Work Text:
Din knew Grogu could be persistent when he wanted something. Much of this behavior is his fault, he’s too indulgent sometimes especially after the kid chose him over Skywalker, and until now it has never been a problem. He could afford to spoil the kid a little bit.
Sort of became a problem when they started to spend so much time around Bo-Katan.
Grogu, who has always been too friendly for his own good, developed a childish curiosity about Bo. Back at the covert, he would follow her around almost everywhere and talk her ears off even when none of them could understand a word. It didn’t help when Bo started to talk back, sometimes even indulging in one or two stories about her childhood back in Mandalore.
When they left to search for more Mandalorians and much of their time was spent together inside her ship, this curiosity developed into a physical problem. As much as Bo clearly enjoyed spending time with his kid, she is a busy woman who had too much going on. She wasn’t responsible for Grogu and Din never expected her to take care of him or indulge his wants at all times. So, after one too many times when the kid asked to be picked up by her or demanded head scratches, Din started to keep a closer eye on his kid and stopped him from bothering Bo.
It led to some tantrums. Yes. Did it break Din’s heart a little to deny such a simple request? Absolutely.
But what else could he do? He couldn’t let his kid start seeing Bo as more than just their friend. He couldn’t follow this path as well. They were on a mission. They were partners. Eventually, Bo would follow her own path to greatness as she deserved and they would go back to their little clan of two.
And for a while, his plan had been working. Until Plazier-15.
Her fight with Axe Wolves had left her with some cuts and bruises. Nothing major or life-threatening, just the consequences of punches and occasional throw-around using jetpacks. Her armor had prevented a lot worse but still it wasn’t the prettiest sign. It had been worth it in her own words, they had a fleet and were more than ready to take back their home while also spreading the news to any other covert who wished to join them. But while he helped Bo with bacta patches, Din noticed how unusually quiet Grogu had become.
Later, when it was time for his nap, and Bo was busy in the other room settling the navigation system back to Nevarro while sending coordinates to the fleet, Grogu wouldn’t stay. The one moment it looked like his kid had lost the battle to sleep, he used the force to crawl out of the pod and ran with his little legs towards Bo, his little claws reaching to her pants drawing her attention.
“Do you need any help?” Grogu’s ears perked up and he gave her such hopeful eyes that Din felt a little terrible to deny. “Does he really need to nap right now if it’s making him more and more cranky?”
“Yes.” It was a lie, and so unconvincing that he was sure she had picked on him. “Kid, stop with his fuss already!” Din hissed, prying his little claws off Bo's pants legs. He got a thin, pitiful cry in response as his kid redoubled the effort.
“Enough both of you!” Bo exclaimed, getting up from her chair and looking at both before setting her green eyes on Din. “What is going on here?”
“Grogu gets clingy when he gets worried about someone he cares about. And he saw your bruises.”
“That still doesn’t explain what is going on.” Raising an eyebrow, Bo picked the child from his grasp. Grogu obviously went willingly and once in her arms, he snuggled to her torso as if they had been doing this for a long time, murmuring softly into her undershirt.
Wait…
“When did you two get so comfortable?”
She looked at him like he had grown a second head while changing Grogu’s position to better settle him.
“Din, your kid has been sleeping on my bed for the past week or so.” At his surprised stance, she went on. “I thought you knew!”
“I didn’t. When?” Din looked back on the past few nights and he was sure he had put the kid to sleep in his own cot.
“The nights you’re on watch. I’m sorry, the first time I just woke up with his little body all over my face and all the others I just assumed you had sent him to me so he could have a good night to sleep.”
“No, I’m sorry, Bo. He’s my responsibility. I would never push this obligation on you.” He answered quite fast, a bit embarrassed by his kid’s actions.
“It’s no obligation at all. Din, I’m happy to help you with him anytime you need. I love this little guy. Besides, he’s the best snuggle partner I’ve had in so long. He doesn’t hog the covers, doesn’t move that much and I can’t prove but I think he’s been using the force on me in small doses, it’s been a while since I had a nightmare.”
She says so nonchalantly that Din can hold back the smile in his voice.
“You say it's so normal.”
Bo shrugs. “He’s not hurting me and it’s his way of showing he cares. I think it’s adorable.”
His little green child starts to shake and it takes a couple of seconds for him to notice that it’s caused by Bo’s laugh. It’s the prettiest sound he has ever heard.
“I can’t believe this little guy had managed to fool his former bounty hunter father for days. Were you even good at your previous job?”
“Hilarious,” Din answers but there’s no bite to his word.
He makes the move to pick up Grogu thinking of settling him in his pod but Bo denies it. Taking a step back, her eyes go soft as she makes sure he’s still asleep.
“I’m going to nap for a couple of minutes and I’m taking the little guy with me.”
As she turned to walk towards her room, Din sat down on the pilot chair feeling so stupid. He has never stopped Grogu from doing whatever he wanted. Why did he think he would manage with Bo?
“Din?”
He turned around on the chair to face her.
“Grogu isn’t the only Djarin who’s welcome to snuggle in my bed.”
Finding himself suddenly out of words, Din silently thanked the maker for his helmet because he could feel a blush rising on his cheeks.
“And just so you know, I own a nice collection of blindfolds.” She winked and walked out.
He’s not proud to admit that it took him five minutes to follow her inside the room.