ’cause a thief is exactly what we need on a smuggling run,” Joel said sarcastically.

“What’s exactly what we need on a smuggling run?” Tess asked, wiping her hands on her pants as she walked into the house.

“Tess, you hear this shit? Bill’s having us bring some stranger with us,” Joel said, looking to Tess for backup.

“Yeah, I heard. It’ll be fun,” Tess said. Bill let out a chuckle he quickly masked as a cough when Joel snapped his head in his direction.

“We get backstabbed and killed, it’s on you,” Joel said, pointing at Bill before stalking off.

Joel walked out the front door, huffing as he made it down the front lawn to the middle of the street. He looked down the road to the only entrance or exit and saw a figure standing in front of it, covered in shadows from the backlit sun. Not behind it in the outside world, they were in front of it, inside the neighborhood.

Joel pulled out his gun, yelling down the road, “You move, I shoot. Who the hell are you?”

The figure put their hands up, walking forward. Joel didn’t shoot.

“Who the hell are you? Where’s Bill? He told me to come,” the figure called, Joel recognizing a woman’s voice. He kept the gun up as she approached.

“Joel, put the damn gun down,” he heard Tess call from the front lawn, Bill and Frank following close behind.

“Rhiannon! Welcome,” Frank called, waving at her. She waved back, close enough now so Joel could really see her. She was young, not a child, but not nearly as old as him or the rest of his group. Early-mid twenties, if he had to guess. She had long, bright red hair that burned a halo around her in the sunlight. She wore a white tank top, a bomber jacket over it to keep her warm from the late fall weather. She wore sunglasses and beat up high tops, pushing the former up her face and back into her hair as she came to a stop in front of Joel and the others, using it like a headband. Joel didn’t realize he had lowered his gun until that moment.

“Hi,” she said, looking at Bill and Frank.

“Rhiannon, this is Tess and Joel,” Frank said, politely. Joel tried his damndest to keep his eyes from rolling, settling for a deep sigh instead.

“Please,” she smiled, looking at Tess. Her eyes flicked to Joel’s, curiosity and suspicion swirling in her wood-colored eyes, “Call me Rhia.”

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*Now*

“Rhia,” Joel grunted, waiting for her to put the gun down. Instead, she pressed it further against his head, brows dropping as her lip curled into a snarl.

“Joel,” she said, voice low, “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“I thought you said she was a friend,” the young girl frozen behind him said.

“Who’s the kid?” Rhia asked, motioning to her with her gun without pointing it at her.

“Cargo.” “I’m Ellie,” Joel and Ellie said at the same time.

“Can you put the gun down?” Joel asked exasperatedly.

“No,” Rhia said, tilting her head to the side, “Why are you here?”

“We need your help, apparently,” Ellie spoke up, gaining confidence and walking around the living room, examining the framed photos on the fireplace mantel. Rhia sighed and lowered the gun, resting it against the fridge. Joel relaxed as well, putting his gun back in its holster.

“Whatever it is, find someone else to do it. I’m busy,” Rhia said, walking past Joel and into the living room.

“What could you possibly be busy with?” Joel scoffed.

“Doing anything but helping you,” Rhia smiled, sitting on the couch. The house was cleaner than Ellie expected. From what the outside looked like, she expected the inside to be as dilapidated and abandoned, but this house looked lived in. The living room was clean, with plants growing on every surface. Odd knick knacks, like glittery rocks, a painting of a sad clown, or a nutcracker with a missing arm, filled the gaps.

“You have a cat?!” Ellie asked excitedly, holding up a bag of cat treats.

“Used to,” Rhia looked pointedly at Joel, “died a few months ago.” She looked back at Ellie, “One of the very few beings to live a full life nowadays.”

“How long have you lived here?” Ellie asked, running her finger along the ridges of a geode. Rhia looked back at her and huffed out a breath as she counted in her head.

“6, maybe 7 years now,” she finally said.

“You from around here?” Ellie asked.

“No. You ask a lot of questions, kid,” Rhia chuckled.

“She does,” Joel sighed. Rhia’s smile dropped hearing his voice, her head turning back to face him with a dark look in her eyes.

“I’m not gonna help. Whatever it is, I want nothing to do with it or you,” Rhia said, standing, “Ask Tess or somethin’.” Rhia began to walk away again when–

“Tess is dead,” Joel said, as if he were simply telling her the weather. Rhia froze midstep, her back to Joel. Ellie stopped playing with whatever tchotchke she’d found and looked somberly between Rhia and Joel.

“What happened?” Rhia asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Joel stood silently, unable to force the words out. Ellie spoke up for him, “She was bitten. She sacrificed herself so we could get away.”

Rhia took a deep breath, her back still facing the pair. Tears hung for dear life on the edges of her lashes as she took a deep breath, forcing herself back into composure. She spun around, facing Joel and Ellie who stood side by side by the fireplace.

“It’s dark out. You can stay for the night, but I want you both gone by morning,” Rhia said before spinning back around and heading up the stairs.

“Well, that went well,” Ellie said after a moment, “What’d you do to her, man?” Joel looked gruffly at Ellie, his eyes hardened.

“We leave at first light,” he said and then stalked off in the opposite direction of Rhia, leaving Ellie alone in the living room.

“Great. Cool. I’ll just sleep on the couch then, yeah?” Ellie called out to no one in particular.

“No.”

Ellie jumped, turning to see Rhia holding a pillow and blanket in her arms.

“Follow me,” she said and went back up the stairs. Ellie grabbed her backpack and followed her, no longer caring where Joel had gone. She wanted to follow the cool chick that put the moody, old man in his place.

She followed the woman down a hallway where she opened a closet. Ellie watched her fiddle with something on the ceiling and then a hatch opened, Rhia pulling a foldout ladder from the opening. She climbed up; Ellie followed suit.

When Ellie’s head popped through the hole, her eyes went wide. The attic was decorated as half a cozy bedroom and half a supply bunker. Stacks of canned food formed a castle, figurines placed on top and around like a living kingdom. Fairy lights were strung around the room, illuminating it in a soft glow. Two twin mattresses were pressed against each other by the window, forming one large bed. Rhia walked over and pulled the comforter back, pushing one twin mattress to the side and dropping the pillow and blanket she’d been holding onto it.

“You’ll sleep here. I’ll be right next to you. Not ’cause I don’t trust you, even though I really don’t, but because I don’t trust what’s out there. You’ll be safer up here,” Rhia said, gesturing to the bed.

“Where will Joel sleep?” Ellie asked.

“Down in the master bedroom. He can fend for himself,” Rhia shrugged, grabbing a can of vienna sausages and cracking it open. She popped one in her mouth.

“So, why do you hate him?” Ellie asked, putting her bag down by the makeshift bed and sitting on the mattress.

Rhia laughed, waving a sausage around, “God, where do I start?”

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*5 Years Ago*

Joel sat in the driver’s seat of the car, one hand on the wheel watching the trees zoom past. Tess was knocked out in the backseat, having switched spots with Rhia when they stopped to fill the truck with gas. Rhia sat in the passenger seat, reading a book. Neither her or Joel had spoken a word to each other since getting in the car.

Rhia sighed, closing her book, and turned to Joel, “So how’d you meet Bill and Frank?”

Joel said nothing, didn’t even shift in his seat.

“Ya know, if we’re gonna work together, you’re gonna have to talk to me at some point.”

Still nothing.

“Ok, what’s your deal, man?”

Joel scoffed, “My deal is that Bill and Frank thought bringing a kid on this run was a good idea.”

“I’m not a kid,” Rhia huffed, crossing her arms, “I’m 24.”

Joel let out a humorless laugh, “Oh, yeah you really showed me!”

“Listen, grandpa, just cause my joints don’t creak when I stand up doesn’t mean I ain’t useful on the job,” Rhia said. Joel pursed his lips in annoyance at the “old man” comment.

“Listen,” Rhia started, turning her body towards Joel, “We got off on the wrong foot … or rather the wrong end of the gun. I-”

“Look, I don’t care to know a thing about you and you don’t need to know a thing about me. We do the job, we get back, and then we go our separate ways. Good? Good,” Joel said, leaving no room for conversation.

Rhia rolled her eyes, opening her book again, “Whatever, old man.”

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*Now*

“He’s selfish. He’s standoffish. He’s rude. He doesn’t like bananas which is such a red flag. He-” Rhia sighs, wiping a hand down her face, “Look for all the shitty things he is, you’ve got a good bodyguard for wherever you guys are going. He’s deadly with any sort of weapon and protective of whoever he’s with. You’ll be safe with him.”

“You could come, too,” Ellie said.

Rhia shook her head, “It’s not a good idea … Where are you guys even headed? Why’s he lugging a kid along?”

Ellie was quiet for a long moment, debating whether to tell her. She looked up at the woman, face illuminated in the faint glow of the lights, her oversized shirt basically swallowing her. She knew deep down that she could trust her, especially if Joel was willing to ask her for help.

“I’m … special,” Ellie started, “Joel’s taking me to the Fireflies in Colorado.”

“Joel? Crossing the country with a kid for the Fireflies? You must be real fuckin’ special, kid,” Rhia shook her head, then paused. No, she thought, it wasn’t possible. She looked at Ellie who looked back at her as if to say, yes, it is.

“Show me,” Rhia said, sitting on the other mattress, facing Ellie.

Ellie hesitated before pulling back her right sleeve, revealing the gnarled scar of the Infected bite. Rhia froze, her breath caught in her throat and she felt like she could vomit. She reached a hand out and lightly traced a finger down the scar. She looked up wide-eyed at Ellie who looked back with equal parts fear and hope.

Rhia opened her mouth to speak, closed it, opened it again, “I’m thirsty. You thirsty? I’ll get us some water.”

“But there’s water bottles right-” Rhia was down the ladder before Ellie could finish.

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*5 Years Ago*

Tess, Joel, and Rhia stood opposite six Fireflies, each group’s goods being checked by the receivers. Two men checked the guns Joel’s team had brought while Tess checked to make sure everything they ordered was there.

Rhia looked at one of the men guarding the two checking. He was tall, buff, and had a hand resting on his holstered gun. He looked between Joel and his men checking the boxes of guns.

“Do I know you?” Rhia asked, pointing at him. Joel stiffened beside her. God, what is this girl doing? he thought.

“No you don’t,” the man said, curtly, turning his attention back to the guns.

“Yeah. I do. God, where was it?” Rhia asked herself, putting a hand to her lips in thought. She knew she knew that face from somewhere. Somewhere bad.

“Rhia,” Joel warned from beside her.

“No, I definitely know you … Jersey QZ! Last spring, I think,” Rhia said, triumphantly. Joel noticed the men freeze.

“Yeah,” Rhia continued, “That’s where it was. You shot a dude in the face right after your buddies next to ya settled a deal. You’re not fireflies. You’re raiders.”

At Rhia’s words, everyone pulled their guns out, aiming for someone on the opposite team. Three guns were pointed at Joel, two at Tess, the last was the man Rhia had recognized, pointing his gun right between her eyes.

“Now, fellas, we don’t need to make a scene here,” Tess said before shooting the two front men.

Joel shot the man aiming for Rhia as Rhia shot two that aimed for Joel. The last one turned his gun on Rhia who was too busy making sure Tess and Joel were in the clear.

Joel noticed at the last second, yelling, “Rhia, down!” before shooting the man in the head, his gun firing as Rhia ducked to the side.

The bullet whizzed past, slicing her upper arm. She hit the ground with a thud, a hiss of pain leaving her lips as she clutched her arm.

“Joel, grab her and let’s get the fuck outta here,” Tess commanded, tossing the boxes of guns, food, and medicine into the bed of the truck.

Rhia sat up as Joel approached, holding a hand out for her to take. She looked between his hand and his face, before letting go of her bloody arm and grabbing his hand, letting him help pull her up.

“Thanks,” Rhia muttered, turning to one of the boxes of medicine to grab some gauze and wrap it around her arm. “Wouldn’t need to thank me if you weren’t so fucking reckless,” Joel accused.

“Excuse me?” Rhia asked incredulously, pausing her messy first aid attempt.

“You heard me. You put our lives at risk with your big mouth,” Joel doubled down, putting his hands on his hips like a disappointed father.

“Oh, I’m sorry? We’d be fucking dead if I hadn’t recognized that dude!” Rhia pointed out.

“If you hadn’t brazenly announced it, we could’ve had the upper hand!” Joel fought back.

“And how was I supposed to tell you guys? Fuckin’ foot tapping Morse code?!” Rhia yelled, fed up with this asshole.

“Hey!” Tess yelled from the truck, “Can you two shut the fuck up and get in the truck? There’s bound to be more of them on the way … and Joel, help her wrap that up. Bill will kill us if we get bloodstains on the seats.” “I don’t need his fucking help,” Rhia grumbled, using her teeth to tie the gauze. It was a messy fix, blood already seeping through the thin wrapping of gauze.

“Oh, yeah. I can see that,” Joel said, grabbing a bottle of rubbing alcohol and more gauze.

He grabbed her arm forcefully, pulling her close disregarding Rhia’s complaints. He unwrapped the haphazard gauze wrap, opened the rubbing alcohol bottle with his teeth, and poured some on the wound.

Rhia held in a yelp of pain and settled for a teeth clenched grunt. The last thing she wanted was to look even weaker in front of Joel than he already thought she was. Why she cared about what he thought, she didn’t know. She just knew she wanted to prove him wrong.

When Joel was done, she pulled her arm away and stomped off to the car, sliding into the backseat. Joel watched her walk off, the anger seeping away and leaving room for something else, something he didn’t recognize. He gets into the driver’s seat, Tess keeping a lookout from the passenger seat. He drove away, getting a view from the rearview mirror of Rhia splayed out across the seats, staring up at the ceiling.

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*NOW*

Rhia stumbled down the stairs, the steps blurring as Rhia’s mind raced. She’d heard plenty of false alarms of a vaccine or a cure. For all she knew, Ellie just got lucky, or maybe Rhia would wake up tomorrow to a snarling infected Ellie chomping at her neck.

Her imagination didn't run too wild. As Rhia rounded the corner to the kitchen, she ran into Joel, coming from the living room. They stopped in the hallway, having no choice but to confront the roadblock.

“Rhia,” Joel started. “She’s immune,” Rhia said, looking at the ground.

Joel pursed his lips. He’d told Ellie not to tell anyone, but if she was going to blab at least it was to Rhia.

“She is,” Joel confirmed.

“You’re insane,” Rhia said, meeting his eyes, “What do you think you’re gonna find out there? What do you think the fuckin’ Fireflies are gonna be able to do?”

Joel sighed, “Marlene said-” Rhia laughed, “Oh, Marlene said? And since when do you do anything for Marlene?”

“I didn’t want to. Tess did,” Joel said simply.

Rhia stood straighter, looking past Joel’s shoulder down the dark hall. She bit her bottom lip, willing the tears to stay inside. Years later and she still wanted to look strong to him.

“Can you please move?” Rhia said, voice steady, eyes empty.

Joel hesitated, then stepped to the side, letting her pass. Rhia walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge. Bill had helped her set up the power and water in the house about a month after the first job.

She grabbed a water bottle, tossed the lid, and chugged the whole damn thing. She grabbed another and turned around, looking through the kitchen island window to see Joel laid out on the couch, one leg hanging off.

Rhia closed her eyes, sighed, opened them. She looked at Joel and reached a hand up to the familiar scar on the outside of her left arm.

She said, barely above a whisper, “You should sleep in the bedroom.”

Joel sat up, turning to face her.

Rhia nodded her head towards the stairs, “C’mon. ’Fore I change my mind.”

Joel stood, following her up the stairs and to the bedroom. She stepped in, walking to the dresser and leaning against it. Joel dropped his bag by the foot of the bed.

“You know,” Rhia started, Joel turning to face her, “I had just gotten used to the fact that I’d be alone here for whatever was left of my life … and then Bill recruited me. I thought it would be a one time kinda thing, but you were so fucking insufferable I wanted to come back just to press your buttons.”

Joel could do nothing but watch her. He’d shut down when Tess died. He couldn’t let himself feel it. He didn’t want to feel this, either.

“What do you want me to say, Rhiannon?” Joel asked, hands on his hips.

Rhia scoffed, shaking her head, “You left. Without a word. And you didn’t leave any piece of you behind except this,” she pulled a red plaid shirt out of the dresser and threw it at him. He caught it blindly.

“There. Now when you leave in the morning I can finally be rid of you,” she slammed the door as she left, leaving him alone in the darkness.

Rhia stormed down the hallway and up the ladder, stopping at the mouth of the attic to see Ellie asleep on the mattress, back facing her. Rhia tiptoed to her bed and turned off the lights. She stared up at the ceiling, tears welling in her eyes and she’d lost the strength to stop them.

“The last thing Tess said,” Ellie suddenly said, causing Rhia to turn her head, Ellie’s back still facing her, “The last thing she said was, ‘Find Rhia. Make things right. Save who you can save.’ I don’t know what he did, but I think that’s something worth trying.”

Rhia said nothing. She stared at Ellie’s back, watching the slow rise and fall of her breathing until she herself fell into slumber.

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*5 Years ago*

“That’s the last of it,” Tess said as she placed a crate of guns on the dining table.

“Is it bad to say this was a good run? Ya know, we didn’t have to pay,” Frank said.

Tess smirked, “Yeah, well don’t go telling them that.” She nodded at Joel and Rhia ignoring each other in the front lawn.

“Other than the whole shootout, how’d she do? Think we can bring her on more deals?” Frank asked.

“She did fine to me. She’s young, but I can see she’s been in these kinds of situations before. Good luck convincing Joel, though,” Tess said, sighing at the end.

“He’ll do whatever you tell him to do,” Frank countered. Tess watched Rhia turn to Joel and offer him a cigarette. He took it, standing beside her to let her light it. She said something. He replied. She left.

“Not always,” Tess said, watching Joel watch Rhia leave.

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

Rhia stood across the lawn from Joel, smoking a cigarette. They had finished unloading the truck as the sun started to set.

“Rhia, you staying for dinner?” Bill called from the grill.

“No thanks, Bill. Got to get home. Got a cat to feed,” Rhia replied, smiling at him. She let her eyes wander to Joel who stood like a scarecrow on a field, watching the perimeters for any raiders that may have followed them back.

“Want a smoke?” Rhia asked, holding up the pack.

Joel looked between her and the box and said, “Sure.”

She handed him a cigarette and lit it for him. They now stood hardly a foot apart. Rhia inhaled the cigarette deeply and held it for a few seconds before letting it out, watching the smoke dance up to the sky.

“Well,” Rhia said, looking out at the horizon, “Hope I never see you again.”

Joel huffed humorously, “Likewise.”

Rhia nodded and walked away, her backpack bouncing with each step. Joel watched her leave, that strange feeling mingling with the smoke in his lungs.

· · ─────── ·⌖· ─────── · ·

*Now*

As the sun crept over the horizon the next morning, Ellie and Joel stocked up their bags with supplies. Rhia hadn’t left her room, opting to feign sleep as Ellie rose and gathered her stuff.

Ellie and Joel stood at the front door, ready to head off.

“Think she’ll come?” Ellie asked.

Joel sighed and shook his head, “No, I-”

Before he could finish, he looked through the door to see Rhia coming down the stairs, dressed and wearing her backpack. Ellie and Joel stared at her.

“What?” Rhia asked them, stepping out and closing the door.

“You’re coming?” Ellie asked hopefully.

Rhia smiled sadly, “Yeah, I- There’s nothing left for me here, anyways. Hasn’t been for a long time.” She looked at Joel.

He stared back, surprised at how relieved he was that she was coming.

“Well,” he started, “If we’re going, let’s go. We’re burning daylight.” He walked off.

Ellie and Rhia looked at each other as if to say This is gonna be a long trip. Oh, how little they knew. They stepped down the porch and followed Joel into the woods.

66 notes · View notes

supernovaslut · 1 year

Text

🎆STAR COMMAND🎆

Work in progress Masterlist. I haven’t written fanfiction in yearsssss, so this is gonna take some time to get back in the swing of things. I write what makes ME happy and nobody else :) MINORS DO NOT INTERACT. Don't plan to write smut really, I just don't like children. Mostly write angst, hurt/comfort stories.

~ Nova

Most of my stories will be part of their CharacterxOC Miniverse. I will specify unrelated one shots.

KEY:

🪐 - fluff

🌙 - angst

☄️ - dark themes

💫 - Super Nova’s favs

DIN DJARIN (THE MANDALORIAN)

A Light in the Dark - Din x Ex-Sith!OC Series

THE BOUNTY - The Mandalorian hunts a bounty that will change his life forever. Astra begins her journey.

NO LONGER STRANGERS - Mando and Astra hunt a bounty together. Their trust is put to the test. 🌙 🪐

A DARK MEMORY - Mando and Astra go on a heist. Threads of Astra's past start to unwind. *COMING SOON*🌙 🪐☄️

JOEL MILLER (THE LAST OF US)

Survivor's Guilt - Joel x OC Series

RHIANNON - Rhia is visited by a ghost from her past. Joel asks for help. 🌙

OVER MY HEAD - Rhia’s past begins to unravel. The trio make it to Bill and Frank’s. 🌙

GOLD DUST WOMAN - The trio head west. In the past, Rhia and Joel get closer. *COMING SOON*

11TH DOCTOR (DOCTOR WHO)

11th Doctor x OC Miniverse

TBP

KYLO REN (STAR WARS)

Kylo Ren x Jedi!OC Miniverse

TBP

MOON KNIGHT SYSTEM (MK)

Moon Knight x Enhanced!OC Miniverse

TBP

GERALT OF RIVIA (THE WITCHER)

Geralt x Fae!OC Miniverse

TBP

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supernovaslut · 1 year

Text

Chapter 1: The Bounty

Din Djarin x OC

Word Count: 3.8k

Warnings: MDNI, canon typical violence, Mando being Mando, nothing crazy here since it’s really just exposition

Masterlist ~ Next Chapter

A low chatter filled the dimly lit bar as Astra wiped down a table. Her dark red hair pulled back into two braids, loose strands tickling her tan cheeks as she turned to welcome a customer.

“Hey, Sully. Usual?” she called to the older man as he entered, earning a wave and a nod.

Astra reached behind the bar and grabbed a bottle of a viscous blue liquid, pouring it into a glass. She slid the glass down the counter to Sully’s awaiting hand.

“Never gets old,” Sully laughed as Astra hopped over the bar with a weightless grace.

“How’s the kid?” Astra asked, turning her back to the man to wash glasses and watch him through the mirror set in between the liquor shelving.

“She got a job shadowing a senator. Can you believe it? My daughter in the Senate … one day. Big things are coming for her,” Sully beamed.

Astra smiled back at him through the mirror, rinsing a cup, “Where are they sending her?”

Sully scoffed, “Hosnian Prime. I get they don’t wanna put all their spice in one freighter, but Hosnian Prime?”

“I hear it’s nice there. Been wanting to visit for Equinox Day,” Astra said, a light giggle leaving her lips.

Sully grumbled, “Why leave Coruscant? The future is happening all around us!”

“Some people just need a change of scenery. Doesn’t have to be permanent,” she placated, setting a glass to the side to dry.

“Maybe,” Sully muttered, downing the rest of his drink, “Thanks, Aradne. Same time tomorrow?”

He tossed a few credits on the bar as Astra nodded at him from the mirror, “Take care, Sully.”

Astra continued to wash the glasses, back to the door. She hummed a tune as she cleaned each glass in a sand-colored top that wrapped around her back, crossed over her chest, and wrapped back around her stomach. Her black pants sat snugly on her hips, but billowed in the legs before cinching over her tattered black boots. Black fabric wrapped up her forearms, a gold chain peeking out from her neck, the end hidden under her top. A jagged scar cut across her eyebrow, stopping just short of her eye. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as the door opened.

“Be with you in a second,” Astra called. She set the last glass off to dry and spun around to face a tall, shiny man. A Mandalorian, Astra quickly recognized. She hadn’t seen one in … stars, who knew how long? She thought they’d just about all died out.

“Haven’t seen you here before, Shiny. Passing through?” Astra asked as he sat down, his stare bearing down on her through the T-shaped slat in his helmet.

“Something like that,” he finally said, voice modulated. Astra couldn’t help the shiver that ran down her spine. She eyed the Mandalorian warily, a foreboding sense clouding her mind. Something was off with this man.

“What can I get you?” Astra asked, grabbing a towel with her left hand as her right slowly reached under the bartop.

“I’m not here to drink,” the Mandalorian said, cocking his head to the side ever so subtly.

“Then what are you here for? We just got a shipment of Porg meat and the cook makes great Porg kebabs with Jogan fruit. I know it sounds strange, but I promise it’s worth it,” Astra smiled kindly, her beating heart betraying her calm demeanor as her fingers wrapped around the blaster taped under the table.

The Mandalorian tossed a black fob on the bar, its red light beeping wildly. Astra looked between the fob and the Mandalorian, back and forth and back again.

Maker, save me, she thought before whipping the blaster out and taking a shot at the Mandalorian’s head. He ducked out of the way, giving Astra time to grab her satchel beside her, bound over the bar, and fly out the door.

Astra bolted down the street, turning down alleys and flying over obstacles, not daring to look back. The Mandalorian was hot on her trail, albeit a tad less gracefully. Where Astra deftly side-stepped around a barrier, the Mandalorian hurdled over it. Where Astra squeezed between beings, the Mandalorian barreled through them.

Astra slid in through an open door, losing herself within the mass of people in what seemed to be an art exhibition. She reached down to her wrist, pulling back the fabric to reveal a watch-like device. She twisted the rim of it and her hair changed color. She twisted it a few more times, her hair cycling through colors until it settled on a light brown. She pulled the blue-colored contacts out of her eyes, dropping them in a passerby’s drink.

She spotted a tan jacket unattended on a chair back and slid it over her shoulders as she passed, making her way through the back door and out into an alleyway. Astra looked down each end, ensuring the coast was clear before letting out a deep breath, bending over with her hands on her knees.

“Stars above, that was close,” she sighed to herself.

Just as she straightened up, a metal arm swung towards her, slamming her against the wall of the building. Astra groaned as the hand wrapped around her throat, the other grabbing the blaster out of her hand and holding it in place against the wall.

The Mandalorian looked down at her, squeezing her throat just the slightest bit harder. She choked, her free hand reaching up to her neck to try to pry his hand off.

“Please,” Astra croaked, “I can’t go back.”

The Mandalorian’s grip loosened at that. He didn’t know about his bounty’s crime. That was never his business. His job was to retrieve the bounties, no questions asked, and he’d get his reward. That’s how it had always been, until the Child. Everything he upheld in the Guild shattered the second he ran off with the Child not even 2 days ago.

Now, he was in Coruscant, chasing a bounty given to him by the Client that wanted the Child. The Mandalorian knew that the woman pinned to the wall would be useful to him, one way or another.

“What do you mean?” he asked, loosening his grip enough for her to speak.

Astra glared up at the Mandalorian and spit on his helmet, her feet bucking up and pushing out against his armored chest, launching him away from her and into the opposite alley wall. Astra took the chance to run again, speeding down the alley and across the street, her feet pounding against the ground hard and fast.

Astra turned down an alley and slid to a stop just a few away from a 15 foot tall wall blocking her escape. She turned as the Mandalorian stepped into the alley, a hand on his blaster.

“I can bring you in warm … or I can bring you in cold. Your choice,” the Mandalorian threatened.

"Bet you use that line on all the girls, huh?" Astra mocked, backing up till her back hit the wall.

She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. A second passed. Two. She opened them again and turned to the wall on her left, jumping impossibly high up and off the wall, leveraging her up to where she could just reach the top of the barrier wall and pull herself over.

“I really need a jetpack,” the Mandalorian said as he watched her disappear over the wall. He heard her land with a harsh thud as he approached the wall. On the other side, Astra leaned against the wall, her right leg holding her weight as her left hung limply.

“You can run all you want. I’ll still find you,” the Mandalorian warned.

Astra let out a breathy laugh from the other side, “I’d like to see you try, Buckethead!”

Astra pushed herself off the wall and started running awkwardly, her left leg slowing her down tremendously. She hoped the barrier wall would buy her enough time as the Mandalorian would have to run around the whole building to reach the other side. She smiled at the thought.

She miraculously made it around the corner, down the street, and up a fire escape ladder before crouching down on a roof. She looked over the edge, checking if the Mandalorian had seen her.

“Find me now, you dumb, shiny- ah!” Astra’s insults were cut short as a hand grabbed the satchel strap wrapped around her and pulled, her black sliding against the pebbled rooftop and stopping at the Mandalorian’s feet. She spun her body around, ignoring the scratching pain from the rocks under her back and swiping the Mandalorian’s legs out from under him.

Astra scrambled to her feet and ran to the edge of the building.

“Wait!” the Mandalorian cried just as Astra leapt off the building.

The Mandalorian watched with bated breath. The split between the buildings was far too wide to land a jump, especially in her condition, yet the woman soared through the air like a bird taking flight … before harshly landing on the neighboring roof, her weak leg buckling under her, sending her rolling to a sharp stop against a protruding air conditioner unit.

Astra groaned, slowly turning herself skyward, her vision blurring as a shiny metal head came into view. She tried to speak, letters jumbling up in her mouth as the metal man reached down to pick her up.

“I can’t … no,” was all Astra managed before the darkness took her.

•┈┈┈┈┈┈••✦ ⋆★⋆ ✦••┈┈┈┈┈┈•

A small girl. Hair wound in braids pinned to her head, her linen dress billowing in the breeze. A large, black figure looms in the distance, men the size of ants growing larger and larger until a hand shoots across, spinning the girl into view. Her green eyes reflect a woman, screaming, her voice muddled in the distance, growing clearer and clearer until–

“Run! Astralis, run! Go, hide now!”

The sound of blaster fire. A black cape, pulsing red light dying in the darkness of the fabric. The cape swallows the girl whole.

•┈┈┈┈┈┈••✦ ⋆★⋆ ✦••┈┈┈┈┈┈•

Astra woke with a start, a gasp ripping from her mouth followed by a deep groan. She reached a hand to her throbbing left knee, or at least attempted to until cold metal bit into the skin of her wrist, restricting her motion.

“What the kriff…?” Astra blearily wondered aloud, the fog in her mind clearing with each passing second.

Astra looked around her. Metal, harsh lighting, crates, a small green baby, her satchel. Wait. Astra slowly turned her head back towards the green being, its eyes staring back at her. They were quite large, filled to the brim with black yet they reflected nothing by peacefulness. A light in the darkness.

The child slowly approached her, its eyes never leaving hers. Something tethered between them pulled tight, inching them closer and closer.

“What are you, little one?” she asked, a shackled hand reaching out as much as she could, the child doing the same as he stepped closer. Their fingers were hardly an inch apart before the hiss of a door stole both the child and captive’s attention.

The Mandalorian rushed in, helmet quickly scanning the room before locking on the child, scooping him up.

“I told you to stay out of here,” the Mandalorian hushedly chided.

Astra looked the man up and down, light bouncing off the silver armor that covered his body. Maybe it was because Astra was on the ground, but she hadn’t realized how large and imposing the Mandalorian was, even with a baby in his arms.

“Cute kid,” Astra jibed, earning a slight turn of the Mandalorian’s helmet before he spun around and left the room, the door shutting behind him. Astra sat in the silence, her mind trying to concoct a million escape plans.

She can’t kill him. She’d barely get past the armor unless she used … no. Astra shook her head. Wait. Her head whipped toward her satchel across the room. Some bounty hunter, she thought. Why would he leave her bag in the same room as her? Perhaps to taunt her, thinking she couldn’t possibly break out of her chains. She would prove him wrong.

•┈┈┈┈┈┈••✦ ⋆★⋆ ✦••┈┈┈┈┈┈•

An hour later Astra had barely made a scratch on her bonds, finding nothing useful within reach save a piece of chipped wood no larger than her thumb. Maybe the Mandalorian did intend to taunt her, making her struggle uselessly until he dropped her off at the feet of– no. She would make it out of here or she’d die. Anything was better than going back.

The hiss of the door made her jump as she quickly hid the now sharpened wooden shiv in the waistband of her pants. The Mandalorian stepped inside, the door sliding shut behind him. He looked down at Astra, the pitch black visor blocking her from reading her captor’s expressions, leaving her wondering if he’d come to simply check on her or hurt her.

He took a step towards Astra, her frantic mind making her gasp and scoot back involuntarily, eyebrows raised in alarm. He stopped before taking two hesitant steps forward, treating the girl like a wounded animal. He slowly pulled a crate between them before sitting on it, making a point to show his blaster on his hip, at the ready in case she made any sudden movements.

“What do you want?” Astra spoke first, her voice steadier than she expected.

Mando stared back at her. He studied her face, her eyes the color of an aurora where upon their meeting they had been a deep blue. His eyes wandered to her disheveled hair, her natural blonde now that he’d stripped her of anything that wasn’t clothing, including her quick disguise gadget. The deep scar that sliced her eyebrow shifted as the girl looked up at him, a fire in her eyes that betrayed her huddled stance. He was smart to be wary of her. She was not what she seemed.

“What did they offer? I can pay double,” the girl bartered, snapping Mando back to attention.

“No, you can’t,” he answered.

“Ah, so he does speak,” the girl snidely remarked, sticking her chin out as she glared at him. Mando thought of all the questions he needed to ask her, debating which first question would get her to open up fastest.

“Do you know who put the bounty on you?” he finally asked. The girl furrowed her eyebrows, suspicion flooding her mind.

“I’ve got a pretty good guess. What? You need directions? Well, good luck with that,” the girl humorlessly chuckled. Mando stared at her for a long moment, debating whether to show all his cards so soon.

“I’m not turning you in,” he admitted. This got the girl’s attention. “But I need you to answer some questions,” he added, deflating her again.

“Well, I’m not answering anything, Buckethead.” The girl turned her head away from Mando, as if he didn’t matter. As if she wasn’t chained to the wall of his ship in the vast emptiness of space.

“Well, then maybe I will turn you in,” Mando threatened, the impudent girl getting on his nerves.

Astra froze. She thought over how to play the Mandalorian in the same way he was trying to do to her. He was her captor and as much as she wanted to stab her little wooden stake into the fleshy part between his chest plate and helmet, she needed him to get free.

“Fine,” Astra huffed, turning back to the Mandalorian, “But for every question you ask me, I get to ask you one in return.”

“You’re not in a place to be making demands,” the Mandalorian rebuked.

“Then I guess we can sit here and stare at each other,” Astra smiled.

The Mandalorian let out a deep, modulated sigh, “Fine.”

“Ok, well you already asked me a question so it’s my turn,” Astra said before the Mandalorian could fill the silence, “What’s with the green baby?”

Mando looked at her incredulously. This girl was a bounty trapped on a spaceship with a Mandalorian in the middle of space without a clue of what the closest planet might be and her first question is about the Child?

“He’s my ward,” Mando answered simply.

“Really? That’s all I get?” the girl scoffed.

Mando ignored her, asking, “Why is there a bounty on you?”

“I escaped. They didn’t like that,” the girl answered as cryptically as he had.

“Who’s ‘they’?”

“Ah, ah. My turn. Why’d you take me if you’re not planning to turn me in?”

Mando debated how much truth to give her, before realizing if he wanted her help, she needed to trust him, and he didn’t have time to waste with all the other bounty hunters looking for the Child.

“The person who hired me to find you is the same one that wanted the kid. I didn’t let them take the kid … didn’t trust them with him, but just about every bounty hunter in the galaxy is looking for him now, so I need to know what I’m dealing with,” Mando answered.

“And you thought I would be able to point you in the right direction? Sorry, but I’ve never seen anything like him before,” the girl answered, avoiding eye contact.

“But you know what they want from him, don’t you?”

The girl met his gaze, or at least her guess of it, and sighed, “Maybe.”

“I know he’s,” Mando tried to find the right word, “special.”

The girl chuckled, “That’s one way to put it. My turn. What did you do to my leg? I could barely walk by the time you caught me yet it hardly throbs now.”

“It was dislocated. I popped it back in,” he answered.

The girl’s eyes flashed with confusion, suspicion, and something he couldn’t quite place. Something quick in the flash moment that she met his eye. She couldn’t possibly see his eyes, yet he felt she could see right through his helmet.

“Why?”

“It’s my turn now. What do you know of what he is and why they want him?” he asked quickly.

The girl pursed her lips. He could see the gears turning in her mind, planning her next move and the dozen after that. This was a game of chess and she was deciding which pawn to sacrifice and when to strike.

“Why they want him, I don’t know. He’s too young for anything I can think of. As to what he is … he’s force sensitive,” Astra said, careful with every word.

The Mandalorian said nothing for a while.

“You know what the force is, right?”

“Of course I know the force. So, what? He’s a Jedi?”

Astra laughed, “No. He’s just a baby. He has a very strong connection to the force, though. Can’t you feel it?”

The Mandalorian shook his head, “You can?”

Astra stared at him for a long while. “Is that your official question?”

“Who is hunting you?” The Mandalorian shifted.

Astra smiled, “You know who they are.” “I need names.”

“I’ve been in hiding for 3 years. Kept my head down. I’ve seen enough Imperials paraded through Coruscant to know there isn’t much left of the Empire out there and I couldn’t begin to imagine who did survive,” Astra said. She crossed her legs and rested her back against the wall behind her.

“What are you going to do with me after this?” she asked lowly, eyes watching her fiddling fingers.

Mando faltered at that. All of a sudden, she seemed different. Mando wondered how she got her scar.

“I can drop you off somewhere on my way. Though, if they have more bounties on the Child, I’m sure they have more for you, too.”

The girl looked up, her brows furrowed, lips parted like she intended to speak but couldn’t make a sound. She looked back down again.

“I can help you,” she finally spoke.

Mando tilted his head in response.

“I know about the Empire and how they work. I can fight. I can run. I know when to lay low. I’ve survived this long hidden from the galaxy right at the heart of it. I know what the Child is. I can help you find his people … That’s what you want, isn’t it? Or do you plan to raise him yourself?”

“What would you get out of it?” Mando asked.

“Whoever you entrust the Child to would probably be able to help me, too, or at least point me in the right direction. Besides, if there’s a bunch of bounties on me I’d like to have a Mandalorian by my side. Not many of you around anymore,” the girl smiled like she’d just told a secret.

A long silence passed between them before Mando leaned closer, holding a small key up. The girl offered a shackled wrist, hope gleaming in her eyes.

He held the key further back, asking, “You say you’re hiding from the galaxy. Not just the remnants of the Empire. Why?”

The light in Astra’s eyes dimmed. The girl and the Mandalorian stared each other down.

Finally she spoke, “It’s not your turn anymore … What’s your name?”

No answer.

“I can tell you mine first. It’s Astra.”

Still nothing.

“You could lie to me and I'd never know. I’m very probably lying, too,” Astra smiled, a dark glint in her eyes.

The Mandalorian didn’t budge.

“Fine. I guess I’ll have to name you myself if we’re going to be around each other. I like Shiny.”

The Mandalorian sighed before grabbing her wrist and unlocking the cuff. He grabbed her other wrist, stopping to look her dead in the eyes and say, “If you give me any reason not to trust you, you do anything suspicious, you so much as look at the kid the wrong way and I will kill you. Understood?”

Astra swallowed. She knew she should be fearful of this large, metal bounty hunter, but for some reason she knew she could trust him. She knew little of the Mandalorians, but she knew they valued honor and she doubted anyone risking their life for a child that isn’t theirs could be an awful person.

“Understood … Shiny,” Astra smiled. Mando unlocked the other cuff and stood, stepping back a few steps.

Astra reached into her wrist and pulled out the wooden stake, flicking it across the room, “See? Unarmed. Completely trustworthy.”

Mando tilted his head to the side. He had a feeling he’d come to regret this.

“You can sleep wherever. Stay out of my room. Don’t touch anything.”

“Yes, mother,” Astra quipped.

“We should be arriving in about 7 hours,” Mando turned towards the door.

“Where are we going?” Astra called after him as the door opened.

He ignored her and walked away, the door closing behind him.

Astra shook her head, “Great chat, Shiny. Really great. I’ll just sleep on the floor or … some crates.” Astra looked around the room and sighed. What had she gotten herself into?

She picked up her satchel, dumping it on the floor to check its contents. Out tumbled her blaster, some credits, a ration pack, but what interested her most was the item that rolled across the floor, stopping at a crate. She bent over and picked it up, feeling the ridges of the handle. The lightsaber was silver with rings of red interspersed and three tally marks etched into the metal. She powered it on and the room glowed red.

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