heraequipped:
Of course this was dangerous, but by the stars she needed to know he was safe. Many years ago she probably wouldn’t have done something so brash but after losing Kanan, and Ezra… Hera wanted to hold her family closer. Spend more time, because she felt as if she hadn’t spent enough time with those two. But Jacen… Despite hardly knowing him at this point he was her son. Her family. She was determined to be a better parent than her father ever was.
It shouldn’t have been a surprise he wasn’t too thrilled. “I told you I was going to see you.” Hera was glad at this point that she had his comm information so she can stay in contact with him, but knowing his father he was bound to be reckless as well, at least to an extent. And then he scolded her, furrowing her eyebrows “Don’t talk to me like that, I’m a grown woman who can take care of herself, not to mention your mother.” She couldn’t help but scold in that matronly tone of hers, mostly just surprised at this reaction to her “You think I didn’t plan out every move I’m making? I’m not your father.” Hera had gotten the buns from base, she wasn’t going to stop at some bakery to get them and risk exposing herself.
“I needed to be sure you were safe.” Hera’s tone softened, reaching to gently cup his cheek “I know you’re not on the resistance base but I can’t have anything happen to you.”
“that was before the resistance were branded as terrorists and the senate made it their mission to hunt everyone down for their crimes.” crimes jacen is partially responsible for. a situation he helped to orchestrate. guilt twists uncomfortably in his chest, his stomach curdling unpleasantly at the unspoken reminder. he did this to them. he did this to his mother, left her in a position where even coming out to see him puts her at risk of capture. or worse.
shaking his head, jacen pushes past that train of though. hera can’t know what he’s done. she can’t know what he’s responsible for. he doesn’t regret the side he’s chosen, but - he’s still coming to terms with where that’s lead him. and he won’t put that on her shoulders. “i never said you didn’t, but that’s not always enough! it wasn’t enough seventeen years ago, and it won’t be enough now!” jacen snaps, a little more harshly than he should. but he’s already lost his mother once due to her reckless choices. he refuses to let her die again, not if he’s capable of doing something about it.
the feel of her hand against his cheek is a reminder of... when things were easier. when jacen would’ve followed her and her cause and her new republic to the ends of the earth. when he believed it was the right path. but he knows better, now. he knows that won’t help anyone. “i’m not a kid anymore. i can handle myself, mom.” he responds with a soft sigh, raising his hand to rest against hers. "i’m not in danger out here. you are. you realise i’m trying to keep you safe, right?”









