Reunited

Ar'alani finally gets a chance to speak to Thrawn alone in her suite aboard the Vigilant. NSFW!!!

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't punch you," Ar'alani sneered. "You said you'd return in a year when you left for exile." She hissed quickly between her teeth pacing infront of her desk. "And then, I find you by mere chance fighting the Grysks. . . And you- you just run off again! I know I should trust you enough to not worry, but sometimes I can't help it. I don't know what the Ascendancy - no, what I would do without you."

Thrawn remained still to Ar'alani's annoyance.

"A-And then I get a call from Vanto saying you've been stranded in the middle of nowhere -" she stuttered as she attempted to organize her thoughts. "Thrawn its been a decade! Ever since you've returned you've acted like nothing has happened, I can't believe you'd just-"

Thrawn grabbed her arm tightly, halting her. His eyes bore into her own with an intensity she hadn't seen before. His lips began to part ready to respond, but then tightly shut into a thin line. He paused for a minute, debating on his next course of action. . .

The next course of action. . . Oh, how off course he had gone. Earn their trust, use their power, eliminate the Grysks. That had been the plan, and now he had nothing. For the first time in his life he truly didn't know what to do.

He couldn't convince Nightswan to join his cause. How would he be able to convince the Jedi? Would Thrass have succeeded where he will ultimately fail? And what would've his brother thought of Thrawn now? Thrawn had been certain his whole life. Now his mind was riddled with questions and doubts. . .

To Ar'alani's suprise, Thrawn leaned into her, wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace. And just like that her hot fury cooled. She placed her hand in his dark hair, accidentally undoing some strands of his messy bun in the process. Ar'alani pulled Thrawn's head closer to the crook of her neck. They stood motionless for some time.

There was nobody he trusted more than her. Ar'alani was a pillar of strength, a formidable leader and a cherished friend. . . His brother was his anchor, his voice of reason. As Thrawn held Ar'alani he couldn't help but wonder if she could fill that role and more. . .

He barely spoke, breaking the silence. "I miss my brother."

"Thrass. . ." Arlani's voice trailed. She pulled him closer, burrowing her head into his broad shoulder. "I know he's proud of you Thrawn." He curled his fingers into the back of her white coat.

After a few more moments, he pulled away from her slowly, his hooded eyes met her own worrisome ones. He shook his head, although it was nearly indiscernible. "I'm not so sure." He whispered.

Ar'alani placed a hand on his bicep and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Thrawn placed his free hand atop hers, rubbing the spaces between her knuckles. His eyes locked onto their hands. "Has Thrawn ever held my hand before?" She thought.

"Ar'alani. . ."

"Thrawn." She carefully asked. "What happened?"

He let go of her hand, shaking his head ever so slightly. "What hasn't happened." He croaked. Thrawn settled himself into one of the arm chairs facing Ar'alani's desk. He leaned forward placing his elbows on the top of his legs, then pressed his forehead against his clasped hands.

Ar'alani lightly touched the spot of her uniform where his head had rested. . . Tears. . . Ar'alani sighed and pulled the other chair closer to him, sitting alongside the forlorn Chiss. She reached her arm out and lightly scratched the back of her comrade. "You can talk to me Thrawn. I . . ." Ar'alani stopped herself.