apostasy | the mandalorian

ēīght

The steady humming of Evri's heart monitor, coupled with the light sound of her breathing was enough to induce sleep on the toughest warrior - even one who had learned to push such things away to protect himself.

Din's head lulled to the side, his vambraces resting against his waist as he crossed them over his abdomen. This was the first time in weeks that he had been able to fully exhale, allowing all the turmoil in his lungs to escape peacefully.

More than once, he had to jolt himself awake, just so he could get another look at her. She looked so peaceful, even happy in his presence - something he had longed to see since the second he left her.

He knew he had broken her; he knew it then, and he knew it now. His actions couldn't be excused, even if he had convinced himself they were justified for a short time.

She has no reason to forgive me

But, he couldn't let her go just yet. Maybe it was a stupid coincidence that they crossed each other's paths again, but a stray beat in his hopeful heart told him otherwise. It told him that Manda had destined them to find each other again, had given him another chance at redemption.

It would lift his spirit for seconds, only to dissipate as the steady beat continued on. A deep sigh escaped his throat, vocalizing louder than he intended with his modulator. His eyes widened at the interruption to the infirmary's gentle atmosphere, turning immediately to Evri's resting form.

To his relief, she only adjusted her head on the pillow, her hand resting slightly closer to her cheek than before. Din smiled at the sight, leaning back in his chair as he turned his attention to the room.

Every fifteen minutes or so he would unwillingly draw his eyes away from her and make a quick sweep of the curtained-off room, ensuring she would remain undisturbed. Once he had confirmed her safety, he would bring his gaze back.

It was shameful to stare at her so much, and he knew that. The feeling seemed impossible to quench even with the hours uninterrupted he had already received, but he convinced himself that he would go insane if he didn't attempt to satiate it while he could.

She just made him feel...safe.

It hadn't escaped his view that she carefully folded his cape and tucked it behind her pillow for safekeeping.

It gave him hope that she felt the same.

In the morning, Evri was the first to awake. Her eyes fluttered open to the newly lit room and took the time to adjust. It took only seconds for her attention to land on Din, who was still curled up in the comically small chair and snoring softly.

A smile crossed her lips at the scene, finding comfort in the fearsome Mandalorian doing something so mundane. She had never seen him sleep before...ever...and she quickly decided it was a sight to behold.

Unfortunately for her, as soon as she sat up and stretched, her satisfied groan startled him awake. It was hard to tell at first whether he had truly opened his eyes, the only distinction being the straightening of his helmet.

He cleared his throat, taking a moment to reevaluate his surroundings before meeting Evri's eyes once more, "Good Morning,"

"Morning." The soft word was spoken into her lap as she turned away from him, instead focusing on rolling up her sleeves for the day ahead. The tan shirt they had given her was a bit big but fit comfortably enough to give her healing collar bone some air.

"Did you...sleep well?"

The question came out as hesitantly as she had ever heard him speak, causing her head to move upwards towards him.