for_everyone | (no subject)

This had been itching at her for a while. She knew it was time, overdue probably, but it was always so easy to be busy elsewhere. Even setting aside a moment for it could feel like a waste – she might as well be calling into a black hole for all the response she got. Not that it mattered, she never really wanted an answer. If anything had happened to him, she would've found out quickly enough through their mutual contacts. And the same was probably true if something happened to her. He didn't need these occasional updates that she was still alive.

And yet, she draws Chopper into the galley with her. It's late in the cycle, and she's fairly sure Kanan's in his room. Right now that's just as well. Chopper rolls back a couple meters from her, and she nods. "All right, start now."

Chopper lifts his photoreceptor toward her, and a soft blue light flares within. Hera looks into the light, shoulders squared, chin up.

"Hello, father."

The first part is always the same.

"I'm still alive, and I'm safe."

This is only half true. In her entire life, Hera had never been safe.

"I have another crewmember now. Besides Chopper. He's actually been here for a while, but I didn't say anything before."

Hera does glance away. Her lekku twitch.

"I thought maybe you'd want to know I'm not alone."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Thanks for telling me," Kanan says, very simply.

"I know it would have been hard to avoid, in the long run, but still."

"It's just as well that you know."

Her mouth tugs into another half-smile. "I'd be surprised if we never make it to Ryloth."

Kanan closes his eyes, bringing one hand up to cover his eyes.

"If we ever do get there, I'm going to embarrass myself so much, aren't I?"

"Don't worry, love," she says, moving her fingers to take his hand.

"You'll probably do that anyway."

He laughs a little, helplessly, and tangles his fingers with hers.

"Well, at least it won't be a standout moment of humiliation. That's a comfort."

She also laughs, shaking her head.

"All right. Are we going to eat protein now?"

"Give me five minutes to actually heat it up, the texture is horrible when it's cold. And maybe add some of that spice mix you like to part of it?"

Kanan will pass on that, but --

Flavor isn't always a bad idea.

"I think I can find something."

And maybe also something Kanan would like.