Work Text:
What if the way you hold me is actually what's holy?
- Taylor Swift "Guilty as Sin"
Bo couldn’t sleep. Despite expending her energy running around Plazier-15 all day tracking down Battle Droids, she felt more awake than ever. Instead, she lay in bed staring at the ceiling in the darkness. Every time she closed her eyes, her thoughts roamed back to Din, the fact that he was in the room just across from her in the quarters they had been provided, and most likely wearing only a t-shirt and sweatpants instead of his usual shiny armour.
She turned over again, closing her eyes and lying on her side as she pulled the duvet tighter around her. It reminded her of the times she and Din would sit in corners of the cave or in the Gauntlet, where he would wrap an arm around her as she rested her head on his shoulder. She cherished the moments of safety in his arms, feeling cold again when they had to go about their daily duties.
Her thoughts ran wild, wondering what it would be like if his arms were wrapped around her waist, his hand cupping her cheek as their gazes locked. Even the slightest touch of their gauntlets brushing earlier had made her breath hitch, wondering how it would feel if his hand had taken hers at that moment. What if… after running down the street she vividly remembered being called Lust Alley, they turned a corner, where he pushed her up against the wall as her eyes shimmered with desire, whispering a sweet nothing in her ear as he held her hip. Sometimes she imagined him muttering a location in her ear, planning another one of their trysts…
Bo’s eyes snapped open again, suppressing any further thoughts that might trail from her continuous circle of daydreams that had only ever happened in her mind. She shuffled onto her back, breathing heavy and restless as she tried to clear her head. She reached for the water on her bedside table, only to find it empty already. It didn’t seem like she was going to be getting to sleep anytime soon.
With a deep sigh, Bo pulled the thick covers away from her as she dragged herself out of bed, heading from her room to the kitchen located in the main area of the quarters. Two bright moons graced the living area with a delicate glow, just enough that Bo could see the room without needing to turn any lights on. A draft through the open window met her bare arms, sending shivers over her skin. The sound of running water from the tap seemed so loud in comparison to the silence that had cast itself over the city. Her throat was dry, and she downed the glass of water quickly, pouring herself a second one instantly after.
After feeling suitably refreshed and clearer-minded than she had been, she made her way to sit on the sofa, legs folded underneath her. A light breeze drifted past her, the front strands of her hair brushing her face, as gentle as she imagined Din’s touch would be. The quarters here were sizeable but cosy, much bigger than the space she had on her ship. Her and Din’s rooms were right next to each other on the Gauntlet and yet he never consumed her thoughts quite as much as he did now, even with a whole other room between them. Perhaps she had gotten used to having him close.
There was a creak behind her, and she turned suddenly to find the door to Din’s room open. He appeared a second later, helmet firmly on his head while he wore his loungewear. He closed the door gently behind him so he wouldn’t disturb Grogu, and then began making his way towards her. Bo watched him every step of the way, wondering if she had woken him or if he too was haunted by insomnia tonight. He came and sat beside her, his shoulder pressed against hers. The feel of his skin brushing hers wasn’t one she felt often and was a significant contrast from when only their beskar would touch.
Din cleared his throat, voice tired and husky, “Can’t sleep?”
Bo shook her head, “No. You?”
Din slid an arm around her shoulders, his warm hands fighting off the chill from the draft, “I took a nap but woke up about an hour ago and couldn’t get back to sleep. I think Grogu might have helped me drift off earlier.”
Bo smiled at the thought of Grogu sitting on the bed next to Din, watching over his father as he made sure he got some peaceful rest, “That’s sweet.” She leaned into him further, burying her head in his soft shoulder. She restrained herself from wrapping both of her arms around him.
Din gazed down at her, where her dim eyes stared into nothingness, “Is there something on your mind?”
Bo kept her breathing level, answering as casually as she could, “Not particularly.”
Din’s hand squeezed her shoulder once, then began soothingly brushing his thumb over her arm, “Are you worried about tomorrow?”
She sighed, heart speeding a little under his touch. Tomorrow, they would be going to see her old fleet, and she had no idea how it would go down. “I’m trying not to think about it. I’ll deal with it in the moment.” She had learnt a while ago that it was not worth worrying about certain outcomes she couldn’t predict. Instead, she was trying to focus on who was currently with her, who was still standing by her side despite how long it had taken them to get to where they were now. “Are you okay?”
Din was quiet for a few moments, suddenly fidgety and lightly tapping his fingers on his leg. Bo suspected something was up, but stayed quiet, giving him time. It wasn’t often he decided to open up to people. He took a breath, talking slowly, “I was thinking about the past. Reasons I hate droids.” His voice was a little strained.
Bo was beginning to consider that maybe Din’s hatred of droids ran deeper than she had originally thought. She stayed quiet and simply reached for the hand that was fidgeting on his leg, holding it firmly in hers. The reassuring touch prompted him to continue, “It reminds me of when I lost my parents.” The words were a little rushed, “Anyway.”
Bo sucked in a short breath, closing her eyes tight. She brushed her thumb over his knuckles, her voice a whisper, “I’m sorry.” She knew he didn’t want to talk about it any further and asked no questions on the matter. She tucked the information away safely in her mind, remembering it for the future. They sat in silence as they held each other, finding the serenity they had been seeking to guide them through the night. There was comfort in his arms, one that she had gotten used to over the past few months. One that she didn’t want to imagine living without.
A harsh breeze came through the window, making Bo shiver. Without thinking, she huddled into Din more, snuggling closer into the warmth of his body. Din noticed immediately, rubbing his arm to warm her up, “Are you cold?”
“A little.”
Din reached for the thick blanket hung over the back of the sofa, draping it over her. Bo made sure they were both covered, placing her legs over Din’s as he slid his arms around her waist, holding her against his chest. It was the closest they had ever been, and the most relaxed Bo had felt all evening. She still didn’t know exactly what their relationship was, but she knew that with him, she was in the right place.
Bo smiled at the gesture, butterflies gathering at the new closeness with him, “Thank you.” She rested a hand on his arm as she looked up at him in adoration through the darkness of his visor, her voice sincere, “I really appreciate you being here.”
Din tilted his head towards her, then reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear, “I’ll always be there for you, Bo.”
The sensation of his bare hand on her cheek was a welcome shock, eyes watering at his words, making her blink rapidly, “And you, Din.” His hand cupped her cheek, delicately brushing away a single tear that had fallen from her eye. She sniffled, voice breaking as she spoke with a soft whisper, “We don’t need to be alone anymore.”
Din swallowed hard, nodding, “Exactly.”
Bo smiled at him before resting her head in the crook of his neck, wrapping her arms around his body as he held her tight. Any future worries could wait, only focused on each other. Eventually, they drifted off into a peaceful sleep, held in one another’s gentle embrace filled with loyalty, promise, and love.
Perhaps the life Bo wanted with him wasn’t as far away as she had previously thought.