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Meet my husband, Alexsandr Kallus-Orrelios!
“Looking good there, Zeb love! You in my jacket… yummy!”
“Well, hehe, it’s yer lucky jacket, so ‘m honoured to have it with me when out there, fending the galaxy and all!”
The kiss goodbye once again long and lingering, neither of them wanting to let go of the other. This was how it usually went, them parting after having some time together when Zeb was on leave. But, with all the kits there, buzzing around their feet, it usually ment the end to the smooching session for the parents.
“Im gonna miss ya all so much.”
Zeb grabbed them all for a tight hug. All four of the kit as they be around there by Zeb’s feet, still very small so he could easily squeeze them all into one huge hug.
“We will miss you more, my love.”
They were all there around Zeb now, hugging their papa, not wanting to let go, especially not Alex.
“Can’t really start missing ya lot if ya won’t let go.” Zeb snorted then.
“Alright you lot, we’d better let papa go do his job, okay. He’ll be back soon enough.”
The kits whined and reluctantly let go of Zeb.
“See ya in a few!”
Zeb saluted Alex and the kits but of course, them all mimicking their papa with varied success. And then, Zeb was off, his mission clear ahead of him.
*
Back on the base.
“I miss ya all, but it won’t be long now.”
“We miss you too, sweetheart. Lots and lots.”
“Talk to you soon then.”
“Yes, soon. We all love you, papa.”
“Love y’all too!!!”
The comms cut off, the image fading away, Zeb having a smile on his face. He always did after a call back home.
“Someone from home on the comms?” Din asked curiously having heard some of the conversation but also the sounds of growls in the background.
“My family was on the call, my husband.”
“Okay.”
“Yeah. He lives on Lira San, the Lasat home world.”
“I see.”
“Ya do, eh?”
“Well…” Din was still curious, alas not daring to pride in too much into his new friend’s personal business.
“Those growling things there in the background,” Zeb suspected Din having heard part of the conversation at least, as nothing on the base really remained personal, close quarters and all that, “those were our kits ya heard there.”
“Kits?”
“Yes, children, offspring”
“Okay.”
“You sound surprised.“
“Yeah well, guess I really don’t know too much about Lasat anatomy…”
Din was staring at Zeb, Zeb reading the slight confusion there.
“Before ya ask, he’s human.”
“Human?” Din really was surprised now.
“You do ask a lot don’t ya Din.” Zeb chuckled, the man of few words Mando certainly be.
“Sure do.” Din had to laugh too, realising the truth all too well to be, contrary.
“Well me and Alex married after the Rebellion. He’s a former Imp, turned Fulcrum and Rebel.”
“I see.”
“Do ya?” It had been a while, but some still felt the imperials to be… well… “He’s a good man, just had a bad start is all.”
“Well. we all had those. Bad starts.”
“Yeah, yeah, guess we did.”
“So kids huh?”
“Well, I’m sure your kid would love em. “
“Maybe we could have a visit? After we have completed the mission I mean.”
“Sounds like a great plan there, Din.”
*
The mission was over with imperials having been taken care of.
For now at last. The threat still existed there, beneath under the surface it was brewing, this they knew to be true. But, the immediate danger was over for now.
And so, it was calm again. The status quo having returned for the moment over the galaxy.
Zeb was back on Lira San with his family, having returned there with new friends. Din and Grogu.
The introduction of Zeb’s family on the way to the visiting father-son duo.
“This is Alex… my husband.”
“A pleasure I am sure.” The two shook hands.
“And these. are our kits. Grogu and…”
There had been some worry how the children would react to one and other by the two dads. After all, Grogu still didn’t speak as much and the kits were, well, rough to say the least.
Grogu squealed loudly too as soon as he saw the four young ones. The Kid rushing to them hugging them like they had known each other forever.
“Guess that answers that question.”
The kits were dragging Grogu to their play room immediately, Grogu being a willing participant.
“Don’t worry, Din. The Kid will be okay with them.” Alex assured Din.
“Sure.” The overprotectiveness in Din raising its head once more, but he was among friends now.
Alex already having been warned beforehand by Zeb of the fact that Din wasn’t much of a talker.
“So, you’re the famous Alex Zeb’s always taking about.”
“Famous?” Alex chuckled glancing at Zeb. “I wouldn’t say that, but I am Zeb’s other half for sure.”
Zeb and Alex were exchanging those Iovey-dovey glances, the love these two shared was undeniable for anyone to see, even for Din. The Mandalorian sometimes too thick to see what was right in front of him.
“Well, it really is great to meet you. Zeb here has been a good friend and a great partner in the fight for sure.”
“Oh that he is!”
They all laughed at that. Then the three of them sitting down for some welcoming drinks while getting to know each other better, Alex and Din that was. As Zeb and Din having already bonded during their mission together.
*
Later in the evening.
“So you and this fella, Cobb… ” Alex continued the discussion, Dn having mentioned him several times over their chat.
Alex and Din were indeed chatting. The two having bonded like Zeb suspected they would.
Zeb already having retired for the eve, feeling the fatigue of the trip over. With Din and Grogu staying as quests in their home. Grogu and the kits were sharing a room, the lot of them already asleep after a long day of fun and play. Not to mention good food they had consumed. Alex having become quite the cook and made a feast for them all.
“You mean the Marshal… yeah he’s really great.”
Din seemed lost in thought though. More like, daydreaming of the Marshal like he sometimes dared to do, not really sure what the two of them were. But friends for sure.
“Yeah, sounds like you and him are… good fiends?” Alex probed just a little.
Din blushed bright red just then. Guess he had been caught. He’d pay good credits for a helmet right about now!
“He likes Grogu and Grogu likes him. They get along great.”
“Not what I asked.” Alex chuckled before pouring some more wine for Din.
Din was quiet for a spell, sipping from his glass, still thinking of Cobb.
“It’s not easy settling down when working for the New Republic and all…” An excuse Din was used to by now, as he did have a home of his own, so did Cobb, sort of.
“Din, if you care something or someone badly enough, you will make it work.”
Din looked up and at Alex. Guess Alex and Zeb were a perfect example of that, making things work. Having a family and all.
“We did, we were enemies once and now look at us. We love each other and have our sweet kits… It’s not perfect not apart from each other for long stretches of time, but we make it work.”
“I hear ya, Alex. And guess I have just… made excuses.”
“Well, we all do. But, maybe just ask him on a date. Start from there. See where it goes. I mean you don’t have to move in together right away.”
They both laughed at that.
“Sounds like a good idea, my friend.”
Alex smiled at the fact that Din had called him a friend. And then only hoping his new friend would find the love he clearly craved despite having Grogu in his life.
They then toasted and chatted over the kids for a spell before retiring for the night. Din truly having some thinking to do as well. Of his… well, guess Marshal, Cobb or boyfriend soon to be perhaps?