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You bite your lip as you find yourself wandering into the new stone palace that Bo-Katan had raised from the rubble. You wondered how many people had assisted her in rebuilding. You wondered if they were scattered around the palace serving the Princess of Mandalore.
You hadn’t seen her since she had taken Mandalore back. Din and the tribe behind her every step of the way. No matter the difference in the creed Bo-Katan had done more for them than most. She had returned to Kalevala to rebuild her family’s palace.
You admired her, she knew what she wanted and she would stop at nothing to get it.
You had taken the Creed. You had vowed to never take your helmet off. Bo’s words rang somewhere in the back of your head telling you how much she would miss seeing your face. There was something about her. Something you couldn’t forget.
Din had watched you for many nights, staring up into the night sky, red painted silver armour glinting, lost in thought. He had asked you if you wanted to leave, if you regretted joining the creed. You didn’t, you couldn’t regret it, these people were your family.
But you just couldn’t forget about Bo.
So here you were. With Din’s encouragement you stood on Kalevala, willing yourself to enter the Palace and to find its owner. You stood a Mandalorian now after all, you surely could will the courage to enter the palace. You had fought for the Rebels. You had killed imperial Soldiers.
What was it about her that scared you?
You shook your head and opened the door to the palace, walking through the doors, you smile as you realise its almost exactly how Din described it, just newer. You wonder if Bo will spend her time here or return to Mandalore under Din's rule. The tribe was finishing setting up their base there as they brought the city back to its former glory, a bit at a time.
You found her sat on her new throne, Helmet on the floor, one leg slung over an arm, the other placed firmly on the floor. She looked up and watched a smile slowly appear on her face as she took in the new version of you.
She hadn’t seen you in your armour yet.
Your chest plates painted red as well as the mandibles of your helmet. The rest of your armour was a smooth silver. You had the Mythosaur on one Pauldron and the Mudhorn on the other. You stood before her strong, your blaster on a hip and something told you she knew that your smile matched hers under your helmet.
Your heart beats fast as you take her in. Neither of you has moved to say anything, both content to stare at each other. She looks beautiful, hair messy from where she’s been leaning in the chair, armor glinting. She looks gorgeous.
You love her.
You know what this feeling is now. The reason why you couldn’t forget her. Somewhere along the line, fighting imperials, saving Mandalore, arguing with Din about food, you’d fallen in love with the courageous Princess of Mandalore, the Nite Owl, Bo.
“I didn’t think I’d be seeing you again.” She remarks, smile still on her lips. “In your armour too, I’m surprised they let you leave.”
“We are free to leave whenever we please.” You answer with ease. “I believe you know that.”
“I do.” She cocks her head. “But why with your freedom would you choose to come here?”
“I’m not sure.” You lie. “I suppose I wanted to see how you’re doing, I realised we never got to really have a conversation without Din and Grogu.”
“So you got Din to purchase you a ship and you flew here to have a conversation without Din and the child?” She licks the top of her lips and appears amused. “How does it feel to have taken the creed?”
“It feels like coming home.” You answer without needing to think. “It feels like I have found my people.”
“Even though you may never look upon the face of those you call your people, your family?” She asks, curious. “Though you may never look upon the face of a lover or a lover may never see your face?”
“Are you implying something there, Princess?” You ask, hoping she can hear the smirk in her voice. “Would you not be my lover if you could not see my face?”
“No, I wouldn’t.” She says firmly and you find yourself feeling a little hurt. “That is not my way, remember?”
“I remember.” You reply softly. “You wouldn’t make an exception?”
“Have you come all the way here to ask if I would take you to bed?” You can see her grow angry. “To see if I could what, scratch an itch?”
“No, that’s not why I’m here!” You insist. “I’m not here to ask you to sleep with Bo, for kriffs sake.”
“Then why are you here?” She fumes. “We have no more missions and you expect me to believe you came out here for a conversation.”
“I came out here because I can’t seem to stay away from you, I told you the night we first met, I told you I felt you would change my life and I meant it, ever since you left you’ve consumed my ever waking moment and in my sleep I dream of you.” You move towards her, watching as she quickly moves to sit up straight on the throne, your hands slamming either side of her. “I thought I knew what I wanted, I thought I agreed with the creed, with never removing my helmet but…”
“But?” She asks hands moving to your helmet, her fingers tracing the red and silver beskar. “But what cyar'ika?”
“I don’t think losing you is worth not removing my helmet, I believe in the creed I do but..I love you and I have lost so much and I don’t, I can’t, lose you.” You swallow. “I’ve been flying amongst the stars, looking for my family and I’ve found them, but I never expected to find you.”
Bo is silent as she listens to you, her fingers still trailing across your helmet. Her eyes say it all. Hope. Fear. Love.
Love.
“I never expected to fall in love, I don’t know what to do, I know I won’t lose Din, I know he’ll be disappointed but he’s like my brother and part of me thinks he knew what he was doing the moment he told me to get on the ship.” You smile slightly, remembering his nod and Grogu’s wave as they left. “I wouldn’t be considered a Mandalorian anymore though, not by the tribe, I don’t, I’m scared and I know I shouldn’t be but I am, what do I do?”
You watch as Bo smiles at you, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She too had never expected this. She had seen her sister’s heartbreak, even if she didn’t agree with Satine, she was her sister and she loved her. She had seen how not being able to be with Obi-Wan had affected her. Satine had never let herself love anyone else. Living for those moments when the Jedi would suddenly appear to save the day.
Then she was gone.
Bo carried the guilt of her sister’s death with her, she had wanted her dead until suddenly she hadn’t.
She thought she was doing the right thing for their people.
It had only led to more and more bloodshed.
She wondered if things would have been different for her sister if she and Obi-Wan had left their posts to be together. If they would be happy, healthy and alive. She had no idea where the Jedi was now or if he even still thought of her sister.
Somewhere deep inside, Bo knew he did.
She had a choice. She could tell you to do right by the creed. The tribe would always stand by you. They were your family. She could be selfish. She could tell you to remove the helmet, not knowing what the future held for the both of you. She could tell you to leave, hurt you enough that you would never come back. She could lead you both to always wonder what could have been, just like Satine and Obi-Wan.
“Take off your helmet.” She says gruffy, trying to swallow back all her emotions. “As the Princess of Mandalore, whether my claim be recognised or not, I command you to take off your helmet.”
You froze as Bo moved away, taking her hands away from your helmet and waiting for you to do what you were told. You knew what she was trying to do, she was taking the choice away from you. You could argue that she wasn’t the Princess anymore, yet for most of the time you’ve spent around each other you had referred to her as such.
“Did you not hear me?” Her voice shakes as she tries to sound as firm as possible. “Take off your helmet.”
You were shaking as you reached for your helmet. This would change everything. You knew you had been right the moment you’d seen her. Full of defeat and anger. You had fought across the galaxy with her. Fought for your home, for your family, all in her name. She was your Princess. Someone you would follow to the ends of the Earth.
You love her.
So, you pull your Helmet from your head and place it next to hers. Your hair is messy, your eyes are glassy and you’re sure you’ve seen better days in general. Bo’s eyes trail all over your face before she places her hand on your cheek.
“There you are mesh’la, I have missed your eyes.” Her smile is radiant and you can’t help but let out a laugh. “I don’t think I could of bared to have had you by my side and not have seen you laugh or smile.”
“Ni kar’tayl gar darasuum.” You reply, watching as her eyes light up in surprise. “You didn’t think I could speak a little of the old tongue?”
“Cyar’ika ni kar’tayl gar darasuum.” Bo pulls you in close quickly, you squeal as it leads to you straddling her as she holds you close. “I am glad the path has led you back to me.”
“I am glad too, my Princess.” You move in her arms so you are looking at her once more. “Though I may need you to put me up as I don’t expect the tribe will have me stay now I’ve removed my helmet.”
“This doesn’t make you any less Mandalorian, I need you to believe me when I say that.” She states firmly and you nod, smiling. “You believe I was going to let you go now too?”
“Oh, do you intend to have me stay with you Princess as a concubine, I hope you don’t expect to chain me to a chair like the Hut.” You tease and laugh as you watch Bo roll her eyes at you. “I’ll have you know that I wouldn’t look too bad in one of the outfits he put his girls in.”
“I’m glad that he’s dead.” Bo grimaced thinking about Jabba. “But no, I don’t intend to chain you to my throne and keep you as a concubine.”
“Always good to hear.” You grin as you sit in her lap. “Partner in crime?”
“Wife.” Her eyes move away from yours as you freeze in shock. “I want you to be my wife, to stay with me here, to rebuild a different kind of Mandalore from here, one where people are free to look upon their lovers and family free of a helmet.”
“You want me to stand by you as your wife?” You ask again, almost not believing that Bo-Katan wishes to marry you. “Me?”
“Cyar’ika, did I not just return your love confession and demand you remove your helmet?” Bo looks at you fondly, her eyes finally returning to yours. “I want you to be my wife, to help me rebuild, to help me find our people and offer them another option.”
“I..” Your voice cracks. “I would love to stay here and be your wife Bo-Katan Kryze.”
“You have no idea how happy that makes me.” She admits, biting her lip before moving in to press her lips against yours.
Kissing Bo-Katan was almost indescribable. It was like everything that had happened in your life had led you to this moment. Straddling the woman of your dreams who had just admitted she wanted to marry you, kissing her, agreeing to try and start anew for your people.
You had spent months trying to find yourself before agreeing to take the creed. You loved your people. You were a Mandalorian.
But maybe there was another way.
A way where a father could look his son in his eyes after training and telling him how proud he was. A way from people to be able to see each other fall in love before having to admit it. To be able to eat at a table, together, to talk and laugh over food.
You broke the kiss and pushed your fingers through Bo-Katan’s hair as she smiled up at you. You had wanted to do that since the moment you had met her. You had chosen red for your armour as it reminded you of her hair. Of her fire.
“Din is probably going to be very upset with me for making you take your helmet off.” Bo tries to hide her smile as she mentions the man who is practically your brother. “Should I worry about him trying to kill me in the middle of the night?”
“I don’t think you need to worry, I’ll be here to protect you now Princess.” You giggle as arches her eyebrows. “I’ll be your protector.”
“That’s very kind of you.” She smirks. “I believe I can handle myself.”
“I know you can, but you don’t have to anymore, I’m here, let me help.” You say and her expression softens.
“I love you, Y/n, truly.” You press your lips to hers once more before whispering against them.
“I love you too, Bo.”