Archive of Our Own

“Someone bought Kuil’s garage.”

Luke paused and looked up from the oven and looked over to his business partner-slash-sister, “Huh?”

Leia, flicked through some papers at the register, counting the monthly numbers. “Apparently he’ll be moved in officially before the end of the week.”

“What?” Luke hurried over to her, surprised. “When did he finally make the sell?”

“This morning.”

It wasn’t even eleven.

“What?”

“Apparently it’s some old friend of his.” She typed something on her laptop, going between it and her papers, as she chewed her cheek. “Peli will be staying in. Kuil is finally going to retire.”

“Oh, well…that’s great!” It still came as a surprise.; he hadn't been sure the kind older man would ever go off and live his dream of farming and raising horses. “I am happy to hear he’ll be getting time to relax.”

“Mhmm,” She nodded in agreement. “I hear he has a son. Toddler age.”

“Single dad?” Luke tilted his head, wondering why she was back on the buyer.

“That sounded so creepy.”

Luke rolled his eyes in good humor and dusted his hands off of flour, “I was just asking.”

“From what I gathered, he is in the process of divorce with all of city life but not with a partner…so yeah, single dad. He adopted the kid.” She tapped her perfectly manicured nails over the desk. “Guess he thought a quaint place like this would be better to raise a kid.”

That was fair. Alderaan was a very beautiful small city with a feel of a personable town. In some areas it became a little ritzy and exclusive, but it was mostly filled with gardens, parks, beautiful architecture and far more family owned businesses than chains. It could be a high-demand area and property rarely came up for sale; so new neighbors, especially for a store, was not common.

“Huh.”

“If he’s talented, which I assume he is if Kuil is letting him take over, we’ll probably see a little spike in traffic near him.” She picked up her pen, tapping it against her lip.

Luke crossed his arms in confusion, “What do you mean? Kuil’s mech-shop is the only one in Alderaan till you hit Naboo. Of course he’ll have good business.”

“He’s hot.” She hummed nonchalantly.

Luke blinked, “Huh?”

“The man taking over, he’s attractive. Very attractive. Add in the fact he is a single father and is running his own business…well,” she looked at him, “you have shown your ability to thirst before. I think this will be miserable for you.”

She sounded amused.

This wasn’t good.

Luke winced, “I thirst from afar, thank you.”

“You’re going to die when you meet him.”

“How do you know this?” Of course his sister knew everything in Alderaan. She was daughter of the current mayor, probably will be the next one elected, and was just overall very smart and scary.

“That’s because,” she turned and smirked at him. “I was there assisting with the numbers…and he is your type to the T.” Her grin was evil and Luke knew he was in a lot of trouble.

‘Oh…no.’

“Guess that’s it.” Din grunted as he sat down the last of their very sparse boxes of personal items. “Everything looking ok so far, kid?”

His son stood in the corner to watch his father work as he munched on a cookie, nodded. “Mha.”

“You like your room?”

“Mhm.” He grunted, shoving the cookie in his cheeks.

Din originally worried that a home above a shop would not be best for a child of his age but the moment Grogu’s feet planted on the floor he let out a squeal and started to waddle around his new space, so excited. Din would need to ensure the door from the upstairs living area to the downstairs business was locked securely since Grogu had a very terrify habit of finding a way to escape. He was far too tiny to handle the stairs on his own.

His crib was the first thing Din put together to ensure he had a place to sleep if he felt comfortable to sleep on his own for the first night. He buried himself in the boxes and started to pull out everything of Grogu’s he could find. “Ah, here you go, buddy.”

Grogu squealed and came over and happily took his stuffed frog from his father and flopped back to watch him.

“We’ll get you some more stuff soon. Kuil promised we’d make good business.” His lips twitched at the thought of a steady income and actual home and life comfort. “We’ll get you in a good pre-school too.”

Grogu started to chew on his stuffed toy, eyes sparkling as he listened to his father’s soothing voice.

“Alright.” He huffed and looked around. The small bedroom was still thin of personality but that would change. Now that Din would have money he could get more for his son.

The thought made him shake for a moment.

No more picking up night shifts as a bouncer, no more dangerous calls for bounties, and no more days without electricity with cold canned-soup as the only option. They would actually have a life now, a good one, and, maybe, for once since he was nineteen he could actually get a night of sleep without worry.

A smile felt foreign on his face but a small one came up regardless. He came over and scooped his son up, earning a giggle, and brought him over to the window that looked over their new street.

“The nice lady, Peli, will work tomorrow so we,” more so himself, god he was exhausted, “can rest and finish unpacking. You want to try and meet the new neighbors?”

“Ba!”

Of course his friendly toddler loved the sound of it. That would be a little downside of moving into a community such as this and away from an impersonal city; he would have to talk to people far more than he liked. He’d much rather just hole up in his place and fix the cars and appliances that came his way. But Grogu needed social stimulus if he was to ever start talking more and Din needed to ensure he had a constant stream of customers…so that meant he had to try and be friendly.

At least as a bouncer and bounty hunter he was allowed to be a bastard. That was far more comfortable for him.

“Bra…brak--” Grogu placed his hands on the window.

“What is it?” He looked across the street and saw the sign that must’ve caught his son’s attention. “Bakery. That says bakery.”

“Bark…” He frowned.

Din sat him down and pulled out his phone real quick to familiar himself of the motions. “Ok, it’s like this…?” He held up his hands, hovered one flat and moved his other back and forth over it before he acted like he flipped something. “Well, that’s bake…but I think that’s close enough.”

Grogu mimicked and had it down after a few times.

“Bake.” Din signed again.

“Bak.” Grogu repeated his hands, beaming.

“La panaderÍa.” Din offered. If he could, he hoped to have Grogu multi-lingual, at least with his listening skills. Even if he would never quite speak, which worried Din but something he was prepared for, if Grogu could understand it would be fine

“Pa…ba…”

“La panaderÍa.” Din said. “Bakery,” and moved his hands again. “That’s where they sell bread.”

“Bak-e.” Grogu tried and Din gave him a soft smile.

“Good job. We’ll go check it out tomorrow, ok? See about getting you something.” Bread wasn’t that much better than cookies but maybe Din could find something Grogu liked besides meats and sweets.

“Kay.” His son nodded.

“Alright, buddy.” He hoisted the child back up. “Let’s get you cleaned up and in bed.”

Grogu nodded, sucking his thumb, and pressing himself against his father.

Din just smiled.

“I-I dunno about this.” Luke muttered as his sister held onto his wrist like a cuff and dragged him across the street.

“You two are neighbors now. You’re not going to be rude and ignore him.”

“I’m not thinking of ignoring him…just, you know, give him a few days to settle in? Without being bothered?”

“Without being drooled over, you mean.” She tilted a brow at him.

Luke managed a meek shrug, “I just don’t want to be rude in that sense too.”

“So you saw a little glimpse of him when you spied on his move...do you really need to suffer from afar because of that?”

“He was gorgeous, Leia.” Luke whimpered as if that explained everything.

She rolled her eyes to the heavens, “Seriously. You’re either a flirt with no filter or you’re as shy as a schoolgirl. Make up your mind.”

“I flirt with friends. This guy…” he gulped as he remembered seeing the man move in, “he is something else.”

“He’s human and new to the neighborhood. You’re saying hi.”

The garage was open, though it was about forty-minutes too early before the normal opening time, and Peli’s motorcycle wasn’t parked on the street yet. There was noises echoing out, hits and grunts, and the twins shared a confused look with each other. Tiptoeing other, they snooped around the entrance to peek inside to see what was going on.

Luke smacked his hands over his face, his cheeks molten, and he spun around to hide away.

Leia tilted a brow in appreciation and then followed after her brother, “Seriously?”

“H-He’s topless hitting a bag, Leia!” He whispered in a panic. His legs shook. It had to be one of the sexiest sights he had ever seen. His new neighbor with a layer of sweat, topless, as he destroyed a hanging punching bag would be forever engrained in Luke’s mind. His skin was tanned, his chest thick, biceps looked ready to crush a person, with his stunning face narrowed in concentration.

Luke was about to start drooling. Or he’ll pass out. Either way he was very uncomfortable and in a very bad position of doing something embarrassing.

He took another peek and let out a silent, broken whimper when he saw the man’s back to him. It was a sexy back. A very, very sexy, muscular back. That dripped with sweat and his workout pants were a little low so he could see his hips and it was painful…gorgeous. Luke was suffering. Luke was dying.

The man took a swig of his water and…

“Nope.” Luke pressed himself back against the wall. “Can’t do this.”

“Luke, really.” Leia sighed.

“He’s perfect.” He sounded terrified.

“Dark hair, smoldering eyes, sexy body, good dad,” she continued to list, “kind, soft…yeah, exactly. Perfect. Your type. Obvious is obvious, Luke. I’m trying to set you up for a reason.”

“There is no way I am his type!” He meeped out, face aflame.

“Please, I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t tackle you and starts shredding your clothes off when we walk in. You’re his type.” She rolled her eyes.

“Leia.” Luke begged. “Stop trying to get me laid, please. We’re already weird being separated twins. This is pushing it a bit.”

She snorted, “You haven’t dated in over a year. Last guy was not pleasant.” She scowled at the memory of the asshole who did not treat her brother right. “You’re stupidly romantic. I know you want to be in a relationship…why? I don’t know.”

“Leia, you’re married.”

“Yeah, don’t remind me.”

“Look…ah…I think I hear the phone ring! So, back to work for me! Uh…bye!” And made a break for the safety of his store. He slammed the door closed and jumped back behind his counter.

Leia just rolled her eyes at the coward. “Dumbass.”

Coming in, she put on her professional smile and knocked on the side of garage, “Good morning.”

Din jumped back and looked over at the woman, “Oh…ah…morning Ms. Organa.” He had not expected anyone to just waltz into his garage at 7:20 in the morning. Especially the beautiful, if a bit scary, Leia Organa, the attorney who assisted him in purchasing the garage.

She came in like she owned the place, and Din was not about to deny her anything because she really was scary, and provided him a pleasant smile, “I am happy to see you are moving in well.”

Din wiped his face of sweat, looking a little flustered at being caught working out. The woman was so pristine without a single hair out of place. “I…yeah. It is going well.”

“Your son comfortable?”

“Yes. He’s still asleep.” But not for long based on the clock on the wall. Grogu woke up at 7:30am like clockwork. “I probably need to go up and check on him…”

“Good to hear he’s comfortable.” She beamed. “You both have plans going out to become familiar with the place?”

“Yeah, I guess. Grogu is excited for it.” He admitted.

“Great. Go get ready and we’ll head out when Peli gets in.”

“You don’t have to show us around.”

She waved him off, “Then I’ll show you to one place. Because if my instincts are correct, which they usually are,” she tapped her chin and looked him up and down, “you like guys.”

Din blinked a bit taken aback, “Uh…what?”

She nodded to herself. “Bi. Ok, good.”

“What?” Din coughed. “You…just…why does any of that matter? How they hell could you possibly know?”

“I’m amazing like that.” She placed her hands on her hips and shrugged, “And I am trying to set you up with my brother.”

“I…just moved in.”

“So?”

“So…I’m not interested in romance?”

“Fine, details. I still want you to meet him and let me know what you think. He’s sure you won’t like him or think he’s attractive. I think he’s wrong. I like proving him wrong. You help me out with that and we’re all good.”

Din rubbed his forehead, “I’m not interested.”

Leia just shrugged again.

He looked at her and sighed, “You’re used to getting your way.”

“That I am. Go on and get ready so you can get it over with.”

He wanted to argue. Honestly, he probably should. He knew, on some level, this was crossing some sort of line. It certainly was uncomfortable but…he found he wasn’t too bothered. The woman did not come across as insensitive or rude, just very aggressive and used to winning. She had an expression he saw at the bars he tended to and on the faces of some of his good friends, the dumbass Paz being one. It was someone who would see anything as a challenge and would fight a tree if it meant they won something.

The role of attorney probably fit her well.

“One stop?”

“One stop.” She confirmed with a smirk. “I can point you in the direction of other places to visit but if you visit my brother I’ll leave you alone. I just want to show him up.”

Yeah, definitely a Paz type…only really smart. Or supernatural. He had no idea how she looked him over and knew his sexuality.

Din didn’t think he wanted to know. Really, this woman was just terrifying.

He left to go upstairs, taking a quick shower to rinse off from his workout and met Grogu as he sleepily exited out of his room, carrying his stuffed frog and rubbing his eyes.

“Hey buddy,” He crouched down to him, “That nice,” and scary, “lady from the other day is here. She wants to show us a place. You ready to get dressed and go out?”

“Ya.” He yawned and nodded.

With guidance from his father Grogu got himself ready and freshen up for their big day in their new neighborhood. It took the child just a few minutes before he was eager to go see everything. Grogu had grown up with metal towers looming over them, winding streets filled with trash, and small apartments that were too cold and loud as gunfire echoed down the street. He never got to even see a park thanks to the city constantly engulfing what little green could be found to build more skyscrapers or cheap apartments.

Now, there was a park just a ten-minute walk from their door.

It made Din shudder something terrible as it hit him, once again, that their lives were changing and his son was finally going to have the childhood he deserved.

“Ok, buddy.” Din looked down at him. “Quick exercise today. What’s your name?”

“Grogu Djarin.”

“How old are you?”

Grogu held up three fingers.

“Try to say it, buddy.”

“Three. Tres.”

“Good job.” He smiled softly at him. “Favorite color?”

“Green.”

“Show me.”

Grogu took his tiny hand and formed it into a fist before he pushed out his index finger and thumb. With a little nod from his father, he pulled his hand up to his shoulders and twisted it back and forth. “Good job. What else is it called?”

“Verde.”

“Favorite animal?”

“Frog.” He looked thoughtful. “Rana.” He put his fist under his chin and made his middle and index finger jump off his thumb. “Ribbit.”

“Good job.” He picked him up, letting him hold on to his neck as he brought them back down to the garage. By the time he made it down Leia was conversing with the woman who now worked for Din, Peli.

“Oh there is that little bean!” The curly haired, older woman grinned. She adored Grogu and the normally shy and reserved child really liked her as well, though he didn’t really show it. She offered to babysit any time if needed.

It really helped his son was one of the cutest kids ever.

“Hello, Grogu.” Leia greeted with a sweet smile.

Grogu buried his face in his father’s neck, growing shy. He certainly did not dislike the women, it was huge to know he found people that did not make Grogu uncomfortable, but he still did not like to look them in the eyes or talk with them.

“Hear ya got a big day ahead.” Peli noted.

“Yes.” Din nodded politely back.

“Well go on and get familiar with everything.” She yanked out a file, Peli apparently moved with a sense of roughness, and looked it over. “Only got three appointments today.” She then frowned and gave a snort to Leia. “He’s bringing in his crap again?”

Leia scoffed, “He refuses to get rid of it. Says it is a stunning classic.”

“Uh-uh. You’d think being a worthless trophy husband to you he’d actual try to get something better.”

The younger woman just huffed again, “If you can convince him to get rid of it I’ll give you an extra thousand.” She then turned to Din and the child. “You ready to go?”

“As good as ever.”

Leia did not seem perturbed by Din’s closed off nature and simply led the way out of his garage. Much to his surprise they walked right across the street to the bakery his son was so interested in.

From the outside it was a very charming location. It looked to be a three-story brick building with a soft blue awning over the entrance. There was one large window that allowed people to peek inside and see right into a display case of some bread and treats to select from, along with a cute miniature chalkboard with the word Specials written out in cursive on top and three items under it: pizza rolls, spicy cheese biscuits, lemon cupcakes. Under all of these, with three exclamation marks, LIMITED was written out. The door was a pleasant green and had a four-paned window on it with a sign that read open on it.

“This is Skywalker Bakery.” Leia introduced. “I told him to think of something more creative since he has such an unusual last name but he’s always been more creative with his hands then his brain.”

“Your brother runs this?”

“Technically we both do. I’m the numbers person and I put in some money and did a lot of the legal work. He runs it and makes the product.” Her manicured finger pointed upwards. “He lives upstairs so if you ever need something he should be right here to help you out.”

“Oh.” Well, it was nice to know someone else took advantage of the charm of living above where they worked. There was something comforting to know he could get to someone if needed.

“Ok, he’s got a customer but that shouldn’t take long. Come on in. We’ll get you guys something to eat to start the day. I like to tease but Luke has a way with his food.”

A bell jingled as they entered but it was overshadowed by the sound of happy, soft laughter.

Din’s head snapped up to follow the sound and felt as if someone has socked him in the chest.

There at the counter, chatting merrily with his customers was probably the most beautiful man Din had ever seen.

With a small stature, bouncy blonde hair, puppy-dog size blue eyes…oh, it almost looked like an angel had just appeared from the heavens. When he smiled his whole face glowed and he used his body to express his happiness.

For a moment, Din thought he swallowed sunshine.

He was so…so perfect.

“Oh…” Din breathed out.

“Knew it. That brat owes me so many cupcakes.” Leia smirked. “You doing that is all I need."

Completely unaware of Leia and Din coming in, Luke continued to provide his sweet smile to his customer. His blue eyes sparkling as he laughed, ringing them up and giving attention to the child clinging to her mother’s legs. He leaned over to ask her questions and if she was excited about her day out. It took thirty seconds and the child was beaming up at the blonde and munching on a free slice of bread.

Leia tilted a brow, looking at the brunette next to her who had the exact in-awe expression Luke had that morning.

She could play matchmaker as good as politics and law. Was there anything she couldn’t do? Apparently not. She was a goddess incarnate. Her husband really needed to learn how lucky he was to have her.

“Luke Skywalker, my twin. Separated and adopted when we were infants to avoid any confusion you may have. Twenty-six.” Leia listed off. “A dumbass, sarcastic, but honestly one of the sweetest people you’ll meet. Old ladies like to call him sunshine. Can be shy at weird moments but usually an uncontrollable extrovert who thinks anything that breathes is meant to be his BFF. Former Air Force was honorably discharged due to an injury. Nerd. Gay. 100% bottom.”

Din covered his face but only for a second as he looked back at the cute blonde. “Is this ethical?”

“For me to tell you stats of my brother in hopes it will get you to ask him out?”

“We don’t even know each other.” He hissed low, watching as Grogu started to pull away from his pant leg, distracted from his shyness to look at all the interesting sights around him. Of course, anything with food usually got the child perked up quite fast.

“I don’t care.” Leia looked at her nails. “By the way, he had a very similar reaction when he saw you. Got weak-kneed when he saw you go after the punching bag, he was practically swooning. Probably needed to take a cold shower.” She smirked again, as if thrilled to share her brother’s embarrassing secrets.

Din gulped and looked away, his cheeks flushed. The man was absolutely gorgeous. So cute. Painfully his type to every detail.

He refused to admit he was already thinking of what ring he should use in his proposal.

“Ah, hello.” Luke greeted, his voice soft as he leaned over to Grogu who had managed to make his way over to the blonde’s feet. “How are you?”

Grogu stuck his thumb in his mouth, his big eyes up at Luke’s blues. He used his other hand to wave. Luke just grinned and put himself down near Grogu’s height and waved back. “I’m Luke.”

“Grogu.” He said over his thumb.

Din’s head snapped to attention, looking at the sight with open shock. “He…talked…” Without any prompting or pressure. He approached a stranger and talked. Din had never seen his son do that before.

“Grogu, I like that name.”

Grogu nodded, still sucking over his thumb.

Luke just smiled back and then Grogu’s cheeks smudged up, smiling back.

Oh god…Din was not already planning their wedding. He really wasn’t.

“Grogu.” Din stepped in, his voice strained.

“Ba!” He looked up at his father and hurried back to his legs, clinging to him.

Blue eyes went wide as he looked up to see warm brown looking down at him. He stood back straight, gulping, and cheeks rushing with blood. “Oh…uh…h-hi.”

“Hello.” Din greeted back softly.

Luke frantically pushed some of his gold hair behind his ears, beginning to have an internal freak-out. “You’re the new neighbor, right?”

“Yes. I’m Din Djarin.”

“Luke Skywalker.” Luke prayed he didn’t meep that out. The man before him was far too attractive to be fair. “Nice to meet you…uh…welcome to the neighborhood?”

“I appreciate it, Luke.”

Luke looked away, face bright red.

Din gulped, feeling torn between his feeling of overwhelming flustered and good god, he wanted to grab the man and dip him into a hungry kiss. He hadn’t flirted in a good few years and it was never something he felt comfortable with. He also wanted to beg to see that smile ago, to see if he could actually know what the taste of sunshine was.

He also really, really wanted to run away and back to his new home and slam all the doors and never step outside in the world again.

His brain was screeching with alarms that he was in danger and his flight or fight responses were kicking into overdrive.

Wow, he had no idea a heart could do cartwheels like this.

And wow, he did not know eyes could be that blue.

“Oh my god, this is pathetic.”

Luke winced, “Thank you, Leia. What are you doing here again?”

“Oh, you know why.” She smiled ruefully. “I wanted to show our new neighbor around. Thought you would be the best stop since you are so close and you sell food. It would be nice to get them started the day with something to eat.”

“I’m about to not reserve you any lemon cupcakes.” He grunted but then managed a smile at the father and son. “I’m sorry if she dragged you over here…she is…strong-willed.” He rubbed his right wrist. “Would either of you like anything? My treat as a welcome.”

“I…uh…” Din’s tongue wouldn’t work.

“’Izza.” Grogu pointed to one of the pizza rolls smeared with red sauce and cheese. “Papa…’izza.”

Luke smiled at him, “If he’s ok to have it?”

“Y-Yes.” Din choked.

Luke went behind the counter, disappearing for a second as he unlocked the case and pulled out one of the rolls. He slipped it into a small paper bag and handed it over to the child.

Grogu squealed and then promptly stuffed the whole thing in his cheeks.

Luke’s brows rose up with interest, a grin growing on his face, “A feral child with food. He speaks to me.”

“Kid, you gotta learn to take bites.”

“Na.” He chewed over the roll, his face smeared with sauce.

“What would you like?” Luke asked, his eyes turning back to Din. Both stared at each other a moment, neither breathing, before they turned away simultaneously.

“I…u-uh, don’t need anything.”

“I’d be happy to, uhm, give you my choice if you aren’t allergic to anything or uh…”

“Not allergic to anything. No. Uh, sure. Go ahead?”

Luke managed a smile and pulled out a few slices of sourdough into a small bag as well and handed it over. “Something a bit simple for your day out.”

“Thanks?” Din choked again. When he took the gift his fingers brushed over Luke’s and he very nearly passed out. “I…uh…w-we need to go. I’ll see you later.” And then he grabbed his son and ran out of the store as if his life depended on it.

The twins watched him go a moment before Luke released a broken groan and smashed his burning face on the register. “He’s perfect.”

Leia looked between the two and snorted again, “You’re both pathetic.”

Luke just groaned in misery.

‘I can do this. I can do this.’ Luke chanted as he watched his across-the-street neighbor move around at the start of a new day. It was still dark out and it looked as if the man was setting his shop up. Luke’s place opened up at 6am so he was very aware of all the movement the handsome man made.

Luke was very, very aware of the movement his handsome neighbor made.

‘We won’t be creepy. I can be normal. I can be cool. It’s just handing something over and saying good morning. Easy. I’ve done it thousands of times. All good. All normal.’ He peeked out his window again and gulped. ‘My god, he is gorgeous.’

With a deep inhale, trying to get his ridiculous nerves under control, Luke pushed himself out of the store, stood straight and walked over. He started to list all the ingredients and steps needed to make cinnamon rolls to keep himself mildly calm..

“Uhm…h-hello?” He called out as he came up to the garage entrance.

There was a crash and a startled curse before the brunette tripped out of wherever he was working from to look at Luke with a wide-eyed expression.

“Sorry? I wasn’t trying to, uh, startle you.” Luke managed a sheepish grin.

“It’s fine! No, it’s good.” Din coughed, staring openly at the man who had just appeared in his garage. “Uhm…hi.”

“H-Hi!” Luke’s face went red.

“Hi.” Din repeated stupidly. He felt his own face flush. Oh this was so not good.

“Sorry, again, I saw your lights were on and though you were an early riser like Kuil and…uh….” Don’t be awkward. Don’t be stupid. Stay cool. “I didn’t know if you had a coffee machine or anything and…uh….wanted to hand you something as a greeting?”

“Oh.” Din nodded. “Thank you. I don’t have a machine up yet…”

Well, he technically did. It was one in the waiting area for guests and it tasted of burnt dirt. It was probably ten-years old and was meant to only act as a way to keep going through the day and punish customers who really needed to stop trying to fix engines with duct-tape. As a man who thrived on coffee it was hell in a Styrofoam cup. Wake-up shock to the system for sure…but not a pleasant one.

Luke just gave him a crooked smile and handed over a cup, and god it had to be one of the cutest sights the whole galaxy had to offer, before he had to look away. His cheeks were like apples and, a more confident and very hungry part of him, wanted to bite at them.

“I also brought you some, uh, bread?” He coughed at how lame that sounded. “Croissants…so, yeah…”

“Thank you.” He looked at the small bundle. “Grogu will love it.”

Luke just gave him a gentle smile and Din’s heart fluttered.

Din had to quickly look away, those blue eyes were too much, so he sipped at the coffee to show he appreciated the gift. He pulled the cup and looked at it in surprise.

“Ah, is it…bad?” Luke winced, looking terrified. “Sorry, I don’t drink much straight coffee so I don’t know if this was good or not. My customers say they like it but--”

“What? No, no…it’s really good. The best I’ve had in some time.”

“Oh. Well…good.”

“Yeah.”

Their faces were impossibly red.

“Well…I…uh…I’ll get back to my place. Come for a visit if you need a refill or anything?”

Din nodded, a bit too harsh for his neck, and watched the man manage a smile and head over to his own store. Din was unable to tear his stare away, feeling like an uncontrollable teenager again as his gaze went from the man’s head, down to his shoulders, to his waist, and…

Oh god.

He was about to pour burning hot coffee over him to snap him out of whatever spell the blonde had him under. He was in his late thirties. He had a child. He had a business. He was exhausted and grumpy and not a people person. There was no way he was pining after a man’s sexy as sin backside.

He was better than this. He was better than this. He was better than this.

God, Luke was so pretty…

Din just took sip of his coffee and walked back in…only to miss his door and smash face first into the wall.

“Ah, fuck!” He grunted, his nose aching from the smack. At least he was wearing his jumpsuit that was already covered in grease and sweat so some good coffee wasn’t the end of the world.

Still, it was a waste of some good stuff.

Pinching his injured nose, he hopped up to his upstairs kitchen area and sat the bag of goodies on the rickety breakfast table. He opened up the bag and peeked in and found nearly ten buttery croissants greeting him.

Swallowing, he grasped one and bit into the end and took another to their old microwave and popped it in. Quickly he pulled out some honey, squirting it on a chipped plastic plate with some Sesame Street character on it and then got Grogu’s sippy-cup and filled it up with some milk (that luckily still smelled acceptable).

The croissant was delicious.

7:30 on the dot, he heard the little patters of Grogu’s feet. “Morning kid.”

“Papa.” He said back as he went to the bathroom.

“Wash your hands this time.” He ordered.

“Kay.”

After a few minutes his toddler came in, hugging his stuffed frog to him and tried to crawl up on his booster seat himself. Unfortunately he was still a bit too small for it. Din helped him up, pushing him up close.

“Pan.” He pointed.

“What does it look like?”

Grogu held up his hand to his chest and made a motion as if he were cutting into it like slices.

“Good job.”

Grogu began to dip his croissant into the honey and stuffed it in his face. “Yum.”

Din smiled. “Uhm…Luke, from across the street brought it. Would you like…uh…maybe we should go over and…s-say thanks?”

“Mhm!” He nodded and munched some more, sucking down his milk happily.

“Right…so yeah.” He coughed. “After you finish we can…go…uhm…” He groaned and just decided to suck down the rest of his coffee. It was too much to imagine walking over there and seeing that happy, bright face. Those big blue eyes. That dimpled smile. That really, really nice ass.

He took a too harsh a gulp and gagged.

“Papa?”

“F-Fine,” he wheezed. “All good.”

Grogu just blinked at him.

“A-All good.”

With Grogu’s pushing, Din finally braved up walking across the street to Skywalker Bakery. He waited a few breaths at the door before his child began to try to push it open.

“Well…wa-wait…” He winced when the impatient brat wouldn’t and just waltzed on it, the jingle of the bell catching he cute blonde’s attention instantly. They both went red when their eyes hit the others. “Sorry.” He gulped as a greeting. “Uhm, hi…again.”

“Hi,” Luke smiled sheepishly, tucking some of his messy blond hair behind his ears. It was such a cute movement. “Uhm, yeah, hi.”

“Hi.” Din repeated, feeling like his brain had gone stupid. “We, he…uh, Grogu, wanted to say thanks for the food.”

“Oh.” He peeked over the counter at Grogu and gave a big grin. “Hey there.”

Grogu looked up to Luke and started to move his hands. “Ma!”

Luke tilted his head a moment and Din quickly moved over to him, “Oh, kid…no, he doesn’t--”

“Hello to you too, Grogu.” Luke smiled and then began to move his hands as he said, “How are you today?”

“Ah!” Grogu looked to his father and pointed. “Ah!”

Din gaped at Luke, “You can sign?”

“A bit. Learned it in the Force. We had a few who had bad hearing after being around jets and bad pressure for so many years. My guys and I started to learn to make it easier…also just really good to know when you’re constantly around things that make talking difficult.” He smiled at the child. “I know you just moved in but have you had a chance to speak to Yoda?”

“No?”

“He is the head teacher of the pre-school a few blocks down.” He used his thumb to motion which direction. “He has a speech impediment and is fluent in signing.”

“The…pre-school teaches signing?”

“I can’t remember for sure…I think they offer a few languages. It’s a very inclusive school.” He shrugged sheepishly. “I taught part-time there before my place started to make money. It’s a really nice school.”

“I’m…I’m not sure I can afford a place like that at this time.” He admitted with a wince.

“You can fix stuff right?”

“Yeah?”

“Then you should be good for a trade for a while. When I say inclusive, I mean it. Yeah, Alderaan is very ritzy but Yoda is not motivated by money. Things also break around him often. I’ll talk to him about you coming in to fix the AC when it, undoubtedly, goes out again or fix their little bus they use for field-trips.”

“You’d do that?”

Luke tilted his head, “Of course. We all look after each other here. I’ll get you his number so you can connect with him.”

Din cleared his throat, “I appreciate that…thank you.”

Luke beamed and Din felt his heart make a horribly uncomfortable flip.

“So, did you like the croissant this morning?”

“Craw-sant.” Grogu repeated.

“Yeah, it’s a weird word. Just call it swirly bread or something.” He smiled.

“’Izza?”

“Grogu.” Din looked down at him.

“I actually have two more left from yesterday.” Luke looked up with a smile. “Not often that happens. Daily stuff usually sells out but I had put those aside for later and then decided I probably should have a salad. He can have them if you’re ok with that?”

“How much?”

“He can have them.” Luke smiled. “Just can’t let others know. I’ll sometimes even charge Leia. Someone as cute as Grogu can have this for free.”

“I can’t keep taking free stuff from you.”

“Day-afters, the stuff made from the day before, are always sold more than half off. It’d be about two-dollars for them both. I can survive without two bucks.” Luke smiled. “Wait here a moment and I’ll get them.”

“Oh…ok.” He nodded and picked up Grogu to watch Luke head into the open back, where there was a blast of warm air came out from the ovens, moveable metal carts, and stacks of flour and sugar.

“Ba!”

“Yeah, uhm…yeah, it looks very cool back there, kiddo.”

Luke came back out with another small bag. “Here you go.”

“D-Dank…”

“He can still struggle with some sounds.” Din explained as he took the sack, feeling the need to defend and protect his son from any judgment.

“I get that. I had a bit of a stutter when I was young.” Luke smiled.

“Gracias.” Grogu tried again.

Luke tilted a brow, “You got yourself a very smart kid.” He gave a playful look to Din, “You’re in for a lot of trouble.”

Din’s lip twitched. “He is incredibly smart and, yeah, a trouble-maker. Were you the same?”

“Oh god no.” Luke laughed. “Well, no to the smarts. I’ve always been pretty empty-headed. An act first and then just cry about the consequences later. I grew up on a farm…probably not the best for me during my first five years. Was nearly crushed by massive livestock about twelve times.” He gave a little shrug, “Leia, I hear, was impossible to control cause of her brains. I was easily distracted by something shiny.”

Din had to chuckle. “Really?”

“Yeah. She apparently got all the brains in the genes. It seems Grogu is the same. So, yeah, good luck.” He tilted his head at Grogu, his smile soft. “English, Spanish, and ASL…that’s amazing.”

Now Din smiled, “Not many say that.”

Luke looked surprised, “Really?”

“He…struggles with talking and eye contact. He had a rough start.” He admitted with a soft tone. “I was told it has affected aspects of his communication skills.” It rushed out before he could stop himself. He had never said anything like that before.

“Trauma.” He nodded, as if in agreement. “I’m sorry to hear that. But not amazing?” He winced, “Sorry you’ve dealt with people who are stupid enough to think that.”

“Oh.”

“Here.” Luke went behind his counter and scribbled something down and handed it over. “This is Yoda’s number. I’ll talk to him beforehand but you should go on and be able to contact him. He’ll be a great resource for you.”

Din quietly took the slip and pushed it in his pocket. “Thanks.”

“Not a problem.” Luke turned away, pushing hair behind his ears again.

“Hey!” A shrill voice screeched out from the street. They turned to see Peli on her motorcycle, tapping her non-existent watch at Din. “Ya already got your day off. Get your ass over here!”

Luke chuckled, “She means business. You probably should head over there.”

“I could’ve sworn when I bought the place I became the boss.”

“Just try to tell Peli that.” He smiled back at Din. “I…will see you both around?”

“Yes.” He nodded frantically. “Yes.”

“Ah, good. Uhm, have a good day.”

“You too.” Din shifted Grogu in his grip. “I’ll see you…uhm…bye.”

“Bye.” Luke walked them out his store, waving shyly as they went back across the street. “Morning Peli!”

“You’ll only get a good morning from me when you come fix this piece of shit coffee machine, ya twink!”

Luke rolled his eyes, “Just cause I know how to use a stupid French press does not mean I can fix things involving coffee. Ask your boss nicely and maybe you can get something better. And stop screaming stuff like that.”

“I ain’t screamin!” Peli expressed, loudly as normal.

Luke rolled his eyes and gave a humored smile to Din, “Well…uhm…bye.”

“Yeah…bye.” Din breathed out.

“Bye, Lu.” Grogu waved.

Luke beamed, looking so happy at the words.

And Din knew he was in so much trouble.

They had a meeting with the one called Yoda at three to get a tour of his school and to look about setting up a payment system along with potential person tutoring for ASL over the weekend for Din and Grogu.

The older man, who sounded like some wise old sage and did speak a little odd, mentioned Luke a lot in their conversation.

Skywalker mentioned this or Skywalker said that. Yoda sounded pleased with the idea of Din receiving a discount on the school for help with different things that goes out or with the little school bus used for field trips.

Din had a feeling Luke speaking to Yoda first got a lot of pull in Din’s favor for a discount.

The idea was rather amazing.

However, there was a bit of an issue with it…

“They close up at six?” Din repeated Luke’s information.

“Yeah. Most places close at five so it gives the parents an extra hour to come pick the children up.”

“I see.” He wouldn’t take walk-ins or set appointments after five but he would still be working on the cars. With only two mechanics working on the cars it would be long days on ahead of him with his work until he could afford to hire someone else. He supposed he could ask Peli to stay an hour extra so he could go and pick Grogu up.

It wasn’t ideal to pay her overtime at the moment but there wasn’t much choice from what he could see. Grogu needed to be in daycare, needed this opportunity to connect and learn, and be away from the garage, which was not good for a child his age.

Well, he knew parts of this change would be a bit difficult. He no longer had a kind, elderly neighbor who liked to look over kids for little money. He was going to have to get this part of parenting and adulating figured out and balanced.

It would be fine. Just a mild stress and inconvenience but one he could figure out.

“You know…” Luke shifted a bit, nervously. “I close at 4…I could go pick him up and bring him back?”

Din gave him a surprised stare, “You don’t have to do that.”

“I don’t mind. Or at least the days that you are unable to leave the shop.” He nodded to the garage behind him. “I know there were times when Kuil worked till ten at night non-stop. I can go get him on those days.”

“You don’t…I mean I appreciate that…you wouldn’t mind?”

“Not at all! It’ll be good for me to get out and walk around.” He smiled. “Only if you and Grogu are comfortable with it though.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Luke nodded. “I am.”

Din shifted and provided a small smile, “I appreciate that.”

Luke just smiled.

It was probably seven weeks later that Din found himself in front of Luke’s store before it opened, heart pounding in a way that made him sick. He wasn’t quite sure what he was doing only that he really wanted to see Luke.

He was close to just turning around and hiding back in his own store. There was no reason for him to be there. He had no idea what he would even say.

He felt stupid and this was stupid and he needed to just get back to his garage and keep away from cute blondes with pretty smiles and…

A muffled oh caught his attention and he paled and looked up to see Luke blinking at him from behind the counter before he hurried over.

“Din!” Luke greeted, his eyes sparkling, as he opened up his store’s door. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Why did that sound so pathetically dreamy. “Sorry…I…” He had no idea what he was doing. He could no longer remember his own name at Luke’s smile.

“Want some coffee?” Luke opened up the door, “Please come in! I don’t open for about another twenty minutes but coffee is about done.”

“P-Please.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“I’ll make this quick so you can get back to Grogu.”

Luckily Grogu was a schedule, heavy sleeper. He wouldn’t wake up for another hour at least. Like clockwork. That was one thing his toddler constantly behaved on was sticking to waking up at the same time. It always gave Din time to workout without worry.

Inside, the small store smelled of warm bread, heat, honey, and cinnamon. There was a bubbling sound of hot water steaming on a stovetop Din could see in the kitchen area behind the counter.

“It’ll just need a minute.” Luke explained as he poured the hot water into the French-press. “Want anything else? Something to eat?”

You.

‘Don’t you dare say it, Djarin. Don’t you dare.’ Din quickly swallowed it down. He was not confident enough at the moment to go for that level of flirting.

“I…didn’t bring my wallet?”

Luke waved him off and gave him a teasing grin, “Don’t worry about it. It seems wise to have a handy-man in my pocket.”

And wrapped around his finger, and worshiping the ground he walked on, and eating out of the palm of his hand…Din knew he was in very bad trouble in regards to the man. There was no way Din could ever deny the man before him anything.

His tongue felt swollen and he looked down at his feet.

All of a sudden Luke chuckled, “You really don’t look like a guy who would be as shy as you are.”

“I’ve never been good with people.”

“Really? You seem really good with people…you just get flustered.” Luke let out some more laughter. “I’m not teasing. I just find it cute.”

Oh no, the cute baker thought he was cute. What did he do with this information?

“Sorry….I hope that wasn’t mean.”

“No!” He shook his head frantically. “Not at all. You’re fine.”

“Ok.” He smiled. “That’s…that’s good.” He looked over at the press and pulled out one of his disposable cups and began to pour the coffee in. “You’re welcomed to pop in to get some coffee if you want…whenever.”

“I’m going to have to start a tab.” Din tried, wincing internally at how not funny that was. He sounded like an idiot.

Luke, however, gave him a laugh, “You wouldn’t be the first. My brother-in-law really enjoys coming in and picking over whatever he can find. He’s one of the reasons I had to start making some coffee.”

“I guess that works in my favor.” He took a sip. “It’s really good.”

It was a simple thing to say, barely even a compliment, but it looked like it really made Luke’s day to hear it.

“So, uhm, do you need me to pick Grogu up today?” Luke asked, trying to be casual.

Din shifted slightly, “Yes. If you wouldn’t mind? We can…I mean, would you like to stay for dinner after? It’s Friday so we were going to get pizza.”

“That seems to be his favorite thing.”

“And chicken nuggets.” He grumbled. “The kid loves meat…”

“And, let me guess by your tone, refuses to eat anything green?”

“Pretty much. It’s getting to the point I may have to get a blender and make smoothies with spinach in them to get him to have something like that.”

Luke laughed, “Maybe I need to make something with spinach and mushrooms and no more pizza rolls. I have not been the best influence with that.”

“I am a worst influence than you. My cooking skills are lacking and he’s gotten used to some less than healthy choices.”

“Ah…well, I’m not terrible at it. Maybe I can make something for you guys?” Luke tapped his chin and then smiled. “I can bring you something tomorrow.”

“You really don’t have to.”

“My place is only opened till noon. I can make something for you guys and bring it over.” Luke offered. “If he likes chicken I can try some sort of soup. Easier to hide vegetables in something like that.”

The idea of it sounded good…it felt like they consumed mostly take-out pizza and frozen meals. He’d like Grogu, and himself, to have something a little less processed. “Ok, yeah…I’d appreciate it.’

“Great!” Luke nodded.

“Yeah, yes…great. I’m looking forward to it.”

Luke gave him another smile that made something melt inside of him. “Yeah, me too.”

Later as Grogu munched on his scrambled eggs, Din took a peek out their upstairs window that overlooked the street and peered directly at the entrance of Luke’s shop.

The blonde was outside, chatting happily with a customer. His face positively glowed from the smile and his eyes were such a gorgeous pale blue Din swore he could make out their color from across the street. He was just so perfect and warm and gentle and small and…

He shook himself out of his stupor and knew his ears were probably red at this point.

“Papa?” Grogu called.

“Uh…” He blinked and looked over at him. “Sorry, what? Did you say something, buddy?”

Grogu’s big eyes just blinked. “Kay?”

“Oh…uh, yes, yes. I’m fine.” He looked back out the window and gulped. “Hey, uh, kid?”

Grogu looked up, munching, “Mwa?”

“Would…how would you feel if I asked Luke out? I mean to date…I mean,” he struggled to figure out how to explain to a child about things like this, “I mean…see if he wants to hang out more? With us? And…me?”

His son nodded, excited.

“I mean, maybe marriage in the future…but not too soon, cause we just met but…maybe?” He pushed his face in his hands. “Oh god…this isn’t happening. I’m not thinking of marrying a guy I barely know.”

He was thinking of marrying a man he barely knew.

He was picturing waking up in the mornings with a warm body next to his, lazy kisses turning into something more, of the beautiful man under him whimpering in pleasure and whispering declarations of adoration, sharing laughter over breakfast as Grogu ran around the table, maybe with a little sister…

Din groaned in misery.

He was better than this. He was more mature than this. He was a bitter man. There was not a romantic bone in his body. He was called a cold bastard, a scary son of bitch, by more people than not. Daydreaming about a warm domestic life with his new neighbor was not in his reputation.

He smacked his head on the table a few times.

How they hell did someone ask a person out on a date again?

Grogu just gave him a pat on the head with his messy fingers.

It was another week until Din made the final decision that, yes, he did want to ask Luke out on a date.

It happened because he caught the blonde dancing.

He appeared to be oblivious to the world, probably didn’t expect anyone to approach his shop at nearly nine at night but Din had grown restless and Grogu had been so happy when Luke dropped him off earlier, enjoying his walks from school back home with his neighbor.

“I love, Lu!” Grogu had exclaimed as he was slipped into his pajamas that night and wanted more of the chicken soup he made before (where he actually inhaled three bowls that had carrots, celery, and spinach in it without any complaint). He told his dad, to the best of his abilities, about different types of bread Luke told him about because baking was now a fascinating topic for the little tyke. He also began to sulk when he realized that he did not get a good night kiss from Luke and struggled to understand why.

So, Din had rushed over with, still grimy from his workday, to just give Luke a word of gratitude and maybe invite him over again for some dinner to appease the enamored child.

And instead he found the man just playing around in his own world as he cleaned up his shop.

It sounded like he was listening to a waltz, which almost surprised Din because he really imagined someone as bubbly as Luke listened to pop. His hips swayed a bit and there was soft, pleased smile on his lips and Din gave himself a moment to imagine that Luke was thinking of Din as his invisible partner in this moment.

Din, of course, had never danced. He tended to avoid touching people as if they all had some plague on their skin. And he was so awkward in most everything else in life that he was sure he’d have two left feet if he ever was pulled up against someone else.

But he wanted to at least imagine dancing with Luke.

Din gulped.

This was really becoming a problem. These feelings, this need to stare, at his neighbor was not going away and he was becoming so painfully distracted. He had walked into another wall the other day because he thought of something Luke had said.

Was he really considering asking this man out?

“Holy shit!”

Din jumped and looked up to see Luke had realized he had someone creeping at his window. Din wished he could throw himself in some bushes. Or off a cliff. Or in some lava.

He’d just been staring at Luke like a stalking loon.

“Uh…h-hi Din?” Luke unlocked his door to give him an embarrassed smile. “Was really not expecting to see you there.”

“Sorry.” He cleared his throat. “I saw you were…busy and then wasn’t sure if I should interrupt or not.”

Luke groaned, covering his face, “Well, now you know my embarrassing secret that I dance to bread.”

Din released some surprised laughter, “is it supposed to make it taste better or something?”

Luke just gave him a shove but opened up the door to invite him in. “Don’t make fun. And for all you know it does. Like some weird trade secret I’d have to kill you over.” He reached over and turned off the music from his phone. “Well, now that I have thoroughly embarrassed myself…what can I do for you? Everything ok?”

“Yes. Fine, it’s good. I just…I…sorry…just wanted…to say…” What did he want to say? He wasn’t sure. It was hard for him to think clearly. His heart ached and just staring at Luke made the world far too bright.

He felt like a horrible, greasy mess. His hair was a disaster, his fingers and face smudged with oil, his brown jumpsuit covered in splotches and tears…he wasn’t sure it was a good idea that he had the top part off and wrapped around his waist so he was just in his black under-tank.

“You have a tattoo?”

“H-Huh?” Din choked, barely able to function with those blue eyes on him.

Luke flushed, “Your arm…sorry that was…it just caught my attention.” Along with how gorgeous those muscular arms were.

“Oh, yeah…” He reached up to touch it, thumb brushing over the ink.

“It looks like a Rhino?” Luke took a breath of confidence and approached to get a closer look. It was a simplified profile of the creature’s skull and exaggerated single horn.

“Of sorts…it’s a mythical creatures from stories I was told when I was young. A Mudhorn.” He touched it once more. “I got it when I adopted Grogu. A sort of family signet...it was the first story I told him to get him to sleep and…uh…”

Luke gave him such a warm smile and, yep, Din was about to faint.

“That’s beautiful.” He grinned and his face dimpled, “You’re an amazing father.”

He was crashing. He was crashing. Pull up, pull up. Mayday. Mayday. May-fucking-day!

“I know it’s personal but…that would be amazing on top of your shop.” Luke said. “Very eye-catching.”

“Really?”

The blonde shrugged. “Just a thought. It sort of stamps your place and makes the place yours. But I get that it is really between you and your son--”

“Family.” Din rushed out before he could stop himself. “Not just my son…a-anyone who joins the family.”

“Ah,” Luke looked away and blushed so hard that Din could no longer see the light dusting of freckles over his face. “Well, whoever joins your family will be incredibly lucky.”

He was not about to get to his knee. He was not about to propose. He had control. He was not about to beg this man to marry him.

‘You don’t even have a ring.’ He warned himself, as if that was the best reason not to propose.

“I wanted to say thanks.” He finally managed, remembering the (somewhat) point of coming over. “Grogu…he talks non-stop about you. You have really made him happy.”

“Really?” Luke almost looked misty-eyed. “Well…I’m happy for that. And you know, he talks about you the entire walk from school.”

“Oh? He talks a lot with you?”

“Well, I mean, a lot through sign. But when he does use his words often too.” He smiled “He’s been trying to teach me some Spanish.”

“I’m happy to hear that. It means he is really comfortable with you.”

“Good! That’s a relief.” Luke looked away from him a moment before peeking back. “I was thinking of making something else…would you both like to come over this weekend for dinner?”

“Come over…? Oh.” Din looked up at the ceiling a moment. “Your place?”

“Yeah?”

“S-Sure. If you’re ok with a toddler around your stuff?”

“I’ll hide the swords.” Luke promised with a grin.

“Ok…this weekend then.”

Luke put on a brave face, “Great. It’s a date then.”

Din, quickly, agreed.

It was when he hit the first stair that took him up to his homestead that he made the decision he was going to ask Luke out, officially the next time they talked

Luke stood on his tiptoes to peek over the counter and out the window. He could see Din moving around the garage, he had taken off his top to cool off and Luke let out a broken whimper at the sight of the man’s broad chest.

Holy. Shit.

Din was built. He had a more cinched waist than Luke expected, but he had muscles on him. From here he could see a bit of hair over his chest that trailed down into his pants and Luke practically drooled.

His neighbor was absolutely gorgeous. Not only that but so incredibly soft and kind and hard working with the ability to laugh at Luke’s stupid humor.

He knew he was in a lot of trouble. He knew, pretty much from the moment he first saw the single father that his heart was doomed. It just became more and more obvious each time they talked…which was now daily.

Luke looked down at himself and frowned. He had muscles from his time in the Force and from all his heavy lifting and squatting and dealing with intense heat…but he as also slender and a bit soft. He certainly did not have a firm stomach like Din did. Sure, Din didn’t have the abs like he lived at the gym but he was 100% healthy and muscular and gorgeous. Luke had more of a swimmer’s body…who ate carbs. There was also the issue with the right side of his body and the scars.

He pinched himself and glared. He wasn’t unhealthy by any means, or maybe he was…he had a tendency in forgetting to eat. His ass as decent, he could admit that, but a nice ass, decent arms, and long lashes didn’t mean a guy like Din would give him a second glance.

Flopping over his counter, Luke gave a mope.

Maybe he should start running or something…but that sounded exhausting with his baker-schedule. Perhaps he could try to add squats or something similar when he was baking? But it could be easy to overheat being surrounded by ovens and needing to keep his kitchen at a certain temperature for proofing.

Originally, he had planned on turning his rooftop into a garden so he could experiment with recipes with his own stock but maybe he should consider creating an outdoor gym of sorts?

That was hard…cause he really wanted that garden.

Luke pinched himself again and sighed, feeling disappointment and some shame pool in his gut. There were far too many beautiful, in shape people in a place a ritzy as their town. One of them was bound to put the moves on someone as gorgeous as Din soon. Luke really did not see how he stood any chance.

With a bitter mumble, he went back into the kitchen and promptly smashed his ankle against a bag of flour and fell over. A white puff engulfed him.

“Ah shit.” He really needed to learn that if he was going to put something down, no matter how quick he promised himself it would be, it needed off of his walking path.

“Ick,” Luke coughed, picking himself up, and dusted off the flour. He sneezed a moment and groaned. Time for his weekly flour-bath apparently.

Grunting, Luke walked out of the shop to dust off the mess as best as he could without it falling into the floor where customers would wait. With another sneeze he stepped out under the awning of his shop and shook his head out, brushing off layers of powder. “Fuck.”

“Luke?”

Luke looked up and groaned internally. Why hadn’t he just left from the back to deal with this stupid mess? He looked like an idiot. “Uh…hi, Din?”

The man walked over to him, concern over his face. “Are you ok?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, bag fell open. Danger of the job.” He ran a hand through his hair to get some more out. “It’s better than an oven burn.”

“I suppose.” He looked him over. “That stuff…isn’t dangerous if you inhale it?”

“No,” Luke managed a laugh. “Not this amount.” He scowled at his jacket and pulled it off and began to shake it to remove the mess.

“Oh.”

Luke’s head snapped up and then followed Din’s gaze to his right arm and winced. He quickly finished cleaning the jacket but resisted in slipping it back on. He knew he had nothing to be ashamed of but…

“Sorry, I didn’t mean…that was--”

“It’s fine. I usually keep long-sleeves on. Sucks for summer but it is just easier.” He said with a meek smile and looked over his arm, which was covered in scars. “It’s a bit disturbing to some. It just feels more…professional and easier if I keep it covered.”

Din wanted to touch the puckered skin that trailed from the man’s shoulders and trailed down his arm and disappears into the glove he always had on his right hand.

“It’s fake.”

“Huh?”

With an awkward grin Luke held up his right hand, “This one is fake.”

Din took a second look at it, “It’s…fake?”

“My plane crashed with another’s. The impact shattered my ribs, made this wrist break bad enough it was out of the skin, and popped an organ…but I was able to move with some pain. But the guy who shared the crash with me was knocked out and his plane was taken over with flames.” He looked over at the wound again. “Was able to get him out but lost the hand and a good chunk of my right side was burned…but he survived though he was discharged as well.”

“You saved him?”

“Well…I mean…he was going to burn alive? And I mean, I just pulled him out. The doctors were the one who saved him afterwards.”

Din could just stare at the man. “You saved someone.”

“It was really not as impressive as you’re making it sound.”

Din’s dark brows rose, “You don’t handle attention or compliments well?”

“I can handle them well when it’s on my product. I don’t need compliments on,” he motioned to himself, “me.”

A hero. Humble. Respectable. Selfless.

Oh god, he was head over heels.

He wanted to take this man to bed and never let him out again where he could get hurt.

“It’s a good hand though!” Luke said, trying to change the topic. “Leia and my benefits got me connected to get some of the best replacements. But I leave it in a glove because it is obvious and…robotic looking. It also huts something horrible when it gets too hot…” He rubbed it. “Baking probably wasn’t the best choice…but as I told you before, I’m not the brightest.”

“That’s pretty incredible.”

“I’m just baking bread. Trust me, it’s nothing to be in awe over.” Luke grinned.

“I think it’s amazing.”

“Baking bread with a fake hand?” Luke said, a bit of a tease in his tone.

“Just everything you do. It’s amazing.”

Luke’s teasing grin dropped and he looked at Din with a surprised expression. “Oh…w-well…thank you?”

Din looked over the man and then made a sharp inhale as he approached him, “Tomorrow…an old friend of mine is visiting. He is like a grandparent to the kid.”

“That’s good. Glad Grogu will have a visitor.”

“While he watches…” He huffed out aggravated air, “Luke, are you free tomorrow night?”

“I…yes?” He blinked owlishly at him. “Yeah?”

“I want to take you out.”

“Out…as in not an assassination but--”

Din laughed, “Out as in a date.”

“O-Oh.” Luke’s face went red. “Me. You…want to take me out on a date. Me?”

“Yes.”

“I…” He nodded, desperately, “I would like that. Love that. A lot. Yes. If that’s fine?”

“More than.” His fingers twitched slightly in discomfort. “Are you ok with it?”

“Yes! I mean…” Luke’s face had to be neon at this point. “I wanted to…you know…ask you out since I first saw you I just didn’t think you’d want to…you know, with me?”

Din looked surprised, “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Why would you?” Luke waved his hands a bit. “I mean, you are without a doubt the most attractive guy in this city now. You’re charming and fun and great to talk to and a wonderful father. You should have your pick of anyone!”

The mechanic opened and closed his mouth for a good solid minute, “You…think that of me?”

“Yes! I’ve been a pathetic mess since you moved in. I already know Leia mentioned something to you. She brought you over that first day because I was all lovesick and she wanted to make a point.”

“Oh…y-yeah, she had mentioned you were a bit…uhm…”

“Stupid.” Luke grumbled, rubbing his hands over his face only to flinch back and sneeze again when he was hit with more flour. “I went stupid over you. I saw you shirtless and I had to run away because you were that good looking.”

“Oh.”

“Sorry…that was kind of rude of me to say.”

“No…I…uh…went a bit stupid too. When I saw you the first time.” He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away from Luke to confess, “I nearly proposed to you when you started to sign to Grogu.”

“W-Wha?”

“A serious proposal.” Din winced. “And the kid has had fits because you don’t tuck him in at night.”

“I…uh…o-ok.” He finally managed a smile. “I don’t know if this helps but I probably would’ve said yes if you had asked.”

“Doesn’t help.” Din groaned. “Because a part of me is still regretting that I didn’t.”

“Probably for the best. Leia would’ve killed me if I got engaged to a guy I just met.” He then groaned. “She is never going to let me live this down. I told her I wasn’t your type and she took that as some sort of personal insult…if we start dating she will do nothing but remind me of the fact that she was right, yet again.”

“Doesn’t seem to be the worst thing to be wrong about.”

“No…I suppose not.” Luke managed another smile at him. “So…tomorrow…at seven?”

“Yeah. Tomorrow at seven.”

Luke’s excited grin was blinding.

“You owe me two weeks of cupcakes as your daily special.” Leia grinned, eyeing her brother’s red shoulders as he tried to work and ignore her. “And I get three every day.”

“I do bread, Leia.”

“And for the next few weeks you’ll also do cupcakes. Every day. Starting with strawberry and you’ll end with chocolate. You can’t repeat any flavor but you can combined them.”

“They’re a pain to make.” He groaned.

“Too bad. You were the moron who didn’t listen to me when Din moved in.” She typed a bit on her laptop. “I’ll send you a list of flavors I want.”

“Why don’t I just make you the cupcakes and not try to sell them?”

“Nope. I have another point to make in that you need to sell some more sweets.”

“I’m already too squishy for my liking. I do not need to bring more sugar into this place.”

“And I say you do.” She flipped through her notebook. “I’ll put in an order so you have enough of the necessary ingredients for the basics. You’ll need to put in the requests for the fruits and such.”

“Three cupcakes a day for two weeks may harm you girlish figure.” Luke avoided a pencil thrown at him. “Didn’t you just sharpen that thing?”

“Don’t be a baby.”

“You were clearly aiming for my eye.”

“And you avoided it.” She then snapped her fingers and wiggled them in a command. Luke just rolled his eyes and picked up the weapon she attacked him with and handed it back over. “I also think you need to look at selling coffee.”

“This isn’t a café. People come in and get their shit and leave.”

“It’ll bring big revenue.”

“I can French press. Nothing else.”

“You’re doing well enough you can hire a barista full-time. You’d have a limited menu for now. They would primarily be in charge of that but they would also watch the store and make purchases so you can put some more focus on the product and have more time to spend with your boyfriend.”

“Leia….seriously, stop trying to get me laid.”

“Maybe I’m trying to get you married off. Stop being so sexual, you pervert.”

Luke pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Din told me a friend of his was now looking to move out here. What’s his name…Paz? Didn’t you mention he is apparently not gifted with the mechanical world like your boyfriend?”

“Apparently not. He’s been a bouncer and is tired of that life-style. But won’t he need training for--”

“I’ve found classes. I could be a sponsor.” She stopped him. “I also finished the purchase of the top two stories above that music shop down the way. I am now a property owner who is ready to rent it out. He can move there.”

“Leia, when the hell do you sleep?”

“Sleep is for the weak.” She scoffed. “It’ll be perfect timing too. Another one of Din’s friends, the one who owns a bar, is apparently looking to move here as well. He wants to do an upscale one. Fett, I believe is his name. He’ll do well. There aren’t enough night-life locations here.”

“Does Din know you are recruiting all his friends to move here?”

“Not yet. Oh, yes, Greef? The man who came by a bit ago…”

“Him too?” Luke seriously could not keep up with this ability his sister had.

“Him too. But he’s not interested in opening anything. Just to be close to Din and Grogu. He comes from old money. He can afford an apartment in my new property. He’ll probably pick up work with Din as a part-timer.”

“So…you’re getting three of Din’s friends to live in your property…one will be the needed part-timer Din needs and the other I’ll hire…while the last will open up a bar.”

“Four. Fett has a wife who co-owns the stuff. She’ll move in too…and they would only be temporary as they fix up the place they’re to run.”

“Uh-huh. You exhaust me, you know that?”

“I exhaust the weak.” She took a dainty sip of her coffee.

Luke sighed again and turned to look as people entered in his shop only to beam when he saw the familiar face of his boyfriend and then to get his legs nearly knocked out from under him as Grogu crashed into him for a hug.

“Kid, be careful.” Din scolded softly.

Luke just laughed and picked the kid up, letting him hug him tightly. “He’s fine.” He gave Din a kiss before he rolled his eyes and looked over at Leia when he felt her staring. “You say that’s gross and I’ll kick you out.”

“It is nasty.”

“Again. You’re married.”

“Again, don’t remind me.” She punched some numbers into her calculator. “And I just confirmed that you can hire him full-time with ease.”

“You’re looking to hire someone?” Din asked, wrapping his arm around Luke’s waist.

“Apparently you have a friend named Paz who needs a job?”

“Paz? Here?”

“It’s all in Leia’s plan to take over this whole city.”

“I’m not trying to take over Alderaan, Luke. Don’t be silly.”

“Riiiight….when are you going to announce you’re running for office?” Luke gave a pat to Grogu’s back.

“Oh, not till next year.” She laughed. “I need a few more people in my favor before I start the campaign for mayor.”

“Seriously, sis, go get some sleep.”

“Seriously, brother, sleep is for the weak.” She looked at her watch. “I have a meeting in an hour and then a lunch date with Han.”

“The man you’re unfortunately married to, right.”

“I’ll send you the list later.” She packed up her items and refilled her coffee mug. “Remember, strawberry first.”

“Strawberry first. Got it.” Luke sighed, letting her pat his cheek and give a smile to both child and father as she left.

“Your sister terrifies me.” Din confessed.

“It’s like she feeds of it.” Luke grunted. “She is apparently getting a few of your friends to move here.”

“Yeah, just saw an email from Fett. I have no idea how she got him.”

“At least she is just demanding me to make her cupcakes.” He smiled as Grogu moved to look at him. “No I don’t have any made right now, buddy.”

“Boo.” Grogu went back to hugging Luke’s neck.

“Paz though? Here?”

“Apparently that’s her plan. She wants to make him a barista and to watch the front.” He laughed. “She wants us to have more time together.”

“But he’s…aggressive and big and…likes to flirt.”

“Might be good to bring in customers. Isn’t that a selling point?”

Din sulked, “He’s going to flirt with you to get under my skin.”

“Ah, he is your best friend then. Just come in and order something ridiculous to punish him.” Luke stood on his toes to give Din another kiss. “This street is about to become crazier. All we now need is Peli and it’ll be complete.”

“It would no longer be quiet or quaint with her here.” Din chuckled and kept Luke and his son close.

“Pity.” Luke shrugged nonchalantly. “I was almost tempted to open up the conversation on you guys moving in with me and you rent out the space above the garage to her.”

“O-Oh.” Din’s face went red. “W-Well, we don’t have to avoid that conversation all together…”

“I would hate to disturb the charm of this place though.” Luke smirked and maneuvered out of Din’s hold. “Too bad.”

“Luke,” Din groaned.

“Lu!” Grogu giggled.

“What?” He asked oh so innocently and laughed when Din grabbed him and pulled him back. “Don’t you have work to do?”

“Don’t you? Instead you’re teasing me like the cruel thing you are.”

Luke just shared a big grin, “Now don’t go calling me names. That’s not a good example to Grogu.”

“Don’t start.” He looked down at the blonde. “You want to talk about that? About us…here?”

“If you want to…yes.”

“I…” Din struggled to find the words but he nodded.

“Hello!!” Peli cried out as she honked the horn of the car they had been working on. “Quit yer flirting and get back to work!”

Din groaned, “You want her to be our neighbor?”

“Only if you want to share a bed with me.”

Din sulked and twitched when she gave another shrill honk. Grunting he gave his boyfriend another kiss and picked up Grogu as he started towards the exit. “That bed of yours better be worth it.”

Luke just laughed.

He was in such trouble and he loved every second of it.