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lawrites · 2 years

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Chrome & Chemises

A Star Wars/Pride & Prejudice Story

Din Djarin x Plus Size! Gender Neutral Reader

Part 2

CW: bit of body-shaming, slightly down inner thoughts, reader IS gender neutral but DOES wear a dress. Also pants at some point tho! I promise! I won't describe your body besides general softness and maybe a tummy 🙂. Society is gender-neutral but does hold power in riches...and sometimes outdated talk/etc because P&P.

Also unfortunately, Y/N will be used. I have no idea how to get around it in this story, so I apologize. It will be used only when I have to. This story mainly follows P&P 2005 to a T, but in space with Mando. 🤷

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single Man(dalorian) in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a partner. However, you are certain that Mando, whatever his real name is, would be the last man you would every think to choose as your own, and you are certain he thinks the same after your brief interactions at the ball.

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It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single person in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a partner. However, as you listen to your mother enumerate every grace you must "take care" to follow around such people, you find yourself instead glancing away and up through slightly wavy glass panels and towards the many ships that glide overhead. You have to hold in a sigh as you consider your options, the unspoken ones that even your mother won't say plainly.

You want to see the stars, the planets beyond, the entire galaxy. Your station, however, would prohibit you from following that dream, as your father did not make enough in a year to keep a ship that could take you beyond your port, let alone your planet. A shiny, chrome-covered one slowly moves into your visage, and you sigh seeing the glittering lights below reflected in its hull. You have never seen one of its like before in your little spaceport, most others being expensive but older ships, relics of the past. This one has the finest and best of modern technology.

Being brought back to the present, you hear a brisk knock at the door. Your mother shoots out of her seat to creep over and spy on Betsey as she answers it. You look back to your window to steal one final glance at the hulking beast made of chrome before it disappears behind the Lucas's abode nearby.

Your sister, Jane, lightly taps your arm to get your attention. Her voice is clear as a bell but softened to a whisper as she moves her head so only you can read her lips, "Why would you be looking outside when we have a guest?" Her shining blue eyes catch yours, full of just the slightest hint of mischief and no more as she continues, "This is behavior I would never expect from my most beloved sibling."

You do your best to suppress a chuckle and smile as you answer back, "Yes, entirely unlike me to be bored by Mama's lessons with a want to escape." You roll your eyes in an exaggerated manner to show your distaste at what seems to be your mother's fiftieth lecture about proper behavior for young people looking to marry.

Her joyous shriek suddenly cuts through any thought you previously had, causing Jane to close her mouth and lose her reply as your mother barrels into the room, all aflush and breathing heavily.

"Oh wonderful news, my dears! Wonderful, wonderful news!"

She stops, seems to try to gather her thoughts, and then hurries out the door again. You can hear her footfalls lead her to your father's study, where the door opens and shuts finally. Your younger siblings spring up, already moving towards his door to see what has your mother all aflutter. With a secret glance to Jane, you both follow, propriety unable to convince you to stay still.

With your ear pressed against the door, you can hear the slightly muffled voices of your father and mother.

"-Netherfield has been let at last! Can you believe it, Mr. Bennet?"

You can almost see his expression as he no doubt readies a retort, but your sister Lydia interjects.

"A Mr. Bingly has just arrived in a chrome ship!"

Your sibling Kitty is practically bouncing up and down as they stage-whisper, "He has five thousand a year!"

Lydia and Kitty look to each other and finish their description with a unison, "He's single!"

Jane looks to you with a guarded expression, but unable to hide the slightest bit of hope in her eyes from your own which know her so well. Her beautiful face flushes as she bashfully looks down to the floor, her hands clutching her skirt.

You hear the muffled voice of your mother continue through the door, "...what a fine thing for our children!"

A creak signals that your father has gotten up from his chair, a low chuckle begins his response. "How could it affect them?"

You bring your siblings back from the door, shushing their giggles as your mother starts to rant about her nerves and his teasing. "You know he must marry one of them!"

The study door opens to reveal the face of your father, who meets your eyes with a knowing look first, almost as if he knew what you were all up to only moments before. "Oh! Heavens! People!"

He trudges away and calls back to your mother's following form, "Oh! So that must be the only reason he settled here?" All of the Bennet siblings, yourself included, rush after them, returning to the drawing room where your father collapses into a chair with a huff, folding his paper.

Your mother presents herself directly in front of him, and if you knew her worse you may have thought she would abandon propriety and stomp her foot in frustration. "You just need to visit him!"

Your father looks past her, meets your eyes once more, and with a subtle nod, he looks to your mother. "Not to worry my dear," his eyes twinkle in mirth, "I already have."

It seems as if the room explodes with the voices of your siblings, or at least Kitty and Lydia, and your mother asking questions. Mary sits primly at her piano bench while you and Jane patiently wait for your father to continue. He holds up a hand, "I give my consent for him to marry whichever of you he may choose."

Your mother is practically exploding in excitement as she asks, "...will he come to the ball tomorrow?"

"...he shall."

Suddenly the two youngest Bennets pull both you and Jane to them, spitting off rapid-fire requests to borrow this and that. As they promising chores for weeks and months your Mother almost cries in relief, your father laughs at the scene, and Jane tries to placate your easily excitable siblings.

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The ball finds you and Jane standing to the side as your younger siblings find any partner who will take them for the first dance. You look to your breathtaking sister, her hair somehow falling in perfect curls that frame her angelic face. Your own is fairly beautiful, with your hair passable for a ball, of course.

"If every eligible person in this room does not end the night in love with you, then I am no judge of beauty."

You sister laughs, her cheeks pink with joy, "...or people!"

Surprised at her teasing reply, you let a smile take over your whole expression as you start your own sentence with an answering laugh, "Oh no, those that are able to choose whom they can marry are far too easy to judge."

You see, your progressive, "modern" society determined eventually that keeping women and those outside of the gender spectrum from having a place at the table, so to speak, was putting a halt to progress. However, though the patriarchy was supposedly demolished, that doesn't mean that there weren't still systems of power in place. Riches could still buy you more than anything, and your family was not rich.

You did well for yourselves, of course. And thank whoever decides fate that you never experienced hunger or hardship at all growing up, but...once your father dies your mother will have to live on his income, having no job or trade for herself. With that in mind, your childhood home, Longbourn, would follow the money as most things do. It would go to the next person in your family that has a trade, which would be a distant cousin as far as you know.

Your siblings and yourself had been raised to be married off, as your mother was traditional. Though you argued, there was no way to start a trade at a young age as you wished. Oh no. Your mother made you sit and work on grace, propriety, beauty.

While Jane is lithe, slender, and seems to just glide across the room, you have always had a bit of extra weight. You exercise regularly through target practice and walking, and you even eat the same portions as everyone. Your body is just the way it is, and you have worked hard on accepting and loving it.

Though that unfortunately doesn't stop society, especially high society, from having its opinions. Even if you have done your research and accepted your body, you have also convinced yourself that others most likely will not do the same. And you refuse to marry for anything less than love and passion, so...you have resigned yourself to never marry. But that doesn't mean you're jealous of beautiful Jane. In fact, she is so agreeable that it would be criminal to hate her in your eyes. Her agreeable nature seems to win through her own response. "They are not all bad, you know."

"Oh! Those rich people who lord over us? Humorless poppycocks in my limited experience. They think that they have a special quality only due to the authority of some money they haven't even earned."

Jane, unable to be swayed in her optimism, holds onto your arm as she giggles. "Oh, one day someone will catch your eye and then you'll have to watch your tongue."

Almost in response, the metal doors of the Lucas's house slide open, seemingly sucking the air out of the room with them. You and Jane crane your necks to glance over the heads of those in front of you, seeing the dance floor part as everyone stops moving and the musicians halt their tune. Eventually, you catch a glimpse of three figures.

One figure is an admittedly handsome person, their ginger hair and clothes styled in the latest fashion though slightly rumpled. They good-naturedly try to look over the crowd, reaching the eyes of everyone they can. Next to them is someone in a dress sharing his same hair, though theirs is longer and made up in a style you've never seen before.

As you look at their outrageous fashion and their beautiful face that is marred by a scowl, you can tell exactly the kind of person they are, unfortunately. Your eyes, desperate to move on from the unhappy character, finally glance to the final figure, taller than the others. But you find you don't see a face, but instead an expressionless helmet.

A shiny metal encompasses virtually the entire body of this person, their figure seeming to be one of strength. Every step they take brings authority with it, and you can see at least two weapons in plain sight on their person, with more undoubtedly hidden somewhere else. You know exactly who this person is, and can only think of one word as they near you.

Jane whispers almost in shock. "Mandalorian."

The Mandalorians are revered for their battle prowess throughout the galaxy, making them not only highly sought-after as warriors and protectors, but also incredibly wealthy. Though they are few in number after the horrifying destruction of their homeworld, they are still well-known due to the tales whispered of their battles late at night, hushed voices laced with fear. They win almost every fight, leaving with the riches of those they had conquered or with the riches given to them by their clients. They are sell-swords, warriors, dangerous, unknowable...but also very sought after as marriage prospects by those who only see riches.

You are initially stuck to your spot, but then you can see your reflection in their shiny metal helmet and you can't keep yourself from making a slightly silly face. Jane sees your antics and you both giggle lowly, trying to hold it in but unable to keep the joy from showing on your faces. All at once, both the ginger-haired man and the Mandalorian look in your direction.

Jane looks bashfully down, but you straighten and hold the state of the Mandalorian, your cheeks still flushed with joy. They turn away once your eyes meet the T of their visor, and you almost swear you can see a small shake of their head. Once they reach the front of the room, Mr. Lucas welcomes them, and you all seem to start to talk at once. The dance floor fills up as the band starts up again, and you feel a slight smack against your arm.

You look to the side to see your friend, Charlotte Lucas. She glances just over you to Jane. "It appears someone has caught Mr. Bingley's eye." So absorbed in your interaction with the Mandalorian, you failed to see how Bingley reacted. Turning to your sister, you assume that he must have given her the stare most people get when they first see her. Her cheeks are flushed and she stutters, "W-well h-he could have been looking to anyone."

You grab her hand gently and know that she hates being the center of attention, so you move the topic of conversation along. "So...Mr. Bingley? Which one is he?"

Charlotte looks to you with mirth and says, "Of course Bingley is the man with the ginger hair. We have dined with him already and found that he is very agreeable." Charlotte looks over to Jane, most likely wanting to tease her once more, but you quickly jut in.

"And what about the person in the dress and the Mandalorian?"

Charlotte responds lowly, leaning in as gossipers do, "The person in the dress is Mr. Bingley's sister, Caroline. And the Mandalorian? I am told his name is unknowable for now, but he prefers to go by just 'Mando.' He is Mr. Bingley's dear friend."

You look, admittedly without stealth, towards the man in question. Though you cannot read his expression, you read his body language. His hands are resting on his weapon, and he stands straight as a board, with discomfort quite visible all throughout his frame.

You giggle. "Oh, poor soul."

Charlotte pretends to look affronted, "Oh, miserable he may be but poor he is not. On the contrary, he has at least ten thousand and year and owns half of Derbyshire on the other side of the planet!"

You cannot keep yourself from throwing in a retort to tease the man, his inability to blend in or relax so apparent. "Oh? The miserable half?"

You receive a surprised laugh from Charlotte, and you in turn laugh along with her. Jane smiles, but then grips your hand hard to get your attention. You turn to see Mr. Lucas and the rest of the party approaching you through the mass of gathered people.

You straighten, and the three of you arrange in a line facing them almost automatically. Out of nowhere, it seems, your mother appears with Mary in tow. You have to keep yourself from telling her to leave, as you want Jane to make a good first impression.

Mr. Lucas reaches a hand out to Charlotte, primarily talking to Bingley. "My eldest daughter, you already know." Charlotte curtsies slightly. "And this is Mrs. Bennet, Miss Jane Bennet, Y/N Bennet, and Miss Mary Bennet."

Your mother responds. "It is truly a pleasure. I have two other children but they are already dancing, you see."

Mr. Bingly manages to tear his eyes away from Jane to look to your mother, "Delighted to make your acquaintance." Bingley gestures to his side. "This is my sister, Caroline." She curtsies as well, her face unable to mask her displeasure. Though you all respond with curtsies and bows in kind, as propriety expects.

Mr. Lucas turns slightly towards the metal man to his side. "And may I introduce The Mandalorian. Mando, as I am told you prefer. He is of Pemberley in Derbyshire."

You all curtsey and bow, and you give him a smile in welcome. His own stiff bow and lack of greeting or expression causes the smile to drop from your face. Though the lack of expression may be due to his helmet, you cannot believe that he would be so rude as to not at least say something in greeting.

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Only slightly later, Mr. Lucas and the other older relatives left. This left you, Charlotte, Mr. Bingley, Caroline, Mando, Jane, and Mary to talk. Though it seems that Mano and Caroline refuse to reduce themselves to your station to do so, in your observation.

The conversation has been mild so far, and you find yourself more amused by Mr. Bingley's inability to disguise his interest in Jane. You decide to question him.

"And how do you like it here in Hertfordshire, Mr. Bingley?"

Bingley does not manage to hide his shy look to Jane before responding, "Very much."

You search your brain for a topic to continue the conversation until you stop on Netherfield, the beautiful abode that Bingley now resides in.

"The Library at Netherfield, I've heard, is one of the finest in the country."

Bingley looks almost ashamed, "Oh! Yes...it does fill me with guilt." He looks to Jane as a blush starts around his collar. "Not a good reader you see. I like being out of doors." He seems to realize something and he rushes to get the words out of his mouth, "Oh! But I mean, I CAN read..."

Your sister, ever the graceful and kind person, steps in. "I wish I read more, but there always seems so many other things to do."

Bingley's eyes widen and he practically beams at Jane, "Yes! Yes that is precisely what I meant."

You are distracted momentarily by what appears to be shouting and joy, with the word "regiment" being heard over the din of the crowd. You look to see Kitty and Lydia being too rambunctious in their joy with your mother, and you almost move to scold them before you hear the words you've wanted to hear all night.

"Miss Jane Bennet, may I have the honour of this next dance?"

You turn quickly and see Jane blush as she takes his hand, the both of them moving to get in place. As they start, the joy apparent in both of their faces, you look to the group you are left with. You decide to try and get to know Mando better, and decide to talk about what you are currently all observing.

"Mandalorian, or Mando, as I have heard you prefer." You see him give a slight nod in affirmation. "Do you dance at all?"

He does not even glance to you as he responds quickly. "Not if I can help it."

The finality of his tone shocks you, and makes you feel awkward in your own body. Though you weren't necessarily trying to get to dance with him, you were hoping the conversation could lead you that way, or at least continue to another topic. But you suppose a warrior like him would look upon you with anything but intrigue, and he wanted to not even give you the hope of it. You manage to stand in silence for only a few more moments before you have to leave the side of your group, Charlotte and Mary in tow, unable to keep your own thoughts about your body from racing and causing you to cry.

You and Charlotte bring Mary to your mother, who is doing very little to disguise her satisfaction and bragging at Jane and Bingley together, and move to a secret space under the stairs. When you were younger, the both of you would steal here to spy on the ball. Now that you're grown, the both of you will return if you need to rant or talk out of sight.

The both of you start to lay out all of your frustrations with the night so far. Your mother's impropriety, both of your inability to find a dance partner, and especially Mando's rudeness. You almost think you could have continued long into the night if you had not heard heavy footsteps approach, the two of you quieting your tone.

Mando somehow manages to station himself right in front of the two of you, your hiding place keeping you out of sight but unable to talk more. You almost consider just leaving again but are unable to do so before Bingley bounds over, obviously thrilled at his night.

"Mando! You must dance! I cannot have you standing here while there are eligible partners."

Mando turns only slightly to him, "You know I prefer not to dance. I detest it."

Bingley continues, either trying not to hear that comment or optimistically moving on. "I have never seen so many pretty people in my life!"

Mando scoffs, and you find your heart sinking. "You are dancing with the only handsome person in the room."

Bingley's face is taken over by a dreamy expression as he quite literally clutches his chest. "Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld in all our travels." He seems to pause for a moment. "Though, she does have a sibling, Y/N, that I find to be very agreeable."

You almost want to reveal yourself from your hiding place and hug him. You get so few compliments compared to Jane that even one that admits you aren't as beautiful is sorely needed. That is...until you hear Mando's deep voice respond, his tone even harder to read through the helmet.

"Perfectly tolerable, I believe. And certainly not handsome enough to tempt me."

Your previous smile drops and you find that you cannot breathe for a moment. But then, you recover as you usually do. How DARE he say this when he has been the one acting without propriety all night? You sniff a bit as you wipe away a tear. You won't allow yourself to cry over a man who clearly has no interest in you, you refuse. In fact, you decide to leave just at that moment, to give Mando a good scare.

Quietly, you and Charlotte open the door to your space and sneak out. Then, you position yourself to appear as if you have been hiding just behind them, moving forward and laughing together. You mention how you would love to dance and Charlotte responds that she will find you a "worthy" partner. You don't see Mando look after your retreating form, and you cannot hope to see the wonder that his brown eyes show at your laugh.

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Though your heart ached at how Mando refused to see you, you decided it wouldn't keep you down. You found a dance partner that you are dear friends with, deciding to take the next two turns with them. Your eyes cannot help but see how Mr. Bingley is dancing with Charlotte, as you cannot dance with only one partner for the entire night. But you also see how HE can't keep from glancing at Jane and her partner. You smile and continue your dance, happy enough that Jane is going to end the night on good terms with the group.

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Later, you somehow found yourself in another group with Bingley and Mando, though your Mother's presence slightly lessened the ability to make more proper conversation between you, Jane, and Bingley.

Bingley looks to the dancers to see Charlotte. "Your friend Miss Lucas is a most amusing woman."

You smile and you cannot help but feel pride at your friend's character. "Oh yes, I do adore her."

Your mother cuts in, holding a glass of wine and possibly unable to keep herself from her most inner thoughts. "It is a pity she is not more handsome."

Your eyes widen and you hurry to scold her. "Mama!"

But she continues, to the dismay and shock of everyone. "But Y/N will never admit it!" She looks to Jane, who has already started to try and keep her mother from embarrassing her further. She is unable to do so as she continues. "Of course, it is my Jane who is considered the beauty of the country."

Jane tries to interject, "Oh, Mama, no, I would not say-"

You mother keeps on, "When she was only fifteen there was a gentleman so in love I swore he would make an offer. But he did write her some very pretty verses."

You find your chance and cut in, making sure she can't continue on. "And so ended their affection! I wonder what poor soul first discovered that poetry has the power to drive away love?" You are desperately trying to change the subject to poetry, hoping someone, anyone else, will continue.

Surprisingly, you hear a deep voice answer. "I thought poetry was the food of love?"

You turn your eyes in relief and slight shock to Mando, who had said his first words of the entire conversation in relation to YOU, of all people. You smirk slightly, "Of a fine, stout love, it may. Love that is already strong is fed by everything. Though if the love is already weak, I find that one sonnet can starve it entirely."

Mando cocks his head in what you assume to be interest. "So, what do you recommend to encourage affection?"

You want to respond with your true feelings, but you instead look directly at the T of his visor and decide to let your pride run your mouth. "Dancing. Even if one's partner is barely tolerable."

His helmet straightens and you see his whole body freeze, along with Bingley's. You give your most dazzling smile back and gently grip Jane's hand, asking her if she would like to continue to dance.

She smiles and Bingley quickly asks if she would like to be his partner. You don't give Mando the ability to ask you as you turn to find another, unable to see the blush under his helmet from shame.

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It is almost the end of the ball, and you have decided to keep active and dance with multiple partners, laughing and teasing your friends. You seem to keep people's spirits up wherever you go, and you purposefully avoid looking to the dark corner where Mando has set up. He appears to be leaning against a wall, Caroline next to him. If anyone looked, they would see an uncomfortable man with no readable expression. Though, again, under the helmet his eyes seem unable to look away from you.

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I hope you enjoyed it! This is really my first time writing something like this and I hope I did the idea justice. :) It IS just basically Pride and Prejudice in space with Mando. There isn’t MUCH deviation yet from 2005, (apart from the mention of spaceships and the switch in the romantic leads) but there should be more later! If you have any comments/ideas/etc please let me know!

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