𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧 • din djarin

Chapter 9: Cruel Conversations

chapter 9: cruel conversations •••

"It's been weeks, Drinna, please!" your mother's voice begs.

You can see the orange Twi'lek clear as day as she looks upon your parents with sympathy. "I gave 'em my word," Drinna insists. "I'm sorry."

"We don't know what to do with ourselves," your father adds. You've never heard his voice so desperate and broken before. "We just want their forgiveness—we want them back in our family. Please, tell us where they are."

Drinna shakes her head. "I don't break promises. I can't tell ya'—I'm sorry."

Your parents share a defeated look before your mother begins to weep into your father's shoulder. Despite all the hurt they've put you and your lover through, you can't help pitying them in this moment as you try to reach a hand out to comfort them.

"I'm here," you say, your voice trembling. "You don't need to find me, I'm right here."

They don't hear you. Your father turns your mother and himself around as they walk away from Drinna's stall.

"Wait!" you call after them. "Don't go! I'm right he—!"

"Cyar'ika, ner kar'ta," Din's gentle voice rouses you from your dream. Your eyes widen as you look to see Din's expression of concern hovering over your face, the silhouette of his image against the walls of his room in the covert familiar and comforting. He pauses for a long moment, letting you get used to the surroundings of reality as he runs his knuckles over the side of your face. "Was it another dream?"

You nod, taking a gentle hold of his wrist to keep his hand pressed upon your cheek. Din's gaze softens yet also fills with more worry as he goes on.

"Was it about them again?"

You nod with a sigh, averting Din's gaze as you speak. "I don't know why I keep dreaming about them." You frown as you lock eyes with Din again. "I don't want to feel bad for them, Din. They don't even deserve it."

"You can't help it, cyar'ika." Din runs his thumb over your cheek and kisses the wrinkle in your brow. "You're kind and caring, and—despite the way they've treated you—you love them."

You study Din's affectionate gaze, which makes the thought of your parents even more sickening. "But not like I love you."

"I know." Din takes his hand from your face to hold your hands between his. His eyes study you as he takes a deep breath. "What can I do?"

You look at him with pleading eyes. "Just stay here with me a little while longer."

Din nods, smiling and obliging as he lies beside you in his bed again. He pulls you into his chest, letting you hide your face in his neck as you hold him tight. Though training awaits him in a short while, Din's taking the risk just to make you happy—causing a smile to cross your lips as you try to think of all the good things you've experienced since leaving your home.

You've become a true part of Din's covert. Zena's become like a sister to you, trying whenever she can to convince you to stay with them. Cabur has shown you what a true father figure should be like, even with his use of a tougher kind of love. The Armorer has given you words of wisdom that you know will guide you for years to come. The foundlings have considered you to be one of their own, calling your name daily throughout the covert with reverence.

And of course there's Din, who gives you more and more reasons to love him every day.

You've only become closer since sharing that night by the stream. He's become your anchor in a time full of such uncertainty and you know you're the same thing for him. As each day passes, the summer winds down more and more, and very soon Din will be swearing his Creed and vowing to never remove his helmet in front of others again—aside from his riduur, which he's explained to you before. You know he's excited to prove his dedication to his newfound people, you also know he's nervous to make such a strong change, especially with the reality of the things you've been able to share with the freedom of truly seeing him.