"How is she?"
"She's well, she ask after you often."
"That's good." Aiden showed a small smile, and the thought after did warm his heart. He wondered what it would be like, to have her come stay with him. The house would be less empty, having Cora, Makko and Roman over, the laughter and banter that filled the house. The food shared and the wine that was tasted, jokes were tossed around and it was a good day. Then after they were gone, there was emptiness again. It made him realize just how quiet he had gotten used to things. It was a sense of calm and peace, and yet he couldn't deny that something was indeed missing.
Yet, he just missed his family...
"Here she comes." The farmer said with a small smile. "I'll leave you guys be for a bit."
"Thank you."
"Aiden!" She broke away in a run, her braid bouncing wildly as she ran, arms flung around his waist. He caught her easily, crouching so they were at eye level, and for the first time in days, his heart steadied. "You're supposed to be resting," he teased gently, though his voice cracked more than he intended.
"I am resting," she argued with mock severity, "resting from being bored." Then she smiled, that unguarded trust that always undid him. "You came back."
Her words struck him deeper than she knew. You came back. As if the Force itself had stitched the phrase into his chest. He brushed a hand over her hair and let himself smile.
"Of course I did," he said softly. "I told you I would."
The house was warm, filled with the gentle scent of fresh linens and the faint chirp of songbirds beyond the window. Aiden lingered there with her, letting her chatter wash over him like balm. During lunch she told him about the puzzle pieces, about planting flowers, her trip to the city. He listened to every word, offering the occasional smile or hum of agreement, but mostly he let her voice carry him away from the shadows that haunted his nights. When she grew tired, she climbed up onto the cot and curled against his side without hesitation. Small fingers wrapped around the fabric of his robe, holding fast as though he might slip away. Aiden shifted, resting an arm lightly around her shoulders, protective but not stifling.
"You're safe here," he whispered, more to himself than to her. "No one will harm you."
She didn't reply. Sleep had already claimed her, her breathing slow and even, her head nestled against him with the ease of one who trusted completely. For the first time in many nights, Aiden's own eyes felt heavy. The dreams would return, he knew this. But for now, with the girl resting against him like a little sister who believed he could never fail her, he allowed himself the grace of stillness.
The moonlight spilled across them both, and in that moment, the galaxy felt just a little less dark.
"She's well, she ask after you often."
"That's good." Aiden showed a small smile, and the thought after did warm his heart. He wondered what it would be like, to have her come stay with him. The house would be less empty, having Cora, Makko and Roman over, the laughter and banter that filled the house. The food shared and the wine that was tasted, jokes were tossed around and it was a good day. Then after they were gone, there was emptiness again. It made him realize just how quiet he had gotten used to things. It was a sense of calm and peace, and yet he couldn't deny that something was indeed missing.
Yet, he just missed his family...
"Here she comes." The farmer said with a small smile. "I'll leave you guys be for a bit."
"Thank you."
"Aiden!" She broke away in a run, her braid bouncing wildly as she ran, arms flung around his waist. He caught her easily, crouching so they were at eye level, and for the first time in days, his heart steadied. "You're supposed to be resting," he teased gently, though his voice cracked more than he intended.
"I am resting," she argued with mock severity, "resting from being bored." Then she smiled, that unguarded trust that always undid him. "You came back."
Her words struck him deeper than she knew. You came back. As if the Force itself had stitched the phrase into his chest. He brushed a hand over her hair and let himself smile.
"Of course I did," he said softly. "I told you I would."
The house was warm, filled with the gentle scent of fresh linens and the faint chirp of songbirds beyond the window. Aiden lingered there with her, letting her chatter wash over him like balm. During lunch she told him about the puzzle pieces, about planting flowers, her trip to the city. He listened to every word, offering the occasional smile or hum of agreement, but mostly he let her voice carry him away from the shadows that haunted his nights. When she grew tired, she climbed up onto the cot and curled against his side without hesitation. Small fingers wrapped around the fabric of his robe, holding fast as though he might slip away. Aiden shifted, resting an arm lightly around her shoulders, protective but not stifling.
"You're safe here," he whispered, more to himself than to her. "No one will harm you."
She didn't reply. Sleep had already claimed her, her breathing slow and even, her head nestled against him with the ease of one who trusted completely. For the first time in many nights, Aiden's own eyes felt heavy. The dreams would return, he knew this. But for now, with the girl resting against him like a little sister who believed he could never fail her, he allowed himself the grace of stillness.
The moonlight spilled across them both, and in that moment, the galaxy felt just a little less dark.
