𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 - DIN DJARIN

Honor (Interlude)

honor (interlude) •••

Din never fails to wake at Zora's cries, no matter how much his caring wife tries to muffle them. This instance—the second time this morning, with Tatooine's two suns still far from rising—is no different, though it's not Zora's crying that makes Din's alertness grow. It's the strain in your voice as you attempt to calm your daughter.

"Shh, Zora," you plead. "It's all right. Your family needs rest."

It's unlike Zora to not listen to her mother, but she's still only a few months old. Din's had to remind himself of that many times. She may have an ability that surpasses the understanding of both you and himself, but just like her brother, she's just a child.

And his wife is a tired mother in need of relief.

Din rises from the bed and makes his way over to where you and Zora stand at one of the luxurious bedroom's windows. The look you give him floods him with the urge to make everything in the galaxy stop, if only to provide you with even just a moment of peace. You give your head an aimless shake.

"I don't know why she's upset," you say, keeping your voice soft so as to not wake your other child. You furrow your brow and look back down at your crying daughter. "I fed her, I changed her, I told her that story she always likes, and I even..."

"Cyar'ika." Din sets a reassuring hand on your back and earns your gaze again. Your eyes are burdened, with dark rings beginning to form underneath them. You're stronger than he'll ever be, but even you have your limits. Din presses a lingering kiss to your forehead and waits until he hears your soft exhale to pull away. "May I?" He gestures to Zora.

With a nod and a small smile, you hand your daughter over to him. Din returns your smile and takes Zora in his arms as carefully as he did the day she was born.

"All right, Zozo," Din coos. "Relax, baby girl. We're all right." He presses his forehead against hers, pleased when her cries start to soften. There's a look in her small brown eyes that tells Din everything he needs to know.

Din holds a heavy breath in his chest and feels the ever-present knot within it tighten. He should've known better than to think he could hide from both you and his daughter. His wife knows him too well, and Zora is always in tune with both of you.

"Don't worry, okay?" whispers Din. "I'll tell her."

"Tell me what?"

Din can feel your gaze on him before he even looks over at you. There's a new pinch in your brow, one that makes Din's chest tighten with frustration and worry he can only direct towards himself. He forces himself to try to relax when Zora's cries start to escalate again. There's no doubt she's sensed his restlessness from the moment Din's conflicted thoughts started to surface.

"I have to go, you know," Din finally speaks up while he rests Zora upon the warmth of his bare shoulder. He clarifies before you can make your bewildered response. "To Mandalore."

Your disbelieving eyes give him a once-over. "You mean, we have to go."

Din tightens his jaw and looks away from you. "Astra..."

"Isn't the planet destroyed?" You speak on all the same thoughts Din's had in recent days, and he prepares himself to hear the same excuses he keeps trying to make for himself. "How are you supposed to go underneath a destroyed planet?" You hold his chin and urge him to look at you again. "And for what? Redemption you don't need?"

"Rid'ika, please." Din refuses to be firm, instead favoring the gentleness you need. He lifts a hand from Zora to grasp your wrist and remove your hand from his face. His fingers entwine with your own. "I understand how impractical it seems. But... we know people who can help us, people who already plan on venturing there." Din studies your gaze and fails to find the reassurance he's looking for. "I have to try."