Prompt:
After Sabine Wren steals an Imperial TIE Fighter, (Y/N) must help Thrawn recover.

Requested by dragonsfangs

She/Her❥

1st POV
♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎

I couldn't believe my eyes. The Rebels had gotten the upper hand once again, and stolen a TIE-Fighter. I legit didn't believe it, and neither could Thrawn. If he was in a cartoon television show, there would be steam coming out of his ears,
"Whoever let that blasted Mandalorian through the gates needs to speak to me immediately," the voice of my long time friend announced over the loud speakers, "The longer you withhold this information, the worst your consequence will be."

I couldn't help but chuckle at Thrawn's threats. I have known the Chiss the entirety of my life. We had grown up together and inevitably joined the Empire together. I couldn't help but laugh when Thrawn needed to be serious,

"I can't believe your useless Troopers let an untrained Mandalorian get away with a TIE out of all things," I commented as Thrawn clicked his comlink off, "That's not the biggest blow they've landed, which kind of makes this whole situation worse."

"Shut up," he snapped back. He knows me too well: I'm always trying to tease the older man no matter what. But this time, the vibes felt different. This was far more serious than I cared to think about. If the Rebels keep ahold of this TIE, then they can attempt to sneak on our ships and into our territories, "I need those Rebels captured in the next few days before I take matters into my own hands."

"And how will you do that?" I questioned while sitting down at his desk in his chair; placing a set of glasses on my nose so I could read the papers I brought with me, "Your scrawnier than a stick, and have the muscle mass of a newborn. Those Jedi will kick your ass."

Thrawn tried to keep a serious face up, but he couldn't help the little chuckle that left his mouth. I have to admit, that was hilarious,
"You're right. But, you could do it."

I wasn't much better off than Thrawn was, especially compared to the Jedi. I did however have more field experience. Thrawn was always the book smart in our youth, while I literally would have to drag him outside. He always preferred reading and learning, while I preferred getting the dirty work done,
"Most I could do is maybe out run them. Out fight, though? I could take down that Twi'lek and the Mandalorian, but the Lasat and the Jedi are different stories."

"That's why I have the Stormtroopers do it mainly," he agreed, "Very expendable and cheap to replace. You and I, however, we are not."

My chest swelled with embarrassment and pride at my friend's compliment.
I stood up from his desk chair and peered out the window and into the blackness of space , "Perhaps there is a way we can make the Rebels beg for their lives."

Thrawn's eyebrows rose, and he walked over expectantly, "Do tell."

"The Death Star," I begin, running a hand through my silky smooth hair as I spoke, "Once we find where their base is, I vote we just blow up the planet. Take them out by the source— like going after a root when picking a weed."

The gears in Thrawn's head were spinning. Many ideas were flooding into the Chiss' brain at that suggestion,
"I will speak to Lord Vader about this plan."

It was hard to think about how much that meant to me. Of course, Thrawn always took my ideas into account despite me only being an Officer for the Empire. But, when he mentioned Lord Vader, I know he's stirring up something intense for the Rebels.

Emotions are high always, around Thrawn. I am always fighting for his favour considering my feelings for the Chiss. This just validated me in ways I can't describe.

I smiled and hugged Thrawn unexpectedly, earning an awkward cough and a slight shrug from the man. But slowly, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and patted awkwardly, "I needed that hug," I whispered into his chest, "And I know you do too after all these Rebels have done to you."

As Thrawn chuckled, I could feel the vibrations cycle through his chest. It was a nice sound; like a wooden xylophone being hit with a soft mallet. His chest was singing to me, and I needed to answer the call.
Raising my gaze to the Chiss' face, I couldn't help but bite my lip as I took in all his features. From his perfectly straight nose, to his soft, red eyes. I never expected Thrawn to be a softy when it comes to affection: immediately he adverts his eyes from embarrassment.

Cupping his blue face into my hand, I rubbed my thumb across his lips and cheek lovingly. I don't know what's come over me in this moment. My love for my childhood friend has been an eternity, and I never believed I'd be bold enough to pursue it. Sabine Wren came and ruined the Empire's plans at the right time, I suppose.

Thrawn inhaled deeply, and finally connected our gaze, "(Y/N)," he whispered, leaning forward a bit, "Where did this come from?"

"It's been bottled up, Thrawn," I answered while leaning in as well. Our lips grazed, and finally connected. It was an explosion of feeling: love, deep connections, and unity. Togetherness with one goal in mind— destroy the Rebels so we can be together forever. Free.

As our lips disconnected, I couldn't help but smile up at the Chiss, who willingly returned it, "Well, that was... unexpected," Thrawn mused while removing his body from mine. I instantly wanted to fall back into his arms and hold him close once again. He felt like apart of me, and being away from him was painful, "Act professional now: I am contacting Lord Vader about your plan."

I felt a shock of anxiety race up my spine. Sure, everyone in the Empire has somehow met Darth Vader. Generally, however, it was through either hologram or being his escorts. Rarely is it one-on-one action. Thrawn had no issue with speaking to the Sith. He's done it a million times, yet I am scared. He's such a revered man in the Empire, and he could just as easily snap my neck as if it was a toothpick.

Thrawn crossed the room towards his desk, and sat down in the chair I once sat in only minutes earlier. Straightening out his Admiral jacket, he punched in a few buttons, and the call commenced. The looming bluish face of Vader suddenly appeared, causing a piercing headache to wrack your skull,

"What is it, Grand Admiral?"

Thrawn straightened in his chair, "My Lord. The time to test the Death Star is coming. Officer (L/N) has informed me that she hopes we will push all efforts and troops into finding the Rebel base."

"It's not like we aren't already doing that, Admiral," the harsh voice of Darth Vader responded bitterly, "According to your troops, they have a lead, but that seems more your territory than mine."

I couldn't stop my feet from moving. I can't handle Thrawn getting talked down like this, even if Vader is both of our superiors,
"My Lord," I begin, pushing in beside the Grand Admiral, "May I speak?"

The deep and dangerous presence of pure evil didn't respond. That wasn't a no, so I took it as an annoyed yes.
"My Lord, a Rebel has stolen a TIE-Fighter from one of our landing stations," I began, grabbing Thrawn's hand from below the table and out of eye sight. I needed his touch now more than ever, "That may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but now they can sneak onto our ships and into our bases undetected. If we don't focus all our efforts on either regaining this TIE-Fighter, or destroying the Rebels ourselves, it could potentially become harder to detect the Rebels' next moves."

The Sith Lord didn't respond once again, which caused further anxiety to wrack through my body. There's two ways this can go: either Vader accepts my plan and redirects all troops to finding this base, or he kills me for wasting his time.
Luckily, Vader begins to speak,

"I expect results. Get it done."

Without any form of greeting, Vader ends the call. Breathing out a sigh of relief, I turn to face the Chiss, "Holy shit, I almost threw up," I chuckled, releasing the right grip on his hand, "That was the scariest thing I've ever had to do. I don't know how you speak to him as often as you do."

"He respects my opinions, which helps with confidence," Thrawn simply replied, "Most of the Officers are used more as verbal connections to the war compared to Admirals."

"Gee, thanks, Grand Admiral," I responded, a hint of mockery in my words, "I wouldn't say shit because it's obvious Lord Vader changed his mind about the plan once I spoke to him about it— not you."

Thrawn couldn't help but roll his eyes at my immaturity, which caused a smirk to climb to my lips. Going on my tippie toes, I pressed a soft kiss to the Chiss' lips once more; earning a slight shoulder squeeze from the man.
It was obvious he wasn't used to being touched like that, and was a little confused and insecure on how to respond,

"You're honestly one of the best things that's ever happened to me, Thrawn," I mumbled while leaning my head onto his shoulder. We swayed lightly with the movements of the ship, "Ever since I met you all those years ago, I've known you were different. I fell for you so fast, but held it inside. I have always been so fearful of ruining this platonic relationship that has been so pivotal for my life... let me know now if you've felt the same all this time so we can become one. Otherwise, let me down easy."
That last part was a joke. Regardless if Thrawn let me down slow and easy or not, it would hurt no matter what.

This Chiss looked me right in the eyes, and I felt something change. Like a light went off in his skull, reminding him of all the good times we shared underneath the sun and moon alike. His blue hand fell to mine, and squeezed lightly,

"Living the life I do— hell, the life we both live, it's complicated to even think about pursuing a relationship. Until now, my head has always been buried in Imperial work, whether it's formulating plans for Lord Vader, or trying to stay two steps ahead of the Rebels. You've helped me realize something very special, (Y/N)," he whispered, adverting his gaze towards the window overlooking the fleet and some bright, far off planets.
"Work isn't everything."

Hearing him say those words was magnificent. I was half-convinced he was going to deny me, and carry on with his day like nothing happened. Of course, I should've known my childhood friend better. We are like two halves of a whole. He completes me just as I complete him. If one of us passed away, the other would simply fade into nonexistence as well.

Reaching forward, I cupped his face into both of my hands, and smashed my lips into his. Fireworks exploded immediately. It wasn't like our initial kisses.
Originally, Thrawn was taken off guard by my advancements, but now that his feelings have been discovered and released, he feels like home. He feels real.

Separating, I laid my forehead against his and just closed my eyes. I breathed in his cinnamon scent and sighed with content,
"We should probably get a move on to track those Rebels before Lord Vader removes my head from my neck."

The Chiss chuckled deeply and pressed a kiss to my forehead, "We better hurry then. I can't imagine you surviving that."

"You're so smart!" I exclaimed sarcastically while walking towards the exit; Thrawn right at my heels.

June 27th, 2022