#snowww

Having been reared on a tropical planet, you had rarely experienced temperatures anywhere near those that prompted snow. So the first time you witnessed the powdery crystals falling from the clouds above, you had been astonished. How could something so small be so beautiful? Even though millions of other ice crystals joined in the descent, each was unique. You were sure there was science behind the reason snowflakes formed differently every second. But indulging in the idea that something out there created each ice crystal with individual thought made it more magical. 

But besides the sentiments about snowflakes you held close to your chest, it had an additional significance to you. The first snow you ever witnessed had also led to unearthing the light of your life. 

Returning to the docked Razor Crest after a long bounty, your riduur and yourself were bone tired. The little one had slept the entire trek back to the ship after using his telepathic powers to assist in capturing the target. After disengaging security protocols, the two of you went separate ways to attend to your respective duties before retiring for the night.  Din swiftly had the bounty suspended in carbonite and his armor neatly removed. He placed the beskar down reverently beside the armory, all except his helmet. Sliding his gloves off, he slid them into the back pocket of his flight suit before coming to stand behind you. Thick arms snaked out around you as you stood in the Razor Crest's criminally small kitchenette, and your riduur's solid body pressed against your own. 

Though still wearing his helmet, he pressed his forehead into your temple, a soft hum reverberating from his modulator. The temperature outdoors had been steadily dropping since the sun sank below the horizon, and yet Din remained as warm as ever. You worked deftly, retrieving two freeze-dried rations from the cupboards overhead. Using the small electric kettle, you heat some water while unwrapping both portions and place them together on a deep dish. 

"You in a portion bread mood or a roast porg mood?" You asked softly, pouring the now heated water onto the food to rehydrate it. Your riduur makes a non-commital noise while his grip tightens on your waist. "Bread." He rumbles, though you're sure he wants the protein-heavy porg instead. While the rations increase in volume, you snatch the green bread off of the plate and take a large bite. 

Din's helmet cocks at you while as you munch on the flavorless lump, flashing him a shy smile. "Take the porg, cyare." You manage between bites, pushing the plate towards him with a free hand. As he moves to step up to the dish, you untangle yourself from his embrace and suck the remaining bread crumbs off of your fingertips. 

"I'll give the land gear a once over before we depart, my love." 

With that, you disappear from the kitchen and leave your riduur alone to eat his dinner in privacy. Even after you wed, you always made a point to allow him time to himself if he needed it. He often required some time alone after a long hunt like this, to think and reflect. On your way out of the hull, you paused to sling on a jacket. A chill crept its way into the hull from the lowered ramp, sending a shiver down your spine. 

Turning to head down the ramp and outside, you came to a full stop, eyes widening. An icy gust of wind blew past you, carrying little white particles through the air with it. A thin layer of white covered everything within sight, and the temperature had dropped noticeably. It took a moment before your mind caught up to the scene before you. 

Those tiny little white things floating through the air were snowflakes. It was snowing! 

Like a little child, you ran down the ramp and into the thin powdery layer of snow. Turning you face up to the heavens, you closed your eyes and relished in the feeling of snowflakes kissing your cheeks. When your eyes opened again, you could make out the small shapes of white clinging to your lashes. A giddy laugh bubbled up in your throat as you spread your arms out wide and twirled around. Seeing snow like this was as magical as you had ever imagined. 

~*~*~*~

However, your moment of wonder was quickly interrupted when a sharp cry split the air around you. You spun around quickly, arms dropping to your sides as you searched for the source of the sound. It sounded almost like a baby. What the Child okay? Your heart leaped to your throat. After a quick 180, you determined the sound had not come from inside the ship but rather somewhere else.

There it was again, the piercing cry that was unmistakably one of a baby. All thoughts of snowflakes and landing gear forgotten you rush to find the baby in distress. You follow the noise through the dockyards, weaving through crates and ducking around other ships until you round a corner. There, swaddled in a heavy wool blanket, is a sobbing baby. The poor thing had seemingly been abandoned here, behind a storage crate in the shipyard. The babe's face is angry at red, scrunched up as loud cries fall from its mouth. 

Something stirs inside you and, without thinking, you kneel beside the crate. With a coo, you reach down and gently rub the pad of your thumb against the baby's flushed cheek. 

"Hello, ad'ika. Oh, it's alright. Shhh.." Your voice sounds foreign to your ears, something between your head and resting voice that is so distinctly motherly. The baby nuzzles into your finger, mouthing at the appendage. Reaching out, you gently gather the youngling into your arms as it's cries slow to a stop. 

"There you are.. Yeah, that's it. You're okay." 

Gazing down at the baby as the angry red of its face mellows to soft pink, your eyes catch on a little tuft of blond hair. So blond that it appears white to your naked eyes. Large icy blue eyes blink up at you as you make your way through the crowded docks. Reaching out with little stubby fingers, the baby gripped onto one of your fingers and cooed.  Your heart became liquid in your chest cavity, melted by the actions of the human babe. 

~*~*~*~

You rushed up the Razor Crest's ramp, closing in behind you to keep out the cold. When you burst into the cockpit, dusted with snow and a bundle of blankets in your arms, your riduur makes a questioning noise. You sink into the co-pilot chair, holding the baby out for Din to see. His visor flicks between your face and the baby in confusion. "Who- Is it yours?" He asks, obviously taken aback by the tone of his voice. 

His shoulders sag at the shake of your head. He reaches out tentatively, his large finger touching the baby's forehead. It stirs, eyes blinking up at him as Din nearly yanks his finger away in surprise. 

"I found it by the supply carts, alone. I think it's all alone, love." 

He nods in agreement before looking back up at you. He puts the words in your mouth before you can finish thinking them. "You want to take them with us, don't you cyare?" You nod sheepishly. "They don't have anyone. We can be a family for them. Another foundling for the clan?" 

A sigh comes through Din's modulator as he reaches out to take the baby from your arms. You sit statue-still, hands clenched nervously in your lap. Your riduur sits like that for several moments, his visor tilted down towards the baby. Seemingly unaware of the weighted silence, the baby reaches forward, a little pale hand splaying out over Din's cheek plate. That effectively breaks the tension as Din's shoulders relax, he nods. 

You think the smile must split your face in half, it's so large. Leaning forward, you set your hands on either side of his helm and lift. The smile revealed on your riduur's face sparks a warm feeling in your chest. You press a kiss to his lips, hands threading through his hair and settling to cup his jaw. His eyes twinkle as he gazes down at you, still cradling the babe in his arms. "What.. What should we call them?" You whisper, eyes flicking between the foundling and your husband.

Din shrugs his broad shoulders before reaching over and brushing some snow out of your hair. "For now, let's call them," He looked down at the white powder, eyes catching on a single full-formed snow crystal. After a short pause, he brushed a finger through the thin tuft of white hair.