Chapter 35

                                    

                                          
"Alright, kid, ready for another adventure?" 
I glance down at the small green child in my lap, his eyes reflecting perfect mirrors of the stars around us. A smile finds its way across my lips as he gives me his version of a pointed look. I take it he didn't love our last adventure. 
"This one will be better. We're just picking up a ship from Hondo's guy," I explain, snorting when the mention of Hondo gets a rough gurgle from the child. "Not a fan of Hondo?" I tease, easing the X-wing into the dark landing platform Hondo gave me the coordinates for. 
My eyes sweep over the peculiar floating city as we grow closer to the landing platform. A thick strip of light from a small star makes its way across the ringed city as it orbits the same star. Glavis Ringworld, Hondo called this place. 
"Well, this is it," I mutter, mostly to myself. Grogu sits up in my lap, pressing his tiny hands against the cockpit glass. I chuckle to myself, pushing my knees up higher to let him see the new place since I can't take my hands away from the controls. Once we land, I sigh and lean back in my seat. "Ready, kid?" He turns, looking up at me again. "Might be a little cold out there, let's bundle you up." I reach out to adjust the top edge of his little tan robe, trying to pull it higher on his neck, when my fingers brush something cold and hard underneath the fabric. 
I frown, pulling the robe down a little to see what it is. When I see the delicately crafted silver links covering his chest, I suck in a sharp breath. Beskar. Beskar armor covers his chest and shoulders. A perfect fit. 
"Where did you get this?" I whisper, not trusting my voice to work. I already know the answer. Even before he gives me that familiar coo, the one he only used when Din looked at him. "How? W-When?"
A few chirps ring out from R2 behind us and I glance at the translating screen on the X-wing. 
"You knew?" I snap, glaring at the screen since I can't see R2. The little astromech sputters out a few more details, making me scoff loudly. "So, you're telling me Din Djarin came and left a gift for Grogu and no one thought to tell me?"
A cheeky beep comes out at that, and I roll my eyes. 
"I'm not dignifying that with an answer, R2."
Grogu giggles in my lap and I sigh, looking back down at him. "Is that why Luke let you go? You chose Din, didn't you?" He gives me another soft coo and tilts his head. My head slumps against the leather seat of the X-wing.
"Okay." I blow out a breath through my nose. "Okay. We're going to deal with this, I promise. Just not right now."
I release the pressurizer and open up the cockpit, grabbing Grogu as I hop out of the ship. I have enough on my mind right now. Finding a way to give Grogu back to Din Djarin can't join the list of things swirling around in my head like a storm.
Besides, that would mean I'd have to say goodbye to the child. 
A stout Latero female meets me on the platform, waddling to us in dirty overalls and worn boots. My mind sharply returns to my old friend Greez. I hope he's okay. 
"You Hondo's girl?" She calls out, wiping two of her hands on her pants. 
I cringe, shaking my head. "Let's not put it like that. He owes me a ship and sent me here to get it. Said you were the best he had." 
"I'm the best anyone has," she grumbles, rolling her eyes. "What are you looking for?" Her eyes find the small child in my arm and I shrug. 
"Something for two, I guess," I reply. My heart tugs a little at that, but I push the feeling aside. Eventually, it'll only be for one.