Chapter 16

                                    

                                          
"You weren't talking about the kid." 
I make a run for the ladder and Din quickly jumps in my way to stop me. "It doesn't matter, you heard what she said. I have to go to Ilum, and you should get Grogu to Tython." 
"You're not leaving," he says, his words ramming into each other as he holds his arm out to block my path. I huff out a breath and glare up at him. 
"Yes, I am."
"No, you're not."
I cross my arms over my chest, rolling my eyes when he sets the child down in his hammock and mimics my stance. The kid lets out a displeased grunt, but we both ignore it. "We have to land somewhere else eventually and when we do, I'll take my things and go. You can't stop me from leaving the ship, Mando."
He shakes his head stubbornly as he squares his shoulders. "I can."
"Then I'll just have to run away!" I throw my arms in the air, clenching my jaw as tears start welling in my eyes again. 
He takes a slow step forward. "I'll find you," he says, his voice like gravel. 
I swallow and take a step closer too, invading his personal space as I stare into the blank visor of his helmet. "And what if I don't want to be found?"
He growls and shakes his head, grabbing my shoulders and giving them a tight squeeze. "I'll find you." 
I squirm in his grip and he releases me, which gives me my opening to slip past him. He tries to grab my arm and I duck under his reach, running for the ladder. I use the force to jump up to the cockpit and quickly sink into the pilot seat and start the take-off sequences, sending the Crest into the air with a rocky start. This thing really needs repairs. 
When I hear Din scrambling up the ladder behind me, I frantically concentrate on punching in the coordinates on the display screen. It's stupid to think I can outrun this conversation by flying away from this planet, but here I am. 
"Set a course for Ilum," he orders, bursting into the cockpit. I shake my head, finishing up the coordinates. 
"Nevarro," I correct him. "Maybe I'll take up Greef Karga's offer on bounty hunting. I'll need to build up some credit to get my own ship." I frantically press a few more controls and try to concentrate on flying the ship. "I can't exactly get to Ilum without a ship, can I?" I try to laugh, but it comes out stifled and choked.
"Stop it," he snaps, rushing over to my seat. He reaches for the controls, trying to punch in a new course, and I slap his hand away. When he tries again, I groan and slip out of my seat. I make it to the doorway before his words stop me. "You weren't talking about the kid." He repeats his words from earlier and I pause, my hand gripping the doorway tightly. He takes a step closer to me and I make a run for my room. 
He doesn't follow, so I take the extra time to turn around and shut my door. I yank the staff off my back and one choked sob escapes me, making my chest heave. I wasn't expecting to stay. I didn't think I'd have to face him after my indirect confession. I'm not even sure I was ready for him to hear those words, and that's why I let him think I meant the child. 
And of course, I absolutely love Grogu too. 
How did this happen?
I tug my arms out of my jacket sleeves and toss the garment to the ground, suddenly feeling too warm. My door hisses open and I suck in a breath, wrapping my arms around myself as I turn around. Din marches into my room, the door sliding shut behind him, and immediately starts talking as he points one accusing finger at me. 
"After everything, you were going to leave? And that was going to be your goodbye?"
I groan, plopping onto my bed as I glare up at him. "I have to leave, Mando. You don't trust me anymore, and I know it's my fault, but that's no way to live. You can't stand being around me, and I can't sit here and bear it any longer."