𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 - DIN DJARIN

Chapter 52: Restoration

chapter 52: restoration •••

Din keeps his wife close to his side as he observes Greef's reaction to the news. He's known the magistrate, the High Magistrate, a long time. Pirates being tangled up in his past wouldn't surprise Din.

"Who are they?" Din asks, his voice low.

Greef looks at him with tight lips. "Probably some old business partners," he answers, his tone matching Din's.

Din nods at his old friend. "I can help you with them." He turns to look at you and sets his hands on your shoulders. "Rid'ika, stay here with the kids."

You shake your head. "Din," you keep your voice quiet, "we said no separating."

"I know." Din releases a gentle sigh and brings himself closer to you, until his cuirass is nearly touching your chest. "But we don't know what kind of threat we could be dealing with here."

Still, you shake your head. Your eyes are widened more than usual as you lift your hands to grasp Din's wrists. It's like Din can see the scene replaying in your eyes, the winds of Tython dropping Din to the surface and carrying you to the looming starcruiser in the sky. When you speak, there's a tremor in your voice that you try to suppress. "Please don't make me."

Din lifts one of his gloved hands to the side of your face. "Okay." He's pleased to see the tension fall from your shoulders as you lean into his touch. Din circles his jaw, both in concern for you and for your children. "Just... don't get too close. Blend in with the other civilians so they don't think we're associated."

You nod. "I can do that." You take Din's hand and remove it from your face, instead holding it between both of yours. "I'm sorry if I'm being..."

"No." Din shakes his head at you. "You're right. This is exactly how it happened back then." The cold chill of the memory gnaws at his nerves. "I won't make that mistake again."

"Mando," Greef speaks up, drawing the couple's attention. "We've gotta' go."

"I'm right behind you," Din assures him. He looks at his wife again. "Wait one minute after we've left to follow us. That'll make things more believable."

"Okay." You wrap your hand around the back of Din's helmet for a quick Keldabe kiss. "Good luck, riduur."

"You too." Din allows himself one last glance at his wife and kids before he steps away and follows Greef outside the office. He pauses only to add one more thing. "Ni kar'tayl..."

"Gar darasuum." You finish the phrase with a fond smile.

It's your warmth that carries Din forward with Greef. Such a brief separation, even for so minor a threat, proves to be difficult for your family given everything you've been through. Din's thankful that you were willing to speak up about it. His instinct is to keep you far away from danger, but in reality, even just a moment spent away from you is nothing short of agonizing.

"Do you have any idea why these pirates are here?" Din questions Greef on their way to the courtyard.

Greef releases a deep exhale. "I have quite a few," he responds. "But I'm not sure which one it is."

Din tightens his hands into fists. "Are they dangerous?"

Greef gives him an amused look. "Not for someone like you."

Din nods and focuses on the way ahead again. "Good."

They make their way out of the building and down the stairs, heading closer to the heart of the courtyard. Din can hear their voices before they even turn the corner by IG-11's statue.