𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 • din djarin

Chapter 8: Reverent Whispers*

chapter 8: reverent whispers •••

You hold onto Din's upper arm with your free hand as he leads the way to the covert. You're certain you look pitiful at this point, eyes stained with the remnants of bitter tears and exhaustion. You can already feel the weight of the emotional day resting upon you, drawing you even closer to Din's side as it brushes against your own.

Din leads you past the curtain and down the stairs to the underground tunnels that you now consider a home of your own. As soon as you're in sight, the foundlings run in your direction with joyful cheers. You try your best to greet them with a smile, though the gesture's hard to manage in the aftermath of the day's events. Din's gentle as he shushes them and squeezes your hand, quieting their excited calls of both your names as he speaks to them.

"Ca'nara par haav olaro," Din informs them with a raise of his brow. Bedtime is coming. "Mhi liniba udes." We need rest.

The foundlings nod and wave goodbye before they run off, leaving the two of you alone again. You can feel the curious gazes of the older Mandalorians as they flank the sides of the tunnel, though they remain silent and let you pass. Din takes you towards Cabur's curtain, pushing it aside as he calls for his mentor.

"Buir," Din says. Cabur turns around from where he's been cleaning one of his pieces of armor, tilting his helmeted head at you as Din continues. "Ner cyare liniba yaim." My beloved needs a home.

Cabur remains silent for a moment, walking closer to the two of you with caution. It's as if he can sense your unease—and he respects it, not wanting you to fear him. "Me'bana?" Cabur asks Din, his modulated voice full of genuine concern. What's happened?

"Nu yaimpa gar yaim," Din answers in a low voice. They can't return home.

Cabur looks from Din back to you, yet again tilting his helmet as he speaks with a soft voice. "Is everything all right, sar'ika?" You shrug, causing Cabur's gloved hands to tighten into fists as he gestures with his helmet towards the curtain. "Is there something—or someone—I need to take care of?"

You giggle and shake your head. "No, that's okay, cabur," you assure him in a quiet voice. "But thank you."

Cabur nods. "You may stay as long as you'd like."

You smile, the gesture saying more than your words possibly could in this moment. Cabur seems to understand, looking to Din as he speaks up again. "Will cuun alor be okay with that?" Din questions.

Cabur shifts his weight before he responds. "Yes. I'll make sure of it."

Din nods, saying a quick goodnight to Cabur before he leads you out of the room. He remains silent as he takes you to his quarters, the room feeling familiar as you smile more at the sight of it. For the first time since you stormed out of your parents' house, you feel like you can breathe again. "I love it here," you announce, stepping away from Din to spin around in a dramatic circle.

Din chuckles, raising an eyebrow as he moves towards his collection of clothing. "We've only been here for a few minutes, cyar'ika," he reminds you.

"And it already feels more like home than where I was before." You're still smiling as you say the words, causing most of Din's worry to stay off his expression as you sit down on top of his bed. You watch as he picks through some of his shirts, finally deciding on one and offering it to you. "For me?" you say, standing up to take the shirt with delicacy.

"Yes, for you." Din chuckles as he says the words. "I thought you... might want something more comfortable."

You smile even wider, reaching up to kiss Din's cheek in thanks. "It's perfect."